Saturday, October 12, 2013

Cleaning Restricted Flow System - Very Easy!

Black gasket
restricting water flow
Our south cistern was not draining into the rain garden last week, so I had to figure out why.
The deal with the system is that during our rainy season (roughly September to May) we leave the restricted flow valve open so the cistern drains v-e-r-y slowly into the rain garden, time-shifting the runoff into the system. At other times we close the valve, accumulate the water, and use it on our gardens. (We had to use city water for our garden only for one month this year!)
I opened the valves and forgot about it, but after the rains last week checked the cistern levels. The north cistern was down to the level of the valve - good! - but the south cistern was full up to the overflow spill - bad!
The fix was easy. The most likely culprit was the restricted flow gadget, which is essentially a washer with a teeny-tiny hole in it, through which the cistern drains when the valve is open. Being lazy, I first looked at the clear plastic hose after the gasket and confirmed that water wasn't flowing - it was just standing. I then checked that water was getting to the valve by opening the drain spigot - water flowed freely. I then shut the valve (so the cistern wouldn't drain while I was cleaning things) and unscrewed the grey hose fittings. Everything came lose easily (buy quality! it counts) and the black gasket popped out. The tiny hole was clogged, probably with goo that grew from the pollen or cosmic dust or whatever that gets into the system over the course of a year - nothing really can be done about it. A flick of a finger and the hole was cleaned. I put everything back, opened the valve, and was rewarded with a gurgling sound as water started flowing. I could see a slight agitation of the little air bubble in the transparent hose, confirming all was well and the system was back on line.
Total service time was a minute or three, and this is the first time I've had to do this all year. Truly this system is great for a lazy man like me!

Monday, October 07, 2013

Why Did #Obamacare Cause A Pigeon To Do This To Little Danny? Oh Why???

WASHINGTON DC - It was a heartbreaking scene. Little Danny Smith, from the shady village of Arkham, New Hampshire, was visiting our nation's capitol when disaster struck.
"It was awful," said his mother. "Normally there are thousands of tourists thronging the Mall and public buildings. But today it was nearly empty."
Almost alone, and completely unprotected, Danny was struck by surprise by a Capitol pigeon. A pigeon who would have been frightened away by the crowds that would have been there, if it were not for Obamacare.
"I understand that Congress has to shut down the government to keep us from getting used to affordable insurance, purchased through websites that let us compare plans," sobbed Danny, "But why did Obama send a pigeon to poop on my head?"
"This is just another example of big government gone wild," said half-term governor and Fox News commentator Sarah Palin. "I'd say more but I've got to quit now."
Pundits across the spectrum from right-wing to insane right-wing took to the media to demand justice for poor little Danny, the latest victim of Obamacare!

Sunday, October 06, 2013

4freeCLE: Free CLE Webcasts & Events! October 6, 2013

4freeCLE: 
Free CLE Webcasts & Events!
October 6,  2013
In This Issue
Webcasts - October
Webcasts - November
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virgin Islands
Virgina
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Other States
Archive

Watching Webinar Feeding Duck
Learn And Earn Credit Anywhere!
Webcasts + Conference Calls - October

Get Answers!
Get A Quick Refresher Anywhere!
Webcasts - November
CLE State-by-State
 
Each of these programs can earn you credit, at no cost, in the state in which it is listed. 
In some cases, the programs require that attorneys attending apply for credit via reciprocity or other rules; check with the credit-granting authority in your state.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio 

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virgin Islands

Virginia

Washington 

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Other States
According the the ABA, the following states have no mandatory CLE requirement: 
  • Connecticut 
  • District of Columbia 
  • Maryland 
  • Massachusetts 
  • Michigan 
  • South Dakota.
Attorneys there may still find CLE programs substantively useful, but I have not focused on finding free resources for those states in the absence of a requirement.
 
 

Share This!
young-women-laptop.jpgYour colleagues and friends can use this directory of free Continuing Legal Education - for free!
Simply forward this email to them, or urge them to sign up for their own subscription today!
4freeCLE is and always will be free!