Author Archives: Joel

I’ve been wondering how much of the hens’ new tendency to fort up was driven by the oppressions of the Dread Tyrant Upgrayedd, and how much by the chilly weather. It’s beginning to look like it was the rooster. The … Continue reading →

Man, break out the snuggies. Looking at the forecast I see one day after another of cloudless afternoons in the fifties, cloudless nights hovering just around freezing. If it could stay there all winter Uncle Joel would be quite content. … Continue reading →

You cut your finger through casual contact with the edge while washing blood off the blade. I can’t put that kind of edge on my knife, but a few strokes on a stone restores it on my hatchet after two … Continue reading →

USPS to Destroy ‘Just Move’ Stamp Series Over Safety Concerns With the Just Move! stamp issuance the U.S. Postal Service hoped to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity in achieving a healthy lifestyle. However, according to Linns Stamp … Continue reading →

First Lady Michelle Obama’s Kitchen Garden is Wrecked. No, seriously. Who knew the “Let’s Move” First Lady didn’t tend her own showcase garden in between photo ops to preach to us about healthy eating? I’m so disillusioned. I pictured her … Continue reading →

The bald ladies have been forting up in their chicken house for weeks. I knew some of it was caused by Upgrayedd, because I’ve seen him chase them inside several times. But it might also have been caused by the … Continue reading →

To something useful. I don’t think butchering chickens will ever be my favorite thing. But this time I took steps to alleviate the part I dislike most, which is that it stinks. Upgrayedd is my fourth butchered chicken, and every … Continue reading →

This video is just four and a half minutes of somebody in a high window filming a protest march in Washington. It’s what looks like thousands of people, many of them solemnly carrying barrycades. I like the part a little … Continue reading →

In re I’ve only got a hammer, and every yapping dog looks like a nail to me… Okay. Short quiz: When’s the last time you felt your life was endangered by a Jack Russell terrier? A. Absolutely freaking never; are … Continue reading →

I actually spoke those words to a stranger yesterday afternoon, and almost had to ask him to give me a moment while I dealt with my existential crisis. I’ve mentioned here and there over the years that when I was … Continue reading →

Especially not that puppy. S&L went home for the week, and as has become the custom they stopped on the ridge over the Lair to drop Ghost off. I met them, as is also the custom. But while Ghost is … Continue reading →

Gulch management met yesterday evening to discuss the future of the chicken operation. All agree it’s been a success overall and should expand. Ian even plans to do something interestingly* experimental next summer. But there do need to be some … Continue reading →

The grips on my revolver came from Taurus, and while I don’t have any problem with the design, which is classic and hard to screw up, the execution has never been first-rate. Every time I practiced, the seam just under … Continue reading →

He’s smart, he’s not dangerously impulsive, he’s dedicated to his routine, but when he hears or maybe smells that our weekender neighbors S&L are around, he’s gone in a cloud of dust. And sometimes L calls to tell me he … Continue reading →

The Reluctant Anarchist – Joseph Sobran It’s entirely possible that states — organized force — will always rule this world, and that we will have at best a choice among evils. And some states are worse than others in important … Continue reading →

Clearly not real – it didn’t even fool me, and regular readers know I’m gullible – but what the hell is it? Turns out it’s a publicity stunt for an insurance company.

Because I had the oddest thought while surfing around this morning: After I’m imprisoned for not “purchasing” government-issued health care coverage, maybe I’ll be able to get some actual health care. I just hope they don’t shoot my dogs first.

That’s disturbing. Every day the boys and I stop at Landlady’s to check up on her chickens. We haven’t missed a day since they arrived. And usually everything’s peachy. But two times there were unexplained casualties. Several weeks ago a … Continue reading →

Oleg Volk reports that the following bit of extraordinary grafitti appeared earlier this year… Source And while it’s a beautiful piece of art in itself, its inspiration seems to be rather undeniable… And given that the apparent artist signed it … Continue reading →