Return of the Tipsy Pots

The tipsy pots are back! This time I used a 3/8" by 48" piece of rebar instead of fencing material I found last year. Much better this way. Easier to put together, seems sturdier, too.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but I went with a purple and green theme this year, choosing some deep purple petunias, some lime green sweet potato vine, and some other perennials that were $1.39 at our local hardware store.

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My latest wishlist item: a Canon EOS Rebel 40D. J. has been issued this camera for work purposes. He asked me to help him get acquainted with it and now I can't seem to keep my hands off of it. It lets me do things like this:

The focus isn't great (it was windy and I was rushing it), but there's no way I can get that with the Powershot. Ah, for a spare $1500.

The Castle

The number 2 project in our queue was completed this weekend, due to the efforts of Dad, Mom, Uncle B, and Aunt M. Why the "The Castle?" That's O.'s word for it, and he defends it with enthusiasm.

We began with this: a pile of treated lumber and recycled deck wood, a wily three-year old, obliging parents/grandparents/aunt/uncle, and a dream.
A couple of days before the project began, a rare (we hope) series of earthquakes occurred. Minimal damage in our area, fortunately. The most severe quake in the series kicked around the wood pile a bit, shown below. Must have been the midwestern-raised in me again, but I was impressed.

We lucked out with the weather, but early afternoon showers forced the first steps of the project indoors. Here's J., Dad, and Uncle B. assembling the base.And here's Mom, documenting the process.

The next step was to attach the vertical beams. The horizontal 2x4s acted as temporary support, by the way. Aunt M. is shown below, holding it and us together.We learned that power saws and naptime don't mix. O. came outside to express his displeasure at the racket. O. quickly realized that the result of his noise is to his benefit.
The floor of the deck was installed next.

It was clear the deck is the best place to be. We basically built it around O., with Aunt M. for comfort/safety/entertainment.
A test run of the slide. Uncle B. later mounted about a foot off the ground, which makes it easier to climb into at the top. O. can land on his feet, which gives him a good running start. I think a swimming pool will reside at the end of the slide this summer.
Dad and Uncle B., putting their heads together.
Mom giving her assessment of the progress.
Uncle B. seems satisfied with the climbing wall installation.
As you can see, O. needs a little help to climb into it yet, but he'll learn. Kids need goals.

The finished product, or at least finished for now. Plans for future modifications and improvements were tossed around, including a roof, some seating for the sandbox below, a bucket and pulley, and swing.

The Big Easy

Last week I was here:



I had a conference in New Orleans, and I was able to squeeze in some sightseeing along with work. Good conference, but an even better trip. I lucked out with flights and juuuusst missed all of the American delays last week. I learned about barbecued shrimp and lattes with beignets. I even took a morning off, and a friend from college and I went on a cemetery tour. The tour began in the French Quarter and we walked to St. Louis Cemetery #1, which is the oldest still-standing cemetery in New Orleans. We had a real gem of tour guide, both knowledgeable and a real advocate for cemetery preservation.


The blue sky in cemetery photo is no Photoshop trick, it really was that beautiful that day: 80 oF and low humidity.

I stayed at a Hampton Inn that had been converted from a cotton factory/warehouse. Check out the entrance, covered in tropical vegetation.


In fact, I was fascinated by the palm trees the whole trip. Must be my Midwestern upbringing.


A paddlewheel boat docked on the Mississippi River:


One of my favorite spots: St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square.


This was a surprise: the gates to the cathedral close before dusk and minutes after the gates are closed and after the tourists leave, a group of cats came out. They lounged on the sun-warmed cement and played. It was like they were relieved that finally! those pesky people have left and we can relax!


The miniature Bunsen burners inside the gaslights in the French Quarter. I'd never seen these before, always figured they were from another era and long gone.


I couldn't resist a mardi gras hat for O. He calls it his dragon hat, which makes more sense and is easier to explain than mardi gras, so we're going with his words for it.