.
.
I have been teasing myself with spaghetti and meatballs for days now. It was becoming downright cruel. I decided to go for it. A quick search, finding no bread, panco, or other mixings of that sort wasn't going to put me off. Grains? I found about a pound of six grain mix. Usually used for breakfast, if not recently. No bugs, though, I suppose, a quick check and if the right kind of bug? Meh. No worries this time. Look, if you are thinking of wild living you had best get used to eating what is for to eat, not what you want. Now, since I used unprocessed grains, just cooking the meatballs through will not be enough. I had thought to soak them in the marinara for a bit, an half hour or so at least. Now it's not so much an option as a requirement. Just a dandy one... if I will suffer, it will be worth it.
So, next to check the meat. It smelled not only okay but good. I was a bit surprised. I was almost hoping it was even a tad off. While my belly wants the food, my... ask me later... wants to sit. Anyway, with everything a go, I put the spices, herbs, salt, meat, and grains in and went to mix. Hrm? I had always hated watching eggs go into such mixes. I figured it was just a way to lessen the expense. Or because mom's like gooey things. Tricksies, womenzes. Well, they are. However, perhaps not on this particular thing. Yeah, fine. Eggs were required to pull it together. Sorry mom. Yes, I have had this grudge against that process since I was a child. I was a very different child.
Well, one side is done, so I flipped and am crisping the bottoms of the meatballs. Not required, just... I like a bit more crunch... a more solid texture. The marinara is going. When the timer goes off, in they go... half of them... or whatever seems about right. If all else fails, I can use the spares for a snack as are, or with salsa, on chips, with cheese, sliced up a bit? Maybe. Oh, I shouldn't tease, even accidentally, by talking of food. So very hungry.
Ah, you know what is next? Especially now that I have several types of fresh pork sausage? Scotch eggs. Here. Doh! No more food stuff for a while.
Later.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Almost lost the day.
.
.
No major complaint if that had happened. I have been doing well. I might have pushed too far too fast. Even so, dropping into comfort after such is not the best idea, if it can be avoided. I realized I had the other front room curtain on the list, sheer set anyway. A simple gaze and I realized that just wan't going to be a simple drill and pray. I still have the shelving I purchased and constructed right in front of that window. It had been for growing plants. That just never really worked out. I only tried it one year. Though that really wasn't the problem. It was gardening. That was simply too much. The more I did to alleviate, such as using drip irrigation, the more complicated, time consuming, expensive, and problematic the process got. I never did see where extra effort ahead paid off on the return, anywhere. Weeds might have been a little easier, but not enough to call it a major gain. Anyway... so I had that shelving tower, which has collected... bits of everything.
I dug in, not wanting to say I did nothing. It is mostly clear, save for some of the seed growing materials. Probably trash, but I'll ask around. Hmm... then again, some of those things might be good for starting a few herbs... the legit kind. The trick is to keep the cats out of the seeds then the pots for the big plants. Nothing, and I mean nothing, like fresh herbs though. Yeah.
I may just call that done for now, then go on to dinner. I have everything I need, save maybe enough gumption. I have even been keeping up on dishes, give or take. So that isn't a swarming problem. I sure could dig in to a plate of good food. In spite of doing nothing, my body is telling me that food would be advisable. Oh, I also reset kefir jugs. I had one half gallon that had been out... what I would have thought would be too long. I really wondered if it had gone bad. Nope. My sniffer is rather particular. It's let enough poison and bad food go in, it doesn't want to play that anymore. I can handle some of that, on some things. But if my nose, stomach, brain, or even emotion center says no, I accept the veto. This was good. I just needed to split out the goo between two half gallon jugs, refill with milk, and it should be ready maybe even by the morning. Kefir really is good stuff. Fresh local fruit would really add to it. This year I have to make extra care to get fresh peaches and cherries, in season. Some to eat, some to add, some perhaps to freeze. Pureed, blended, or even just well diced, those, without any additional sugar, would definitely make kefir even more grand. I still like the plain, but a seasonal bump would be nice. Hmm... I bet, somewhere, fresh local strawberries might be coming due?
Tea, rest, a bit of this and that. Today is good. I feel changes coming. Who knows if they will continue or fade. I still think a good year at this level and wherever it takes me would see me fit for anything a normal man would even consider. That's the trick, though, isn't it. Not just the year, but then on from there. I don't see a lot of choices. Later.
.
No major complaint if that had happened. I have been doing well. I might have pushed too far too fast. Even so, dropping into comfort after such is not the best idea, if it can be avoided. I realized I had the other front room curtain on the list, sheer set anyway. A simple gaze and I realized that just wan't going to be a simple drill and pray. I still have the shelving I purchased and constructed right in front of that window. It had been for growing plants. That just never really worked out. I only tried it one year. Though that really wasn't the problem. It was gardening. That was simply too much. The more I did to alleviate, such as using drip irrigation, the more complicated, time consuming, expensive, and problematic the process got. I never did see where extra effort ahead paid off on the return, anywhere. Weeds might have been a little easier, but not enough to call it a major gain. Anyway... so I had that shelving tower, which has collected... bits of everything.
I dug in, not wanting to say I did nothing. It is mostly clear, save for some of the seed growing materials. Probably trash, but I'll ask around. Hmm... then again, some of those things might be good for starting a few herbs... the legit kind. The trick is to keep the cats out of the seeds then the pots for the big plants. Nothing, and I mean nothing, like fresh herbs though. Yeah.
I may just call that done for now, then go on to dinner. I have everything I need, save maybe enough gumption. I have even been keeping up on dishes, give or take. So that isn't a swarming problem. I sure could dig in to a plate of good food. In spite of doing nothing, my body is telling me that food would be advisable. Oh, I also reset kefir jugs. I had one half gallon that had been out... what I would have thought would be too long. I really wondered if it had gone bad. Nope. My sniffer is rather particular. It's let enough poison and bad food go in, it doesn't want to play that anymore. I can handle some of that, on some things. But if my nose, stomach, brain, or even emotion center says no, I accept the veto. This was good. I just needed to split out the goo between two half gallon jugs, refill with milk, and it should be ready maybe even by the morning. Kefir really is good stuff. Fresh local fruit would really add to it. This year I have to make extra care to get fresh peaches and cherries, in season. Some to eat, some to add, some perhaps to freeze. Pureed, blended, or even just well diced, those, without any additional sugar, would definitely make kefir even more grand. I still like the plain, but a seasonal bump would be nice. Hmm... I bet, somewhere, fresh local strawberries might be coming due?
Tea, rest, a bit of this and that. Today is good. I feel changes coming. Who knows if they will continue or fade. I still think a good year at this level and wherever it takes me would see me fit for anything a normal man would even consider. That's the trick, though, isn't it. Not just the year, but then on from there. I don't see a lot of choices. Later.
As the quickening occurs...
.
.
Thoughts, memories, functions, ideals, hungers, all coalesce into shapes, a form. It'll take a bit, at a heavy pace, for any of this to mean anything. It will never quite mean what it once meant, I'll never be that good again. I'll never be that strong or fast. I may bring some of it back. The call is too strong to ignore, this time. It's pulling me right out of the nice comfy grave I had dug for myself.
.
Thoughts, memories, functions, ideals, hungers, all coalesce into shapes, a form. It'll take a bit, at a heavy pace, for any of this to mean anything. It will never quite mean what it once meant, I'll never be that good again. I'll never be that strong or fast. I may bring some of it back. The call is too strong to ignore, this time. It's pulling me right out of the nice comfy grave I had dug for myself.
Jack the Giant Killer
.
.
Well, maybe not always Jack. Only mother and the Lord knows. Then again, in cosmic things, who knows jack? Well, other than God, but He hasn't spoken in some time.
.
Well, maybe not always Jack. Only mother and the Lord knows. Then again, in cosmic things, who knows jack? Well, other than God, but He hasn't spoken in some time.
Well...
.
.
I stayed up for an hour, maybe two, perhaps three? Something in my mind had stretched, like a rubber band being pulled to the breaking point... but not quite over. So I went on back to bed. For an hour or two I simply laid in bed. It reminded me of the decades I lived between being awake and asleep. You don't know the horror of that, unless plagued enough by insomnia to paint yourself as a ghost often enough to wrap your mind around the notion. Horrified, I was. The fear of going back to that fog is intense. Still, I made a great attempt to focus my mind, pull away from the fog, begin putting my mind into simple gear, and then letting it drift. The first hour was rough, the second hour saw stabilization. Between the second and into the third hour, perhaps, I ended up sleeping. I then slept for a few hours. Long enough to feel better.
Funny thing is, my body started to ache, just a bit, through these things. I think it was supposed to be hurting, I just was a little overworked to get that going. As things were mended and dealt with, the aches returned. All good. I really don't mind natural, healthy, aches and strains. Besides, at this time they are mild. I don't need even a few painkillers for it. Funny again? I haven't needed painkillers since I started working. One pain, for me, or many, often inactivate others. There is some crescendo of pain which I have to back down from. I am not quite fit enough currently to reach that. Though how much of a natural limit I have is... another thing. As can be seen, even by my humble beginning into tree work, given all the givens, when I can I can go very deep.
