The "Field Of Yellow" Is Gone !!

When we took our last picture last night around 6:15pm the 'field of yellow' was looking like it's days were numbered. More rain was predicted for the next two days and a few of those had over an inch of rain per day. Little did I know that "Murphy", infamous from "Murphy's Law" was in the corner of that cabin I spoke of yesterday ... laughing his ass off for what he had in store.

You may have read about my computer crashing last night around midnight as I was shutting it down and heading for bed. That story was my first post of today, listed right below this one. I have updated info on that at the bottom of this post.

But that wasn't the only surprise this morning when the hounds and I started our day. What looked like a lot of water last night turned into a lake today. It was raining when we shut off the lights close to 2am and was still raining this morning when I took this at 7:15am. All of those wild yellow mustard flowers were gone.

Without any chance of a walk this morning, I needed a break from my computer work I was doing even after I got it started again. I figured the hounds would hop and tip toe through the wet yard to the field and dump their tanks ... they were not interested. Sorry for the poor quality picture but it was the only one I had of them this morning. They didn't get any further than this.

I can only assume that large drainage system they installed across their field a few years ago, currently under all of that water, has prevented the water from reaching the green grass and possibly the highway. No matter if it did or not, it looks like they have lost most of their crop they planted a few weeks ago.

By the time it was 11:30 am, Stella was nudging me with her nose while I read on the computer telling me it was time for lunch. She wasn't howling yet but she would if I didn't get up out of my desk chair. Once Heidi heard me opening the dog food container she sprinted from her bed to her food dish waiting for it to be filled.

Another trip outside just after their lunch and it was still raining. Stella sat down in the carport and refused to move. Sadie snuck around the back of the house under the roof overhang to pee and then sprint back to the door to go inside. Heidi was behind the Yews, staying dry and relieving herself.

Although my computer was up and running I still wanted to check a few things and maybe find out why it crashed so hard. What were those missing files that Disk Utilities found missing and repaired?

Every week I run a virus scanner called Bitdefender. Back in November 2014, the Geek Squad at Best Buy ran that program right before they gave the computer back to me after they repaired it. It was in my App folder but I can't say for sure if the computer came with it preloaded or if they download it from the App Store.

Anyway since November 2014 I run that program on a regular basis to check for any malware or viruses. A few months ago I decided to run it every week instead of when I just got the urge. It will update all of it's latest before I choose "Scan Critical Locations". Not once since I started using it in 2014 has it ever found Malware or a Virus. Even when I chose to do their Deep System Scan.

That was until this morning. Nothing showed up when I ran their Scan Critical Locations. I couldn't remember the time I did their Deep System Scan. With it raining non stop and having more data than I would ever use until May 11, I had plenty of time to run their Deep System Scan.

After it had been running for 46 minutes checking every nook and cranny inside my hard drive, blowing out all the dust and bloodhound dog hair ... it struck gold.

Something called "InstallMiez.1" ... I typed that name into Google Search and everything was coming up ugly. It was one of the worst programs I have read about over the years. To make matters worse the first time Bitdefender tried to grab it and quarantine it, it failed. It was a fighter and strong.

This article from 2016 explains just how dangerous it is/was ... you can click here to read about it but I am NOT recommending or telling you to use their removal software they are trying to sell in any way.

It took three times for Bitdefender to grab it, quarantine it and remove it from my computer. Just to be safe, I closed all of my open files, mail, google chrome and shut off my computer in a normal process.

I wanted to restart it after that Bitdefender scan and run that program again with their Deep System Scan. It found nothing was on my computer after searching for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

I am not sure how I acquired the trojan horse. I can't remember the last time I received an email with an attachment. Even then I only open attachments if a friend tells me to expect one in email or text. I do not download free software from anywhere. I don't visit porn sites or malicious websites. I don't play any online games on any of my computers or iPad Mini.

Due to my monthly data limit I rarely watch any kind of videos but with my unlimited data with my new HughesNet service for the first 20 days, I watched sports videos on Youtube and blogs I follow. I looked at videos of different house maintenance, and car repair. I remember the day I reactivated Adobe Flashplayer so I could watch the live interview of IU hiring their new basketball coach.

So it would only be a wild guess as to how and where that file got into my computer. I have to wonder of the Flashplayer reactivation was a factor.

My friend "Murphy" wasn't done though. He must have really enjoyed me blogging yesterday about having cabin fever and sounding like I needed something to do. He also moved from the iMac through the kitchen to my Bunn coffee maker and turned it into a slot machine.

I'd put in 6 cups of cold water to make coffee and it only returned 4 cups worth of water. When I added more water to reach that 6 cup amount I wanted, it not only gave me back the water I added but also the 2 cups it was hiding somewhere and for a total of 8 cups of coffee.

Once I know the computer is fixed and clean ... as long as it is raining ... I'll put the Bunn coffee maker problem into google search and see what I come up with.

It feels like the Pacific Northwest today here in 'the tropics' of southern Indiana. I'm hoping "Murphy" has had his fun and has left us alone.

The Rip-Rap Project

My last day of motivation was Saturday ... the day I had two tractor buckets of rip-rap delivered from the landscaping biz just a few lots away.

