Eureka!

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Eureka?  Isn't that what they exclaim when they find what they were digging, or striking, or else, for?  Then that would be the word.  I have been digging in my lawn, to find pipe.  A three by three by two foot deep hole, finally this morning, finding pipe... or more, pipe near the pipe perpendicular to the ground... pipe probably connected to it somehow which then runs parallel to the ground.  I found it after getting two or three more levels of dirt and rock, broken and removed... inches at a time.  I'm not a young man.

However, the sun was cresting onto my work, and the sun and I are not friends in this way.  I had to call it off.  It has been the accumulation of four or five days, over the course of a week? Two?  Digging as much as I could until I was completely drained.  

Even now, seeing squiggly light shows and stars from the bit I did this morning.  But I... got excited, and began digging with abandon, in the hopes of completely exposing the pipe.  I kept piking, and digging, and piking, and... every shovel full just got backfilled, somehow, as if a mountain was resting on t he verge of my shoveling area!  It just wouldn't open!

Then the sun came out.  And rather than quit then and there, it is as if I became mad with a lust to uncover the pipe.  No.  No!  It just would not come out, come clean.  I dug for as long as I could, defying the sun to scorch me... which it probably did.  But the pipe would not come out, dirt just... multiplied, or seemed to, as it was loosened around the pipes.

Stuck in a game for the moment.

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It isn't a great game.  I won't get it's ultimate prize for game completion as I won't do what is required.  Morality is real, even in a game.  Even so, I have not finished with the game to my satisfaction.  So... I continue to game.  The end, however, is nigh.  Then?  Then, as I suggested, something useful.

Thanks for the reminder.

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Someone visited a post.  The post partly discussed shitaki noodles.  I honestly didn't like them.  And, yet, after blood sugar took a hundred or more point hit?  I am thinking whomever made the suggestion is probably right.  I don't think the sauce was a problem, just the noodles.  So, right, it's in the basket.  Bleh.

Nothing. Dreamed a fix. Still nothing?

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Yea.  Regarding the duck coop.  I... just couldn't see how to do things.  I knew the way I was going at it wasn't working.  I wasn't seeing my way to completion on the raised nesting areas, the hatch, the windows... it was all seeming impossible, or at least unlikely.

Last night, or the night before, time has gotten fuzzy in my exhausted situation, I dreamed a solution to the nesting area.  As dreams go, I wasn't sure if the solution would work.  But I woke with more than a dying man's hope.  Even so I couldn't get to work.  Then, this afternoon, I heard the Boss, so started getting going.  Wanna work, he asked?  You bet!, or something strongly in the positive.

It was warm!  Strangely, for me, I was glad to see, feel it, so warm.  I might even say it was hot.  The shiver of pre-winter, which had invaded the environs, mind, and body had been a bit much and a bit early.  It has rolled me into a minor depression. Was stuck.  Still might be, but today might help.

We got out there.  Had to do some minor deconstruction before trying the dream way.  It worked!  Quite well.  Got the raised nesting area set up.  Next, got latches on the window and front door so they won't bang in the wind.  Then we started on the hatch for egg retrieval.  This was another area of doubt.  I had no real plan, just parts, pieces, an end goal, and tools.

Wonderful!  The cuts went well, the wood removed went back together to become the hatch door.  A few pieces of cut and spare 2 x 4 and plywood made the hinges and latch fit and sit right.  It was work, plus thinking, plus all the woodworking skills both of us have, and nearly every power tool, plus other tools, but it really came together.  I even had purchased t-handles, and they are installed.  The only thing more would be rope for limits to travel for the hatch, and 2 x 4 pieces between the outside and inside walls, and maybe insulation.

Well... for that part.  Still need to craft another two windows, make a wire and mesh front double (high and low) door, do final cleanup, the figure out nesting and floor materials.  Not bad.  I called the man I am buying the girls and gents from.  All good, they need more time to sex them anyway, at least another week.  Cool.  I was beginning to feel guilty about being back but not calling, so that was served.

Darn it though, I may have to buy a belt sander to finish the nest platform.  And you Know how much I hate buying new tools!  Ha!  Oh, yes.  I best start looking.  Oh, and a small bit of feed, to carry me over to my own mix, plus some anti-skid material... even what is used for bathtubs would work... for the ramp.  Nice.  Not just doable, mostly done.

