Nuttin excit'n today

I were  just sit'n there on the couch do'n what I do best....nuttin. A "severe thunderstorm warning"....with up to 70 mile a hour winds....in the following counties....pops up on the tv screen. Well shoot, I'm in one of them counties.

"The awning Billy Bob, the awning is gonna blow away". I were think'n long the same lines....awning gonna blow away an' remembered the last time I was try'n to roll that sucker back up in high winds. If'n ya ever did that, you know what I'm talk'n bout. Anyhows, I goes outside, undo's the rope tie downs and roll up the awning. Weren't nuttin to it an' nuttin excit'n happened. See, that's why I aint never got nuttin excit'n to write about in my life.

Them high winds an' torrential rainfall what was supposed to hit Billy Bob's campsite never showed up. A few drops of rain fell on the windshield (my picture winders) and the winds never got over 15 mile a hour.....if'n that. But when ya consider the cost of a new awning, I suppose it's better to play it safe than to be sorry.

I ain't touched that Mississippi river boat in two days. I ain't say'n that I didn't want to, but I had other things to do. Got all the surround sound speakers relocated an' replaced with new ones. Now let me tell ya....that sucker do some walk'n an' talk'n. Gonna have me some piss off neighbors down the road a piece if'n I crank that thing up. Ran that cable from the laptop to the computer....but I think I already tole ya that. Moved the printer too. Put all the "big" tools back in the garage (tool storage compartment). Sweeped an' moped the floors. Tossed a bunch of stuff I ain't seen or used in over 5 years. It's beginning to look like home again in "da house". 

I got me a little project for today. It mostly is house work. Not dust'n an' wash'n winders or anything like that. I got stuff on shelves an' in boxes what needs some attention. Toss shit in the dumpster. I often wonder where all this stuff comes from, but then I got me a little redneck in my blood an' I keep stuff.....just in case.

Ok....off to the salt mines.....laters.

Ain't got a thing

I'm think'n I'll just pass on writ'n a blog this morn'n. I been sit'n here wrack'n my brain for ideas for a interesting post, but all I come up with is "nuttin" this morn'n.

Busy as a bee...

I was just sit'n there on the couch....look'n round at all the mess that Mississippi riverboat has caused. I've got to git up right now an' start clean'n house.

Well, it didn't actually work out that way. Ya see, I got me a new "to do" list and I'm all full of piss an' vinegar to get started on this list. On top of the list was to drill some big ol' holes through the cabinets and install a HDML cable from the laptop to the TV. In the process, I have a pile of "toss in the dumpster" stuff in the middle of the floor. Cable installed out of sight an' mind....works like a charm. Now I can watch laptop on TV. "Why Billy Bob....what the hell for"????

The new cable for the printer was too short....so's I moved the printer. Problem solved.

I don't think I ever did wash dishes that fast in a hunnert years. I swear, it didn't take over 20 minutes. Even with two breaks. Did you know that wash'n dishes is very hard on your lower back? Well it is for the old Billy Bob anyhows. Ya see, when the sink cabinets was designed for a RV, they  failed to allow a "toe kick" area at the bottom of the cabinets (a place to put your toes while ya bend over the sink wash'n dishes). That extra 2 inches makes a big difference. 

The damn pit bull got holt on that damn goat. I was sit'n there on the couch an' I hears Bubba yell'n at the dog. I says, "what the hell". Bout that time, here come that damn goat run'n a hunnert mile a hour....right up the steps into "Sally da house"....knock'n stuff all over the place. We ain't talk'n no little goat here, this sucker weigh right bout 200 pounds. Barely fit through the door. I got to get this goat out my house before he decides he gonna piss on the floor. But he ain't mov'n a inch. Just stand'n there shak'n like a leaf. Then he piss on the floor. Damn goat!!!

Other than for the wind, yesterday was a pretty nice day. Ain't much else I can say bout it. This is the kind of weather I can live with. Less the wind of course.

