John F Dean

Repetitive physical activity such as digging a hole, walking,  hopping wood, etc is a proven way to help one’s mental status.  I find a couple of ounces of quality bourbon to be helpful as well.

The fact is many of us have chosen a relatively isolated path of life.  I suspect this is one of the natural consequences. I have long known that my final years would challenge my independence.  But I am willing to pay a high price to maintain my independence.

As I am sure you know, from time to time someone makes a post asking … or informing us…about the death of a member.  I suspect Paul could implement a policy declaring that anyone who does not give a 30 days notice prior to death will be kicked off the site.  That should get some cooperation!!

This is certainly drivel.

Many years ago I was working with a juvenile who got into trouble with the legal system.  He had a problem; he loved to break glass. You know …like the windows on your car…or the windows on your house.   Oddly, although I thought the kid had a lot of positive attributes, many of his victims wanted him dead …..and dead through exceptionally painful methods.  I saw positives because the only crimes he had ever committed involved breaking glass.

Anyway, one of my employees had an epiphany.  He landed the kid a job at a recycling center…running the glass crusher.   Thankfully, the judge thought it was brilliant, because in this state there are laws about minors running machinery.  The judge addressed the legal issues, and the kid was “sentenced” to operate the glass crusher under supervision.  The kid thought he had gone to heaven.

Of course, he has a few years on him now. I just checked up on him.  He has no legal issues on record and runs a small company.

Trick question.   Flooding is common in my area.  My property is not subject to flooding. We are on a hill.  There is a real possibility of me ending up on an island.  If so, most likely there will be 9 households on that island…give or take a couple.   There are  four roads that connect me with civilization. I have seen 3 of 4 flooded and impassible. The fourth as passible but exciting.

Hi Thekla,

I see winter as a danger, but this summer’s we also saw an extended period of 100+ degree weather.  I could see some excitement coming from that direction as well.  

Hi Carla,

I suspect you hit upon one area that separates Regular Preppers from homesteaders.  We have to consider food, water, and medication for the livestock.  I am in the process of reducing/eliminating the livestock I do have.   After I made my post, I took a Quick Look at a couple of Prepper sites.  I noticed that while there was a concern  about water for drinking. Water for bathing and cleaning was not really addressed.

I just landed on a Prepper thread on Permies.  While I am not into Prepping, I do see where it has a place.  This is especially so for those up us who live relatively remotely and are up in years.  What if we are in a position where we cannot or have difficulty getting off our homestead for a few weeks or months?  What measures can we take to be reasonably prepared?

Seldom do they see the inside of a fridge.  Very much like salt and pepper, they sit on the island within easy reach.

In defense of the male species, I regularly cut my wife’s hair.  She insists I do a better job than the beautician.  Of course, I only know one way to style her hair.  The most difficult part is getting the back even. I manage, but it is a pain.