The Boss thinks he might be back tomorrow.  I hope to be out tomorrow, either way.  But... that has been the case since I got home, innit.  Blah.  Awesome!  I don't care, not a bad day.  Later.

Awake early.

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A lot earlier.  I went to bed a little earlier.  I think because it cooled off earlier?  It is only in the mid 80's out there now, in early afternoon.  But it felt muggy?  I just woke, so sensations aren't always to be trusted.  Sleep seemed pretty good, with a minor nightmare... a deer in the road, one of those winding roads.  A cliff without a guard rail to my right, two-way two lane road with a blind curve immediately ahead and behind... I know the place, up Logan Canyon.

I couldn't stop or steer away.  I simply had to slow as much as possible and take the hit.  It isn't premonitional.  My friend, who died some time back, was with me.  And had quite feared I would swerve.  I told him, he being on the outside, I had certainly considered it.  His eyes grew big and almost fearful in an odd moment, until I burst out laughing.  He joined a few seconds later.  Mostly.  He really wasn't always... sure about me.

Good thing I didn't go into the oncoming lane.  A fully loaded semi popped around the corner, blaring it's horn as it finished off the beast, or so I suspected.  I worried, for a moment, that driver was going to come into my lane.  When passed, and the danger was over, I had my own nervous little spell of chuckles.  Not a horrible dream, just... tight.  And it kept reviewing the choicer parts, as if to see if something wrong could still be elicited.  I refused to let 'history' be changed.

I couldn't stop and do anything... double blind, at highway speeds.  But at the next letoff, to the side of the road, I called it in.  A rough place to have a deer carcass.  Checked the damage.  None, really.  I must have slowed more than I thought.  Then, as mentioned, the dream rewound, several times, back to the choicest bits.

My mother called this morning.  I called back but she is busy.  All good.  At least we both know.  The ladder is set up for painting this afternoon or early evening.  There remains only one window needing a first coat.  I will do that first in hopes that it will be dry enough to do a second coat before the night is finished.  I would like to finish the dormers tonight, and the two lower windows.  I won't be doing a complete painting with the second coats, just the facings and any missed nooks.  Getting there.  I would also like to start the chainsaw, let it run for just a bit.

The work, little as it is, has been beefing me up.  Calves and arms are hardening.  It feels good.  If someone could manage the stupid house stuff, I could get some real work done.  I love working on the house, trees, mechanical, and suchlike.  Always tripping on the dishes, food, and such.

Troubles, as usual.

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The water timer is messed up.  Of course, tinkering while it is in play messes things up.  Getting valves to close when open, and the like, is tricky.  It should have a simple close switch, by valve, and an all close button.  Not well designed, too complicated, and I am beginning to think it doesn't work as claimed.  I'll know more shortly.  For tonight I will do it manually.

A storm passed through.  The paint needs two hours.  I think it got it.  I hope.  It wasn't much rain, enough to make everything look wet,not enough to water anything.  I am surprised we got any rain.  I don't expect it this time of year at all.  Even August doesn't get much rain.  Or, as I recall events.

One more run, after switching sprinkler locations in the front yard, and that is that.  Running all a bit longer because I think I failed to water last time.  Double time doesn't work well, but a little extra does help.  I'll see if Wednesday works as it should.  Had trouble getting things to work right.  Might tinker with it when it is day and I am not trying to make it work while it is running.  The time and day were off though.  Perhaps someone else was messing with it, or it doesn't work, as suggested.

Work.

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I really tried to talk my way out of it.  Wouldn't take a no.  Was willing to work solo.  I... just couldn't allow that.  My last official bp?  226/124, pulse at 120.  Still, I could so I did.  Got a lot more done than anticipated, and in an hour and change.  But I am beat.  A bit of final processing and a lot of hauling.  Quite a lot of work.  Beat like a stray.

I'll get to planting when I can.  Soon.  They need to go in pretty fast.  Thursday, at the earliest, though.

The lad bit himself with the chainsaw.  Just a bit, but.  I have saw proof chaps, he wore them last time, why not today.  I didn't see it happen.  It was right as we were finishing logs for the community fire wood pile.  Ended the day.  No more sawing, at least not without chaps.  Might need stitches.  Yeah, I'll cover if so.  Those chaps are pricey, but probably cheaper than even the out-of-pocket stitches.  Dang kid, trying to get one of his parents to end me!

