57F and wet. Sounds familiar.
Lots to do today, all family stuff. MY big Saturdays are coming up.
Lots of pollen in the air here, lots of people sick from all the weather changes, lots of sniffling. I’ve been washing my hands constantly. That’s a luxury we won’t have post SHTF, and yet we’ll need it more than ever. I think I’m going to add more soap to the pile. It’s super cheap now, small, doesn’t rot, is individually packaged, literally a lifesaver, and to make it later is very labor and time intensive.
So what else did I pick up prep-wise? I got a cobbler’s last in a small variety of sizes. I’ve been watching shoe repair videos, and the one thing that makes it significantly easier is having a stand to hold the shoe while you work on it. I need to find some bigger lasts, but you do see them from time to time. This set is called the “Family Cobbler”. Lots of people have them as rustic display items. Every family would have wanted one back in the day. I’ll probably just display it too.
I picked up a couple of ham radios, an HT and a mobile. They are by far the most modern and fully featured radios I own. Both will do data, APRS tracking, and have really thick manuals. They are much more for the ‘ham’ than for the ‘prepper’. Overkill at underkill prices though…
I better get moving on breakfast, hungry Girl Scouts will be headed out to run a cookie booth soon, then softball season kicks off with a carnival, and later, a GS dance….
Like I said, busy.
n
The US is one step closer to on-demand access to space.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/03/02/spacex-successfully-launches-spacecraft-designed-astronauts/?utm_term=.2b58e4857b44
It ain’t money unless you can spend it, and it ain’t any safer ‘in the cloud’….
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-03-02/quadriga-auditors-confirm-bankrupt-exchanges-cold-storage-wallets-have-been-empty
” Cotten, who ran the exchange entirely from his laptop and was purportedly the only person with access to customer deposits, is now (on paper, at least) dead. Though it’s worth noting that the evidence for his death – as far as the Canadian courts are concerned – exists solely in signed affidavits attesting that he died in Jaipur, India in December.”
“Meanwhile, Cotten – the one person who could be held accountable – is either dead, or off on an island somewhere, enjoying his ill-gotten gains.”
“Meanwhile, Cotten – the one person who could be held accountable – is either dead, or off on an island somewhere, enjoying his ill-gotten gains.”
Sipping Jippers on a beach somewhere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q8_URpmIzA
Rainn Wilson as Harvey Mudd is one of the reasons we sit through “Star Trek: Discovery”.
Left the wife behind too… unlike Mudd 🙂
n
Left the wife behind too… unlike Mudd
“Discovery” is set about 10 years before the classic “Star Trek”. The real Stella is still in Mudd’s life, and her character was recast too.
Next week, the crew is off to Talos IV. We’ve even seen a new Number One.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY27HKCpbK0
God, I hope they don’t waste Rebecca Romjin. It took them over a year to figure out what to do with Michelle Yeoh.
I went down to the Cape a while back to help with a spacecraft issue. I solved the problem satisfactorily, but they would not let me on for a ride.
I went down to the Cape a while back to help with a spacecraft issue. I solved the problem satisfactorily, but they would not let me on for a ride.
We’re closer to the day when you can get a ride to orbit as long as you chip in for gas.
Dr. Pournelle thought he would live to see DC-X, but NASA ate the dream. How many SLS service towers are out back behind the VAB now waiting for the single launch? Two? Three?
(I saw just one when we visited in March 2017, the leftover from Ares I which will see the first launch and get thrown away.)
Maybe my lifetime we’ll see SSTO — 30+ more years. Definitely my kids’, but, if it takes that long, the ride’s owner’s manual will be printed in Chinese. They’ll catch up or buy SpaceX outright when the dollar tanks.
The other day, someone was mentioning ‘glaze’ on a solar panel (for security light?) causing the batteries not to charge.
Was thinking that, along with replacing the dead batteries, would a ‘headlight cleaning kit’ work for removing the glaze without damaging the panel?
Maybe my lifetime we’ll see SSTO — 30+ more years. Definitely my kids’, but, if it takes that long, the ride’s owner’s manual will be printed in Chinese. They’ll catch up or buy SpaceX outright when the dollar tanks.
