Raincharm’s Weblog

I was the prime trimmer and Carl was trimming the trimmed trimmings into overflow yard waste bins. All of my work is from the neighbor’s 8-foot step ladder. I started about halfway up, but usually end up 2 steps from the top. I can put my knees against the top step (don’t step here) and also use the hedge itself for balance. I have two loppers, one normal and a sturdier ratcheted type. The sturdier is heavier, and tests my strength to reach out further. I also have a small 4″ hand held chainsaw.

When I’m on the second to top step and using the sturdier lopers or the chainsaw I have Carl hold the ladder. I used the chainsaw for about 4 to 5 cuts today. I really like this little guy. It takes a lot less time than a hand saw would.

After maybe 3 hours of hedge work I was done, or rather my arms were. The hege trimming is not done. 1-2 more days on our side, and then more on our neighbor’s side.

And it is nice, 66 degrees. So beer on the back deck. Which I noticed needs to be cleaned, yet another task.

Happy Easter to those who celebrate! I am hearing the sounds of family gatherings around, and it’s a wonderful sound.

Our old neighbor, a few owners ago, planted a laurel hedge along our shared property line, on his side. He also took care of the hedge, keeping it trimmed and in control.

Then he sold, and two owners later, with renters, the hedge is all out of control. We have taken on the task of trimming our side, but really need to bring the height down 3 or 4 feet.

Carl has been trimming what he can reach, over the course of 3 days I think. Today I started on the higher reaches, using a borrowed 8 foot step ladder. I’ve done between 1/4 to 1/3 of what can be reached from our yard. MY ARMS ARE TOAST. But we have good weather for the next few days, so I will need to push myself, or at least my arms to keep moving.

It’s hard to get perspective from the pictures, but here they are anyway.

We headed to the UW again today. Partly to avoid the weekend crowds. 1. The trees along Rainier Vista are blooming. 2. The weather is supposed to be sunny. 3. It’s a weekend.

We continued walking the campus edges by Lake Washington.

Our route included passing by the UW baseball field.  The outfield wall is separated from Lake Washington by a moat swamp and a narrow gravel road. Home runs often end up in the wet.

When I looked up from the sodden baseball I saw this.

The heron was quite close, but seemingly nonplussed by traffic on the gravel path.

We continued on, stopping at the Ravenna Brewery to share a brew. This gave us the energy to make it home, on a route that included two steep hills. I considered a hilly, but not quite as steep route, but it was longer.

Funny side note. We play a license plate game. Starting at 000 you count up. 001, 002, etc. We started in October 2024 and are currently looking for 086. We look at plates on walks, and sometimes while driving, depending on conditions. It’s slightly obsessive. Carl was watching a movie last night, and found himself looking at the license plate numbers in the movie. No, it would not have counted.

The first Mariner homestand is over. I hope the next one has better weather.

T-Mobile Park has a  “roof” but it’s really more of an umbrella. Those familiar with umbrellas know that it is possible for rain to get under the canopy, especially with wind. And we were rained on almost the entire game yesterday.

And the weather continues to come into the house, although limited to the garage. These have been heavy rain, but not the atmospheric rivers. I think the garage has likely had this problem over the years,  but we weren’t paying as much attention. I am paying attention now. The water is actually coming through a few holes and cracks. I’m going to start looking for a sealant to try on the inside of the concrete wall. Lower cost attempt for now.

There has obviously been other issues in the past, and it would appear other coatings as well. Since we have owned the house there have been at least 2 respectable earthquakes and we had earthquake retrofit done that included drilling into the concrete foundation to attach braces. All of this may have opened up cracks.

Now I need to look for any pre-retro fit photos to look for changes. Or not, and just look for potential solutions. Or not, and deal with occasional water intrusion.

Today is the last day of the Mariner’s opening homestand of 2026. Opening Day seems so long ago, and it’s only been 7 days.

The house is getting back to pre-games status. The guests are all gone, and have been for awhile. Beds are remade or reconfigured.

There are things that are hanging on still. Thomas English muffins. You never know what to expect will get eaten, especially with kids involved. Family Arithmetic (bills, etc) is waiting until tomorrow. I really could jump on this, but there are a few new medical EOBs that I want to give proper time.

And there are the tasks that were started before the season that are still hanging around. Front yard recovery, raspberry patch improvements, and now major hedge trimming. Luckily for things planted at least a week ago, there has been steady rain events, so watering has not been necessary. Rain all day today, but better weather predicted for the weekend.