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.

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.  

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.  

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!

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!

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!

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

Video Presentations About BENNINGTON!

We are proud to announce that we've started a YouTube channel; its:  "bennhistsoc."   Just like bennington-historical-society.    If you get into YouTube and search for bennhistsoc you will find our narrated presentations about Bennington's history.  Currently we have a presentation about: 

• Who and What was here before Bennington (pre 1887), 
• Bennington's Business District (pre-1913),
• The Downtown Fire of 1913,
• German Settlement and the Dutch Hall 

Learn something about Bennington and "share" with your friends.  

Fire Place Mantel and MORE

One thing our home didn't have was a fireplace.  We always wanted one and with the advent of "ventless" fire boxes we became interested.  We started checking Craigs list and found a few period fireplace mantels scattered through Iowa and Missouri.  We went on a road trip in February looking at fireplace mantels that took us through Savanna, MO, Kansas City and then Columbia, MO.  We bought two we liked on the way home.  We selected this white oak mantel which was  built about 1900.  Then came the work of stripping, refinishing and fitting.  It took about a month to strip and prepare the wood for refinishing.  We then picked out some beveled marble tile, some grout and the tile saw.  The dust finally settled. We now have a fireplace in our parlor and we're very proud of how it turned out.  

Oft's Bed & Breakfast's New Parlor Fireplace

 The sculptured figure above the firebox was made by Earth Song, a firm in Canada that makes custom tiles.  Its called "Wind Man" which reminds us of olde man winter and the winds we get here in Nebraska.  

 I think this guy will help blow on our hot chocolate and pepper schnapps this winter.  We're ready.  Take care.  

Baby has NEW SHOES

Baby Has New Shoes

We have a Trail Lite trailer that we just used last month on our camping trip to Colorado.  We got this after Gordon experienced a very heavy and wet snow while using our old tent in the mountains.  No more tenting!  Anyway, we bought the trailer used and found it went through tires. 

We bought a new set 2 years ago and put less than 3,000 miles on them and the tire's inside edge was worn almost to the belting. Terrible!  Gordon did a little measuring and found the axle was bent.   A little research on the Internet revealed this was a common problem with rubber torsion axles.  We also found there was no fix other than replacement.  

Well, Gordon jerked out the old axle (strained back ate aspirin). Found he had to have an axle tailor made.  Hauled it down to a axle specialty shop and had it measured and then unloaded it on the scrap iron pile on the farm (reinjured back).  Got the new axle and waited a weak for the back pain to subside and guess what?  The axle Didn't fit.  

NO problem!  1 1/2 inch angle iron, 1/2 inch bolts and a MIG welder and WAA LAA..    He made a few modifications.  Husband and WIFE rolled it into position and it slid into place; "like sliding a sock over a chicken's lip."  Axle is in, new tires are on:  BABY has NEW SHOES!  

Nest Cleaning

We have hanging flower baskets on the porch and its necessary to water them every other day.  My "other chores" include feeding the fish, filling the bird feeders and watering the rest of our flowers. While enjoying a cup of coffee on the porch I  noticed a sparrow would land on the hanging basket and crawl in the foliage.  I took a closer look and found it had a nest which had 2 eggs.  I quiet watering and in a few days, the eggs hatched and eventually they fledged and flew off.  

The plants had died from lack of water and I took the basket down and examined the nest.  What I found was interesting and provided a "lesson."   Few would actually say they enjoyed "house keeping": however, if you were a bird you would find literally distasteful. 

Upon close examination, I found the inside of the nest remarkably clean.  However, there was a thick ring of bird droppings that surrounded the nest.  The only way those would have gotten there is by the parents cleaning and discarding their offspring's waste with their beaks.  I wonder if birds can spit?  

Wonderful People!

One of the great pleasures of running a Bed & Breakfast is the nice people you meet.  It gives you a whole different perspective of American folks than what the news portrays.  Linda and I both worked with the Public in our previous careers; we like and enjoy people.

We feel breakfast is a special meal; it is at home.  We eat with our guests and few get-away without telling us about the jobs, their families and their hobbies.  We've found conversation is an important feature of our business.  Breakfast generally takes a minimum of one full hour and often last 3.  Often, it takes another pot of coffee to finish up. 

On several occasions, we've had guests come down stairs in the evening to simply visit and often that produces a bottle of wine from someone.  The most recent bottle was shared with Boris and Theresa, a charming couple from Canada.  They stayed several days and by the time they left it felt we had known them for years.  

