| Date |
Improvements /
Upgrades or changes we've made to make SquirrelLand the megapolis it is today! |
|
12/26/2003 |
Following in last years
footsteps, I revisited WalMart on the day after Christmas and found the
porcelein houses again on sale for 50% off. I bought 4 of them so
that I can refurb in the summer. These WalMart houses take the
punishment pretty well, the fiber optic lights were still working on
them some 365 days later! As the feeder house was completely destroyed
and can no longer be found, I decided to make my own new feeder out of
PVC... we'll see how this stands up.
The latest houses are an
Ice rink and a light tower. The light tower features a revolving light
that burned out within 15 minutes of powering.. I expected that, it was
only rated for 3 Volts DC and I connected it to 12... oh well. It looks
ok otherwise.
I guess you noticed
Squirrelland is getting smaller.. well there's a reason for that. The
reason is simple... smaller is easier to maintain and takes the beating
better. I've learned a bit in 4 years! |
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| 12/26/2002 |
I guess Squirrelland
refurb is a yearly event, for here again with some time off just after Christmas, I
refurbed the town with new porcelain houses. Turns out that on Dec 26th, the stores put
all these house on sale for 50% off, so how can I resist? These new houses are a WalMart
and a Bowling Alley, both of which are multi-color fiber-optically lit at night! Lets see
how long these lights last, these are meant to be use indoor only. The main house remains
from last year and it's looking pretty shabby, but I cannot replace it until the store I
buy them at restocks them for summer and then puts them on clearance for 50% off when
nobody buys them.. that's the only way I buy anything for Squirrelland! |
 |
| 12/27/2001 |
With some time off
work, a new table saw, and a fire in my belly, I decided to rebuild Squirrelland back to a
look reminiscent of the "old days".. back in old 2000. Now Squirrelland boasts 3
houses, 2 of which are lighted at night, a meandering rock lined path and a new old style
wooden platform. The wood base doesn't wear as well as the polycarbonate bases I was using
in the past, but it looks better. Sorry for the lack of attention that befell this
poor town the past few months, but I got caught up in other things. Never again, I swear! |
 |
| 04/14/2001 |
I finally found a set
of porcelain houses that could serve as feeders. The problem with my previous setups was
that the squirrels beat the feeders up something awful when the food ran dry and so they
don't last very long. These new ones are designed specifically for what I'm using them
for... and they were on sale to boot! Of course, any major renovation project introduces
some new problems that I'm sure I'll figure out in the weeks to come. So for better or
worse, this is Squirrelland. It started simple, got run down, experienced a few bouts of
gentrification, and now we're in the phase were mansions replace shanties because of the
land value...Is it me or this strangely reflective of the real world with mega- mansions,
sitting within spitting distance of each other? |
 |
| 02/10/2001 |
Well, my supply of
wooden houses was depleted when the varmints ripped the last one to shreds yet again. My
new approach finds the center house made of metal with a picture of the old wooden house
slapped on the front. Sure, they can rip the picture off when they get mad, but they can't
chew sheet metal! The roof is made out of high density polycarbonate (a cheap cutting
board I bought at Pic 'N Save). When the varmints rip the picture, I just print a new one
and stick it on. I also replaced the fence with a home made one, this one is a bit
stronger than the previous ones... let's see how long it takes for the squirrels to beat
this one up! |
 |
| 11/19/2000 |
Here I decided to make
the main street smaller but better, using a lightweight polycarbonate material instead of
wood. The advantages: impervious to rain, squirrel pee and other elements. Disadvantages:
it's slippery and the squirrels slide around on it... oh well, that's their problem. Also
replaced the fence with a little nicer looking one. Note the damage to the center
structure and the missing light: Squirrel Riot again - when you're tardy with the food,
they get might ornery! |
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| 10/22/2000 |
Following a short riot
during which Squirt and his friends literally tore the doors and windows off some houses,
I decided to replace the General Store, the Cider Mill and the Flower shop. The new homes
are made of porcelain and are lit from inside. Go ahead, Squirt, try ripping the
trim off one of these new houses... you'll need carbide tip teeth! Now SquirrelLand boasts
(from Left to Right) a school house, a gift shop, a music store, a post office and a
lighting store. |
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