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Taxes blindsided me making me rethink my plan… Bought a place that checked the boxes about 20 years ago and at that time voters in Washington State approved a measure to limit year over year increases so I thought I was golden… that is until it was later gutted by one judge in King County...

Do my prize rose bushes count as baiting???

So far ran the 1993 Carrier 3 days this year… summer has been very mild in Oakland… no complaints so far… October can surprise…

Japan kind of pioneered the 3 trim levels in part because of the long lead time. Europe was on of the last holdouts where every option down to cigarette lighter had an option code..

I’ve always used thick rubber liner and under the liner the metal and paint remain pristine…

When dad brought home a used 74 Chevrolet half ton with leaf springs and A/C we were living large compared the the 1970 Chevrolet with no A/C and rear coil springs. The 74 was better in every way except it wouldn’t spin the tires like the 70 would…both 350 motors…

It’s a foreign concept to West Coasters… Is Florida similar or does the North rust up because of winters?

Might make sense to lease as electronics are wonderful when everything is working but the pits when gremlins show up… With relative low volume the projected longevity is my concern because I tend to keep forever… and electronic parts are often the first too go followed by curved cab glass…

I have a set of Big O Tires back when warranted forever as long as minimum tread depth… About 42 years old now and still have nubs on the tires… VW Thing Always a big fan of lifetime warranties and for a time just about everyone was offering… from batteries to mufflers… With me owning some...

Had a call the door would not go down… they had not used the door for months… Nice spider with web tool up residence and once evicted problem solved.

This is one reason why ER and Urgent Care are busy here… same day seen…

Im still partial to mine… 91 stepside with 350 hi output… The A/C compressor went out but otherwise no problem with my long trailer hauls.

Never seen a rusted out car I’m 15 minutes from salt water… maybe the legend of California cars is more than legend?

AI is already on it for better or worse… Official AI calls requesting medical records are a thing with two-way conversation…

I use this for my cars without windshields…

No matter how I try Graybar Electric Supply is blocked on the company network… Graybar is a 4+ billion company with 9500 employees. Needless to say I did not buy anything.

I wake at 3 with the alarm off on my day off… if I’m off 2 or more days the first alarm clock 3 am is the hardest…

New gas stations have been banned here for years and should one close zoning will not permit replacement. Yep 20hp TT and 40 AA and worm drive was the standard replacing chain drive up to about 1929… I have a fair number of hours on a restored AA 1930 vintage… good brakes, plenty of grunt and...

May be going back to the rake? https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/10/04/gas-powered-leaf-blowers-ban/86457674007/

Number of communities banning outdoor gas blowers increasing… and like many things that start in California they seldom stay just in California. Soon after the leaf blower was introduced into the U.S., its use was banned in two California cities… Carmel-by-the-Sea in 1975 and Beverly Hills in...

These little trucks punch way above their weight and from farmers in the mountains carrying immense loads to market… Their weakness is safety at highway speeds. I’ve seen several plated in Washington State and spoke to one owner at a feed store… she said it’s perfect for her horse operation…

I won’t miss the 3 am alarm either when the day comes… Last year the official word was the hospital was facing closure… I was ok with that and the timing was good for me… about a year ago corp reversed and decided to commit to another 15 years… my admin came to my office and said it’s official…...

Life built around the job really hit home with 35 years in so far… I admire those that can retire with a smile and have decades after of enjoyment… Nothin as satisfying as when a well executed plan comes together… I ask retired men what they like most and throwing away the alarm clock, life...

Mom worked 50 years as a RN but retired at 62 as charge nurse. She was not retired long and was asked to come back… She said if you really need me for a couple hours on busy days let’s see how it goes… She 100% loved it and said the best of her career… working with those she had trained and...

Tiny chip and turned on the defrost one cold morning and chip became kind across from defrost vent to defrost vent.

One of my grandfathers longest old time friends are Nevada ranchers. Married over 60 years… He knew he found the right one Im when he proposed and said let’s go to the city and get the ring… she said you have money for a city ring and he said he had been saving almost 2 years… She said a city...