I was going to get dinner too.  I gave him a few dollars.  If he needs stitches he can get a meal on the way.  Gah.  I need to purchase butterflies (bandages).  I do have staples, medical, two sizes, but those are for no-doctor events.  Three butterflies, medium to small, would probably have been enough.  Dang kids, trying to give me a heart attack.
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Actually, I was busy.

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Neighbor's son number three visited.  Time to begin mowing, which meant taking off the plow and tire chains, then installing the the mower deck.  We were going to sharpen the blades, too, but oops.  This fall.  It took a bit, mostly looking up instructions.  Well, and messing with the air compressor.  It is dumping air through the moisture dump on the bottom.  Have to deflate the tires to get the chains off, which means reinflation.  Got it done, but barely.  Damned companies these days, and that was DeWalt.

The mower is ready, if it could use oil.  The weedwhip started right up too.  But we also cut saplings and shoots, cut branches from one of the evergreens and removed those and regular fallen branches to the town branch collection station.  Oh, used the cordless sawsall on the branches and all.  I wasn't expecting much.  I was wrong.  Using the most powerful battery I have, it chewed through three inch branches with ease.  I think even a six inch branch.

Between this and that, we ended up doing a goodly lot of work.  Tinkering, to figure things out, while technically doing nothing, is sometimes a lot more work than doing something... often.  I will see about a phone number, about the air compressor, and call that tomorrow.  I want that ready to go.  I think it is powerful enough to jack two roofing nailers at a time, at least, if it will hold air.

I also asked about work this summer.  Help with the roof.  New larger bolts and painting.  Just the lower areas, for now.  And, if time and money holds, shingling the shed.  Yeah.  He believes so.  Just wants to check with the parents.  Either way, I'll be hitting that this summer.  It's more about how much will be done, and how fast.  Hmm, best look at paint/sealers, see what won't be a problem for rain water collection... a project for next summer, or the next two summers.  Perhaps most of the gutters up (all bought) next summer, and the big holding tank and final connections the summer after that?  Everything ends up costing more than it seems it would.

We worked so that with cooling down, I didn't get to bed until 17:00, well into it... Actually 18:19, I looked right before jumping down the rabbit hole.  When I crashed, it was a fast lights out.  Nothing like a little work to sleep as a child.

He wasn't expecting it, didn't help for it, but beside what was done, I was grateful to have someone give me a push to work, that I offered a small coin gratuity.  Not a full worth, but not a sneezer either.  Anyway, that is why no post.  I really was busy, then too tired.

I am hoping to springboard from this on to more solo work.  Branches from the other evergreens, perhaps clean the garage, straightening tools, and kitchen work.  I am up on things, dishes and airing anyway.  Now to dig deeper.  Figuring out tools will be a general help in part of the kitchen.  Yeah.  Today was great, but as with a few other things, it ain't over.

Good morning and day.

A double nap.

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Right at four hours?  I think so.  I thought I woke at 10:00, if it doesn't seem I have been awake for an hour.  Could be though.  I didn't wake wide or quickly.  Still not all that awake if not able to sleep more.  Rot!  Oh, I am hoping to get some things done.  Do you know folk used to patronize hermits, still do.  Perhaps online?  :p

Dishes and surfaces in the kitchen.  Keeping the list small and doable.  If/as things are marked off a single replacement will be added.  A long list, today, is not going to help.  Might fall asleep rereading it.  And I won't be starting for another hour.  Or more.  Trash?  Not much to go out unless I start digging into storage.  Ugh, don't want to contemplate that now, but maybe.

Late waking.

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The girls were trying to wake me since 8:30.  About every two hous after that.  Ah, they must have gone through the hard food I keep out to tide them over.  Not much I could do.  Way too tired.  Cats DO have snoozes!  Still, every two hours.  Should have shooed them out and closed the door.  First, I couldn't really herd cats, and they would have pounded the door every two hours anyway.  Note to self, dry cat food.  TODAY.  I finally woke at about 14:00.

As to who the fuss is about?  I'm starting to think it is pretty much everybody.  Close, far, kin, friend, associate, enemy, and those without any real attachment at all, which means for no good reason, some of them.  Some of it I fully understand, not that I always care, and I don't agree or there probably wouldn't be an issue.  I really can go with only God.  He gets the worst of the deal but seems satisfied with the deal.  Heck, He is who proposed, called.  All I had to do was follow, if that is a hell of a thing for even a broken one of my kind.  So?  Don't think I'm picking on you, or you alone.  Not even really picking, just sensing it.  The reading... added something to it.  Do what you have to do, some of it I get, if it isn't...  I am here, you are there, so be it.

