Home and garden projects
Jan 21st 2020, 7:08 pm
#1546
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: Home and garden projects
Have you ever watched a TV mounted high on the wall, or always kept your TV on a low stand or table, because that's what your used to? 
Unless you sit on a dining chair to watch TV, the most anatomically comfortably place for a TV to be placed is high on the wall, then you can lean back in a comfy chair or recliner, and watch TV without tipping your head forward, which puts stress on your neck. Even back in the UK I had mounted my 20" CRT TV high in the wall, on a swing-out bracket, which created extra room in my small terraced house, but I immediately discovered the joys of relaxing to watch TV without putting stress on my neck. I was inspired to do so after reading comments from an orthopedic surgeon who had written about TV-watching creating neck problems.
I have seen those brackets that allow the TV to be lowered, and I wondered who dreamed them up. Presumably not someone used to the comfort of relaxing, properly relaxing and watching a high-mounted TV.
Unless you sit on a dining chair to watch TV, the most anatomically comfortably place for a TV to be placed is high on the wall, then you can lean back in a comfy chair or recliner, and watch TV without tipping your head forward, which puts stress on your neck. Even back in the UK I had mounted my 20" CRT TV high in the wall, on a swing-out bracket, which created extra room in my small terraced house, but I immediately discovered the joys of relaxing to watch TV without putting stress on my neck. I was inspired to do so after reading comments from an orthopedic surgeon who had written about TV-watching creating neck problems.
I have seen those brackets that allow the TV to be lowered, and I wondered who dreamed them up. Presumably not someone used to the comfort of relaxing, properly relaxing and watching a high-mounted TV.
Jan 21st 2020, 7:12 pm
#1547
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Home and garden projects
I've had serious back problems in the past, and part of the remedy was proper seating and proper computer monitor placement. At that time, the golden rule was to make sure the monitor was at eye level. As part of my ongoing 'maintenance' of my back, I avoid 'slouching' on a sofa at all costs; doing so even for 1 hour is enough to trigger memories of past problems. So while I do sit in 'comfy chairs', I don't 'slouch'. When sitting comfortably and watching TV currently, I look up to where the TV 'would be' if I wall-mounted it (above the fireplace) and my neck feels strained immediately. I've always viewed such mounts as a triumph of form over substance. But ... like I said ... layout concerns may dictate such an abomination, in which case a 'lowering' mount may help.
Jan 21st 2020, 7:37 pm
#1548
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: CT
Posts: 33,495
Re: Home and garden projects
Jan 21st 2020, 7:49 pm
#1549
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Jan 21st 2020, 8:17 pm
#1550
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: Home and garden projects
https://scandinaviandesigns.com/coll...wer-recliner-1
or this
https://scandinaviandesigns.com/coll...power-recliner
I can't stand the visual appearance of 'basic' recliners, but these guys are different enough to be tolerable. Sadly, they are not cheap! But anyway - I may spring for one of them. Sitting in the showroom, I find that I can get really comfortable while also reclining. Whether I'll still feel OK after 3 hours is another question. I wish I could rent one for a month or two!
Jan 30th 2020, 2:29 pm
#1551
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Home and garden projects
So the dishwasher stopped heating water, which meant it didn't run properly, and no sooner than I had ordered a new thermostat than the fridge stopped making ice and producing chilled water! 
So now I need to order a replacement water valve module.
So now I need to order a replacement water valve module.
Mar 25th 2020, 11:40 pm
#1552
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Home and garden projects
Lawn update. If you recall I had weeds everywhere but now my lawn is lush and green.
Whoever said cut it short was wrong. Florida lawn weeds grow way too fast and very quickly overcome short grass.
Weed killer worked temporarily. The weeds on top died but within 2-3 weeks the weeds underneath start to come through. This was the Tenacity weed killer so it's pretty good stuff.
In the end the winning combination was cut it long (about 4 inches) and regularly, water enough and on schedule, add a layer of top soil with organic matter, and hand pull weeds before they become a problem (although the long grass tends to keep them at bay). I had to re-seed some large empty patches from where I'd pulled a ton of weeds out too.
Exciting stuff.
Whoever said cut it short was wrong. Florida lawn weeds grow way too fast and very quickly overcome short grass.
Weed killer worked temporarily. The weeds on top died but within 2-3 weeks the weeds underneath start to come through. This was the Tenacity weed killer so it's pretty good stuff.
In the end the winning combination was cut it long (about 4 inches) and regularly, water enough and on schedule, add a layer of top soil with organic matter, and hand pull weeds before they become a problem (although the long grass tends to keep them at bay). I had to re-seed some large empty patches from where I'd pulled a ton of weeds out too.
Exciting stuff.
Mar 25th 2020, 11:42 pm
#1553
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Home and garden projects
Mar 30th 2020, 3:27 pm
#1554
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Home and garden projects
So, for a very obvious reason, I am going to have time during the next few months to get cracking on a number of often postponed and long-stalled projects, but before I get to any of those, this week I am planning to put down some weed n' feed on the grass weeds, and burn the pile of branches on the vegetable patch to make way for tomatoes and cucumbers, and maybe a few other things, depending on what seeds we have - maybe some melons.
I also need to sharpened my chainsaw blade which is now so blunt as to be pretty much useless, and I have several fallen trees to remove.
I also need to sharpened my chainsaw blade which is now so blunt as to be pretty much useless, and I have several fallen trees to remove.
Mar 31st 2020, 2:24 am
#1555
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: PNW
Posts: 214
Re: Home and garden projects
Normal Weekend: Take son to soccer, take daughter to soccer.
Last Weekend: Replace pump for waterfall, replace fridge filter, remove weeds from vegetable plot, de-calc coffee maker
This Weekend: Plant seeds, replace power sockets in daughter's room, seed lawn.
Next Weekend: Upgrade light switches, and whatever else the horde breaks.
How life has changed.
Last Weekend: Replace pump for waterfall, replace fridge filter, remove weeds from vegetable plot, de-calc coffee maker
This Weekend: Plant seeds, replace power sockets in daughter's room, seed lawn.
Next Weekend: Upgrade light switches, and whatever else the horde breaks.
How life has changed.
Mar 31st 2020, 12:53 pm
#1556
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: CT
Posts: 33,495
Re: Home and garden projects
Normal Weekend: Take son to soccer, take daughter to soccer.
Last Weekend: Replace pump for waterfall, replace fridge filter, remove weeds from vegetable plot, de-calc coffee maker
This Weekend: Plant seeds, replace power sockets in daughter's room, seed lawn.
Next Weekend: Upgrade light switches, and whatever else the horde breaks.
How life has changed.
Last Weekend: Replace pump for waterfall, replace fridge filter, remove weeds from vegetable plot, de-calc coffee maker
This Weekend: Plant seeds, replace power sockets in daughter's room, seed lawn.
Next Weekend: Upgrade light switches, and whatever else the horde breaks.
How life has changed.
Mar 31st 2020, 6:40 pm
#1558
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: Home and garden projects
Mar 31st 2020, 6:59 pm
#1559
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: Home and garden projects
Mar 31st 2020, 8:29 pm
#1560
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Home and garden projects
If we owned the unit we lived in, I think I would paint it, needs a nice new coat of paint and maybe a different color, this off white isn't my cup of tea. But we rent, and I am certainly not going to put money into improving a rental.