With pricing like that I would not be surprised if someone bought a new mower for warranty parts and then returned it…

The older I get the more I want to embrace the Techno-Peasant life…

I liked when contract carriers would use the magnetic signs on the job… do they even make magnetic anymore?

I should have paid more attention… growing up grandmother and mom made the best soups with much sourced from their gardens… large kettle on the stove and then portioned out for future meals… economical too… not counting large pots simmering for hour after hour spinning the electric meter…

Warm California Welcome

Small Claims may sound drastic but often just filing gets things moving in the right direction. Does your state have Consumer Protection… Better Business Bureau and or TV Consumer Reporter? I once bought the replacement part and then filed my court case… I had a check 3 days after serving the...

I was on the list several years back for Tesla Power Wall as I had already installed my 6kW array… 13 months after going on the list I got the call and by that time I had other things going so I said thank you but no thank you… No idea the current state of affairs…. I like my solar and each...

Next we will hear Musk wants to build rockets to send men into orbit… oh, wait… he already did that. His Tesla Power-wall is also in demand and had a long backlog for a long time.

Leasing is a push right now on EV and several have picked up very attractive lease rates in the California market. A huge incentive around here is single occupancy carpool lane access and reduced tolling fees which are going away… I know Docs that bought because of this… being able to use...

Any specifics on State and Local Incentives?

Generational differences in point of view are very real as perception often becomes reality. This week nurses were complaining about an older man returning for cataract surgery for his other eye… He said with one eye now cataract free he could see all the lovelies and referred to the attending...

I seem to remember some of the first applications were rear wheels only on pickup trucks… which could easily lockup with bed empty…?

I don’t know… Planned Parenthood seems solid on their customer base and know where it’s funding originates.

Still see them everyday… although more are paired… anything from camo to bright reds…

I recall ABS or Traction could be disabled for winter driving? Know a few accident free that had their first winter driving when ABS/Traction came out… Each said they could stopped…

He also had Shelby build a custom Cobra to Cosby specs…

Island of Alameda was known to be strict… especially if you were driving with a light out or similar… big contrast from say Oakland. Chevrolet Luv, Ford Courier, Datsun, etc all had very affordable new small pickups… 4 cyl with a stick and if A/C it was luxury…

Or move on and follow your passion…

Circa 1995 when Hospital Desktops widely deployed it triggered some retirements… very good old school nurses that had a career filled with paper records and red and blue pencils to differentiate between day and night shifts retired… Technology drives change…

Buy right and depreciation isn’t a factor…

Don’t have a local but the nearest Kubota also sold New Holland and was pushing New Holland… I bought at a dealer my friend recommended… later I went to the nearest to buy implements and was told go back to who sold me the tractor… I tend to keep equipment forever… so longevity in the parts...

Seen many older homes with single bulb bathroom light over the sink and the light fixture also had the only outlet.

…and that area can be quite large… at least out west as they say… I’ve patched up bullet and shotgun damage several times… Not directed at me but collateral damage.

… and many had strong personalities… not meaning bad but easy to remember…

Safe spot is the key. Stalled in a part of the city tow operators will not cover after dark leaves few options… get the vehicle out or face the consequences… During Pandemic was the one and only time my service van was dead on the side of the road… even a homeowner said it will be gone if I...

When I worked at the Dealership we towed on occasion… not something I have seen in a very longtime. Front vehicle pulls and rear vehicle stops… lots of hand signals from the tow driver and speed kept to a minimum with flags on the tow chain…

The small under $800 casual import exemption that went away is having a big impact in part because the added complexity… Some are no longer buying/selling internationally… I have 400k of new GE hospital medical monitors stuck at customs… GE said it will honor the price but can’t provide...

Never miss a opportunity to increase prices. A gas station I know was great at this… he would see his competitor raise prices and he would do the same… Owner said price is based on the market and not cost… At the parts store back in the 80’s every time we got a price increase it was my job to...