Today? Oh, I suppose I might, later, attempt to put the other sheers up. I have the one I put up yesterday in use. It is quite nice to have light, even if today is rather dark, and yet privacy too. Though I would like to get rod holders that extend further. For now the curtains and sheers are at the same outset level as the other. Doable, just, as I said, might cause a home matron to laugh and cry at once. Dames and waterworks, innit? As well, spaghetti... I have worked up a hunger for that which is nearing on mean. It shouldn't take all that long, even if, after making the meatballs, I let them simmer in the marinara sauce for an half hour. If, with that and this, I have any extra gumption, I'd like to begin again in the kitchen. I haven't moved on that much. I have kept the bathroom topped. I have moved on edges of the kitchen, very little bits, while not allowing it to degrade. A major strike on what boxes and such still clutter part of the floor, opening up the kitchen table more or completely, then sweeping. For today that would be grand. A few more, or all of, the counters tomorrow... cleared and washed... then mopping? If I can do those things, the kitchen would, mostly, be done. Over the next week I could fiddle with final details as I work on the remaining logs et. al. Then to learn to maintain the bathroom and the kitchen, at once. From there, then add the living room.
Beside fiddling with the inside next week, I do plan at least two more days of outdoor work and one day of hiking. Not just a shorter walk, several miles at least, as a starter. Hmm... I should find my hiking boots and get those seasoned and ready. They are pretty good, just need a spring hit. I try to do spring and fall, though... well... I do my best. Oh, so I should also get my pack going. I can also attempt to set some time aside to make sure I have everything needed for the hammock and overtarp. An MRE or two will deal with any nutritional needs to start out. Especially with a water-powered heat pack with each. I'll work on food packs over time. I want to have groups of days and weeks of those ready for Alaska. Just leave them in various storage places along my paths... until I figure a way out further... then cacheing.
I did have to chuckle. A neighbor asked if I was growing my hair weird for Burning Man or the other one, Sanguero Man. How do you not chuckle when... all I have done is not been able to remember to get in for a haircut since before his two month old was conceived? *chuckles* What is left of the pseudo mohawk and time... All good, but, yeah.
Ah, right... back to waking. Later.
.
I stayed up for an hour, maybe two, perhaps three? Something in my mind had stretched, like a rubber band being pulled to the breaking point... but not quite over. So I went on back to bed. For an hour or two I simply laid in bed. It reminded me of the decades I lived between being awake and asleep. You don't know the horror of that, unless plagued enough by insomnia to paint yourself as a ghost often enough to wrap your mind around the notion. Horrified, I was. The fear of going back to that fog is intense. Still, I made a great attempt to focus my mind, pull away from the fog, begin putting my mind into simple gear, and then letting it drift. The first hour was rough, the second hour saw stabilization. Between the second and into the third hour, perhaps, I ended up sleeping. I then slept for a few hours. Long enough to feel better.
Funny thing is, my body started to ache, just a bit, through these things. I think it was supposed to be hurting, I just was a little overworked to get that going. As things were mended and dealt with, the aches returned. All good. I really don't mind natural, healthy, aches and strains. Besides, at this time they are mild. I don't need even a few painkillers for it. Funny again? I haven't needed painkillers since I started working. One pain, for me, or many, often inactivate others. There is some crescendo of pain which I have to back down from. I am not quite fit enough currently to reach that. Though how much of a natural limit I have is... another thing. As can be seen, even by my humble beginning into tree work, given all the givens, when I can I can go very deep.
Today? Oh, I suppose I might, later, attempt to put the other sheers up. I have the one I put up yesterday in use. It is quite nice to have light, even if today is rather dark, and yet privacy too. Though I would like to get rod holders that extend further. For now the curtains and sheers are at the same outset level as the other. Doable, just, as I said, might cause a home matron to laugh and cry at once. Dames and waterworks, innit? As well, spaghetti... I have worked up a hunger for that which is nearing on mean. It shouldn't take all that long, even if, after making the meatballs, I let them simmer in the marinara sauce for an half hour. If, with that and this, I have any extra gumption, I'd like to begin again in the kitchen. I haven't moved on that much. I have kept the bathroom topped. I have moved on edges of the kitchen, very little bits, while not allowing it to degrade. A major strike on what boxes and such still clutter part of the floor, opening up the kitchen table more or completely, then sweeping. For today that would be grand. A few more, or all of, the counters tomorrow... cleared and washed... then mopping? If I can do those things, the kitchen would, mostly, be done. Over the next week I could fiddle with final details as I work on the remaining logs et. al. Then to learn to maintain the bathroom and the kitchen, at once. From there, then add the living room.
Beside fiddling with the inside next week, I do plan at least two more days of outdoor work and one day of hiking. Not just a shorter walk, several miles at least, as a starter. Hmm... I should find my hiking boots and get those seasoned and ready. They are pretty good, just need a spring hit. I try to do spring and fall, though... well... I do my best. Oh, so I should also get my pack going. I can also attempt to set some time aside to make sure I have everything needed for the hammock and overtarp. An MRE or two will deal with any nutritional needs to start out. Especially with a water-powered heat pack with each. I'll work on food packs over time. I want to have groups of days and weeks of those ready for Alaska. Just leave them in various storage places along my paths... until I figure a way out further... then cacheing.
I did have to chuckle. A neighbor asked if I was growing my hair weird for Burning Man or the other one, Sanguero Man. How do you not chuckle when... all I have done is not been able to remember to get in for a haircut since before his two month old was conceived? *chuckles* What is left of the pseudo mohawk and time... All good, but, yeah.
Ah, right... back to waking. Later.
Down late up early.
.
.
Yeah, strange. It does happen. Obviously. My guess is time is not on my side. A nap at around 10:00, if I can make it that late if I hope to work it until noon.
Funny thing is, I am not sore. I was feeling good by the time I went to bed and remain in good stead as I wake. I have some serious bruises. Working with limbs of that size, at least until you harden up, get experience in not being in the way, and such... it's part of the job. Scrapes too. But those don't really hurt unless activated. I mean muscles, bones even, tendons and ligaments. Perhaps I didn't work hard enough? It is strange. I'll get another chance at it this week. Not all that much more with limbs, unless I can sort out the power cable. But there are other physical things to do. Probably including a day hiking, with the smaller pack.
I did get just the one set of sheers up. Yes, I returned to the store and found more of each item. I had to override the doorman. He would not tag the goods, he had been told they were not allowed to do so anymore. It sounds as if distrust and bad blood exists on both ends of that. Not my problem. I suggested he witness, for what it was worth, and just went on in. I wasn't going to stand in a long lane for returns when that was not what this was. Ugh! More panels, enough and one extra... it's all that had. I would like to have purchased more. And at half the price of Amazon, otherwise similar quality. And the rods are much better. Funny, I didn't realize there were grades of cheap plastic. Oh, my friends, there is. Take Walmart cheap plastic you can see over Amazon cheap plastic you can't any day of the week.
As to curtains? I looked for my old order. I had to go through by hand, as their search system sucks. I did find them, and ordered what I could. For some reason their distributor will only allow four to be purchased at a time (panels, not sets). These are extremely good at what they do, and are of a solid material, with solid backing, not thick spandex like material. Bleh. I am attempting to get approval for a return on those, already got approval for the sheers to be returned. I may have enough to sort around, one way or another. All probably need washed though.
I am just not sure if I will get to working on the curtains before I need a nap. While not sore, I'm also not all that spiffy, what with so little sleep. Just an odd thing, probably having to do with such heavy work and then such light work. I don't always get to pick how things work or work out. I simply have to make do with what fruits, vegetables, meats, bruises, health, and bleeding out life serves. I do so with as much aplomb as I can muster. Sometimes even a grin, a real one when I forget... some things... or everything.
Later.
.
Yeah, strange. It does happen. Obviously. My guess is time is not on my side. A nap at around 10:00, if I can make it that late if I hope to work it until noon.
Funny thing is, I am not sore. I was feeling good by the time I went to bed and remain in good stead as I wake. I have some serious bruises. Working with limbs of that size, at least until you harden up, get experience in not being in the way, and such... it's part of the job. Scrapes too. But those don't really hurt unless activated. I mean muscles, bones even, tendons and ligaments. Perhaps I didn't work hard enough? It is strange. I'll get another chance at it this week. Not all that much more with limbs, unless I can sort out the power cable. But there are other physical things to do. Probably including a day hiking, with the smaller pack.
I did get just the one set of sheers up. Yes, I returned to the store and found more of each item. I had to override the doorman. He would not tag the goods, he had been told they were not allowed to do so anymore. It sounds as if distrust and bad blood exists on both ends of that. Not my problem. I suggested he witness, for what it was worth, and just went on in. I wasn't going to stand in a long lane for returns when that was not what this was. Ugh! More panels, enough and one extra... it's all that had. I would like to have purchased more. And at half the price of Amazon, otherwise similar quality. And the rods are much better. Funny, I didn't realize there were grades of cheap plastic. Oh, my friends, there is. Take Walmart cheap plastic you can see over Amazon cheap plastic you can't any day of the week.