For someone what hates wind, I had me a couple sailboats....what took good gusts of wind to make them go. In fact I was gonna sail the 41' Formosa to the Caribbean islands after I retired. Laid back on the beach drink'n rum an' danc'n with the hoochi coochi island girls. You got to remember I was younger back then....don't do that kind of stuff no more. Ain't say'n I don't like hoochi coochi island girls or nuttin like that, but I just ain't got time for that kind of silly nonsense. Although, the position for a cute little first mate is still open.    

Ok....got things to do. Laters.

It's on fire Billy Bob....YIKES!!!!

Yes I am in Texas. To prove it, the weather has changed.
This morn'n I waked up, late as usual, to beautiful sun shine and clear skys. Of course the wind is blow'n like it always do. So much that I'm gonna have to pass on swak'n golf balls today. Maybe!

"Turn it off Billy Bob, the damn thing is on fire". Ya see, it's like this.....I hook up my battery to that smoke generator. A new gasket was installed and vegetable oil was added to the heater element wick. This is a test. Two minutes into the test, there was a "pooof". It catched on fire. Thoughts of a Mississippi river boat on fire crossed my mind. It's back to the drawing board.

A quick search on the internet proved that vegetable oil is a good choice to make lots of pretty white smoke. But it stinks terrible when it reaches the point of turn'n into flames. Not reach'n the point of flames, but still produc'n smoke, was yesterday ultimate goal. A new heater element was designed by Billy Bob Heater Element Engineering Specialities.....Inc. At 7.94 volts, there was a slight glow to the new element.

With all the professional engineers we have on the blogs, I'm totally amazed I haven't had any input to design. I could use some help here ya know.

Anyhows, a second test run was performed. Using transmission fluid as a smoke fuel, there was less smoke than vegetable oil. A trip to Walmart, I will pick up some baby oil. At least baby oil should smell like a babies behind.
The battery was hooked up....outside of course.....in the wind.

 That ain't look'n too bad is it?

A 20 minute test run was performed....with no fire. "Yee Haw Billy Bob, you da man".

Then I sits down on the couch. I got me a fresh cup of coffee by my side and I gits to think'n.... When this project is completed, what will I have to show for my efforts? Look'n at the boat, you will never know I spent a week, or more, build'n an' install'n a smoke generator. I will only see my accomplishment if'n I put the boat in water. Maybe I should have a boat launching ceremony an' invite all my blogger friends to attend. BYOB of course.

A "toad" is a vehicle you tow behind a motorhome. My "that jeep" is a toad. It's also too heavy and a POS. That's why I need to replace it (mostly 'cause it's a POS). Ya cain't just tow any old vehicle behind a motorhome. I must have a means of disconnect'n the transmission from the drive wheels. Placing a automatic transmission in neutral is not that means. A 4x4 Jeep has that means.....a RWD Jeep does not. Ya just place the 4 wheel drive selector in neutral and hit the road. My replacement toad must not only be big enough to haul all my stuff, it must have the above capabilities. Many thanks go out to RV Dan for his time and efforts to find Billy Bob a replacement toad. 

The saga continues

Well, here I sit look'n out the winder at another dreary sunless day. If'n I was a bit more poetic, I would explain what a dreary day looks like.

Well shoot, everthing I touched yesterday either broke or didn't work. Oh wait a minute.....nephew Joseph took me to Corpus Christi yesterday morn'n for breakfast at IHop. Didn't break a damn thing.

We drove through a dozen car dealerships look'n for that one special Jeep I been look'n for (Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4. And there that sucker was, all shiny, new tires, detailed inside an' out, just sit'n there in the used car lot. Then it broke. The dealership parts man had just bought my Jeep Cherokee Sport the day before. The old Billy Bob is SOL on that one.

Then we stop off at a computer parts sell'n place. I was need'n some cables to hook up my printer and a cable to reach from the TV to the laptop. Ain't gonna 'splain why I need them, but I do. It's a Billy Bob thing ya know.

