A Chip off the Old Block

September 18, 2024

I had gathered another pile of branches at the chipper, and decided that today would be a good day to start up the chipper and run them through.

So, that is what I did!

The pile of chipped material is much smaller than the original pile, and I think that if I had a more efficient chipper, one with sharper blades, or a different design, maybe the chipped pieces would be even much smaller

. Then I realize that in a month or two, it will not really matter, as nature will do the rest!

Afterwards, it was time to go see what the ocean was doing down at Honuapo.

Once again, in spite of the ocean being relatively calm, there was still some serious action as the waves meet the lava shelf.

There were a few large splashes at the point near the wading pools.

I was even able to capture a good picture of just how the swimming pool keeps getting refilled. I really do not know where the water goes from the pool, but it must seep through the lava back into the ocean somehow, as the level in the swimming pool does fluxtuate! It is kind of a natural filter system!

TTFN

Taking Shape

September 16, 2024

The deck boards are layed out in various places and painted. It will definitely be easier to paint these before they are installed.

While the deck boards are drying, I installed the rafters/ceiling joist. I have not many long screws left so I ordered more online. They were half the price of what the local hardware charges, And I’ll get them in two days! That really surprises me that they will get here that quick!

It is shaping up as a structure.

TTFN

Back To Work

September 11, 2024

After yesterday’s little diversion down at the shore. I got back to working on the steps for the gazebo.

After removing the stakes and supports for the forms for the first step that I poured yesterday, I formed the next step down.

With the forms in place, I backfilled using some of the material from the pile in the driveway.

Then I started up the mixer and poured the step. I am using the same method of finishing these steps as I used for the gaeden steps. I use a sponge to suck up the excess water and swirl the sand and cement around the surface. This leaves a “sand” finish that will not be slippery when wet.

While I had the mixer going, I poured one of the two remaining sections in the bathroom floor. I am troweling these sections and hoping that they will not be too spillery.

It takes water to mix concrete. This left me with guite a few empty bottles that I use to haul water.

So, I loaded up the truck and headed off to the transfer station in Waiohinu where the water fill station is located.

There are six hose bibs stationed about 8 feet apart along the entrance to the trash transfer station.

When I was in the water down at the ocean yesterday, I got out of the swimming pool and ventured out into what I call the arroyo that feeds the pool. Waves from the ocean come throgh this 30 to 50 foot gap in the lava and flows into the pool. This arroyo has places where the water is a foot or more deep. Coming straight out of the ocean, it is the same temperature as the ocean. which is typically about five degrees cooler than the water in the swimming pool, as the swimming pool is warmed by the sun as well as the black lava surrounding it that also has been warmed by the sun.

The wave action in this arroyo caused me to step back and step onto a sea urchin. Ouch! One of the spines found a way past my pool shoes and into my big toe. It has been bothering me all day! I tried to dig out as much as I could. but ended up just pushing it in deeper. So, before going to bed, I applied a bit of this drawing ointment and a bandaide to see if it would draw it out!

TTFN

Just Another Day in Paradise

September 10, 2024

More concrete!

Mixed up enough concrete to pour a step leading up to the gazebo.

That’s enough work! Time to go down to the ocean!

The ocean is pretty calm today, The sky is blue. The sun is shining, There is a slight breeze blowing. What a great day to be in Hawaii!

There is not a lot of wave action, but yet there is still a bit of splashing as the water meets the lava.

The swiming pool is calm and clear!

But there are clouds gathering over Kilauea in the distance – about 40 miles away to the east!

The sky is quite clear in the opposite direction off towards South Point (Ka Lae), Milolii, Kealakekua, and beyond, to Kona!

TTFN

Playing in the Mud

September 9, 2024

In the morning, after breakfast, I mixed concrete and poured two of the squares in the bathroom floor.

I set up the mixer in the driveway about 20 feet inside the gate and used the smaller material I had separated when I moved one of the gravel piles from outsde the gate..

Then I continued mixing and filled the forms for the column caps, filling the columns as well.

While I had the mixer running, I mixed up enough concrete to pour a third section of the floor for the gazebo extension.

This helps to define the area of the gazebo a bit better. Now, I need to come up with some pattern for the rest of the floor.

In the afternoon, I was able to remove the forms from the two sections in the bathroom floor, making it ready to pour the remaining sections tomorrow.

I also removed the form on one side of the section of the gazebo floor I poured this morning and set up forms for a step.

TTFN