Hey, that works!

Not really surprising, but confirmation is always nice.

At this specific moment we’re getting a break from the storm but it’s due back around noon and this morning I ate up the very last of my homebaked bread. So the first item on the morning agenda was bread baking. This time of year I normally wait till afternoon when the batteries are charged but even though it’s sunny at the moment the batteries are unlikely to GET charged. So screw it, this way I can get some oven heat in the cabin with that fresh-baked bread smell…


…while at the same time not worrying in the least about what it’s doing to my half-charged batteries…


…because I’m ignoring the solar panels and pumping juice into them with my new big-enough-to-actually-accomplish-that DC charger to offset the massive drain of the stove’s oven heater…


…using the Honda for power.


Synergy! And to think that earlier in the winter I was going to poke a hole in the floor in the cabin’s kitchen corner and run a permanent extension cord outside so I could run the oven directly off the generator. Would’ve worked, but it sure would have been clunky.

Speaking of clunky solutions to unexpected problems, yesterday we got freezing rain! For some reason that rarely happens here and I don’t have a stock solution. But I do already have quite enough mobility problems, thank you very much, so before I could take Tobie the Battering Ram that Walks like a Dog anywhere near the porch stairs I had to do something about it.

Fortunately I happen to hoard table salt…


…and half a pound later the problem was on the road to solving itself. Now I need to sweep up the mess I made, since half a pound turned out to be rather too much.

About Joel

You shouldn't ask these questions of a paranoid recluse, you know.
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7 Responses to Hey, that works!

  1. Old Trainer says:

    We got ice/rain overnight too and I had to take the “little” version of Tobi out for her ‘personal affairs’ and I just put on the slip on shoes that had the ice traction addition on them…
    https://yaktrax.com/traction/walk-traction-device-women-s-2-5-6-men-s-1-4-5.html

    A Minnesota buddy swears by them and I have to agree they sure are easy and they work well on ice and frozen surfaces. The web site has other options to consider too. I am also in strong favor of lots of ice melt and/or salt too!

  2. Joel says:

    I have a pair of those but it never occurred to me to try them on glare ice.

  3. Mike says:

    The slip on ice cleats sure are a great thing.

    Joel, on those rare occasions when you get freezing rain, have you ever considered using some sand on the steps? After all, you are in a desert.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Hey, man. No joke. External fireplace.
    You’ve built a valuable property there, Anon. And while the value may mean nothing to you, perhaps to your real or potential descendants?
    But then I remember you don’t own anything there. Which opens whole piles of questions which are no one’s business, but are inarguably interesting to fans of legal minutia.
    Anyway…an external fireplace would be cool. That’s all I’m saying.
    This is the part where we all review our thoughts before hitting the post button. Has there ever been a study of what percentage decide that their comment contributes nothing, so they just delete it?

  5. dthed44 says:

    Take a look at these: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/116621?page=stabilicers-maxx

    I too have mobility problems and I feel they are best out there. Replaceable studs that are available in (Just about) any hardware store. Up here in NH they see a lot of use. A bit pricey but you’re buying a top of the line product. Do a search. When I did LL Bean popped up first so I linked it to show them to you.

  6. KdeAZ2 says:

    Next time in the big city food arcade, but a bag or two of water softener salt for $5 +/-. Get the pure salt version of stuff (blue bag here in desert city) and it works outstanding for everything you normally hoard table salt for. Great for ice too, obviously. But a hek-of-a lot cheaper than traditional paper cans.

  7. anonymous says:

    Replace the steps with a ramp with very sturdy side rails and cover the ramp surface with a non-slip mat. I have mobility issues and do not understand why anyone in a climate with ice/snow has steps. I’m terrified to use them. I have had YakTraxx for years and don’t find them useful because they are difficult to put on and the coils slip on ice. Will try stabilicers.

To the stake with the heretic!