As to curtains? I looked for my old order. I had to go through by hand, as their search system sucks. I did find them, and ordered what I could. For some reason their distributor will only allow four to be purchased at a time (panels, not sets). These are extremely good at what they do, and are of a solid material, with solid backing, not thick spandex like material. Bleh. I am attempting to get approval for a return on those, already got approval for the sheers to be returned. I may have enough to sort around, one way or another. All probably need washed though.
I am just not sure if I will get to working on the curtains before I need a nap. While not sore, I'm also not all that spiffy, what with so little sleep. Just an odd thing, probably having to do with such heavy work and then such light work. I don't always get to pick how things work or work out. I simply have to make do with what fruits, vegetables, meats, bruises, health, and bleeding out life serves. I do so with as much aplomb as I can muster. Sometimes even a grin, a real one when I forget... some things... or everything.
Later.
Friday, May 6, 2016
Back to town?
.
.
Yeah. It's still early enough. I did start on the sheers. I installed one set, then went to put up the curtains. Urhm, I don't care what Amazon or it's distributors called it, that is not blackout, that isn't heat resist. It looks like they found material from when discos and afros were still in, couldn't think of anything else to do with it so turned it into the world's worst and cheapest curtains, then sold it at a premium. I'll bet that stuff burns at the drop of a match, too. *woof!* Along with the wrong sheers, these will go back. I will look around in Walmart, failing that I will look at my previous order to see if I can find the same brand/type. The ones I have are a corduroy, backed by some... gooey sort of material... perhaps rubber. But they really keep the sun, heat, and surprisingly to a degree the sound out as well.
How well are they up? Well... a woman, a good woman as they were once called, a housekeeper sort... would either laugh or cry. Some of the more talented women could do both at once. Or... maybe I am just talented at eliciting special traits from dames? Dunno? Who knew? Oh no! *grins* Still, they will work for their intended purposes, one way or the other. Problem solving, for times short or long. If, or as, I come back to health I will begin doing what comes naturally. Perhaps it isn't practical, with Alaska almost a certainty within a year or two. Still, now, for now, do what I do, so be it... aka... amen.
What took me, you ask? No, the job wasn't that time intense. I had to recharge the batteries for the cordless. Yes, I have a corded. It's a hammer drill. It just doesn't do well on delicate tasks like this. Think... fine cutting a 2x4 with a chainsaw. Yeah... there really is, sometimes, just too much much. I've tried. There is only so much delicate that can be squeezed out of that. So... I had to wait for the light to go off on the charger, then charged the other one just for kicks.
Later.
Oh, right. Mail.
.
.
I thought the past had gone to, and remained, the past. A ghost from not the furthest back, but from some time ago, made contact. Snail-mail, would you believe. Quite nice to receive. I could attempt contact this or that way. However, I believe in like for like. I guess even dragon's breath and the delicate nature of Doom aren't enough to... Oh, just a postcard, and some minor gift. As harsh as I am, or seem, I... actually do care.
It is about time to get to work on the curtains. It just feels good when things get done. This little group of tasks will probably end up being more than it seems. It always does. Though if I can just get through getting the hardware in place, the rest is pretty easy, even if I tucker out and save some of it for tomorrow. I'll know shortly. And I really want those meatballs done. I might push through on that meal. It will last at least two days. And it shouldn't be that much work. The chair just seems to have a bit too much gravity associated with it! :p
The anacin did help. But I am having tingling in my fingers, as if I had rested on them in such a way so that they fell asleep. I probably pushed a bit too hard, to start out. Still, hit while the iron is hot, and it was. I should be ready for more by Monday. I just need to figure out how to detach the minor power line from the house to the outhouse. There is probably a fuse, though... the house is old and the wiring is a patchwork of old. Probably totally rewired in the early 70's, then patched variously, as needs grew, since then. And I know nothing to boot. If I can remove that, I'll probably bring another small forest of dead or troubling limbs down, limbs I wouldn't risk with the line in place.
Yeah, I might eventually get up into the other trees as well. Over this summer I will learn to climb again. Just working these limbs will begin to get me in shape for that. I might even make a pass at camping up in one of the trees, so long as the weather isn't going to be rough. Keeping a slip line around, just in any case though too. Slip? Zip? Down in a fast go, not impediments, but good brakes and more than one of those. If you know how to roll, though, you can go a pretty good drop. Ask any seriously experienced parachuter. Best be ready for it, whether a climber, chuter, or whatnot. Sometimes what you thought was the bottom, or a smooth low and easy, becomes... not so much what you thought. *plop* *grin*
Oh, right... to work. Later.
.
I thought the past had gone to, and remained, the past. A ghost from not the furthest back, but from some time ago, made contact. Snail-mail, would you believe. Quite nice to receive. I could attempt contact this or that way. However, I believe in like for like. I guess even dragon's breath and the delicate nature of Doom aren't enough to... Oh, just a postcard, and some minor gift. As harsh as I am, or seem, I... actually do care.
It is about time to get to work on the curtains. It just feels good when things get done. This little group of tasks will probably end up being more than it seems. It always does. Though if I can just get through getting the hardware in place, the rest is pretty easy, even if I tucker out and save some of it for tomorrow. I'll know shortly. And I really want those meatballs done. I might push through on that meal. It will last at least two days. And it shouldn't be that much work. The chair just seems to have a bit too much gravity associated with it! :p
The anacin did help. But I am having tingling in my fingers, as if I had rested on them in such a way so that they fell asleep. I probably pushed a bit too hard, to start out. Still, hit while the iron is hot, and it was. I should be ready for more by Monday. I just need to figure out how to detach the minor power line from the house to the outhouse. There is probably a fuse, though... the house is old and the wiring is a patchwork of old. Probably totally rewired in the early 70's, then patched variously, as needs grew, since then. And I know nothing to boot. If I can remove that, I'll probably bring another small forest of dead or troubling limbs down, limbs I wouldn't risk with the line in place.
Yeah, I might eventually get up into the other trees as well. Over this summer I will learn to climb again. Just working these limbs will begin to get me in shape for that. I might even make a pass at camping up in one of the trees, so long as the weather isn't going to be rough. Keeping a slip line around, just in any case though too. Slip? Zip? Down in a fast go, not impediments, but good brakes and more than one of those. If you know how to roll, though, you can go a pretty good drop. Ask any seriously experienced parachuter. Best be ready for it, whether a climber, chuter, or whatnot. Sometimes what you thought was the bottom, or a smooth low and easy, becomes... not so much what you thought. *plop* *grin*
Oh, right... to work. Later.
Yeah. Rest day, mostly.
.
.
After reviewing the sheers Amazon sent, in spite of requesting very specifically what I wished, I got the other kind of sheer. It would work, just not as well. So I'll have to figure out a return on those. Not only did I need rods and fiddly bits, I needed sheers. Walmart it was and it worked well. The rods were even on about a 30% reduction clearance. All good. I may even get those up today yet. That and change out the curtains. It's very light duty.
On the way home I stopped for a bite. Yeah, pretty worn. I don't know if I will get to the whole spaghetti meal yet today, though I think I can get the meatballs ready, freezing half, putting the rest in the fridge for tomorrow. I also didn't stop at the bread store nor the grocery store, so it'll just be spaghetti, no side courses. And, really, that is good enough for me.
I took my camera with. I just really didn't have the energy to monkey with everything. Plus it was sprinkling off and on. I do have, and did take, camera rain sleeves... two different types to compare... Again, I just wasn't up to fiddling. I even had my own rain coat, and a fleece for underneath if needed. I am well geared to do much. I am just not always able. Hmm? Oh, well, photography might be a way by which I could gain access or such in some Northern arena. While not quite gold, if marketed slightly a photo or two could do one some favors. Plus I really do want some photo memories of this place. My first home since I have... learned how to be alive again. It'll be missed.
A bit of resting from the trip and dinner, some music, then on to work... if I can get to it. Later.
.
After reviewing the sheers Amazon sent, in spite of requesting very specifically what I wished, I got the other kind of sheer. It would work, just not as well. So I'll have to figure out a return on those. Not only did I need rods and fiddly bits, I needed sheers. Walmart it was and it worked well. The rods were even on about a 30% reduction clearance. All good. I may even get those up today yet. That and change out the curtains. It's very light duty.
On the way home I stopped for a bite. Yeah, pretty worn. I don't know if I will get to the whole spaghetti meal yet today, though I think I can get the meatballs ready, freezing half, putting the rest in the fridge for tomorrow. I also didn't stop at the bread store nor the grocery store, so it'll just be spaghetti, no side courses. And, really, that is good enough for me.
I took my camera with. I just really didn't have the energy to monkey with everything. Plus it was sprinkling off and on. I do have, and did take, camera rain sleeves... two different types to compare... Again, I just wasn't up to fiddling. I even had my own rain coat, and a fleece for underneath if needed. I am well geared to do much. I am just not always able. Hmm? Oh, well, photography might be a way by which I could gain access or such in some Northern arena. While not quite gold, if marketed slightly a photo or two could do one some favors. Plus I really do want some photo memories of this place. My first home since I have... learned how to be alive again. It'll be missed.
