I went to Home Depot at lunch and bought four replacement hanging plants for the front of the house. There is no saving my impatiens - they are dead. I guess I'll put the asparagus ferns in the front garden. Can't really figure out what happened. I kept them watered, so it must have been the heat.
When I got home after work, the lady who cuts my lawn was here. She explained that she hadn't cut it this week because she didn't want my grass to burn up any faster. I agreed and thanked her for paying attention. She asked if I wanted three rhododendrons (she's redoing her garden) because she never had much luck with them. I said I have had one in the back for two years that's never done well, but sure, I'd take them. Does anyone out there know of any special needs for rhododendrons (other than a lot of water)? If so, please let me know.
Back to the molding. We are at one of the tricky spots as the wall on the one side of the office curves over to the doorway to my bedroom. So, I got my trusty gauge and figured out what I needed to cut off the top block (wider than the bottom, remember), the bottom block and the molding (which are both the same width). The top block is just small enough that I could use the band saw to cut it. Then I did some additional shaping with the belt sander. Perfect fit!
The bottom block is too tall for the band saw, so I figured out the angle on the table saw and cut that (it's a blind cut, meaning you can't see the saw blade). A little sanding and "Bingo!" another perfect fit. Adjusted the fence on the table saw and cut the fluted molding. I'm not sure if I didn't press up against the fence enough, the fence moved or the board thickness varied, but this time when I finished, I looked and about halfway down, I had cut right through the face of the molding! Damn!
I tried to figure out some way to save it but it was impossible. I ruined it. And, while it doesn't seem like a big deal to you, remember that this is part of a kit; I can't just buy a replacement piece. So, I'll have to buy another kit for $32.00! Although I suppose it won't hurt to have spare parts in case a machete-wielding madman attacks my molding, or something.
Anyway, I quit in disgust and went out to plant the three rhododendrons, next to my original one. Got done with that about 8:00 PM and went in to make dinner. I warmed up the last of the meatloaf, reheated a baked potato and, this time, steamed some frozen broccoli.
Nothing interesting was on TV, but I finished all my books, so I watched a movie on DVD, "The Long Kiss Goodnight," one of my all time favorites. When it finished, I went to bed.
Here are some tips from the American Rhododendron Society: http://www.rhododendron.org/subsequentcare.htm
ReplyDeleteA comment! w00t. I was starting to think that it was just us Anonymous Cowards out here. Nice to know that other people are still following the fantastical tomfoolery of the Captain.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of comments, I was frankly quite surprised at the lack of them regarding the kitchen refresh. Nothing from even Amer! But, my readers constantly amaze me.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it's a lack of promotional items. Maybe give away a free meal in the new kitchen for each comment (limit one per person, standard text messaging rates apply).
ReplyDeleteHere's another site for Rhodo's in your 'zone'!
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen looks great! Yellow was a very bold choice, I'm more of a boring beige paint girl myself. But then again, I dont even like to cook or be in the kitchen!. OH NO!!! I Think I'm starting to take after my mother instead of you Dad!
Dearest M_______,
ReplyDeleteAs you can probably tell from today's Blog, I got off my lazy butt, went on the web myself and found the most likely cause of my Rhodo (I like that, BTW. So much easier than typing all those damn letters) problem is my soil is not acid enough. Did you forget to cut and paste the URL to your recommended site?
Thanks for the kitchen comments! With your kitchen window and doorwall facing South, you get plenty of light. But my kitchen only has the one small window and only gets the late afternoon sun (when the sun can get /under/ the trees) so I thought yellow would give it some much needed brightness.