The square shovel was no match for the packed snow/ice today but the 4-tine digging fork FTW 💯. Broke and lifted in huge chunks, plowed right through the solid sheet covering the sidewalks. #pdxTST
So I have a sump pump that keeps my (occupied) basement from flooding. In weather like this, it works overtime... as long as there's electricity.
In the 2021 ice storm, I was out every 2-3 hours for 4 1/2 days bailing with a bucket. I now have a 478Wh backup battery for it. What are the odds the battery lasts longer than my current power outage?? 😬
@enobacon 🤷 I dunno, but I seriously gotta calculate it at some point. I guess I'm testing in my production environment?😁 I'm just grateful it's working! I tried hooking it up to the inverter in my truck last time, but it didn't put out enough amps.
The crankarm thing does give me an idea though... Manually operated pumps are absolutely a thing and I don't know why I never thought of getting one before. It would be a way better backup than a dang bucket.
@enobacon hmmm... It'd have be a slow siphon somehow. Maybe a narrow diameter hose? Something to keep the flow continuous so I don't lose the siphon action.
@enobacon I like it! I'll definitely investigate and test something out this summer. The biggest hurdle is going to be finding a spot below the elevation of the sump pump but still on my property. Not a deal killler but could drastically simplify things during an event like this.
Of course, there's a sewer line not 4 feet away and definitely lower than the pump well... 😬
@enobacon That site won't load without enabling javascript 😁 so I'll pass.
Between orgs like this and the ones who's only active web presence is a private FB page and a barely monitored email address (coughcough looking at you Food Not Bombs coughcough), it's increasingly difficult to volunteer in this damn city.
Whatever, I'll just go down to the park with a trashbag and pull ivy or something.
@enobacon Already done! :) In retrospect I could have been a bit more... positive. But dang, it shouldn't be this complicated.
I've considered doing some guerilla maintenance in the past. There are some sections of trails by me that are in desperate need. But we all know how well the city reacts to folks trying to fix things on their own in this damn place.
@enobacon I was thinking about this the other day while I was out and about. Obviously it won't work on ice. But did you get a chance to test it out when the snow was still powder?
@enobacon Yeah, I was thinking along those lines. I was wondering what a little plow attachment might look like but I'm not sure it would work for 2 wheels?
I'm so glad Carmen Rubio is running for Mayor of #Portland for two reasons: 1) the alternatives are terrible and 2) most importantly, it's time for a woman to be in charge of this city. Men have had their chance for the past 16 years (no offense to my dudes out there) & I don't think we can say we're better for it. #mayor#carmenrubio
@greendesignek@enobacon I agree that she's less terrible than the other two. But I've generally been unimpressed with her on the council. Perhaps it's just the bias of the media covering for her, but I've never seen her speak out against the more draconian actions of her fellow councilmembers unless at least one other has already spoken out.
Look at this absolutely gorgeous vintage propane stove I got yesterday at an estate sale!! It was still in it's original box!! If this was ever used, it was only used once or twice.