Author Archives: Joel

I was cleaning out some old gear the other day, in a tub that had deteriorated to the point where something else had to be done with the contents. Most of it had migrated to other places or been used … Continue reading →

The traps I use, marketed under the names Tomcat and T-Rex, are fine for quick kills on large rats but they’re not outstandingly durable.

It has been such a mild winter, with such an early spring, that I haven’t lit the fire in weeks. This morning just before dawn it actually got down slightly below freezing… And rather than going to the trouble of … Continue reading →

I played a little banjo myself many years ago, and was also a fan of Martin’s stand-up routines, and was delighted to learn that we had that in common. Except that Martin didn’t ‘play a little banjo.’ He kicked ass. … Continue reading →

Over the weekend I spent several hours helping J&H pack for their move, in return for which they gave me first crack at some stuff they didn’t want to keep or move. Much usefulness, including one ‘want.’ J bought this … Continue reading →

Some day I need to take myself to a feminist conference. I have no idea what they do there except pass resolutions denouncing all the things that upset them, but clearly that is also entertaining. Seriously, these people are missing … Continue reading →

Much as I appreciate receiving spam for products I would have found at least momentarily interesting if you hadn’t spammed me – because that’s extremely rare – was it really necessary to hit me with 20 at once? Uncle Joel: … Continue reading →

It’s really cool, largely for that one reason. The rocket would be a big hit at any TRA launch I ever attended, though the method of ignition would never ever be allowed. Oh dear god never. Not even at the … Continue reading →

‘Stand for liberty!’ presidential candidate demands of captive audience. The choice of venue was all I needed to know. Liberty University is famously run by Jerry Falwell whose notion of ‘liberty’ has never been similar to mine. He stands for … Continue reading →

I have long said that people who sneer at CCW holders because gun-carrying shouldn’t require a license – a position with which I agree wholeheartedly, just not the sneering – should look in their own wallets. If they have a … Continue reading →

Though it might have been meant as a joke, the guy who said, “Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door” wrought better than he knew. I always hated those finger-stingers above, so hard … Continue reading →

Heh: Went back to check on that stock tank today… Cistern is near empty. Ground is saturated all around it. Plumbing to the stock tank works, though. This is simple as can be: The stock tank is just a bit … Continue reading →

Seriously… UNITED NATIONS — About 1,200 middle school children trudged through the latest snow storm to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday evening to hear hip hop singer and producer Pharrell Williams talk about climate change. The U.N. sponsored … Continue reading →

You cannot make this shit up. Bureaucrats from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will weigh and measure children in daycare as part of a study mandated by First Lady Michelle Obama’s Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. Who else does this? … Continue reading →

Seriously, world. Keep doing things like this. If I ever regret having moved into the desert, you can bring me back around with a single silly news item. Starbucks sucks anyway. Always has. The mocha’s drinkable, but why? Now I’m … Continue reading →

I’ve been waiting to learn what those cattle guys plan to use to power the pump in their new well. Half expected the site to sprout solar panels, but they went a more conventional – and expensive, and labor-intensive, but … Continue reading →

With an assist from Ian, of course… Used for drive-bys when the guys down the street come home with a T-34.

Just got an email from the nice lady at Backwoods Home magazine. I submitted an article there at her request – a long one with photos, which ought to pay pretty well – more than two months ago and never … Continue reading →

Success! Ended up saving about 50′ of Romex, when at the last moment the voice that says “You’re about to do something stupid, Joel” spoke in my ear. I spent quite a lot of time stripping the rubber armor off … Continue reading →

When we disassembled Landlady’s barn in the city back in 2007, there was a whole bunch of rigid electrical conduit that for years after we rebuilt it was just a jumble of stuff in the attic. We only finished one … Continue reading →