tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19371702028954771262024-03-19T00:00:33.711-04:00Sixbears in the WoodsSo far outside the box you can't even see the box from here.Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.comBlogger3948125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-78953963577681137832024-03-19T00:00:00.001-04:002024-03-19T00:00:00.152-04:00Solar Storms<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Solar storms could kill civilizations. We go about our lives worried about this and that. None if it matters if the sun blows off a big CME and fries everything. The sun has been particularly active lately. There have been some serious bursts but mostly they’ve missed us. It doesn’t help that the earth’s protective magnetic field is weak right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>A strong CME from the sun could take down all our modern electronics. The more advanced the electronics the more sensitive it is to solar interference. The things that hold society together would fall apart. </div><div><br /></div><div>It’s good to realize that most guns will work just fine. Some fancy electronic sights might get fried but iron sights work. A situation where the infrastructure fails but the ability to kill each other doesn’t has plenty of potential for disaster. </div><div><br /></div><div>The less your life depends on high technology the more likely it will continue. </div><div><br /></div><div>-Sixbears</div>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-88525948453964998052024-03-17T00:00:00.001-04:002024-03-17T00:00:00.228-04:00Internet Disruptions<p><br /></p><p> </p><p>One of the area’s biggest Internet providers is having a lot of outages. The details aren’t important so much as the effects.</p><p><br /></p><p>I noticed issues at restaurants. Apparently some businesses can’t do basic billing without an Internet connection. Cash is king. </p><p><br /></p><p>I’m not sure if it’s related but gas station loyalty cards are hit or miss. Sometimes they work, other times they don’t. </p><p><br /></p><p>My small Internet provider is currently being swallowed up by the bigger company. The changeover won’t be completed until the second week of April. In the mean time my service is still mostly up. </p><p><br /></p><p>When it does go down my cell phone’s hotspot is a decent substitute. For many years we didn’t have cell service here. Then a company put in a new tower that isn’t blocked by the mountains. </p><p><br /></p><p>Think of all your services that rely on the Internet besides your computer connection: VOIP phone service, movie streaming, music streaming, cameras, security, etc.. The more “advanced” the household electronics the more vulnerable to disruptions they are. </p><p><br /></p><p>My household is not so advanced that I can’t do most things the old fashioned way. I also like to keep some cash handy. The one thing I no longer have is an old fashioned land line. Should the Internet and cell towers go down I could always text using a Garmin InReach’s satellite connection. Or I could write a letter and mail it. -or I could keep my thoughts to myself. </p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-38156867410364544452024-03-14T00:00:00.001-04:002024-03-14T00:00:00.213-04:00Snow slowing me down<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, I still have fresh snow on the ground. It’s melted some but we still have plenty of the annoying white stuff. Our mild winter has me yearning for an early spring. It’s not that we didn’t get precipitation. We got plenty but it was often in the form of winter rain. Not only that, our snow, instead of being light and fluffy was dense like cement. </div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, it’s not that the snow is really that bad. This is still March in New Hampshire after all. It’s just that I’m a bit more eager to get the scooter out of storage than normal. I’ve a lot of new parts that came in. There’s actually nothing broken on the scoot. It just makes more sense for me to change these parts at home. If I don’t I’ll be changing them on a back road late at night -in the rain. Let’s avoid that. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’m also adding a motorcycle rated Garmin GPS. That will get hard wired into the electrical system There’s a lot of body plastic that have to be removed just to get to the wiring. The top box doesn’t thrill me either. The solution could be to build my own. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are times I miss not having a decent heated garage. Who knows what would roll out of there after a long winter of tinkering?</div><div><br /></div><div>-Sixbears</div>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-2705792356576728472024-03-10T00:00:00.001-05:002024-03-10T00:00:00.159-05:00March is a teaser. <p>Another Stormwatch</p><p><br /></p><p>Friday’s weather was nice and spring-like. That’s not at all common in northern New Hampshire this time of year. The weather was so nice that had I not made other plans I would have taken the motor scooter out of storage. </p><p><br /></p><p>Today is a different story. The weather forecast is for 4 to 8 inches of heavy wet snow. That’s storm will also bring high winds. That’s just the sort of thing to drop trees over utility lines and block roads. Flooding will also be an issue. