Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Gremlins in the Circuitry


Owners of century old homes know something going to need attention.  The question is always; What and When?
The other day our lights wouldn’t work in the bedroom.  Circuit breaker?   Sure enough and I recent it; perfect.  Next day-no lights again.  The breaker wouldn’t set.  Each time I tried to reset it: ZZZZZZap!
OK,  possibly it’s a weak breaker; I switched it.  ZZZZZap! 

Sudden fear and anxiety.  Something, some WHERE in the circuit was a short and worst of all, that could be in the wall.   Did a mouse or squirrel chew through a wire?  When you live in a 110 year old house, those thoughts go through your mind.  

First thing, I had to find where that circuit ran.   I found 2 dead wall receptacles in our bedroom, a bedroom and closet light that didn't work, a dead hallway light and receptacle and an upstairs wall receptacle that didn't work. More than 100 feet of wiring; most hidden in the walls and luckily, only 3 major junction boxes
.
Luckily, I was able to track the Romex to the basement and followed it to where it went up into the first junction box.  I pulled out the wires in the first receptacle; 4 black (power) wires were connected with a twist connector.  I separated them and tried the breaker again.   NO ZZZZap!  So, the short wasn’t between the breaker box and that junction box; it was beyond.  

With a voltage meter I tested and found which of the 4 black wires was “hot”.   The three black wires fed the rest of the circuit, but which one was bad?  I started connection them one at a time until ZZZZap.  I found the guilty culprit. Off to the next junction box to repeat the procedure.    

I found 3 black wires joined together in that box which I disconnected.  I turned on the power.  NO ZZZap.  So no short between the two junction boxes and the breaker box.  I was gaining ground!.   I tested and found that “hot” wire and once again started reconnecting circuits, one at a time.  ZZZap!

I discovered it was a line going to our century old hall light.  Getting closer. 
I disconnected the old light fixture and reconnected the junction box wiring; NO ZZZap, power all the way to the old light fixture and NO shorts in the wall.  It had to be in the century old light fixture.

After close inspection, I discovered that power was arching in one of the old light sockets.  The old cardboard insulation had became bridle and started to crumble and sloughed off and it wired BACKWARDS.  Power was arching between the light socket and socket housing had actually welded the two pieces together!   The breaker would only go off, when the light switch was 'on'.  The circuit was fine when the light was turned off.   Thank God, no fire BUT I isolated the problem.



Off to Lowes.  They still sell the same type of brass light sockets.  I bought and replaced all 4 sockets.   Thirty minutes later, all was fixed and power was once again flowing; LIGHTS ON.   

I don't suggest you try something like this on your own.  I helped an electrician rewire our house so I was familiar on how the house was wired.   If you have a similar problem, I  strongly suggest you call a licensed electrician to help.  

Lastly, we just launched a new website: oftbnb.com.   Check it out.

Saturday, January 28, 2017

A Box In the Mail!

Today we received a medium sized box through the mail which was  a surprised; we hadn't ordered anything and it wasn't anyones birthday.  It had a letter taped to the box and we opened it we got a surprise. 

It was from a couple who spend a night with us.  We meet the most wonderful folks at our inn and develop some great relationships with return customers.  Once in awhile we share a single breakfast and form a special bond.  This occurred several months ago with Judy and Wade from Texas.

Their letter read: "When my husband and I were celebrating our fortieth anniversary last March, we stayed at your wonderful inn and had such  an enjoyable visit.  You  generously gave us some absolutely gorgeous iris.
We discussed my family's orange slice cake and I told you I would send you the recipe.  I apologize for the delay but I am sending you the cake and the recipe.  I hope you enjoy it as much as my family over many, many years.  My grandmother made several cakes every christmas and game them  to her many friends and relatives.  
My husband Wade loved the apple pancakes you  prepared.  They were absolutely wonderful.   Could you share the recipe with us?   Thank you for the wonderful visit.  Your's truly, Wade and Judy."


It was nice to be reminded of this nice couple and our delightful conversation over breakfast.   We certainly didn't expect receiving a cake but we're grateful for their kindness.  The cake is somewhat similar to a fruitcake but much sweeter.  Its moist, full of nuts, coconut, dates and candy orange slices.  Its  really good!  It is now on our holiday baking list.  

