I have worn myself physically thin the last few weeks and I forgot I had some stuff arriving so I was surprised and happy when I got the call for some packages. I like to order stuff, I'm a junkie.
3 more IV kits for my 2nd trauma bag, some Lidocaine Hydrochloride Jelly tubes, 2 snake bite kits, some more water-jel burn dressing, etc. I forgot to order some suture kits but they are on my list for next order day.
26 #10 cans of various long term storage items like instant milk, butter powder, flavored vegetable protein, etc. I had to swing by Home Depot after work to get another rack. I realized the one in my office is too valuable as a catch all for my diving gear, photography gear, rock climbing gear, etc. I got a small metal rack but happen to have the longer shelves so I will expand it instead of paying the extra $35 for the next size up.
Backwoods Home Magazine showed up too! The first one I looked at had an article on Wash Day talking about a wringer washer and hanging clothes up to dry. The next article was about a survival storeroom. I guess all those kids in school were right, I was raised in the backwoods since the first 2 things I read about is exactly how I grew up. That old wringer washer did the trick, but if you tried to ring out blue jeans and didn't pull one leg up so the cuffs were uneven the wringer would get stuck and make a horrible racket. My Dad hated when I did that, but every once in a while I wouldn't pay attention when doing laundry.
My water barrels are full again, the grass is happy it's raining and I had a really good run tonight. Fall reminds me how easy I have it now compared to growing up. Fall is when we would move the outhouse, finish stacking all the wood we cut and split for the winter, winterize the well pump house and get ready for hunting season. I never saw one animal in the woods in all my years hunting but I enjoyed walking all day learning stuff from Dad, or just sitting in silence enjoying nature at it's best.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Concealed carry, is it just so difficult?
"Witnesses said a man pulled up outside the IHOP in a blue minivan. He had a rifle and shot a man on a motorcycle, then walked inside the restaurant and started shooting, said Ralph Swagler, owner of Locals Barbecue in the same strip mall as the IHOP.
Swagler told the Reno Journal-Gazette that after several minutes, the man walked outside and began firing into the Locals Barbecue and an H&R Block in the strip mall."
I've read a bunch of reports that say the shooter was wounded, so maybe there is a glimmer of hope that someone actually defended themselves, details aren't clear. I remember my Dad telling me to fight back, no matter if it was with a gun, a knife or even the nearest chair. Don't stand in line while the shooter goes from person to person, do whatever it takes to try and survive. You might get hurt or die, but chances are you were going to anyhow so make the effort and perhaps you can change the outcome.
Someone could have at least tossed the pot of acidic stomach rotting IHOP coffee on him. Honestly the guy should have been shot dead as soon as he walked in the door, he already had started his offensive action. I would have been drawn down on the door waiting had I been in the situation. I wasn't and can only say what I think I would have done but I don't have a brand on my ass and I refuse to be cattle.
Swagler told the Reno Journal-Gazette that after several minutes, the man walked outside and began firing into the Locals Barbecue and an H&R Block in the strip mall."
I've read a bunch of reports that say the shooter was wounded, so maybe there is a glimmer of hope that someone actually defended themselves, details aren't clear. I remember my Dad telling me to fight back, no matter if it was with a gun, a knife or even the nearest chair. Don't stand in line while the shooter goes from person to person, do whatever it takes to try and survive. You might get hurt or die, but chances are you were going to anyhow so make the effort and perhaps you can change the outcome.
Someone could have at least tossed the pot of acidic stomach rotting IHOP coffee on him. Honestly the guy should have been shot dead as soon as he walked in the door, he already had started his offensive action. I would have been drawn down on the door waiting had I been in the situation. I wasn't and can only say what I think I would have done but I don't have a brand on my ass and I refuse to be cattle.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Back to Basics Apple Peeler review
I'm not generally lazy and looking for the easy way, but I've been debating an apple peeler for a while. Why not, if it's easier and hand operated I can improve my efficiency... I talked myself into it! I hustled some research but had trouble finding what I wanted until I went to my favorite odd item store.
After some adjusting I got started but was saddened it wasn't getting more of the peel off. I didn't want to do it with a regular peeler and I didn't want it to take actual apple off just the peel.
