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Monday, March 13, 2017

Still Alive



I've missed blogging, but there's been many other demands on my time and energy. Such is life. Right now I happen to have a few moments to myself so I thought I'd write a new post. Since my last post I've been out straight with another creative project. That project has the potential to make a few dollars. The last year and a half has been rather expensive for me; it's time to take care of business.

The weather has been bitterly cold. Now a major snowstorm is on its way. Interesting times. One week I'm running around in sandals and no jacket, the next week we have a wind chill of -29. It was all I could to do keep plumbing from freezing.

I have to be honest and say I'm not too impressed with Trump. His administration looks like the “not ready for prime time players.” It's not all bad. There are a few decent cabinet choices and I was happy to see the Pacific Trade deal get shut down. That deal was negotiated in secret and that made me very wary of it. The best I can figure is that it wasn't so much about trade as it was about political alliances.

Too many people relaxed their prepping when Trump was elected, as if having a Republican at the top was going to change all the basic facts of modern life. Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes don't care who's president.

I've made it clear in the past that I wasn't a fan of either Hillery or Trump. There's a reason I'm a registered Independent voter. Trump did upset the apple cart, so there is opportunity in chaos. In the short term, however, I know a lot of people who've personally suffered due to his policies. One example, here in NH we are a big tourist state. International travel is way down. I've friends and family who've lost money and work because of it. One thing about change, you can never do just one thing. Everything has consequences. Enough of politics though. Everyone is still emotional and it's going to to take time for peoples' logic to kick in.

Currently I'm convalescing after bruising the heck out of my leg. Dropped a bundle of firewood on it. Can't really afford to see the doctor, so I'm doing what I can to avoid that. Obama care was too expensive and the deductible too large so I let it go. As luck would have it, Trump care doesn't look any better for someone my age and with my income. One can only hope that the promise of cheaper/better care is fulfilled, but I'm not holding my breath. On the other hand, it certainly looks good for the top 10% or so.

In happier news, the motorcycle project is moving along. Just had three deliveries of parts come in. I've cleaned up some corrosion, (still more to do) and sorted out electrical problems. It might cost me more for riding safety gear than bike parts. Looking forward to getting the old bike out on the road. I'm an adrenaline junkie at heart.

This has been the first winter in many years that my lovely wife and I have stayed in the frozen north. I'd forgotten how pasty white I was under my tan. For years I've been getting enough sun to have some color. This winter I resorted to taking vitamin D3 pills. Next winter we plan on traveling to warmer climes.

We are trying to figure out what to do. There's a chance we'll buy another sailboat to replace the one we lost one dark and stormy night. If that doesn't come together, we still have the Oday 19. We could do a mix of van camping and sailing. There's the possibility that we'll concentrate on camping and just bring the kayak. It's nice to have options.
So I'm still around, just busier than a one armed paper hanger.

-Sixbears



17 comments:

  1. So good to hear from you Sixbears. Sorry about your leg, though. I hope you heal quickly with no complications. Winter sure is long this year, isn't it? Waiting for the blizzard to hit us here in N/W Joisey. Nice to have choices on how you and the Mrs. are going to spend next winter - wonder what it will be? An adventure for sure! :o)

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    1. Thank you.

      Should be an interesting fall and winter.

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  2. glad to hear from you if only for a few minutes here and there.
    trump still better than the option.
    we only ever vote to get the one who seems least harmful.
    put arnica cream or gel on your bruise. really helps.

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  3. I've been wondering about you, so thanks for the update. Like you, I'm an independent; unlike you, I was and am a Trump supporter. Frankly, I'm impressed with him so far, though he's made a couple blunders. NO-ONE will do anything to help us old farts on fixed income, Six Bears, since affordable to us means pretty much FREE. I do hope things work out well for the rest of the population, though. I just said a prayer for your leg and your income project. Please take care and resume posting when you can.

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    1. I refuse to be written off by either party. Just because we aren't rich doesn't mean we aren't citizens.

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  4. Good to hear from you! Take care because you have to shovel a foot or so of new snow over the next couple of days! :-)

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    1. Started coming down 8:30 Tuesday morning. Looks like an old fashioned blizzard coming in. Will be surprised if the grid doesn't come down. We are as prepped as well as anyone.

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  5. SO YOU FINALLY CAME UP FOR AIR

    Wildflower

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    1. Between projects, but going back under soon.

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  6. Welcome back Bear !
    Trump will always suck in my opinion, he is and always will be for only himself.
    Ah yes , safety equipment...Which I'd had my boots on...At least I had the full face helmet...Otherwise I'd be dead !
    Been a nice warm winter here :-)

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    1. I've had throw away two helmets and leather jacket over the years. They took the damage instead of me.

      I do have decent boots already, so there is that.

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  7. Glad to see you back. You have been missed by many.Hope you get through the winter storm safe and warm. Guess you may have picked the wrong winter to not travel south? Keep us updated on the bike project.

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    1. Indeed, it's been a weird winter. I've been sick and injured a fair bit of it too.

      We survived the storm in good shape. At least a foot and a half of new snow, maybe more. Hard to tell with the drifting. Shoveling will keep me busy for some time.

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  8. Sorry to hear about all the snow you guys are getting, but glad the leg is healing up a bit.

    Sorry you didn't make it south this year, but at least you are prepared for bad weather.

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  9. I'll add my welcome back - glad to see you're still kicking. Just try not to kick with the injured leg ~ Maybe this winter was just a reminder of why you like to head south for part of the year. Better luck next time, and good thoughts for your money making project.

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  10. This whole thing where we're not getting our regular Six Bears Blog-Fix is for the birds. We should meet up for good java sometime soon!

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