I brief good morning to my virtual friends. The animals stories are great. We saw a lone turkey hen neatly picking her way along the edge of the south lawn this morning. She carefully headed off between the emerging ferns without inciting any response from Wrecks. Every morning I see evidence of the "night shift"... usually a turd/two left in a conspicuous place to let everyone know that someone claims this piece of ground while the "owners" slumber. I like that. Jack Frost stopped by briefly on Monday morning. Tender growth on the Kirengeshoma was nipped as were the buds on the tree peony. I've long been underwhelmed by the latter, so this year I will likely look on it with greater dissatisifaction that usual. ;) I have yet to finish cleaning any of the garden areas entirely but nonetheless I am filled with a sense of calm and ease about it all. Where does that come from, I wonder? Same feeling I have about work, actually. Not that the general tension and periodic unpleasantness doesn't bother me, but somehow I seem to be more able to shrug it off quickly with a wry smile. Perhaps it's because I know I do a good job, I know I am present for the hours I'm able to work, and that when able I will go the extra yard to help out. I am an employee, not a green recruite recently inducted. C'est ca. Thoughts of hives, chicken rescue, and your industry in your gardens warms my heart periodically. Know that. I think of you often over the course of the day. Wishing all well and now about to pay some bills, toss some laundry into the washing machine and think about dealing with returnables (a "ride" for the huge one!) and a trip to the bank.

Redsox I'm sorry you missed the game last night. ... I wish I had : ( DH was actually there, well, until the eighth inning that is. Anybody from Ohio remember Franz the Toymaker? Woodrow the Woodsman? Barnaby? Captian Penney?

here were some of my ideas that I just had wired in my house: - half hot outlets on each side of bed (one for alarm clock/phone, the other for switch contolled lamps) - add more outlets in the master bath (make sure each sink has an outlet near by, put outlets inside cabinets for things like chargeable toothbrushes and trimmers, if you have an area for the DW for makeup, put in outlets near that area - outlets in pantry and walk in closets. allows you to tuck away any chargeable items (dust busters, cell phones, camera batteries, etc) - put an outlet and cable/sat tv outlet inside kitchen cabinets if you want under cabinet TV that flips down - put data and power outlet inside cabinets where base unit of wireless phone will be plugged in. - ran half hot outlets on the outside of the house in all areas where we will put holiday lights. The switched outlets are controlled by a singke switch in the garage where I can attach a timer - if you like holiday lights in the windows, make sure you have outlets directly below these windows - there are never enough outlets in the garage - plan out your work shop and put plenty of outlets in there - outlets in the floor in the family room. if you have an open floor plan, then you need to think about where you want lamps. in some cases, the best solution might be an outlet in the floor. - every corner in all bedrooms have outlets. I made these half hots - so that any lamps could be controlled by a single switch when you enter the room Hope this helps. I made up an electrical plan before we started wiring the house. We planned out where furniture would go - tried to think about how we would live in the house. Also factored in everything I hate about how most builders wire (wiring just to code stinks) Here are a few more things that I added on lighting: - Every bedroom has one light in the ceiling thatis contolled by a switch when you enter the room (the half hot outlets are also contolled by this same switch). That allows us to illuminate a room without having to purchase a lot of lamps - Every exit/entrance to a room has a switch to turn on the main lights in that room. That greatly reduces the walking back and forth to turn lights on or off. Use 3 way and 4 way circuits to do this.

Thanks all sorry I should have posted that the batteries are Trojans T105, heard about them on a radio show with a guy off Grid completely I am way ahead of the game. Ive been using compact Fl. for years. I even years ago bought adaptors, some I still use. Ive heard about phantom loading or standby power usuage years ago. I dont watch tv . So when Hubby goes back to ..... The whole THING tv, SATELLITE DISH, DVD PLAYER, GETS uNPLUGGED FROM WALL. I only listen to talk radio via radio or media player or use laptop. I also keep toaster unplugged. I should unplug convection combo microwave. I used to. But now I use the convection only part for my baking and reheating etc everyday.I dont trust microwaving foods. I have to move the fridge to unplug it. One of those switches wont work cause it doesnt have grounding plug. My stove is gas. I was unplugging it but I found myself forgetting to plug it back in when turning the knob. Im used to walking a way, after turn knob. I scare myself when I realize gas is on and igniter not working cause plug in wall not plugged in. During the hot weather I use my tabletop Old Fabreware Turbo convection oven with timer built in to heat or cook or bake my food. It keeps the heat out in the garage not the house. a bit of a Pain in the ...... but I do it. I have books for alternative from the 70s but its hard getting Hubby on board. Hubby and I fight when he is here cause I unplug so many items when not using. I try to use the switch (surge unit)on back of the entertainment center when he finally turns off the TV. I open my insulated roman shades ( I made, Warm Window) as much as possible on sunny but cool days. Yeah I know about switches and etc and "standby power" My one weakness is my heated Toto seat.. I use the blower sparingly on the zero clearance fireplace. I wear thermal ware and wool sweaters, etc. Cause house is so cool. Im cold natured anyway. Most people think Im eccentric, But I call myself thrifty. So I need to figure out what I keep plugged in like sump pump, chest freezer in basement, fridge, upstairs three electric clocks, dishwasher(plugged in in basement ceiling Cordless phones and chargers, etc??? All my appliances are Euro style. I dont using dryer. Its been unplugged for many many years in basement I use wooden drying racks, hang clothes in bathroom or in garage during nicer weather. Stiff towels,LOL. Oh what is "loading"???? Yeah I love to be able to use thermal mass, etc, solar heat, But its hard to get Hubby on board> Plus we are retired and DIY - ers. We have so much on our plates now . Plus have lots of solar sites bookmarked years ago But I dont give up easy. Thanks Tesa and Gary and any one else who offers suggestions