Gee, lighting! Glad all is well, Cat. Lightning, being static electricity, *tends* to follow the outside of an object it strikes. Is there enough lightning in your area to justify lightning rods?
Where I grew up actual bolts of lightning were rare, and TV signals (no cable then) were weak. I heard of one family that was watching their new color TV when a lightning bolt struck the TV antenna and exploded their TV set! (Cathode ray picture tubes back then.)
listener--thinking about plaster walls (here's hoping Robins' Roost has them): depending on the plaster--some actually contains some cement--it can be REALLY hard. The only good way to hang pictures and suchlike is to drill a hole with a masonry bit--hammer and nails don't work. They make pretty small--like eighth-inch--masonry bits.
Well, maybe they aren't paster then, as we were able to hang pictures with hammer and nail. But they're not modern day drywall either, as there are NO traces of seams or nails, as would often show over time. The clapboard outside of his house is made of something I forget the name of. Not cedar after all, but something harder and I think cement may be one of the ingredients. At any rate, it is very well constructed and holding up beautifully!
Could well be plaster. I was just trying to think of things unique to plaster. Does the house have a basement?
Our daughter's first apartment on the SF Peninsula was built just after WWII and had plaster instead of drywall; the inside corners were quite square--nothing fancy. But boy, was it hard! The new owners were going around re-doing the stucco to bring it up to modern code--no touching the dirt, has to be off the ground on a metal (?) lip; in doing so they exposed some of the sheathing on the frame--heavy diagonal redwood planks completely covering the framing, which definitely exceeded code. All two-story buildings, and not so much as a crack in the stucco after the Loma Prieta Earthquake, epicenter maybe 15-20 miles away. I was surprised--there was a lot of shoddy construction in those days.
The firemen were also concerned because of the lightning-caused fire across the street. Two lightning strikes in as many weeks on the same block? Troubling.
This is in fact the second time our house has been struck by lightning. The first was, hmmm, some twenty years ago. Actually had some damage to the roof that time as well as far more fried electronics. We got off easy this time, with a couple cable boxes and the ethernet knocked out, but apparently nothing else, thank God!
Unfortunately, the cable that got knocked out is in Mum's room and Sis'. Mum being an invalid needs it, especially since she doesn't sleep well under the best of circumstances. Sis I think is just sort of addicted to the TV. Still, it does seem unfair. If mine had been zapped it wouldn't have made any difference, since I seldom watch television.
What with climate change and the severity of t&l storms increasing, lightning rods might not be a bad idear.
Alan, there is a very good basement, in fact. Windows on all four sides and three-panel door on one side which one could drive a mower or small car through. It has a second refrigerator, washer-dryer, provision cabinet, a wall length tool bench with drawers and more.
That's AMAZING about the workmanship in the SF Peninsula apartment!!!
Catreona, I'm sad for your Mom especially, but Sis too. Can their cable boxes be fixed soon or will your need to let Mom borrow yours? I'm soooooooooo glad that's all the damage! =Whew!=
That was a big complex of apartment buildings, built, owned and operated by one family until a few years ago. They weren't greedy. Finally they sold, for a good price, and the new corporate ownership set out to get their money out of it. Can't blame them. Great location. The only drawback is that the kitchens are rather small by modern standards--in the 1940's people didn't have all the kitchen countertop appliances we use nowadays.
--Alan
P.S.: Basements are a rarity out here; sounds really good! Out of idle curiosity, what kind of heating equipment does it have? That is presumably a very important factor in your neck of the woods.
By the way, the Black-Eyed Susan out front isn't low-growing, but was dropped by a little Grand who intended to gift it. However, I received a very sweet Daisy.
Yesterday my eye was swollen completely shut. That's a problem because son @2 can't drive. My brother lives about 9 minutes away and he will drive if needed. Today my eye has opened up somewhat with HUGE swelling above and below. Looks like somebody took a tire-pump to the eyelids. And, having never had shingles before, I didn't know it came with such a wide assortment of blood and pus-filled blisters. Ugh. I also didn't know you're to stay away from pregnant women and people who've never had chicken pox. I didn't know until now that there is/was a vaccination against shingles. If it's not too late after this bout settles I'm definitely getting one! Headache and fever. This is the first time I've been sick since 2009, so I'm not at all happy!
Part of the answer to your question is that cancer isn't one disease but scores of different diseases. Another part is that cancer cells are out own cells gone rogue, and it's hard to distinguish them from our normal cells. Despite which, there are cures for certain types of cancer.
Mostly I haven't been on Facebook much because it's ALL TRUMP ALL THE TIME, and it wears me down. I really, really hate him and every single Republican who allows him to continue.
I don't see that at all. There is one science fiction author I follow who is constantly attacking Democrats, liberals, feminists, ets., but he is no Trump fan -- he voted 3rd party in the election.
Clearly, Bill, you and I have totally different feeds on our Facebook. The fact that you don't see what I see does not invalidate my experience. Do you realize how often you are a contrarian? Frankly it annoys me.
Gee, lighting! Glad all is well, Cat. Lightning, being static electricity, *tends* to follow the outside of an object it strikes. Is there enough lightning in your area to justify lightning rods?
