Notes For Me ( and You)

Last week I replaced the original florescent tube fixture with two pendants above the island. This does mean less light in the kitchen, but combined with the recessed lighting above the sink and work areas, there is still more than sufficient light available. The complication in the project was that the two new lights needed two new boxes installed since the electrical wiring to the original fixture did not come out close to either of the new locations.

The far hole is where the wiring came out originally. The middle of the three lower holes was cut to gain access so as to run the wires under the double joists.

I used a router to slot these two joists just enough to run the cable. A nail guard was then installed over the wire to protect the cable in the extremely unlikely event someone would try to poke a hole in the ceiling at that location.

Two new electrical boxes were the installed and the ceiling repaired ( and I must say that worked out very well).

The only real problem came when the lights were installed. It turned out the chain on one light was different from the other. A few frantic phone calls and a replacement was overnighted, just in time for the final installation, just a few minutes before the neighborhood book club was due to meet in our house.

Here is the final result.

Jake may or may not have a slight crack in his collar bone – that’s the verdict from the ortho doc. That’s an improvement from the Sunday morning status at the emergency room. Treatment is now do what doesn’t hurt, so he will be back out and about really soon – although he might not be playing soccer goalie again this season.

For those of you keeping score at home, this would be his third broken collar bone – that is actually why the diagnosis is unclear. The “maybe” crack line is right in with the damage from before.

He was playing goal keeper for his soccer team ( a first!) and came out diving at full speed at a player’s feet. Jake claims the player kicked him, but I would have to say that Jake was flying out there and was responsible for at least 50% of the collision.

So he is still sore on his shoulder, but should be back in action really soon.

November 1st, and the zucchini are still producing, and actually much more welcome now than in the middle of the summer bounty. We had the last of the pototoes for dinner last night, along with almost the last of the carrots. Also on their last legs, a few green and yellow peppers.

Still to come, maybe a couple of weeks away, will be broccoli and cauliflower, along with the fall lettuce and rocket. Then it will be time to start planning next year!