At that time I was thinking I could finish the project on Sunday but I had no desire until this morning to do any kind of work like that.

 Of course my excuse yesterday was rain .. light rain ... the rain in the forecast. I had convinced myself with rain soaked ground it would be better for setting the rip-rap. It didn't really matter.

Sadie and Stella checked the weather conditions first thing this morning and with a day full of clouds it seemed like a perfect time to at least get this project started.

The first stage was to move this pile of rock to the bottom of the bank. I had ruled out the wheel barrow down the driveway ... If it is not computers, spreadsheets or accounting I have a really big problem with "Murphy's Law" when it comes to projects that involve physical labor. I didn't want to end up as 'road kill' in the middle of the highway, laying next to a wrecked wheel barrow of spilled rip-rap due to excessive speed going down the driveway out of control.

So .... It would be one rock at a time and I was pretty sure I could toss them in that space between the two trees and hopefully the smaller trees at the bottom of the bank would slow down or stop the falling, rolling rip-rap.

I started immediately after the morning hound walk. I put on my gloves but didn't change my shoes into the steel toe boots I wanted to wear. I was that anxious to get started. All went well, with no smashed fingers, no broken toes and all of the rock stayed in the general area after it stopped.

After all the rock had been moved to the bottom of the embankment, I went inside to trade shoes, into the steel toe boots plus take off a long sleeve shirt because that was too hot under a sweatshirt.

I put the smaller pieces into this trash can because I was wanting to fill in an area by the culvert where the earth is washing away. I wasn't sure there would be enough but I could tell by the time I finished how much more I would need. I found dragging this heavy trash can full of small rip-rap was much safer than using a wheel barrow.

The bank just past that fence post is the area in need of some support. It is about 50' or so from the pile of rock that I tossed down the hill. So once again I am picking up and moving one piece at a time until I was down to the lighter pieces where I could carry two. I never do anything the easy way but this gave me a good workout to start the spring and summer activities off.

Many times today I forgot it was still winter on February 22.

I didn't get a picture of the staging area after all of the rock were slid, tossed down the embankment. This one last piece was heavier than I wanted to carry 50' by hand so I'll let it set there until I decide what to do with it.

I had to clear out this area before I laid the rock. With a rake and some limb trimmers it was pretty easy to do. You can see that off to the right and left of the open space at the bottom of the hill. I'll burn that this April. Some of this is double stacked and based on what little water actually moves down this area (very little) it should work. In fact I cannot remember the last time it rained hard enough where water was moving down the driveway and over this area but the bank needed some support.

After 15 years I have retired my Cincinnati Reds ball cap from yard work. It was worn out and the life expectancy of the hat was reduced when it picked up some battery acid while I was repairing the Class C RV I had for a short time in 2013. So, the green and gold of the Sacramento State Hornets officially took the position of my yard work ball cap.

If you remember Stella chewed up my Indiana Football ball cap I would wear while doing yard work last summer.

Those of you familiar with my "Weed Project" in the summer of 2015, will notice I have a different larger trash can for collecting weeds, leaves, sticks or stones. I had to trade this out for the gray one I used for yard work. This blue trashcan would hold my 39gl plastic bag of 13gl bags of trash ... but it would not fit in back of the Mini Cooper Countryman when I would go to the recycling center. They only charge $2 per 39gl bag of trash. That gray trash can fits perfect inside the back of the Countryman. With free unsorted recycling, my trash runs are now about every other month.

I thought the hounds would enjoy being outside while I moved rock to the bank but Stella hated being tethered and never moved. As you can see Heidi was not thrilled being outside at all ... so they stayed locked up in the house while I worked. Sadie loves it outside but has been wandering outside her boundaries lately.

I had about 4 trips left of moving the rock to the bank when I hear this LOUD, clear, bloodhound howl from the opposite end of the house. Since I have not repaired the screen windows from Stella's escape last summer I left the windows open today without a screen ... but only 3"in the room they were staying in.

During my last 4 trips of moving those last few pieces to the bank I had this ugly image of Stella digging through the drywall and house siding, escaping again ... it was an ugly ugly image and one I hoped I didn't see once I finished in a few minutes. I was happy to see as I climbed the hill toward the house that she was NOT standing outside.  LOL

As I slowly opened the bedroom door I was expecting the worse even though Stella has not had any episodes of separation anxiety, destroying things for over two months. She was standing on her hind legs, her front legs on the window sill and her nose in that 3" opening, trying to slide the window upward. Impossible for her to do in that position but she just let me know that she will still try to escape this summer if those windows are left open.

It's been 12 years already since the state highway department tore out all of the highway asphalt and redid the highway from scratch. They also added new asphalt turnouts for the mail carriers, and new shoulders. Because of those changes they had to move my mailbox. I guess they thought the concrete culvert would brace the mailbox pole ... but this area has been a disaster every since.

I knew I did not have enough rip-rap in that trashcan to do the whole area but I at least wanted to get the worse part of the erosion. I will buy more an fill in the rest of the area. The more I look at it, I might take up the rip-rap and add more driveway stone to this area.

