Posted up Friday about a sh!tty job I needed to do.   That job started yesterday as soon as I finished my first cuppa.

The argument to live rurally is a strong one, when one prefers their own company and thoughts.   It sucks ass when you find yourself in need of things.

In this case, subflooring to replace the rottted out stuff I found.    Closest place that had it was 15 miles away, and they close at noon on Satyrdays.  That meant, the closest place to get it for me was over 40miles away, ONE WAY.    There is very little ‘conveinence’ living rurally.  (Amazon has been a boon to the rural living market, but it really puts a dink into the local vendors as there is ZERO chance they can carry that much inventory.   Local markets compensate by carrying local only items as touristy attactions.IMO)

short version: You’d better know EVERYTHING you need to get, first run.

I ran out of tile last night,,,

No running to grab it at the last minute, like I could when I lived in Sin-cin-nasty. (and no, I’ve visited since I left, and its gone downhill even further.  No ‘going home’: it ain’t there.) 

There is a reason I have extra fittings and hardware stacked will-he-nil-he about my shed and storage areas.   There is always that need at the odd minute and no other options.   A body gets pretty good at make-do, MacGuyvering when the other option is long drives or waiting on Zon/UPS to come through.

Tile on the other hand,,,, not so much.   LOL   As much as I hate the saying “is what it is”, there are times where that is to be.  This is one.    And while I won’t be making that run today to pick up more tile, I will eventually make it out there (like when I am returning from kayaking next weekend: I drive right by the place I bought the original tile from.)  What I have will have to do until then. (and I covered the un-done parts to keep kitteh paws away.)

Solid arguments for rural living.  I like my own company: if you have issues with your own thoughts, rural living may not be for you.    If you MUST have the latest and greatest, rural iving may not be for you. (off-grid will be torture to those that like techy toys.) 

I believe I have said it here before.  My biggest gripe with living where I do is the drive to get a decent burger (not the Micky D’s CRAP)  Luckily, I prefer to make my own and I DO have access to grassfed beef that I know isn’t some mRNA Injected, growth hormone laden simularcum of “meat”.  (can you say the same about what is served at Burger King or MickyD’z?)  

I deal with the inconviencence of long drives or waits for delivery.  The cushion of distance from Kray-Kray is a comfort. With the caveat; we have our own form of kray-kray here in the pillheads and meth junkies.  They tend to a short half-life; easily dealt with if RoL goes buh-bye.

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An afterthought: a huge thankyou to my Da; he insisted I use treated lumber for my floor joists.  Subflooring rotted out,  but the joists looked pristine.

And I’m only gonna show ya the cleaner side of this’un.   Things were way worse than I thought.

Carpentry,  plumbing, possible tile work,,, (debating doing away with tile and going vinyl,,, con to that: I have the tile,  just dont like it)

Cutting in HARD to my weekend,,, supposed to be at a party with Brudda B n the Kayaky-krew,  but this takes priority.  Been trying to get to a point where I can “slam, bam’ thankee ma’m”, and still have facilities available; Wonky as those are.

Anywhoosits, I has werktado,,,

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With the patience of Job,,, 

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And thats about ALL I have to say about the world at large.  

Finding that I’m not wanting to talk about much anymore.   Not even the kayaks, or kittehs.    FYI, Elbee is doing phenomenally.   Growing like a weed, eating like a horse, and the buggies(internal and external) he brought with him are no longer.   Mama is finally starting to show him the ropes, but only when we go walkies with Voo.   The rest of the time she ‘purt much ignores him.   He and Zoomie on the other hand: Brothers re-united, even sharing from the same bowl.    Play time is low-key on Zooms part: he knows the little one can’t take a full on BAT to the head like another Tomkat could,  and it shows in how he plays.

work is work, finances are steady, life goes on,

and Thirteen days from right now, we will know more about the future, or lack of, about this country and its peoples.

Only time will tell.

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With all the chaos that hit recently, and in some ways, was a blessing of God, in the case that the masks came fully off and the beast has shown itself.  but I digress

One of the biggest problems I had with all the ensuing mess in the aftermath of Helene was “WATER” H2O, Agua,,,,

Seems like no one had any clean water, and thats going to be a norm in times of catastrophe.   The Tap water we have grown accustomed to, treated, filtered, treated some more, (maybe even to the point its becomes harmful,,,) won’t be at our beck and call.    Even in my situation, one good change in the environment and my source could become contaminated, or even dry up completely.   By change in the environment, I am talking ‘strip mining’ changes to the mountainside I live on, disrupting water flows on said mountain side.

I was talking to a ghost recently about it and we both realized that water, that one thing that you can’t go for very long without (Air being the first, water, then food: Rule of threes; three minutes, three days, three weeks.)  and yet so many neglect that particular prep, other than having some bottled stuff or ‘jerry cans’ set aside with treated water in them.