After some adjusting, it took about 3 seconds and the apple was bare. I had an assembly line going with the corer/slicer while my canning equipment was warming up. The peeler has a slicer at the end so you can make slices but you still will have to core the stack of slices.
There was a little bit of peel on the ends and in a few spots from the initial attempts but I don't mind a little bit of peel. I saved about 45 minutes and my hands are thankful I made this great investment. Another model of this peeler has a clamp-type attachment instead of a suction base. My water bath timer is about ready to ding and I'm going to need more shelves in the pantry.
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| Ace Hardware, $30 with tax |
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| Annoying, time to adjust some more. |
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| There we go, just the ends to manage now. |
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| Portion of finished apples |
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Pushing my endurance limit
First: how could Oregon look like a high school team after being so awesome last year. I owe someone a can of bread... Made some split pea and ham soup yesterday while taking care of house chores. It was pretty amazing stuff and it will be nice this winter when I can just get some from the pantry. It was breezy and cool, perfect for cooking and cleaning.
I had to make something for the pot luck tonight. I happened to have about 5 pounds of apples so I made a crumb pie and am bringing tri-tip as well. I'm so hungry while I write this I might just help myself. I will can the rest of the apples tomorrow evening.
Today was Pikes Peak day... up top it was 34 degrees, wind chill of 22, and I felt over dressed. The top the trail has a lot of run-off so it was a little dangerous slipping on the ice but you have to go slow there anyhow with large rocks to climb around/over. I brow beat 2 friends to run with me and while they may never speak to me again but we had a good time and they finished something they didn't think they could ever do. I'll send them some motrin and ice packs.
The last few miles of the trail intersects with a popular hiking spot, the Incline. Once you hit this spot, you are surrounded by people who don't get out of the way, are wearing headphones, or yes... smoking. I had a blister that I had to stop and take care and my anti-social personality was starting to make an appearance. I'm patient but with the holiday weekend I felt like I was herding sheep.
There were times when I wanted to slow down or stop but I just kept telling myself to push through and be mentally tough. When I finally looked at my watch when I stopped at the car I was really excited. I dropped 17 minutes off my record time, didn't run out of water and felt like a million bucks. I also smelled really bad but knowing it was from hard work and pushing myself... well who am I to complain. I have been working really hard the last month on my running, it's paying off like all hard work does. 6 days running this past week, 50 miles completed and tomorrow is my no running day so I'm going to volunteer at a marathon and surround myself with people who are better so I can stay motivated.
oh...
Since I'm a nice guy I drove up and picked up my friends, since they were in no shape to finish the last couple of miles to the car.
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| 8am and me without my kilt. Opted for track shorts, sounded fast. |
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| 265 pounds 2 years ago, I'll take this screwing around photo and frame it. |
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| Colorado Springs. My car is down there, 15 miles or so. |
There were times when I wanted to slow down or stop but I just kept telling myself to push through and be mentally tough. When I finally looked at my watch when I stopped at the car I was really excited. I dropped 17 minutes off my record time, didn't run out of water and felt like a million bucks. I also smelled really bad but knowing it was from hard work and pushing myself... well who am I to complain. I have been working really hard the last month on my running, it's paying off like all hard work does. 6 days running this past week, 50 miles completed and tomorrow is my no running day so I'm going to volunteer at a marathon and surround myself with people who are better so I can stay motivated.
oh...
Since I'm a nice guy I drove up and picked up my friends, since they were in no shape to finish the last couple of miles to the car.
Friday, September 2, 2011
My companion, my friend. Friday.
Extra special Friday since it starts a holiday weekend and everyone got paid 4 days early. A nice boost to morale at work when a long weekend starts with money. I imagine most will be broke by Wednesday, I really don't know how people survive the rest of a pay period without money. I do understand when it's tight and you are struggling to get by, but when I have people complain they don't have gas money and yet they have a new tattoo or stripper "lady friend"... sigh. Business was great so I'm expecting a nice sized bonus I can put into supplies or lap dances and champagne for all!
60 days until I head to Rome. I'm really excited... as in bounce around the house excited. Hard to stay focused, I have tons of fun things to do before the end of the year. I also found out I am running Pikes Peak next weekend too, going to be a monster mileage month and I'm worn out from August still. Vegas, Ouray, Rome, Pikes Peak... the fun never ends and that's how it should be.
