There’s something about a man with a measuring tape… and a big truck full of shale (what people locally label lumps of soil and red rock; not to be confused with the material used in Europe to cover the roof). We had called our “dirt guy” several days ago, and this morning the work started.
posted in environment, politics | Comments Off on Writers or writhers? | 266 words
If I go outside, and I sit at a table, and I eat BBQ… does it qualify as a picnic? Have to think about this one. We went to our third Village Feast (their 11th) this afternoon. Good food, served hot, with lots of strangers around me. Sort of the story of my life. I’d learned during my two previous years, so I avoided the odd mashup of beans in strange spices. Ditto for the bread.
posted in environment, sports | Comments Off on The plants are up and visible | 262 words
Along with our decision to go “glamping”, we are busily augmenting the supplies, in a technical sense. With a nylon tent, the ability to accessorize is limited. No sense putting hard walls on a soft wall shelter. With our new mobile land yacht (that’s from my point of view, OK?) there are so many more possibilities.
posted in environment, technology | Comments Off on Clean water and power | 277 words
Trying a new radio feed today. Not so new, really: Radio Caroline. Didn’t they used to be on a boat? No matter. Their album countdown, free of stupid commercial ads, is about as good as it gets. Not to figure out how I can get the same level of sonic comfort in a vehicle. It can be done.
posted in environment, media | Comments Off on New sounds from old radio | 258 words
I had forgotten just how slow the Internet could be, until my speed dropped by a full 500% today. Brought back to the reality of a world where nothing will load because of timeouts, I was ready to go find a good book and curl up in the corner. Too warm for such things. Although the heat wave hasn’t gone off scale yet, I did spot inside temperatures of 32C.
posted in environment | Comments Off on Data at a snail’s pace | 271 words
Following our visit to the local funeral home, to pay last respects to a relative, and renew links with distant cousins, we had to get back into the “regular groove”. Going for groceries is only a small part of the whole social fabric.
posted in environment | Comments Off on Fireworks in the fog? | 259 words
Time to hit the pause control. Since supper (which I skipped, due to other duties), I’ve put the kitchen in order, washed and made the bed, vacuumed the house from top to bottom and made a wish for good weather this weekend. We’ve got company coming by, but I’d also like to receive a merit badge from the troop leader. Just like in the old days.
posted in environment, politics | Comments Off on From top to bottom, and sideways | 285 words
Let the record show: warm weather has returned. And so did we, like the swallows in that small Italian Californian cliffside. One moment while I point out that I believed the birds and the town were an Italian thing; not so, says Wiki. I won’t argue. Continuing… we returned to the campground (the one we love, for a lifetime). Not to camp, although that’s still possible. More to soak up the atmosphere.
posted in environment | Comments Off on Like those sparrows | 265 words
Once each month, more or less, my carefully gathered bags of recycling get taken away. I don’t always remember that the “third Monday of the month” actually falls on a predicable date, so I stockpile for another thirty days. And when the truck passes, and my driveway returns to the free of bags state, I heave a sigh of relief.
posted in environment | Comments Off on But will it recycle? | 264 words
The humble potato. For all its monotony, we do enjoy the taste and texture. I don’t eat (them) as often as I should, but right now I’m more fascinated by the process required to actually get them into the ground and started.
posted in environment | Comments Off on In order to reap, one must sow | 253 words