I ran the whole quart of cream through to clotted cream this time, salting as I was loading.  The cream was much thicker this time.  I have heard that cream will vary, as to viscosity, evn week to week from the same cow?  That is how I heard it from several sources who have proven out before.  I should have made butter, even if I have plenty and am buying theirs.  Just to do it once, for the experience.  The next thick batch gets butterized.  The clotted cream has cooled enough to be covered and refrigerated.  I'll let this batch rest overnight.

I may see if I have a dried cherries, cranberries, or else for scones.  With it cooling, making a dough batch, then just baking one or two every other day, along with clotted cream and a cup or dozen of warm tea?  Sounds good.  Next to find good fresh eggs, though to see what feed they use?  But what feed is good?  All I know is commercial eggs seem to be a real problem no matter how I use them.  Hopefully baking won't be a problem?  Gahk!

Hmm, dressed, save for shoes.  Might try to install the scoop, maybe the counter-weight.  I need an air compressor for the tire chains, supposed to let the air out a bit, then pressurize to final fit.  I may just buy one this coming month.  Merry Christmas to self?  Especially if I can find an affordable 120/220-40 multi, for when I get the garage rewired.  Probably a few years off, but planning ahead is far better than catching up.  Right.  Just say "right".  :p

I best get to it.  Later.

Sleep, lots of it.

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Not shying away from it.  If my body seems to want or need sleep, as soon as I realize it, I let it happen.  I have had three full sleep cycles with four to six hours of rather poor wake time between.  I can't seem to reach a full waking state before beginning the return to sleep.  I have tried a few tricks, they aren't working.  I am about to go for a fourth in less than two days.

I have some needs, charcoal and garlic bulbs.  While I am not a general user of "organics", there are times when they might come in handy.  In this, to start growing my own.  California "non-organic" garlic might do as well.  If I can find both I will compare.  I found the problem with most 'fresh' garlic, often "organic" too.  It is from China.  Bleached, chemically treated so as not to sprout, raised in raw sewage, often including human feces, and stored for extended periods to boot.  It does taste weaker.  The government is either weaponizing the food industry against us, corrupted, more, or all of the above.  While I don't abide "organic" (even if there was something to it (there isn't), when it goes corporate, often Chinese, any good is buried in human feces, high prices, and other lies), very limited specific short term uses are in order.

What for?  Not for eating, save potentially short term, but back to one small new food production operation.  Something, hopefully, along with figuring out horseradish and jer. artichokes, to get me off my butt.  I'm praying, along with a few other things needing done, that I can get to it.  Yeah, we'll see.  Here is a vid, if you think fresh homegrown garlic might be worth some small investment in off your butt juice, aka elbow grease, with twice the odor!  :P

Woot!

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I took my time, but finally got out to water everything.  The jerusalem artichokes were looking so sad I had to get out.  I have seen them droop for days, but between forgetting and crashing, and not finding the right time (can't water in full sun)... Today, though, today, they all got watered.  I may hit them again in the morning.  Everything is looking pretty good.  I think I have lost one or two of the seven or eight raspberry bushes.  As shooters develop, I'll transplant those in... or try some other sorts.  Hey, it's... almost fun.  Wait, no, it is fun.  All is looking good, if the 'artichokes' pull through.  But that isn't what got me excited.

Anyway.  It was getting really dark, couldn't really see.  I was pretty sure the asparagus is gone.  The bed is getting weedy.  I may clear it, put boxes over it, and plastic too.  Well, and maybe push the piles over, which I never did end up doing as nothing seemed to be growing.  couldn't really see much.  Went on to the other bushes, near the house.  They look to be doing well, actually.  But I couldn't really see... what I was spraying.  So I got out my flashlight.  Ah, very good.  I went and sprayed everything once more, this time with my flashlight.

It was then that I discovered, the asparagus is up, and seeding!  Absolutely wonderful.  I was all but sure I had killed them off.  I will definitely get out there, weed, cover all but the asparagus, and check it a bit more often.  What a relief!  Actually, I might set up the sprinklers to begin watering once or twice a week now.  I will just make sure these areas are also hit.  An half hour run, twice or three times a week?  Something like that.  I'll still have to manually water the planter items.  Oh... one of the horseradish plants doesn't seem to have made it.  But two others are a go.  Both in one big planter though.  I think I'll move the litter one over to the other planter... two seems too crowded.  If it doesn't live, I'll just use the one for "seed-root" stock next year, rather than harvesting any... depending on how much root I get, though, I suppose?  Dunno... just learning...