They surprised with a going-away gift: two bottles of wine an a beautiful holder.

Thanks; from Boris and Theresa

Most of our guests are older, our age or retired.  Yesterday we hosted a young lady from Chicago for a couple of days.  She was in her early 20's, charming and had come for a friend's wedding.  We normally find our younger guests less "talkative" but that wasn't the case here.  We had a two marvelous conversations over breakfast. It was a real treat.

We have guests books in each of our rooms for guests to leave messages.  Those are normally the first things we look at to get an idea if they had a good time.  Occasionally, we even find a "tip" on the dresser.  Today, after Kristina left we went up to start cleaning and found a "Display of Gifts" that included the sign:"Friends are Life's Greatest Gift".   How very true!

Kristina: Thank you Very Much!

     We certainly don't expect this.  When someone is this kind and generous, its a wonderful reward.  Kristina, we'll enjoy the tea, coffee, chocolates, Friends sign and your thoughtful words.  Thanks; Gordon and Linda.

Lilies are Beautiful this Year!

It's nearing the end of July and we're experiencing the most wonderful weather; sunny and cool.  The lilies love it!  

Oriental Lily; Oft's Bed & Breakfast

 Three years ago we planted Oriental Lilies next to the pool and this year they really bloomed.  Coolness, no wind, and generous watering and they are beautiful!  

Tiger Lilies; Oft's Bed & Breakfast

Grandma Nancy had Tiger lilies planted on the northeast corner of the house where its cool and moist.  When we were remodeling I transplanted a few next to the pool and they love it!  What a beautiful year for flowers.  We had to share.  

Ford Model T's Rule!!

The Centennial Model T Club had a road rally and picnic in Bennington's Centennial Park which is located a block from our home.  Linda and I got to drive our 1918 Model T pickup to the park.  Three other "Ts" were there along with a room full of great people and good food. 

This was our first introduction to this club and we offered the women a tour of our home, they graciously accepted.  While they were enjoying the tour, one of their husbands drove his 1911 Ford over to the house for some photos.  What a beautiful car!

1911 Ford Model T and the 1910 Oft-Gordon House

Interesting Guests

A beautiful 1938 (?) Ford.  Richard and Verna were entered in the Ford V8 Club 50th Anniversary Celebration.  The car rally was driving from the East Coast to Reno, Nevada.  The route was along the Lincoln Highway.  The couple were from Ames, Iowa.

The Wonderful Morel!!

There is a regular cult of morel mushroom hunters and I'm one.  When temperatures start to rise in the spring and reach 90 degrees; some of us come down with morel fever.   It happens every years as we get the uncontrollable urge to wonder out into the woods.    Last year I went out several times and only got a few along with a case of poison ivy!  

This year the morel crop was unbelievable!  My brother is the "morel scout" and he gave me a call and said: "they are here!"  He was right!  Linda and I went out and we got about 10 pounds worth.  We breaded quite a few up and froze them and now we're serving them with our breakfasts.  Guests love them!

An Oft's B & B Breakfast Special; Morels, bacon and eggs.

 This is my favorite breakfast and one that guests love; Maple cured bacon, eggs with cheese and morel mushrooms.  

Take a Quick Tour of our Home

House full of Ladies

Bennington's Women's Club

We hosted the Women Club's April meeting last night and presented a video of Bennington's business district and a tour of the home.   It was a lovely time.  

Meet Henry

Henry, Parakeet Ex'Traordinar, Oft's B & B

Meet, Henry our parakeet and the subject of quite a story.  

Jeanette, my mother had two birds and when she passed away in 2007 we inherited them.  Linda and I went on a cruise that following year and a member of the family took care of the birds at their home.  During our absence, the original male somehow got out of the cage and the house door was open.  

You guessed it; the bird escaped.  He truly flew the coup!

Rather than tell us, our family member tried to sneak in a ringer. When Linda went to pick up the birds one had miraculously changed color!  They couldn't find a match. Close but no cigar!

Anyway, the new Henry was a much younger bird.  He outlived the older female and has been single now for about 3 years.  

NO,..... we're not getting another bird.  

Exterior Decorations

 It is a challenge to have an attractive and inviting home setting.  We try to keep the porch as clutter free as possible and do a lot of planting around our pool so we have something blooming most of the time.  Our daffodils bloom first, then our tulips, iris, day lilies, star gazers, tiger lilies, and a few others which I don't remember all their names.  We like to drive through older districts when we travel.  We just had to take a picture of this home.  They certainly like color.