Wash Your Windows and You Can See That the Window Screens Need Repair       Okay, it wasn’t that the windows were that dirty that you couldn’t see the need to repair the screens. But when you have to take them down to clean the windows you can really see how old and in need of repair the window screen are. No big deal, we’ll just get it done right now!   08/24/2014

      One of the benefits of living in Greenstone Country in Placerville, is the animals that roam throughout the neighborhood on a regular basis. These animals include the deer who migrate daily across our property. The down side of this is that the deer eat plants at an alarming rate when you are away. Trying to grow something to last is an ongoing battle.   This tomato plant was full and healthy yesterday!   07/18/2014

      I don’t want to say that today was hot but it was! Up to 106 in some places in the Sacramento Valley today but it should be cooler tomorrow – a little bit cooler. This shot was taken at the end of a long hot day, good to see some cloud. It will be a little muggy in the morning but I’ll enjoy that view tonight. 07/14/2014

  Let me show you how big it was     I was unloading my truck after a long day, loading the trailer for a dump run first thing tomorrow. As I got to the bottom of the pile, I saw this large bug. I'm no Entomologist but this is not a bug that I've seen in this size ever.   I do know that the inspects do vary as you move up the Sierra foothills, maybe they are just larger up the hill and this one just got outside his home area.     07/03/2014

    Sure looks like a Fire, but it’s Not     The sunrise this morning is especially fiery, but it is only in color. I think it was time to be grateful for all those men and women who are out there daily help to control and put out the fires that happen this time of year. Hot weather, dry lands make for a dangerous season. 06/30/2014

    Quiet morning on the Lake in Greenstone Country       The Greenstone Country Community in Placerville has a lot to offer if you are looking for some peace. It is a horse property private community, but has plenty of ways in which to get away from the day to day stresses. Lakes, hiking trails, quiet and private areas can be something that you are looking to experience.   06/27/2014

  Calm day on a Greenstone Country Lake in Placerville, CA       It was a little warm today, but surely not the extreme heats that we can see in the Sacramento Valley during the summer months. The winds were calm and the temps in the 90's today, this makes for some excellent photo opportunities this in the neighborhood.     06/21/2014

  I got a chance to get some fresh fruit and veggies from a local Farmer's Market in El Dorado County. Here is a list of locations to help you get your own fresh fruit and vegetables. EL DORADO County Cameron Park Cameron Park Coach Lane @ Strolling Hills Drive June - Oct 26 Wed 8 am - 12 pm (530) 622-1900Camino Kids Inc Farmers Market 3205 North Canyon Road Sept - Nov Friday 11 am - 3 pm (530) 622-0184Coloma Monroe Orchards Farmers Market North Beach parking June - Oct Sunday 9 am - 12:30 pm (530) 622-6198El Dorado Hills Town Center Town Center Blvd May - Oct Sunday 8 am - 1 pm (530) 622-1900Placerville Main Street Farmers Market 385 Main Street June - Oct Wed 5 pm - Dusk (530) 647-0744Placerville Missouri Flat Outdoor Market 4600 Missouri Flat Road between Industrial Drive & Enterpris... 06/01/2014

    After a long day in Sacramento, I get to head to the foothills of the Sierras. From the foothills, the sunsets can be very colorful as the sun sets deeper on the horizon. I don't always get a chance to pull over a snap a shot; sometimes its just some blind shots out the window for later review.   05/27/2014

    Looks like we have company – Photo     So I sitting at my computer earlier when I noticed that we had company. The deer have a regular daily migration, I usually don't get a chance to witness these guys passing through. Today I did get to see them; it's always fun to see the wildlife up close.   05/20/2014

It must be bat season, Mr Kitty tells me so.     I love my cat, Mr. Kitty has a way of catching his prey that is sometimes hard to imagine. I have never known a cat to catch live bats at night, but he does. I think it must be bat season here in El Dorado County, he has been leaving me presents at the front door.   05/02/2014

    There is something about the smell of fresh flowers indoors. Sure you can buy an air freshener to get a similar fragrance and you may not notice the difference. The real thing has some benefits: the potency and the aroma is real. It is what the imitations are trying to copy. So unless you are allergic, try bringing in some of those fresh blooms.     04/29/2014

