Tech - Solid State Drive

I tend to accumulate old computers. I freshen them up and put them to work.

One of the best ways to breathe new life into an old computer is to install a solid state drive. The increased read/write time improves responsiveness. 

Here's the old hard drive along with an external enclosure so I can use the older, higher capacity, but slower drive as a portable drive for backing up data. 

Home Improvement - Hose Reel

When we first moved into our house a few years ago, I installed a wall mounted aluminum hose reel so Rachel could water her plants. 

I decided to install another on the opposite side of the house so I can wash cars in the driveway. 

The mounting tabs on the hose reel don't line up with the mortar so I anchor some pressure treated lumber and mount the hose reel to the wood. 

Using the wood has an added advantage of adding some space between the brick and the hose to prevent scraping a full reel. 

I cut a hose to the correct length and use a hose repair kit to finish the end. This way I can tuck the hose that goes to the reel up against the wall and out of the way of the mower.