ReplyDeleteWhere I grew up actual bolts of lightning were rare, and TV signals (no cable then) were weak. I heard of one family that was watching their new color TV when a lightning bolt struck the TV antenna and exploded their TV set! (Cathode ray picture tubes back then.)
listener--thinking about plaster walls (here's hoping Robins' Roost has them): depending on the plaster--some actually contains some cement--it can be REALLY hard. The only good way to hang pictures and suchlike is to drill a hole with a masonry bit--hammer and nails don't work. They make pretty small--like eighth-inch--masonry bits.
Gotta get to work on an opinion....
--Alan
Well, maybe they aren't paster then, as we were able to hang pictures with hammer and nail. But they're not modern day drywall either, as there are NO traces of seams or nails, as would often show over time. The clapboard outside of his house is made of something I forget the name of. Not cedar after all, but something harder and I think cement may be one of the ingredients. At any rate, it is very well constructed and holding up beautifully!
DeleteCould well be plaster. I was just trying to think of things unique to plaster. Does the house have a basement?
DeleteOur daughter's first apartment on the SF Peninsula was built just after WWII and had plaster instead of drywall; the inside corners were quite square--nothing fancy. But boy, was it hard! The new owners were going around re-doing the stucco to bring it up to modern code--no touching the dirt, has to be off the ground on a metal (?) lip; in doing so they exposed some of the sheathing on the frame--heavy diagonal redwood planks completely covering the framing, which definitely exceeded code. All two-story buildings, and not so much as a crack in the stucco after the Loma Prieta Earthquake, epicenter maybe 15-20 miles away. I was surprised--there was a lot of shoddy construction in those days.
--Alan
Thanks, Listener and Alan!
DeleteThe firemen were also concerned because of the lightning-caused fire across the street. Two lightning strikes in as many weeks on the same block? Troubling.
This is in fact the second time our house has been struck by lightning. The first was, hmmm, some twenty years ago. Actually had some damage to the roof that time as well as far more fried electronics. We got off easy this time, with a couple cable boxes and the ethernet knocked out, but apparently nothing else, thank God!
Unfortunately, the cable that got knocked out is in Mum's room and Sis'. Mum being an invalid needs it, especially since she doesn't sleep well under the best of circumstances. Sis I think is just sort of addicted to the TV. Still, it does seem unfair. If mine had been zapped it wouldn't have made any difference, since I seldom watch television.
What with climate change and the severity of t&l storms increasing, lightning rods might not be a bad idear.
Alan, there is a very good basement, in fact. Windows on all four sides and three-panel door on one side which one could drive a mower or small car through. It has a second refrigerator, washer-dryer, provision cabinet, a wall length tool bench with drawers and more.
DeleteThat's AMAZING about the workmanship in the SF Peninsula apartment!!!
Catreona, I'm sad for your Mom especially, but Sis too. Can their cable boxes be fixed soon or will your need to let Mom borrow yours? I'm soooooooooo glad that's all the damage! =Whew!=
DeleteThat was a big complex of apartment buildings, built, owned and operated by one family until a few years ago. They weren't greedy. Finally they sold, for a good price, and the new corporate ownership set out to get their money out of it. Can't blame them. Great location. The only drawback is that the kitchens are rather small by modern standards--in the 1940's people didn't have all the kitchen countertop appliances we use nowadays.
Delete--Alan
P.S.: Basements are a rarity out here; sounds really good! Out of idle curiosity, what kind of heating equipment does it have? That is presumably a very important factor in your neck of the woods.
By the way, the Black-Eyed Susan out front isn't low-growing, but was dropped by a little Grand who intended to gift it. However, I received a very sweet Daisy.
ReplyDeleteAs I held it I said out loud: "I don't need to pluck it's petals; I already know 'She loves me.'" 🤗
DeleteVery good.
DeleteAlan
I don't like not hearing from Susan.
ReplyDeleteYesterday my eye was swollen completely shut. That's a problem because son @2 can't drive. My brother lives about 9 minutes away and he will drive if needed. Today my eye has opened up somewhat with HUGE swelling above and below. Looks like somebody took a tire-pump to the eyelids. And, having never had shingles before, I didn't know it came with such a wide assortment of blood and pus-filled blisters. Ugh. I also didn't know you're to stay away from pregnant women and people who've never had chicken pox. I didn't know until now that there is/was a vaccination against shingles. If it's not too late after this bout settles I'm definitely getting one! Headache and fever. This is the first time I've been sick since 2009, so I'm not at all happy!
DeleteJust saw this. Explains a lot. Why hasn't somebody worked out how to prevent or cure cancer by now?
ReplyDeleteDoctors: Sen. John McCain has brain tumor - Click
Part of the answer to your question is that cancer isn't one disease but scores of different diseases. Another part is that cancer cells are out own cells gone rogue, and it's hard to distinguish them from our normal cells. Despite which, there are cures for certain types of cancer.
DeleteShe's been on facebook, but not a whole lot.
ReplyDeleteMostly I haven't been on Facebook much because it's ALL TRUMP ALL THE TIME, and it wears me down. I really, really hate him and every single Republican who allows him to continue.
DeleteI don't see that at all. There is one science fiction author I follow who is constantly attacking Democrats, liberals, feminists, ets., but he is no Trump fan -- he voted 3rd party in the election.
DeleteClearly, Bill, you and I have totally different feeds on our Facebook. The fact that you don't see what I see does not invalidate my experience. Do you realize how often you are a contrarian? Frankly it annoys me.
Delete