The Powertool Shed

If you’re a birder, you want to keep a list of sightings when you bird watch. Your life lists should be kept in a bird watching journal.

Life List

A life list is a record of the species of birds you’ve sighted over time. Typically, the list is kept in a journal. Each entry notes the bird species, the date, location and any notes you want to add. Depending on your particular bird watching exploits, you can keep one global list or separate lists as you see fit.

For many bird watchers, one life list simply isn’t enough. So, how can you break down your lists? Here are a few ideas:

1. House Lists - A list of birds sighted around your home.

2. Yearly Lists - A list for each year you bird watch.

3. State Lists - A list for sighting by particular state.

4. Trip Lists - Journals for particular bird watching vacations or tours.

5. Wish Lists - A list of birds you haven’t seen, but hope to. You simply cross them off as sightings occur.

Computer Life Lists

You can purchase computer life list programs or use online variations. Each program is different, but most come in a checklist format. You enter information and the program spits out your list.

The problem with using computer programs is…well, the computer aspect. Unless you are willing to lug a laptop around with you, there is going to be a delay between sightings and your journal entries. Using a computer program is also troublesome if you want to keep a collection of sketches of particular species you’ve identified. For most birders, a computer list is a supplement to a good journal, not a replacement.

Bird watching is an extremely personal passion. If you’re just starting, you may think you don’t need to keep a life list. The problem with this approach, of course, is you will regret the decision if you later decide to do so. All those sightings will be gone with time…

If you’re going to start bird watching, make sure you keep a life list journal from the outset. As I like to say, “Preserve the experience!”

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. Bird watching journals are great bird watching gifts for bird watching tours and vacations. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more bird watching articles.

Winter is a spectacular time of the year. From dog sledding to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to snowmobiling, or just camping out in the woods, it’s a time when you can experience the hushed, serene world of white. However before planning any trip or sporting activity in the winter you must be prepared to face the dangers of this glacial weather. Winter activities can be dangerous and this is further compounded by the weather that they are performed in. If you aren’t prepared for the hazards with the right kind of winter gear, you could be at risk from frostbite and hypothermia, the most common threats to your health from winter activities.

So, it becomes imperative for an outdoor winter adventurer to know the finer points of winter gear. For instance, winter shoes. Backpackers, fishers, or campers exposed to ice, snow, and water can enjoy their sport without fear of frozen toes if kitted properly with the right foot gear for the winter. The foot gear you choose will naturally depend on the activity that you are involved in as well as the temperature that you expect to be in. It also depends on the kind of environment that you will be facing, e.g. will it be wet, snowy or icy? For instance, different types of shoes are recommended for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

For the former you will need a boot that provides support to the ankle. You may also need a ski over boot to give to the added insulation over the ski boot. For snowshoeing or hiking in the snow, regular backpacking boots are just not good enough. They are simply unable to provide the requisite dead air apace. There are several options for boots. Among them are:

Insulated Boots - Commonly called ‘Mickey Mouse’ or ‘M&M’s boots, these were originally designed for use in the Korean War. They are designed to provide an impenetrable shield against water and extreme cold. A wool-lined interior and several layers of rubber serve as insulation. Their most distinguishable features are their giant size and pure white color. The boots are able to prevent frostbite even at -20 or -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 to -34 Celsius); a thin layer of air trapped between two layers of rubber acts as a powerful insulator. They’re now available in black, with pressure valves, special moisture-wicking liners, and ratings down to an amazing -60 degrees Fahrenheit (-51 Celsius). You can purchase them thorough Army Surplus Stores, which is preferred over the modern copies.

Mountaineering Boots - Plastic shell mountaineering boots have a woolen or a foam insulated inner boot. These are very warm and can be easily used with ski bindings, crampons and showshoes.

Mukluks - Mukluks are a type of footwear< /a> originally made by the Athabaskans and Eskimos to keep their feet warm and dry in the winter. These are one piece moccasins which come up to the knee and are lined with felt and wool. How ever, since they are not waterproof they are best used in dry, cold winter settings. They can easily be used with snowshoe bindings and on cross country skis with special bindings, as well as with hinged crampons.

