We got a couple inches of snow overnight. The temperature never got out of the twenties all day, though the bright sun has converted quite a lot of the snow to mud already.
It’s been such a weirdly mild winter to this point that I haven’t actually had a lot of need for my new love-of-my-life…
…but it’s been running off and on for most of today, for sure. Not that it matters a lot but I wondered if my magic heat-powered woodstove fan would work on the new propane heater…
…It doesn’t. Top never gets more than uncomfortably warm. The thing is amazingly efficient: There’s really no point for the fireproof walls. They barely get warm. And the best thing about it…
It doesn’t burn wood. That efficiency is kind of the worst thing about it, to be honest. A little of it goes a long way. It wants the cabin in the seventies, and by this time of year I’m normally layered-up and keeping the inside in the high fifties to mid-sixties. Now I have to get into the habit of dressing for the indoors and then suiting up like an astronaut any time I want to step outdoors. But I can learn to live with problematic luxury. Still have some permanent plumbing to do, but it’s not in a problematic state any longer.
About the only other thing I have to report…
I was finally – after the better part of two years – able to score a couple of spare magazines for the Arex. Which makes practicing a lot less inconvenient. I can keep its regular mag filled with carry ammo instead of having to swap ammo back and forth every time I want to walk down the driveway and practice.
Other than that, nothing really going on. Tobie still finds snow dangerously exciting.
‘problematic luxury’
I know exactly that. A very good descriptor too.
. . . dependence upon modern conveniences creeps into the lair . . .
Next , , , air conditioning?
đ
Oh, my lord NO! NOT the dreaded AIR CONDITIONING!!
Problematic luxury, hell, ain’t it?! Good to hear things are mellow.
Don’t know if this applies to Arex. But I’ve come across a few brands that come with one magazine (pretty much useless) and make it difficult to buy additional mags.
At least some manufacturers have built around Glock magazines, very easy to source.
Yeah Arex comes with two magazines which isnât ideal. Itâs a good quality low price handgun that cuts corners in unfortunate ways like skimping on magazines and providing plastic adapter plates that suck. They do sell parts and magazines through Global Ordnance which for some reason wonât ship to PO boxes, which leaves me out because mail trucks donât come past my cabin. So I had to do some logistical juggling, which I hate.
How’s 2026 so far, O caninophilic grouchy desert hermit? Have the cattle learned manners, or are they begging for a gratuitous display of wanton rib grilling upwind of their pat-schlopping grounds?
Re pob deliveries. Some post offices make available a street address with #pob number that you don’t call out as an actual post office box. Check with them the next time you are in town.
Use the actual address for the Post Office with a dash after the zip code and your box number:
Bob Smith, 107 Main Street, Anytown, Your State 12345-1235
Finally, some snow!
I think your blog is worth reading. Donât go the way of the other quitters. Once a week, just to be fun to read?
Hi there. Hope all is well and yer reading and keeping warm. Don’t forget to do something fun. I have room to advise that, as I’m taking care of two semi invalid old ladies and can’t remember how to have fun. I’m not depressed or paralyzed, it takes a lot of activity and work just to get by. the Innerwebs bring everything from whimsy to doom scrolling and some very interesting stuff in between.
Net: life is good
Jeol, did you see any of the big ol’ storm that swept up from your area, eastbound & down? I didn’t follow the weather forecasts too carefully…
sorry… not too good at proofreading my own stuff…
Joel !
Contentment is wonderful. I strive to achieve it in my own life, but it eludes me in the most inopportune moments. The chickens still need fed. The water still needs pumped. The fire still needs stoked. And still, the firewood needs cut, split, and gathered.
You deserve your contentment, Joel. Relish it. Bask in it.
But please, do not yet lay your sword upon your shield.
We still follow.
Checking in to wish you belated good wishes for 2026. May you and Tobie enjoy the year in problematic luxury.
How’s Tobie doing?
Hi Joel. Just checking in to see if you are doing ok?
Right. It’s been a proper 30 days, and now I’m starting to worry.
Can we get a simple proof of life?
Miss reading your posts, hope you’re well!
But w is the pear tree. How are the goat people. What is the meaning g of life đ
He has hinted in recent post about a midpoint. But in reality maybe its time to just admit he doesn’t want to do this much anymore and let it go. It had a good run.
Guess it’s over. Farewell brother.
Call if you need anything.
Eric.
Here’s hoping he’s just hibernating.
Here’s hoping he’s still breathing. Joel, give us a sign, pretty please.
I guess that after all these years it’s time to remove TUATK blog from my daily reading list.
Good luck Joel and be safe.
Sure hope I’m wrong, but I’m beginning to have a dreadful though that the new gas heater installation went sideways on him and old uncle Joel is not coming down for breakfast anymore.
Well, the man is a hermit…which means the last thing he wants is people pulling his string to get him to post anything, proof of life included. He’ll post when he feels like it and if he’s hit the non-biological stage of existence I’m sure we’ll hear it from Ian.
I mean, if I moved to the middle of nowhere to avoid dealing with people the last thing I’d be doing is being compelled to interact with people if I really didnt want to.
Far cry from the days of the tip jar.
Whatever’s going on, Joel, our thoughts are with you.
Bye, Joel. Itâs been nice but I see youâre all done. Godspeed.
Bookmark removed.
Yeah . . . what Big Wooly said. ^^^^
I don’t think Joel “quit’ voluntarily. I’m hoping Gun Jesus or his Brother drop a line in comments.
Joel,
How about a message confirming that this is just a voluntary quit and not that something Medical has put you down
There’s a lot of people out here who are concerned about your well-being me being one.
What Beaner9 said. Ditto.
Just a word joel.
Hey. Hope all is well.
Does anyone know how to contact Terra Pod? He usually has contact with Joel.
Well, if anything has really happened, I’d expect Ian to drop into the comments section and give some kind of an update. As it sits, no news is good news, I’m hoping.
x.com/Rainmaker1973/status/2038655078974849062
Your peach tree seems like it was a good choice.
Happy Easter
I’ve heard from Joel. He’s doing okay, all things considered. Just being an aging hermit. He can pop in to say more for himself if he chooses to (which I hope he will). But just to allay concerns … he’s good and still has good neighbors looking out for him. Whew.
Thanks for the update, Claire. The sudden disappearance seemed out of character. Good to know he’s doing ok.
Thanks, Claire! A man’s got the right to be left alone if he wants, especially if he went to the trouble to become a desert hermit.
Thank you Claire. Joel, I understand the need to be left alone. Knowing you’re okay is enough.
Claire, thank you for the update on Joel (and, in a way, yourself – hope all is well).
Thanks Claire
Thanks, Claire. Good to know you both are still kickin’!
Thanks for the heads up, Claire. Glad to hear, we appreciate it.
Hope all is well, Joel.
Thank you!
Many thanks for the update, Claire. Us oldsters gotta keep an eye on each other, the tally keeps rising, unfortunately.
Thanks Claire. Glad Joel is doing ok. I hope you are living life to the fullest.