Back at "da house", I were gonna lay back an' take it easy......"do nuttin" ya know. That only last bout 10 minutes fore I drag out my tools an' stuff and start work'n on "the project". "How long does it take to build an' install a smoke generator in a Mississippi riverboat Billy Bob"? Well, there's a lot of unforeseen obstacles that have to be overcome along the way. Like "Oh eff, I broke something". Or "How comes that don't fit"? "Freak'n super glue".

I'll take this moment to say....I'm sorry smoke generators and Mississippi river boats don't interest my readers, but this project stuff is "meat an' taters", "apple pie", "cream in coffee", to the old Billy Bob. I git sooo damn excitis I could pee my pants.

The afternoon was spent wiring all the electronics an' a hand full of electric wires installed for the drive motor an' smoke generator. Battery has been installed, hidden from view, inside the cabins on the second deck. A test dry run was made.....no water. Rudders work just fine. Sternwheel turns forwards an' backards. Smoke generator makes smoke. Boy howdy, when I say smoke, I mean smoke. Not only does smoke come out of the stacks, it comes out everwheres. I'm think'n there's probly a gasket leak'n problem. Looks like the whole damn boat is done catched on fire. What ain't exactly the look I was think'n bout when I started this project. Redesign of gaskets is the order of the day.....silicone did not work worth a crap. Although, I did do a piss poor job with the silicone tube. Gobs of silicone everwheres.

So what am I gonna do today. Since it's plumb ass ugly outside, I gonna be inside today. An' since I gonna be inside, I'm gonna work on my project. Bet ya didn't figger on that did ya?

I been wait'n all week long for Friday to make a appearance. You know, go golf ball swak'n an' eat seafood at the Butter Churn. Well, the weather thingy says tomorrow may bring rain, thunderstorms an' wind over 20 mile a hour. Do I dare venture out in them kind of weather forecasts? Only time will tell, but I'm think'n I probly will. What's life without a little spice?     

Chang'n oil????

When I was a teenager, we didn't change oil in our cars. We added oil as needed. We didn't use antifreeze neither. In the late 50's, rambunctious teenagers didn't drive "pick'em up trucks". Trucks were built for work. Cars were built to be 'customized' and changed into "hotrods". That's what we drove.

Today may possibly be oil and filter change day at Billy Bob's house. Nephew Joseph has the day off from the oil fields and has promised me he would crawl up under "Sally da house" an' "that jeep" to change oil and filters.....as soon as he gets back from Corpus Christi. I am no longer able to be crawl'n under vehicles so I have to depend on others. Well.....I could it, but I would pay dearly for such a decision. The last two years have taken quite a toll on the old Billy Bob. Cain't do shit....an' that pisses me off. Grrrrrrrrrr......!

I suppose everbody seen all the smoke I created yesterday (photo was posted yesterday).
Here it is again in case ya missed it.

Well let me tell ya bout that smoke. Being the fool that I am, I cranked up that smoke generator in "da house". I had no idea there would be "that" much stink'n smoke. Have ya ever smelled burned vegetable oil???? That stuff stinks terrible and the smell lingers for hours. Won't be do'n that no more.  

The installation of the smoke generator in the Mississippis sternwheeler has been almost completed. Paint has been applied.

This project has been almost as exciting as when I first built this Mississippi Sternwheeler, the Chaperon.

This is a working remote controlled model of a sternwheeler river boat. It's 3 feets long. Took a full year to construct and install remote control. LOL....one day to sink it.

Steam powered "anything" fascinates" the old Billy Bob. From steam powered boats to steam powered farm tractors. Hermit Jim's blog this morning was right along those lines. If'n you Google 'steamboat Yellowstone', you will find some interesting Texas history ya probly didn't know bout. Like being used to transport Santa Anna back to Mexico after his capture in Texas......or something like that. If'n you're a Texas history buff, you need to read this stuff.

