Temps are dropping into the basement tonight, but things are definitely perkin’ up in the Spring department.  

Last couple of days have been windy as F!, WET! and sorta gloomy with occasional breaks of really spectacular sunlight breaking through; usually short spelled, but depression breaking for certain.

Spent all weekend dealing with house/’stead.  FINALLY cleaned out that closet of “clothes whore” issue,,,   MamaKat was NOT happy about it as she was trying to sleep on the pile of clean clothes I had on the bed (waiting to be put away as I reorganized) and I kept tossing stuff on top of her.   We ended up having a tiff over a danged sock that she was clinging to.   I was bitten, TWICE, trying to get that sock away, and she ended up with a thumped forhead and hissing at me about it.

We did make up later,,,   Fresh DedKow always makes the grumpy take a backburner.

Camp gear is all cleaned and reorganized now as well.   Funny how ONE small item that gets misplaced can instigate a complete overhaul of gear.   I managed to misplace the gas canister support for my campstoves.   I know, KNOW, I put it in a particular bag so it wouldn’t get misplaced and NOW, sure as shit,,, M.I.A.

and you know how this works,,,, I’ll finally break down, order a replacement and FIND the missing part BEFORE the replacement shows up, but can’t be canceled because its enroute.

EVERY

FRELLIN’

TIME.

ROFLMAO,,,,  Is what it is,,,

Two is one, one is none,,,  Preppers mantra.   Better to be looking at it than looking for it.

The part is only meant to keep the canister off direct contact with cold surfaces so it can evaporate better when the temps are down.   Nothing critical, but would have been nice to have last trip as the stove was acting a bit anemic.   I was able to get the stove back up to operating temps by stuffing papertowels between it and the table it was on, AND blocking the wind.   And the sole use of that stove last trip?   Making coffee.  Nothing else, but damn! So critical to sanity.  (I’m a fair hand at campfire cooking, but that percolator HATES campfires and will boil over long before it perks.   Next time, probably just take french press and be done with it.  Smaller volume, but more control of the final product.)

Observations about the REAL WORLD  ( it ain’t, for one)

Lots of noize being generated from the voters: We WANT to see ARRESTS DAMMIT.     With the amount of grift and graft being exposed, and the amount of damned near if not outright TREASONOUS activity being exposed, WHY ARE WE NOT SEEING PEOPLE BEING ESCORTED TO TRANSPORTS IN CUFFS?

Until I start seeing the likes of Peelouzy and Screw-em-more getting stuffed into cruisers, I am keeping a lid on my actual feelings about whats going on

With one exception.

KABUKI THEATER,,,,

it never ceases, does it?

and on that note, Its time to prepare my carcass for going back to the mines tomorrow, Dunno WHAT we have in store for the week, but I DO KNOW, I am going to need to use the RR right of way to get out.   The river was still coming up at 3pm and was in the road in three places making use of it verboten.    Love this time of year: rattle my truck to peices sort of thing.    At least it lets  me know if the kayaks are loose in the cradles or not.

Till tomorrow

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Rainy day, thunderboomer day, curdled the cream day (ever try to add curdled cream to coffe?  Blech)(yes, thunderstorms DO curdle cream, I have a couple years of experiance on this note.)

So what does an introverted cat afficianado do when the kats is bored and perturbed about Thunderboomers and Alabama pissing contests moving into the area?

I make lists,,,

Introverts LOVE lists,   they give us foundation later when said list is put into use.  Todays list was “What should I have ready in tote to go camping on a moments notice?”  and the key point of that list was not determined by car camping, kayakamping, or hike out camping.   It was general ‘this is the bare bones stock, all else can be picked up enroute’ list.

Shelter list

H&H list (health and hygiene, to include the mental sort.)

Cooking items list

I know, completely boring and muhndaine(yes, I intentionally mis-spelled that,,,)  BUT, it kept me occupied on a day when idle hands will drive a man to thinkin’ and goin’ just a bit batty,,,,

And I found I need to purchase nothing to make those lists complete (other than food stuffs, and coffee,,,, but those are perishables, and will be the ‘enroute’ purchases.) (I will pick up a better sleep-pad, but its not essential at this stage.)

