Pardon my sense of amazement, but it is very dark outside. After spending three decades in suburbia, where the idea of the streetlights going off at night is tied to catastrophic power failure, life here is very different. Right now (in the dark of the moon), the dog takes me for long wanders. I carry a flashlight, for emergencies…
posted in environment | Comments Off on Wander in the dark | 262 words
In today’s mail, a long await key. Finally, I can open that enigmatic beige box that sits by the corner of the house! Not so mysterious, actually; I was there when our generator was installed, but I feel that it’s mine, when I can look inside and admire the machinery. And see the control panel. We’ve been protected for over 820 hours, already.
posted in technology | Comments Off on Keys to the enigmatic beige box | 262 words
Coming up on three weeks since the tone of the country changed. Less than a week since the actual “power” changed hands, but there’s a real difference. The fear game is less apparent. Some of the minions from the last cabinet have already started to speak on their own, without scripts. The comment pages on social media are very busy; so many people wanting to wave and let the rest of us know that they survived. Rather cool!
posted in ham radio, Wx | Comments Off on Free seeds say the birds | 261 words
Call it anticipation. Sounds better than insomnia, right? In any case, I had some serious cooking to do, and I had to get the logistics clear before putting anything to heat.
posted in food | Comments Off on Keep it low and slow | 251 words
I didn’t even have to give a reason. As soon as the dog heard “Let’s go for a ride in the car”, he was in favour. Completely. A chance to wear his cool safety harness, and have the whole back seat and two side windows to himself; canine paradise.
posted in food, pets, travel | Comments Off on The dog on a road trip | 269 words
This afternoon, I had to spend some time “renewing” metal hardware. The antenna project, for those who need to know. Several dozen small bolts and nuts, placed outside about six years back. Not one of them worth keeping. Corrosion happens, but this was a return to dust. From now on, when I see artefacts in a museum, I’ll have a whole new sense of respect for the original manufacturer.
posted in ham radio, politics, technology | Comments Off on The census is a phoenix | 253 words
That new box with the three spools of zip cord just couldn’t wait any longer. After getting my morning coffee squared away, I brought out a good measuring tape, and then I converted a majority of the wire into equal lengths of 14 feet and squirm room. Just following the directions of the antenna people.
posted in ham radio | Comments Off on Radials prepped | 264 words
Less than twenty-four hours from the hanging of the open for business sign to the arrival of the local thief. A security camera caught him busy picking through the displayed products…
posted in environment, ham radio | Comments Off on Seeds as gold | 261 words
An unexpected poke from the past, today; scrolling through a local history book and spotting a familiar face… from when I was seven years old. I wonder if I’d have the same “recognition factor”.
posted in humour, technology | Comments Off on Through the wall, at last | 275 words
So, what did you learn today? Well, I figured out that the island in the middle of the kitchen is just the right size to lean against. Huh? My abdomen aches, even after swallowing spoonfuls of anti-acid goop. You see, since sometime this morning (and this has nothing to do with resetting the clocks), I’ve had a tummy pain. Nothing threatening; an aggravation. Once I spotted that we were running low on a strategic surplus of rolled paper, I managed to make a quick run to the nearest supermarket; just in case. And now I’m waiting for the signal that bedtime is nigh. Despite that ache.
posted in health | Comments Off on An unnecessary ache | 257 words