With the legal society growing all over the globe, possessing public liability insurance is becoming ever more and more critical. If you don’t at present have liability insurance built-in into your building cover, then now is possibly the exact time to look into purchasing suitable cover. Here is some recommendations about why you need cover, & what to pay attention to.

What is professional indemnity cover: Professional Indemnity cover is an insurance agreement that shields you from claims that 3rd party’s could possibly make against you in the chance of an accident. If somebody damages their property or harms themselves in or around your property or company then the professional indemnity insurance will cover you for any charges that could arise. Cover typically ranges from ?250,000 up to ?1 million. Find cheap deals on professional indemnity insurance from Insured Risks.

What are you insured for: Insurance will insure protect for accidents or loss that other individuals could endure in or around your residence or business premises. You are covered from claims from thief’s and injury that may perhaps arise to anyone from falling objects or workers carrying out repairs. If a disaster occurs on your property & somebody claims against you, your insurance contract will help out to pay any expenses.

What’s included Countless contents or property insurance covers enclose integrated liability insurance. You ought to check with your insurer if this is the case, and if so what amount of protection you get. Even if the insurance is incorporated, you need to make sure that you are correctly protected for any sort of accidents that might arise.

Payment: The premiums that you pay depend on the specific kind of coverage you buy. If you only insure your home, then the costs are very likely to be a smaller amount than if you are protecting a business. Although, premiums are pretty cheap for the extent of protection that you receive and it is as a result fundamental for anybody running an organisation.

Planting Sycamore Trees Sycamore Trees. Whenever I think of Sycamore Trees, I remember hunting when I was a kid and standing near trees that were giants. Now every sycamore tree I plant, I can invision those days in the deep woods and those grand trees and hope someone else will have that same enjoyment. These trees will help you too in establish a desired vision to your landscape.

Beyond their size, Sycamore Trees also fill important ecological niches. They grow across broad ranges of forest and urban conditions, finding much of North America to their liking.

Sycamore Trees need protection from deer, disease, insects, and competing weeds and shrubs. The better your weed control the better your trees will grow. When seedlings are planted, it best to plant them with large spacings to allow more light to the plant. If these trees are planted in shade, they tend to be more open. Sycamore Trees are used around new construction because they perform in a wide range of soil conditions. Threse trees can take wetter soils than most trees and are many time found in native areas near creek or river banks.If you have compacted soil from new construction, we suggest smaller trees of 3-5′ height.

All people handling seedlings and small trees need to help with the life support of your plants. Seedlings are like fish out of water and need care which is often overlooked between the time the seedlings are lifted and transplanted. Improper care means higher mortality. Do not try and reinvent the wheel. You must protect seedling from moisture and temperature extremes, as well as physical damage. Seedlings are living and should be handled carefully. For a higher survival rate, treat trees carefully and plant them immediately. I like to have a backup plan for planting if the weather turns bad. I will sometimes switch from lining out the seedlings to potting them up if I realize that the soil conditions will not be right for an extended lenght of time. If planting must be delayed a few days, keep the plants in a cold, protected place with air circulation between the trees. Keep the trees out of the rain and wind. To check if the trees need water, feel the media at the roots.. If it isn’t damp, water the trees and allow the excess water to drain. In cool, damp weather, the biggest threat to these trees is from mold. Try to keep out of soil seedlings moist by either restricting water loss with a water vapor barrier or by wetting the roots at regular intervals. While handling or planting try to reduce temperature and air movement around the seedlings. Windy days can dry out seedlings so consider waiting for calmer weather. Once your soil conditions are correct OUR FREE USE PLANTERS will make planting a snap so its will be worth waiting for good planting conditions.