I use my 4x6 box trailer every week… it’s light and easy to move around… With the gate down I can flat load 4x8 sheet goods… The low height and ramp gate make it the superior choice to move appliances or a yard of gravel… The steel deck is great when shoveling.

I like it and as long as you know where to find things who cares…

The county ordered new pickups… white with rubber mats, auto with A/C and black trim. Then I saw one oddball with chrome and radio with carpet and upgrade wheels… it was for county Director of maintenance… Can’t say if true or not but was told with large fleet orders getting one for the top...

Definitely a fusion of several production years… 30-31 bumper and cowl section with with 28-29 wheels and radiator…

Longevity…

Get two… a pickup and 1.5 ton stake bed. A friend owned a floor covering business and his logo had his 1931 AA Ford stake bed which he used for the business… The Dodge Ram Maxivan could haul 1 roll of carpet. The AA could haul many!

Funny how family had brand loyalty… TV only Zenith, Refrigeration only Amana, Vacuums only Electrolux, Victrola Record player, Kenmore Washer/Dryer, GE for other appliances… Must have done something right as all still working in the 21st century. No brand loyalty when it came to cars…...

Still using tube TV with digital converter boxes… and rabbit ears… The old antenna rotor from 1960’s finally wore out :-(

When you call a TV a flat screen TV?

In California it’s partnered with Song Beverly… The basic is consumer non business use… Tractors can be a grey area… is it for personal home use or a business asset? Consumer protection hinges on how Consumer is defined. California has one of the strongest consumer protection statutes that...

Can be very aggressive… niece was out of state attending university and Alameda County was not about to take no. She was able to get one no question deferment and was called again in the summer but she was still out of state as she accepted a summer internship. I’ve been called many times and...

1920’s was a building boom in my city… 30 amp main with two circuits. 15 amp light circuit and 20 amp outlet for a typical 3 bedroom home. The most unusual was a legal WWII conversion from large single family into 3 unit triplex. One 30 amp main and 3 individual 15 amp sub panels… Problem...

Is there a good no drip feeder? I have seen a model that is set up like a tray. I replaced my very old feeder and the new one leaked… especially in hot weather making the ants happy.

Noise and Dust mostly in affluent areas… Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Laguna Beach and Del Mar ban the use of all leaf blowers My city bans gas powered blowers and string/brush trimmers. Hillsborough, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Berkeley, Oakland, Sonoma, and Lafayette...

Can you guys still use a gas powered blower? Illegal to use here unless electric… Some jurisdiction outright ban all blowers.

For some of my friends it’s more declining ability such as eye sight or no longer able to be a contortionist.

BP cancels cases every week… Some have white coat anxiety… We had a patient cancelled for a 1 pm procedure and BP too high. We rescheduled a week out and for 7 am… he was very sleepy not accustomed to leaving the house so early and his BP was significantly lower…

Doctor office automated call reminders for appointments often show up as possible SPAM if they even show up…

Early mornings I answer the security desk phone at work… every morning scam calls and some mornings a lot of them. Just shows there are those with ill intent and the number is growing. Often just answering with the business name results in a hang up… for others asking me asking for patient...

Yep… and the lighter weight the construction often parallels with a shorter service life. I was visiting a very old friend and in the kitchen they had an all metal chrome Amana Radar Ranger from the 1960’s… still irradiating

In all seriousness… I bought a nice well rated inverter microwave for a rental and a week past warranty tenant called to say it no longer worked…

I have a 1950’s Geiger Counter but it’s only audible… Not sure I have anything to do an actual measurement. As to computers… still have my Apple//e with 80 column display, Apple 40 CPS LQP Daisywheel, IEEE card and Visacalc and 1200 Baud modem. I’ve come to the conclusion I take care of...

Sold cars with a Bill of Sale for Parts Only… no warranty given or implied.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act can indirectly extend your warranty by allowing for a cause of action for a breach of warranty or service contract, even after the written warranty has expired, provided the defect appeared during the original warranty period. The Act also addresses situations...