So now, I am setting that tote up, cuz this krazy ol’ Foo is gonna go camping again sometime soon.    Weather is one of the factors that was covered in the lists, and Brudda B and I had a refresher course in “Weather WILL turn on you” last time out.  It was WAY colder than predicted and I was shy a couple of items (I didn’t bring ANY fleecewear, and thats a no-no when the weather can get below ‘freeze your dick off while peeing’ cold.) (as well as forgeting my camp chair and other small items I thought I had, but found were still at home,,,,)

The only real difference between the types listed is weight: what can you carry,,, Car Camping is luxurious since you can pack most everything including the kitchen sink and maybe even a throne for the calls of nature,,,,  

Kayakamping is similar, but has space restrictions and some small weight restrictions (you ain’t bringing a bunch of castiron cookware on your trip,,,)(And extensive use of dry bags for ‘reasons’,,,,)

Obviously, the Hiking thing restricts you even more.    The current bag I carry comes in around 50# when loaded for bear.   Toss in a rifle (like my Henry .22) and ammo, and I am toting my max and limiting how far I can go a day to 10 miles.   These knees don’t absorb the abuse they did when I was Marine,,,, (and those loads were “OMG what was I thinking when I put THAT in there?????”    Typically 60%+ of my body mass was the norm.)  (and I am a Colonel  Cooper student: The only reason you need a pistol is to get back to the rifle you laid down.)(but I do like “ol Ugly” the 1911,,, gotta large soft spot for that pistolla, I do,,,,)

Thats not to say I NEED all those toys,,, I could and have gone with bare bones, knife on hip and some cordage, camping trips a time or three.    I enjoy them since they really get the brainium working hard, but Hey,,, I ain’t twenty sumpin these days; that shit wears quick.   Good to know I can, but that doesn’t mean its desirable. (AND, you will end up with ticks in strange places, EVERY! FRELLIN! TIME!,,,,AMHIK)  The upside to those sort of trips: you can cover a TON of ground when its just your body weight and the cloths on your back. 

You’ll also smell worse than a pig in a wallow when you return.  I don’t care how clean you keep yourself during the trip: Humans STINK, and our modern world will tell you that, when you look at all the ways we try to cover/mask the stenches. (and this is something that ANYONE that’s visited a Turd-world shithole can tell you with confidence.)

But, the day wanes, my tote is packed and secured for my future efforts, and I has an ELBee buzzin’ in me lap.   Makes me sleepy (and the rain is helping loads)  time for nap,,,

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Its spring-like weather outside.  Has been all night: temp on the in/out thermometers are 68/80,,,

Huh?

I turned down the wall heater because I have little need of it when the weather is like this.   Only thing really ‘running’ is the pilot,,,

That Pilot has kept my house warm all night, JUST the pilot.   I could probably light a candle and get similar results.

I knew when I built this house that I wanted TOP NOTCH insulation and it would appear that I have acheived that end. 

GO ME!!!

(it also helps that my house is small.  Doesn’t take much to heat a small space*.)

T’weren’t cheap though, I can tell ya that.   But damned if it hasn’t been worth it.    Now I just need to find a smaller (or build one dangit, has welder and cut-off tools) wood stove so I can revert to burning wood and leave the propane for those times when I would like to spend time away, or when I’m whooped and just want a full nights sleep, instead of getting up every few hours to feed a wood burner.   No rush, no worries.

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*Other advantages to a small home: you are much pickier about the items you are willing to put up with when space is a premium.   You end up NOT loading up on geegaws and gunk that do little or have no reasonable function.   I do have mementos, but they are limited in size or where they reside (IE, pictures on walls) Furniture is minimallist, and I do spend much more time out of doors than in, with the exception of winter; when I will ‘hibernate’ and read, not get involved in much more physical stuff.

