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I Got This – 1LinerWeds

Dan Antion
1 minute
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I’ve given you a lot to read this week, so I’ll keep this as brief as possible. I have to make an overdue but necessary repair to our driveway. The asphalt has sunk near the entrance to the garage, giving is a little speed bump (trench) right where we don’t need it. I researched two kinds of pavement patch compound.

I’ll start with the fact that both claim to be used by “highway departments nationwide.” That sets my expectations for a long lasting repair on the low side. That’s OK, I have plans for a more permanent repair, but I’ve run out of time for that. This stuff is essentially, gravel and asphalt. You pour it out, spread it around and tamp it into place.

They list three ways to tamp. 1) Rent a gas-powered plate compactor. 2) Tamp it by hand. 3) Drive over it multiple times. The patch is narrow, on an angle and close to structure I don’t want damaged, so number one is out. Similarly, I don’t fancy eventually running my car into the side of the garage, so scratch number three. Hand tamping it is. These are the instructions:

COMPACTION METHODS: Hand Tamp:

This is a quick and easy method with very low equipment costs. The effectiveness of the repair is dependent on the strength and motivation of the tamp person.

Cold Patch Instructions

Well, I’m pretty well motivated.

This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner, and would like to join in on the fun, you can follow this link to participate and to see the one-liners from the other participants.

Starting to see the trestle
Around the corner and up the hill
Cosmos is still going
Cosmos and tithonia both are hanging on
Looking through our red maple
Coming home after my morning walk
Small red maple and our aging dogwood
Mr. Blue Jay
“I’ll pose fr a picture, but see if you can find one of those shells with three peanuts inside.”
Looking into the park
I think it’s a bull, getting ready to charge
Looking up as I walk
Can you find the three crows?
Foggy start
This is what I’m trying to fix
I’ll be using this guy
The flag is just barely seeing the sunrise

78 responses to “I Got This – 1LinerWeds”

  1. Miriam Hurdle Avatar
    Miriam Hurdle

    You would do the repair by yourself with that kind of extensive job,? Wow, Dan. I’m impressed! Good luck.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It’s not that much area, Miriam, only a few inches along the front of the garage. I’m pretty careful about the size of home improvement job I will take on at this point.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. willowdot21 Avatar
    willowdot21

    Fabulous autumnal photos Dan they are glorious.
    I am so relieved to see you have a tramper on a pole I had visions of e on your knees using your hand!!!! Shows what a twit I am 😁🧐🧐🧐💜

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’ve seen people doing that. And, 25 years ago, I patched a long wide crack in the driveway with this stuff. The only thing I had that fit in the crack to tamp it was an old hammer. So, yep, that was me, stuffing the crack and hitting it with a hammer. The good news is, the crack is still patched. I’m glad you like the photos.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. willowdot21 Avatar
        willowdot21

        Lol I can see you now because I’ve seen hubby doing similar 💜💜😜

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          I feel like I’m in good company ;-)

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply
          1. willowdot21 Avatar
            willowdot21

            Lol you are 💜💜💜

            Liked by 2 people

            Reply
    2. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
      Liz Gauffreau

      I thought Dan would be using his hand as well!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. willowdot21 Avatar
        willowdot21

        Oh! Good I don’t feel so daft now 💜💜

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
        1. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
          Liz Gauffreau

          Nope. Add me to the Twit Club!

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply
  3. Ginger Salvatore Avatar
    Ginger Salvatore

    So in addition to being a woodworker extraordinaire, an exceptional DIY’er, you’re now a ‘tamp person’! There is no end to your talents Dan! At least the weather will be good for this project.

    I get a kick out of seeing the cosmos and tithonia refusing to give up. I really like the shot through your maple tree.

    Apparently the squirrels have taught Mr. Blue Jay how to position himself on the porch railing and beg for peanuts! Yessss! That leaf is definitely a bull. Haha!

