Toro 828 First Run - Bandi And The Beast

 

Song:  Above All

Artist:  Helen Jane Long

It had lightly snowed last night.

As it wasn't snowing at the time...

and snow was building up in the driveway...

and, I had yet to try out my Toro 828 Snowblower...

I decided to use it on the driveway...

as more snow was expected soon.

This way I could familiarize myself with it...

as well as give myself a head start on any snow buildup.

Although I know now...

as there was no real wind blowing...at the time...

and the air didn't feel so cold...

I had initially thought that I could just go out in my snow boots...

sweat pants and sweat shirt...

without a hat or gloves.

It was a big mistake.

I had forgotten just how fine the powder is here.

As the snow...

as it was being blown by the wind...

quickly coated me in a very fine snow powder...

which had almost immediately melted on my head and hands...

I soon felt the effects of being wet in a building wind in winter.

You can see how fine the powder of the snow is.

It is great for skiing...

and when I walk in it...

it feels like I am walking on baby powder...

but...

as the combination of the powder quickly melting on my skin...

and the wind picking up...well...

I will certainly wear a hat and gloves next time.

Although the snow wasn't deep...

I got used to my Toro...

and I am so glad I had gotten it.

So long as I adequately dress while snow blowing...

even during blizzards...

I will be comfortable.

Afterwards...

I took Bandi out to use the bathroom.

I have two funny stories from Bandi's forest bathroom.

Just yesterday...

right at this spot...

Bandi started acting strangely.

She alerted and then began aggressively pulling at her leash...

as she barked and growled.

This was unusual for Bandi.

She was acting as if some creature were very near by...

and that it may have been a threat.

As it was in the evening hours...

but there was light enough to see...

I began to scan the surrounding forest for any nearby creature.

I became acutely aware of any motion...

especially of any creature running towards me  :)

It was then that I saw that it was a deer in the distance...

on the far ridge.

I had only seen it because it ran off up the ridge and out of sight...

but the opening on the far side of picture was where it had been.

Another time...

 a couple of weeks ago...

as I was taking Bandi out for a late night bathroom run in her forested area...

Bandi started sniffing the air and pulling at her leash...

even before we had reached the far berm we have to summit before 

we reach her bathroom area.

As it was late at night...

I had my flashlight...

 which I always use to scan the forest as soon as I summit the berm...

and even though I had done this many times...

the fact that Bandi was acting strangely alerted me to the possibility

of there being a creature just over the berm.

As I scanned the forest...

these rocks are what I had seen.

When they are covered in snow...

they take on different shapes in the mind...

especially at night and with shadows being cast by the beam of a flashlight.

My mind had told me...

it was a bear.

I momentarily froze in place until I realized it was just the same rocks I had seen many...

many times before.

Although it was funny...

after my initial shock...

I decided I would find and unpack my .357 holster.

I will start wearing it when taking Bandi out...

especially at night...

no joke.

Today's Project - The Loft Infrared Sauna

 

Song:  Blue Cafe

Group:  The Style Council

Today's project took but a few hours...

and I took many breaks between each wall of the Infrared Sauna...

as each wall had to be placed precisely to ensure all three of the metal

catches on each panel engaged at one time.

And so...

I had to rest my shoulders...

and regather my patience after each wall.

I was playing music while I worked...

and I had a cup of coffee standing at the ready...

so I sat at this computer and sipped at my coffee before reengaging 

the Infrared Sauna (I know...it sounds like combat...and it kind of was  :)

As it was lightly snowing throughout the day...

this was a perfect time to complete another indoor project.

I first had to unpack each panel...

and then stack them where I would put them together.

I laid the floor...

and then put up two walls.

After the first two walls were hooked together...

the rest became easier as the walls then stood in place by themselves.

I then installed the inner workings and bench.

The snow began to pick up some...

but...

as it was light...

I didn't have to clear any snow from my driveway.

I then installed the glass door.

I then put on the roof panel.

