Gratitude

Saturday Checklist

• 1 hour bike ride around Marblehead
• Frame out Aquaponics Greenhouse
• Plant rhubarb and kale
• Shower
• Buy Beer
• Grill Something
• Chill
• Catch up on early "Ray Donovan" episodes
• Play Banjo on the Deck until Joanne Complains
• Log onto Facebook and try to lure my Libbie Friends into a debate.
• Go to bed and listen to weird paranormal sites on YouTube
• Cuddle with Henry the Cat
• Sleep perchance to Dream

Give Thanks to God for the Blessings of this Day.

Salvaging the Summer

Peeps.....
So it's Labor Day.
Freaking Already!!!!

Every Summer it's the same thing.   Slips by without any real celebration.  No fish, no vacation.... just lots of work.

And so it was this year.

I had numerous business details to tend to, and the summer walked right by.  My Mother died,  My Mother in Law went into Hospice, Daugters in Law got pregnant.... the circle of life remained in full array.

The Aquaponics project showed promise though.  Even though Critters stripped any vegetables away, I learned a lot, the fish survived, and I will build a greenhouse enclosure to thwart whatever gopher or raccoon who has treated me like his Bitch.

Mike and I will be heading to Cape Town and Johannesburg to celebrate the wedding of Nathaniel soon, and I hope that this will be a milestone to remember.  After that, I will get the Herreshoff Tender back into rowing shape and see if I can salvage some autumn fishing.

There still is September, and that will have to do this year.

Football Season In New England

A Crack in the Smashed Glass Ceilling

Peeps....
Pay attention to Kellyanne Conway.

She is the new Trump Campaign Manager.

She is a strong, articulate woman who will cause consternation with the Libbie narrative about Hillary's "Smashed Glass Ceiling".




Clinton Shill, George Stephanopoulos, just got manhandled by Conway on his Clinton Propaganda Yellow Journalist Good Morning America mainstream media Liberally biased show.

Phew!!!!

This is getting good.

True

The American Dream

Barack Hussein Obama is a Muslim born in Kenya, raised in Indonesia. His family and mentors were Marxist. His birth certificate is unobtainable. His college transcripts are unobtainable. He grew up to be President of the United States. It is an unbelievable accomplishment. Forget his Leftist Antti-American agenda, Attaining the Presidency was a remarkable unparalled achievement. Hats off to Barack Hussein Obama for pulling off the most unlikely path to the United States Presidency ever conceived.

Job Description

No Peeps.... That's not me, nor will it ever be me.

I would be too afraid to climb the step ladder that leads to the first climbing peg.  My fear of heights causes a sick feeling in my groin that no amount of cajoling can overcome.  Don't know why.... probably an unfortunate past life fall or something.

My job is to find the courageous climbers who don't have this fear and hire them to perform tower work.

Kate and Dad

My Daughter Kate and your MOAM a number of years ago when we launched the Columbia Herreshoff Tender.   Lots  of stuff has happened since then.

Kate got married to my favorite Son-in-Law, Brady Boyle.
Then she bore our third Grandson, Connor, who has already become such an important member of the family.

Some peole that we love have died... Lisa Panakio Rowe and my Mom come to mind.... completing the circle of life.

Business has been good, bad, good, bad.... the Lord ultimately provides.

And the Columbia Herreshoff Tender is now in dire need of resanding and revarnishing.... to the extent that I will not row again until I have invested about 20 hours in refurbishment this late summer and fall.

100 years from now, this will all be unknown.... even to our direct descendents.  My hope is that Connor might be around.

Tempus Fugit.

Cupcakes and Bullys

Pussyfication and Cupcakery.

It is the condition that arises when "Progressives" get their feelings hurt when the Big Meany Donald Trump says bad things about  the fragile and demure Hildebeest.

Donald is such a "Bully".   It's not fair for him to hit back when BO and H make up phoney shit about Trump to feed to their sheep.  Course the stuff that they say about Trump is ok because Trump deserves it.

The Pussyfication of America is gathering steam with each melting glacier.  It will only stop when the Big Mean Bully is stymied by the mainstream media misrepresenting his every utterance  and he stops calling poor H a scheming Crook.


"BAA, BAA, BAAAAAAA"..... which is Liberalese for "Yay Yay Hillery.  We love you so much and hate Evil Republicans".

But just for the record......  There is basically no difference between a Pussified Cupcake and a Phoney Liar.   Because anyone with a brain can see through the Cupcake Act.

Offended and Outraged

Peeps....
Lately there has been a lot of stuff that Donald Trump says that has offended people and caused outrage.

I don't buy it.

Nobody is "Offended" and nobody is "Outraged" and if you believe this, then you are as goofy as the Cupcakes who pretend to be "Offended".

The pandering media and Manipulative H think that we all are part of their sheep herd.

I'm counting on enough people out there who actually have a brain of their own.

Nanepashemet Memes

Day Two - Going for Gopher

Peeps...
It's Day Two of me trying to stay out of the Facebook Political POTUS Fray.

Day One was tough as Teddy Gautreault sucked me in with a taunt about a Harvard non-endorsement of Trump.  C'mon Ted.  Are you trying to tell me that Harvard kids are wicked smaaat or something?  I would hire a kid from UMASS or Northeastern in a heartbeat over those elitist cupcakes.

I wish I didn't succumb to Ted's trap, but I resisted  all others... including posts from the cunning Jim Lundgren who has lately been on a Trump rant.

And, It's pretty tough when I continue to watch ABC News, which is such a detrimental habit.  Is it political if I say that ABC SUCKS????  I guess I don't care if it is or not.  There is a specia lplace in Hell for the propagandists of the Main Stream Media who would rather herd sheep than accurately report the news.

But I digress.... and rather obsessively so.

Now for the original topic of this pathetic post....

There is a mystery going on outside with the Aquaponics project.  Fully fifty gallons of water continue to be missing from the system every night, with the fish tank sometimes only a quarter full.  You would think that fifty gallons would leave a trace, but no discernable leaks or drips are coming from the undersides of any of the grow beds, fish tank or swirl filter.

WTF is going on?????

Seems like the water is disappearing into thin air.... which is my only current conclusion since the summer has been so dry here on the North Shore of Boston.

And a critter has attacked the grow beds rather aggressively.... destroying the zucchini, chomping all of the kale, eating green tomatoes and devouring squash and sweet potato leaves.

My Friend, Christos Laganos has an electrified fence around his garden as well as a Kurt Schilling scare crow.   I would probably electrocute myself if I followed his lead.  Have spread coffee grounds around the perimeter of the beds but I not sure how effective this is.

I'm glad I am not depending on the success of this crop to live.  So far, we have enjoyed a couple of cucumbers, one zucchini, some tomatoes and peppers, but so bounty for sure.  Native Americans who farmed this Marblehead peninsular planted hills of corn interspersed with beans and squash.   They must have placed sentries on a 24 hour basis to keep the critters out.

By the look of the tracks on my deck stairs, the culprit is either a raccoon or the gopher that I have seen from time to time.

And I think that the critter has been terrorizing the poor fish in the tank, because some mornings, they cheerily emerge to be fed, and other times they cower in the corner of the tank.

The growbeds will have to have cold frame type polycarbonate covers constructed for the winter months anyway, so maybe I can fend this problem off in future growing seasons by covering the beds in the evening.