HOW TO PLANT

Ideal planting days are cool and cloudy with little or no wind. If possible, avoid planting on warm, windy days. The soil should be moist not wet. Care in planting is more important than speed. Make sure the roots are never allowed to become dry. Bare root seedlings should be carried in a waterproof bag or bucket with plenty of moist material packed around the roots to keep them damp. Ideally, bare root boxes should be kept refrigerated or packed in ice or snow. Don’t freeze the trees. Competition from weeds, grass, brush or other trees is very detrimental to survival and growth of seedlings. Choose areas free from this competition or clear at least a three-foot square bare spot before planting. Seedlings should not be planted under the crown of existing trees, or closer than 6 feet to existing brush. Avoid areas near walnut trees. Brush aside loose organic material such as leaves, grass, etc., from the planting spot to expose mineral soil. If organic matter gets into the planting hole, it can decompose and leave air spaces. Roots will dry out when they grow into these spaces. Open up the hole, making sure the hole is deep enough for the roots to be fully extended. If roots are curled or bunched up, the tree will not be able to take up water correctly, will often weaken and die, or may blow down later due to poor root structure. Take a tree out of your planting bag or bucket only after a hole is ready. When exposed, the fine roots can dry out in as little as 30 seconds. Seedling shoots and roots lose water to air, roots require more protecting.Unlike leaves ,they do not have stomata (closeable openings on the surface of the leaves) or any waxy coatings to help reduce water loss. If the roots apear dry they are probably dead. Now I know you are thinking,”I will place them in a buckect of water and store them there until planting”. This will not work. Submerge plants for no longer that a couple of minutes. Placing them in water cuts them off from oxygen. Remember to remove the container before planting a containerized tree. A helpful hint to all those new gardeners just starting is to remember to always plant green side up. Hold the seedling in place in the hole, making sure the roots are straight, fully extended and that the tree is neither too shallow or too deep in the hole. Fill hole, allowing soil to fall in around the roots. Tamp with hands or with your heel. Don’t crush the roots by jumping up and down around the seedling like there is a snake curled up around the seedling. It is delicate. Fill with more soil, if necessary, and tamp. Tamping is important. If soil is not firmly packed around the roots, there will be air pockets that can dry out the roots, and the seedlings may be weakly anchored. It is far easier to plant the tree strait up then have the tree leaning and have to adjust the tree later. (Addition of fertilizer and plant vitamins at the time of planting is not generally necessary.) Take your time in planting. Proper spacing will help you grow a more valuable crop. I have tried to get more production from a limited area by over planting and then thinning, but I always have had trouble in harvesting …. digging is slower and poor quality usually results for a portion of the crop. Avoid these tree planting errors:

Tangled roots Planting too shallow Planting too deep Air pockets Turned up roots (this is called J rooting) Planting trees that are not tolerant of wet soils in poorly drained areas Planting over rocks, septic tanks and leach fields, on sand mounds

CARE OF TREES FOLLOWING PLANTING Check periodically to be sure that brush, grass and other vegetation is kept under control by mowing, mulching, spraying or a combination of these treatments. Always obtain advice from a licensed pest control advisor before using chemicals. You ag extension agency may offer courses in application of chemicals. Monitoring the appearance of your trees will help you to detect signs of insects, diseases or other problems. Apperances also help sell your product. Look for foliage turning yellow, new foliage drooping or other signs of poor health. It is easier to take successful corrective action if the problem is detected early.

Over watering is a common problem in irrigated plantations. You probably won’t need to water more frequently than every 7-10 days. Give your trees a thorough, deep soak and then let the soil dry out before the next watering. This encourages the roots to grow down in search of water. Frequent, shallow watering encourages root growth near the surface and the trees are more dependent on irrigation and are less windfirm. Animals can be a major cause of damage to young trees. Porcupines, gophers, mice, rabbits, deer and cattle are the most frequent source of damage. In many states you may have to call your game commission and get their recomendations on legal methods to protect your crop. In our state, you can get help from the Pa. Game Commission to kill deer that are a threat to your seedlings or obtain a free fence to keep deer away from your seedlings. Over the years we have lost more trees to mice than any other animal. Put rat baits out on a regular basis. Over the years we have lost more seedlings and plants to mice than any other culprit including deer and rabbitts combined. You an see more articles about the care of trees plants and nursery stock at our web site http://www.seedlingsrus.com other links are:

http://seedlingsrus.com/DeerDamageControl

http://seedlingsrus.com/Soils

http://seedlingsrus.com/PlantingTips.html

http://www.zone5trees.com/GrowingGrasses.html

Making clothes? If you enjoy backpacking AND sewing, go for it. As for myself, I started buying gear again after the first hundred tedious hours of sewing . Then I discovered that there are some backpacking clothes you can make cheaply and quickly.