Thats a recipe for failure IMO

Being a weekender kayaker, water is pretty important to me,   Not only is it my escape method, but its my source of liquid refreshment,

and I don’t carry a single ounce with me when I go.   I have alternatives.

and those alternatives are what you should be prepping.

everything (with one exception) are items I own, use, have used, will use again as need arises.   I stand behind them and highly suggest getting AT LEAST ONE.   And always have an alternative to your alternative is a thought to keep in mind.   One is none, right?

First up.

MSR Guardian water filter.  it is really useful for refilling ‘Camelbak’ type hydration bags, but can be used as a stand alone if you have some way of collecting its output.   Easy to use, but tiresome as you have to pump.

second.Lifestraw Hanging filter system   I like this one because you can use it anywhere, takes no effort to get clean water out of it.  Cons: it takes a little longer as it is using gravity,,,,

On the go options.Lifestraw Go bottle, and Sawyer filtered water bottle.   You will sometimes see the later on the deck of my Kayak in pictures: its a constant companion when paddling.  The first rides herd on my bedstand or in my truck if the weather is hot.   I prefer the Sawyer version, but both work very well.(and I believe there was a guy on Utoob that was testing these, and both worked well, but one worked better than the other, and I don’t recall which was which,,, apologies.)

Then there is the EDC types.  Stuff that you should keep in a bag or jacket pocket, for those JUST IN CASE moments.   II can promise you, if everyone in NC and TN in the path of Helene had had one of these, there would have been little to no need to truck in masses of bottled water.    Sawyer Mini, Sawyer Fullsize, Lifestraw hiker

Now the one I don’t have, but thinking more about it, like for those in the coastal areas, where salt becomes more of a problem, I suggest getting a portable reverse osmosis system.    I have one of two in my sights as a backup to the backups listed above, mostly for when/if I ever get to start paddling on salt water.

This one and it seems to be much better contructed

And this one.

I have no experience with either so, in this instance: caveat emptor.

(full disclosure, all links are through my Zon associates links,,, I will get a cut if you buy through that link.  Help support your faithful blogger. 🙂   )

Now, there was one thing that blew me away more than lack of fitration systems.   That area is KNOWN for ‘Shine, and not one person was able to set up a still and start purifying water?   Really?!?!?   With all the downed trees and debris, there would have been plenty to burn, water of any state was NOT an issue, (snark) so why was no one cleaning that shit up and helping keep others healthy with clean water.   

Dunno, maybe there were a few, especially further up in the hills when things got cut off hard for longer, dunno,,, Seriously though, all it takes is a big pot with a cover, some tubing and and a little (VERY Little) McGuyvering.   Use a nail to pop a hole in the lid, wallow it out to accept the tubing, fill with water and set to simmer mode or over a low fire and collect what condenses on the other side of the tube.   (always ditch the first few ounces as that is gonna have gunk in it from the tube and what not.)   Maximize the output by playing with how hot the fire is, how long the tube is and how said tube is bent (highly suggest coiled and slanting downhill.)

Anyways, that’s my two cents to getting a little further prepped, if you haven’t been (and if not, WHY NOT?,,,,)  Stay hydrated, it keeps the mind working better so you can focus on the other shit trying to kill you.

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Addendum: meant to mention, NEVER drink the water UNTREATED,,, That means filtration, purifying in some fashion; distillation or boiling, or chemically treatments.   If in truly hazardous conditions, double up, filter that water into your camelbak, AND chemically treat it, BEFORE you consume.    

Anything less is just asking to spraypaint the version of toilet you are using and that would be the lighter side of things that could/would go wrong for you.   Giardia is no laughing matter and is common in ALL fresh water system in the upper Northern American Continent.   E-coli is becoming pretty common downstream of anywhere there are cattle. (so make sure you cook your fish WELL, and wash your paws (with soap!)frequently.)

And that only names TWO of the nasties that you might encounter drinking tainted waters.    TREAT IT/FILTER IT.    end of PSA.

Glad as hell things worked out as well as they did with Lyssa: was much cheaper than driving 5 hours through a Hurricane to get a ‘new to me boat’ and find out I might not like it.   FAR CHEAPER and in a sense, I did get a new to me boat out of the deal, but one I am already comfortable with.  (just needs more cargo space,,,,   more on that later.)

Getting Elbee fattened up right now.  Little monster has become the Energizer Bunny Incarnate.   He zooms more than Zoomie zooms.  (probably just as much as Zooms did at this age, and how he earned that moniker.)   Zooms is being the quintessential BigBrother to Elbee.   Taking the abuse ‘up to a point’ then planting that big ol’ murder mitten right on Elbees head and holding him down, sayin’ “Had about enough of your shit little’un”

Usually kats don’t have very expressive faces: that ‘resting bitch face’ is permenantly in place.    But last night, Zooms was in my lap and Elbee was assaulting ‘tail’;  the look on Zooms face was, ‘Dad!, HELP!!!!’    I lost it,,,     Kats act so serious, all the time, but can be the most clownish of the four feets.