GE Space Maker circa 1978 and still good and used daily…

Your warranty clock stops when warranted item is out of service for a covered repair… Some have extended for many months.

I worked for a car dealer in high school and steam cleaned a lot of motors and engine compartments on trade ins. Never an issue and knew to cover the distributor and keep the water stream away…

RV antifreeze works too…

In property management it’s almost all gone to direct transfer for rents… still have a senior paying cash with written receipt and another thst mails a check… no one under 50 pays rent with a check is what I’m finding. I just started writing more checks for business expenses… the online...

My uncle became lifelong friends with his marine Sargent for decades until the Sargent passed away… Military bonds can last a lifetime and even more today with technology.. It wasn’t all that long ago letters were the only economical way to stay in touch and now 19 year olds are on different...

When my cousin was drafted they were given an assessment and he said he was very much s farm kid were they raised their own fowl, pork and beef… The short of it is he became a cook… never did he think about being a cook but turned out he enjoyed it and it came with a lot of freedom….

I was going to mention fuel polishing. At the marina the shop has lots of free fuel and actually gets paid to take it when emptying boat fuel tanks… The owner circulates it through a series of filters which also removes moisture… He would then mix 50/50 new/polished for the yard crane...

Any sewer lines or vents? At work I have floor drains and traps requiring refilling periodically to prevent odor from escaping. Otherwise something rotting?

I got mom this cap to wear when she sold her figs…

I’ve wondered about this because in the aftermath of Katrina the ban was temporarily lifted and it was legal but how does one explain a red tank long after the state of emergency has past?

The one this morning just before 3 am in Berkeley woke everyone… reports from 4.3 to 4.7 So far only noticed so cabinet doors open…

The Christmas Tree Farm had official audit and when all said and done ok. The property has had Christmas Trees for decades but when the owner passed away no new seedlings planted. When brother bought the place he had lots of catching up to do… planting, irrigation, soil amendments…...

I filled up with Ethanol Free in Carson City Nevada and recorded the highest mpg ever but as I was going down the Sierra to sea level. I can’t know how much improved mpg resulted from ethanol free? I do know carbs were worked on or replaced when they wore out from years of use and now they...

Last I checked California still holds number one spot for highest file tax adding up Federal, State, Local plus Underground Storage tax, etc…

Carb replacement is number one for the mower shops here… the fuel we have plays havoc with pot metal carbs… I’ve had to do several myself and picked up some good equipment for free that a carb change cured… There is some talk the ethanol mandate might go away… it would be wonderful for small...

I had a 1991 S10 V6 long bed with A/C, stereo but 2wd. It was a pretty good truck but did have repairs… the cluster started having problems at 28,000 miles and later had to replace sending unit and fuel pump… rode nice but the mpg was very close to my 5.7 91 Silverado. As I could not trust the...

I’m coming to the realization I have projects that probably will never happen… I was good with DuPont Centari with Hardner but the old enamels and lacquers have not been available here for decades and the old plating shops no more… The California car culture has taken massive hits… the old...

My first guess is one was sitting on some obscure shelf gathering dust. Before the Internet age I would advertise in club publications if I needed a obsolete part. I was able to find someone in the middle of nowhere that had new old stock Model A Ford axle shafts and lucked out otherwise it...

California has high road tax which doesn’t apply to red dyed off road. When I buy the the cost works out to be about the same as reg pump price vs red delivered because my 120 gallon delivery isn’t enough to avoid delivery fee…

Fuel Quality & Standards: Europe: Adheres to strict Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel(ULSD) standards with a maximum of 10 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur. They also require higher cetane ratings (around 51 and higher, with commercial blends often much higher) and maintain better lubricity. United...

In school my old Plymouth power steering pump was leaking at the seal… needed to add every month and no time to tear into it. I tried power steering sealer and 20 years later never added a drop of fluid… it expanded the seal enough to stop the leak…

Amazing savings on the axle…. any details you can share?