Woot!  If you love asparagus, having a bed of it is something else.  Raspberries and the cold 'blueberries' will be a year or two more.  Not sure about the rhubarb.  The 'artichokes will be ready this fall, my first edible... wait.... the horseradish leaves will be tried before that.  I have always liked the idea of greens.  Sometimes just not the practical.  Though I am... beyond just the taste of food, if I have learned a few tricks to make things more edible.

Bedtime? I hope.

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I just... keep losing track.  I did find some information I wanted.  Metal roof maintenance.  Now, I am sure there other companies, various levels of effort, and such.  My roof is still in rather good shape.  There is some mild rust, probably just needing spot treatment.  The real tricks would be cost and working on the steeper portion of the roof.  Though I think that is doable.  I, yeah, have been looking for systems for that as well.

Right?

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We'll see.  I did get a bit going, which is super.  A shower, and some such, earlier.  I set up dishes, some for washing some just need a final rinse.  I went outside to see what was what.  I watered the bushes of various sorts, but will wait for evening to hit the asparagus again.  I'll water those twice a day, every other day.  Just a five minute light spray.  The bushes will get hit once or twice a week, depending on how they are looking.  Yeah, I needed sunglasses.

I couldn't find the small garden rake and spade, so I just used a pocket knife.  I got the ladder out and up.  I only have one small area on the front roof with a gutter.  It had dirt at about three to more like four inches deep.  I was a bit worried regarding the downpipe.  Oddly, it was quite open.  Weird, but okay.  Next I want to go up on the roof and clean a bit up and around up there.  The first level of roofing is fairly reasonable to be up on... not too steep or slick.  Still, I...

Waking with headaches.

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While food is part of it, the other part is the temperatures.  Even with the windows open, fan on, and all, the temperature probably is just now dipping to 70.  Until a day or so ago, the cave would get down to 66.  Even then, recently, when I work more, I still needed the fan going in order to sleep better.  The fan helps, a bit, currently, but I am losing the battle with sleeping during the day.

This has put cleaning and setting up the main bedroom on the fasttrack.  I can get by, for a bit, even during the days, sleeping using the fan... although headaches will become a norm.  Soon, however, I won't even be able to sleep at night without the air conditioner.  I will be able to sleep in the day, but even with the air conditioner I will end up, often, with headaches.  Oh, I may water the plants again.  Just a bit.  If I take a shower, I will water the plants again after I finish.  They love me for it, and one is starting to look a little... rough.  I know the feeling.

Then again, I think last year I acclimated, mostly, to the heat.  Perhaps, as I am improving, I might acclimate again.  Being on a keto diet helps, if I have been fudging on that lately.  Bleh.  Fasting helps too.  I need to figure my way back to that.  It is difficult to begin keto, intermittent fasting, and both especially, when trying to do a lot of work.  It's better to begin when you can coast as may be needed until you flip over.

Holy flagpole, Batman!

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I suggested that, in a dream recently, putting up a flag was... encouraged.  Among other things.  I have been looking at temporary and longer term fixes for this idea.  For now, a smaller flag, and a new or repaired bracket, is the way I would have to go.  However, I have been reviewing taller flag poles, from 20 to 30 foot.  Well... that... is both expensive and quite a chore to install.

I haven't found a simple formula for how much of a ground must (should?) be added to a flag pole, which would go deeper than the buried depth.  I have found how deep the pole should be buried in order to obtain the greatest strength, after which diminishing returns would eliminate any additional strength... 10% of the height is the simple bury depth (if that can be a bit more complicated for various reasons, perhaps).

The thing is, beside digging, to a degree for both the flag and possibly a bit for the ground, there is: adding a sleeve, surrounded by the concrete; filling the sleeve with the pole and then sand; and a few other things.  And it takes a lot of concrete and at least some decent amount of sand.  Really?  Yes.  It's a heck of a job.  Well, not this year.  But at least I have some idea about just how much work that is.  The cost, however, is still... an unknown.  In part because I am not sure whether steel or aluminum is best, what exact height I do want, how much concrete and sand... exactly... is needed or even how much per bag...  My guess is even a 20' flag, done correctly, is a small fortune.  Oh, and while I have seen flag poles in the $50's (never go with the cheapest?), I have seen other poles being offered in the $400~$500 range, and higher.  Really?  *sigh*  I'll get on the standard, small, side pole soon enough.  The other pole might be a year or two off.  Now, I am excited, a bit, about the work.  It's the costs which have me twitching.