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>My usual preps were put into motion. The solar electric batter bank was charged up from the grid. Energy intensive chores such as laundry have been done. Dishes are washed. Fuel for the woodstove is sitting ready. We’ve plenty of food and other necessities. </p><p><br /></p><p>The best part is not needing to go anywhere during or right after the storm. It always feels better to watch falling snow while next to the woodstove sipping coffee.</p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-38574066324055494252024-03-08T00:00:00.001-05:002024-03-08T00:00:00.247-05:00Taxes?<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>It had been over a decade since I last filed income taxes. It is totally legal too. Really. </p><p><br /></p><p>So this year I found myself in a situation where not filing taxes would be leaving money on the table. That wasn’t going to happen. </p><p><br /></p><p>Normally I’m a do it myself sort of guy but not this time. My tax status is weird in normal years. Two years in a row I was audited by the IRS. Eventually we sorted out the fact that I don’t have to file taxes. The first time I was nervous. The second time I wasn’t intimidated at all. </p><p><br /></p><p>Side note: I had an uncle who looked forward to fighting with the IRS every year. He was an independent businessman who took outrageous tax deductions. He was such a PITA to the agents that they’d eventually give up and he’d keep a lot of his sketchy deductions. Any man who could intimidate the IRS is some sort of hero in my book.</p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway, my lovely wife had gathered all the proper paperwork and the tax pro sorted out our situation. It was money well spent. We are getting all our money back, so that’s good.</p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p><p><br /></p><p>It had been over a decade since I last filed income taxes. It is totally legal too. Really. </p><p><br /></p><p>So this year I found myself in a situation where not filing taxes would be leaving money on the table. That wasn’t going to happen. </p><p><br /></p><p>Normally I’m a do it myself sort of guy but not this time. My tax status is weird in normal years. Two years in a row I was audited by the IRS. Eventually we sorted out the fact that I don’t have to file taxes. The first time I was nervous. The second time I wasn’t intimidated at all. </p><p><br /></p><p>Side note: I had an uncle who looked forward to fighting with the IRS every year. He was an independent businessman who took outrageous tax deductions. He was such a PITA to the agents that they’d eventually give up and he’d keep a lot of his sketchy deductions. Any man who could intimidate the IRS is some sort of hero in my book.</p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway, my lovely wife had gathered all the proper paperwork and the tax pro sorted out our situation. It was money well spent. We are getting all our money back, so that’s good.</p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-79123112692422708282024-03-07T00:00:00.001-05:002024-03-07T00:00:00.272-05:00On the Ragged Edge<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>It’s easy to look down on those less fortunate. If they are poor they must be lazy or deficient in some way. </p><p><br /></p><p>I’m living a comfortable life now, but it wasn’t always that way. America has some big holes in its social safety net. Prepping was always a thing I did and it got me through a couple of bad years. However, the bad years kept coming. Year three was tough. Year four was impossible. </p><p><br /></p><p>My wife and three kids were living with the knowledge we two weeks away from being homeless. Then I won a four year legal battle and received enough back pay to bring everything up to date. </p><p><br /></p><p>It affected my kids. They’ve gone on to live successful lives. They’ve also never forgotten when times were so tight we didn’t through out potato peels. They have compassion for people in tough situations. They’ve started programs for the homeless in their community, taken in political refugees, and hired poor immigrants. </p><p><br /></p><p>Being in tough straits with kids to feed is a real test. During that time I found myself with $3000 cash accidentally given to me instead of someone else. I could have kept it but made sure it ended up in the right hands. Another time a bank sent me all the credit card details of over a dozen people. There was everything needed to run charges on other people’s cards. Instead of doing that I informed the bank of their error -and fried up those potato peels. </p><p><br /></p><p>Frankly, it was a near thing -not to make my life more comfortable, but for the kids. I understand the tough decisions people on the bottom have to make. </p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-267545789337901202024-03-06T00:00:00.001-05:002024-03-06T00:00:00.178-05:00Photos of Wreckage<p><br /></p><p>I buddy of mine happen to be in Southwest Florida recently. He took a boat tour out of Ft. Myers. It’s surprising how much hurricane damage is still evident. I was last in that area in 2019. It doesn’t look like it did back then.