I reconnected the wiring...

and I had to jerry-rig a holder for the CD player to keep it from sliding out when

the interior panel opened from the inside...

as some parts were lost during my move.

I also had to put in another interior ceiling bulb as the original one blew out

when I turned it on.

It had become damaged during the move...

but...

I put in an amber bulb...

which I liked more anyways.

It originally had a fluorescent bulb..

which was too harsh of a color.

The amber light adds some softer ambiance.

After testing the electrical components...

I then emplaced the top dust cover.

I then moved over the beds.

This is the sauna as it now sits.

There is now a more balanced look to the room.

I packed up the moving blankets and moved them down to the garage.

I just have to take the tools off of the bed.

But...

the room now is free from the clutter the still packed IR Sauna had made before.

You can see the amber interior light more clearly here.

It is the same type of bulb I use in my room.

Of course...

I have the option to turn on or off the interior and exterior lights at will.

While inside...

I normally use it without any lights on...

unless it is night time.

The following photos are the view from inside the IR Sauna.

The camera overexposed the outside in this shot.

Although the outside looks like this...

the inside is under exposed in this shot.

In real life...

the combination of the above two photos gives you a true view.

From inside...

I may listen to beautiful music as I look out the front windows.

With the door open...

I may also see outside the third deck from inside.

I have many more projects to do...

but...

only on Toller Time  :)

Now...

I have my choice of a Steam Sauna on the first floor...

or the Infrared Sauna on the third floor.

But...

I think I will be using this Infrared Sauna the most...

and I will only use the Steam Sauna with guests...

or perhaps...

when I get a cold...

as it will greatly help with congestion.

----------------

As I had completed another project...

I think I will start practicing the cover instrumental song more...

and perhaps...

finish up my research for my next novel.

It will be a very long process...

but I enjoy incremental progress in my passions.

It is what so greatly flavors life.

Shopping - Kimchi Stew

 

Song:  Un Homme Et Une Femme

Cover Variation:  Paul Mauriat

I included a very quick and easy recipe my younger sister, Mary, had sent me.

Although I altered it to fit my taste...

it is a tasty stew as is.

Once the food starts cooking...

it is about a 10 minute meal from that point.

I am almost down my mountain...

and on my way to Woodland Park...

to my normal food shopping place...

Safeway

(I bulk buy at Walmart or Costco)

I arrived in the parking lot...

...and headed inside to pick up the ingredients necessary to make Kimchi Stew.

It was but a short shopping spree...

and here I am headed home from Woodland Park.

My younger sister's recipe

-----------

I altered it to fit my taste.

I doubled the Korean chili powder... as I love the flavor.

I doubled the amount of tofu and green onions...as I like tofu and green onions.

I added 50% more beef stock and Hondashi...to give it more flavor.

No garlic powder...

as I only like the light garlic presence that the Kimchi itself provides.

Every so often...

I pick up smoked black pepper salmon to eat as part of a meal.

It went very well with the kimchi stew.

Although I made a bit of a mess...

I always clean everything after eating.

The extra tofu gives this stew more body.

I love this stew.

It is very flavorful and it is perfect for cold days...

especially if you have a cold.

This is a very quick dish to make...

and especially if you tailor fit it to your personal taste...

it will be far better than in any restaurant.

Bandi loved the smoked salmon.

Even though I fed her a basic healthful meal just before cooking...

she knows she will get some of my food as well...

so she hangs around the kitchen while I cook...

and especially where I am eating.

But, I don't mind...

as not only do I welcome her company...

she is just so cute in her mannerisms.

She lightly touches me with her paw to get my attention...

but she rarely insists on anything.

Bandi usually only politely gets my attention...

and then just looks at me with her puppy dog eyes.

My favorite drink...

ice water.

As I have said before...

especially as I eat...

my body just seems to generate so much heat...

and so...

drinking ice water feels so good going down.

It keeps me from over heating...

and it is...

by far...

one of the most healthful drinks you can drink.

Not only do you not add any calories...

it is actually a negative calorie drink...

as the body must burn calories to warm it up in your stomach.