Anyway.....If you see me wearing a stylish fur hat around Old Town, you'll know that I have solved the problem in the short term.

Fishing.... Not Necessarily Catching

This is solid evidence that I actually know how to catch Bluefish.

Proof Positive.

And it used to be that I would hook up every time I went out.
But lately.... WTF is going on????

Same techniques, same spots.... freaking nothing.

It's starting to piss me off.

Taking a Break

Peeps.....
I've been getting pretty riled up over the Presidential Race lately.... in case you haven't noticed.

As much as I would like to have self control, I can't help getting so pissed off at all of the stupidity, duplicity, lack of veracity and overall bullshitery that this race has produced.

Trump is an accomplished business man who has never had to act politically correct.... so he is a freaking bull in a china shop.

And Clinton.... well...don't get me started.  The way she lies with impunity and her obvious corruption is a source of great stomach unrest for me.

The worse thing is that I find myself getting really irritated when people seem oblivious to the stuff that seems to be staring me in the face.

People have a right to their opinion... even if you think that their opinion is phucking asinine.

So out of respect for my fellow man, and fellow woman.... I've decided to take a break.

Not for the duration of the political season.... but at least for a couple of weeks or so.

And it's a good time for me to focus elsewhere too,

Nanepashemet Telecom is sizzling hot and opportunities are breaking down the doors.  I owe it to the company and the great people who work there to put two hands on the steering wheel and rev up the potential of these opportunities.

Plus I'm heading to South Africa soon to attend the wedding of SuperPeep Nathaniel Clarke and his incredible betrothed, Raelene Rourke. This will require full attention to party down safari style, and I don't want to think for a minute how disgusting Clinton is, or how inappropriate Trump is while celebrating this important international event.

So there you have it.   All of my Facebook friends who cringe at my heavy handed and one-sided remarks are in for a welcome respite.

And so am I.

A Message to Donald Trump

Donald -
Normally I only address these Blog Posts to Nanepashemet Peeps, and I'm pretty sure that you have never hit this Blog for advice, so I'm compelled to reach out to you directly.

Donald.... Big Don.... Master DT..... this is coming in the form of a plea.

Will you please, for the sake of God, get your shit together????
Stop saying stupid stuff that makes you look like an 8th Grade Goofball????
Let the Moonbats like George Stef. pass by without feeding them massive soundbites?????
Allow the Libbie Bomb tossers to launch their diatribes without stooping to add gasoline to the inappropriate rants that they make????

Don... do you know what will happen if you don't beat the Disgusting Clinton Syndicate come November????

We will be screwed.
Not for eight years..... but for thirty or more.

H will stack the Supreme Court with Moonbat Whackjobs who will form an intractable majority for the next thirty years... raining down a storm of Liberal Jurisprudence that will affect us for several generations.

H will open the immigration door to pad the Democratic sheep herd for decades.... not to mention the Jihadists who will slip in with the happy parade of welfare recipients.

H will run up the tab like Obama did... writing checks that we can't cash and harnessing our hapless grandchildren with massive federal debt.

And it will all be because you, Don, couldn't stop saying stupid shit off of the top of your head.

I have faith that you are a competent manager who will hire the best and the brightest to run our country and fix the corruption and largess that eight years of BO waffling has produced.

I have faith that international thugs will think twice with your finger on the trigger, making National Defense decisions that are forthright and effective.

And I have faith that you can bring real economic prosperity to our country, creating jobs and lessening the tensions that have caused the worse racial disharmony in the last thirty years.

But none of this will happen if you don't clean up your act.  You have a lifetime of accomplishment that is about to go into the shit chute if you allow a disgusting criminal like Hillary to beat you in this election.

We are depending on you Donald.
Pull it together.
Win this Freaking Election.

It's important.

https://www.facebook.com/clarkend/videos/10100691924594439/

https://www.facebook.com/clarkend/videos/10100691924594439/

D and H

So now we have the Race for POTUS in full focus.



A Corrupt Liar v. An Egotistical Business Icon

Libs are up in arms because Trump in his ackward, buffoon style opined that the Russians should try to see what is in Hillary's 30,000 erased emails.  They say he is guilty of Treason.

Not for Nothing, but if the deleted emails were all about Yoga Pants and Wedding Plans...... who cares if the Russians see them???

H says that nothing in those emails was government business.  They were all personal.

Unless they weren't.

And if you believe that those emails were about yoga pants, then stop by my office because I have a selection of Bridges that I can sell you for cheap money.

I agree that it is a tougher than usual choice in this POTUS election go around.   But it is a choice that you and I have to make.

Clinton's have already made millions fleecing this country.
If you don't think that they will be selling us out and lying to us about it.... well that is something that you should really work on.

Maybe it is time to give Trump the benefit of the doubt.
Maybe his actions and management will not be as awkward as his rhetoric.

Liberals and Conservatives

Last night of the Democratic National Convention.

It's not just that I disagree with Liberals.....  I basically have no idea how anyone with a brain can possibly think the way they do.   It must be a distinct way that the neurons and synapses are wired.

I'm sure that they think the same way about Conservatives.

It is a wide chasm with no discernible bridges.

I trust that God made both kinds for a reason.   Damned if I can figure it out though.

Bent Water and the DNC

My friend, Christos Laganos, remarked the other day that it seems like the Democrats and the Republicans have switched their positions over the last twenty years.  It used to be that the Dems were the cool guys and the GOB were odd balls.  Now the Republicans seem to have their shit together and the Democrats show up like freaking whack jobs.

Course, twenty years ago I was a Democrat and now I am close to being a declared Republican.   So maybe that is the prism that projects this view.

I can't imagine the "Lion of the Democratic Party" Ted Kennedy appearing anywhere close to being defined as a Socialist... but it's easy to see how Sanders has lured the pandering Hillary into that far Left position.

Anyway....

I have a couple of cans of Bent Water Pearl this evening that will last me through the opening night of the Democratic National Convention.  The theme tonight is "Unity".... so far, they have kept the obnoxious Debbie Wasserman Shultze off of the stage due to the latest email scandal, and Bernie supporters are wicked pissed that H. has rigged this election like she does everything else.

The whole Super Delegate system of the Democrats is an elitist method to rig the election and make sure that the people's choice is in line with the choice of the Party elites.... while the GOP goes with the vote of the people.    

And the media stands by and lets the corruption stand.

I don't get it.

Blessed to have Attended

Jameson and the Republicans

A nice pour of Jameson over ice, and watching the Republican National Convention is a good combination.

               

So far, the RNC has been very interesting with the controversial speech by Melania Trump with passages pulled from Michelle Obama's previous address, the strong appearances of the Trump offspring, the gloves off remarks by Guiliani, Christi, and Gingrich.  And of course the self centered speech by Ted  Cruz who has shown his colors and would rather have H win and appoint three Supreme Court Justices, than overcome a bruised ego.

Trump scares people.

I think it is because they see that he can stir the emotions of people and is not easily controlled.

He sees through the phoniness of the Left and will take decisive international action which scares mushy Liberals to no end.

And he is not affected by contrived narratives that are designed to deflect and subtefuge the real issues of racism, debt, and security threats that affect our country.

OK Peeps... I'm close to giving the nod to Trump..... and not just because Hilary is so disgusting.

Almost time for one more pour.

Perfect Plagiarism

Melania Trump apparently copied a few lines of Michele Obama's speech last night in the talk she gave at the Republican National Convention.