Making Hand Warmers

Stick your hands inside a pair of socks and mark where your fingertips and thumb-tip are, using a pen or marker. Then cut holes where the marks are. You now have hand warmers that leave your fingers free. Mine weigh about an ounce, but this depends on the socks that you use. You can use these under other gloves or mittens in colder weather, and when you remove your mittens to tie your shoes, you won’t totally expose your hands.

Instant Insulated Vest

Buy 1/2″ poly batting at any fabric store. I bought mine at Walmart. This is the stuff that is used to make pillows, stuffed animals and quilts. It comes as a big sheet, rolled up in a bag, usually for less than ten dollars.

Open it up it and cut a piece out, roughly two by four feet. Cut a hole in this for your head, and wear it like a tunic, but under your jacket. Making clothes doesn’t get any easier than this, and the vest will be among the lightest backpacking clothes you own. My own weighs just four ounces.

My vest, along with my homemade balaclava, kept me warm as I went over glaciers, to the top of 20,600-foot Chimborazo, in Ecuador. It also went to the top of Mount Shasta in California, and on other trips. Originally, I made it as a disposable vest, but it’s held together for years now. Wear two for extra warmth (always under a wind-breaking layer) and you’ll have more insulation than a sweater would give you, for half the weight.

Making A Ski Mask From Old Clothes

Use any old thermal underwear top or bottom, preferably made of polypropylene. Just cut off a leg or a sleeve, then pull it over your head. Mark where your eyes and mouth are with a pen or marker, cut the holes and cut off the extra length. You just made a balaclava.

I used a sleeve from a very stretchy polypropylene top for mine. It weighs less than an ounce, lighter than anything I can buy. You can sew the top shut, as I did, or just pin it shut with a safety pin. Making backpacking clothes doesn’t get much simpler than this.

I collect ideas for backpacking clothes or equipment that can be made at home, but if it can’t be explained in a paragraph, it’s probably too complex and time consuming for me. I prefer backpacking to sewing. When it’s as easy as the three items here, though, even I will start making clothes.

Steve Gillman is a long-time advocate of lightweight backpacking. His tips, photos, gear recommendations and a free book can be found at www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com

There are some important factors that have to be taken into consideration before buying any type of tents, such as the number of people who will be using it, how and where it will be used and the price. This applies to all tent styles including dome tents.

The dome tent has become one of the most popular tent styles today, which is available in a wide range of designs, shapes and sizes. Some of them may be regular dome shaped while others can be made up of several domes, but all dome tents use a geometrical design in their poles to hold the tent up, and rather than the firmness of the frame itself, the sturdiness of a dome tent depends on the structural integrity of the fabric, poles, ropes, and pegs combined.

In dome tents, poles, which are generally made of flexible materials such as carbon fiber, overlap each other to form an equal or almost equal geometric shape. This greatly determines the shape of the floor and the tent itself. For example, a dome tent with three poles would have a hexagonal shaped floor while a dome tent with four poles would have an octagonal shaped floor. Hence, this design method enables the dome tent to be a strong self-supporting structure which is aerodynamic and stable. So, no stakes or lines are required under normal circumstances.

Before buying a dome tent or any type of tents, keep in mind what time of year you are going to need it, how easy is it to set up, how well would it protect you from bad weather, and if size and weight is relative to the outdoor activity.

Main advantages of dome tents include:

1. Since they have a large number of corners, they can resist wind and all types of precipitation effectively. So they are really great for backpackers and canoeists.

2. Corners which cannot be used for sleeping can conveniently provide extra storage for gears.

3. Dome tents are generally much lighter in weight than the equivalent size frame tent.

4. They give greater amount of head room than conventional ridge tents.

5. They can be easily installed or set up, and dismantled.

The fabric used for the body of the dome tent is usually nylon, and the average weight is approximately two and one-half to seven and one-half pounds. The Rain Fly is usually UV-resistant and can be used as a tarp or its own tent when basic, ultra-light shelter is desired. Dome tents can cost from $70 to $600, and may also come with porch extensions, and in larger sizes that can accommodate up to ten people.