A bit of resting from the trip and dinner, some music, then on to work... if I can get to it. Later.
Chainsaw maintenance and safety.
.
.
I have done a bit of reading, listening, and watching. Probably not enough. I still have all my limbs, no cuts from the saw anyway, and... And yet, beside the practice of use, I am rereading, listening again, and watching both new and old material. Why? First, when you start something like this, it is very easy to read over your head. Reading is great, as a starter. Often, however, it simply doesn't make sense. Then, once in the field, when you get experience, the reading has simply... evaporated... the connection is not, maybe cannot be, made that way. There is simply too much that could be known that has to be paired with practical experience to get it all to connect in even several, or many, experiences.
.
I have done a bit of reading, listening, and watching. Probably not enough. I still have all my limbs, no cuts from the saw anyway, and... And yet, beside the practice of use, I am rereading, listening again, and watching both new and old material. Why? First, when you start something like this, it is very easy to read over your head. Reading is great, as a starter. Often, however, it simply doesn't make sense. Then, once in the field, when you get experience, the reading has simply... evaporated... the connection is not, maybe cannot be, made that way. There is simply too much that could be known that has to be paired with practical experience to get it all to connect in even several, or many, experiences.
Technically I was awake at 5:30.
.
.
I really did wake up. On any other day, regardless of the time, when I function like that I get out of bed and start my day, happily or not so much. Not today. Upper body muscles were screeching. It all hurt. So... I kept trying to sleep a bit longer in hopes of shedding some of the pain. I twisted, turned, flipped, and flopped, like a live fish in a frying pan. If I had been able to think through it I would have gotten up and taken a fistful of anacin. Actually, I thought about it at one point, but right as I was going under. The lights went out along with the idea.
I kept waking to go to the bathroom. It seems that working out has opened up channels that were previously closed. Since shoveling snow this winter, something changed. I could still use the water pill, but with that not available, at least my body is handling fluids much better, somehow. Well, this work that I am currently doing is keeping that going. So, up, often. Without the pill I just have to wake several times each night, on top of daily rounds.
I knew I had at least one package. I was hoping to get in today. Right at 11:30 I struggled to push it all into action, and did. No shower, but I took one last night. Just getting dressed and out the door in time. Two packages were in, but not the two I was expecting. Which means, probably Monday, I have to make it back in. Out here, FedEx doesn't deliver to your door. They just drop it off at the post office, then write on Amazon that they "tried to deliver". I wish I could find out who the delivery would be by. I would skip FedEx every time. That's b.s.!
Today? Ugh. My upper body is numb, as if I slept on it wrong. That isn't the case. Just, for as rusty as it is, it has been overused. I had almost thought of pressing on, doing more work, as I wound down, then was falling asleep last night. That's not going to happen. I just took a few painkillers, I'll see how that works. And, no, even if I get to feeling better I won't hit it.
Meatballs! I will make those, I think, if I can get to that. One of the packages that arrived, I think, is my new curtains. Plus the sheers from a bit ago. However, I need some sort of treatment for the sheers. The curtains can just be swapped out, and the old ones moved back to the rear windows. As well, while I am working with food, I might do a bit more work in the kitchen. The bathroom is being maintained quite well. I just gave it an after-shower wipe-down last night. Much easier if you never let it drop to pre-civilized conditions, innit? :p That is today, at most, at best. I have earned the spaghetti and meatballs! Though, if I go to town for rods and such, I may attempt to find french bread... then butter and garlic that for the meal. Yeah... a rare treat to have a meal forethought, partially handmade, and full. Hmm... romaine lettuce for salad? Just a bit, or it goes bad, but I suppose.
Later.
.
I really did wake up. On any other day, regardless of the time, when I function like that I get out of bed and start my day, happily or not so much. Not today. Upper body muscles were screeching. It all hurt. So... I kept trying to sleep a bit longer in hopes of shedding some of the pain. I twisted, turned, flipped, and flopped, like a live fish in a frying pan. If I had been able to think through it I would have gotten up and taken a fistful of anacin. Actually, I thought about it at one point, but right as I was going under. The lights went out along with the idea.
I kept waking to go to the bathroom. It seems that working out has opened up channels that were previously closed. Since shoveling snow this winter, something changed. I could still use the water pill, but with that not available, at least my body is handling fluids much better, somehow. Well, this work that I am currently doing is keeping that going. So, up, often. Without the pill I just have to wake several times each night, on top of daily rounds.
I knew I had at least one package. I was hoping to get in today. Right at 11:30 I struggled to push it all into action, and did. No shower, but I took one last night. Just getting dressed and out the door in time. Two packages were in, but not the two I was expecting. Which means, probably Monday, I have to make it back in. Out here, FedEx doesn't deliver to your door. They just drop it off at the post office, then write on Amazon that they "tried to deliver". I wish I could find out who the delivery would be by. I would skip FedEx every time. That's b.s.!
Today? Ugh. My upper body is numb, as if I slept on it wrong. That isn't the case. Just, for as rusty as it is, it has been overused. I had almost thought of pressing on, doing more work, as I wound down, then was falling asleep last night. That's not going to happen. I just took a few painkillers, I'll see how that works. And, no, even if I get to feeling better I won't hit it.
Meatballs! I will make those, I think, if I can get to that. One of the packages that arrived, I think, is my new curtains. Plus the sheers from a bit ago. However, I need some sort of treatment for the sheers. The curtains can just be swapped out, and the old ones moved back to the rear windows. As well, while I am working with food, I might do a bit more work in the kitchen. The bathroom is being maintained quite well. I just gave it an after-shower wipe-down last night. Much easier if you never let it drop to pre-civilized conditions, innit? :p That is today, at most, at best. I have earned the spaghetti and meatballs! Though, if I go to town for rods and such, I may attempt to find french bread... then butter and garlic that for the meal. Yeah... a rare treat to have a meal forethought, partially handmade, and full. Hmm... romaine lettuce for salad? Just a bit, or it goes bad, but I suppose.
Later.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
I didn't quit, just did what I did.
.
.
I wasn't able to do four separate work periods. But the last one I extended. In stead of taking a break at the time for it, I ended up doing a cool-down work. Which wasn't as cooling as I had thought. I cut the suckers from around one of my trees. Now, that didn't quite make a full work session, but then without a break it... was enough. I did end up cutting the five, maybe six, large limbs into parts, and getting those stowed. I know have one pile of branches, and one of bigger logs, to process. I am done for the week though.
I headed out for fast food. Not great but I was truly done in but needed to eat. Bruises, cuts, scratches... I look like I've been doing something. My muscles are tight, nearly to mush though. Sore, pinched, stretched, and running to nearly grumpy. Oh well. A bit of rest this weekend. Perhaps some cooking, and minor cleaning, not much else. A shower before I go to bed though. Yikes but I've been wrung out. Still, it feels quite good.
Three days next week, and a hike perhaps. Yeah, I ought to get my packs back in order. Oh, and perhaps this weekend, if I recover, an attempt to set up some of my gear. Just to make sure I have everything I need, and to put that all into one grouping within the rest of the camping kit. I might test out some of the cooking gear while I am at it. Just to make sure it all works. A backyard outdoor gear lab, finally.
Good night. Sleep well. I know I will.
.
I wasn't able to do four separate work periods. But the last one I extended. In stead of taking a break at the time for it, I ended up doing a cool-down work. Which wasn't as cooling as I had thought. I cut the suckers from around one of my trees. Now, that didn't quite make a full work session, but then without a break it... was enough. I did end up cutting the five, maybe six, large limbs into parts, and getting those stowed. I know have one pile of branches, and one of bigger logs, to process. I am done for the week though.
I headed out for fast food. Not great but I was truly done in but needed to eat. Bruises, cuts, scratches... I look like I've been doing something. My muscles are tight, nearly to mush though. Sore, pinched, stretched, and running to nearly grumpy. Oh well. A bit of rest this weekend. Perhaps some cooking, and minor cleaning, not much else. A shower before I go to bed though. Yikes but I've been wrung out. Still, it feels quite good.
Three days next week, and a hike perhaps. Yeah, I ought to get my packs back in order. Oh, and perhaps this weekend, if I recover, an attempt to set up some of my gear. Just to make sure I have everything I need, and to put that all into one grouping within the rest of the camping kit. I might test out some of the cooking gear while I am at it. Just to make sure it all works. A backyard outdoor gear lab, finally.
Good night. Sleep well. I know I will.
That is some hefty effort.
.
.
It really is easier today, the work. That I am pulling duty two days in a row, though, is probably why it seems harder than it is. Other than the limbs that still need to be cut from whole, I have the green needles in a pile, the logs, branches, and twigs in their own piles, save for one load of branches that need to be rendered. I think I have five full limbs which were not processed at all. Five? I thought I... well, there was the other other day. Or was that... My mind is slipping. Work can do that, I'll figure it out shortly. Oh, wait, I have been involved with cutting on three different days. Saturday was the first? Yes. Then yesterday and today... Thursday, right? For as long as I had no memory, and could not keep new, I fight for memory. Not the best, but... better.