The lines were not memorable,  Something about your word being your bond.... which would have been a lie anyway coming from M OB........ but Libbies are all shook up and well they should be.

The controversy has caused the media to squarely compare Melania and Michele.

Not a fair fight.

Whichever Republican speech writer pulled this off knew what he or she is doing.   Now the intelligent and well spoken Melania is front and center.

Secret to Happiness

Peeps....
I'm feeling generous and magnanimous this Mid-July Saturday morning.

And because this emotion is a rarity for your MOAM, I have decided to mark the occasion by giving you hapless Peeps an important lesson for attracting happiness into your life.

A lot of affirmations are really good, but way too long and I can never remember them so that I can live by their advice and solace.

The mantra that I use is a lot simpler.

This is it Peeps.  Remember it because it freaking works.

"Live in the Present. Think Good Thoughts."

Whenever I find myself spinning out to a mentally stressful state, I notice that I am not concentrating on whatever is happening in my immediate present.  I am letting my imagination soar with scenarios that have not happened.... or I am regretting things in the past that I have absolutely no control over.

If I then revert to attend to whatever my current senses are experiencing..... driving my truck, spreadsheet number crunching, blogging, cutting wood..... whatever..... the stress  diminishes.  And if I then fill the void with a positive good thought about the present situation, I actually feel at ease and a content feeling engulfs my body.

Screw you if you think I am weird.... this shit really happens.

But there is a catch.

The catch is that it is hard to maintain yourself constantly "Living in the Present, and Thinking Good Thoughts."   Your ego always kicks in to skew your thoughts with emotions geared to self preservation and self aggrandizement.

I mean, if you could constantly stay in the present and think good thoughts you would transform into a Christian Saint or Hindu Guru.   And there are not a lot of those types out there in my humble experience.

The key is to counter your negativity whenever you notice it and resolve again to "Live in the Present. Think Good Thoughts."

Try it Peeps.   It works.

Getting a Gun

An old friend of mine from High School, who is an articulate voice for the Liberal position (i.e. a rarity) recently put a tongue in cheek FB posting were he said he wants to get a gun and name it "Old Ironsides".

I don't know the depth of Jim's position as an anti-gun, anti-2nd Amendment advocate, but I decided to take the Danvers, Massachusetts resident at his word.

If you decide to get a gun, and you are from Danvers, MASS.......

First you have to take the Massachusetts Gun Safety Class and get a certificate.  That takes an eight hour day and costs money.

Then you have to apply for a concealed weapon carry permit at the Danvers Police Department. The PD will do a detailed background check and take your fingerprints. The wait is one month minimum on this. 

Then the decision to grant the permit is at the personal discretion of the Police Chief.  in some cities and towns, this discretion means that you will have no chance to get a permit based upon the Chief's personal beliefs.  

But  if the Chief grants you your permit, it costs $200 and is mailed after a few weeks from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Then you can go to a licensed gun store. The store clerk will run an FBI check right there in the store check  before you can make a purchase. 

Then you can only purchase a weapon with a magazine "Legal in Massachusetts" capacity of seven rounds and it cannot be an automatic weapon. 

Then you can buy ammo if they have any because the Federal Department of Homeland Security massive purchases has created a shortage and many dealers cannot find ammo to sell. Good luck on that. 

Then and only then, Jim, you can call your gun "Old Ironsides" and protect your family.

Our Prez BO recently inappropriately stated at the memorial service of five slain Dallas police officers that it is easier for a kid to obtain a Glock than to find a book.

Not sure where he gets his facts (other than pulling them out of his Liberal ASS) but it's way easier to get books in Massachusetts.  As a matter of fact, you can't buy a Glock in Massachusetts.... even after going through the extensive process.

Tufted Titmouse Tabulature

There has been a Tufted Titmouse at the feeder today, along with a number of other Titmice.


Probably not my favorite bird, but definitely my favorite Bird Name.

Say No to Chicago.

Peeps....

Many of you may recall that I had supported Seth Moulton as our Congressman in the 6th Essex District of Massachusetts.

Naturally, the Nanepashemet Nod secured the election for Seth.  My hope was that even with his Liberal leanings, he would not be a typical Democratic Kool Aide Drinker and would have the ability to cross the aisle and compromise with Conservatives to end Congressional gridlock.

But it seems that I may have misjudged.

• He doesn't like Trump, which is fine, but he calls him Hitler.... a stupid, immature and bad move by Seth.
• He not only aligns with the Evil H, but campaigns in NH for the disgusting, immoral candidate.
• He walks out of a moment of silence on the House Floor.
• And he joins the 2nd Amendment issue by misrepresenting assault rifles in a move that divides rather than unites us on the issue of gun control.

I'm disappointed.... but not yet willing to completely give up on the young promising leader.

He now is calling for Federal Background checks and removing the right to purchase firearms by people listed on the Federal no-fly list.

On it's face, I agree with Seth W. Moulton.

Background checks cannot be disputed, but If bureaucrats like FBI Director Comey can erase your 2nd Amendment right by simply adding you to a "no-fly" list, you better have a trustworthy system of due process to enable you to dispute and resolve your "listing" and restore your rights. People don't trust Liberals to incorporate this, and it seems to be a slippery slope for eliminating our essential right for self-protection.

Evil H has already made clear that she wants to take our handguns. And this loophole to eliminate our rights would fall right into manipulating hands like hers.

The inaccuracies that Liberals put Assault Rifle debate is a smokescreen.

Democrats have ignored instances where total gun control is in effect..... like in in Chicago where guns are banned.
But the stats by the Chicago Tribune below illustrate that this is a foolish and faulty policy in eliminating our right to self protection granted to Americans by the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution

Chicago YEARLY TOTALS JAN. 1, 2016 - JULY 10, 2016 - 2,0541 shooting victims. JAN. 1, 2015 - DEC. 31, 2015 - 2,988 shooting victims.

Don't make the whole country like Chicago.

A Missed Opportunity

Once again race relations is in the news as the tragedy in Dallas unfolds.

Police apprehended a Black suspect and in an ensuing struggle, he was shot four times and died.

Some believe that the Police felt that he was trying to draw a pistol.

Others believe that he was murdered by the police brutally for no reason.

Then snipers killed five, opening fire on police in Dallas.

In the meantime, the carnage continues in Chicago where a person is shot every two hours.... living in a City where guns are outlawed.

When Obama was elected some 7 1/2 years ago, I distinctly remember the feeling that even if I did not agree with his Liberal politics, that race relations would finally cease to be an issue in this country.

Not by a long shot.  His leadership, or lack thereof, has exacerbated any improvements in this area, and we so much worse off than when he was elected.  The phrase "Black Lives Matter" has been invented during his tenure.  Such a travesty that people legitimately feel that they have to express their feelings on race in this matter.  

Obama hasn't drawn people and races together.   He has pushed them apart with a one sided ingrained ideology.

Electing the first Black President should have been a healing event.

Seems like we missed a great opportunity.

Eight Year Motto

It's Latin for "Don't Let the Bastards Get you Down."

Probably will come in handy for the next eight years or so.