Oh, the other thing?  Looking at the calendar and reviewing the particular saint for a day.  I am not certain there is a saint for every day.  Though some saints are doubled, or more, on single days.  As well, there are new and old saints' days.  Depending on your source, you might find there are, in a way, many saints on a given day.  The saint for today is St. Athanasius.  A bishop, doctor of the church, and all around good guy.  *smile*  I have read about him, from several sources.  I have a general sense that... I appreciate him and his work.  He even found peace in his time, and left in peace.  Pretty fly... for a saint.  It's good when, from time to time, a saint doesn't have to be martyred to make the headlines.  Amen.

Later.

I wouldn't have believed it.

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So, out I went.  Oh, but I had to come back in, find the instructions, read them over a bit, and then get to it.  I had all the tools I needed, where I needed them.  I just could not remember how, distance, depth, and such.  Rhubarb first.  I only have six of those, and they just go into a pit.  Nothing fancy, and not to full depth or more.  I cut the plastic around, as well as the cardboard, then dug a good nine inches of dirt out.  More than needed, but I hate ending up having to dig more while in the process.  Plus, it loosens the soil.  All good.

I did each kind at it's own end.  I fudged distances a bit, but then their notions were ridiculous for my setup.  I suppose commercial farmers would be more attuned to their odd ways.  Then again, I guess we will see.  At least two should be fine.  I left an area in the middle I am hoping to plant garlic and maybe daikon radishes, if they will grow.  They may be a bit too water needing to do well here.  Still, I'd like to give it a shot.

Then out to the asparagus bed.  I dug three cross-angle trenches, to see if that would work.  With 25 (plus one extra) root bundles, I would need to dig another nine if I was going to plant them all, done all today, dug and planted some today some later, or what, I did not know.  I decided to go with the dogs to the butt.  If they started barking I would give it a rest... or at least if they barked and bit beyond my tolerances.

The angled trench was perfect for two to three root systems.  I also cut the roots back just a bit before putting them into the ground.  I had needed to do nothing with the rhubarb.  Still, no fuss... save that I was on my knees, crawling around.  Oddly my knees didn't bug me.  Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.  Of course I was wearing knee pads.  Not that that always helps.  I finished the three trenches then reassessed my situation.  Good!  So, on I went.  I dug the rest of the trenches, unsure if I would be able to finish the planting.  On I went, trimming the roots, burying as I believe the instructions suggested, on down the line.

Done.  Before I knew it they were finished.  Well, for now.  The instructions suggested digging a six inch trench, putting them in, but only burying them to two inches, at first.  When/if the bulbs shoot up, then when ready, bury them to near the surface but just another two inches.  Finally, when they are ready, bury them the rest of the way.  They say it could take four to six weeks.  Okay.  Reminds me of women.  Only they are never done.  :p

Finished?  No.  I was still doing well.  So... I grabbed the spade and root shovel to begin digging starter holes for the other other bushes.  Six holes.  I don't think they are deep enough, but they are mostly dug.  When, probably Monday, I get out to finish those, I will trim their roots, set them in water for four, six, maybe eight hours, then dig more... if I think, where they are, I will need the pick-awl.  I'd like to get about a foot maybe up to half more diameter hole at least a foot deep.  After they have been watered in preparation, then I'll put them in.

Anyway, not bad.  I can handle this well.  My legs are slightly stiff, but not back to a full on concrete feel.  I have a reasonable sweat going.  And I feel like I did a bit of work.  Digging is work, but the heaviest thing, for me, is going down to a kneel and getting up from it.  Actually, the whole process of working on the knees, digging, and all... it's all a reasonable effort.  On the good side, I can do it fairly well, when I can do it.  Tomorrow will be a good day down.

Later.

A pleasant morning.

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I have still been mostly resting.  Just enjoying waking, or... something.  The nap was more than a nap, less than a full sleep.  With my days and nights so off schedule I... can't tell what anything is.  Only how I am at some point.  At this point it would be something I would call good.

