Douglas Alpenstock

I don't *need* the java hit, in the way that an addict needs a hit, but it certainly jump-starts my day. It's the punch in the face, and in the metabolism, that gets me rocking on task.

I suppose I could drink tea and punch myself in the face a few times to get the same effect (see: Fight Club). Not my first choice though. Open to options.

thomas rubino wrote:Mom passed in 2017, that was the last time I flew.
I have been considering a trip back east to see family, while most are still with us.
I am seriously considering driving the 2500 miles rather than dealing with air travel.

Tough call. But then again, is the time spent driving better spent with family? Unless you have "bucket list" stops along the way, which is what I would absolutely do. Surely there is *something* worth seeing along the way.

I agree with the "several cuts" approach mentioned above. If you can take off chunks of the branch before working close to the trunk, you also take off the weight and the "torque" of a long branch that's twisted or leaning or growing toward the sun. These factors can be hard to see from the ground.

I hate flying. But if I have a 3-4 day window it's impractical to visit family who are a 10-12 hour drive away vs. a 1-1.5 hour flight. So I fly.

Last year I had the option to take a super-basic flight that only allowed an under-seat bag (big laptop bag basically) or spend an extra $50 for a carry-on. I went into backpacker mode right smartly. Worked out fine, though I didn't bother to chop down the handle of my toothbrush. It helped a lot that I had salted away some gear and a change of clothes at the relatives when they drove out my way because they had to haul stuff.

I still hate flying. I'll have to do it again this year. Next year they'll be charging extra for air.

Ben Zumeta wrote:The founder of Black Lake Organic nursery once gave a talk at Evergreen State College for their food program that I sat in on, and he asserted [“everything in sea salt is good for plants, or even necessary, except for the chlorine in NaCL.”] (paraphrased from memory) Most tap water has chlorine as well, and little of the other 70+ oceanic elements beneficial to most life in most contexts.

Perhaps -- I don't think one rule fits all. It's worth remembering that salt was historically used as a weapon of war to systematically destroy fertile lands.

If the sea salts are naturally washed or leached away, no problem. If they build up (especially sodium), as it certainly would in low rainfall areas like mine, it's potentially a poison you can never get rid of. From my perspective, it's all in the dose, and how long it remains in the soil. The micronutrient / trace element aspect is quite interesting though.

Dave Kett wrote:...in all honesty the kits take longer to assemble than what the fellow in the video did.

It doesn't seem complicated to me. It doesn't need to be pretty.  Drill holes at the corners for a clean job (square for the door, octagon for the chimney). An angle grinder with a cutting wheel will make short work of the straight cuts.

I'll probably do four bolts each for the door and the chimney connector, with stacked flat washers to make it easy to cut them off when they're old and rust-welded. The rest will be self tapping screws.

I scrounged a much better steel cradle so I don't need to bother with the legs.

William Bronson wrote: What happens to all the salt when the seaweed is composted?

I don't think it goes away. However, it's the soil type and natural pH along with annual rainfall that determine whether it's a potential problem or not.

In my area, dry prairies where the soil is naturally basic, I would use it more sparingly and monitor closely. In the Pacific Northwest, with naturally acidic soils and heavy rainfall, I would use as much as I could get my hands on.

In practical terms, I would say a newspaper rather than a book. Not for reading though -- the newspaper kept my knees clean and dry while I was planting and weeding.

I suppose the only book I can think of might have been Thoreau's Walden. Not because it held particularly useful advice -- I grew up on a farm and helped with our large gardens, learning many lessons. But rather, it fomented the big idea that growing food for oneself was a philosophical and social statement rather than a menial chore. I think that still fits.

Cath Brown wrote: When it’s very cold , I wear thin merino wool thermal leggings and vest, ...

I believe the concept is sound. As a reasonably competent outdoorsman (and in my younger days a solo mountain backpacker) I quickly learned that one good layer next to the skin was worth a ton of external insulation. That's even more important when going to bed. If I can't warm up even when (in theory) heavily insulated, adding dry wool socks, a toque (stocking cap) and a vest is like flipping on a switch. Sleep tight!

thomas rubino wrote:Five minutes of work with a wire feed welder will tack on a nice flat spot.

True. Perhaps a lot of work for a thin disposable barrel. I would just bash an area sort of flat, drill five big holes with a step bit, bung the kettle on top, and drop in five junk bolts to close the holes. It that low tech enough?