Potential Waste of Time

So Hilary dodged another bullet today.   Even better than when she was under fire by Serbian Snipers.  FBI Commish Comey said that his above reproach investigation did not uncover enough to indict.   If you think that Comey is anything less than a Kool Aide Connoisseur, then you are a sadly mistaken witness to this rigged of all justice systems.   When he was dancing around the designation of the Orlando assholes as terrorists, you had to know that the Evil H would yet emerge again despicably scott free.  Then, Wild Bill's chance meeting with the Secretary of the Justice Department, talking about their grandkids for a half hour, sealed the deal.

If you can't smell the stink, then hightail it to an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, because you definitely have a diminished sense of smell.

Peeps.... I know the alternative is a boorish, ego-maniac who is capping out his career by reaching out for the POTUS Gold Ring,  but at least Trump is not evil.  Being obnoxious in other situations might be enough to cast him aside.

Hillary on the other hand, is an evil manipulator, who will stoop at nothing to maintain a power base that she uses to enrich herself right in front of her sheep-like followers eyes.   She has been fined, fired and sanctioned for her dishonesty so many times that to recite the litany gets too long to believe.
Peeps.... I will hold my nose and support Trump before voting for such a morally repulsive congenital Liar.   Can you imagine eight more years of Clinton largess?  It would be such a waste of time.

A Cherished Holiday

Peeps......
It's Friday July 1st.  Monday is the 4th of July.
A magical weekend here in Marblehead, MA, where the birth of the United States was a hard fought ordeal with great personal sacrifices.  Men from Marblehead served prominently under General Washington at Bunker Hill, New York and Trenton, and Marblehead privateers served admirably on the seas harassing British Shipping.

The Town suffered greatly with the loss of men and commerce, and when Washington visited after the War, he remarked how worn and delapidated it looked.

He was gazing at the same Old Town structures that we see today, totally refurbished and commanding premium residential prices.  George would be impressed at the present condition of the homes that he lamented about.

We never leave the Town during the Fourth of July.   It becomes busy and crowded culminating with the Fireworks in the Harbor, and there is an undercurrent of excitement, friendliness, and basic contentment.  The sacrifice of our ancestors is the cause of of this.  I hope that in some cosmic way, they can sense that we appreciate what they did.

America was born as a tainted country.... burdened by the existence of slavery.... but with an underlying sense of the goodness that ultimately would be brought by freedom.  The economics of slavery shackled the nation.   Washington and Jefferson knew it was immoral but could not equate the way to divest of it.  Nonetheless, they extolled the virtues of Liberty, even as the hypocrisy of slavery remained.

Now it is gone.... with deep scares that still have not healed.

So it is that our country still has flaws that we must continually address,   And we differ in our view of what these flaws are, and what measures must be done to correct them.

But the beauty of our country is that we have the freedom to debate, argue, insult and cajole in the pursuit of each individual's conception of liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Your MOAM is not adverse from engaging in a little insulting and cajoling from time to time.   I have my distinct ideas  of what is best for the nation.  And I feel free to try to negate those who I think are detrimental to our continuing health and prosperity.

But I cherish the fact  that I have the right, born from the blood of my ancestors, to execute my freedom to express my opinions.

Happy 4th of July Peeps.

It is a holiday that is huge in its importance to our way of life.

Listening to your Garden Grow

So many of you persistent Peeps have been asking the MOAM about the status of the Aquaponics project.

Normally I ignore such annoying inquiries.... I mean... get your own freaking project.  Don't be bugging me about mine all of the time.

But I realize the leadership position that being a Mountain of a Man is.... and that many times, it is my obligation to stoop to the cravings and dispositions of those less fortunate.

So WTF.... here is the aquaponics status.

The project is the FREAKING BALLS!!!!!!  Even better than I had envisioned.

• The fish are thriving in the fish tank.
• Then plants are blasting out of the grow beds.
• And the Bell Siphons are draining the beds like a finely tuned Swiss Watch.

It is completely satisfying to watch the system operate in harmony with the siphon drains periodically pouring into the fish tank in random fashion, and the swirl filter pipes pouring the fish fertilized water back into the grow beds, whose water levels rise and fall in a predictable format.

The sound of water spilling into the grow bed and fish tank, and the gurgle of the bell siphons at the end of their periodic vacuum cycle adds a nice dimension.... like listening to your garden grow!

Last Thursday, Joanne made tuna fish sandwiches for lunch.   She makes them special.... chopping up red onions and celery, when I'm usually too lazy to add anything but Hellman's Mayonnaise.  When she was done, two small bottoms of celery stalks that had been in the refrigerator were left.   I took these, nestled them into a grow bed, and this morning, new celery plants are quite visibly sprouting.

We are on the second crop of lettuce on plants that have been cut back a few weeks ago.... tomato plants have to be strung up because they are too big to stand on their own, and pepper plants are filled with green peppers.  Zuchinis are just around the corner.

The fish seem vibrant and full of energy.   They are still very wary of me, but I hope to gain their trust and friendship soon.

I spread coffee grounds around the perimeter of the beds, and this seems to have repelled the gopher that harvested my conventional garden plants around this time last year.

Some tweaks have been necessary.  In order to keep the bell siphons kicking in regularly, the volume of water pumped from the fish tank has to be aggressive.  I am on my second 1000 gph pump and have to change out pumps and check the inside mechanism when the flow slows down,  Then the rate of flow overpowers the swirl filter and I had to install an overflow valve that returns excessive water back to the fish tank.

And the rate of evaporation has been greater than I had expected.  Boston is in a dry spell and it hasn't rained much lately.  When the water in the grow beds is drained, the pea stone grow media drys out quickly.  Tap water has to be introduced into the swirl filter to keep the level in the fish tank up every couple of days.

Also the solar system powering the water pump is only reliable when the panels are exposed to direct sunlight.... about four hours a day.   If I want to use off grid power twenty four hours a day, I have calculated that I will have to add six additional panels to the two that are now in service.  Maybe this is a project to take on in the fall.... but until then, the solar system will only be supplemental.

I haven't yet trimmed out the tanks with pine so that the galvanized tank support pipes are still exposed and unsightly.  That will get done sometime this week.

Next weekend is the 4th of July.  We will stage a photo shoot then and you can judge for yourself.

End of Quarter Double Down

Peeps....
It's been one of those stressful, no fun weeks.

End of the quarter histrionics.... customers needing to check corporate boxes.   We vendors at the bottom of the food chain are prone to excessive beatings at such times.  Rushing to get normal things done creates mistakes, which exacerbates the already frayed nerves.

When people tell me to double down, at times when I'm already doubled down.... I tend to have highly disrespectful and slightly vulgar thoughts.   As a professional trying to practice my profession, and as a businessman trying to make money, I'm already working at a pace that some would call feverish.  It gets pretty hard to maintain your cool when you then get extolled with corporate threats or pep talks.

But that's when being a MOAM kicks in.   You basically have no idea what my real thoughts are under my cool professional demeanor.   And the freaking work gets done regardless.

So this Saturday morning, I'm kicking back with Joanne and our 18 month old grandson, Connor, who spent the night with us.  After trashing the living room and watching some Sesame Street movie, our plan is to get in the backyard and trash stuff around there.

Later, Katelyn will come by, and I will supplement the trashing with some Bent Water Pearls.... ultimately resulting in being totally trashed sometime this evening.

It is a day that I deserve.

More Calf Roping and Less Bull Riding

Spent many hours in the F150 today, doing permit work in Cambridge and Boston.