Cons:  comforts are sort of a back burner thing.   Large comfy recliners are a no-no when your floor plan is less than 1000sqft.   (and I do have plans to set up some eyebolts for an inside hammock for those days where I would prefer a recliner; which is growing on me as the years stack up on the opposite side of life.   Nothing fantastic, just a hammock I can set up or take down when not as desire strikes.   Might even be nice to have on those truly cold ass nights and be nearer the fires.

(some are stolen, so there,,,,,)

If you wanna hear God laugh, Make plans.

Never order something last minute and expect it ON TIME.

Time is the real currency—and once it’s gone, you don’t get a refund.

Don’t sweat the petty shit, and don’t pet the sweaty shit. (thanx B.)

Let go, or get dragged.

The only person that will use the word “Fair” in its proper definition, is a lawyer.

Lawyers are TRAINED to lie, never forget that fact.

————————————————————-

Freeday, (though I did get some hours in)   Did some piddlin’round on a project for Brudda B and meself.   Hammock ‘stands’ that mount in our reese hitches for car camping.   I have one most of the way finished.

I know it’s rather difficult to make out in detail, and it DOES stick out too far currently, but its able to hold my ass off the ground and not fold up like a cheap suit.   I will be going with a stouter pipe here soon, those were just peices I had layin’ in the shop.  Some small parts need cut from plate to weld up, but it could be functional as it sits right now.

Local news,,,,,   All the Easter Lillies are bloomin’ out.   Many of the Bradford peartrees are in bloom, and we have a VERY wet weekend on the books ahead.    Probably going to use the time for playin’ round the house, and wait just a tad longer before I get back into my paddling frenzy.   I was checking out the Dogwood tree at the end of my drive, and it has many small nodules where the blooms will be, and a few of them are starting to split open.   Not much longer and SPRING will be in full swing.    Much anticipated on my part mind you. 

anywhoos,,,,

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Just a long ass day wrapping up a job that HAD TO BE DONE IN ONE SWEEP.   Long drive time to and fro so the bosses decided ‘Slam everyone on it and ‘git-r-dun!!!’.’

beat, sore, tired, and a little sunburnt to boot.

shower

bed

in that order

more laters

Live Laugh Love LEARN LOAD

THAT, was the opening sentence in a conversation with Mal-Cuz’s GF this eve, while I was out lettin’ Voo leave piles of doo in places OTHER THAN my yard.   (he is real good about going ‘off-road’ and doin’ his business in the weeds,,, Always has been, but age is creepin in and he has ‘accidents’.)

I almost responded in a highly confident affirmative, but thought better of it.   “Mostly, with caveats,,,,”  

Well, that got me the dumb-look from the otherside of the bell curve,,,,   Had to explain.    ” I mean what I say, but you may not always hear what I think.   There are times where silence is the best option.   

BUT,

I won’t ever talk behind your back or tell bullshit stories about you.”

(and no, I am not talking behind her back,,, I let her know her question started my “writing prompt” tonight.)

Maybe, years ago, I might have done such,,,  But my time with my EX and the reasons we fell our separate ways, and some other points of introspection over the last 16 years of voluntary singularity,  

To what end?   I ain’t gonna fluff your ego, try to undermine you (unless you are really starting to cause issues) and it only causes internal conflicts with myself, IF, It doesn’t get out and cause external conflicts (gossip shit does JUST that,,,,)   

Maybe you won’t like what I have to say, in many cases, probably not since truth tends to hurt, (unless I just keep my mouth shut as I have learned around here.  Can’t fix stoopid, and there is PLENTY of Stoopid here’bouts.)  BUT, you will never be able to say I lied about you.   

There was a situation a few years back where I was discussing the J.O.B. with one of our clients.   Granted, I was in the wrong for the discussion, I’ll give you that.    What I didn’t know: My phone was still on with the bosses.

I caught hell for it.   Was even told that some of the things I had said would have gotten me knocked cold if I had said them to their faces.

But when I asked “Was anything I said ‘a lie’ ?”,,,,, SILENCE.    They knew I was in the right of the matters I was discussing.    

