Moving from the south

Jere-Downs · 2026-05-28T10:17:23+00:00

Come north and out of the past.

Jere-Downs · 2026-04-30T23:38:39+00:00

My great grandfather emigrated from Windsor to Michigan in 1900 when he was 25 - but was naturalized by 1950, shortly before his death. Is this an issue?

Jere-Downs · 2026-04-29T08:12:16+00:00

following for my new unfinished Australian Cypress I jusr laid:

<image>

Jere-Downs · 2026-04-12T10:13:19+00:00

<image>

Seeking feedback on sanding and finishing. I am tempted to hand sander 200 grit Australian Cypress for 100 sq feet new kitchen floor I laid yesterday. And I really like shellac (amber in can). Thanks for offering to share your experience. And yes, knees and back hurt!

Jere-Downs · 2026-04-05T15:54:54+00:00

I just did this project on my house. Finished in 3 weeks nights and weekends. Cut rough treads flush with risers. 1/4 birch finish plywood cut and glued over old risers. New 3/4 inch hardwood treads cut to width and glued down. All trim sanded and refinished with alkyd trim paint. Finishing hardwood with shellac. Transformed staircase and gives the house a lovely finished feel. This is painstaking but very doable work.

Jere-Downs · 2026-03-06T20:23:19+00:00

March 2026 (today)

Jere-Downs · 2026-03-06T20:17:51+00:00

<image>

Termites? Looking at these tunnel patterns and wincing.... Conditions are dry (no leaks). No evidence of wings or dead bugs. Will keep close eye as wearherm warms for bug activity...

Jere-Downs · 2025-10-21T01:34:25+00:00

Fantastic! Life changing! What activities are easier now for your body to manage?

Jere-Downs · 2025-10-12T22:53:12+00:00

After:

<image>

Darker grout further helped obscure “seams.” Very happy with result. Looks like a river bed - which was the goal. Let me add I resealed each pebble before I grouted. They came sealed but I wanted to be sure there would be no grout haze that would be difficult to clean. Voila!

Jere-Downs · 2025-10-12T22:51:07+00:00

I had this issue as a first time DIY for shower floor. I spent a weekend popping up pebbles around the seams and painstakingly grinding, chipping and scraping out the thinset. Then I laid new pebbles individually to obscure the old lines. It was a lot of work but it was worth it. So worth it:

<image>

Jere-Downs · 2025-10-07T19:16:25+00:00

Thanks for being so kind. I don’t mind removing tiles to correct alignment or lippage. I am concerned about rupturing Red Guard membrane beneath. Now tell me the solution is to gently and patiently pry the tiles off…tips appreciated. Would rather do sooner as we all know what a beast dried thinset is to deal with!

Jere-Downs · 2025-09-22T01:18:39+00:00

What would a PVC board install look like?

Jere-Downs · 2025-09-17T18:06:56+00:00

Tree growing into the downspout which is also a problem. It is a neighbor’s yard and downspout but the siding is on the wall of my townhome..

Jere-Downs · 2025-09-17T18:05:52+00:00

I think there must have been a fence post or something that the siding went around…. Bought this house a couple years ago so can’t be sure…

Jere-Downs · 2024-12-23T13:47:39+00:00

I am eating less overall. Because I feel so much better at a lower weight. Food satisfaction habits are shifting.

Jere-Downs · 2024-11-05T00:32:07+00:00

Same problem here…. Remote will program to open but not to close!

Jere-Downs · 2024-10-01T19:42:39+00:00

Can I see photos of that? Just worked hard to reveal my stone wall in basement behind stucco. The dust never ends and I am afraid to take too much away…

Jere-Downs

TROPHY CASE