Something has to be done about traffic.  It is a waste of time in your life... even if Howie Carr is on the radio.  I'm really loving that fact that BO's bromance with Cameron of the UK has hit a little snag since Cam is losing his PM job.  You think BO will put another bust of Winston Churchill in the Oval Office???    Me Neither.

Anyway....

Feeling good about the Libbies in Britain taking it on the chin.  Get England out of the EU and in charge of their own country again.   This will bleed into common sense support for Trump and border control.  Dems can feel the pendulum swing.   They had their sandbox for Obama's eight years but it's time to halt the Bullshit.  They are whining big time and doing crap like taking over the House Chambers in a failed attempt to prove the they give a shit while chowing down on pizza and Chick Fil A takeout.

Muslim refugees pouring into the West would not be doing so if someone with Balls would kick the shit out of Isis and restore the refugees into their own land.  Once the Leader of the Free World is not an Indonesian, Kenyan, Muslim sympathizing, Narcissistic Chicago Commie whose qualification to lead is skill on a teleprompter.... we can get this rodeo back on schedule...   More calf roping and less bull riding.

My Mother's Obituary

I used to believe that the worse possible thing would be to open the newspaper and see the obituary of one of your family in it.

And so it was that today, the Lynn Daily Evening Item carried the Obit of my mother, Winifred C. Nestor.
~

Winifred Nestor, 90

Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Winifred Crosby Nestor, age 90, of Ft. Lauderdale, formerly of Lynn, died Thursday, June 16, 2016 in Ft. Lauderdale after a lengthy illness. Born and raised in Lynn, she was a graduate of the Essex Agricultural Institute Nursing Program in Danvers and had worked as a Nurse at Union Hospital, Saugus General Hospital and various nursing homes throughout the area.  She was the devoted wife of John J. Nestor, retired Lynn Firefighter who predeceased her.

She is survived by two sons, John Nestor of Marblehead and his wife Joanne, and James Nestor of Fort Lauderdale and his wife Linda, as well as grandchildren Delanie Nestor of Fort Lauderdale, Ryan Nestor of Marblehead, Katelyn Boyle of Wenham and Michael Nestor of Beverly and three great grandchildren.

Service information: Services are private.  Donations may be made to My Brother’s Table 98 Willow Street, Lynn, MA 01901.

~

She was miserable in her old age, having lost her eyesight and generally her will to live.  All of her family except for me and my brother had passed.   She lashed out at others rather than try to pass her final years in peaceful decorum.

She was always aggressive and outspoken, and would say biting comments that caused pain.... but I don't think she was a bad person.  I know that she loved my father, my brother and I, and as a young mother she ran an organized household.   When she was first married, she took in my Uncles Dick and Bill which was a stormy relationship.  Then she bore twins, one of whom died at childbirth and the other, my brother Edward, lived with cerebral palsy until his death by pneumonia at age four.  I was a one year old at the time.

She was particularly critical of any girl that I brought home, and her relationship with my wife Joanne was tempestuous at best.   But I always knew that in a wierd way, she was professing her love for me and my brother. when she attacked our other loved ones.

Having quit high school, she obtained a licensed practical nurse designation after attending the Essex Agricultural Institute Program in Danvers.   I remember how hard she studied, and how proud my father was of this accomplishment.  Then later, after my father had passed, she went back and got her GED.

She smoked since she was 14 years old.  It was a habit that I resented and abhored.   I couldn't stand the sight or smell of cigarettes and wished that she would stop.   It was a scourge of my childhood, but she defiantly would state that it was her only vice..... she didn't drink, didn't run around..... but she sure as hell would smoke those Chesterfield unfiltered butts.

Yet she lived to be 90 regardless.

She had moved to Florida and lived in a senior citizen trailer park by the time my kids were born and right after my father died on Christmas Day, 39 years ago.   I think she had a good life down there for a while, participating in park activities, taking trips to the Bahamas and other retired stuff.   Thankfully, my father's pension as a retired firefighter covered her financial needs.

She kept in touch with all of her extended Crosby family members.... my cousins that I really never knew.... and was close with her childhood friend Honey.

But everybody eventually died around her.... her brother, her nieces and nephews.   And she fought like hell with my brother who was devoted to taking care for her.   It was not pretty.

When my brother called and told me that she had passed,  I asked him if he was going to have a ceremony down in Ft. Lauderdale, but he said that everybody who knew her was dead.   He wants to take her ashes and spread them on my father's grave at the Lynn Firefighter's plot in Pine Grove Cemetery.

I think that they both would like that.

Mom... you taught me how to act, and how not to act.... and I pray that you will Rest in Peace.  I'm sure that we will cross paths again in God's Great Plan.

Growing Pains

So Peeps....
I think that your MOAM is all grown up now.

At least I'm old enough to know that this world is a boundless free-for-all populated by political leaders who treat others like sheep and blatantly lie to enhance their power.

And the Sheep do not care.

They are content to be lead by such obsequious leaders who actually are mirrors of themselves or who they wish themselves to be.

Truth, ethics and integrity are completely missing as the sheep lie and deceive in order to keep their individual interests feathered.

I used to think that if you gave someone all of the objective facts, they would form an honest opinion. But they assemble the facts into pre-conceived notions and distort the conclusions to fit their subjective agendas.

Is the truth unobtainable?

I'm  grown up enough now to admit that it is.

Quite a Haircut

Today, after a morning of wireless design reviews at the Boston Redevelopment Authority, I dropped by Silver Shears in Marblehead to get the haircut that Joanne has been harassing me about.  Silver Shears sounds pretty hoity toity, but it isn't.... I qualify for the senior citizens rate of fourteen bucks.

And lately, I have been getting it cut stylishly short.  Trying in vain to stay relevant with the times.

So I was waiting for the young barber who does the cool cuts, when the 75 year old guy asks me if I wanted him to give me a haircut.    I told him, to buzz me with Number 3 clippers and take a lot off the top.  He gave me a modest trim and thinned out the top a little.

But I didn't have the inclination to correct him or resist.  He was talking about what life was like when he was a kid in Lynn and Salem, and I listened to his recollections and went along with whatever haircut he came up with.

A haircut didn't seem more important than listening to his stories.

Then shortly after I got back to the office, my brother called and said that my mother had passed away 15 minutes ago.  Winifred Alberta Nestor was 90 years old last March and was not aging gracefully by any means.

She was willful, and sometimes paranoid... with no filter between her head and her mouth,  So she said some pretty screwed up things over the years.  People either loved her for it, or stayed away.

But even though she was a pain in the ass sometimes, she was my Mother, and I loved her, and have a lifetime of memories - both good and bad.  She is with my father now, who has been gone for 39 years.  She never seemed attracted to any other man as far as I know.

She wasn't a person at peace with herself.  I hope the afterlife changes that.

I love you and I will miss you Mom.

An Inconvenient Truth

Another gun massacre in a gun free zone. The inconvenient truth is that we must maintain a responsible armed citizenry.... as the 2nd Amendment acknowledges.

Gun control laws like we have in Massachusetts allow people who pass a background check to possess firearms for concealed carry.

It is not just out right to bear arms ..... it has become our obligation.

Islamic Terrorists will continue to target gun free zones to cowardly pick off their victims.  We have to responsibly eradicate these zones.

This is sad.... it is inconvenient... it shouldn't be this way.... but it is and we have to respond appropriately.   Not by denial or the enactment of laws that further endanger us.