It looks like I am doing about what I did yesterday... about 45 minutes at work and an half hour down. Though the last break might be longer. The axe has a natural feel in my hands. The chainsaw is pretty natural, as well, if I don't like the noise. Even with ear protection it is beastly loud. Though... it reminds me of some of my music. :) Well, not quite, unless I play it too loud.
This weekend? Probably rest. Though tomorrow is rest too. I hope to get spaghetti and meatballs tonight or tomorrow. Not sure about either, but that is my dessert. If not tonight, another trip to town. Fast food isn't the best, but when I am pulling tight calories, for me, I really have to top the tank. Home cooking is much better, it just isn't a reality these days, save for those few of us who make it so. It's a discipline now, not a reality. Some are "stuck" with it, most are figuring out how not to be "stuck".
In one sense, the work is taking longer than I expected. But in a more real understanding, I actually think I am buzzing right along, going faster than any would guess. It is improbable, unlikely, and not suited to me. There it is anyway. I've got to cool off before I go back out. But I will go back out, at least one more time. If I can, even if I am not done with the sorting and such, I may grab the clipper and cut the saps and upstarts around the trees, then collect that to be put in with the green needle pile. Yeah... if I can... as a cool-down. But, that would be after one more work period on the main chore. Bit by bit.
Iced tea! I need it. Later.
.
It really is easier today, the work. That I am pulling duty two days in a row, though, is probably why it seems harder than it is. Other than the limbs that still need to be cut from whole, I have the green needles in a pile, the logs, branches, and twigs in their own piles, save for one load of branches that need to be rendered. I think I have five full limbs which were not processed at all. Five? I thought I... well, there was the other other day. Or was that... My mind is slipping. Work can do that, I'll figure it out shortly. Oh, wait, I have been involved with cutting on three different days. Saturday was the first? Yes. Then yesterday and today... Thursday, right? For as long as I had no memory, and could not keep new, I fight for memory. Not the best, but... better.
It looks like I am doing about what I did yesterday... about 45 minutes at work and an half hour down. Though the last break might be longer. The axe has a natural feel in my hands. The chainsaw is pretty natural, as well, if I don't like the noise. Even with ear protection it is beastly loud. Though... it reminds me of some of my music. :) Well, not quite, unless I play it too loud.
This weekend? Probably rest. Though tomorrow is rest too. I hope to get spaghetti and meatballs tonight or tomorrow. Not sure about either, but that is my dessert. If not tonight, another trip to town. Fast food isn't the best, but when I am pulling tight calories, for me, I really have to top the tank. Home cooking is much better, it just isn't a reality these days, save for those few of us who make it so. It's a discipline now, not a reality. Some are "stuck" with it, most are figuring out how not to be "stuck".
In one sense, the work is taking longer than I expected. But in a more real understanding, I actually think I am buzzing right along, going faster than any would guess. It is improbable, unlikely, and not suited to me. There it is anyway. I've got to cool off before I go back out. But I will go back out, at least one more time. If I can, even if I am not done with the sorting and such, I may grab the clipper and cut the saps and upstarts around the trees, then collect that to be put in with the green needle pile. Yeah... if I can... as a cool-down. But, that would be after one more work period on the main chore. Bit by bit.
Iced tea! I need it. Later.
Exactly off time and... that other thing doesn't make sense either!
.
.
Off time? I mean I started at 15:00, exactly as I had wished not to start. This and that, then 13:00 sped by, 14:00 flew by, and 15:00 almost scampered through. Coattails, skin of my teeth, name the nature of my catching of 15:00 whatever you wish, so long as it seems impossibly thin one way or another.
I dressed the part, grabbed my kit, and got out to it. Sort, chop, crunch, chop, pile, sort... So it went. It's cooler today. No sun. I am wearing less, as I don't have the chainsaw helm on. I worked a shorter shift, just about 40 minutes. Yet today I am sweating. I didn't sweat a noticeable drop yesterday. Perhaps I had to work the sweat up, then double down, to get the moth balled body out of retirement? Maybe just that system? I did get red. Red as a beat. Yesterday. I suspect I am red as a beat already, though I can never tell. Sometimes yes, sometimes no, sometimes for emotion, sometimes for work, sometimes I just don't get red. Huh? Dunno.
The work I am doing today is, to my mind, a lot easier. It is as fun as work gets. Which, actually, is pretty fun. While God cursed men and those like them to live from the sweat of the brow, He added something that, if seen humbly, makes the effort a pleasure. Sometimes my body just isn't capable of... getting there... or even if it does, it can't seem to interpret the pleasure. Then again, when muscles are screaming for blood while organs are already on the edge of expiry... the pleasure simply cannot overcome the pain. So what has changed? I'm not sure anything has. I just know I can work, and I can enjoy it. Even with my internals doing flip-flops. My insides have hurt for months now. Just not enough to keep me down. Then again, I have things to do. I can change some things, not others. More? I'm not sure I would change certain things. I can live or die without this or that and have it not concern me a spot. *wink* The devil you say! Not so much. A past time, though even then that wasn't quite right either.
Iced tea, a seat, some time, then back to it. I am not worried if I get it all today. I will simply work for a while, rest, and repeat until, soon or late, it is all done. Suckers, weeds, wood sorting... I am putting the green in one pile. Not good for much unless someone wishes to strip that and dry the mains. The very small twigs are being collected in my main work area. Yes, those are just as necessary as bigger pieces. Next, a pile of longer medium twigs, then heavier mains. I am using my axe or gloved hand to take off the smaller stuff... whichever seems most functional. It is good work. Honest work. It might even mean something.
I can't believe I sweating so quickly today. Then again, I almost can't believe I am working. I really wasn't sure that would happen. If this keeps up, I could get a lot down around, and then in, my cave. In July, I believe, I will order a commercial dumpster and begin taking things out. I can probably have a lot of it down, set in a easy access spot, ready to go. When clear, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, steam cleaning, and washing walls will begin. I'll shut off each area as it is completed, sealing it as much as possible. Time can happen quickly, on this side anyway. I have little of it to get ready. Even then I may have to... hmm... fudge? Yeah. One way or another. I have so much to do, in and out, first.
Well... back to resting. Later.
.
Off time? I mean I started at 15:00, exactly as I had wished not to start. This and that, then 13:00 sped by, 14:00 flew by, and 15:00 almost scampered through. Coattails, skin of my teeth, name the nature of my catching of 15:00 whatever you wish, so long as it seems impossibly thin one way or another.
I dressed the part, grabbed my kit, and got out to it. Sort, chop, crunch, chop, pile, sort... So it went. It's cooler today. No sun. I am wearing less, as I don't have the chainsaw helm on. I worked a shorter shift, just about 40 minutes. Yet today I am sweating. I didn't sweat a noticeable drop yesterday. Perhaps I had to work the sweat up, then double down, to get the moth balled body out of retirement? Maybe just that system? I did get red. Red as a beat. Yesterday. I suspect I am red as a beat already, though I can never tell. Sometimes yes, sometimes no, sometimes for emotion, sometimes for work, sometimes I just don't get red. Huh? Dunno.
The work I am doing today is, to my mind, a lot easier. It is as fun as work gets. Which, actually, is pretty fun. While God cursed men and those like them to live from the sweat of the brow, He added something that, if seen humbly, makes the effort a pleasure. Sometimes my body just isn't capable of... getting there... or even if it does, it can't seem to interpret the pleasure. Then again, when muscles are screaming for blood while organs are already on the edge of expiry... the pleasure simply cannot overcome the pain. So what has changed? I'm not sure anything has. I just know I can work, and I can enjoy it. Even with my internals doing flip-flops. My insides have hurt for months now. Just not enough to keep me down. Then again, I have things to do. I can change some things, not others. More? I'm not sure I would change certain things. I can live or die without this or that and have it not concern me a spot. *wink* The devil you say! Not so much. A past time, though even then that wasn't quite right either.
Iced tea, a seat, some time, then back to it. I am not worried if I get it all today. I will simply work for a while, rest, and repeat until, soon or late, it is all done. Suckers, weeds, wood sorting... I am putting the green in one pile. Not good for much unless someone wishes to strip that and dry the mains. The very small twigs are being collected in my main work area. Yes, those are just as necessary as bigger pieces. Next, a pile of longer medium twigs, then heavier mains. I am using my axe or gloved hand to take off the smaller stuff... whichever seems most functional. It is good work. Honest work. It might even mean something.
I can't believe I sweating so quickly today. Then again, I almost can't believe I am working. I really wasn't sure that would happen. If this keeps up, I could get a lot down around, and then in, my cave. In July, I believe, I will order a commercial dumpster and begin taking things out. I can probably have a lot of it down, set in a easy access spot, ready to go. When clear, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, steam cleaning, and washing walls will begin. I'll shut off each area as it is completed, sealing it as much as possible. Time can happen quickly, on this side anyway. I have little of it to get ready. Even then I may have to... hmm... fudge? Yeah. One way or another. I have so much to do, in and out, first.
