Jer*ry's photostream  

Some of those dictators around the world, that is, the few who are still hanging on, are so crass and arrogant. For instance, they decree that posters and statues of El Numero Uno be placed or displayed EVERYWHERE, and be there ALL THE TIME. How ludicrous.
If I were in such a position, that would not be the case. Not at all. Well, maybe just a few posters would be OK, here and there. And only on my birthday. (Incidentally, it's a ways down the road, so there's still time.)

Just outside the kitchen window. Alas though -- no doubt they're somewhat the worse for wear and tear after today's blustery, rainy conditions.
At their peak, these lovelies would certainly merit a place in Bosch's "Garden of Earthly Delights." IMHO of course, Mr. Bosch.

Barry the blacksmith, taking a break from metal crafting. He finds time for pottery work, now and then.

But, interesting beyond its contents. Evidently the box itself is noteworthy as well, probably collectible ...
www.goodfruit.com/Good-Fruit-Grower/April-1st-2007/Last-B...
Who knows, maybe even VALUABLE! SOUGHT AFTER! PRIZED BY COLLECTORS!!
Where's the next Antiques Roadshow going to be?

Last year they did the next street over. Now it's our turn. The old clay pipe sewer line is being replaced in preparation for repaving the street. I wouldn't have been aware of the project, but when these guys went into action with their equipment, the noise was not easy to ignore. The sound was almost on par with a pile driver, but faster -- about 120 whammos a minute. After some brief observation, the process was pretty clear. But I did query one of the workers (probably the honcho -- his overalls were nice and clean) about how it worked. The new sewer pipe above -- a one-block long piece of 8" PVC -- is pushed or pulled into position below the street. No digging is involved, other than an access hole for insertion. They attached a cone shaped hammer device at the head end of the pipe. A compressed air line extends from the back end of the pipe all the way through it to the head end, where it's attached to the hammer. When high pressure air (from the blue compressor) is applied, the cone drives forward maybe a half-inch at a time, fracturing the clay pipe and pulling the PVC replacement into the space previously occupied by the old sewer line. Brute force gets the job done again.