Benghazi Still Bothers the Hell Out of Me.

Aquaponics Update

The aquaponics project is moving along. Seventeen fish are in the fishtank, pooping and adding ammonia, nitrates and bacteria that are circulating up to the grow beds.  The beds in tune are filtering out these nutrients and returning purified water back to the fishtank.

A critter got into the fish pellets a couple of nights ago, and spilled the bucket, but didn't seem to eat too much.  That was my fault for not securing the cover.

The only problem is that the bell siphons are not dependable, and only one bed seems to be really thriving.

But the whole system looks cool as hell.  A number of SuperPeeps such as Tommy O and Brendt D'Orio have dropped by for a personal tour, which your MOAM is only to happy to provide.

We have harvested a good size salad's worth of lettuce already, and the tomatoes and peppers are kicking along nicely.  But the cauliflower looks pretty bad and the parsley is a bust.  I'd like to get some kale in there soon

Settled Science

With all of the personal trials going on recently that is none of  your business, this MOAM has been blowing off steam on Facebook threads.... mostly about Presidential Politics.

But the thread yesterday with some Liberal Friends about the "Settled Science" of Global Warming (aka "Climate Change" to fit the narrative since it just doesn't seem to be too warm lately) was a vigorous exchange and a nice respite from ranting about the Evil H.

I truly believe in climate change.  The boulders in my backyard are clear indications that mile high glaciers recently scraped their way through the neighborhood.  But the mammoths and cave men didn't cause this, and neither do Republicans as my Libbie friends like to fret about.

And you can look at the Al Gore "documentary" as the fabricated political propaganda that it is and still be in favor of environmental  measures to keep our country healthy.

I like to fish in Boston Harbor, which was a polluted mess in my childhood a generation ago. Environmental legislation eliminated this pollution without people like John Kerry and BO telling us that the our biggest problem was melting ice caps, and that this was "Settled Science" so get in step and STFU.   A bit Fascist for my taste.

The Harbor was cleaned up and Stiped Bass returned.   So did Turkeys, Coyotes, Raptor Hawks, Deer and a host of other critters who never showed up in the neighborhood when I was a kid.  This was all due to RCRA clean up that happened without political fabrication of global doom.

Forty years ago, people were worried that the world couldn't add any additional human population.... the "Population Bomb" was the moniker.   And we were lectured that there was only a little petroleum left to go around.  Certainly not enough to last forty years.   Facts didn't bear these fears out.

Libbies like to call people who disagree with their position as "Deniers".   I am one of those.   I actually have heard of legislation filed in California to fine people who profess denial of Climate Change.   Too bad Fascism still exists.

I definitely will not last the next 40 years to show my fretting FB Lefty Friends that they were wrong, But then again.... they won't be around either.

Sheep Talk

Maybe I went a little too far yesterday.... with all of the Evil H lamentations and rants on Facebook the morning after she clinched her nomination from the "SuperDelegate" rigged Democrat primaries.

I know that I called one Libby a Sheep and told her to "BAA".

That probably was uncalled for.

But the early morning fawning by ABC News and H's proclamation that she has broken the "Glass Ceiling" with quite a bit of self adulation pretty much put me over the top.



But then again.....

If you are one of Hillary's supporters, I can only say this to you.

BAA, BAA, BAA,

You are a mindless sheep, oblivious to the disgusting characteristics of this odious manipulator.

No Offense.

Evil H and DNA

Peeps....
I know that some of you are pretty good practical jokers and like nothing more than to put one over on this MOAM.

So when I was out washing my truck on this sunny Marblehead Saturday morning, I experienced a slight jolt to my system when I got the pressure washer to the back of the F-150.

There are three categories of practical jokes in my MOAM book.

1.  Category 1 - LOL... that is pretty funny.
2.  Category 2 - Who the Phuck Did THAT!
3.  Category 3 - Whoever PHUCKING DID THAT to me IS PHUCKING DEAD!!!!!




This one is kind of between Category 2 and 3.

I have carefully removed the offensive sticker and have sent it to the Crime Lab for a comprehensive DNA analysis and fingerprint examination.

I don't want to blame the wrong person for this slanderous action.

But I'm thinking.... Dale Johnson or Peter Crawford.

They are both low enough to do this and their DNA is probably easily attainable.

For those of you who get cheap chuckles from this kind of caper, please note that thousands of mentally challenged Peeps who live on every comment or gesture made by the MOAM could actually vote for the EVIL H if they saw this despicable sticker on my pristine F150.

This could tip the freaking election.

Woe to Fish

Bought my Massachusetts Fresh Water Fish License at Dick's Sporting Goods in Danvers today on the way home from some Friday afternoon permitting action at Boston ISD.

With the rows of fishing tackle and other apparatus to capture fish at that store, you would think that there wouldn't be a fish left in Massachusetts by the end of the year.   It is like an arsenal stuffed with weapons to do battle with stupid fish.

Course I stocked up a little bit.  Some drop shot hooks, regular hooks, bobbers, sinkers and other stuff designed to help me slay panfish without mercy down at Redd's Pond.

It is going to be a massacre.

Don't Disagree

Hate to use a double negative, but I don't disagree.

Gorilla Lives Matter

The mother who let her child run wild at the gorilla exhibit at the  Cincinnati Zoo is responsible for the death of a magnificent silver back gorilla.

Plain and Simple.  Take responsibility for your actions.

She should be prosecuted.

Buddy for the Buds

Peeps....
I know you don't care about my opinion and some of you even get pissed when I give it anyway.

Which is awesome motivation for me to keep pumping out my thoughts, preferences and truthful ideas.

So in the spirit of irritation and outright annoyance, I am compelled to let you know that I now have found my choice as the world's best beer.


This is brewed in Lynn down at the old Lynn Lumber site on the Lynnway.   Chris Crawford is one of the owners, but just because I view Chris as one of the family, that has not clouded my independent judgement.  They do a lot of IPA's which I am not particularly fond of, but the Pearl is Legit.

Bent Water Pearl American Wheat Ale has eclipsed Sam Adams and even Guinness on the MOAM's taste buds.   And those are mighty hard buds to please.

Operational Aquaponics

There is a lot of criticism on the web regarding the operation of Bell Siphons.  Maybe I'm missing something, but the ones that I built and installed using standard instructions from on-line sources are working like a charm.

The Grow Beds fill up with water, the siphon kicks in, and the entire bed is emptied of fluid with a satisfying burp at the end of the cycle.... then the bed starts to fill again.  

The pressure sending the water to the fish tank is really amazing as the water spills out of the 3/4" PVC pipe and splashes into the fish tank causing a nice aeration effect.   Then, like magic, the flow stops altogether as the grow beds are filled to the brim of the siphon.... when the process starts again.

We planted some tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, zucchini and lettuce yesterday, and I swear they grew significantly in just one day.

The only problem thus far is that the water in the fish tank remains a little cloudy due to the dust on the clay grow rocks.  This  seems to be clearing up though.

Next weekend, we add the fish to the system, and finish the vegetable and herb plantings.

Joanne and I have been saving the Keuring K Cups for coffee every morning and the amount of coffee grounds accumulates substantially after a week of so.   I've been sprinkling the grounds around the perimeter of the beds in the hope that this will deter the Ground Hog who wiped out our traditional garden that was located in this same place in just one Ground Hog gluttonous evening.