Had this often… but if timing is right and willing to wait a factory order is the way to go. Last factory order was Super Duty F250 and before a factory delivery BMW and prior factory order and build watch 2001 Corolla S. Was able to see Corolla being made which for a car person is a great...

I use Gunk letting it sit awhile… Don’t like the high pressure of commercial pressure washers but use a Lowe’s I paid $89 for some time back and does the job… Jet nozzle on the garden hose works well too but my static pressure is 175psi.

Climates 10a and 10b are classified as Mediterranean and figs do well here with summer watering in the SF East Bay… (Photo from Aug 1) Olympia is more 8a and and 8b with almost no production.

The California backyard trees produce a lot. I have one in Olympia and maybe 2 or 3 about the size of an egg for the season.

Does this count?

Only saw one once… Diesel was cheap then… before the increase over gasoline.

I would love to have it today… lots of torque over the Altamont Pass…

For decades a gardener had a Corvair truck with the side ramp… it was a dream to load with built in ramp and he probably ran it for 39 years…

My boss bought the first diesel VW delivered to the local dealer ordered from press releases. He used it to deliver rebuilt engines and had a cradle/lift in the bed. It was super economical and a rebuilt engine handled with ease. Boss was just shy of 6’7” and didn’t factor the comfort of a...

V10 Ford pickup anyone…?

In 1985 bought a home with a very old decrepit fig tree… home built 1910. I asked and was told came from the ground of the old Spanish Mission San Jose. Mom planted a shoot and the tree produced so muc she no was selling at the produce store for about 20 years until the Pandemic. Large deep...

Admirable you were not deterred…

Metal trash cans are great… rodents can make short work of plastic and wood.

Lots of tried and trued remedies are no longer available. Bromethelin is one of many that no longer can be sold in several states and the list is growing.

It was constant evolution as very dump bodies and grain haulers in the Ford line all used the same 40 hp engine nearly 100 years ago… One engine platform for all applications.

Picked up a slant 6 with a broken rod and frozen motor. The state had a program where they retired older cars and paid $500 The catch is the car had to be currently registered, start and move forward and back. I took my torch and burned through the rod… Started the car and drove it into the...

Home Depot would load stake trucks with forklift but no more. Driver said no longer allowed as there were incidents… So far trailers ok

Maybe someone knowledgeable on 8N thermostat position can confirm? My understanding is the OEM 160 thermostats point to the radiator. Many use aftermarket 180 that are designed the opposite and point to the engine. Seen some use a 180 degree stat used OEM for Renault. In the old car world...

Only a casual observer here… Some horses are difficult to match so some are very specific. I remember looking at 2 new saddles and they looked the same to me… It was then pointed out one was crafted by a master American saddle maker with silver embelishments. The other was imported of low...

I had good and not so good deliveries… 3 times great… 3 pallets each time behind the shop exactly where needed. 1 time the driver said curbside and nothing more… I said take it back and he got upset and I had my Home Depot person on the phone and said why is this a problem today… she had the...

I actually tried to buy Walmart Oil after reading positive info on TBN. The Walmarts here don’t carry it and no Kubota dealers in several counties. I ended up buying OEM and paying for shipping. I have had Grainger open for me on a holiday weekend for the Hospital… it was well worth it and I...

Me too… tire mounted will require replacement over time. Revolution counted from the hub seems to avoid the maintenance issue.

When I made the Edison Base to LED the CREE were the best I could find and still pricey at the time. Only one went bad and replaced no question asked. Now LED cost less to way less but the design has changed/cheapened… My original CREE were heavy compared to what’s sold now… Im mostly 3500...

The argument is prevailing on shore wind drives particulates to the Sierra where they are trapped… so not so much a problem for the coastal areas.

I’ve never tried induction but I did remove one for a friend that bought a home with one… this was years ago and she wanted no part off it. Aside from specific cookware nothing bad that I have heard. My home came with a six burner commercial gas range with standing pilots… first thing I did...

