Riparian Repair - 07/28/07 01:35 PM
This is a quick look at an intergovernmental/private money project to restore the riparian area  along sections of the Nooksack River  just outside Bellingham, Washington.  This area, which is prime wetland habitat, had been poorly used for many years.  It is home to many species of duck, overwintering area for Trumpeter Swans and Snow Geese, and had badly trashed small streams.  The streams have been repaired, with current interrupting log jams, and many riparian trees have been planted.  A good sign is that the beavers have returned.
You can see the number of agencies involved in this project.
This is an overall view … (9 comments)

Commercial Fishing - 07/28/07 01:27 PM
Bellingham, Washington has a long and active history of commercial fishing.  In its heyday there were a number of very large Salmon Canneries around Bellingham Bay.  Today, with the decline of Salmon runs and the major control of fishing grounds to keep the worlds oceans from becoming a desert, local fishers have to have licenses and nets for many different species, and have to travel far afield to keep their way of life.  The following photos are acknowledging their commitment and honoring their profession.
This is the original fishermen's memorial at Zuanich Pt. Park.  The plaque on the left names those who … (13 comments)

Local Independents, A Free Press - 07/22/07 09:07 AM
I'm sitting here this early Sunday morning looking at a group of local independent newspapers.  These papers, in this era of only three corporate owners of news media, are the last bastion of a free press in this country.  These locals, all with a slightly different political bent than each other, really bring out the information that one needs to make informed local decisions.  They also are a great source for local arts and entertainment.  Here are the ones in my county.
Cascadia Weekly, published in Bellingham, Washington.  http://cascadiaweekly.com
Whatcom Independent, published in Bellingham, Washington.  http://whatcomindy.com
Fish Tales, the newsletter of the Nooksack Salmon … (0 comments)

Not Your Mother's Porridge - 07/22/07 07:51 AM
There has long been a raging argument over the best way to make oatmeal.  Stay with me now, I know that many people don't like oatmeal.  Try this way some time and maybe it'll change your mind.  I learned this way years ago and it is the only way I'll eat it.  In our busy lives, my wife and I always have breakfast together on weekends. Sunday is bacon and eggs, very basic with the bacon done on George Foreman and the eggs poached, both being a very low fat way to do it.  On Saturday, we usually start with oatmeal.  … (4 comments)

Water? What Water? - 07/20/07 03:42 PM
I hate to belabor a point, but here are a few more crawlspace photos.  Where does that water in the crawlspace come from?  These photos, not all from the same house, show a few ways water can get into the cspace.  Enjoy!

The above two photos show drain lines penetrating the foundation wall.  That part is normal.  What is not normal is the lack of, or inadequacy of the closing off of this penetration.
On this shot, there is a downspout.  Just imagine how much water pours into the foundation area from this arrangement.
The previous picture was responsible for the water entering at … (4 comments)

Crawlspace? No It's a Deck! - 07/19/07 12:11 PM
Not all WDO (wood destroying organism) damage is limited to crawl spaces.  The following pictures show a deck in need of replacement.  There are several reasons why this deck is in the shape it's in.  When it was built, the structural lumber was not pressure treated.  The joists are Douglas Fir 4X10, good solid construction, but the wrong product for the job.  The house is located in a wooded area, dropping needles constantly, which go through the gaps in the decking and rest on the joists, holding moisture.  The result was severe Anobiid beetle infestation and severe Wood Decay Fungus (rot).  … (16 comments)

Fire Hazard - 07/19/07 10:45 AM
I think a while back a colleague did  a post on chimney's and their problems.  I thought I'd show this one to illustrate why it is important to get chimneys inspected and cleaned annually.  Creosote buildup can burn your house down.  And it can happen fast.
This is a chimney fire just waiting to happen.  I'm surprised it hasn't happened already.  Fortunately, the buyers of this home had a home inspection and were advised to have a level two chimney inspection/and cleaning done.  If this were the winter, and the wood stove being used, it could have ended very poorly.
Thanks for looking.
David … (23 comments)

Coffee Boxes - 07/18/07 03:50 PM
Back when our youngest was going to College, to get summer money she worked at a drive through espresso stand.  She derogatorily called them  "coffee boxes" because little boxes is what they looked like.  Since that time, the drive throughs have gotten a little more creative in their design.  Here, without any editorializing about the design or the quality of the coffee (I prefer to go inside the places I buy my coffee.  I already spend way too much time in a vehicle.) are some photos of a few that I've come across over the course of a business week.
              … (19 comments)

The Bard - 07/17/07 02:54 PM
On Sunday we went with friends to Vancouver, BC to take in The Taming of the Shrew at the wonderful "Bard on the Beach Series.  This series has been going on for eighteen years and regularly sells out every performance.  There are two stages, the large (520 seat) Main Stage and the smaller (240 seat) Studio Stage.  Both stages are in tents.  The festival goes from June through September and is performed by a very professional, non-profit theatre company.  Last years attendance was over 80,000.  The company performs the Shakespeare plays in a variety of more modern settings.  Taming of the … (3 comments)

Nice House, Bad Bugs - 07/16/07 03:00 PM
When I arrived at this house to inspect it, a nice young couple buying their first house, I thought that this one would be easy.  70s rambler that appears to have been kept in nice condition.  New roof, new siding, sweet.  As I looked around I found a few things that made me suspicious.  Soil against the siding; crawl space vents at or below grade with inadequate wells.

