Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[mara1]

Ive used them to cover the dog runs but I use the bungee straps so it gives a little when wind hits it and make a tent peak with 2x4's allowing the wind to escape. It's only to help keep rain snow out. yea they only last about a year but sun rot is usually my problem.

 

[mara1]

I have found that the only way I have been able to get a tarp to last is to roll the edges around 1x3 furring strips and then attach with screws. Additionally it pays to add a few furring strips on top to prevent it from moving as the wind will lift it up even with all four sides secured. This bellying up can tear it.

Every time I get a new picture of my granddaughter I am amazed by how much she has changed. It has been two years since Granny has seen her and she remarked that without the pictures she doesn't think she would recognize her.

she is beautiful

 

[Opa]

Quote: I'd like to say she looks alot like her grandfather but if that were the case she'd be wrinkled and have gray thinning hair.

 

[naglady]

lol opa, your granddaughter is beautiful..

 

[chickwhispers]

But seriously she is very pretty! Grandma and Grandpa must be very proud!

 

[Trefoil]

One of my runs has chicken wire over the top and I have a cheap silver tarp over that, attached by bungee cords. The roof is peaked and when we get rain or snow I reach up with a broom or whatever and "bounce" the accumulation off. The first year it was up we got enough snow that it broke the beam that you nail the side supports for the roof to, I don't know what its called, but it was a pain to replace without removing the roof. Its going on its 3rd or 4th year, has a few leaks but still works. The cheap blue ones aren't waterproof if the water sits on them. Trampoline tarps sound like a great idea, if they are available.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I had one tarp here from the kids old trampoline that we recycled, kept the tarp. Another 14' I got off Craigslist for free. They are sort of heavy and a task for me to wrangle alone, but rain does pass thru, but sun, not so much. (Meaning if you use it overhead you might not dry out underneath-- that will be another experiment for next year!) Last winter I used one across the North and the West corner of the vertical sides of my pen, and I want to say it did work as wind block too.

Opa, will you please post pics of your tarps and strips? Lovely pic too. Any thoughts on the direction of doors?

Well looks like the winds have lifted 3 shingles on the outdoor house Roof repair is on the agenda tomorrow.

 

[preciouskitty]

But seriously she is very pretty! Grandma and Grandpa must be very proud!

X2!
Love that pic!

 

[Opa]

We are starting the morning out at the temperature that coffee changes from an enjoyable addition to a morning to a necessity. 32 degrees is cold. In fact it's freezing. I'm glad that I remembered to disconnect the garden hose because that could create a problem I sure wouldn't want to deal with.

In most homes the outside water is a freeze proof hose bib. The actual shut off for the water is back inside the hose and when closed the water in the barrel drains out. If a hose is left attached that water cannot escape and will freeze. One of my neighbors left a hose connected and while they were on a January vacation the expanding ice ruptured the freeze proof fixture allowing water to run unabated in their basement for over a week. Imagine their shock to come home to 4' of water and ruined possessions.

 

[Jake Levi]

Opa you have a seriously beautiful grand daughter !!!

I love your critter pics, this one is a keeper !

Squirrels here are staying in the woods for a major record breaking crop of acorns, why leave home for more??? I have never seen this many. One thing that our record cold season did produce.

Life goes on, and its pretty good all things considered.