</p><p><br /></p><p>Florida has always had problems with abandoned boats. The coast is littered with wrecks. Judging from my friend’s photos there are a lot more of them. Places that used to have them removed appear to have given up. </p><p><br /></p><p>There’s also a lot of infrastructure that hasn’t been rebuilt. It appears they are still cleaning up debris out of the water. To be fair, some areas were hit pretty hard. A marina we used to stay at had all their boats and docks dropped into the parking lot. It doesn’t look like they recovered. </p><p><br /></p><p>We see areas in the news that are hit with disasters. Then we forget about them. New stories drive out memory of the old stories. For the people who live in those places the nightmare doesn’t end so quickly. Sometimes the money to rebuild just isn’t there. </p><p><br /></p><p>The more disasters that hit an area the less likely recovery becomes. Hurricanes are getting worse and doing more damage. Flooding is an issue. When places have “100 year floods” every other year something is wrong. Forest fires can quickly decimate thousands of acres in very little time. </p><p><br /></p><p>Add in things like higher insurance rates, tougher zoning laws, and outrageously expensive building materials and it’s no wonder places remain trashed. </p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-50013904782790109842024-03-04T00:00:00.001-05:002024-03-04T00:00:00.250-05:00Best Bombing Run<p><br /></p><p>The US just did their best bombing run in a long time. They dropped pallets of badly needed food and supplies into Gaza. It’s not enough, but at least it’s a start. They are also plans to bring food in by sea. </p><p><br /></p><p>What’s really needed is a truck corridor as air drops and sea landings are not very efficient. Okay, what’s really really needed is a peace deal. It would beat the heck out of what’s been going on: exchanging war crimes. </p><p><br /></p><p>Smarter people than me claim only a two state solution will solve the problem. Maybe they are onto something. I don’t know. What I do know is that there are a lot of innocent people suffering and my heart goes out to them. </p><p><br /></p><p>The current eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth response will leave everyone blind and toothless.</p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-77421408544961408942024-03-03T00:00:00.001-05:002024-03-03T00:00:00.141-05:00Rubymar sinks<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A Houthi attack has sunk a bulk carrier, the Rubymar. I believe it was carrying fertilizer. It was thought that the Houthi would not attack low value bulk carriers. Apparently they are trying to sink anything that floats. </p><p><br /></p><p>Before that attack traffic through that area was projected to be on the increase. Since the sinking that thinking has come into question. If even bulk carriers are targets that doesn’t bode well for transportation. If low value commodities have to take the long way around Africa delivery costs will seriously impact prices. </p><p><br /></p><p>Guess what’s considered a low value bulk carrier item. Grains. The price of food is about to go up for someone. In rich countries they’ll be able to absorb the higher costs. It’s not going to look good in poorer nations. They will be unable to buy as much food and/or have to charge more for it. </p><p><br /></p><p>Food instability is a major cause of unrest. We may be seeing political turmoil in countries far from the Red Sea. That illustrates how dependent the world is on free and safe access to the sea. The Houthi are not particularly sophisticated or technologically advanced. Imagine how badly things could go should a major power get serious about disrupting shipping. </p><p><br /></p><p>Actually, Russia upset world grain markets for a time when they prevented Ukraine from exporting. These days the shipping lane from Ukraine is open due to successful drone attacks against the Russian Navy. </p><p><br /></p><p>There’s another danger from the sinking of the Rudymar. It went down in an area where a lot of International communication cables lay on the seabed. They are unprotected. Communications hold the world together. </p><p><br /></p><p>It just goes to show how some incident in place nobody normally thinks about can cause bigger issues.