AUTUMN -- Testing the Hot Water Baseboard Heat

Bedroom Hot Water Baseboard Heat

I awoke this overcast morning to a comfortably cool, not cold, house with outside temps in upper 50s and temp inside house around 72 and downstairs recroom around 71.  I did all my normal morning stuff consisting of sitting at the ol' desktop computer checking my email, some news sites, bank accounts and a visit to see what's happening with the few folks I know on Facebook.

I headed up for my shower around nine-o'clock and it occurred to me it might be a good morning to test the hot water baseboard heat and my ol' furnace.  I hadn't used it since early spring and always like to have an early test in case there's a problem and I have to call in the H&C maintenance folks.

So I clicked on the downstairs thermostat and set heat to 74; then went upstairs and set heat to 75.  I went back down to the furnace area and heard the furnace firing up and the water circulatory system creaking a bit as the water temp began to get hot.

By the time I'd done my morning personal cleanup activities and showered, the heat had already reached desired temps on both levels of the house, the thermostats clicked off and the furnace was in cool down mode.  House temps felt comfortable and I noticed no problems around any of the baseboard units or furnace.  I deemed the Morning Furnace Test a success and placed the H&C phone number on hold until an emergency arises.

JD, feeling warm and toasty here in the BToS

PS - I had the H&C folks out last year about this time for my heating checkup and the 14 year-old furnace and baseboard system passed with warming colors.  Thing that I ponder occasionally is the baseboard heating and water circulating system and piping.  That system was installed when the house was built in 1968 and still working like a champ.  Here's hoping it keeps up the good work.

PPS - Back a whole bunch of years, Clarke, an ol' buddy of mine, referred to H&C as 'Herkie & Curry'.  He called it that because two of his ol' Savage chums he called Herkie and Curry worked there at the time.

Costco Gas Purchase - Windy Day

This Google street image of the Costco gas pumps at Arundel Mills Costco here in central Maryland shows folks waiting in line, making their purchase and driving off.

Typically I fill the tank before I put one of my trucks in the garage for its week of vacation.  This morning I looked at the fuel gauge after backing the Toy Truck from the garage and noticed I hadn't filled it last time.  Even though it still had probably another 150 miles range, it was a fairly quiet morning and I had the idyllic scene above in my mind so why not get gas.

I made a stop for some grocery items before heading to Costco for gas and when I opened the door on the Toy Truck, it was almost blown out of my hand.  After returning to the truck with groceries, it dawned on me that the parking lot at Costco is kind of windy, even on a day with light breezes every place else and that the wind today would be horrible there.

Common sense got the better of me and I headed back home without getting the gas.  I'll ride up there early Sunday morning since they open the gas pumps at 6 in the morning, there won't be many folks there...hopefully the wind will be just a breeze instead of those insane gusts we've had this morning.

JD, down on 1/4 tank here in the BToS waitin' for Sunday...

PS - Looks like I should have weathered the high winds anyway.  Gas went up about $.12 since and who know how much more by Sunday morning.  What's that old adage about 'hindsight'...

How Old Are Family Members?

How do you remember the age of family members?  I've often gone to family gatherings and can't recall how old some of the folks are, especially folks that are older than I am.  I could never quite get it right.

I think it was about the time that the kids were being born that I realized that all I had to do was recall the year they were born, not their age.  A person's age is only valid for one year; birth year is a constant value.  If I know their birth year and it's their birthday; then I can calculate their age accurately.

I can't always remember the actual birthday month and day, but in today's world birthday celebrations and calendar reminders are everywhere.  If I forget one that's on Facebook, there'll be another 30 people wishing them a happy birthday.

In the case of my kids, it also helps that they are two years apart in their birth year.  Given I know their birthday I can calculate their age.  So there ya go; just remember the year folks were born rather than their age and you've got it covered.

JD, here in the BToS trying to remember the year I was born!!!

PS - My neighbor was born in 1918.  I found it helpful to know that so I could congratulate her on being 94.  She was a wonderful lady who unfortunately passed away right before Christmas.  After living beside her for almost 47 years, I miss her each day when I walk out in the yard and look over to her house and she's not outside to say "Hi" and wave to.