That situation has never been brought up again, but I feel that some many of those ‘issues’ I brought up, have been addressed since that point.    Again, I was in the wrong for the conversation from the get-go, but ‘he moves in mysterious ways’ and it DID have a positive effect.

Since then, I don’t discuss the J.O.B. with anyone NOT an agent of such.    Not the clients,(with the exception of what I post here, and I try to be obscure with it.) and many cases, not even with other Emps.   I keep my council for the bosses,,,, What I will discuss with clients pertains ONLY to the job at hand, information they need to know (like a warranty fix, where we may be waiting several weeks for the parts to arrive.)   I have also found it best to ‘play dumb’ in many case: Fact being, I have no idea what the bossmen told the client,,,   (don’t undermine the job by ignorant slip of the tongue.)

BUT, the whole prompt got me to thinking: how many people are continually on the sly.   It’s obvious from her asking the question, that she DOESN’T mean everything she says.  (and there is GOOD reason I have little trust of her, and refuse to let her enter my house for any reason.    Conversation from the porch or roadside is ‘good enough’.)

There are days where I really don’t like the majority of the Hooman race: nothing bigoted or ‘racial’, I just don’t like people in general.    Those are the days where I am quite content to work in the shop, spend time with my furry workmates (Bearbear is really good about letting me know its lunchtime,,, I wonder why?  ;-P ) and let the world revolve around me with not a care of ‘what they are up to’.   

Its my weakness,,,   and my strength in a way.

See, I am NOT uncompassionate.   Fact is, (and every psych book on MBTI will say the same) INTJ’s are SUPER PASSIONATE, but we are also introverted and senstive and our armor is to reserve that compassion to a very SMALL group.   Emotional outbursts (from others) induce the feeling of being projectile vomited on, and we sincerely wish to avoid inducing that feeling in others: so we shut down, close up and run the ramparts up HIGH.   If you are not part of the ‘group’, we can seem cold, distant, arrogant, snobbish,,,,  you get the point,,,,

It took learning that, to see it as a strength.   I know now, that the feeling I GET, is not the intention of the projector.    I can get over it, (may not like it, but I get it, NOW.) and that has opened me up to friendships I might never have considered in the way back past.  (in fact, it has improved the quality of friends I do keep tight.)

And that feeling I described, though I did not know it at the time, was why self and EX are no longer.   One outburst and my walls went up, and never came back down fully.  Years of that drove the wedge deeper and deeper,,,,

Hind sight is 20/20,,,,,

Live and learn.  One bad night should not evolve into a disease or cancer.    And now I know the signs.    I can’t say I won’t make a similar mistake in the future, but at least I know what it was and could be and if not how to prevent it (I wouldn’t,,, people need to vent.) at least correct the course before it leads to even MORE bad decisons.

Funny how it took me bailing on society to figure out how to work in society, huh?   LOL

I may never fit in very well, I have many rough edges and know that my acquired bluntness and straightforward approach throw many for a loop.    Thats alright.   I figure if they can’t handle that, they probably wouldn’t fit with the group I have found that takes me as I am.

anywhooos,,,, I’m rambling now,,,,,

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Muhndaze,,, all day,,,

And it felt like it. 

Nothin’ much worth mentioning either.

Just wanna go campin’ and forget about the ‘real world’ for a spell.   Kayakampin’ even better.

weather is sayin’ no-go for the weekend upcoming.  Rain every day starting in the wee late hours friday and not letting up until late sunday.

loverly,,,,

May just set the hammock up on the porch and do some pretendin’.   Kids will be confused as F! but hey, they won’t have me leaving them high and dry for days on end either,,,,

all the fun of camping with the option of REAL warm bed if I say ’nuffa-dis’.  (I wouldn’t,,, my hammock is actually quite comfy and warm.  Just nice having that option there.)

I’ma gonna dig around the webs for awhile tonight and may have something to post up in the AM.   till then, enjoy the rest of your muhnday and take care.

live

love

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