I was finished by 11:50am which was great because originally I wasn't planning to get started on this until after 1pm. The area in the driveway where they dumped the rip-rap was cleared out and level. Tools were put away, a quick shower and clean clothes had me on the highway in the Z4 with the top down by 1pm.

The hounds had been fed, inspected my work and were back to sleep by the time I shut the doors. After a nice 50 mile drive, I took the bloodhounds out for their 2nd walk of the day then stayed outside for a while soaking in some Vitamin D from the sunshine. Up to 70° today.

I went cold turkey and stopped taking ibuprofen last fall. I didn't buy a new bottle when I ran out. Instead if I have any muscle soreness I'll pull out the tube sock with two tennis balls inside and tied off. I lay on those. It's great to break up those knots in your back, release any muscle tightness along with hitting some pressure points. Muscle relief without meds. That tennis ball/tube sock idea was suggested to me by an old friend that is a physical therapist.

So far so good as my back and arms feel pretty good after all the bending over and lifting heavy rocks today.

My next project is to try to find that lost steel hinge pin from my lawnmower side shoot protector. That plastic piece blew off during my last mow and I did not see the steel pin wiggle loose. It's in the front yard somewhere. I hope to find it with my rake before my mower finds it later in March. Steel pins and high power mower blades don't mix.

Remember what I said about me and Mr Murphy's Law? That's a fine example.

Project #1 is complete today here in 'the tropics' of southern Indiana.

Stella Howls For A Walk

Yesterday didn't amount to much and I could not even dream up anything to blog about last night. At one time yesterday it was raining so hard you could not see. Of course when that happened I was doing 65mph heading down the highway to the store to replenish supplies.

The shopping trip was successful although a little higher cost than I like. You would think they could wait at least a couple of weeks before they raise the cost of most foods I buy. It was good to get back home and see that Stella had continued her streak of no damage while I was gone. It's been a while, longer than I can remember, that she damaged something with her separation anxiety.

During the times where the rained stopped the hounds would go outside to see if there was even a chance for their walk. Since the morning walk was cancelled they were starting to get a little cabin fever. It doesn't take them long to get bored with inactivity ... they are not like the commercial you see at times with a bloodhound laying on the porch.

Since it was always wet Stella didn't get much further than the cut grass of the yard.

Sadie just stared and knew what the rain had done. She could tell there wasn't going to be an afternoon walk.

With just a glimpse of sunshine, Stella took that as it was time to go. She started howling for the walk as it was too late to be begging for food. She had lunch hours before this happened. With her howling, Heidi started her barking routine thinking a third meal was being served.

This morning was a different story. It had rained most of the night. I could tell by the light highway traffic this morning that the pavement was still wet, therefore the yard and field was going to be even wetter than yesterday ... but the sunshine was out ... so that is promising for later this afternoon's walk.

Neither hound walked outside the yard. Not even a nose to see if the field was wet. We did attempt it though. When I saw standing water after walking about 5' into the field "the game was called" and we returned to the house, to write this blog post.

As you can tell from all the weeds in the driveway I have decided not to use any weed killer like I had thought about doing this year. With Heidi's skin situation I did not want her to be around any yard chemicals like that. She goes in the front yard most of the time but will walk and lay in the driveway when it is hot as sunny. The bloodhounds like to put their noses to the ground with Stella taking naps on the drive ... too close for chemicals.

So even though I would prefer a clean driveway like I had after pulling the weeds last year by hand ... this year I will keep them as short as possible with the weed eater and let the sun kill them later on this summer.

So with the standing water in the field there wasn't much they could do but return to the house for their daily morning siesta. Yes ... even after not being able to walk, both of them are sound to sleep with Sadie snoring.

I had two exciting moments yesterday not counting the blind rain storm at 65mph. It dealt with the SanDisk camera card. On the side of my iMac are two slots. The first one is a larger slot of DVDs or CDs and right below that is the slot for my camera card.

It's one of those actions you do everyday a few times a day so it's a habit where you you don't really pay attention when sliding the card into the slot. Only yesterday that almost cost me a card full of photos. I would have lost just the new photos taken since I download all of them to my hard drive.

How would I have lost them?

I slid the small camera SanDisk card into the slot for the DVD/CDs!!! It went all the way inside, behind the felt ... gone!!! I was actually shocked that I didn't go crazy when it happen but immediately wondered how was I going to get it out without seeing it. I took a steak knife thinking that was long enough to get back as far as I needed. The teeth of the knife was able to grab the top side of the card and I could slide it out enough for me to pull it out.

You would think that would be enough excitement for one day but "Murphy" was bored with all the rain and he had decided he was going to make my day with nothing but screw ups. With the SanDisk card in hand I went to slide it back into my camera only to see and feel I had put the card in BACKWARDS!!!!

Luckily I was able to pull that out with needle nose pliers with no damage to the camera or memory card.

So far this morning "Murphy" has taken the day off ... he had enough laughs yesterday. With the sunshine out and having the itch to go somewhere I think the hounds and I are headed out for a photo exploration.

No wind, no rain and sunshine here in 'the tropics' of Southern Indiana.