We got Pink Flamingos In The Front Yard

OK, all you country and western fans. Do you remember the Tracy Byrd song, Pink Flamingos?

There is a line in the song that says:

We got pink flamingos in the front yard
Picture window with a view of Wal-Mart
Blue collar heaven domestic bliss
It just doesn't get any better than this
We got pink flamingos, pink flamingos, pink flamingos

Well, as a matter of fact we do have some pink flamingos in the front yard. Jake claims that he is testing the reaction time of the home owner's association "Covenant Compliance Patrol". You see, Pink Flamingos and the like are specifically forbidden by the home owner's association rules. We are expecting a knock at the door any day now to let us know that we are not in compliance.

Now, we have learned that there is going to be a new Wal-Mart constructed just down the street. Is this a case of life imitating art or art imitating life? You decide. In any event, just like the song says, "it just doesn't get any better than this".

Tie Dyed T-Shirts

Today's project was Tie Dyed T-Shirts. Nothing says summer like Tie Dyed T-Shirts. We made these T-Shirts in about two hours using white cotton T-Shirts and Rit Dye Powder from the local craft store.

If you would like to see the complete materials list, step by step instructions and some additional photos from this project, check out this link: Pohick How To: Tie Dyed T-Shirts

Check out our gallery of Tie Dyed Shirts.

Japanese Beatles

Help! Japanese Beatles are eating my peach tree. Jake returned home after a week in Colorado Springs. He left Scribbles in charge of looking after the various plants, fruit trees, raspberry bushes, etc while he was gone. When Jake returned home, Scribbles informed him that there was some sort of bug swarming around the peach tree. When he went out to take a look, this is what he found. Luckily, they hadn't gotten around to eating the entire tree yet. Jake immediately went to the store and picked up a bottle of Sevin Bug Killer which states that it will work well on Japanese Beatles. We will see if this does the trick or not.

Related Articles:

• Belle of Georgia Semi Dwarf Peach Tree
• Belle of Georgia Semi Dwarf Peach Tree Care
  
• Japanese Beatles are eating my peach tree
• Belle of Georgia Semi Dwarf Peach Tree Growth

Manitou Springs Colorado

After the big hike up the Manitou Mount Incline Railway, Jake and Mr. Peabody stopped by the town of Manitou Springs for a short look around and a little food. Manitou Springs is a hippie, artsy, eccentric, touristy town. This town of approximately 5,000 residents, has an interesting history including sacred ground to several Indian tribes, gold-rush-era resort, tuberculosis treatment center and Old West mountainside tourist trap as well as 1960s hippie haven. A 752-building swath of town was declared a national historic district in 1983, and many of its late-19th-century buildings are now bed-and-breakfasts. For dinner Jake and Mr. Peabody stopped by The Loop. The Loop is a quaint little Mexican restaurant in the middle of town. The food was good and the prices were reasonable.

Check out Manitou Springs on this map of places we've been.

Other Colorado Springs Destinations

• Mount Manitou Scenic Incline Railway (Colorado Springs)
• Garden Of The Gods (Colorado Springs)
  
• Manitou Springs (Manitou Springs)
  
• Mount Cutler Hiking Trail (Colorado Springs)
• Pikes Peak (Colorado Springs)
• Ghost Town Museum (Colorado Springs)
  
• Helen Hunt Falls (Colorado Springs)
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado Springs)

Mount Manitou Scenic Incline Railway

OK, Jake is a glutton for punishment. Today he allowed his hiking buddy to talk him into another hiking excursion. This hike was decidedly not a pleasant walk in the woods like yesterday's hike up Mount Cutler. Today's hike was up the Mount Manitou Incline Railway. The Incline was originally built in 1906 to move pipe sections up the side of Rocky Mountain. (Mount Manitou is actually the next peak to the northwest.) In 1925, the incline began to haul tourists up the mountain. In 1990 a rock and mud slide damaged about 500' feet of the tracks and the owners decided that the danger was too great to re-open, and shut it down permanently. Local folks decided, hey, lets just use the old incline as a hiking trail. Sort of a demented stair climbing machine. This incline is approximately 1 mile long and climbs 2000 feet in elevation. The incline offers an excellent work out and some great scenery. This hike is not for the faint of heart though. Especially for older gentlemen from places much closer to sea level. On the way back down the the mountain, Jake hiked along the Barr Camp Trail which is several miles longer, but is a much more gentle hike. The Barr Camp Trail can also be taken all the way to the top of Pike's Peak.

Click here to see Mount Manitou Scenic Incline Railway on the map of places we've been.

