Chazd's (Charles Dowdell's) News Burps

Spring is sprung and the pollen is on.

We had a water main break at the church. It brought back memories of my water main breaking one week after I bought my first house in the early 80s. And it reminded me of the quality job I did installing a water main at my house in Victor NY. I had lots of help from family and friends. I was amazed to learn that jointed CPVC pipe is allowed in Georgia for water mains. Up north water main breaks in the winter are much more of "a thing."

I am spending more attention on drone work. I am licensed, I have a drone. Skills building. I tagged along with a fellow pilot and learned how it is done. A to Z.

It was cold and blustery in Atlanta, at least for half a day or so. It snowed, but no accumulation. The winds got up to 40 mph and temps into the low 20s. Miserable for sure for Atlanta norms. But like in California this "bad" weather keeps people at home and makes it easier to shop and drive. The remodeling work progressed this weekend. Guest bath toilet moved and installed. Floor is prepared for tile and the plumbing and electrics are mocked up almost ready for completion. The one piece figerglass shower stall is still not due here for a couple more weeks. It will barely fit in the house. The window sashes will need to be removed and in it goes through the window opening. No way would it fit through the doors and halls. The characteristic of this kind of work is that it is semi-permanent. Good and bad comes with long lasting changes. It is something to rely on, but also something you have to live with.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine hit pretty hard here at home. The first few days I really couldn't talk about it. Some folks called us and asked our opinions about the situation. Of course we heard that it was coming. It has been coming for the last 8 years or so. And with Crimea now having cars with Russian license plates, really validated the possibilities. The campaign for the New Russian Empire wont be easily quelled. Angie has family, money and property in Russia. Luckily we dont have any of these in Ukraine. There was some scurring around to get money moved into safe(r) banks. As with all war, the folks that pay are the refugees. Yes, the combatants take the brunt physically and emotionally. But the families of the combatants, the displaced and the dispora have their lives significantly changed-- generally forever. To us this is clearly Putin's last seige. How long and where it ultimately goes will only be determined by how long he lives. I really find it distast