I was taken aback when buying 4 new Goodyear tires for the 2011 Toyota I asked how much to replace the sensors and quoted $140 each times 5 tires. I did not have it done.

Much of the modest use is attributed to our mild climate… This home is 2500 square feet with 2.5 bath… Installed blown in insulation to ceiling and 2x4 walls about 40 years ago but no floor insulation and still single pane aluminum frame windows. Gas Heat and Gas Hot water with 1960’s...

I’m running into more small engines that will only run partially choked… The carburetors I opened found corrosion inside… The Farmall carb cleaned up nicely but can’t say the same for every mower and generator… So far 2-stroke nowhere as bad as straight gas.

You might have to bring in small grill size LP bottles if city denied permit for natural gas service or propane… It’s already happened for solid fuel…

Same happened here but also said it’s a matter of equity? Water conservation led to steep price increases because the actual gallons flowing through the pipes mean little to overall operating costs… The treatment plants, pipes, meters, reservoirs, etc, have a fixed cost. Water company...

Cities are coming up with creative ways to limit energy choice to only electric… They would not have to be so creative if electricity was cheap and reliable… it would be a no brainer.

Covid certainly changed many things forever… Suppliers and vendors couldn’t hold on or simply 3 Battery Plus around here but nothing on the website on rebuilding :-(

All is good…

Anyway to get a better seal at the cap… Plenty of times I’ve been stumped and then in the course of reviewing found a solution… Sometimes it’s better to take a break or another set of eyes may provide a missed solution. Had a guy with an old Ford that ran hot… had the radiator redone and...

Milwaukee was my go to for decades but had a battery go bad on my first Milwaukee Cordless and was asked to return it for evaluation which I did. Milwaukee said exposed to moisture??? I do construction but it was never subjected to water anymore than using it on a foggy SF morning. I asked...

Pressure radiators have the overflow on the neck from those I have seen… The cap has 2 seals… if the recovery tank is open to atmosphere.

Good to know… it was about 2 years ago they did two for me… no complaints and a good value.

With the cap and adding a coolant recovery bottle the system may be self correcting. I added these to all my 1960’s cars. I’m only hoping it’s not a combustion chamber leak from head gasket or cracked iron…

Same happened to the Dodge Durango Hemi… It was a known defect allowing water from rain or washing to be drawn through the intake to block seal and liquids don’t compress and boom.

Time will tell if I made the right longevity choice going Stihl. A top reasons for Stihl is thinking it would be hard for Stihl to walk away from its commercial customers should it abandon a platform. Orphan batteries can be rebuilt but the question is if rebuilding is cost effective.

???

By law we have annual True Up which is tracked monthly. I’m a daily producer… Last December I did end up owing $1.29 for the month due to peak use. Attached billing summary showing 12 months of my usage. Had to post lower resolution due to bandwidth limitations here in the boondocks.

Legally Food, Shelter and Clothing are defined as necessities of life…

I only have cell phone data plan for on the go use on company provided plan. No Internet, Cable, Fiber or Sat service at home… just rabbit ears. Plus password free WiFi is ubiquitous where I work.

What pencils out in a high cost market may not in a market with low cost electricity. I’m very pleased with my modest system that was self installed… Part is simply the satisfaction quotient which is hard to put a price on. Each year I receive a modest check… my 6kW system produces more than...

It’s not only California… other states claim they also know best.

Grandpa… he would run the saw dry and take a break before refueling and then repeat depending on ambient temperature.

Seldom over 6-7 inches but we do go to 18 feet for lobby and institutional trees.

We did the same at the Christmas Tree Farm with opposite outcome. Had 4 170 Stihl gas saws we replaced with 2 Stihl battery saws. Hundreds of fresh cuts each Christmas season day on peak days. The gas saws required 4 to have 2 ready and hundreds of starts proved hard on rope pulls and staff...

A couple of thoughts… learned from mom who learned from her father a mason… Mom did the landscaping and patios and walks with 2 toddlers and a wheelbarrow starting 4x4 exposed aggregate squares and was featured in a local magazine… with the waterfall pond. These days mixing a yard of sack...