As much as I like and get along with dawgs, katz are my prefered pets because we are so much alike.   You can’t leave a dawg alone for days without causing distress, but you can leave a kat and they are good with that (so long as the foodie bowl doesn’t go empty,,,,)   Much the same as me: I can go days withotu seeing another face and I’m completely fine with that (and oft-times prefer that).  Guess thats why I am ‘alright’ with solo paddling.

Solo paddling,,,   kayaking is a solo sport by its very nature.   ( We call the tandem kayaks ‘Divorce boats’ because its takes a well established team to handle those long ass boats, and usually married types aren’t that flexible in ‘whos in charge’. )  Paddling in group? You’re still solo in your boat.  You may even be solo in a recovery incident if you are tail-end Charlie.   Add in ‘hard of hearing’ and solo is about the only comfortable way I can paddle; don’t have to worry about conversation (other than with Mama nature and IS, and I don’t need ears to hear them)

Since things went so well with gel-coating Lyssa, she’s my keeper for awhile.   Thought long and hard about ‘WHY’ I was wanting that longer boat, and the more I thought about it, the less attraction it held.   That I would like to carry more gear for camping is a given, but that ability would add a temptation of ‘running away’ doing some not so smart move and going on an expedition type cruise.   I still have my kids and Da still needs me about (more so as time goes by): I can’t be highing off and playing “ADVENTURER ” leaving others to pick up my  responsibilities.   That ain’t cool.   

So I keep the ‘shorter’ (by a whole 12″ ) boat.  They call them touring boats, good for a couple three days, but not for ‘weeks’.  And that is about all I need for the nonce.    I’ll keep mine eye’s open for that “Deal from beyond” on a P&H Cetus MV or LV, but I am not actively pursuing it. (though I am putting small amounts of cash aside on the regular ‘just in case’) 

One thought on things outside of my little world.   No matter what happens in the next couple of weeks, MONTHS, in a year, the issues we are stressed over today are going to seem meaningless.    Change is never permanent, but CHANGE is.   In another year, I may not have the responsiblities ‘for whatever reason’ and that escape pod may be my only source of sanity.    No one knows.   We can’t predict the future, we can only guesstimate it, and plan accordingly.    Could I make Lyssa work in that situation?   No,,no where near enough cargo space and not able to add more: but Blue Jean could,,,   and thats good enough.   Will that situation become a reality,,, that depends on which direction things fall over the next few months leading into Jan’25.    Some really like the idea of maintaining the DEEP STATE; ie, using Que-mala to keep on the path we are on.   Other (self) like the idea of wiping that slate clean, and, seemingly, the best option there AT THIS POINT, Is Trumped and Crew (RFKjr, Musk, Etc etc),,, Why do we want them in?   Because the other option is bloody, painful and risky as all get out…   Not saying its off the table, but conservatives know the other path is spiritual suicide.  We flip that switch inside us, we don’t come back, we are forever changed, and not neccesarily for the better.   Many may become the BEAST; like the one I have locked in the darker corners of my mind.  Once unleashed this time, very likely becomes the norm, wearing my face.   You won’t like that ‘me’.

I don’t like that “me”,,,, 

Live

learn

laugh

LOAD,,,,

Lyssa is at least 1/2mph faster than she has been the last year (since I put that epoxy finish on her hull)   The slow decline of that finish was not noticed, until, I started comparing logs from the past.   It was as steady decline in performance,,,,

And its not just a speed thing,,,,

She handles ‘differently’,, but in a damned good way.   Before, when putting her on edge (to get her to turn) she would need an assist with a sweep stroke, to get started.   Today, I put her on edge and she was sweeping into turns: more edge, sharper turn, no paddle needed unless I wanted a sharper turn.  And the bow rudder move was just flat amazing in responsiveness.   Skeg up, her weather cocking is more noticable, drop the skeg and she acts right.   But even in slight winds, that back end was slick enough to skootch around and point upwind.

NO MORE EPOXY FINISHES.

LESSON LEARNED!!!

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On a different note, sigh, the leaves are changing FAST

Another couple of weeks and this is all gonna be bare trees and blah vibes as everything green goes to sleep for the winter.   I noted the other day (in the view from my porch post) that the deer are all going that grey-ish ‘dissappear in plain sight’ color in prep for the seasonal shift.   Even Mama-kat is losing her ‘red’ tints.

Time to wind down a bit?

Not me,,, now that Lyssa is flying again, (and blinding in the sun when she is on Buffalo), gear is in place for winter type paddling, and I keep’a’goin’.    Krazy Nut I is, and I get all sorts of statements to that order,,,,

Better krazy and alive, than boring and (may as well be) dead.

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