Author Archives: Joel

Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook can play a role that churches and Little League once filled Zuckerberg laid out his lofty ambition in a Chicago speech last week that suggested Americans are in need of something to unify their lives. “It’s so … Continue reading →

We got the wall frames up, but broke up the party after a lengthy discussion on how to roof it because it was 1:30 and the sun was beating down and at 63 I’m by far the youngest member of … Continue reading →

Okay. Had to do some running around this morning to gather tools. Bummed Neighbor D’s portable generator. Made sure it still ran after its trip in the Jeep trailer. (I’ve tripped over that issue before.) Borrowed Landlady’s nailgun and compressor. … Continue reading →

Hey, remember two weeks ago when congressional bodies were hitting the ground, and some guy named Loudermilk rushed to a microphone and said congressvermin should pass a law giving them the privilege of going armed anywhere they wanted? And then … Continue reading →

Claire sent me some cookie cutters and a book of treat recipes, most of which LB will never taste. I should eat so good! But there are a few I want to try. I’m kind of on a schedule today, … Continue reading →

Just checking… Last week’s terrible heat wave is a memory, but that doesn’t mean it’s exactly cool in the afternoon. So I’m using the little RV oven I set up outside for my summer bread. I’m still working on getting … Continue reading →

…is clearly a house where Joel doesn’t live. 🙂 Can you believe somebody was going to throw this chopsaw away? Because the switch was intermittent. Open up the handle, tighten up a couple of electrical connections – nearly new! Didn’t … Continue reading →

The floor has been up and ready for walls for a week, but neighbors kept telling me they wanted a framing party. That meant I had to go around and find out a day convenient to everybody interested. So it’s … Continue reading →

…getting dressed this morning. Waiting for the first cup to kick in. I’ve got three pistols I actually use, but for EDC There Can Be Only One. And I’m no longer certain which it should be. This is my Taurus … Continue reading →

Since I never use the Book of Face, I have to keep being reminded who the hell Mark Zuckerberg is. Maybe somebody can clue me in to why anyone would want him to be president. But he’s making noises like … Continue reading →

I have seen the future… Many College Students are ‘Book Virgins’ …and people, it ain’t pretty. But seriously – remember when people who went to college were all smart and shit? Now you need a degree just to qualify to … Continue reading →

Time to refill my glaucoma meds. To do so, traditionally, I have to trek to the big town about 50 miles away. Normally I catch a ride with neighbors D&L, who were actually prompting me to do so – so … Continue reading →

A penniless hermit will find himself doing things he wasn’t taught to expect as a child. Like taking a moment in the morning to renew the duct tape wrapping on his long-broken plastic foot so it’ll go in his boot. … Continue reading →

Last week’s heatwave ended with a whole series of bangs, exactly as expected. A thunderboomer cell built gradually and then mostly went off to the NE to do its thing. We got not much more than a heavy sprinkle here, … Continue reading →

It’s an iron law. Three months ago I doubled the Lair’s battery capacity – tripled it, really, though two of the six batteries aren’t connected to the inverter – and so now I can run more electrical appliances if I … Continue reading →

My friends S&L spent a week in their home state of Minnesota. L kindly brought me a gift of instant beer bread in a funny/ironic container… It’s got the flour and leavening you need for basic no-knead bread, amusingly sealed … Continue reading →

[Y]our hands should be visible on the steering wheel and you should not be moving at all. Don’t try to get your wallet out or reach into your glove compartment for your insurance card. Remain perfectly still! Listen to what … Continue reading →

I had a very odd thought this afternoon. I had dug out my bag of winter gloves and hats, stored in the rodent-resistant shed, so that I could add a couple of watch caps I’d bought and some gloves that … Continue reading →

Landlady came up a day early, which brought Christmas on Friday! Yay! Longtime Friend of the Blog ilo jones sent no less than four boxes of stuff. I got electrical stuff from Edward, the fellow who sent me that great … Continue reading →