Dome tents can be classified under 3-season type of tents - those that work well for all but the harshest cold weather condition. However, dome tents also do have a few disadvantages:

1. The geometric design can limit ventilation.

2. There tends to be less usable space inside the tent.

3. Moisture tends to gather at the top of the dome.

These shortcomings may create some problems when using a dome tent but it is still the number one choice for most backpackers, mountaineers, campers, and hikers etc.

Tents HQ tentshq.com/ offers articles and tips about different tents and camping.

A newcomer to the world of investments in the notion of “Virtual Real Estate Investing“. There are many variations on what this term means, encompassing everything from using the internet to aid in real estate investing efforts to participating in online games such as SecondLife.

To separate fact from fiction, I asked Bryan Ellis for comments. He’s the man many consider to be the father of this new form of investing.

When I began using the term virtual real estate investing in the late 1990s, I did so because I saw clear parallels between the strategies used for profiting from physical real estate and those that would create income in the online world, said Ellis.

An example of the similar nature of “virtual” and “physical” real estate Bryan Ellis likes to point out is the methods of making a profit from domain names compared to physical real estate. “There’s a huge difference between a website and a piece of real estate, but the ways you can profit from them are similar: ‘flipping’, rental/leasing, advertising sales, etc…all of these apply to both markets” he states.

I must admit: Its easy to see the parallels. Consider: A valuable piece of real estate is valuable largely due to the interest that other people have in that specific location. Similarly, ownership of a desirable domain name is valuable for the same reasons. In either case, you could sell or lease the asset and turn it into cash.

In our next installment of this series on virtual real estate investing, Bryan Ellis will share the internet analogies to the physical concept of real estate development.

Baby showers represent the joyous celebration of having a baby. Baby showers are the parties thrown for expectant mothers who are shortly expecting babies. They are generally non-relative in the sense they are usually given by friends or co-workers. Baby showers bring excitement along with loads of gifts for the baby as well as the mom-to-be as well as the people who throw the shower.

Baby showers need a lot of preparation. They should be planned as per the convenience of the expecting mom as well as the cultural and religious traditions of the family. Some cultures do not receive gifts until the baby is born. Some showers can also be planned after the birth of the baby as this enables the guests to have to look at the new born, though generally baby showers are thrown before the birth only. They are usually given 2-3 months before the delivery date.

The exact date and the time can be planned as per the mother’s requirements. The shower can be thrown in anyone’s house (could be the organizers’), at a restaurant, at a reception hall, at an outdoor area like a garden or a park, or in the office. The guest list can be prepared after consulting the parents-to-be and can have the “Guest of Honor”, who can be the grand-parents or God-parents. Baby shower parties can be based on a theme and they can also include interesting games like naming games and baby food games to make the party last for a couple hours. Baby shower favors are also given to all the guests who attend the shower. Baby shower gifts have to be very thoughtful and it is better to give items which would be useful for the mom or the baby.

Now a days, Co-ed baby showers, which include both the mom and the dad, are also very popular. Traditionally baby shower were held only for the first baby, but these days, baby showers are being held for succeeding babies as well. Baby showers for subsequent babies are known as sprinkles. They are generally useful if the second baby is not the same sex as the original child, or if there is a long time gap between the two babies, as the mother may not still have the original clothing and equipment. Baby showers can also be planned for adopted babies.

Baby Showers provides detailed information about baby showers, baby shower decorations, baby shower favors, and more. Baby Showers is affiliated with Personalized Baby Gifts.

When you are looking for a unique and creative baby shower centerpiece, consider either buying or assembling your own baby shower diaper cake. Not only will you have an unforgettable and beautiful centerpiece that will be the talk of the party, but you’ll also have a great practical gift that the mom-to-be will love. Baby shower cakes are simply non-edible cakes that are assembled from diapers and other small baby items such as toys, rattles, pacifiers, teething rings, bibs, booties, baby powder, etc. The cakes can be accessorized with colorful or personalized receiving blankets and beautiful ribbons as well. What new Mom couldn’t use a few more diapers to stock the nursery?

