Tootfinder

Azalea 🌺 blooms a full month after all the others.
"BEHOLD, I shall never submit to your 'schedule'!"
#bloomscrolling #portalberni #yard

I am so lucky to live where I do with lakes with crystal clear water nearby.
The water was very nice.
#SproatLake #PortAlberni #summer

Another step in the #PoolPond today. Bought the 2 pumps. They are high-efficiency, DC variable speed/power up to 15000L/hr (4000gal/hr) and 105W.
One will be to take water from the pond to the bog filter, and one will do double duty going to the bog filter or to sprayers/jets inside the pond (both decorative and for circulation)
I might get a 3rd pump in time if I find the extra capacity is needed.
#DIY #PondLife #PortAlberni #Pool #Pond #Natural
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CLB7SJ4Q?psc=1&smid=A7SIQ2Y2T11UM&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

#PondLife #PoolPond #Backyard #DIY #PortAlberni #Home
$CAD1100 is a lot to spend on just a couple items, but I guess in the grand scheme of making a pond/pool that will completely transform our backyard, it's not crazy. This about equals the amount spent ($1200 iirc) to rent the digger last Labour Day weekend. The liner and underlay fabric was another $3000. So we're looking at about $5500 so far for the project as a whole. Still better (including for the ecosystem!) than your average $50,000 in-ground pool install. ;=D
I realized last night that I bought the wrong pumps (DCT vs DCP argh). One of those “oh that's cheaper than I thought it would be” moments... followed by... “oh crap.”
I'll send the previous pumps back immediately upon arrival.
It's ok though, these will be two 20,000L/h variable pumps. The entire pond/pool system should be no more than 23,000L. My biggest rookie mistake with the #pandemicpond in the front yard was too small a pump. I rectified that when I added the bog filters there.
So I'm overbuilding this time. I should be able to run them at low-speed/power for the same amount of flow. Which will be better for pump longevity and power over time.
Also got main piping for the system: 50ft of 2" flexible PVC (Schedule 40). This will move water from the intake bay (behind the tree) to the bog filter (in front of the tree) and connect to smaller diameter piping/valves/fittings for sprayers in the pool.
This should be the end of the big-ticket items. The rest will be a LOT of little stuff: electrical, piping, and a lot of rock. Probably another $1000-$1500 to go, all should be local, and some of it can be put off until next year if needed.
It took a few tries on the Bezos Site, but I managed to find a supplier within Canada to avoid tariffs on any of it because Tariff-flation is definitely a thing! (American .com store essentially doubled the cost!)
So ya, you can hashtag this #tariffs #TariffLife #TheAmericanFascist and #TrumpTariffs

Said line. #flags #pride #home #portalberni

Happy Pride 🏳️‍🌈!!
Got new line (see next) for the flag pole as the old stuff broke in a gale a couple months ago.
This stuff is much much nicer!
Wanted to make sure I had it up at least for 🇨🇦 day but it was easier than I thought it would be to get down with a little help from son.
#flags #pride #home #portalberni

It is so nice how the #pandemicpond is maturing now. This is its 5th summer! Can't believe it. The bog filter has made a massive difference for the water clarity and keeping down the algae. The first pic below is from this time last year and you can see the algae clouding and sliming everything.
Two years ago I started planting some moss around rocks in the stream and it has filled in really nicely and naturally. It also served to trap seeds I think and grass and other "weeds" but I like that it just looks more and more like a normal stream. We even have a marsh marigold at the top of the stream (last pic) that we did not plant that came from one that was in the top pond and was eaten by deer. 🦌
#diy #ponds #gardening #fish #ecosystem #portalberni

🚂Coming to Vancouver Island this summer? Headed to Tofino!? Make a stop for a train ride in Port Alberni! 🚂
Every weekend will have rides using a restored diesel loco and heritage passenger cars on the waterfront.
4 weekends will feature the 95yr old No7 Steam Locomotive!
News article here: #SteamTrain #PortAlberni #VancouverIsland #Summer #Tourism

If we ever get a second unit outside, or upsize the one we have, to be able to put registers on the top floor then there is no doubt in my mind that we could keep the whole house to 23-25°C #home #energyefficiency #heatpumps #electric #portalberni

Cooling our old house in summer. This house was built in 1940 so it has gone through all the stages and types of heating you can probably imagine.
We installed a ductless ("air source") heat pump a few years back. This was a revelation after 15 years of "window management" and fans to keep a lid on the intense heat of the Alberni Valley.
It has made a wonderful difference both for cheaper heating in winter and newfound cooling potential in summer. We only could get one big enough for two of three floors.
So basement and main floor have a register like this.
Today, on the first official hot day of summer it is:
Outside temp: 33°C
Top Floor (windows open, fans on): 30°C
Main Floor (windows closed HP set to 23°C): 25°C
Basement (HP set to 23): I would estimate 23°C
We also have a hybrid HP/Electric hot water tank in the basement that I have blowing its outlet air into the room for summer to help keep the temperature down in the basement.
#home #energyefficiency #heatpumps #electric #portalberni

Time to thin the Apples! 🍏 🍎
Both the blushing delight and northern spy planted last year are doing fantastic.
The new northern spy planted in March has not faired well. I had to remove it from its spot to try to rehabilitate it in a pot. Prognosis is not good.
But the new plum is doing well.
#gardening #apple #fruit #portalberni

thankful for the rain today!! Only took a few days for the new grass/clover/flower mix to sprout!!
🌱 🌱 🌱
Going to get hot this week so I am very glad it has begun successfully now.
#driveway #yardwork #diy #portalberni