    The trees in your area are looking mighty spiffy in all their fall colors. But why can’t the leaves remain on the trees throughout winter and then just turn green and lush again in the spring?

    Old Glory is patiently waiting for the sun to reach her and make her shine. Nice photo.

    Well, happy tamping Dan. And for Pete’s sake, don’t be tamping your foot! You do have a penchant for weird accidents! 😵‍💫 Ginger

    Sent from my iPad

    >

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I will do my best to avoid tamping my foot or injuring my shoulder, Ginger. I’m not looking for a perfect solution, but I am motivated. I think the instructions are basically saying, “If it doesn’t work, it’s your fault.”

      The blue jays know to follow the squirrels. They always have. 35 years ago, I built a squirrel feeder. We just dumped peanuts into it and they could take them as they wanted. We had top put little gates on that the squirrels could life but the blue jays couldn’t. The Jays would watch, and if a squirrel buried a peanut, they would swoop in and dig it up!

      The fall colors are very nice here, and I am sharing as many as I dare — this only lasts so long, and then we have those bleak gray sticks to look at.

      The cosmos and tithonia (not to mention Linus’ pumpkins) are just ignoring the calendar. “Hey, I feel like blooming!” More power to them.

      It looks like we have four warm days coming. I hope I can make good use of them. I hope you enjoy them as well.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Rivergirl Avatar
    Rivergirl

    Nice fall color. Good luck with the temporary patch. Tamping tar is not for the faint hearted…

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      No, it’s not, but this time, it’s necessary. I hope it goes according to plan – stop laughing!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Rivergirl Avatar
        Rivergirl

        As long as it’s not at our house, you’re fine.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          HA! You have a grand, new, flat and smooth surface. You won’t need this stuff for 25-30 years.

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply
          1. Rivergirl Avatar
            Rivergirl

            We’ll see.

            Liked by 2 people

            Reply
  5. Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread Avatar
    Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread

    If I lived closer, I’d bring my tamper and give it a hit. :-) I’ve used cold patch several times including this summer. Hope it works just as described. Isn’t it amazing that the leaves all falling along with the temps, and the plants are still blooming. Lovely photos.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      We even have one lilac that has four small blossoms, Judy. The honeysuckle is still in bloom, but I think that’s because it knows I’m ready to prune it back.

      I wish I wasn’t using the cold patch, but in this case, it’s my best option. I wanted to dig it out, install some surface drains and pour concrete around them, but that would require multiple days and I ran out of calendar. I’ve used this stuff before, and it has held up well, so I guess we’ll see.

      I hope you’re having a nice week and get to enjoy some (can we still call it Indian Summer?)

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  6. GP Avatar
    GP

    You can never go wrong with autumn in New England!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It’s my favorite season, GP.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  7. circadianreflections Avatar
    circadianreflections

    Fall is looking really beautiful there. Best of luck with the patch and tamping.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Deborah. It’s such a good time to live here. Bright color around every turn. I know winter is coming, but…

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. circadianreflections Avatar
        circadianreflections

        Yes, let’s enjoy fall before winter. 🍂🧡🍁

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  8. Frank Hubeny Avatar
    Frank Hubeny

    I like the honesty of the effectiveness of the tamp method. It depends on the “motivation” of the tamp person. Good point about it being used by highway departments: “That sets my expectations for a long lasting repair on the low side.”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Maybe those highway workers just aren’t motivated, Frank. I’m not sure I can do as good a job as they do. I just have me. Maybe I can get my wife to stand and watch while I tamp. I’m glad I could give you a chuckle.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  9. Kim Smyth Avatar
    Kim Smyth

    Beautiful fall leaves! Mrs Mehrling warned me about leaf season and how everything in her area is booked up til it’s over, but hopefully we will find a park to spend a couple of nights anyway.
    Yes, that shadow looks just like a bull, good call!
    If Dave gets released tomorrow we plan to hit the road again Monday…maybe we will be in time to see a few leaves changing anyway! We are heading to N. Carolina!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I hope he gets released and you guys can get on your way. Thanks for confirming the bull.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. dweezer19 Avatar
    dweezer19