When I was a rambunctious little rascal on the farm, there was this steam powered car what would come by once a month......go'n to town I suppose. He would stop at the creek and fill up with water to continue his journey.  Dang I wish I had that old car. Tow behind "Sally da house"....on a trailer.

I dream some weird stuff. I waked up a couple times last night wonder'n what I was do'n lay'n in bed when I was dream'n of being somewheres else. An' do'n weird stuff. Weird stuff will not be discussed in this morn'ns post. I had leg cramps.....what were related to the weird dreams. Then at 4am, I began to have breath'n problems. "Sheesh Billy Bob, you weird". I gave up on sleep'n at 5:15. Brewed up a fresh pot and started a new excit'n day. 

Photo added...Fingers stuck.....super glue

"My God Billy Bob, you're a idiot. You super glued your fingers together". You think I'm joke'n don't ya?

I don't know bout everbody else, but yesterday was a special day at Billy Bob's house. Ya see, when I get involved in a project, I put my heart an' soul in it. Yesterday I did nuttin but work on projects. Cajun tunes was cranked up, fresh coffee was brewed as needed, sounds of enjoyment was heard through out "da house". Money matters were forgotten, no thoughts of depression,.....I was in a world of bliss.

As with all engineers, you gonna screw up, no matter how good ya think you are. Make a wrong calculation, draw a line where there ain't supposed to be one....your measurements don't add up. So what do you do? Well shoot, that's simple....ya modify. And that exactly what the old engineer Billy Bob had to do.

Ya see, it's like this....remember that drawing I posted the other day of the "planned" smoke generator? Had I built it to drawing specs, it would have never fit into the proposed space. So I had to modify.

As you can plainly see, the top cover is different from the draw'n and it's made of heavy plastic. "Won't plastic catch fire Billy Bob"?  We'll leave that question unanswered until after an extended test has been performed.

Can anybody says...."SMOKE"??? I got the right idea, but "DAMN.....in da house"??? 
"Billy Bob, you are 71 years old. Don't ya think this is a bit too much for a old guy in your condition"???

Oh wait, I forgot to tell ya bout super glue'n my fingers. When I glue stuff, I smooth it out with my fingers so's ya cain't see it. Then I got wet super glue all over on my "smooth'n finger....what ended up stuck real good to my thumb. What didn't come apart. Work'n with a razor knife and numerous household solutions, my fingers are now unglued. Access glue removed and sanded to fresh skin. You did know that a file and sandpaper will remove super glue....right? Ha ha, can just see myself at the emergency room with two fingers glued together. LOL.....had a girlfriend one time I would liked to super glue her lips shut. Jibber jabber all day long bout nuttin.

So what the hell did you do yesterday?

Boy howdy......I waked up early this morn'n freez'n half to death. It were all the ways down to 36 degs. outside. The electric heater was set on bout 50 degs therebouts, so yes, I were cold when I got up. Don't think it woulda made no difference what it was set on since a electric heater only puts out 5,000 BTU's. Takes right bout 14,000 BTU's to keep "da house" comfortable (70 to 75 degs.) in freez'n weather.

Today I will be painting. Oh hell no, not art work. I give that up years ago. When I was younger an' had more free time on my hands, I used to draw, paint pictures.....stuff like that. I were a "arteest"....or something like that. Oil and acrylics. Charcoal. Pencils. Now that I've retired, I ain't got no extra time to do stuff like that.

Speak'n of Blogger. What the hell??? Have ya clicked on a photo on somebodys blog? Something has changed again. At least it has on my blog. Photos open in a new window.
I also got to think'n. What if Blogger stopped "free" blog posting? I've got over 3 years of blog posts what I would hate to lose. On the old HP laptop what don't work no more, I saved a couple years of posts. But I saved them in a little folder to the desktop. They were not on the hard drive when I formatted it. Gone....poooof, just like that.

Ok, start of another excit'n day for Billy Bob an' crew. Laters.