I consumed the last of the eggs I boiled.  More will be made soon.  They can be a bit dull.  And, yet, that isn't a bad thing.  Food isn't always meant to be exciting.  Food, sometimes, often, is just... something.  Sometimes it is worse.  Food, sometimes, really does taste like ass.  While it is good to sometimes enjoy food, that... isn't the point.  Much like feelings, about anything, that really isn't meant to be the sum, point, end, or goal.  I don't even like having to eat, so why should I enjoy every meal.  Just, sometimes, it is good to enjoy.  Yes, more eggs.  Though, this time, I may make two dozen eggs.  Several most mornings is good, but a few in salads, from time to time, because those too become boring.  A bit of a change, as in adding partly soft boiled eggs, helps.

I am also attempting to sprout alfalfa.  They don't seem to be doing much.  I opened them... some long time back.  Perhaps they have died.  I'll find out soon enough.  Maybe they just take a bit longer to sprout than I thought, or I soaked them too long before beginning the simple moistening and turning part.  These I am doing in the hopes of adding a few more vitamins and minerals to my salads, and again, to add a bit of a change to my diet.  The more, especially green, the merrier.

I have been looking over some things, regarding setting aside items in mason jars.  Some seem to think vacuum sealing the jars is better.  Some don't.  I really don't know.  I do have a vacuum sealer, if not the jar sealing portion (just a ~$10 fix).  For my money, it would be worth investing and doing that.  Though, too, I would like to go with non-metal lids... for both salts and sugars.  While I was reviewing these ideas, I also started thinking about tea and coffee.  No matter what they tell you, more people need those things than not.  Stop the production of soda and... they'll be wanting... nay needing... coffee or tea.

Tea is easy enough.  Much as with salt and sugar, especially with vacuum sealing jars and the loose leaf I prefer, that would last a goodly bit.  Coffee?  I have a video of options included.  I am thinking, as with the channel host, of going both ways.  Hedging bets, it's the real way.  Though I would like to find sources for coffee beans, compare prices, and "can" my own, in 2 1/2's... that's a lot of sourcing and such, and... right now, or in the short run, maybe beyond.  But these and tea would give me a short term, easy enough, two to four year supply of coffee.  And I could figure my tea for about the same, all on the cheap... or... cheap enough, for now.  There is a notion of growing tea.  Which is neat.  However, to grow and harvest enough tea plants to produce enough leaves... seems... unlikely.  I just don't see it.  Though, perhaps?  It is, in theory, possible.

Oh, something about glass jars?  In a potential earthquake zone?  Right.  Something to keep in mind.  I might consider making padded boxes/crates for them... or considering such.  Half of prepping isn't just storing "crap", it's understanding possible problems, then engineering a way around them.  Attempting to be frugal but ahead of the game.  How much, how deeply, how well, is one prepared for any eventuality?  It's... a bit of a game, though not.  Like what the Boy Scouts was meant to be about.  Only as an adult.  So... yeah... glass jars, in an earthquake zone.  Just how much padding would be needed, how long could those hold up?  Assuming the house didn't fall in on them.  Always something.  Though even that eventuality can be mitigated, to some point.  Probably.  :p

I best get to dishes.  They are all easy.  Just a rinse, really.  Then drying and putting away.  There aren't that many.  Perhaps, then, a trip to town.  Mostly looking for short pruners, sucker goop, peat moss and coir, compost center components, and just a price check on several things.  Though a quick run to the grocery store wouldn't be bad.  Milk, cream, cabbage, kale, romaine, and maybe a few fruits... and lemons.  I've heard that placing lemons in water will keep them fresh longer.  I am hoping, if the price is right, to grab enough up to attempt several methods of simple means of extending their useful life.  Lemons are good for me, and great for many foods and recipes.  It's their short standard shelf life that has me... missing them.

Oh, I best get something rigged up for the worms, after dishes but before a shower?  Yeah.  Right.  Later.  And good day.

Surprises.

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I did get to the dishes.  Some of them washed, rinsed, and up.  Though more of them just washed and put to a rinse.  As well, I finally got the cat watering system in for a wash.  I just don't use anything right out of packages... not for me, not for the critters.  Do not trust.  That's not even a bad thing, it is just the facts of mass production.  In time to be freshly washed for when dinner arrives.

