replace the current walkway and steps with blue stone and natural stone risers and borders on each side to hold the mulch off the steps and to have low voltage lighting capability (6)
replace the current wood retaining walls with natural stone (dry look, no mortar)
replace and enlarge the front stoop to 5′ x9′, also with blue stone and natural stone risers
Add a front portico with round pillars over the new stoop
Getting contractors to bid on the project based on the same requirements in order to better select the best one for the job; based on previous work, price and recommendations:
Part 1 – Masonry
Demolition Existing walls, pavers and Stoop – Remove from site
Build New England Field (dry) stone walls:
3 planting tiers
guide wall at both sides of stairs
2″ thick Thermal edged treads cut to fit radius with field stone risers
Build landing at 2/3 way to top and a curved flagstone walkway flared to the new stoop
New 5×9 stoop with tred stone perimeter and flag stone field
One 9 foot step with field stone riser and field stone side walls of stoop
Foundation at stoop
Excavation and backfill
6 low voltage recessed step lights with switching and circuitry
Part 2 – Portico
Design and permit
Round columns
Azek beam detail
Azek soffit, fascia and rake moldings
Copper step flashing
Roof to match existing
Siding repairs
Elliptical ceiling
Move existing electrical outlet (as needed)
Site Photos of Existing
Looking Down on Front Walkway
Looking Down on Front Steps & Retaining Walls and Landscaping
These are mini-Tonka Trucks and other vehicles I have.
I plan on listing them on ebay.
A couple of them are in the original boxes. Some are in pristine shape others not so much. All are fully functional as designed. Sadly, the rubber treads to the loader deteriorated over the years. When I list, I will update this post with the link(s), should you want to bid on them.
No70 Mini-Tonka CAMPER in the catalog
mini-Tonka Camper No 70 w/ Original Box!
No 352 mini-Tonka LOADER in the catalog
mini-Tonka Loader No 352 w/ Original Box!!
Note: The rubber track-treads are missing from the wheels. Probably deteriorated over time.
The pastor of our church, Rev. Mel Kawakami, asked the congregation to read The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Sterns. Several groups have been formed to discuss the book using a “workbook.” I cannot say that I agree 100 % with Sterns, or his approach. But one thing is undeniable, the world (yes even within the United States) has children dying from malnutrition and other complications related to poverty.
The book challenges Americans to do something about it in a very provocative way. It is easy to turn a blind eye to these children when they are not in our face, begging… dying on our doorsteps. The question is do we care and if we do, what can we do about it?
Stearns, the CEO of World Vision, says Christians have a huge hole in their lives, an emptiness that comes from ignoring the plight of the poor. He details his own quest to fill this hole by leaving Lenox Inc., where he was CEO, to run a not-for-profit that helps feed, clothe, and educate children worldwide. Unlike many evangelical Christians, Stearns believes poverty is explained by something more than choices, and lifting cultures from the systemic causes of poverty requires a multi-pronged approach. This accessible book will make it into the hands of evangelical Christians who may not pick up one of the many ABA books on issues of hunger, access to clean water, malaria and AIDS. Readers of Rick Warren, Jim Wallis and N.T. Wright will find Stearns synthesizing thoughts from them as well as from economists and missionaries.This is a passionate and motivating magnum opus from the leader of one of the most recognized aid organizations in the world. The book is a surprisingly no-holds-barred prophetic voice in the wilderness crying out to rich Americans, “Repent and help your world neighbors.”(Mar. 10)
Whether you are a fundamentalist Christian or one of another faith (or no faith at all), this book will get you thinking. There are some wonderful “exercises” that can be used to enhance the spiritual journey to Christ-consciousness. I have read the book with an open mind, knowing that Deepak is as human as the rest of us and is entitled to his opinion. . . . just as you and I are… So, take a deep breath, open your mind and read on. Enjoy! I did.
“Dr. Deepak Chopra’s analyses and interpretations of the sayings of Jesus, in the form of “Comment,” breathe renewed life into those sayings. Chopra’s work brings the teachings of Jesus into sharp focus with a marvelous, modern touch of insight from the vantage of both Eastern and Western thought. With the thought of Jesus’s model in hand, Chopra provides the reader with a spiritual path of exercises — a remarkably renewed practice in search of a higher reality, helping to cause a connection between reader and God. The views Chopra imparts are definitely worth the effort to undertake this enlightening journey of reading and practice.”