SpaceX is a important DOD contractor. Regardless of the financial stability of the USA, SpaceX will not be acquired by any foreign firm.
I need to re-stock paper towels and soap. I have the space so keep it filled.
I like Scott Select-a-size paper towels. And Ivory soap. Preferably in the 3 oz bar… they came in a three pack. The 4 oz bar is a little cheaper by weight and comes in a ten pack. My problem with the 4 oz bar is when they get about a quarter inch thick, they break. The 3 oz bar tends to fade to a sliver.
Was thinking that, along with replacing the dead batteries, would a ‘headlight cleaning kit’ work for removing the glaze without damaging the panel?
Worth a try. The solar lights I have might be too cheap to bother. New batteries usually don’t work. But sitting in the summer sun in Texas is rough.
I like Scott Select-a-size paper towels. And Ivory soap. Preferably in the 3 oz bar… they came in a three pack. The 4 oz bar is a little cheaper by weight and comes in a ten pack. My problem with the 4 oz bar is when they get about a quarter inch thick, they break. The 3 oz bar tends to fade to a sliver.
Costco discontinued stocking Lever 2000 in favor of Kirkland brand. The Kirkland soap seems to cause me less allergy issues than Lever, and the bars can get really thin before they are unusable.
That was me. At $50.00 for eight lights it is not worth the cost or effort. Probably cheap plastic anyway that would disintegrate.
I didn’t know Lever 2000 was still available. I used it in Austin but out in Burnet, the Super S didn’t carry it and the tiny HEB was to avoided at all costs. Dial was out… with the water from my well it left a film chalky scum in the shower. Zest was fine. I have a water softener now. Ivory is not expensive and anyone can use it. Works fine for washing your hair, too.
The weather this time of year is just nuts. It’s been foggy all day (weird) and sometimes misting. Made it all the way to 48F. I’m not looking forward to Sunday night’s forecast low of 29 or Monday’s low of 25.
If we get a bit of rain the pear trees might make it. And the tree-rats will have 50 cent coin sized pears to eat.
When the soap gets to a sliver, start a new bar. When the new bar is wet, press the sliver to it. Squeeze out any air, and you have a slightly thicker bar, and no waste.
Beats using the slivers or saving them up for later.
Now off to daddy daughter dance, although they call it something else this year to be more inclusive.
n
I’ve been putting it off, but today I started sorting through the last boxes of my mother’s papers. Funny, how I’m learning a lot of things about her that I never knew. She didn’t keep any sort of journal, but she would write down these little, random notes and save them, about any sort of milestone or whatever seemed important to her.
I also found a handwritten letter from my dad’s last boss, giving him a (20%!) raise. Wow, inflation over 40 years. I earn almost exactly 10x what my Dad earned. I also found the mortgage papers and receipts for all of the houses my parents bought. One house I remember quite fondly – typical 1950’s/1960’s 3-bed, 2-bath house. Built – this impressed my boy’s brain – built with 4×6’s instead of 2×4’s. Small by today’s standards, but typical for an average family at the time. $25000.
Aaaannndddd…Here it is! Estimated price $318k today, but it’s small and old by today’s standards.
That was a bit earlier in my dad’s career, the house would probably have cost maybe 2.5x his annual salary. Show me that average middle class family today that can buy an average, middle-class family house for 2.5x the main breadwinner’s salary. Standard of living today is different, but certainly not higher that what it was 40-50 years ago.
Lynn writes: “the ride’s owner’s manual will be printed in Chinese”
Lots of stuff is going to be printed in Chinese. The West is – thanks to progs – slowly killing itself. Subsidizing the least successful members of the population to have lots of kids, while the successful folk don’t replace themselves. Doubling down by importing more uneducated and unskilled people from barbaric cultures that aren’t going to integrate. Not a recipe for success.
The Chinese ruling class is brutal, but so far efficient. If they somehow manage to hang on to that efficiency, the next century or two belongs to China. Nothing wrong with that, really, but I dislike watching the West self-destruct.
Now off to daddy daughter dance, although they call it something else this year to be more inclusive.