The only other things I plan to do today are to eat something or other, finish the dishes in the rinse... well and the cat waterer, get the trash out, then take a good long soak bath.  I am sore pretty much everywhere.  It is wonderful, and yet I am hoping a salt soak will work things out.  I will be set to sprint this coming week.  Much to do.  Though, in truth, my goal is to begin working regularly, if lightly.  Can I get to ten solid hours of work, committed dedicated timed?  I don't know.  I think so.  I am finally doing well enough that I can not only think about it, but might be able to do it.  If I can, I suspect I might begin going beyond that.  Working twenty to thirty hours around the house and yard a week?  Maybe.

I am well pleased with the digging so far, and planning.  Some of the purchases have been made, just a few left for this month.  I did check the prices for various pvc gutter systems.  Sure, metal is much stronger, and would last a lot longer.  Hmm, I didn't actually price it though.  I believe I will be going with pvc for now.  If that fails too often or catastrophically, then I might go with metal.  If I go with metal, it will be with steel.  Oh, and there are mesh screens for over them now, so they aren't as difficult to keep clean.  They just snap on and off, so they aren't another layer of seemingly small but in truth large complications.  Life... you think you found a trick to keep it all together.  The trick turns into a curveball, but not for but against you.

Another job for this week?  Shredding mail.  I have... piles and piles of it.  I also have the new incentive of needing carbon sources.  Raking might bring some, but shredding will probably be the most abundant, if limited, sources to start the game.  To think I tossed... six or seven bags of "brown" a year or two ago.  Ugh.  Well, it's something to keep me in the game, I guess.

Oh, right.  Live and learn.  Not only are horseradish roots useful, the leaves are another green.  Actually, that might be a reason to grow more than one, or two.  The thing is, I really want them in planters.  At least until I figure out my growing areas and... it begins to take shape and make sense.  Invasive?  That... bothers me.  I'm already a local nuisance, I do not wish to complicate things further.

Later.

Later and sore.

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Nothing unexpected.  Actually better than anticipated on the soreness.  I didn't get dishes done last night so I really do have to do them today.  The goal is to do those, then take a shower, before dinner arrives.  No promises though.  Digging and weeding hit both my legs and lower back.  Not terribly, but it does slow me down.  Then again, I don't feel pain well, so it's probably worse than I suspect.  Moving more slowly is a way for my body to continue hiding pain.

I was thinking, if the plastic doesn't work as well as I would alike, or alone, I might add cardboard underneath.  And, with the raspberries, I may do more than the plots I have.  Perhaps dig out the whole area?  If not now, in time.  I would like those transplants to turn the area into a true hedge.  Though I may see how these do then go from there?

As for general purposes, I need to get some goop to put on shoots from around trees and scrubs I cut.  Otherwise every year I have to cut just as many as before.  I honestly thought eventually they would stop.  Nope.  So... yeah.  I am sure I will always have some, but not this many.  These mostly look like reshoots off old cuts.  I'll fix it.

Cleaning the gutters will be a chore for this week too.  While I am doing that I would like to get an idea about additional or new gutters.  While I do have two levels of roofs, the upper level simply drops directly to the lower level.  If I wanted to try to be tricky, and catch more, I might well Put a small section of gutter, without need of a drain... just let it pour out further in toward the middle of the lower roof.  But that might be a lot of work for very little.  Having a clean, unpainted, metal roof really helps in a lot of ways.  Oh, and beside my house, my garage.  I have some outhouses too, but the closest one has traditional roofing... and it's small.  Not sure it's worth the work.  Though maybe.  Actually, that one might be good to water the raspberry bushes.  Bushes?

This week?  Attempting to find local rhubarb, asparagus, and horseradish... perhaps another bigger planter pot or halfbarrel to plant a second horseradish root.  Finding shoot-goop and then trimming the shoots and scrub while applying the goop.  Keeping an eye on the opened beds, laying cardboard if necessary.  Raking the lawn, sweeping the sidewalks, and doing some general cleaning.  Calling about the fees for a dumpster, though that isn't quite in the books yet, I just want to think about when to schedule it.  Oh, and checking out materials for a compost center.  That's outside.

Inside I am hoping to finish all dishes, as well as that is possible.  Then getting laundry going again.  I would like to finish that and be up, then keep up.  Then hit the bathroom and kitchen, a bit or enough, along with restarting the bedroom.  Ugh.  But, that's... the deal.  Oh, I do have a few pieces of business to manage as well.  I best get these dishes washed, a shower in, then rinse them, and maybe, later, take a soak bath.  It'll help get me started for the week.

Later.