What did you do today 2026

[statsman]

Lawns themselves aren't bad, but the chemicals and fertilizers used on them can be for the local water system. I think that is a worse problem than the water demands.

The removal of grass lawns is fine, but I would much prefer seeing plants and mulch as the replacement. This would reduce water runoff while potentially helping the soil get (or stay) healthy and having the pollinators supported by the plants.

 

[CO-guy]

Volunteered at the senior center, then walked the pups before it got windy, and now I'm relaxing.

 

[street]

Went back early again to the ranch to get the rest of the bobsled. Another 5 hours of packing sledding the iron out. A long haul and pulling a sled on dry long grass. I got one pull out but I left that load where it is all down hill and the easiest part of the trip. A total of about 9 hours in a few different days to get that stuff out of the hills.

 

[Gumby]

Did a little grocery shopping and gardening this morning, then went to perform in our chorale concert in the afternoon. Hard to know how it actually sounded to the audience, as I could only hear the guy immediately to my left. But I think we did a creditable job of it. And, in any event, the people who come to the concert are never going to say "you guys sucked."

 

[skipro33]

Why is town paying to get rid of grass? Drought?
Wish my town would pay me.

California water is primarily from water shed, runoff from snow melt. We haven't had a drop of rain or flake of snow in over a month. Building new reservoirs is near impossible in this state due to environmental laws and controls so that's not a solution either. But the biggest reason is the water rights. This state is big corporate farms that have both the historical rights and the most value when it comes to state budget.
Besides offering to pay for removing lawn. The water districts have imposed a flat rate as well as a volume rate. For me, I am charged a flat $97.69 every 2 months, plus 3 cents per cubic foot. The most recent bill in front of me this morning says I used $53 in water and billed $153 total charges.
Notice my bill shows I am using 228 gallons per day. If I only used 100 gallons per day, 50 gallons per person, my bill would only drop about $25 every 2 months, or $12 a month. By having this flat rate, it's hardly worth conserving water financially for me personally. I could double my water use and only pay $25 more per month as well. Makes no sense to me, but that's the way they bill water AND electricity: large flat rate just to have a meter in place, then low per cu.ft. or kwh to offset. The "winners" are larger water consumers, which, as I mentioned, are the large corporate farms. Conserving water or electricity just makes each cu. ft. or kwh more expensive when the whole charge is divided by the water or power actually used. When I realized this, I realized I could water everything well without fear of losing my landscape to underwatering. Same with the electric; I can run my AC at 76 in summer compared to 78 night/80 day and pay only a small amount more for the comfort. Many people give up their landscaping and reduce electricity only to find out that their bill hardly dropped at all.

 

[Just_Steve]

California water is primarily from water shed, runoff from snow melt. We haven't had a drop of rain or flake of snow in over a month. Building new reservoirs is near impossible in this state due to environmental laws and controls so that's not a solution either. But the biggest reason is the water rights. This state is big corporate farms that have both the historical rights and the most value when it comes to state budget.
Besides offering to pay for removing lawn. The water districts have imposed a flat rate as well as a volume rate. For me, I am charged a flat $97.69 every 2 months, plus 3 cents per cubic foot. The most recent bill in front of me this morning says I used $53 in water and billed $153 total charges.
Notice my bill shows I am using 228 gallons per day. If I only used 100 gallons per day, 50 gallons per person, my bill would only drop about $25 every 2 months, or $12 a month. By having this flat rate, it's hardly worth conserving water financially for me personally. I could double my water use and only pay $25 more per month as well. Makes no sense to me, but that's the way they bill water AND electricity: large flat rate just to have a meter in place, then low per cu.ft. or kwh to offset. The "winners" are larger water consumers, which, as I mentioned, are the large corporate farms.


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Interesting info, I think that flat rate is BS. It's like my power company charges me a flat rate even though I am never at a deficit with my solar system.

 

[pacergal]

Always my favorite--DGS (10) decided to spend F/S nights here after our family dinner. He helped me make the dinner for everyone on Friday, we went out to restaurant last night, Grandpa took him to a local arcade and both mornings I made him his favorite breakfast request: sausage, eggs, toast and OJ.
Love time with GrandkidsMaking memories.

 

[skipro33]

Interesting info, I think that flat rate is BS. It's like my power company charges me a flat rate even though I am never at a deficit with my solar system.

Me too. When I once was either break-even at true-up time, or they owed me a few bucks, I now pay over $1,200 a year with the flat rate to be connected to the grid. I'm unsure what the newest rate increase is going to do on my up and coming bill, but the PUC has approved several rate increases that will hit me and solar owners in particular. The only saving grace is that I got my solar before the 30% federal tax credit went away.

 

[Just_Steve]

Me too. When I once was either break-even at true-up time, or they owed me a few bucks, I now pay over $1,200 a year with the flat rate to be connected to the grid. I'm unsure what the newest rate increase is going to do on my up and coming bill, but the PUC has approved several rate increases that will hit me and solar owners in particular. The only saving grace is that I got my solar before the 30% federal tax credit went away.

I guess everything is more expensive in Cali my poco flat rate is $600 a year. We don't do a true up the Kwh just keep piling up. So much so that I converted my central A/C to a whole house heat pump due to the cost of fuel oil in order to use some of my excess Kwh's. I also got the full %30 credit.