 When I went into the crawl space this is what I found.  The outside conditions were a clue to this space.
Severe Anobiid damage to beam, note the rust on the hanger.  This beam is damaged … (12 comments)

Refreshments For Those Sweltering Days - 07/15/07 10:31 AM
I know that in many areas of this great country people are sweltering in high heat and high humidity.  These photos are for all my friends in the South, Midwest, Northeast, Texas, Arizona and any other hot hot places.  They were taken from my porch back in January.  ENJOY!
Notice the lounge chair on the left.  This is usually a very sunny spot, and gets used year round (except this day).
Are we cooled off yet?  OK back to reality.  Thanks for looking.
… (8 comments)

Summertime, and the Livin Ain't Easy - 07/15/07 09:24 AM

As the summer progresses, the garden work continues.  It gets harder as the days get hot, but fortunately in this wonderful maritime northwest climate, heat spells are very short.  The temp got up to 95 on Wednesday (near record high for Bellingham Washington) but is already back to the mid seventies (more normal Bellingham Washington summer temperature).  Every day the gardens change.  Here are a few shots from yesterday.

This is one of my favorite roses.  It is called Rosa Mutabilis.  The buds start out one color and gradually go through a series of color changes till the flower is spent.  This … (10 comments)

A Slimy Character - 07/15/07 08:52 AM
This is a photo of one of the most ubiquitous of indigenous Washington wildlife.  If you have ever gardened in an area where these critters hang out, you know how damaging they can be.  Fellers like this completely ate my first planting of beans this year.  Since I garden organically, my choices were few for controlling them.  I could put beer out for them (they drink themselves to death) but that gets really messy and wastes good beer.  I suppose they do die happy.  These guys are definitely not on the endangered species list.  I usually just pick them up and … (17 comments)

Another NW Garden - 07/15/07 08:41 AM
My wife and I spent yesterday evening with some friends.  The have completely remodeled their home and have some magnificent gardens.  Took a few shots of their garden and thought I would share them with you folks.  here they are.


I hope you enjoy this series of views of what to me is a classic cottage garden.  Thanks for looking.
David Helm
www.helmhomeinspections.com
… (4 comments)

More Good Food - 07/10/07 04:37 PM

 Had the afternoon off so I went out to pick some cherries.  I spent about a half hour and got what the first picture below shows.  Our trees are still loaded.  We dry them, freeze them and eat them fresh.  After taking those pics I thought I would show a few more things going on.


… (13 comments)

Food - 07/09/07 01:28 PM
As regular readers of my blogs know, much of what we eat (produce) we grow right here on our property.  Currently we are eating broccoli, cauliflauer, assorted lettuces, kale and assorted herbs.  The asparagus is finished.  We are eagerly anticipating beans, potatos and very soon, garlic.  We are also picking baskets of cherries and raspberries daily.  Onions, corn, tomatoes, shallots, squash, beets, carrots and peppers will be coming on later.  We are in the process of planting seed for some overwintering crops now also (broccoli and other cole crops, sweet onions and later we'll plant lettuces in the green house for … (5 comments)

Lillies - 07/09/07 01:18 PM
Aah!  Early July; midsummer (sounds Shakespearian).  The time when lillies begin to bloom.  I love this time of year also.  Here are a few shots of lillies currently in bloom in my garden, along with a couple of daylillies too.


And a couple of Day Lillies.

Incidently, for those of you who like to eat flowers.  Day lilly buds, sauteed with a little tamari are delicious.
… (3 comments)

Made in Spain - 07/09/07 12:08 PM
July third is my wife's birthday.  When asked what she wanted me to cook for her celebration, I expected her to say Salmon, or some other northwest style dish.  She surprised me by asking for Paella.  Now I am not new to cooking Paella, but it is definitely not fast food.  And, it is a fun dish to watch being put together.  Most recipes posted in this group are of dishes that are easy and fast.  Reasonably so as so many families are two income units with little time to really cook.  This recipe will be different.  Block out some time … (1 comments)

 
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David Helm, Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp

Bellingham, WA

More about me…

Helm Home Inspections

Address: 4186 Rural Avenue, Bellingham, Wa , 98226

Office Phone: (360) 739-5751

Cell Phone: (360) 739-5751

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My blogs offer a wide range of topics, from home inspection to cooking to woodworking to gardening to local area information and photos. I love talking about Bellingham, Washington and its surrounding area. Home inspection is my work; life is my passion.


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