</p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-86004460436346085972024-03-02T00:00:00.001-05:002024-03-02T00:00:00.140-05:00Waiting for the rebates<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I’m getting more and more annoyed at my heating oil delivery company. The woodstove does a fair job most days, but the when it’s really bitterly cold the furnace kicks on. It also keeps it from getting too cool in the morning after the woodstove dies out. </p><p><br /></p><p>The furnace is getting on in years. However, like a car, it’s not the years, it’s the mileage, or usage in this case. There were quite a few winters when the furnace didn’t run at all or ran very little. Those years we shut the house down and did the snowbird thing. Even so, the years have added up. </p><p><br /></p><p>A decent heat pump system would do the job, supplemented with wood heat. It would be very nice to say goodbye to the oil company. Right now a heat pump capable of doing the job would be pretty expensive. That’s an issue. Eventually the State of New Hampshire is going to get its act together and offer rebates. Only a fool pays retail when they don’t have to. </p><p><br /></p><p>With that in mind the house is going to limp along on what it currently has. With any luck nothing major will need to be replaced in the mean time. </p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-39227159393870320852024-03-01T00:00:00.001-05:002024-03-01T00:00:00.148-05:00Chimney Fire Season<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>On my way home I could smell the creosote in the air as I drove through town. That’s a chimney fire waiting to happen. This is the season for it. </p><p><br /></p><p>Those who heat with wood have been burning for months now. We just had a spell of unusually warm weather. Woodstoves were turned down to a slow smolder. That creates even more creosote. Then, like yesterday, we had a bitterly cold and windy day. </p><p><br /></p><p>That’s when stoves are cranked but up. Those are perfect conditions for a chimney fire. The hot blast ignites the built up creosote. Then the fun begins.</p><p><br /></p><p>So if you heat with wood it might be a great time to check your chimney. </p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-470022905806190842024-02-29T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-29T00:00:00.167-05:00Salamander on snow<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This photo was taken a couple of days ago. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXFHzET2jdZ-cXzImztO5vgQWJ1E4WnneA8kqDjFWoiOPTD7TORo1Vdh8ceYlaG-_aRMCYx640sEzNmZmdeT0XX2dKMcYRDQEa3W6dBLXEpq5z_7rUrE8Vyk-TkNMcBAHBOFDY_jgbHgfXFW-KYQ1qRqYrqwVKET8wwrqXuR-54rgal0QoJiYYx0yJpE/s4032/IMG_3623%5B74358%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXFHzET2jdZ-cXzImztO5vgQWJ1E4WnneA8kqDjFWoiOPTD7TORo1Vdh8ceYlaG-_aRMCYx640sEzNmZmdeT0XX2dKMcYRDQEa3W6dBLXEpq5z_7rUrE8Vyk-TkNMcBAHBOFDY_jgbHgfXFW-KYQ1qRqYrqwVKET8wwrqXuR-54rgal0QoJiYYx0yJpE/w438-h426/IMG_3623%5B74358%5D.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two friends, who wish to remain anonymous, took this photo while hiking in northern New Hampshire. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I’ve never seen a spotted salamander in the snow. That ain’t right. Our unusually warm spell is messing up the natural cycles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last year we had a warmer than normal spring but it was followed by a May frost. There was a lot of tree damage, especially fruit trees. A lot of orchards took a hit. Usually I enjoy eating wild pin cherries that grow on my land. They all turned black and I didn’t get to eat any. That’s an annoyance for me, but a big hit for the birds that normally feast on them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We could be looking at a bad growing season. Interesting times. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">-Sixbears</div></div><p></p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-86912953345300485212024-02-27T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-27T00:00:00.147-05:00Ceremonies Matter<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>When archaeologists did up very ancient hominid remains they take special note of burial sites. They judge the intelligence of the species on how the body was buried. Being buried with things like grave goods and flowers are indicators of mental advancement. These signs of respect for the dead are a big deal. </p><p><br /></p><p>Today I went to a funeral that had to be one of the most generic ceremonies ever. One would think that the officiant could say something personal about the deceased. The poor woman spent 86 years in her church. Somebody should have had something pertinent to say about her. </p><p><br /></p><p>While it was a pretty poor excuse for a ceremony it’s not the worse I’ve heard of. The priest got my uncle’s name wrong. That’s pretty basic. It’s not hard to get little things like that right. </p><p><br /></p><p>In contrast I went to funeral during the height of covid. It was held outside and masked as the deceased had passed away from the virus. The brand new minister barely knew the guy due to limited contact. In spite of that he put together a respectful funeral. All it took was talking to the people in the church who knew the guy well. </p><p><br /></p><p>So what’s the big deal about crappy funerals? It’s one of the ceremonies that hold society together. Funerals are for those who survive. They should bring comfort. Lives well lived should be recognized. When a society can’t honor their dead as well as a bunch of Neanderthals it’s in decline. </p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-21195486255192058522024-02-26T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-26T00:00:00.361-05:00The Mother Road<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I’m about to