Author Archives: Joel

Unlike yesterday, which was quite an unsatisfying slog until we got a rhythm going, this morning’s decking zipped right along and we were done in less than 2 hours of honest work. Obviously a lot of work left to do, … Continue reading →

The old man is tired now.

One day later than prophesied, but cold. Makes me wish I’d checked the stovepipe yesterday like I was supposed to.

But sometimes it makes the most sense. There are two ways to get over the plateau; the long easy way and the short, steep, rocky way. Normally I choose the long way. The Jeep’s aftermarket tweaks rate it for rock … Continue reading →

Now it’s Venezuela, Junior Grade. UPDATE: PG&E Confirms Widespread Power Outage in Santa Clara Co. …PG&E confirmed Tuesday afternoon that it would turn off the power for nearly 800,000 customers across the state to reduce the risk of sparking wildfires. … Continue reading →

Yeah, me! In the biggish little town about 35 miles away. Not a big town, but big enough to have a woodlot and a Safeway. And so now I’ve finally scored some more pressure-treated 2X6s, allowing me to finally finish … Continue reading →

The one station that carries it around here is sited in a city quite a good bit away from here, and it doesn’t come in very well down here in the Lair’s hollow. But up on the plateau you can … Continue reading →

Down on the plateau at the foot of the mesa there’s a horse that needs feeding… …and a garden that needs watering. Yeah, that’s pretty much what an unusually successful desert garden looks like. Everything is grown in buckets of … Continue reading →

…because I never saw one do so, even given good reason. Insufficient evidence for such a sweeping statement. This one, here pictured surveying his kingdom like Lucky Jack Aubrey at the masthead, swarmed up that limb as sure-footedly as any … Continue reading →

Okay, I can’t seem to import this 12-second gif so you’re going to have to work with me here… The dog is on a chain. The cat is just outside his effective radius, knows it, and is being a dick … Continue reading →

Last January the bypass regulator for the bedroom’s heater propane crapped out – after less than 3 months of service. Of course I had a Plan B which got me through the rest of the winter. But I’ve gotta tell … Continue reading →

In response to my complaint a few weeks ago that I’d about run out of 550 cord, Generous Reader MM threatened to end that problem forever. And then he proceeded to do so, and the result arrived this morning. That’s … Continue reading →

Did four pallets, and quit because I got hungry rather than because my old back was singing to me. Another two sessions like this and I’ll break out the chop saw and make stovewood. I may or may not hit … Continue reading →

Twice a day for the next five, I’ll be going across the plateau and up T&S’s little mesa to tend their dogs and horse. I really wish I could show you this house – there are other impressive houses here … Continue reading →

I haven’t been in Landlady’s house for two weeks, since her last visit. My bad – since (if I remember correctly) she’s due this weekend or actually this evening, I let myself in this morning to check for mice in … Continue reading →

But this is my least favorite part of the woodcutting process right here… It took less than an hour and a half for Uncle Joel to cry halt on cutting pallets apart with a Sawzall. In that time I dismantled … Continue reading →

Legal Experts Warn Amber Guyger Verdict Could Set Dangerous Precedent Of Police Officers Not Being Allowed To Shoot Anyone They Want Guyger and her legal counsel relied heavily on the “But I was a cop” argument as well as the … Continue reading →

I’ve been preparing since yesterday for today’s big trip to the biggish town about 35 miles away, where there would be lumber and ammo and meat and distilled water and assorted other groceries. Showed up at D&L’s right on time … Continue reading →

The first of the month is Battery Day, in which I go around and top off all the battery cells at Landlady’s, Ian’s and my places. Since the big chickenhouse is attached to Landlady’s powershed, I was also able to … Continue reading →