Well... back to resting. Later.
Be careful with wishes.
.
.
Breakfast, in this case. I did get to it rather swiftly, as intended. It was smaller than that from yesterday, I even ate less on top of it being a smaller meal. I did dice shallots this time, some for the meal, some in a small container... probably for meatballs when I get to those. Full, still, somehow. Too full. I don't quite get that. Which means, however, that a 13:00 start for work isn't going to happen. I am hoping for 14:00, but 15:00 might be the actual time, again. How could such a small meal bowl me over? Oh well.
I am looking forward to the work. There is nothing like chopping branches from limbs, piling like with like, logs with logs and pine branches with their same. The work is pleasant, the organization isn't just paper, it has heft and real world meaning... not man made word or time-stamp meaning. No sheaves of paper, no silly allowances, trifles, or vagaries having to do with thoughts. Real work, real design, muscle and mind combined to develop a means to an end... that of handling discard material, if discard with use itself. Discard with weight and measure. Cutting weeds, if many think it a man-made silliness, is much less that than it is a reasonable thing in a fallen world. Beside giving the serpent no perch from which to strike, flame and other enemies too are defeated from a stealthy approach.
More than just that, these efforts allow my mortal seeming engine to hum. It taxes the body and mind, it draws forth strength and design... often on the fly, it commands things which can't be realized until the effort is in full swing. I will, again, review those limbs which have proven difficult. Like the apple just a bit too high, the buck just a bit out of range, the water just a bit too deep... how to get that one thing. It's a hunger, though this of a different kind. I will, sooner or later, get those limbs. Oh, yes.
And more. As I am out, I see other things to do. I never did repaint those plum colored outer window treatments. Must be done. I might give them all a bit of paint while I am at it. If need be, perhaps I could scrape the old, worn, paint. There are old wasp hives to be removed. There might be others hiding here or there. I haven't seen any activity, but that doesn't mean much. It has been cold. Oh, and bug bombing the chicken coop. I have the material for a new roof. I just haven't been able to get rid of the wasps. Every time I thought I had, I ended up finding more. And, while my allergy seems to have diminished... so that I handled a wasp sting without out too much fuss... instead of getting really bad at the point of poison, the poison was swept through my body and showed signs at various places for nearly a week I believe... a group of stings might be a serious threat, or at least a serious downer.
Yeah... I'll get to work. I'll do what I can. I think I'll be much more involved out there this summer, until it gets too hot, or I fall again. My actual goal is to do three hours of solid work three to four days a week. The others days can be rest days, or light work days, as is required, available, or such. The question is, will hiking, canoeing, or such be work or light? Perhaps it depends on how able I become and then how much I put into it beyond my fitness level at any given point.
Later.
.
Breakfast, in this case. I did get to it rather swiftly, as intended. It was smaller than that from yesterday, I even ate less on top of it being a smaller meal. I did dice shallots this time, some for the meal, some in a small container... probably for meatballs when I get to those. Full, still, somehow. Too full. I don't quite get that. Which means, however, that a 13:00 start for work isn't going to happen. I am hoping for 14:00, but 15:00 might be the actual time, again. How could such a small meal bowl me over? Oh well.
I am looking forward to the work. There is nothing like chopping branches from limbs, piling like with like, logs with logs and pine branches with their same. The work is pleasant, the organization isn't just paper, it has heft and real world meaning... not man made word or time-stamp meaning. No sheaves of paper, no silly allowances, trifles, or vagaries having to do with thoughts. Real work, real design, muscle and mind combined to develop a means to an end... that of handling discard material, if discard with use itself. Discard with weight and measure. Cutting weeds, if many think it a man-made silliness, is much less that than it is a reasonable thing in a fallen world. Beside giving the serpent no perch from which to strike, flame and other enemies too are defeated from a stealthy approach.
More than just that, these efforts allow my mortal seeming engine to hum. It taxes the body and mind, it draws forth strength and design... often on the fly, it commands things which can't be realized until the effort is in full swing. I will, again, review those limbs which have proven difficult. Like the apple just a bit too high, the buck just a bit out of range, the water just a bit too deep... how to get that one thing. It's a hunger, though this of a different kind. I will, sooner or later, get those limbs. Oh, yes.
And more. As I am out, I see other things to do. I never did repaint those plum colored outer window treatments. Must be done. I might give them all a bit of paint while I am at it. If need be, perhaps I could scrape the old, worn, paint. There are old wasp hives to be removed. There might be others hiding here or there. I haven't seen any activity, but that doesn't mean much. It has been cold. Oh, and bug bombing the chicken coop. I have the material for a new roof. I just haven't been able to get rid of the wasps. Every time I thought I had, I ended up finding more. And, while my allergy seems to have diminished... so that I handled a wasp sting without out too much fuss... instead of getting really bad at the point of poison, the poison was swept through my body and showed signs at various places for nearly a week I believe... a group of stings might be a serious threat, or at least a serious downer.
Yeah... I'll get to work. I'll do what I can. I think I'll be much more involved out there this summer, until it gets too hot, or I fall again. My actual goal is to do three hours of solid work three to four days a week. The others days can be rest days, or light work days, as is required, available, or such. The question is, will hiking, canoeing, or such be work or light? Perhaps it depends on how able I become and then how much I put into it beyond my fitness level at any given point.
Later.
Extra sore.
.
.
I ended up staying up a bit late. I went down around 1:30. When I work like that, sometimes it takes a while to come done. Waking at 10:30, at first, seemed excessive. While an hour or two long from my usual, given the late night and work, nine hours is reasonable. And it is cooler and dark this morning. All good though, I've had sun for several days now, so those particular batteries are recharged... or something. The sun really does help, until it hurts. I could have waken earlier, but to be honest, I felt terribly sore. I didn't want to face that. Funny thing is, now that I am up, while I am just a bit sore, tight, and such? I'm actually not all that sore.
As I laid in bed, and would drift toward consciousness, I wasn't sure I would be able to do more work today. I was lamenting. The work wasn't going to be as difficult as yesterday, but it would involve heavy, steady, effort. Using the axe, piling smaller limbs, stacking small to medium five foot logs, and trimming the side growths around trees and up their trunks perhaps. Then, perhaps, using the weedwhip. Still, it's mostly physical of some sort. I was so frustrated. Now? I actually think I will get to some or all of it. Might even get the ladder back out and bring the Christmas lights down. Who knows. Sore, sure, just not that sore, too sore.
I hope to get to work just a bit earlier today, if possible. I want to have breakfast a little quicker than yesterday. I'm not sure, with the late start, if I will get out any earlier. It might just be earlier compared to the time I woke? If I want it, I best begin breakfast right now, so I best do that right away. About the best goal I have is a 13:00 start. I'll work on the limbs first, then the weeding, saving the ladder work for last. I hope you have something to do? I'm sure you do. Maybe that I get to it will help you go after it? Later.
.
I ended up staying up a bit late. I went down around 1:30. When I work like that, sometimes it takes a while to come done. Waking at 10:30, at first, seemed excessive. While an hour or two long from my usual, given the late night and work, nine hours is reasonable. And it is cooler and dark this morning. All good though, I've had sun for several days now, so those particular batteries are recharged... or something. The sun really does help, until it hurts. I could have waken earlier, but to be honest, I felt terribly sore. I didn't want to face that. Funny thing is, now that I am up, while I am just a bit sore, tight, and such? I'm actually not all that sore.
As I laid in bed, and would drift toward consciousness, I wasn't sure I would be able to do more work today. I was lamenting. The work wasn't going to be as difficult as yesterday, but it would involve heavy, steady, effort. Using the axe, piling smaller limbs, stacking small to medium five foot logs, and trimming the side growths around trees and up their trunks perhaps. Then, perhaps, using the weedwhip. Still, it's mostly physical of some sort. I was so frustrated. Now? I actually think I will get to some or all of it. Might even get the ladder back out and bring the Christmas lights down. Who knows. Sore, sure, just not that sore, too sore.
I hope to get to work just a bit earlier today, if possible. I want to have breakfast a little quicker than yesterday. I'm not sure, with the late start, if I will get out any earlier. It might just be earlier compared to the time I woke? If I want it, I best begin breakfast right now, so I best do that right away. About the best goal I have is a 13:00 start. I'll work on the limbs first, then the weeding, saving the ladder work for last. I hope you have something to do? I'm sure you do. Maybe that I get to it will help you go after it? Later.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Very good.
.
.
The chainsaw kicked over, if it did take just a bit. Why? I have no idea. Too hot? Did I flood it after filling it earlier? Maybe I didn't have it quite set up right. It did finally kick in. I ended up doing four limbs. I wanted to do a fifth, but it was nearly as complicated to cut as the other. It may be easier to get at, but it still would have required some squirrel climbing... going up into the tree, then going around on branches... plus climbing up off the ladder. And I couldn't quite see a straight shot to it from down below. So I called that off. I then chopped up the limbs into reasonable lengths for hauling. Finally I put everything away for the night.