    You are a true renaissance man, Dan. Good luck with the tamping. I love those Autumn leaves…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      This is one of those jobs that just takes work, Cheryl. I don’t think there’s any talent involved ;-)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. dweezer19 Avatar
        dweezer19

        I think I might have to start my car and roll over it back and forth a foot or two. My ‘tamping arm’ has retired. My kneading arm, writing hand, shovel arm and housework limbs are still going strong though! Lol

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Sooner or later, I’d hit something with the car. It’s mostly done. Patch is in and tamped. I spread sand on it to help it dry, and after a few days, I’ll spread some Trowel Patch over it for a finer surface and to help feather the edges.

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          1. Avatar
            Anonymous

            👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

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  11. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    I hope you are feeling strong, as tamping asphalt takes arm power and strength. Also, the reverberation of each pound is not fun. I made it through less than 6 tamps. 🙄

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’ll try not to end up like the cartoon characters. I actually have a much smaller tamping device that will work better on this small space. So, I’ll probably only need the big tamper to start. Thanks for the concern.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jennie Avatar
        Jennie

        Glad to help!

        Like

        Reply
  12. lois Avatar
    lois

    I had to laugh at the ‘used by highway departments nationwide.’ They forgot to add, ‘we keep filling the same darn potholes again and again.’ Low expectations is the way to go on that one!
    That cute little squirrel asking for a shell with three little peanuts inside–melt my heart!
    We have little bursts of color on the trees here, but nothing near like what you have. Beautiful, Dan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I had to laugh when I read that, Lois. I don’t know where their marketing people live, but it certainly isn’t anywhere I’ve ever lived – or driven.

      The little girl that comes to beg is so darn cute. Then she just sits at the end of the porch and eats. We just love her.

      Fall in on the move here. Mornings in the mid-30s and afternoons (for the next four days) on mid-70s, 80 on Saturday! Feels like Florida

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. John W. Howell Avatar
    John W. Howell

    The leaf shots are terrific, Dan. I think you are wise to hand tamp, given the proximity to the concrete pad. You have more control. Liked your bull getting ready to charge.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks John. I think it’s the way to go. It’s only about 18′ long and 5 or 6″ wide. About 2″ deep at the deepest part. At least this way, I can’t hurt anything but me.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. John W. Howell Avatar
        John W. Howell

        Operator risk.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  14. Tails Around the Ranch Avatar
    Tails Around the Ranch

    Happy tamping.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Haha – thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Author Jan Sikes Avatar
    Author Jan Sikes

    I know I’ve missed some of your recent posts, Dan. I’m going to try and catch up. :) You are right not to trust the advertisement “used by highway departments nationwide.” The condition of our roads everywhere indicates they might need to try something else. Good look with your repair job!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Jan. I’m not sure that’s a good advertising slogan, but I’m not in charge of their marketing.

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      Reply
  16. Gwen M. Plano Avatar
    Gwen M. Plano

    I am always amazed by your projects, Dan. I suspect you can fix anything. And in addition, you are an amazing writer and photographer. Bravo on all fronts! 🎉🎊🎉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Gwen. Oddly enough, it’s job like this that feel good when completed. You can look back and say. “I did that.” Some days, writing is more like, “What did I accomplish???”

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    The money you can save when you are a handyman. I so miss my handyman… sigh.
    Nice assortment of photos.