Other Colorado Springs Attractions

• Mount Manitou Scenic Incline Railway (Colorado Springs)
• Garden Of The Gods (Colorado Springs)
  
• Manitou Springs (Manitou Springs)
  
• Mount Cutler Hiking Trail (Colorado Springs)
• Pikes Peak (Colorado Springs)
• Ghost Town Museum (Colorado Springs)
  
• Helen Hunt Falls (Colorado Springs)
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado Springs)

Mount Cutler Hiking Trail Colorado Springs

After work today, Jake and several co-workers headed up into the mountains for a bit of hiking. Today's destination was the Mount Cutler Hiking Trail which is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Mount Cutler Hiking Trail is located in North Cheyenne Canyon. This hiking trail offers about the best bang for your buck that you could possibly ask for in a hiking trail. There is more scenery packed into this short mile long hike than is probably legal.

The Mount Cutler Hiking Trail is located in North Cheyenne Canyon.

Length of Trail: 2 Miles Round Trip

Elevation: 6,797 Ft. to 7,164 Ft.

Click here to see Mount Cutler Hiking Trail on the map of places we've been.

Other Colorado Springs Attractions

• Mount Manitou Scenic Incline Railway (Colorado Springs)
• Garden Of The Gods (Colorado Springs)
  
• Manitou Springs (Manitou Springs)
  
• Mount Cutler Hiking Trail (Colorado Springs)
• Pikes Peak (Colorado Springs)
• Ghost Town Museum (Colorado Springs)
  
• Helen Hunt Falls (Colorado Springs)
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado Springs)

Water Powered Car

Tired of rapidly rising fuel prices? No problem. Just get out the garden hose. A Japanese company named Genepax claims to have produced a prototype vehicle that runs entirely on water and air. Their new "Water Energy System (WES)," generates power by supplying water and air to the fuel and air electrodes using a proprietary technology called the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA). The secret behind MEA is a special material that is capable of breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen through a chemical reaction. During a recent conference, Genepax unveiled a fuel cell stack with a rated output of 120W and a fuel cell system with a rated output of 300W—and there are plans for a 1kw-class generation system for use in both electric vehicles and houses sometime in the future. At this point, the cost of production on the water-powered vehicle engine itself is around about $18,522, but they hope to drop the price to $4600 or less if they succeed in bringing it into mass production.

Wikipedia Link - Genepax
Company Link - Genepax

Rascally Rabbit

There have been a number plants and vegetable missing from the Pohick garden as of late. Jake interrogates one one the likely suspects in this video.

Guitar Hero

For father's day, Sarah and Scribbles gave Jake a Guitar Hero Game for the XBox 360. Guitar Hero is a video game that uses a guitar-shaped controller to simulate the playing of music, represented on-screen by colored notes that correspond to fret buttons on the controller. Jake was a little dubious about this particular gift, but he decided to give it a try. Just to prove to the girls that he was thankful for the gift, and not to hurt their feelings, he played the guitar hero game for 4 straight hours until his fingers started to bleed and he couldn't see any longer because of the dots floating in front of his eyes.

NASA Crew Mobility Chassis Prototype

This isn't your dad's moon buggy. NASA is evaluating new concepts for moving astronauts around on the surface of the moon. The Crew Mobility Chassis Prototype is NASA's new concept for a lunar truck. Researchers are trying it out at Moses Lake, Wash., this week as part of a series of tests of lunar surface concepts. One feature is its high mobility. Each set of wheels can pivot individually in any direction, giving the vehicle the ability to drive sideways, forward, backward and any direction in between -- important if the truck becomes mired in lunar dust, needs to zigzag down a steep crater wall or parallel park at its docking station. NASA currently is building the spacecraft and systems to return to the moon by 2020.

How to safely remove a bug from your ear

As we have discussed in previous articles, having a live insect in your ear can be very disconcerting to say the least. The natural human tendency is to try and get the bug out of your ear as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this isn't the easiest task to accomplish and if done incorrectly can lead to permanent hearing loss.

How to know if a bug is in your ear

• People with a bug in their ear often report the following symptoms: popping, crunching, fluttery, ticklish, or buzzing sound in the affected ear.

What types of bugs can get in your ear?

• There are a number of insects that can and will enter your ear. Of the many types of insects that can get into ears, gnats, moths, and roaches are the most common. Gnats get tangled in the wax and cannot fly out. Bigger insects cannot turn around; neither can they crawl backwards. They keep on struggling, and their motion can be painful and frightening.

How to safely remove a bug from your ear

• Your best bet is to seek qualified medical treatment. If no medical treatment is available, use the following steps.
• First the safety warning: Never try to remove an insect with tweezers, bobby pins, cotton swabs or any other object. This can lodge the insect deeper in the ear canal. It can also damage the ear drum leading to permanent hearing loss. Don't do it!
• Stay Calm. If you are treating someone else, especially a child, stay calm. This will help your patient stay calm as well.
• Have the patient lean over with their ear facing upwards.
• Fill the ear with baby oil, mineral oil, vegetable oil or olive oil. This will kill the insect and cause it to stop moving. If you don't have access to one of the oils listed above, you can attempt to use clean water only.
• Flush the ear with warm water allowing it to overflow. Watch carefully for the insect to be flushed out.
• If you are unable to fully remove the insect using this technique, seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Here is what it looks like when you have a bug in your ear.  Video.