turn 66. My lovely wife suggested it might be fun to go on a Route 66 adventure. It’s known as the “Mother Road” as it was the big east-west road at one time. When the newer highways were constructed old 66 fell into disuse. Parts of it are totally in disrepair. However the vast majority of it is drivable, so that’s useful. </p><p><br /></p><p>A lot of the old roadside attraction and quirky hotels are still around. It’s sort of a time capsule of a certain time in post war America. I don’t know as much about it as I’d like so a fair bit of research is in order. </p><p><br /></p><p>From others I’ve picked up a few pointers. Don’t try to drive every mile of the remaining road. Too much of it goes through the heart of towns and cities. Pick and chose which tourist attractions to see. If you try to see them all you’ll get burned out. It’ll also take forever. When it comes time to stop for the night it might be a good idea to avoid the old hotels. Zip on over to the main road and stay at something a bit more modern. </p><p><br /></p><p>Of course, I’m going to have to put together a soundtrack for the trip. It will have to include Bobby Troupe’s Route 66.</p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-72516015872300734162024-02-25T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-25T00:00:00.184-05:00The loss of a good barber<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>So a buddy of mine was chatting with his barber. That’s what you do at the barber shop. Apparently my friend was telling the barber about some of my adventures. He told the barber about the exploits my wife and I experienced over the years. We didn’t let having three kids stop us from doing things. </p><p><br /></p><p>The next time my buddy goes to get his hair cut the shop owner was a bit ticked off at him. Apparently the barber, his employee, took my friend’s tales to heart. The guy quit his job so he and his wife could follow some of their dreams. Apparently they are avid hikers and decided to just do it. The owner has to replace a good employee.</p><p><br /></p><p>I don’t feel bad about it. Waiting until you are 65 and retired to have adventures is not the way to go. Some things should be done before you get too old. Would my finances be better now had I been more frugal in my 40s and 50s. Maybe, but so what? It’s only money. I’ve some great memories. </p><p><br /></p><p>Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-45830653554255379062024-02-24T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-24T00:00:00.151-05:00Johnny Cash - Hurt<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/8AHCfZTRGiI?si=RDqnJFgz4xjKmLI9" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This resonates with me today. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm okay but some of those I love -not so much.</div><div><br /></div><div>-Sixbears</div>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-84926129557327087202024-02-23T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-23T00:00:00.148-05:00Doomer or not?<p><br /></p><p>On one hand I take being prepared very seriously. On the other hand I also make plans like nothing bad is on the horizon. So what gives?</p><p><br /></p><p>I like to live a fairly care free life. Having my preps pretty much squared away helps. I’m not worried about most things that can go wrong. Being snowed in. Roads flooded out. Grid down. Thanks to being prepared none of those things really stress me out. </p><p><br /></p><p>Security issues? Yeah, I’ve a well stocked safe full of things that go bang. Just as importantly I’m on pretty good terms with what few neighbors I have. In this part of the country a neighbor is anyone within a mile or two. </p><p><br /></p><p>You have to prepare for bad things but don’t forget to live your life. I grew up in the duck and cover atomic age. A lot of people believed a nuclear war was baked in the cake. The thought of it was paralyzing to people at times. However, most moved on with life and didn’t spend their time hiding in a bunker. </p><p><br /></p><p>There’s always something of major concern. Sometimes those bad things happen. If you are lucky there are things you were able to prepare for. Some things are like an asteroid strike where everyone’s odds are pretty low. Such is life. </p><p><br /></p><p>No matter what you do you will die in the end. Don’t forget to live before you die.</p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-92163658101461551192024-02-22T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-22T00:00:00.155-05:00The Left Coast<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>My youngest daughter just moved into her new house in California. There’s plenty of room so she’d love if we’d visit. It’s been a few years since we’ve been out there. California is a long ways from New Hampshire so we don’t get to see each other as much as we’d like. I must admit I’m tempted. </p><p><br /></p><p>My lovely wife and I have traveled quite a bit but we haven’t explored much of the west. We rarely get much past Texas. It’s a big country. I would love to drive out there and take time for adventures. It might be just the thing to do next winter. </p><p><br /></p><p>We also haven’t been to the Northwest. It’s probably best to visit during the summer. The problem is that New Hampshire is so darn beautiful then that it’s hard to leave. Living on a lake we have plenty to do on our doorstep. My lovely wife has expressed a serious interesting in doing some fishing this year. She even bought a lifetime license. </p><p><br /></p><p>The main attraction of California is to see family. I’ve a grandson who’s turning 11 soon and could use the bad influence of a disreputable grandfather.