I figure in a TEOTWAWKI scenario my goal is to outlast the majority for a year or 2, and that's how I approach my food/water storage and equipment storage. The longer situation is going to be so up in the air that (IMHO) it's really hard to plan for unless you plan for everything and I just can't do that. Keeping that mindset, I'm researching solar ovens in case anyone has some input. I only know of one blogger who uses one all the time (bigbear) and it seems like a good item to have. In a bad situation there is only so much I can do with propane when getting a refill would either be impossible or not prudent. I've tried to keep my food stores 80% edible without having to cook anything but being able to heat water and cook via the sun would be perfect (without a large solar array).
I'm going to hold off buying one until the expo in Denver in a few weeks, in case I see something there or someone has a show special.
60 days until I head to Rome. I'm really excited... as in bounce around the house excited. Hard to stay focused, I have tons of fun things to do before the end of the year. I also found out I am running Pikes Peak next weekend too, going to be a monster mileage month and I'm worn out from August still. Vegas, Ouray, Rome, Pikes Peak... the fun never ends and that's how it should be.
I figure in a TEOTWAWKI scenario my goal is to outlast the majority for a year or 2, and that's how I approach my food/water storage and equipment storage. The longer situation is going to be so up in the air that (IMHO) it's really hard to plan for unless you plan for everything and I just can't do that. Keeping that mindset, I'm researching solar ovens in case anyone has some input. I only know of one blogger who uses one all the time (bigbear) and it seems like a good item to have. In a bad situation there is only so much I can do with propane when getting a refill would either be impossible or not prudent. I've tried to keep my food stores 80% edible without having to cook anything but being able to heat water and cook via the sun would be perfect (without a large solar array).
I'm going to hold off buying one until the expo in Denver in a few weeks, in case I see something there or someone has a show special.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Interesting BBC Article
Here
The part about "even if they haven't been charged with a crime" is what worries me. Call me silly but I still believe innocent until proven guilty.
The part about "even if they haven't been charged with a crime" is what worries me. Call me silly but I still believe innocent until proven guilty.
National prepardeness month
September.
I know it's fall when someone at home keeps closing the windows when I go to sleep so they don't get cold. I can't wear less than naked sleeping on the bed with no covers so perhaps they should wear more, it's easy to dress to be warmer... but what do I know. I used to never get cold but I lost 85 pounds and had to actually buy winter pants since the shorts were no longer making the grade. I also can't find my favorite battery pack headlamp along with half of my cold weather running gear. Must be in storage.
Be Ready, be Prepared! FEMA want's everyone to sign up and be a National Preparedness Month Coalition Member. I did it as I believe the government has the best intentions and will be there when I need them: http://www.ready.gov
Here are the listed benefits:
I know it's fall when someone at home keeps closing the windows when I go to sleep so they don't get cold. I can't wear less than naked sleeping on the bed with no covers so perhaps they should wear more, it's easy to dress to be warmer... but what do I know. I used to never get cold but I lost 85 pounds and had to actually buy winter pants since the shorts were no longer making the grade. I also can't find my favorite battery pack headlamp along with half of my cold weather running gear. Must be in storage.
Be Ready, be Prepared! FEMA want's everyone to sign up and be a National Preparedness Month Coalition Member. I did it as I believe the government has the best intentions and will be there when I need them: http://www.ready.gov
Here are the listed benefits:
- Countless suggestions and ideas for activities and events
- Ready-to-use templates and messaging, including posters, web banners, press releases, articles, Facebook Status Updates and Tweets for Twitter, plus more! We even have materials that you can customize.
- A calendar for you to post your event and see what else is happening around the country
- Tracking software installed on your computer just in case a disaster strikes
- Your very own pushpin on the FEMA Food Hoarder Map
- Participation in local preparedness events and activities in your community
- Free photo opportunities and updates on your DoHS file you might not have known existed
- Access to resources and be able to collaborate with thousands of fellow members across the country on ways to participate and get your community involved.
- An updated Obama 2012 Tatoo
- Simple gun registration forms with a new and improved 'about my neighbor' section
- "Feel Good" vibes and an American flag sticker proclaiming you are patriotic
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