I remember that during the PrimeTime Live broadcast in 2009 which helped AT&T break their union, the profiled transgendered employee capped an hour of destroying labor’s negotiating position at contract talks and altering his family’s lives forever (“Didn’t I see you on TV last night?”) by expressing sadness about not getting a Mother’s Day card from the kids.
The union folded the next day.
Scoring stories that start with “A Florida man …”
https://www.injuryclaimcoach.com/analysis-of-the-florida-man.html
I could think of a similar system for WA State and Texas too. Hmmm.
When my aunt died I was going through her papers. Found a marriage certificate for my uncle and an annulment paper for the same marriage. This was in the late ’30’s and was apparently annulled by the brides parents. I guess they did not like him. He had Indian (American) and Mexican in his background and back then that was frowned upon for any white girl to marry such. I guess my aunt and my grandparents were a little more progressive than the others.
Those two little pieces of paper did complicate things when I went to file for some unclaimed property. I had to certify that I had made an effort to locate his first wife. My effort consisted of checking the white pages website for the last known city. No effort to see if the last name changed, any courthouse records, nothing. Not going to do that for less than $50.00 in unclaimed. But the state required I certify I had exhausted all efforts. I did, as much effort as I was going to expend.
I remember a house my parents bought in Victorville before the divorce. Two bathroom, three bedroom, two car garage, swamp cooler. Not a large house and not that well built. But it was a home. In 1957 they paid $14,000.o0. Last I checked was selling for about $200K.
I bought one of those 3o day freeze dried food deals on Woot, and a good first aid kit. Even if the wheels don’t come off civilization, weather and other things happen.
Congrats MarkD! You have taken a step toward assuming responsibility for the safety and welfare of yourself and your loved ones.
Take a good look at the sample menus and how they have apportioned the meals and see what you need to add. They are usually heavy on veg soups, pasta dishes, and light on beverages, deserts, and meat.
You may want to add
–instant oatmeal (I add the preflavored instant envelopes even though we eat plain oatmeal from the big carton. I figure it’s easier to just add hot water, they are individual servings, and the flavors will help with food fatigue. (Vac seal the paper envelopes into plastic bags for longevity.)
–instant coffee (I buy the Starbucks single servings when they go on sale at costco) You might also want sugar/sweetener packets and non-dairy creamer. For the others, maybe tea bags (everyone likes hot tea when it’s cold), or something like Tang.
— other instant drinks (I buy Crystal Light single serving sleeves) to add to bottled or filtered water.
–dried snacks (I add freeze dried fruit slices, $1/envelope in the canned fruit aisle) Nuts are high in fat and will taste ‘old’ before any of the other stuff ages out.
–canned meat – chicken, pork, bbq, spam, chili, or others, or freeze dried if you can afford it.
The best part is that you can add the extras over time, and out of your regular grocery shopping.
You’ve made a great start!
(actually, I’d add a water filter soon too. A good filter will take care of your first need, and depending on where you live can reduce your storage needs.)
nick
Aaaannndddd…Here it is!
Looks nice to me. Decent size, too.
Today’s forecast is Hi 47 F and Low 27 F. When I dragged out of bed for coffee this morning it was 43 F.
The wind has kicked up and now at 1 PM, it’s 38 F. 47 F seems optimistic.
Time to feed the cats and emu. While I’m out I need to find a light bulb for the flood lamp in the pump house. I’ve used three bulbs this winter, all from the same package. I think the fixture is ok, it doesn’t feel hot and the socket looks clean. Just a crappy batch of Sylvania “double life” 75 watt bulbs. It seems they should last longer than three or four weeks.
@paul, I write the install date on the bases because I was having short lifespans. I discovered that any bulb I bought at HD (or Lowes, can’t remember which) would die early. Once I identified the store, I bought from the other with better success.
Now I use ‘rough service’ or ‘vibration rated’ bulbs from our local Habitat ReStore. They have a rated voltage of 130v, so by undervolting them at 120 they last significantly longer. They also have more support structure inside the glass envelope. They are some sort of generic, and get around the nanny state nonsense by being for specific usage.
n
added- to be clear, (and they are clear bulbs, 75 and 60 w) they last so much longer that I don’t remember changing my office bulbs. Highly recommended.