I buy as-is but my but my buyers typically depend on loans which come with strings attached.

Sold a nice little house a few years back… The buyer had a list of items and a cost totaling $3200. I spent a day and completed all… no big deal and spent $200, mostly for new casement windows cranks… All existing worked but she presented quote to replace with note saying the cranks are...

A goal of mine is eliminating reoccurring expenses… Never had cable or a cell phone bill… I do have a landline and water, electricity and gas…

This is why adding batteries pencils out for many… Run the peak 5 hours on battery.

In hindsight I would have chosen different… do have a good admin now but lots of off site mgmt involved.

The idea is a bailout is around rather corner or add to bond debt or sales tax… Charter cities have even sold city hall to raise short term cash.

Can be loud and easily heard on a busy street… the sound easily modulated by opening the valve for more or less vacuum…

The city following its own rules is now using Stihl backpack batteries for string and brush trimmers… We are on the verge of bankruptcy but can afford nearly 3k to outfit battery power to vegetation management crew members.

It was very challenging at times… I was even fired once for not immediate returning a page… I was returning a rental lift gate truck for work racing the clock and knew if I was not back in the yard by closing the hospital would be on the hook for another rental day but also my vehicle would be...

My boss at work was really annoyed when I did not pickup… She said I’m on call 24/7 and my answer… it was not a problem when we carried pagers. She did not believe me so I invited her to see for herself… She quickly understood I was in a dead zone and working out back was even worse… she...

I use mine like a lance knowing it’s limitations. One very good feature given the prevalence of poison oak wrapped around the oaks and my susceptibility is the pole saw provides distance… My brother had the largest gas Stihl pole saw which I borrowed once and it did a great job but totally...

I find friends will make it up and then some and I’m good with that… When I was away a couple weeks the neighbor I helped level a pad for his new water tank watched my place, watered and brought my mail in which was worth much more than a quick hour of seat time across the road… Sad part is my...

I do on occasion use my tractor to help neighbors but never charge as too many pitfalls open when money involved.

I have T-Mobil for work and Verizon for property management. Often the performance will vary even when side by side… No rhyme or reason. Surprising in a metro with millions and in a city with 460,000 population to find neighborhoods without service. More surprising is a few weeks back I was...

Only diverted to Bangor when severe headwinds required unscheduled refueling. Shared runway with military fighters and amazing to see the fighters start takeoff roll and appear to go nearly vertical… I have invites from two California families that relocated and absolutely love it… one is...

I have one on the 1930 Ford pickup and it works great. It would work on my Ford Jubilee for parades.

I tried a repeater but was hit or miss…

I find my AP battery pole saw ideal for trail and perimeter clean up and keeps me in the safe zone and no bending easier on my back.

Bavaria being mostly Catholic has close ties with adjoining Austria… Northern Germany not so much. Part might be the small family farms in mountainous regions are very similar plus borders have not been static over the years. The tractor transformed farm life… what took many hands could be...

So far no headlines of the Guard coming to Northern California… I do have friends with Diesel Pickups that have moved domicile outside California and now run out of state plates but still do some work in California and file CA tax returns for CA income. California’s loss means more money for...

Very much the same for Austria but substitute Styer for Fendt…

It won’t work in California if the state refuses to register. Already conflicts with California doubling down. Not sure where it will all end up but one strategy is to ignore or for the state to file lawsuits waiting out a change of administration. I’ve seen this play out many times…...

By happenstance attended several tractors meet ups in Austria and grandpa’s old tractor is often treated as a family heirloom passed down through the generations. Not unusual for hundreds to gather and the 4H is a big deal for farm kids… The single cylinder diesels from the 30’s and 40’s will...

Also can be used for a wolf whistle… Fords have vacuum taps going back to the 1920’s and many automotive applications used for vacuum wipers.