    Like

    Reply
  18. John Holton Avatar
    John Holton

    I vote that “That sets my expectations for a long lasting repair on the low side” be you one-liner this week….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks John. I think you might have a good idea. People are reacting to that better than I expcted.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Darlene Avatar
    Darlene

    Good luck with the repair job. I’m sure you will do a good job. Just watch out for that wrist injury.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      The hard work is done. I completed it about 1:00, no injuries. I did baby that wrist a bit during the process. Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    2. Darlene Avatar
      Darlene

      Good to hear!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Fuzzy Panda Barista Avatar
    Fuzzy Panda Barista

    Good luck with the tamping! I love the photo of the cosmos. I thought it was only a South African flower.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      We weren’t familiar with them. Our daughter gave my wife a few packets of seeds, and these lovelies spring up. We love them.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. quiall Avatar
    quiall

    In my twisted imagination there is a Society of Instruction Writers who get together and discuss just how inane they can make their instructions. Oh, and your leaf bull? … First thing I thought of was praying mantis. I love the shadows!

    Like

    Reply
  22. Dan Antion Avatar
    Dan Antion

    Hmmm, I’ll have to take another look. I have so much fun with those shadows.

    I do wonder about the people who write instructions. I tried to stay motivated. I only have so much strength, but I think it was enough.

    Like

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  23. memadtwo Avatar
    memadtwo

    If only motivation would always lead to success! (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It was helpful on this task, but you’re right.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. memadtwo Avatar
        memadtwo

        It’s always helpful, no matter the result.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  24. Linda Schaub Avatar
    Linda Schaub

    The squirrels and birds love those three-peanut shells. They always look ecstatic to find them. :)

    Like

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  25. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    Best of luck with your project, Dan. I’m curious how it all turns out. Seems like a future blog post in the making.

    Like

    Reply
  26. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Thanks for all the beautiful autumn colors and scenes, Dan?

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    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      My pleasure!

      Like

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  27. Oddment Avatar
    Oddment

    These are wonderful photos, and again a tribute to the beauty around us. I especially love the “coming home” photo with that autumn grey sky and the bright trees — and home. Very nice. Another close call for the keyboard, though, and twice. The first, about the low expectations, was the more dangerous. I don’t know why you wouldn’t fancy running your car into the side of the garage. (That was the second.) Sometimes it’s the wording, and sometimes it’s the image created. In this case, both. Hand-tamping? I can but wish you luck — and liniment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks for the good wishes, Maureen. I completed the tamping yesterday. No damage (to tamper, garage or cars). I’m going overboard with fall photos, while I can get them. On a sunny day, there’s so much beauty around.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. Teagan Riordain Geneviene Avatar
    Teagan Riordain Geneviene

    Dan, you’re giving retirement a bad name — working so hard all the time. You’re talented with that kind of thing. The gallery is breathtaking. No pretty colors here yet — maybe not at all with that horrid stretch of 100+ degree temps and drought. The big pecan trees in the neighborhood look like the leaves are just turning brown. My mulberry tree isn’t doing much either. I’ll just enjoy your photos. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’ve been putting these jobs for a long time, Teagan. Between the rain and the heat this summer, it never seemed like a good time to deal with them. I’m almost done with the things that have to be finished before winter.

      Like

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  29. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
    Liz Gauffreau

    Mr. Blue Jay is looking rather pensive. My favorite photo out of today’s group is the tree with the three crows. They placed themselves so symmetrically!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      There were crows all over the place that morning. I’m not sure what draws them here, but every now and then, we are swarmed.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
        Liz Gauffreau

        We had a swarm earlier in the week. Pretty scary, actually!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Suddenly, you realize how big a crow really is !

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
            Liz Gauffreau

            Yes!

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  30. JoAnna Avatar
    JoAnna

    As soon as I read the three choices, I thought hand tamping would be my way, especially with a nifty tool. I love the blue jay, the squirrel, and the coming home scene.

    Like

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  31. Ally Bean Avatar
    Ally Bean

    I’m laughing at this. Hoping that you discover your hidden talent is hand tamping.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I don’t know about a hidden talent, but the job went well.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. marianallen Avatar
    marianallen

    I can come walk on it for you. When I step on something, it stays stepped on.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Haha – I think we have this under control, but I’ll let you know.

      Like

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