Website Link: Mayo Clinic - First Aid for removing foreign objects from ear

Disclaimer: Jake is not a medical doctor. The information and techniques present on this website are provided as a public service and should not be considered sound medical advice. If you experience any of the symptoms listed on this website, you should seek sound medical advice as soon as possible.

The Path of Least Resistance

So actually, this was the path of a fair amount of resistance. The back portion of our property is not inclined to be civilized. In fact, areas that we have previously cleared have sprung back to life as if we had never touched them. We decided to focus our efforts on a small area and to create a path through the wilderness. We are quite pleased with the results of our efforts. This project allowed us to incorporate a clean landscaping look along with area's beautiful natural foliage.

Construction Steps:

1. First we cleared a small path through the woods. We selected an area that was already relatively clear of foliage.

2. Next, we laid out the path using dead fall tree branches from the forest. Landscaping timbers would probably last longer, but we have no shortage of replacement tree branches. This saves us the expense of landscaping timbers and also the cost and effort of hauling the tree limbs off to a landfill. Additionally, the tree limbs give the path a rustic charm.

3. Finally, we used a 2- to 3- inch layer of pine bark for weed control. Pine bark makes an attractive, usually dark-colored mulch. It can be purchased in various particle sizes, from shredded to large-sized particles, called nuggets. This project required 6 bags of mulch.

Website Link: About Mulch from the SavyGardener.com

Belle of Georgia Semi Dwarf Peach Tree Update

The peach tree that we planted on the19th of March 2008 continues to add new growth and is looking quite healthy. The tree is now approximately 8.5 feet tall. It was a little over 7.5 feet tall when we planted it 3 months ago.

Peach Tree Care:

• After planting, apply sufficient water to thoroughly soak the soil in the area of the tree roots.
  
• Keep weeds out of a 3-by-3-foot area around the tree because they compete with the tree for moisture and nutrients during the growing season.
  
• Keep mowers away from the tree to reduce trunk damage.
  
• Mulching will help to control weeds as well as conserve moisture.
• In March after the trees have been planted and the soil settled by a drenching rain, broadcast 1 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer over an area 3 feet in diameter. Do not allow fertilizer to accumulate around the tree trunk.
• In early June and again in early August, broadcast ½ cup of calcium nitrate or equivalent over an area 3 feet in diameter.
  
• Beginning the second year, fertilize the trees twice a year in early March and around the first of August.
• Early March application: Apply 1 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer per year of tree age to a maximum of 10 cups for mature trees.
• August application: Apply 1 cup of calcium nitrate or equivalent per year of tree age to a maximum of 4 cups for mature trees. Do not make the August application if the crop was lost to a freeze. Do not apply until the harvest of late-season varieties is completed.

Related Articles:

• Belle of Georgia Semi Dwarf Peach Tree
• Belle of Georgia Semi Dwarf Peach Tree Care
  
• Japanese Beatles are eating my peach tree
• Belle of Georgia Semi Dwarf Peach Tree Growth

Raspberry Harvest

Today, the Pohick's harvested the very first raspberry from the raspberry bushes they planted on the 20th of March. In honor of the occasion, the ceremonial first raspberry was cut into four pieces and the pieces were consumed by each member of the family. Though the serving size was small everyone thought that the fruit was quite tasty.

Considering that the trauma that the raspberry bushes underwent this year, it is a wonder that the bushes are producing any fruit at all. In mid April, a rabbit (Yes, we know who you are Mr. Rabbit) decided to eat all of the new growth from the raspberry bushes. The bushes were munched all the way down to the ground. We had almost decided to plow the plants under when we noticed them starting to grow again. They are apparently quite hardy. The variety we planted produces two crops per year. The first in the spring and a second crop in the fall. We are looking to lots of tasty raspberry treats in the years to come.

Harvesting Raspberries: What should you know about picking raspberries?

• Be aware that raspberries do not ripen once picked. Avoid picking unripened berries.
• Raspberries which have been picked will only last a day or so.
  
• The best solution is to pick them on the day they are required and do not let them be crushed by their own weight.
• All of the raspberries will not ripen at the same time. The berries will ripen over a period of several weeks.
  
• The fruit does not all ripen at the same time, so harvesting can take place over several weeks.
• Raspberries freeze very well and make tasty treats even when partially frozen.