In 2017 I had zero bars at home… nothing registered. Now I have sometimes 2 so no longer necessary to leave the house for a larger file… time of day also makes a difference as signal is very strong at say midnight and not so strong afternoon and evenings. Still will get scrambled by aircraft...

I don’t see that happening here but anything is possible and copper theft would be reduced if it did happen. Copper theft from utilities to to rail lines and parking lot lighting is a daily occurrence.

I’m thinking both inflation/declining purchasing power plus the for profit structure of many but not all providers…

I’ve added to some of my older rolling stock with good results…

That’s the odd juxtaposition… Genoa is minutes from Lake Tahoe without the snow… summer is warmer on the desert side but humidity much lower. The irony is cattle graze in the Carson Valley in lush green pasture whereas much of California is burnt, dusty dry and brown this time of year…. I...

Tahoe Nevada side too pricey I’m afraid… Family built a small cabin Nevada side circa 1948… Sold just before the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics and the world discovered Tahoe… not the best timing. In 64 bought on the California side… hindsight, Nevada would have been the best beach head...

Combined we have 95 acres of Christmas Trees in the family and switched to Stihl AP battery saws about 6 years ago starting with one and now have 4. The gas saws rarely come out and the seasonal gas saw issues are no more and nighttime Christmas season operation no longer a noise issue… So far...

With Satellite I was spending thousands on tree removal every couple of years. I had offered the home as a rental and without cell or Internet 98% of those interested dropped out. I spent the money for Internet and the renter I ended up renting to didn’t want it… go figure. No trenching… it...

Bad Cap Seal? Is 200 typical for that year? Most of my older rolling stock is in the 160-180 range… Did have an old Ford with a head gasket going bad and another with a new water pump that was puking water… I made the impeller a little smaller drilling a hole in each vane and cured the problem.

Was it costly to bring to the house? The 15k was what I paid because per county it now had to be underground. Contractor did a phenomenal good job…

Plus it can take too long to do when needed. The last 4 of my elderly friends that passed away at home all had in progress bathroom remodels to make wheelchair accessible showers, etc… Only one lived long enough to actually use it for a couple of weeks… true it happened under pandemic rules...

That would take anything I could throw at it here.

I would also prefer not to pay them but I don’t have a viable way to purchase natural gas for my home other than through the utility. My use is somewhat nominal averaging about 25 Therms per month.

If it’s a line item on my monthly utility bill it’s a cost…

The 500 gallon tank at the cabin had a buyout clause going back to 1965. The rental was free with minimum annual purchase so all was ok… The small local company changed many times and back in the 2000’s the rental became very expensive as the minimum was increased… I remember the buyout but...

Both Grandfather and Father died from Leukemia at ages 72-73 Both had Melanoma in their mid 60’s… Both were out in the sun year round working but always covered up except face/head exposed. 20 years ago this month I was urged to have a spot on my face checked and it came back negative… had it...

Tier 1 is $2.46 per Therm Tier 2 is $2.98 per Therm Above does not include surcharges or 7.5% Oakland Utility Tax Gas was reasonable in cost for a long time but at over $3 a Therm the writing is on the wall.

What are you guys paying a therm for Natural Gas?

We don’t typically have A/C where I am in California but with the new heat pumps going in A/C comes with…

Anyone have data on how tariffs have actually affected Mahindra prices?

I find the older pre nox gas water heaters true marvels… I would pickup 30 gallon for $88 at the big box store and typically get 15-20 years with no attention. Now the natural gas heaters with nox are $650 to $850 and temperamental… doesn’t take much for one to shutdown. I also have electric...

California Granada… :-)

Grandma drove a 1975 Granada for many years… 302 V8. I also used it to tow a small outboard a few times…

I’ve never spoken to the same ATT rep twice and we have one to handle all hospital business enterprise wide. Years ago with deregulation several friends were offered buyout packages and accepted… each was invited back within a year as a contract employee because too much institutional knowledge...

Cell Towers deemed needed for public safety receive special treatment regarding property taxes. This is how it was explained to me but any income received is taxable.