—Ben Christensen, Ph.D., Prof. Emeritus Dean of the San Diego School of Christian Studies First United Methodist Church of San Diego, CA
published November 1st 2008 by HarperOne (first published 2008)
Hardcover, 288 pages
isbn 0061448737 (isbn13: 9780061448737)
status: Read from August 12 to 18, 2010
In review:
I read the Authors Note pages and the Reader’s Guide at the end of the book first. I think it gives the reader a better head start with the book. I have enjoyed both of these sections very much. I found the fictional story of Jesus’ middle years entertaining and thought provoking. I found my mind wandering to my own thoughts of Christ and what life for Him may have been like. How close is Chopra in his story telling to what occurred in the life of the man we know as Jesus? Is my imagination closer to the “truth” or is he?
Conclusion: I think this book, to be enjoyed by Christians, must be approached with an open heart and an open mind. One should not be attached to their own version/vision of who Christ was in his early years, the between years. But rather, be accepting (even if not approving) of Chopra’s own vision in his work of fiction about what it might have been like for Jesus.
In all I found when I approached the writing with non-resistance, non-attachment and non-judgment, I could more calmly accept this nicely written story. Hence the rating of four stars from me. (I know, I know, it is a judgment of sorts )
The below is my derivation from the book A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle…
Within each moment, each present moment, the “NOW”; use the principles of several great spiritual teachers…
Calm Acceptance – Experience without judgment. Accept what is happening in the present moment without judgment., without resistance, without attachment. If one cannot accept what is, then change is required.
Non-Resistance – Much like calm acceptance, non-resistance means to accept the moment and bend with the energy that is happening.
Non-Attachment – Attachment to things, beliefs, ideas, and people tend to strengthen the grip of the ego and inhibits Being. Through non-attachment, freedom of the spirit is realized.
Non-Judgment – Such a difficult task for most human beings. Judgment goes along with attachment to beliefs and ideas and is also associated with ego (desire to be right and/or supremacy).
This Too Will Pass
Non-reactive response to what life places in our paths. Being the observer of the moment.
published November 1st 2008 by HarperOne (first published 2008)
Hardcover, 288 pages
isbn 0061448737 (isbn13: 9780061448737)
status: Read from August 12 to 18, 2010
In review:
Last Week: So far I read the Authors Note pages and the Reader’s Guide at the end of the book. I think it gives the book a better head start. I have enjoyed both of these sections very much and look forward to the fictional story of Jesus’ middle years within.
Conclusion: I think this book, to be enjoyed by Christians, must be approached with an open heart and an open mind. One should not be attached to their own version/vision of who Christ was in his early years, the between years. But rather, be accepting of Chopra’s own vision in his work of fiction about what it might have been like for Jesus.
In all I found when I approached the writing with non-resistance, non-attachment and non-judgment, I could more calmly accept this nicely written story. Hence the rating of four stars from me. (I know, I know, it is a judgment of sorts )
The family has decided to reduce our carbon stamp and go solar under the Connecticut Solar Lease program. They say it will produce 90% of the electricity that we use in a year. Okay, so this will only be the electric and our house heats on oil, as does the hot water. But it is a step in the “right” direction. We’ll work on reducing the oil dependency going forward .
Being that the house is getting a little older (built in 1991), it is time for a new roof, which is the first step (after the application/acceptance process). COMPLETED 3/21/09
Next came the paperwork for the lease COMPLETED 05/19/09
Installation on the panels COMPLETED 05/29/09
After the construction and about a week later, the town inspector came by and approved the job… 06/09/09
Finally after a few emails to Alteris™ Renewables, the system became operational on July 2nd, 2009! CL&P switched out our old meter for a digital “Net-Meter” to accommodate the Solar system. The waiting was the most frustrating part of the whole process.
Below are the pictures I took over the course of the Tuesday-Friday Install
T’ai Chi class begins Monday evening, March 9th. I have always been fascinated by the technique and form of this Chinese “martial art.” While shopping for something else on Amazon I had to spend a few dollars more to get the free shipping, so I ordered the Complete Idiot’s Guide to T’ai Chi and QiGong. I look forward to this wonderful low/no impact form of exercise for the body and mind.
Update…
I was a bit disappointed in this class. The instructor did not take us much beyond the first night or two. I have really gotten more out of a book and dvd than the class. My review was not positive with Continuing Ed.
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