Curtainwall Testing - Large and Small Missile Testing

I had some video I took of Curtainwall testing. With Harvey in the process of kicking the State of Texas in the butt, I figured it was an appropriate time to show the video.

This is some of the tests that manufacturer's are required to do in order to prove that they are both large and small missile resistant. Also, there are requirements for the amount of water that is allowed into the building from wind driven rain.






If you have any questions just put it in the comments section and I will respond.

The Hummingbird

Yesterday afternoon when I got home my wife was standing in the garage. Almost as if she was waiting on me. Which I knew was not the case.. I asked her what she was doing and she told me that there was a hummingbird trapped in the garage.

In reviewing the situation I could not understand how this little guy was trapped since the garage door was as open as it can get. It seemed as though the guy  couldn't understand to fly a foot lower and he could just zoom out of the garage.

We could not scare him out. I lowered the door so there would be a gap at the top of the door as well as the bottom. That strategy did not work to well either. So we decided to go to dinner and think about solutions. We wanted him out so that he would not die from dehydration of starvation.

The plan we had decided to use was to hang a feeder from the open door and see if the sugar water would draw him down to the lower level and allow him to see his way out. I did not participate in this portion, but I wish I had taken a picture. It was a redneck display of epic proportion. The hummingbird feeder was hung with a zip tie from the garage door. They had placed flowers in my jack handle directly under the feeder.

It was a great idea and the hummingbird took the bait. It got a drink and then flew the coop.

Everyone was happy. The bird was happy. We had successfully saved the little bird, and that little bit of kindness made us all feel good.

My baby came home this weekend...

Its a wonderful thing when you get to see your child for the first time after they've been gone a couple of weeks.

"Separation makes the heart grow fonder!"

I don't think that is always a true statement. I was extremely fond of her prior to her leaving. I think I love her just as much as prior to that fateful day that we dropped her at Mississippi State University.
I think that this is a result of being extremely lucky on our part to have a child who always seemed mature beyond her years. Those of you that know her realize that this is not a brag. It is a plain statement of fact.

She has been gone, and I think she misses us as much as we miss her. We have always been a close and supportive family, so to be separated has caused some anxiety for all of us. Nothing that can't be cured with time and regular visits on both parties parts. But we don't love her more because she has been gone.

Maybe I am taking that old statement a little to literal, but it was weighing on my mind so I figured I would put my thoughts onto the proverbial paper. With all of the emotions that I have, fonder is not one of them.

I love that she is growing wings and flying. I love that she will get her feet under her and she will be running at life full tilt. I love that she cares for her parents so deeply. I love that we love her back just as deeply. This is the way life is supposed to be! A little sad, but a ton of joy to offset the changes that are occurring.

If your child has yet to leave the nest, cherish each moment. The moments you want to last a lifetime unfortunately don't, but you can cherish the young adult they have become.

So Alysse, go back to school and give it your all because we will always be here for you.

Please pray for Texas.

Having been through Katrina, and having to deal with the aftermath. Not to mention dealing with my in-laws flood last August in Baton Rouge, I say please pray.

Their journey is just starting and its not a fun or pleasant journey. They will need financial support. They will need emotional support. They will need a kind word and a shoulder to cry on.

I have friends who live in the Houston area, I hope they are well and a lucky one. If you need anything let me know.

Help if you can. Support your police, fire, and ems folks. Also, I am sure that the military will deploy to provide assistance.

So please pray for them and the emergency service folks for support and safety!

2013 Ford Focus Cabin Air Filter Replacement.

I decided to change the cabin air filter in my salvage 2013 Ford Focus.

Here is the Video of that process.

I purchased the filter from Amazon. Here is the link to the Amazon Page.

After you purchase the filter, you must get into the passenger seat side of the car.

There are two plastic friction nuts hold a glove box cover on. Remove those and the cover.
The cover to the filter will then be to your left. The cover is held on by one Torx 15 screw. Remove the screw, and compress the two tabs together. That will allow the door to be removed.

Reach up and grab the filter that was behind the door. Pull it out. It will require some twisting to remove it. Don't worry that is normal.

Get your new filter and ensure that the air flow arrow is pointed in the correct direction. It should point from the engine to the interior of the vehicle.

Reinstall the filter in the same way you removed the original. Then reinstall the door and the glove box cover.

It is truly a 15 minute job, and I imagine that you will save a bit over what the dealer will charge you to do it.

If you have any questions, please email me and I will respond.

Thanks,

1973 Ford Torino Anticipated work

As the weather cools in south Louisiana I plan to get some items taken care of on  my 1973 Gran Torino Sport. I have some big plans that I hope to do and follow on my blog as well as my You Tube channel.

1. I am planning to install new bushings in both the front and rear suspensions.
2. I am going to install a Holley Sniper EFI System.
3. Once I get the EFI working I am going to change distributors so that my EFI can control the timing.
4. Repair or replace my C6 transmission.
5. Hopefully find time to get my vinyl roof replaced.

That is just this car, I still have the 1971 Mercury Monterey station wagon that I'm working on. I'll have a bunch of content for the blog.

Katrina and how it changed my outlook...

We have a tropical storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico right now. Its called Harvey.. I'm hoping its a Harvey Korman rather than a Harvey Keitel.

Its brought up a lot of discussions about Katrina with the team members who are not from Louisiana or have not been in hurricanes previously. We tell them that Harvey is not going to impact us too much, not like Katrina did.

Which brings back a bunch of memories that are not bad memories, just memories that make me realize that I look at life a little differently now. I don't dread hurricanes, I just think back to my experiences and know how quickly life can change.

Katrina was bad. It killed bunches of folks, it took irreplaceable heirlooms, it took homes. That goes with the territory, all of those things contribute, but takeaway I have is life can change in a heartbeat.

Now as you read this, realize that I am not a prepper. I am just a regularly guy who get up every morning and goes to work and hopes that the status quo remains until I am old enough to retire, and our grandkids can enjoy this great country.

What I know now is that we are one natural disaster away from total anarchy.

Enjoy your electricity?

It can be taken away in a heartbeat. Our electricity at home was out for over a month. Think of all the things you use electricity for? Keep medicines cool, food cool, house cool, house warm, lights, television.

Think about that, with the help of all available energy crews from all over the country, it took them over 30 days to repair!!! Thinks about the breadth of the destruction! Without electricity, you could not get gas at the gas station. Then your mobility is severally hampered, and you can not escape somewhere with modern creature comforts. You can't get gas, you can't get food, you can't do your job, you can't make money.

So always be aware and understand what is going on in your surroundings and be prepared to remove yourself and your family from bad situations if required. Big government and private companies end up just as helpless in these grave times of need. The only help you can count on is friends and family.