Author Archives: Joel

I’m playing with something here – Mark M. sent four of these radio-controlled rats in the belief that dogs would find them entertaining. Landlady immediately wanted one, and sent me a video of Dharma’s reaction. I never tried a smartphone … Continue reading →

The weather has turned beautiful again and I’ve been out since 10 digging up the yard valve. I had this great elaborate plan that required rebuilding that whole bunch of plumbing, I’m now not sure why. At last, having gotten … Continue reading →

I’m writing this from the driver’s seat of the Jeep on my phone up on a ridgetop high enough to be more or less line-of-sight to the town, unable to get any useful signal at the cabin or yard down … Continue reading →

She always said she never did. Guess it’s so, because… If I’m sitting there watching a video or movie and a dog barks in the recording? Torso Boy, who hates all dogs not himself, wants an immediate explanation. No other … Continue reading →

Seriously, not a parody. At the risk of exposing the innate sexism of my white cis male privilege, I’d like to point out that Scarlett Johansson was easily the best thing about Iron Man II. Because nobody does a mediocre … Continue reading →

Warmest day so far this year, and I’m out of excuses… I’m going to wait until Sunday to tear up the plumbing because the weather is going to get colder and besides it’s virtually certain I’ll be missing something essential … Continue reading →

It’s funny – I’ve never cared for a dog out here that didn’t freaking love a Jeep ride. If I wanted to hurt Little Bear’s feelings to where he might need hours to forgive me, all I needed to do … Continue reading →

…when what they always really mean is, “It’s you?” Private to Sportsman’s Warehouse: It’s you. I hate shopping online almost as much as I hate shopping period. Different reasons, of course. I mean, it’s me. Completely. I’m neurotic about filling … Continue reading →

Not as warm as yesterday, but until just now it was hardly windy at all. It was so nice in fact that my morning walk to see to the chickens wasn’t enough for me. It’s Monday, so I had to … Continue reading →

There’s been a whole long list of little chores piling up, and I’ve been ignoring it because none of the items on the list were all that important and the weather has continued to suck. Seriously: Despite appearances, the gulch … Continue reading →

H/T Wendy McElroy, of course. I just woke up after nearly 11 hours’ sleep, which followed being pretty much incoherent for much of the afternoon. I’m either catching a cold or the wind stirred up something that got my sinuses … Continue reading →

You know, the ones that fire of their own volition, either randomly for suppressive fire or at targets the pistol finds threatening. Those, you should never leave unattended in a bathroom.

I thought he looked kind of familiar but I only saw that one picture and he could have been almost any dog. Also, in late January the game camera saw three dogs cavorting around the cattle waterer. Porcupine dog was … Continue reading →

It’s March 1! No further flake of snow may fall, and no outdoor temperature may be expressed by any number beginning with a figure lower than 4! I have constructed a giant bonfire in the yard to consume all heavy … Continue reading →

😀 h/t Borepatch

I’ve mentioned that I’m currently copy editing Ian’s new book on historic French military rifles. Inside, there are frequent references to something called a stacking rod. I’m old enough to know what a stacking rod is, but as days went … Continue reading →

“Will you stop? I’m trying to get dressed.” “I know! That’s what’s upsetting me.” It has become a thing lately. If I’m sitting on the bed with my first cup, watching the latest Project Lightening video, Torso Boy is perfectly … Continue reading →

Oddball Girl has developed into a little blue egg laying machine, though it seems her product is never going to grow to a standard size… I mostly leave these for Neighbor L. But I’ve seen references to a difference in … Continue reading →

I can barely connect and can’t post pics at all so I can’t show you what I wanted, which wasn’t very important anyway. I’m fine, but nothing is going on here except chickens and walkies and me sitting at a … Continue reading →

Took a detour up the ridge on my way to chicken chores to turn on the well pump, and then impulsively decided to take the long way around. By the time I got home it was a sweaty hour out … Continue reading →