Just checked, they are Feit Electric, Vibration service, 130v.
The chart on the box shows the de-rate for 120 v use.
130v — 600 lumen — 60w — 5000 hours
120v — 450 lumen — 54w — 14000 hours
The slight under volt gives almost as much light and almost triple the life.
I use them in my ceiling fans, and in the over the mirror fixtures in the bathrooms.
n
Time to feed the cats and emu. While I’m out I need to find a light bulb for the flood lamp in the pump house. I’ve used three bulbs this winter, all from the same package. I think the fixture is ok, it doesn’t feel hot and the socket looks clean. Just a crappy batch of Sylvania “double life” 75 watt bulbs. It seems they should last longer than three or four weeks.
Are you using the bulbs for heat ? In not, it is time to switch to 100 watt equivalent LED bulbs.
BTW, you may have the answer for this. I have about two inches of dirt on the 12 ft by 12 ft wellhouse concrete floor that I need to clean out. Complete with fire ants. Have you got any experience in getting the dirt and ants out without them eating you alive ?
BTW, you may have the answer for this. I have about two inches of dirt on the 12 ft by 12 ft wellhouse concrete floor that I need to clean out. Complete with fire ants. Have you got any experience in getting the dirt and ants out without them eating you alive ?
You’ve already tagged them with Amdro a few times?
I’ve been out of the fire ant game for a while. Austin doesn’t seem to have as much of a problem, at least not where we live.
The slight under volt gives almost as much light and almost triple the life.
The 75 w Sylvanias I’m griping about came from HEB.
No argument from me… tho I have your “triple the life” beat. When I replaced the floods in the track lights with LED I still had two GE 75 w floods and a couple of Sylvania 75 w floods. They started life in clamp-on lamps when I lived in the dorms. Always on a dimmer. So, since 1978? Then from dorms to an apartment to another apartment and then to Austin and a year or so later into Lightolier tracks in ’81, maybe ’82 and on for a couple of years as I bought parts. From Lights Fantastic on Burnet Rd. in Austin. I’m too lazy to look in the file cabinet six feet behind me.
Fun times. My Mom would come visit once in a while. Spy missions for Dad, I think. 🙂 I keep the receipts with the owner manuals for things like TVs and stereo stuff. So leave that stuff out to “give her something to read”. She freaked about my Dual 1264 turntable. Well, yeah, I did pay $300 for it in ’80. I still have it and it still works like new. My apartment rent was $180.
Anyway.
I found a package of Great Value 100 w equivalent Halogens that use 72 w. Nice light color. Life is rated at 3 hours a day for .9 years. I guess saying “1000 hours life” is too simple.
8760 hours in a year. Times .9 is 7884. Divided by 24 is 328 days. Almost 1000 hours. ? 41 days constant on? Nah. I’m doing the math wrong. Beats three weeks anyway. Not a math genius over here.
Are you using the bulbs for heat ?
Yes. For the water softener in the pump house.
Have you got any experience in getting the dirt and ants out without them eating you alive ?
Lots of Sevin powder. Diazonin (sp) granules work well but that seems to be as available as 75 watt flood lights….
Perhaps flood the room and wash the ants and dirt out? Might need to remove the threshold at the door… that’s how they drained the water out of my Mom’s house.
My pump house has a dirt/gravel floor. I’m not a fan of dumping poison around the well. Even if the pump is at 180 feet. Sevin powder inside… and drizzles of charcoal starter or diesel on the ant dirt outside.
Gasoline works great on an undisturbed fire ant bed. About a quart.
I’m cool with ants that don’t bite. We can stand by my back door and I can point out nine harvester ant beds.
I have heard that diatomaceous earth is supposed to work. Does something to the insects shells. Not toxic to humans.
I have heard that diatomaceous earth is supposed to work.
The diatomaceous earth sold for pool filters does not work. Not for me, for fleas, anyway.
It’s supposed to be sharp and it cuts them up.