Yaks, writing, burning metal, and gettin’ by

The Cumberland River challenge, that was canceled back in September, has finally been rescheduled for April 25th. Weather and river have not been very permitting recently,🥶⛈❄ but I will be spending some time soon, getting back in shape for that. (Paddling requires paddling, other exercise just isn’t enough) My biggest problem, and its an odd one for me, is deciding which kayak to take. I have three now. I made Duh!kee specifically for this race, but after ripping a hole in her last year (now repaired but,,,) I’m hesitant to take her back on the river. Lakes, ok. River, not so much.

The Carolina is flat off the list. I’m spoiled with the lightweight boats.

The new yak, Sirena, is a touch too long for ‘recreational’ class, even though her waterline is under that length. She is likely the one I’ll take if they are willing to waive the total length for waterline. We’ll see.

Writing. Lots’n’lots of writing. So if you are interested (may be, maybe not) I have found I am most productive in this method: Idea in head, sit down, start typing(I’ll type til its out, or my eyes start bleeding, whichever comes first. LOL) Doesn’t have to be good, or even ‘proofed’. Just get the flow down and the idea out. Next day, come back, read it, add to it, flesh it out, drop the third person past tense crap, and bring the scene or conversation into the present. Doing it this way, I have tripled my word counts, make a better read that flows and have fewer issues with the story trying to wander (it still does, but I am finding how to hold its leash)

Its getting there, and I’m getting excited about it.

Burning metal, and getting by, by burning metal. Welding; for those that don’t know. Been fabricating a crap-ton of Dog kennels and miscellaneous hardware for them. Had to invest in a ring roller for one bit of that. Still making the gates and other stuff too, even a headache bar for the bosses truck, but the kennels are my bread n butter of late.

I still think boss-man gives these things away, but it’s not my company to say (he did take my suggestion for the price bump with adding the dogbowl racks, the reason I needed that ring roller, so maybe he is listening. At least a little)

But still here, no Corona near me that I am aware of, but with 2 quarts of ‘shine and a liter of everclear, I should be fine if it does get near.

Back to typing on the book. 🤟