Author Archives: Joel

Time to clean up Boot Hill. Landlady has big plans for Boot Hill, the place we all plan to end up – many, many years from now. In the meantime it’s filling up with pets. But in the fullness of … Continue reading →

Thanks in part to a Paypal donation from a Generous Reader, I was able to do this… Seven brand-new stump socks! Which, added to the four I had already more gradually acquired, means I can retire all the more threadbare … Continue reading →

Look to the lower right… Might want to zoom in if you’re having trouble seeing it. And don’t feel bad, sometimes I have trouble even finding the camera.

“Little Bear, wanna go for a walky?” No reaction. “Little Bear!” Much louder. He looks up. “We’re going for a walky.” He gives me the side-eye, like he just learned he’s going to the vet to have his claws removed. … Continue reading →

Today’s supposed to be a little cooler and a lot windier. Excellent incentive to hit the Lair-painting early, because you don’t want to be painting in the wind. When it actually dawned a bit cloudy, that was perfect because the … Continue reading →

When I was a kid I loved vienna sausage. I’d eat it right out of the can. Of course when I was a kid I’d eat anything right out of the can. Long ago, when I was quite a few … Continue reading →

In related news, Joel offers professional proofreading and copy editing services at bargain rates! Contact info available on the Send Joel Stuff page, clickable above. 😀

There’s still lots of brush work ahead – and also lots of trim painting – but one phase of cabin painting is complete. Well…complete for now, anyway. I ran into a big problem when I tried to install trim around … Continue reading →

Laptop’s acting up again. At this rate I’m going to have to break out the other one – right now I’m using the “Plan C” tablet and Bluetooth keyboard BB left with me, and which is lately proving useful during … Continue reading →

…and I’m not even the NRA. Hat frickin’ tip.

Looks like the temp is going to peak at 94. In the shade, of course. It’s supposed to moderate a bit coming on toward the weekend. Figures we’d go straight from “late winter” to “SUMMER” without a whole lot of … Continue reading →

I mentioned in passing a few days ago that a randomly-observed cow was probably pregnant. In fact I may have maligned the poor dear – she may not have been pregnant yet. This admission is drawn from me by the … Continue reading →

I have two cans – a little over three pounds – and that’s the last I’ll ever taste. Every sip is one fewer. But that’s okay. I’m a Stoic. Be of good cheer, I will endure. With quiet dignity…and grace.

1. Rocks grow eagerly and must be regularly pruned.

How could they do this to me? How? Trader Joe’s! How much have I ever asked of you? This stuff has been getting me out of bed all through this century! Why go on??? If you’ll excuse me, I need … Continue reading →

I wrote the post below johnny-on-the-spot, very pleased with myself and ready to rush out and get some work done in the cool of the morning. Opened a preview screen, proofread the text, made a few minor textual changes, clicked … Continue reading →

One of this year’s projects is replenishing my stump sock supply, which I had allowed to get painfully* threadbare. My procrastination was only partially caused by economics – I literally didn’t know where to go for new ones. My entire … Continue reading →

Went to town this morning for the regular Monday morning water run. Came back with much liquid refreshment… And then it was time to work. We cut and assembled the parts for the downspout, that didn’t take much time. Lazy … Continue reading →

There’s a sad, sick little cottonwood tree near the Lair, just where the driveway meets the main channel of the wash. It grew at a poor spot, at the tail end of a sandy island between two channels, where it … Continue reading →

One of the (several) problems I’ve noticed with living in open range country is that when the cattle are here, the wildlife doesn’t seem to want to be here. Which makes playing with the game camera less interesting than otherwise. … Continue reading →