It was too late and I was too tired to hit the suckers around another tree. I am hoping to hit that tomorrow. As well as cutting branches from the main limbs, stacking and sorting the various bits, and perhaps taking a look at the remaining problems to see if I will keep them on my list or just call it good for the year. And, if I get this and that and those, and have some energy, I might even get the weedeater going and hit the far side of my driveway. No promises that I'll get it all, though I suspect so, unless the machine heat chokes. There are a lot of weeds, and they are tall. As well, if I can, I may get up and pull the Christmas lights down. Yeah, I know. So be it.
I'll probably take Friday off. Though I may start planning for other things next week. A religious social call, along with some business. More work. Setting up the backpacks and the hammock out back. Learning how to put it up, take it down, work in, out, and near it... perhaps learning how the bivy works, and... just tinkering... getting ready to head out. I've done some very good work today, this last week really. There are some things I would like to do from long ago, a few new things, and I'll probably find more along the way.
Tired? I sure hope so. Not done yet though. I will probably have the chainsaw at the ready. I am hoping to use the forest axe to limb. The chainsaw will just be to take down lengths that are still too long, or which I missed. Then I'll need to figure out how to get rid of this and that. Some can stay, some can't. As well, the old water heater has to go. It's sure nice to have that out of the way down there. Not bad for a dead guy? :p Good night.
.
The chainsaw kicked over, if it did take just a bit. Why? I have no idea. Too hot? Did I flood it after filling it earlier? Maybe I didn't have it quite set up right. It did finally kick in. I ended up doing four limbs. I wanted to do a fifth, but it was nearly as complicated to cut as the other. It may be easier to get at, but it still would have required some squirrel climbing... going up into the tree, then going around on branches... plus climbing up off the ladder. And I couldn't quite see a straight shot to it from down below. So I called that off. I then chopped up the limbs into reasonable lengths for hauling. Finally I put everything away for the night.
It was too late and I was too tired to hit the suckers around another tree. I am hoping to hit that tomorrow. As well as cutting branches from the main limbs, stacking and sorting the various bits, and perhaps taking a look at the remaining problems to see if I will keep them on my list or just call it good for the year. And, if I get this and that and those, and have some energy, I might even get the weedeater going and hit the far side of my driveway. No promises that I'll get it all, though I suspect so, unless the machine heat chokes. There are a lot of weeds, and they are tall. As well, if I can, I may get up and pull the Christmas lights down. Yeah, I know. So be it.
I'll probably take Friday off. Though I may start planning for other things next week. A religious social call, along with some business. More work. Setting up the backpacks and the hammock out back. Learning how to put it up, take it down, work in, out, and near it... perhaps learning how the bivy works, and... just tinkering... getting ready to head out. I've done some very good work today, this last week really. There are some things I would like to do from long ago, a few new things, and I'll probably find more along the way.
Tired? I sure hope so. Not done yet though. I will probably have the chainsaw at the ready. I am hoping to use the forest axe to limb. The chainsaw will just be to take down lengths that are still too long, or which I missed. Then I'll need to figure out how to get rid of this and that. Some can stay, some can't. As well, the old water heater has to go. It's sure nice to have that out of the way down there. Not bad for a dead guy? :p Good night.
All save three.
.
.
Three branches... limbs really. Don't even proffer sass. Beyond having cut most of them already, on that tree, I was also parting them out. every second or third limb down I would slice the wholes into three or four bits. While I was choking for a rest, I kept going. The chainsaw forced a time out. It choked. After trying to get her relit, and failing after several hits, I checked the gas. Yep. Plumb empty. So, I topped her off, got her back to the killing fields, and? Nothing. I tried and tried, and did this, then that. I gave it a bit, then hit it again, and again, and once more. Call me lazy, though I think that's wrong. Anyway... just what I had done, and then the crazy attempts to burn the gasoline, I... about had it. I do hope, after an half hour or so, she will light up again. If not I am done for the day. Still, nice little bit of work. Sad thing is, unless you were here this week... minus the limbs on the ground... you wouldn't even know.
However. I do believe, however it works out, that I am not going to cook. Fast food, not McDonalds, they are off my list. Don't know why they decided to go so wrong, so fast, on everything from food to service. I guess they finally got that anti-American, anti-US corp meme? Whatever. Unless they really turn things around, and advert it and well enough that an ad killing machine such as myself can get it, they are done. Make it clear. Make it conscise. No mealy-mouthed multi-culti stuff. No more of the same. You want to do that where they live? Cool. Oh, and cut CNN and other leftist faux news sources. Just cut news, it's all propaganda now. I promise you, if you go where you are headed, you will end up out of business. And you should be if you continue that way. Trump isn't winning because he is great. He has one, maybe two, jobs. And they are counter to your business future. *wink* Anyway... yeah... something to eat. Fast, easy, tasty I hope.
That was some serious work. As I suggested, there may be more if the machine roars again. Three more limbs and I will be quite good. I will begin reviewing... I think they are called gator saws? They have extended arms, used to cut down those weird or out of reach limbs. I'm not sure though. This limb might be too big, with a 3"-5" diameter. I'll continue to think on it. If that doesn't work, I may have to getting the sewing machine going and stitch up a couple half dozen, of various length, safety snatches. A couple for me, one for the chainsaw, one for the ladder... or two. I don't mind doing things upside down and thirty or forty feet up if the blood rush doesn't undo me. I'm good with giving it ago, just so long as I am secure enough and have something to press off so as to create leverage. Gotta admit, it's sort of fun. The work sounded fun, the gymnastics not so much. I'm changing my tune on that latter. *wee!*
Well... one more shot. If I write again, it will just be to let you know, fly or no fly. I'm pretty done. I do hope to get a shower in before I crash, but no promises there. Cooked, boys and girls, and might not yet be done. Later or good night.
.
Three branches... limbs really. Don't even proffer sass. Beyond having cut most of them already, on that tree, I was also parting them out. every second or third limb down I would slice the wholes into three or four bits. While I was choking for a rest, I kept going. The chainsaw forced a time out. It choked. After trying to get her relit, and failing after several hits, I checked the gas. Yep. Plumb empty. So, I topped her off, got her back to the killing fields, and? Nothing. I tried and tried, and did this, then that. I gave it a bit, then hit it again, and again, and once more. Call me lazy, though I think that's wrong. Anyway... just what I had done, and then the crazy attempts to burn the gasoline, I... about had it. I do hope, after an half hour or so, she will light up again. If not I am done for the day. Still, nice little bit of work. Sad thing is, unless you were here this week... minus the limbs on the ground... you wouldn't even know.
However. I do believe, however it works out, that I am not going to cook. Fast food, not McDonalds, they are off my list. Don't know why they decided to go so wrong, so fast, on everything from food to service. I guess they finally got that anti-American, anti-US corp meme? Whatever. Unless they really turn things around, and advert it and well enough that an ad killing machine such as myself can get it, they are done. Make it clear. Make it conscise. No mealy-mouthed multi-culti stuff. No more of the same. You want to do that where they live? Cool. Oh, and cut CNN and other leftist faux news sources. Just cut news, it's all propaganda now. I promise you, if you go where you are headed, you will end up out of business. And you should be if you continue that way. Trump isn't winning because he is great. He has one, maybe two, jobs. And they are counter to your business future. *wink* Anyway... yeah... something to eat. Fast, easy, tasty I hope.
That was some serious work. As I suggested, there may be more if the machine roars again. Three more limbs and I will be quite good. I will begin reviewing... I think they are called gator saws? They have extended arms, used to cut down those weird or out of reach limbs. I'm not sure though. This limb might be too big, with a 3"-5" diameter. I'll continue to think on it. If that doesn't work, I may have to getting the sewing machine going and stitch up a couple half dozen, of various length, safety snatches. A couple for me, one for the chainsaw, one for the ladder... or two. I don't mind doing things upside down and thirty or forty feet up if the blood rush doesn't undo me. I'm good with giving it ago, just so long as I am secure enough and have something to press off so as to create leverage. Gotta admit, it's sort of fun. The work sounded fun, the gymnastics not so much. I'm changing my tune on that latter. *wee!*
Well... one more shot. If I write again, it will just be to let you know, fly or no fly. I'm pretty done. I do hope to get a shower in before I crash, but no promises there. Cooked, boys and girls, and might not yet be done. Later or good night.
Just isn't going to happen.
.
.
Well, not that one or three branches. I tried to shimmy this way, climb that, figure what could be cut... not much... or gone around. I wrestled the ladder to the other side of the tree. Great access. Problem? The tree was leaning into the ladder. I made a makeshift harness, tied in, and started breaking little branches. I am amazed at how well I did up there, sometimes backwards, always off balance or so very close to it. Always on the edge. I did what I could, broke through the crown of smaller dead branches, untied then wrestled the chainsaw from the other side of the tree, from the wrong side, below, and off balance. Cool. I got it over and... the @%$#@% wouldn't start! I tried this way, that way, the other. Still not sure if it was a lack of balance meaning a lack of torque, or if I was doing something wrong, or...
