Author Archives: Joel

The bad news is the IOP is still way high, and the worse news is the ophthalmologist put me on different eyedrops that cost three times as much. But the other good news is at least I got two months’ … Continue reading →

I’m off to the big town about 50 miles away for some eye tests. Later, if I can stay out of prison and find my way back, I’ll cheerfully discuss the way my need for regular eyeball examinations dovetails so … Continue reading →

Ian and Karl declare Smockapalooza! Looks like the weatherman is thinking about being right, which means it’s to be overcast today and stormy tomorrow. Plus tomorrow I’m going to the big town about 50 miles away for some eye tests, … Continue reading →

The Merle Haggard thing got me going through some old and rather hated memories of ‘old-school’ country music. And through the wonder of Youtube, I learned something I had not known. I always thought Willie Nelson wrote Blue Eyes Crying … Continue reading →

I just read that Merle Haggard died. That guy was one of the few bright spots in a childhood spent surrounded by and really hating country music. Then not so long ago I saw this bit of weirdness with him … Continue reading →

I don’t remember from whence I followed the trail to this thing right here… Don’t laugh: I have a serious reason for raising my cats gender-neutral Gotta tell you, when I see a pullquote that says,… That’s when I decided … Continue reading →

I’ve worked for bosses who wanted too much and gave too little. I got up and left. There’s a word for what you are when that’s no longer an option. As I recall, the word is not “citizen.” Obama criticizes … Continue reading →

Smart Cookies: The Gendered Spaces of Labor, Citizenship, and Nationalism in the Girl Scout Cookie Sale Lauded as the largest girl-led financial literacy program, the annual Girl Scout cookie sale not only teaches girls important business and leadership skills but … Continue reading →

David Codrea reminds me of this classic from Jewish World Review: The Anti-Gun Male He often accuses men with guns of “compensating for something.” The truth is quite the reverse. After all, how is he supposed to feel knowing there … Continue reading →

Turning junk into something useful. Even if it’s only something to burn for heat. Whether it’s demolition salvage, pallets or just broken furniture, it’s still bound to be better firewood or kindling than juniper. At least as good, anyway. We … Continue reading →

And speaking of long-term tool reviews, it’s official… After thorough testing, I’m calling it. The Coleman spotlight’s battery will not hold a charge and the light is on its way to the dump next trip. Timing could be worse. Next … Continue reading →

Hey, remember this? Yup, eleven months ago I acquired this B&D cordless drill, a gift from my older brother, just in time for the Great Siding Project of 2015. In that time it has been carried up and down many … Continue reading →

Climate change threat to public health worse than polio, White House warns They said it, I believe it, that settles it. Climate change poses a serious danger to public health – worse than polio in some respects – and will … Continue reading →

…where “the Internet is out” is actually a phrase. And it means that not a single card reader or ATM machine works. In the entire town. Which also means EBT cards don’t work. Which pretty much brings all commerce to … Continue reading →

…and I’ve already wasted enough time trying to come up with a Monday morning post. My brain, she ees dry, and now I gotta run. So something later, I kind of promise.

A second beautiful day in a row! Had brunch with Landlady and S&L, then wandered home to catch up on laundry. Water in the cistern is still a little cool but not painfully so, and by late morning it was … Continue reading →

Seems like I go through this every damn Spring. “I feel like one of those idjits on the prepper forums who won’t shut up about his ‘EDC gear.’ And it’s kinda heavy. Couldn’t I pare this down a bit? Do … Continue reading →

But I laughed loud and suddenly. Lifted from 90 Miles. — *Let’s face it, comparing that to a woman is an insult to women.

I’ve needed to bring a few wheelbarrows worth of firewood to Landlady’s house ever since the last time she was here, and the weather’s been so borderline crappy I kept putting it off. Can’t remember if she’s coming back this … Continue reading →