 

[CO-guy]

Same as yesterday, I went for a mountain bike ride with the better-half. Same loop even. Yesterday we did our taxes. Today I swapped out the wheels from dedicated winter tires to the BFG K02s we run the rest of the year. That's about a month earlier than usual due to the unseasonably warm weather in CO. Now it's time to relax and eat a BLT.

 

[Out-to-Lunch]

Today I swapped out the wheels from dedicated winter tires to the BFG K02s we run the rest of the year.

Would you mind sharing what your winter tires are?

 

[FlyingCircus]

Resurrected the 12 year old Jonsered 18" chainsaw I hadn't used more than 30 minutes in last 9 years. Started bucking up the 60 foot oak tree my neighbor cut down. Woww. After remembering how to start it (forgot a safety feature), with some logistical levering help from DW, got through maybe half of it over the weekend. Full day of splitting in my April future, then getting the beast re-sharpened.

 

[goodtogo]

Vacuumed up the last of the leaves and cleaned up the yard. Went to trivia night at the local watering hole. Ended up dead last for the 4th week in a row. Cheating going on? Nawwwww. At least we were able to catch up with the group.

 

[skyking1]

nice quiet day at home with my wife, one day and back at construction tomorrow. I walked next door and diagnosed the neighbor's power issue in his shop, a really rotten main breaker. That was easy. I will get a spare at one of my many stops at the big box stores.

 

[CO-guy]

Would you mind sharing what your winter tires are?

Bridgestone Blizzak. Quiet at highway speeds and they claw at ice like studded tires. While not magic, they feel like it sometimes. Night and day, even compared to the K02s.

 

[More Cowbell]

Today I set up new 512 gb MacBook Neo that I bought yesterday with educational discount. Pretty nice, easy to set up and use with 2 accounts. Definitely recommend spending the extra Benjamin for TouchID. I also have it unlock with my watch (when logged in as me.) If I was a student who didn’t have special computing needs, this would be great to bring to campus.

I’m not really a laptop fan, but need to manage my mom’s mail, etc. both from my home and hers, or when I go on a short trip next month. Her old 5th generation iPad that I’d been using isn’t really updated anymore, and security is a major concern. Her iPad Pro that she uses at home is still supported.

 

[Ronstar]

Yardwork. DW’s roses are getting woody, so I pruned them down to the ground.

 

[Surewhitey]

Got to the Dallas Love Field 6 hours early for our flight to Chicago. Lots of news lately that TSA lines are extremely long. We walked through an almost empty security area. Now in the gate for a 5 hour wait.

Yeah, Dallas doesn't seem to be a problem (either airport). Daw left yesterday for Newark and said it was only 3 minutes to get through. They were trying to get some of DFW guys to help with Houston's airports... Don't know why they would want that.

Here's the link to wait times @DFW.

DFW offers multiple checkpoints at key locations in each terminal. View wait times, read security tips and find more info on TSA PreCheck.

Welcome to DFW International Airport. View flight information, security wait times, parking, shopping & dining options and more.

www.dfwairport.com

 

[Surewhitey]

Doing a desk with walnut top and arched bookshelves for a client's gift for their retired father. The arches were fun to make. All to be painted...

 

[finnski1]

Doing a desk with walnut top and arched bookshelves for a client's gift for their retired father. The arches were fun to make. All to be painted...
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Painting walnut? Ugg, a travesty I tell ya. Are those poplar doors?

 

[finnski1]

Bridgestone Blizzak. Quiet at highway speeds and they claw at ice like studded tires. While not magic, they feel like it sometimes. Night and day, even compared to the K02s.

Blizzaks on my Subaru Outback are an amazing combo.

 

[pjigar]

Attended DD/DS's dance recital and another party. Still I was able to squeeze in the second bee inspection for the year. All 15 colonies are doing great and building up brood.

 

[pjigar]

Resurrected the 12 year old Jonsered 18" chainsaw I hadn't used more than 30 minutes in last 9 years. Started bucking up the 60 foot oak tree my neighbor cut down. Woww. After remembering how to start it (forgot a safety feature), with some logistical levering help from DW, got through maybe half of it over the weekend. Full day of splitting in my April future, then getting the beast re-sharpened.

I rebuilt my Husqvarna Rancher 455 chainsaw last week. It wouldn't start due to lost compression; the piston ring was stuck and scored the cylinder. I put in a new piston and cylinder.

Mental note: make sure to mix oil with a measured amount; DO NOT "eye ball" oil mix! I think I must have had less oil mixed in one of the batch which killed the cylinder.

 

[Mark1]

Painting walnut? Ugg, a travesty I tell ya.

+1. I'm curious on the choice of walnut if painting (?).

 

[street]

I rebuilt my Husqvarna Rancher 455 chainsaw last week. It wouldn't start due to lost compression; the piston ring was stuck and scored the cylinder. I put in a new piston and cylinder.

Mental note: make sure to mix oil with a measured amount; DO NOT "eye ball" oil mix! I think I must have had less oil mixed in one of the batch which killed the cylinder.

Interesting rebuild. It must not have been hard to find parts. Mixture is important and is always better to have a touch more oil then fuel.

I buy the pre-mix and is more expensive but has been a better process for me.