Mötley Crüe

I'll admit it, I didn't consult the Farmers' Almanac when I planted or harvested these sweet potatoes - all grown in the same container pot - but maybe I should have. William gave them the once over, turned on his paw and walked away. Maybe there's a deeper meaning?

Right now they're in the sink, trimmed and scrubbed and ready to be cooked for this evening's meal and that's what really counts isn't it? Not that they look like I fertilized them with mütagens, right?

Big Feets

Hurricane Ida - C'est Tout

Going, Going, Gone

I caught this on the fly with my normal lens so it's not tack sharp, but you get the idea.
I guess I should dig out my books to identify it. Stay tuned.

Continuing With My Danger Theme: This Is How You Fix Your Maytag Atlantis Washer - Or End Your Life...Depending

I say that because this post describes acts of electrical manipulation - which I don't advise. So don't do what I'm about to tell you even though it might fix your problem, save you a load of dough, and no one else on the web has given this solution to this particular problem. Just keep it in mind that all instructions for working with electrical appliances advise you to unplug the machine before, during, or after you inspect any part of it. Later on you'll feel compelled to plug your washer in to check something specific but you didn't hear me say you should do that. Ever.

Anyway, when your Maytag Atlantis washer, specifically an MAV6457AWW (and preferably gifted to you like ours was to us), stops spinning on any setting you're going to think, after interrogating all the usual suspects like a sock in the pump, the tub binding, a kink in the drainage, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah, that it could be:
a)the lid switch
b)the motor/half the motor - I say half the motor because only half the motor is used to go forward and the other half is used to go in reverse in some instances and sometimes just half of it dies (seriously, I am not making this up)
c)the brake
d)the tranny
There are ways to check all those things but no one will tell you how to check for the control timer prolly because it involves live electricity. Which is dangerous.

Still, if you read the message boards or go to appliancejunk.com or repairclinic.com and get the chat line you're going to try all those scenarios also utilizing the wiring diagram inside the machine and the information in either of these two SERVICE manuals, #16026502 and #16010358 (I emphasize the word service in lieu of repair because even though you can google repair manual I've discovered that things will move faster is you use service manual.), found here and here. They sell them on eBay but these copies are free. I'm telling you this because I'm just that nice. And that cheap.

We familiarized ourselves with many, many diagrams and, luckily, *learned that the switches depicted in the diagrams are mechanical. Like this page in Maytag Washer Service and Repair Manual #16010358. This is important because you might think they're just diagrams for electrical currents and the like but if you understand that they're mechanical illustrations then you might come to the realization that you can use jumpers to see if it's the control timer. But only if you've unplugged the machine before you ever open the casing or the control panel. This is the fourth time I've mentioned unplugging the machine and being safe. Count that off on four of your fingers. Or don't. You're not foolish enough to manipulate electricity anyway.

This is the stage where DH, Mr Safety, used jumpers. First he made one for the agitator switch so the machine would be fooled into thinking it was full of water and could agitate when appropriate (which it did, after the washer was plugged back in).

Then he made a jumper for the control timer plug in module (which I didn't photograph before it was fixed but you get the idea) and set the machine to a spin cycle. THEN he plugged in the machine and didn't touch anything at which point in time the machine began to spin which meant that by bypassing the control timer that it was defective. We then called the repair guy who had previously come out only to tell us he didn't know how to fix this particular brand of washer. Still, he did bring in a motor to make sure that wasn't the problem and *told DH about the depicted switches being mechanical. VERY IMPORTANT!!! Even better, he's selling us a new control timer at his cost and not charging us for the service call. It's been a pain not having a working machine for three weeks but we'll only spend about $65.00 for the repair. Not too shabby...all things considered.

PS We just finished installing new lighting and a mini-overhead fan in the kitchen. And, as always kids, don't try this at home.

PPS We're not electrical wizards per se, right after the washer died lightning hit one of our pecan trees and took out a surge protector, a printer, a computer, and my van. We let the professionals take care of those.

The World's Most Dangerous Cake

From my pal Tash in Palos Verdes (I know, it's microwaved, but its chocolate!!!!):

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE!!

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract and your favourite tipple
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to your largest mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using), vanilla extract and a drop or two of your favourite tipple, then mix again.


Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high).
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!



Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.


EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).


And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now you are only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night! You are going to forward this straight away, aren't you ... :-).

Parkour Pt Deux

The Art of Parkour/Tracesse/Traceuse

This is completely insane. You can see more here and here. Several years ago I saw a French martial arts movie, I think it was called "District B13", and I couldn't figure out what they were doing but I think it must have been parkour. It was just amazing.

American Parkour

Girls Do Parkour

Furrybutt Azalea Fursday

In honor of our beloved Furrybutts...
and in particular, the passing of one of their own, Hans, the Bunnular Bloggers are posting everybun's Furrybutts.This is my friend Azalea, sending buntockular best wishes in memory of Hansy, a brave and beloved bun. We know you're up there on The Bridge, binkying with all your friends who were waiting for your arrival.
xoxoxoxoxo
Sweet William Grey
Miss Digit
Ranger Dog

You Are Worth the Time

I use this blog for a home page and lately I've been posting things that I like and want to return to. This is something a friend sent me in an email. I hope you enjoy it.

Rock the Vote For The Bunny:Pass It On

Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show wants to know who your favorite puppet is. As of last night the shark was in the lead with 150 and the bunny only had 4. So sad.
Here are two videos that show the bunster:





The world's going to hell, vote here for da bun.

Have You Been Good Today? Yes? Well, Here's Your Treat

Be sure and watch it in HQ. There are lots of Late Late Show in-jokes here but in this clip, it doesn't matter. On a scale of 1-10 bluebirds I'm giving Craig & Co 9 bluebirds. Yes, there's one that's better...


The original, Michael Franti and Spearhead: Say Hey Music Video.

Just try and tell me you don't want to dance to this.

Seed Swap #2: Virginia Creeper

What? No takers on the dill seed? Maybe I can entice someone with Virginia Creeper seed. I found piles of it on my back deck and swept it up with a paint brush. You can see what the full grown plant looks like on a rainy day here.

I certainly didn't expect to be including the Creeper seeds so maybe there will be some other surprises along the way.

Seed Swap #1: Dill Seed

Right now I'm sitting on a gold mine in dill seed with more to come. I sprinkle them on salads, sandwiches, everything. It occurred to me that maybe someone else might like some to plant for next year???? I'm going to make an effort to start saving seeds from all of my veggies and flowers and at the end of this growing season I'll be prepared to swap seeds with anyone who's interested. Email me at pensacoladailyphoto(at)gmail(dot)com and we'll start negotiations.