I still want to trim out the beds in cedar or pine, but all of the major components of this project are now in place as the development phase now morphs into operations.  Looking forward, I have to figure out the best way to deal with keeping this in place during the cold weather months.

Aquaponics Pre-Launch

The Bell Siphon's worked surprisingly well.  There is some tweaking to do, but they seem to work as designed.

A bit of a setback this morning was the need to dig out the grow media in one of the beds and add some support beams because the bed cage was obviously stressed.    The support beams did the trick.

I planted some stock that Joanne bought from the Marblehead Garden Center when the grow beds and bell siphons seem to be in synch..  The wilted lettuce immediately came to life in the grow media.  We added tomatos, peppers, sweet potatoes and zucchini.   The plants look pretty good and there is plenty of room left in the grow beds for more stock.

I'm a bit concerned over the cloudiness of the water in the fish tank due to the dust on the clay grow media rocks.  If it  doesn't clear up by tomorrow, I'm going to purge the water from the system and add all new water.

I doubt if this would kill the fish, but it is a major impediment to the aesthetics of the system.  Clear water and a view of the fish is deal breaker in my view.

Tomorrow, I have to clean up the mess in the fish tank area, with tools, cords, hoses etc, all over the place.  The stone retaining wall has also taken a beating during the plumbing and leveling process, and this has to be rebuilt.

I've already started t to brag to Tommy O on how awesome this system is, so housekeeping is in order before he comes by to inspect.

Transition from Planning to Implementation

Tomorrow morning is "Bell Siphon" Morning.

Having Installed the feed lines, bulkheads and return feeds in the aquaponic project, tomorrow I will finalize the bell siphons and fill the beds with the clay stone grow media.

This is not a drill Peeps.... This is the real Enchilada.

If the Bell Siphons work, the plants will be installed and the cycle will begin.  Maybe next week, I will try to get Rich Mah to take me to his secret Bluegill and Pumpkinseed fishing spot and we will move from planning to full scale implementation.

WeekEnd Outlook

Could it possibly be Thursday night?  This is another week that flew by.  Not enough days and not enough hours in the day to get the work done.

There is a three day Memorial Day weekend in store and the weather promises to be a great summer kickoff.

The bathroom can be put together, and the final plumbing to the the Aquaponics project will be completed, after which I will add the grow media and move this into the implementation mode.   In the middle of this, I hope to get out on the Lagavulin for a little harbor cruising.

The Evil H seems to be on the run with the Inspector General's report about the scumbag use of her State Department email, and Trump and Sanders may be staging a debate.

Except for some really crappy personal issues, all seems to be right with the world.

A Nice Respite

Peeps.... Ryan had the PT 4x6 timber retaining wall removed from the old Nanepashemet homestead, so I grabbed them and cut to size in order to level the aquaponics grow beds.  It was a perfect reuse of this stock and I used most of the old wall for the aquaponics foundation.  The Dewalt 10' portable table saw came through like a champ ripping this stock to the proper dimensions.

Then I rigged up the swirl filter in a 28 gallon blue plastic drum, ran temporary pvc plumbing from the filter to the fish tank, ran the hose to the fish tank and tested out the 1100 gph pump.  Worked like a charm and is still out there circulating water from the tank to the fish tank.  It was drawing 64 watts on the solar power system when I checked last.  The pump seems to have plenty of muscle to aggressively move the water up to the swirl filter tank level.

So now literally all of the heavy lifting is done.  I have to run the plumbing from the swirl filter to the grow beds and install the bell siphon return plumbing to the fish tank and then this system will be ready to add the grow media and introduce plants and fish.

I'm sure that we will hit a snag while tweaking the system implementation by so far so good.

I also managed to attend the Bent Water Brewery opening in Lynn, have an overnight with the grandkids and  visit  the nursing home to see Bam with Joanne and Mike, plus  checked in with my Brother and Mother who is in a Florida Hospital...... a busy weekend that I'm happy to conclude.

It's been a nice respite from constantly bitching about Liberals and Hillary Clinton though.

Rigor Mortis Prediction.

Peeps.....
It's freaking happening.

In a fit of productivity, I cut the IBC Totes into a fish tank and three grow beds today at the Peabody Warehouse.

It's clear to me, due to the harsh metal cuts on the cages, that I have to trim out all of the sides and tops of the tank and beds with #2 pine.

So tomorrow I'll grab some stock that I have at the Peabody Warehouse, transport the tank to Marblehead, go to Ryan's house to pick up some PT 4x4's that he has left from his driveway renovation, and put the bones of this system together.

By the end of the day, I expect to be on the deck, nursing rigor mortis with some Sam Adams.

African Safari

Yesterday I booked tickets to Johannesburg, South Africa via London, England.

It will be a long flight.

Dealing with Do Do

Yesterday, I prophetically posted that there was a possibility that I would be waylaid by contingencies today in the effort to move the aquaponics project forward.

And so it was that issues at Nanepashemet Telecom as well as some unforeseen personal stuff dominated the day and prevented any attention being applied to the time sensitive project.

Planning for contingencies is an integral part of project management.

In other words,.... "Shit Happens".

Dealing with the Do Do is as important as meeting project milestones.

Consumed by Contingencies

After a morning of aggressively searching out stuff to invoice for at Nanepashemet Telecom, I headed over to the Peabody Warehouse when the AR received a nice little boost.

I stopped at the Danvers Liberty Tree Home Depot first to get some radiator covers for the bathroom renovation then drove to the Warehouse to dismantle the IBC Tote Cages and begin to dissect them into the Aquaponics Grow Beds and Fish Tank.

One of the immediate problems is that the Totes are from different manufacturers and although they are both 275 gallon containers, they are substantially different in the way that they are framed out in their cages.   The dilemma was to establish a way to cut the cages that would make the system look symmetrical and after standing around in a stupor, I finally took my Bosch JigSaw with a metal cutting blade, marked some measurements and cut away.

Three quarters into the first Grow Bed, the metal cuttling jigsaw blade snapped in two.  Naturally, I only had one spare in the jigsaw tool case so I finished cutting with that one, and hightailed it over to Peabody Builders Supply to pick up the baseboard and moulding for the bathroom.

I ordered some more blades through Amazon this evening, but will have to get to Home Depot tomorrow and pick up additional metal cutting blades before I get back to Peabody.

Tomorrow, unless a crisis erupts at Nanepashemet Telecom, I should be able to get to the Warehouse and make all of the final cage cuts. After cutting the plastic tanks to size,  it will be back to Home Depot to pick up 4x4 PT landscape timbers which will be used to level the Grow Beds.

By Thursday, I hope to be heavily into constructing the PVC plumbing that connects the system together, but it will probably be pushed to Friday because I have a feeling that tomorrow will be consumed by contingencies.

The Bell Siphon system has me concerned as I have researched it further.  Apparently these systems have to be tweaked extensively.   I have a feeling that this is going to be a pain in the ass to get itworking properly.

Sometime next week, I hope to be filling the tanks.

Aquaponics Explanation

So many of you Peeps have been asking me how the Aquaponics system will work.  This is a good graphic explanation of the process.

Something has to power the pump which circulates the water in this system... that is what my solar energy installation is for.

The only outside management in a well functioning system would be the proper application of fish food.

I'll be installing the tanks later in the week during lulls in Nanepashemet Telecom action.