Enough. I did what I could. Couldn't cut other branches, or they'd take out a power line. Couldn't climb up, or around... too much dead, wrong angle, or just nothing to climb on. Quite a little workout though. Finally, realizing I simply have the wrong tools, I slipped on down the ladder... with the chainsaw in one hand. I just didn't have it in me to try to tie it and lower it. *shrug* I think I'll have to get one of those extend-o'-saws. They have mechanical, electric, and gas. I think I'll go with mechanical. Bleh.
No major worries. I did a good little bit of work, and have an idea of what I need to do next, and how to do it. Plus, I am not done. I took the ladder to the last tree, set it up, gathered all gear to it, and then came in for a break. I actually worked as long this time as I did the first time. I burned at least as many calories. Not bad. Now to finish the branches on this tree. Should go well. These are all just, maybe, three steps up on the 'v' form of the ladder. I can put the safety on, start the saw, and just step up. No need to tie in. The drops aren't convoluted by other branches, wiring, a roof, or anything. Still, while the cutting will be easy, these are 50' to 60' trees. If they aren't the broadest of evergreens, they are still big. Thus so are their branches. Which means cutting them to size, then pulling them to stack, will be a bit of work. I probably won't hit it until 18:00. Too warm.
Perhaps during the break, if I feel a spark but still want to chill, I might put the meatballs together, then put them in to cook. One suggestion was to broil them. But broiling, if memory serves, has always been a nasty dirty way to cook. Messy. Sure, my oven has a self-cleaning thing. But you still have to figure out how to use it, then use it. Better to do on a cool night. Hmm... you know... it probably needs cleaned anyway. Might as well, then see how well that works? Yeah. Later.
.
Well, not that one or three branches. I tried to shimmy this way, climb that, figure what could be cut... not much... or gone around. I wrestled the ladder to the other side of the tree. Great access. Problem? The tree was leaning into the ladder. I made a makeshift harness, tied in, and started breaking little branches. I am amazed at how well I did up there, sometimes backwards, always off balance or so very close to it. Always on the edge. I did what I could, broke through the crown of smaller dead branches, untied then wrestled the chainsaw from the other side of the tree, from the wrong side, below, and off balance. Cool. I got it over and... the @%$#@% wouldn't start! I tried this way, that way, the other. Still not sure if it was a lack of balance meaning a lack of torque, or if I was doing something wrong, or...
Enough. I did what I could. Couldn't cut other branches, or they'd take out a power line. Couldn't climb up, or around... too much dead, wrong angle, or just nothing to climb on. Quite a little workout though. Finally, realizing I simply have the wrong tools, I slipped on down the ladder... with the chainsaw in one hand. I just didn't have it in me to try to tie it and lower it. *shrug* I think I'll have to get one of those extend-o'-saws. They have mechanical, electric, and gas. I think I'll go with mechanical. Bleh.
No major worries. I did a good little bit of work, and have an idea of what I need to do next, and how to do it. Plus, I am not done. I took the ladder to the last tree, set it up, gathered all gear to it, and then came in for a break. I actually worked as long this time as I did the first time. I burned at least as many calories. Not bad. Now to finish the branches on this tree. Should go well. These are all just, maybe, three steps up on the 'v' form of the ladder. I can put the safety on, start the saw, and just step up. No need to tie in. The drops aren't convoluted by other branches, wiring, a roof, or anything. Still, while the cutting will be easy, these are 50' to 60' trees. If they aren't the broadest of evergreens, they are still big. Thus so are their branches. Which means cutting them to size, then pulling them to stack, will be a bit of work. I probably won't hit it until 18:00. Too warm.
Perhaps during the break, if I feel a spark but still want to chill, I might put the meatballs together, then put them in to cook. One suggestion was to broil them. But broiling, if memory serves, has always been a nasty dirty way to cook. Messy. Sure, my oven has a self-cleaning thing. But you still have to figure out how to use it, then use it. Better to do on a cool night. Hmm... you know... it probably needs cleaned anyway. Might as well, then see how well that works? Yeah. Later.
Well, that's something.
.
.
I may not be working fast, but that was accounted. It will take longer than I thought. First though, there were many branches at the bast of the primary project tree... the one in which I am going to have to... do a lot more cutting than anticipated, and that is just to get in there. So I did about an half hour of cutting and restacking. And still there will be more to do. No problem, just noting things. While the stacking after cutting doesn't seem much, it is. All good. After clearing the base fairly well, I hit the punks, or suckers, or... the little branches attempting to grow out of where big branches had been cut. I cleared that, mostly as a breather from the heavier work. Then I got the ladder over, arranged it, went up to see how that would work. It's a bit skinny going up that high alone. I did it though, and then roped the saw up, tying it in for now.
I realized I hadn't messed with the waist rope harness or tube safety straps. I had found them recently, and they were right were I remembered them. The problem, however, is that I had never worked the tube safety lines. They need to be cut to length and stitched together. Bleh. I have several ropes I could use, they simply won't be as convenient. And I want something on the chainsaw. I'd like to secure the ladder too. One step, on the top, coming onto it, and it would be a 15 to 20 foot drop. I've done such before, and came out fine. Not a bet I'd prefer to assume, then or now. Past performance is no guarantee of... blah, bleh, snap. I'm not sure what I have available though.
So, I pretty much cleared, trimmed, set up the ladder. Now for the hard and dangerous work. I needed a bit of a break though. Taking it. Then I'll gather what I can, secure as I may, and take my best shot. Probably another break after that. Even if the work goes much quicker than I suspect... and it might... the nerves are what are giving me some sweat. Not so worried about what others consider a risk, more worried about pride. A bit of a build up. I'd hate to do something stupid and not be able to do what I said. Yeah, yeah, pride, fall. Still, it's good if a man can be measured by his word. Every time you think you have it all figured out you realize you don't, can't.
On the good side, all that is left is quite a bit easier. It is all at the nominal height of the ladder in a v config, not full length height, or closer to that. More stable, the branches are all, more or less, in line around the tree at that milder height, and I don't have to potentially cut through to climb, to squirrel around, cut, and maybe climb some more, to get to anything. In theory it is the difference between working on a Maserati versus working on the engine of a 4x4 monster truck.
Still, I think I can get it done. I'll do music until 16:15, by this computer, so 14 minutes out, then get back to it. Wish me luck. I sure hope it all works out. I want spaghetti and meat balls tonight. I think I can if I don't break or cut something. Oh, hey? If you are going to do this type of work, wear gloves. Thick, heavy, gloves. Old dogs, new tricks? Hmm, not so much. Just old dogs and old memories. Later.
.
I may not be working fast, but that was accounted. It will take longer than I thought. First though, there were many branches at the bast of the primary project tree... the one in which I am going to have to... do a lot more cutting than anticipated, and that is just to get in there. So I did about an half hour of cutting and restacking. And still there will be more to do. No problem, just noting things. While the stacking after cutting doesn't seem much, it is. All good. After clearing the base fairly well, I hit the punks, or suckers, or... the little branches attempting to grow out of where big branches had been cut. I cleared that, mostly as a breather from the heavier work. Then I got the ladder over, arranged it, went up to see how that would work. It's a bit skinny going up that high alone. I did it though, and then roped the saw up, tying it in for now.
I realized I hadn't messed with the waist rope harness or tube safety straps. I had found them recently, and they were right were I remembered them. The problem, however, is that I had never worked the tube safety lines. They need to be cut to length and stitched together. Bleh. I have several ropes I could use, they simply won't be as convenient. And I want something on the chainsaw. I'd like to secure the ladder too. One step, on the top, coming onto it, and it would be a 15 to 20 foot drop. I've done such before, and came out fine. Not a bet I'd prefer to assume, then or now. Past performance is no guarantee of... blah, bleh, snap. I'm not sure what I have available though.
So, I pretty much cleared, trimmed, set up the ladder. Now for the hard and dangerous work. I needed a bit of a break though. Taking it. Then I'll gather what I can, secure as I may, and take my best shot. Probably another break after that. Even if the work goes much quicker than I suspect... and it might... the nerves are what are giving me some sweat. Not so worried about what others consider a risk, more worried about pride. A bit of a build up. I'd hate to do something stupid and not be able to do what I said. Yeah, yeah, pride, fall. Still, it's good if a man can be measured by his word. Every time you think you have it all figured out you realize you don't, can't.
On the good side, all that is left is quite a bit easier. It is all at the nominal height of the ladder in a v config, not full length height, or closer to that. More stable, the branches are all, more or less, in line around the tree at that milder height, and I don't have to potentially cut through to climb, to squirrel around, cut, and maybe climb some more, to get to anything. In theory it is the difference between working on a Maserati versus working on the engine of a 4x4 monster truck.
Still, I think I can get it done. I'll do music until 16:15, by this computer, so 14 minutes out, then get back to it. Wish me luck. I sure hope it all works out. I want spaghetti and meat balls tonight. I think I can if I don't break or cut something. Oh, hey? If you are going to do this type of work, wear gloves. Thick, heavy, gloves. Old dogs, new tricks? Hmm, not so much. Just old dogs and old memories. Later.
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