Author Archives: Joel

I think most of it is the voice. When she was young she had such a voice. Maybe some of it is that I have no memory of my mother. But at least a little of it is the … … Continue reading →

I’m not talking out of turn, I think, when I say that Big Brother keeps forgetting I’m not an electrician. He has said so himself. On my best day I’m a sort of self-taught handyman. On my worst days sparks … Continue reading →

I like my morning spam to be entertaining. Read with understanding please: Please let this letter not to bring confusion to you. I know that we have not met either before but hear me from the depth of your mind. … Continue reading →

Up at 3, couldn’t go back to sleep. Did chicken chores early, came back and napped till 9:30 to Laddie’s consternation. Out to town for the Monday water run and only now got things put away… I’m okay for fuel … Continue reading →

I consulted Noted Gun Expert David Hogg. Ah, the ever-useful straw man. It should be noted that our nation has not witnessed an onslaught of individuals claiming they have used AR-15s or other commonly owned semiautomatic rifles for self-defense from … Continue reading →

I’ve been falling into a recurring bad pattern lately, where I don’t sleep well and then all I do all day is grump around and not accomplish anything. I like being busy, but the older I get the more sometimes … Continue reading →

A week ago, after that big rainy Saturday morning, I took another fall right on these wet boards. That boardwalk has been slick before but never dumped me; maybe it’s that I’m walking with the grain now rather than against … Continue reading →

Finished the trim on the Lair’s back door, and that’s closing in on the last of the cabin-improving chores for the season. Still need to sand and paint the door itself, and connect a junction box under the cabin for … Continue reading →

The chicks are growing like little weeds, are nearly all feathered out, and are getting alarmingly athletic and increasingly impossible to keep in Ian’s shower. I could imagine how much fun I’d have chasing them around the cluttered interior of … Continue reading →

…and you always wanted to get to know him better, maybe invite him over for a beer. But you never got around to it… George Austin, proprietor of the Guffaw in AZ blog, passed away a week or two ago … Continue reading →

It’s an annual in that the rootstock stays alive, though everything aboveground dies as the weather cools. It starts to sprout in mid-summer, usually around the start of Monsoon. It blooms promiscuously in the evening, the flowers closing as the … Continue reading →

I was concerned at first that there wouldn’t be space for the top piece below the light box. Turns out there just barely was, leaving a space so slim I had to paint the top edge of the trim before … Continue reading →

So where’s the upside for this decision of Levi Strauss management? Levi Strauss Forms Gun-Control Group with Bloomberg, Pushes Employees to Donate The clothing company said it would be partnering with Everytown for Gun Safety and Michael Bloomberg to form … Continue reading →

I really thought I had the right fittings. This is the story of my life. Last weekend with Landlady’s visit I received the propane hoses I ordered several weeks ago, that would allow me to connect bottles to the new … Continue reading →

…and nobody laughed out loud? No? Well, neither do these people. Apparently now the Senate is just a new cosplay venue. Can’t quite tell if this is supposed to be a supreme court confirmation hearing or a war crimes tribunal. … Continue reading →

We had four downpours Saturday morning, one after another. Judging from the way the washes behaved they were centered right here and also to the south, not so much to the east which would have made our wash flood. It … Continue reading →

I do! I do! But it needs photos and the morning is getting away from me, so here’s a funny picture in the meantime.

He mostly thinks Dharma is just fine. Which doesn’t mean he’s prepared to share. Shortly after I snapped that collegial shot she nosed toward his kibble – which was a sin against the guest rules, I guess. He growled at … Continue reading →

Ian came back from Finland lately and look what he gave me! A stretchy wool hoodie in my favorite color. Why, just being in the same room with it makes me want to do something badass, like tell Stalin to … Continue reading →

I’m no one to judge, of course. I can’t play it at all. But still, it shouldn’t be possible to turn a message around quite this effortlessly…