These days diaper cakes come in a veritable buffet of different sizes and themes. Baby Gifts & Gift Baskets offer cakes that range in size from petite cupcakes all the way up to an extra large 4-tier masterpiece. If you aren’t throwing the baby shower, be sure to coordinate with whoever is planning the party so that you can choose or make a cake that will match the rest of the décor perfectly. The most popular theme cakes for boys are the Little Prince, All-Star Sports and the Need Milk? designs. For girls, the Little Princess, Lady Bug and Ballerina diaper cakes are the best-sellers. You can also find cakes designed for twins as well as personalized cakes that feature receiving blankets embroidered with “Baby Smith” for example or the baby’s name if known. Cakes generally range in price from $20 to upwards of $175 depending on what size cake and what theme you choose. If you’d like to save some money, you can always visit Wikipedia.com for great instructions on how to construct your own diaper cake. Whatever route you decide to go, the Mom-to-be will surely love the diaper cake!

Don’t have time to make your own diaper cake for the next baby shower? We have a huge selection of Baby Diaper Cakes available online. With multiple size and personalization options, they are suitable for any budget. We have designs for baby girls or baby boys, including sports, ballerinas, teddy bears, Baby Einstein, Sesame Street (Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird), Precious Moments, and more. Visit Baby Gifts & Gift Baskets for your next Baby Shower Gift.

Safety first. That is the key rule when having a baby. Once they start crawling and walking, there are so many hazardous places that the little child can get into. Here are some helpful tips to focus on when baby proofing a house.

Babies are very curious and love to get into any place that they can. It is important to make sure cupboards are locked and unable for the child to get into. Not only are chemical containers with toxic materials a very important thing to be careful of, but there are many other everyday items that can provide serious injury to the child through choking or and suffocation. Such items could include small pieces of plastic, cloth, writing utensils, bags, and practically anything and everything.

Once the child becomes really active and starts climbing things, you will have to make sure higher places are not full of dangerous items too. Such places could be draws or racks with shop objects like in the kitchen, bookshelves and desks with heavy objects, and an assortment of places like this.

Electricity is another important thing to keep an eye on. You want to make sure the child can’t get to electric chords and sockets. It is also important to be aware of what buttons on certain devices a child may be able to reach. Some could be harmless like a TV, but a few devices might pose a serious risk to a child once turned on or put on certain settings.

Keep an eye on items that have strings and chords. Make sure they are not in reach of the child and make sure no toys have dangerous strings. They could be swallowed or get stuck in the throat, or even more dangerous of a possibility is getting wrapped around the child’s neck and strangling them.

Another key item is safety gates to prevent a child from accessing dangerous areas. These areas might be rooms that have too many hazards to the child and can’t be properly child proofed otherwise or stairways. Make sure they are installed correctly, firm, and don’t have large holes for the child to get stuck in.

Be careful of furniture placement. This is to prevent your child from getting stuck. Children are very curious. Don’t put it past your son or daughter to try to squeeze themselves between two pieces of furniture, or even stick their head into the gap to look for something. It doesn’t always have to be between two pieces of furniture. It can be between furniture and the wall, furniture and a radiator, furniture and any other large object.

Above all, it is important to keep an eye on the child. Even the best child proofed room can still hold many hazards that are just temporary. In other words, objects that are left behind by other people that can’t be child proofed but still dangerous to the young child. Children should be watched at all times. You can’t possibly know or remember every single way they can get hurt in each room. But keeping an eye on them not only assures that you will be there to prevent serious injury, but you will also be able to notice places that were overlooked and need childproofing.

Children are very curious and constantly on the go. They are a great responsibility but a joy to the world. Don’t overlook anything when it comes to child proofing a house. When it comes to a child’s safety, it is better to be too safe than sorry later on.

Jake Rose is an artist and an author from Massachusetts.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.BabyNameVote.Com which is a site for Baby Names.