A THANK YOU and the recipe is on its way to Texas.  We live in a country full of wonderful people.  

Thursday, August 18, 2016

A Great Overnighter!


Gordon and Linda Mueller;  Oft's Bed and Breakfast

One of the benefits of running a Bed and Breakfast is finding out from our guests, great places to go.  This we we got a 3 day break and it was time to relax and go on a road trip.  We had a couple from  Sioux Falls, SD stay with us and they told us what a great city they lived in; we had never been there.  

Its less than a 200 mile trip and on the way up we stopped at the Sergeant Floyd Memorial.  He was the only fatality on the Lewis and Clark Expedition and he is buried near Sioux City, Iowa.
There is a visitor center and nice museum there.

Our next stop was Falls Park in Sioux City.  Its the top visitation destination for the City and there is a really good reason, its beautiful.  Take a picnic lunch, good book, take the kids, grandma and grandpa and spend some quality time.  The old power plant is now a restaurant and we stopped for Ice cream. 


We stayed in the Cathedral Historic District at the Victorian Bed and Breakfast.  The house was built in 1888 and is operated by Nichole.  It is a beautiful house and the breakfast was gourmet.

After eating a delicious breakfast we visited with Nichole and her chief chef Marie about our 'inn keeping' experiences.  It was fun comparing 'notes'.


Linda is a big fan of large churches.  We stopped at Saint Joesph's Cathedral which is the show piece for the historical district.  It is certainly a beautiful and amazing church.  Next to the Bed and Breakfast was the Pettigrew House and Museum.  Pettigrew was a South Dakota Senator when it became a state.  We happened to walk in just as a tour was starting and got a grand show of the entire house.  
Pettigrew House
 The Senator was quite a traveler and collector and the state added a museum to the back of the home to hold some of his collections.  One side of his home is constructed of petrify wood.  Its really beautiful!  Some of the specimens are polished, many are rough.



At the side entrance of the home there is a 'prayer rock'.  It ways 3 tons and has two hand prints carved in the rock.  It looks like someone actually pushed their hand imprints into mud, but this is solid rock.  It is very old.  The hand imprints were large, slightly larger than my own hand.  


Monday, July 13, 2015

17 Beautiful Places to Stay in Nebraska

17 Beautiful Places to Stay in Nebraska 


Oft's Bed and Breakfast, Bennington, NE

We recently had guests who said they found out about us on Facebook.  We have a Facebook site but this was the first time anyone had mentioned that was where they found us.  They went on further to say we were listed as one of the: "17 Beautiful Places to Stay in Nebraska".  We tried a search on Facebook and there WE WERE!   We thought we would share some of the photos we took this year.  

Our flowers this year were beautiful; especially our lilies.  Star Gazers coloring up the pool.

Our fish are holding a Community Meeting!




Our florist is hard at work arranging flowers for our rooms.

Front door parking by request only!

Monday, April 27, 2015

Spring is HERE!


The tulips this spring are beautiful.   The recent rains have woken up the plants and birds.  It is a beautiful time of the year!



Sunday, March 1, 2015

A Gift, In the Form of a Poem

Gordon Room,  Oft's Bed & Breakfast, Bennington, Nebraska
The fun of owning a B & B is meeting all the nice couples who come and stay.  We eat breakfast with our guests and its wonderful simply visiting.  Recently we had a couple from Lincoln who came to 'get away' and have a retreat.  We have comment diaries in our rooms for guests to leave messages.  This is what Linda and Ned left:

“Hush! 
There are poems in these walls; these halls.
Stitched in the trapunto bed coverings,
Tucked in the curved dresser drawers,
Winking in the matching mirrors
Just enough for me to be
Playing “store” again with Grandma Louise,
Fashions cut from the J.C. Penny catalogue,
Stitching quilt blocks together,
On the Singer treadle,
Just before we board the sleigh bed
Bound for yesteryear dreams.”


Linda and Ned

What a nice gift!

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Happy Valentines Day!



Valentine's Day is always popular with Bed & Breakfasts; we've been booked for quite a while.   One gentleman asked Linda to fix up a surprise for his Valentine, a dozen red roses.  Linda put the final touches on this bouquet.   They're lovely!

This one reminded me of my Valentine, the BEST in the bunch.  God bless.....  Gordon