</p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-45731058128443866102024-02-21T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-21T00:00:00.151-05:00Planning for the Scooter Cannonball<p><br /></p><p>The next Scooter Cannonball will take place during the summer of 2025. https://scootercannonball.com/ About a year before that registration will open. I’m going to register as soon as I can. </p><p><br /></p><p>The event has fascinated me for years. It’s one of those nutty things that look like fun -that’s if you idea of fun is a grueling coast to coast event. It’s a timed event with checkpoints. Daily miles run from around 350 to 500. The route tends to avoid highways and has a certain amount of dirt road travel. </p><p><br /></p><p>Over the past year I’ve been slowly building up to it. I can now change a tire on the side of the road with the tools onboard if needed. Every time I do a project on the scooter the tools are added to the kit. I’ve also added stuff like USB charging. Today I received a Garmin motorcycle rated GPS. It’s essential to understand the ins and outs of the device. Getting it now allows me time to get proficient. </p><p><br /></p><p>The plan is to go on some extended trips during the coming riding season. It’s a good way to test the equipment and the rider. One of the things I did last summer was to ride dirt roads to improve my skills. Believe me, a scooter is not exactly an ADV bike. However, a careful driver can make it happen. </p><p><br /></p><p>It’s not a cheap event but it’s now a priority for me. So why now? I’m getting freaking old. Too many of my friends are dying without living out their dreams. Others have had sudden health declines that came out of nowhere. I’m not in great shape myself, but I’m working on it. Right now I’m doing better than I was doing last year so that’s something. </p><p><br /></p><p>In 2023 out of 250 people who registered 180 made it to the starting line. I may or may not finish, but I’m doing all I can to start. Just getting there would put me ahead of all those who don’t show up.</p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-51548584290414194282024-02-19T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-19T00:00:00.196-05:00Whole House Water Filters<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I was about to change the house water filters when I discovered they were all gone. That’s what happens when you buy them by the case and don’t keep track. Eventually that box of filters runs out. Much to my disgust I had to go to the hardware store and pay retail prices. It’s time to order a couple cases of filters again but this time I’ll keep track of the usage. </p><p><br /></p><p>When my dad owned the property we never even used water filters. Nobody ever got sick from the water. I’m not that trusting. I run a corse sediment filter that feeds into a fine filter with activated carbon and all that. </p><p><br /></p><p>Our well is shallow and it only makes sense to make sure the water we drink is pure. The funny thing about whole house filters is that we end up flushing out toilets with clean filtered spring water. It sounds kind posh though. </p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-72616887892004955412024-02-18T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-18T00:00:00.174-05:00Game Camera<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I received a nifty little game camera for Christmas. For now I’ve been using it around the house. One of the cool things is the ability to take night photos. That’s how I got a few shots of a fox that hangs around. Mostly the camera’s photos are of squirrels and birds. There’s a few shots I can’t quite figure out what the heck is happening but that makes it interesting. </p><p><br /></p><p>Once the snow melts the plan is to set up down in my cedar swamp. Judging from tracks there’s moose, deer, turkeys and bear that make their way through there. Who knows what else? While I know they pass through my swamp it would be nice to know how often and when. It’s also a good way to see if anyone is trespassing. </p><p><br /></p><p>The price of game cameras has gone down in recent years and the features have gone up. This one cost about $35. It’s not a big investment to see if it’s something I’m interested in. Even a couple more cheap ones would be worth it to see exactly what happens on the further edges of my property. </p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p><p><br /></p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-70910429109334078172024-02-16T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-16T00:00:00.148-05:00The Sun is Dying<p><br /></p><p>The sun is dying. The world