Tools, well, and toys.

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Not all tools are just toys.  Not all toys are just toys, either.  While considering side, one off, hunting gear, I was looking at pellet guns.  After a very short evaluation, I decided that the humble slingshot offers just about everything a pellet gun offers, and at a vast discount.  Sure, you could spend $1,600 on a pellet gun that will take deer sized game.  But a bow, or even a standard rifle, even in smaller calibers, would do just as well.  A simple .22 pistol, the right one, might actually do the same thing.  Not impressed.  A good quality air gun, of any type, will set you back $500, starting, no frills.  A slingshot will set you back an hour of your time and some 1/4" tubing.  While it won't take a deer, neither will a $500 air gun.  You have to get north of $1k for that.  Not going to happen.  I don't have money to throw away.

So, a little digging into just what it takes to build a slingshot.  Not much, as it turns out.  If you use fresh wood, you can even microwave the moisture out!  Or, so it is said.  And, yes, that particular author used that process, and learned how to, and not to, do that.  Hint: don't wrap the branch in a towel, set the microwave on high for 10 minutes, then go off to do something almost as silly.  Something about FIRE was mentioned.  Oh I bet the mrs. was pleased as a wet cat!  The suggest was 30 second intervals, wrapped in a towel, until the hissing stops (the wood hisses as it dries).  Then, just a bit of work with various things, and you have a homemade slingshot.  Seems... possible.

But while I was considering that, I thought about a particular tool that has been on my mind.  Whether it is needed for this project, or not, is irrelevant.  It came to mind, so I started doing a bit of research.  Oh, a hand drill, non-electric.  Or two, if the price was right.  The first two I found, one at Amazon, and one at Ace,  were plastic.  Now, that might be fine if access remained viable, especially at the price.  Just grab several, test them out, and if they hold up, keep them in stock.  But, that's not how I prep.  I prep as if what I buy is all that I will have.  So I looked a bit further.  Lehman's still offers, what looks like, an all metal hand drill.  At between 4 and 10 times the price of the others, that is the price of something that will last, that you can depend on... if it pans out.  But, now I have a name.  And, there is the notion of gimlets, not a bad set to get for a travel tool kit, backup, or even as a starter kit.  They don't look fun to tinker with, but if you have to do it and don't have other options, they would do the job in a pinch.

Yes, as I wake, I tend to want to... get to my lists.  I am surprised how easily one thing leads to another, then another, and memory comes flooding back.  But to organize the thoughts, make lists, then prioritize.  That I don't have yet, but I am working on even that part of it.  If I can just stay awake long enough to get the lists made and prioritized, then if I need crash, and hit it when I wake up again.  So many things to do, so many things planned, limits even in good times...  *breath*  Yeah, okay... working on it.  These last few years are the first in decades, though, that I have been living to live, not die.  While the world seems to be suggesting otherwise.  Right here, in my country.

By the way, I think I am going to have to see if anyone has formed an information circle regarding the Bundy ranch.  I couldn't go this time, budget, time, other events and plans.  Next time, if I can, I will want to go.  Or, if another event occurs.  I don't think the feds and BLM understand just what they touched off, but it's bigger than they have any imagining would be my guess.  If you are going to shoot, shoot, don't talk about it first.  Although, for their sakes, it's probably a very good thing they didn't go in shooting.  Still, they have just dried up local, on a national level, good will and willingness to compliance.  They are, essentially, on their own now.  At best.  I hope other leo's take a good hard look at what just happened and start thinking about whether they really want to murder civilians for a few dollars more and very questionable "legal" persuasion.  If nothing else, it is becoming very dangerous.  Got to think about... self... home... hearth.  Choices... time... tick-tock, tick-tock. 

Later.

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UPDATE:  My small search for information regarding the Bundy ranch situation lead me to the Bundy ranch blog.  I have added this to my sidebar, and will look for other sources of information, as this blog is an easy target.  I don't know if there are any remote cameras keeping an eye on things, or other folks watching and updating, but I will be looking for those, and will be passing those on as I can.  I may even, if I get several feeds, create a special sidebar.  I don't believe this is over.  I want to keep an eye on things and be able, at least, to pass on information, if I can't make it.