Wikipedia Link: Raspberries
Organization Link: North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association (NARBA)

Compact Fluorescent Lamp

Jake had a bright idea today. He decided that he would replace the light bulbs in the house with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL). This idea came to him as his was browsing through one of the local stores. The store was having a sale on compact fluorescent lamps and Jake decided that this was probably a good time to make the investment.

So, why compact fluorescent lamps do you ask? Well, if we are to believe the manufacturer's claims, each lamp should save $47 worth of electricity over it's life time. The lamps that Jake purchased use 13 watts of electricity and provide the same amount of light as a 60 watt light bulb. Additionally, the lamps are advertised to last much longer than a standard lamp. The packaging states that each lamp will last approximately 10,000 hours or 5-7 years of normal usage. The lamps cost Jake $2.50 each so they are a little more costly than a standard light bulb. Electricity costs the Pohick family approximately $136 each month on average for their all-electric house in Northern Alabama. If the lamps manage to save a modest 5% from their electric bill they will provide a savings of approximately $80 per year. In the grand scheme of things, this is about what it take to fill up the car with a tank of gas these days, but every little bit helps. On the plus side, the lamps should pay for themselves in a few months and Jake won't have to change the light bulbs as often.

According to the US government, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

Wikipedia Link: Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Government Link: Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

On the way back from Knoxville, Tennessee, the Pohicks decided to make a small excursion and check out Rock City in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Unfortunately, they didn't do their homework very well. At the bottom of the mountain, they saw a sign for the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. They somehow convinced themselves that the way to get to Rock City was to take the Incline Railway. Up the mountain they went. When they reached the top of the mountain, they saw a sign pointing towards Rock City and began hiking in that direction. Luckily, they hadn't gone very far when they saw another sign that said, "Rock City 3 Miles". Apparently both Rock City and the upper railway station are indeed at the top of the mountain, but they are separated by three miles. Oops. The ride up the mountain was still fun and the Pohicks will return another day to tour Rock City.

The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is an inclined plane railway located along the side of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the United States. Passengers are transported from St. Elmo's Station at the base, to Point Park at the mountain summit, which overlooks the city and the Tennessee River. The railway is approximately one mile (1.6 km) in length (single track except for a short two-track stretch at the midway point, allowing operation of two cars at one time), and has a maximum grade of 72.7%. It is billed as the world's steepest passenger railway.

The Incline Railway opened on November 16, 1895, and was the second of two inclines constructed on Lookout Mountain; the first was the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain Railway, which operated from 1886 to 1898. The railway is now operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the area's public transit agency.

Official Websites
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
Chattanooga Tennessee Official Tourism Site

Wikipedia Links
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
Chattanooga Tennessee
Rock City

Knoxville Zoo

While in Knoxville Tennessee, Jake, Molly and Sarah decided to visit the Knoxville Zoo. The Knoxville Zoo has more than 800 animals and has had success breeding animals, especially Red Pandas and White Rhinos. The zoo also bred the first African elephant in captivity in the western hemisphere, in 1978. The zoo also has a large reptile collection and has a new area for children to play called the Clayton Family Kids Cove, which opened in 2005. Click here to see a few more pictures from the Knoxville Zoo.

2008 DI Global Finals

The Pohick Family is at the University of Tennessee this week where Scribbles is competing in the Destination Imagination Global Finals. Destination ImagiNation (DI) is a creativity and problem solving program for children from elementary age to college age. Teams of up to seven members compete in various challenges that require complex thinking, problem solving, teamwork and creativity. The goal of the program is to teach creative and critical thinking, presentation skills, problem solving, and teamwork skills. Scribbles and her team are representing the State of Alabama. 1032 teams from around the world are participating in this years competition. Check out this link for addition Global Final Pictures.

Mayor's Award for Scholastic Excellence

Scribbles also achieved straight A's this year. In honor of her achievement she was awarded the Mayor's award for Scholastic Excellence. Sarah was quick to point out that her award was from the President while Scribble's award was only from the Mayor.

President's Award for Educational Excellence

Sarah did a great job in school this year. She achieved straight A's. In honor of her achievement, she was awarded the President's Award for Educational Excellence. The President's Education Awards Program, sponsored by the U. S. Department of Education, in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, was developed to help principals recognize and honor those students who have achieved high academic goals by their hard work and dedication to learning. Students are eligible for one of two honors: the President's Award for Educational Excellence or the President's Award for Educational Achievement. For each award students receive certificates signed by the President, the U.S. Secretary of Education and you. A congratulatory letter from the President is included with the awards.

Government Link: US Department of Education - Purpose, Eligibility, FAQ, Applicant Info, Awards, Laws, Guidance and Contact Information.

Organization Link: National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) - Explanation of the award program, criteria to receive award and form to request awards.