is doomed. Everybody hide! </p><p><br /></p><p>That seems to be the way a lot of people are treating the total eclipse that’s coming this spring. There are lots of businesses that are closing their doors during the event. People plan to lock their houses and head out of town. </p><p><br /></p><p>I’m told that people who follow total eclipses tend to make it a five day event. Just about any sort of lodging in or near the path has been booked for many months. About a year ago good friend of mine who lives in Maine asked to stay at my place. He just recently reconfirmed. The guy and his wife are willing to camp on the lawn but we could still have snow at that time. Fortunately for him we got a new mattress for the loft guest room. </p><p><br /></p><p>As for myself I just ordered a bunch of eclipse viewing glasses. I’m smart enough not to stare directly at the sun. </p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p><p><br /></p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-49744120449558688022024-02-15T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-15T00:00:00.195-05:00Fiber Blocks Downsides<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>In previous videos I mentioned I use fiber blocks in my woodstove. They are made from compressed sawdust, wrapped in bundles of six and loaded on a pallet. Buying them by the pallet the local lumber yard provides free delivery. </p><p><br /></p><p>I like them because they are easy to use and put out a lot of heat. One downside is that they don’t hold a fire as well as real firewood. To get around that I either load real firewood in the evening or just let the furnace kick in during the night. </p><p><br /></p><p>Today I dealt with the other downside. If put on a slow burn they tend to generate a lot of soot. It’s not like creosote that creates a fire hazard. Instead the soot is light and fluffy but it can restrict flow through the stovepipe. About twice a winter the stove pipe has to be removed from the stove and cleaned out. It’s not a big deal but can get messy. At least the build up is in the stovepipe and not the chimney, which remains surprisingly clean. </p><p><br /></p><p>Next winter I’ll probably end up using more natural firewood and less fiber blocks. The reason for that is the number of my trees toppled by heavy snow and high winds. If I have to clean them up anyway I might as well burn them. </p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-20761995828795676522024-02-14T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-14T00:00:00.153-05:00The Road to Wellness<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I’ve a friend who’s started radiation therapy for cancer. The clinic is about an hour and a half drive from his house -all the way to Vermont. Treatments only take about a half hour, so that good. </p><p><br /></p><p>My buddy has to go five days a week for the next six weeks or so. Fortunately we are splitting up the driving between his friends. </p><p><br /></p><p>Tuesday was the first day. We really lucked out as the big snowstorm didn’t quite make it to the North Country of New Hampshire or the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. </p><p><br /></p><p>By the way, to hell with cancer.</p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937170202895477126.post-35698033859625940662024-02-13T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-13T00:00:00.190-05:0011 Months and Counting<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>That’s how long it’s taken me to get a new c-pap. I started the process back in March 2023. It has not been delivered yet, but the company I ordered it from just charged my account. Maybe it will be in before next week. </p><p><br /></p><p>It took months to see the heavily over booked sleep doctor. To shave a month off my appointment time I went to a different town where he sometimes has hours. Then it took months for the paper work and insurance to get processed. Eventually the approval came in.</p><p><br /></p><p>Then I find out the machine I actually want is not covered by insurance. The compact model that can run on lithium batteries fits my life style better. In the end I decided to pay out of pocket for what I actually wanted. After questioning the medical supply company it came to light that my co-pay, for the machine I didn’t want, would add up to over $500. The machine I wanted was a bit over $900 without insurance. </p><p><br /></p><p>Another downside to having insurance pay for it is that they monitor your usage over the internet. Seems invasive to me. My doctor said a lot of people take issue with that. They do the bare minimum to satisfy the insurance and then turn the machine to airplane mode. Of course, you can do what I did and buy your own machine and not report to anyone. The doctor says there’s a memory card that can record anything he needs for therapy and only he gets the info. That’s an option. </p><p><br /></p><p>Next time I might just go ahead and build my own darn machine. I’ve gotten pretty good at repairing salvaged machines so I have some idea how they work. </p><p><br /></p><p>-Sixbears</p><p><br /></p>Sixbearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com0