Aquaponics Project Development

So today, the battery power system was installed, the trench was dug to connect the solar panels to the power system, and the panels are ready to be connected.  Plus I mowed the lawn and put the second coat of poly on the Bathroom hardwood maple floor.  Over the week, I prepared the shed to accomodate the fish tank.

They don't call me a Mountain of a Man for nothing.

But May is half over and I really want to get this Aquaponics system in high gear by Memorial Day.

Tomorrow, the power system gets tweaked and finalized, and I'd love to get to the Peabody warehouse to start cutting the IBC Totes for the Fish Tank and Grow Beds.  But I also have to get to Kate's Wenham home for a family cookout.

By next weekend, the bathroom could be done, and the Fish tank and Swirl Filter may be in place.

Or maybe not.

Aquaponics WBS

Everything is in place.

It is like Christmas Eve when you have to assemble all of the freaking toys.

All of the equipment minus water, plants and fish present and ready to be assembled.

• Solar Panels
• Battery Bank
• Charge Controller
• AC Power inverter
• All PVC fixtures to assemble three Bell Siphons
• 55 Gallon Blue Barrell for the Swirl Filter
• Two 275 Gallon IBC totes to fabricate into one fish tank and three grow beds.
• PVC fixtures and tubing to assemble all of the drainage and Plumbing
• Aqua Rox Clay stone growing media (a whole shitload of it).
• 1100 GPH water pump.

Now there is nothing to it but to do it.

I've taken the time to item this into a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) which we Professional Project Managers are trained to do..... yet never really do in real life.

• Assemble Pressure Treated Lumber frames for the Solar Panels.
• Dig a trench from the Solar Panel location to the battery pack and inverter station under the Deck.
• Run the solar cable and grounding wire through PVC Pipe in the trench and power up the system.
• Dig a trench and run PVC conduit for the Pump to AC Inverter Power Cord.
• Cut 1/4 of the Fish Tank IBC Tote and set aside as a grow bed.
• Use the 3/4 remaining IBC Tote for the Fish Tank and drill a hole to connect the pump.
• Assemble the 55 gallon swirl filter and install hole fixtures,
• Run the pump infeed tube from the fish tank to the swirl filter.
• Cut the other IBC Tote into two grow beds utilizing the top and bottom quarters of the tote.
• Set up the grow beds on a pressure treated elevated frame allowing access to the bottom of the beds.
• Cut holes in the beds and install the Bell Siphons.
• Connect the Bell Siphon outlets to draninage to PVC plumbing running back to the Fish tank and spilling into it to oxygenate the fish water.
• Run PVC plumbing from the Swirl Filter to the Grow Beds.
• Wash the Aqua Rox Clay stone against a sifter screen to minimize dust.
• Add the Stone grow media into the grow beds.
• Add a layer of stone to the bottom of the fish IBC tote for appearance.
• Add water to the fish tank
• Turn on the pump to move water to the swirl filter.
• Adjust the infeed and outfeed water flow from the swirl filter to the grow beds.
• Keep filling the system from the fish tank, to the swirl filter to the grow beds until the Bell Siphons start to discharge.
• Monitor water filling until the fish tank, the swirl filter and the grow beds are in balance.
• Add ammonia to the fish tank to begin the nutrient cycle.
• Add plants to the grow media.
• Cycle the system for a few days.
• Go fishing for Golden Shiners.
• Introduce the fish to the fish tank and establish feeding cycles.
• Trim out the tanks and grow beds in wood.
• Tend to the grow beds and care for the fish.
• Monitor pH and tweak to find out why plants aren't growing and fish are dying.
• Become discouraged and disenchanted... beginning a spiral of self loathing.
• Watch pitifully as the entire thing turns into a quagmire in my backyard.
• Endure catcalls, taunts and various levels of vituperation from former friends and loved ones.
• Abandon and dump the evidence.
• Deny that you ever even contemplated such a project.

The  End.

Moving Rox

The FedEx guy breaking down this pallet said there were 40 bags, each with 50 lbs of Aqua Rox Clay Stone Grow Media.

So it actually doesn't look that bad on the front lawn.

But by the fourth or fifth bag that he handed to me, he asked, "Does your Wife know about this?"

I didn't catch his name, but I don't think he is an FB Friend.

He earned a good tip for helping me transfer those bags.... now I have to make a final move to get them under the deck before the day gets too late.

A Little Aliteration

So Peeps...
I bought 40 cubic feet of this fine grow media product and am set to take FedEx delivery sometime tomorrow.

The need is really for only 27 cubic feet, but there was a significant discount to buy a 40 cubic foot pallet, so that's the direction we took.

Course, that's about 2000 lbs of this specialized clay rock.... which is 1 ton for those of you with a conversion function on your Hewlett Packard.

I can just envision Joanne with her tender inquiry tomorrow.."What the HELL is all that SHIT in the Driveway??????"

When she finds out that it is for the Aquaponics Project which she now knows virtually nothing about, I'm sure she will see the virtue in a short period of minimum yard clutter.

Or maybe not....

I can always have Katelyn console her....

Or maybe not....

Whatever.   Tomorrow the rubber meets the road and the Aquaponics way of life will be cresting upon us.   A new liftetime of vegetables and plants grown in a harmonic cycle of nutrient exchange with Fluttering Finned Fish.

Or maybe I'm Phucked.

Saturday Multi-Tasking

I'm starting to believe that multi-tasking is big time Bullshit.

You can only do one thing at a time.... and for the most part, you can only get one thing done in a day.

So here I go again, planning a highly productive weekend, when in reality only one or two things will really get done.

What our minds can conceive, our bodies can achieve.... but with a considerable time lag.

Whatever....

Tomorrow, I have a hard stop at 3:30 PM when I will take the S550 out to Lexington, MA and attend my grandson, Ethan's, baseball game.

Before then my hope is to complete the hardwood floor installation in my half bath and also transport the solar power system from Peabody to Marblehead.   That means that the floor gets done by 10:00AM and the Solar system is delivered by 2:00PM....

Not wholly optimistic, but doable.

Perplexing Points for Pondering Propagation

So I called the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to ask about a permit which would allow the propagation of native fish.   The Code of Massachusetts Regulations indicates that Bluegill could be raised with a permit but absolutely bans Tilapia from being kept in MA.

The well meaning staffer at the state office recommended that I use Tilapia for the system, and said that Bluegill is actually not domestic to Massachusetts.

The verbal direction is diametrically different than how I read the code.

Then, one guy at the state agency suggested that I just go to a bait store and buy live golden shiners.... and he emphasized that I would not need a permit at all.

Peeps... I'm trying to do the right thing here... maintain the public trust by not violating any of the Commonwealth's laws.   I just want to get fish to pooh in the tank so that I can grow vegetables.  And it would be a shame if I couldn't use fish that live in the pond naturally just a mile away.

If all else fails, I can always go to PetSmart and buy some Goldfish.... but that just doesn't seem to be a cool way to go.  It's not the money.    I could buy a fishing license for $27 bucks, travel to a secret spot that Rich Mah knows about, and legally catch and transport 20 shiners or so.  After paying for lunch and beers with Rich, that would be a lot more money than buying Goldfish.

Meanwhile, I'm taking delivery on the Aqua Rocs grow media which is being delivered to FedEx in North Reading where I will pick it up on Monday.   That is the last piece of the puzzle left and I will be putting the system in the ground next weekend.