    Some of us spend time crawling around under homes as a part of our regular work day, we get to see things that many do not. Yesterday I came across something new to me. There was evidence of animal activity since the last time down there.   Animals under the home is not new, as a general contractor I have seen animals and signs of animals for years. The signs can be in the form of nests, droppings, odors, and fur. This time I saw tracks, this too is not uncommon to see. Usually the tracks are from small animals like mice and raccoons.   The tracks that I saw were from a larger animal, I believe it to be deer tracks. While there is plenty of room to work under this home in El Dorado County, I’m not so sure how it could have gotten under there and back out. I’ll have to keep an eye ou... 04/21/2014

    Californians know all too well the extent of the drought in our state.     The recent rains have helped to restore the water levels of the small lakes of Greenstone Country in Placerville, CA. The water had dipped so low that you couldn't really even call it a pond. The three lakes are at full capacity right now and would be a great time to visit this community.    http://greenstonecountry.org/ 04/07/2014

    I have never attended a California Poppy Festival but I have noticed all the Poppies blooming in Greenstone Country lately. Every year they seem to grow in number. And then I remembered that picking the California Poppy is illegal in the State of California. I found that curious so I wanted to do some quick research.   The research is not real clear. I read that the flower could not be picked on public lands. I also found that NO plants can be picked on public land in California. Hmmm Can I pick them in my yard then?  Don’t know.   Apparently it is legal to grow; can I then pick it? Many of these flowers are in the yards of homeowners; after the flower has finished its bloom, the yard gets its regular mowing. Is it legal to pick the plant and not the bloom? Why did I even start this... 04/06/2014

If the wood is going to be sitting in moisture, it will rot eventually.       Most woods need to be protected from water, soil, and moist materials, otherwise it will rot. So it should n’t a surprise when we do see rotted wood around the home or apartment buildings. Take this photo for example, the wood trim was cut too long; dirt, and water created a perfect environment for this board to rot. So think about all those spots around you home where moisture and dirt can build up and create a problem in the future.   Soil piled up against that wood siding Horizontally trim boards that catch water running down the building walls. Door jambs that collect water when it rains Wood fence posts where the concrete is covered with dirt That sprinkler head that shoots water against the building ever... 03/15/2014

    We had some horrible bursts of rain last night, water was overflowing my gutters. Sure, I know I preach about keeping the gutters clean but I did. I just did them myself. The rain was so hard that the downspouts just couldn’t keep up with the flow of water coming down.      The worst part? It interfered with my satellite reception…   02/27/2014

When I was taking Plant ID classes at Sierra College in the early 2000's, we learned about Agave americana.  My husband heard me say Agave and immediately thought of tequila. He wanted to plant one in our yard for the symbolism.  Just to be clear, the Agave here is Agave americana and the one used in producing tequila is Agave tequilana. This version is ornamental and TOUGH.  I'll never forget my teacher saying that you practically need a chain saw to trim them.  Good job on these shown here!  This was taken along Pleasant Valley Road, Placerville.   02/23/2014

    Sure, you can go ahead and paint that water stain, but don’t forget the prime it first!   Often times a roof leaks, or there is a plumbing or drain that causes a stain in the ceiling or wall of your home. The repairs have been done and there is no damage to the drywall but it is stained. Can you paint over that spot? Absolutely, but make sure that you apply a quality primer first. I cannot think of a brand of paint that I have used that will cover a water stain without the stain bleeding through the paint. You just need to use a stain blocking product; there are many to choose from, most can be done with a water-based primer. I have been using a brand called Kilz, it comes in both the water-based primer and an oil based for the tougher stains. Of course the water-based product is ea... 02/22/2014

    There Was A “Pop” in The Electrical Panel When The Dryer Breaker Was Turned On.   I have a lot of property maintenance staff who call me with issues that they are having on their apartment buildings. I don’t mind helping them out over the phone because I know that they will call me when they hit a problem that they cannot fix themselves. Today was one of those days. An apartment in Sacramento had no power to the clothes dryer, it would not start. There had been work done in the electrical panel but not with the dryer breaker. The maintenance supervisor opened the electrical panel and didn’t see any “tripped” breakers, so he shout off the dryer breaker and back on again. He was startled by the “pop”, and shut off the breaker. He then called me. Having had a similar experience recentl... 02/18/2014