a working staycation

After the time off during the DNC a few weeks ago I am now taking a real staycation inorder to get some stuff done around the 'stead in preparation for the coming cold months and the inevitablility of the glkoom of the Depression upon us. America is ripe for the coming times ahead both economically and socially. For a long time now the dividing line between the rich and poor has been expanding. The middle of the road is leaning more and more towards empathy towards the poor as more and more of the used to be middle are swinging our way and spiralling down to join us.

This past weekend we at the 'stead have become the proud owners of a recycled wood stove and accessories. One of my cohorts in Babylon had been storing it for years in his garage as it was freebied to him. And his wife didnt like it. SO as of now I have an alternative heating method for the house in case of power outage during the winter. The cost to me.. as usual a barter for a 6 pack of good beer. I HATE CASH..
All it needs is a good cleaning to remove the dust,obtain a grate for cooking, the hook is already there to place a dutch oven in for meals, and a flue pipe to lead the smoke up and away.. As with all good comes a not so good.. The digital camera I use for pics suddenly doesnt work any more so I must scavenge another.
My next goal is two-fold. First and foremost I am in want of a portable gas generator to supplant electrical needs on a short term basis. And a couple of guns both for hunting and protection in these coming times. I figure a good 12-gauge, a 22 rifle and a 9mm ought to suffice. I will be scavenging the dumpies and the CL for these items in the near future.

Lastly , since my goal of building the pallet shed fell thru I must now figure a way to creat a small green house able to withstand the CO winter and provide alternative sustenance of goodies for the coming months. I have a few ideas roaming thru my head as I write but nothing substatnive as of yet.

As I go thru this week I will prob be posting more so enjoy

Sunday catch-up

Last weekend I met up with one of my cohorts at the local overpriced coffee house and picked up some freebie clutter for the wife. An old workable sewing machine. a birdcage, which is making a nice new home for Taz ( a rescued parrot) that we took in about a year ago. She was living in a parakeet cage when we got her. And a whole lot of fabrics and craft stuff that should make the winter more tolerable this year. As we enter the Depression in full force homemade goods and survival skills are the thrust to make it thru.

Took a ride thru the Safieway lot this morning and found 2 boxes of decent books, some bread and some greens for the birds. yumyum. Supposed to be in the 80s all week so it looks like I might be able to dumpie find some more stuff needed to make this winter joyous and merry.

the dawg days of summer

Summer is coming to a closae and the Depression era is upon us. Trash is in the midst of winter prep around the stead but there is alwas time for a smoke and a Pepsi

manic depression

bfast-- tomato sandies (dumpie find behind the Safieway) grapefruit, coffee
lunch-- 2 hot dogs and a water bottle at the skate park
dinner-- wendys 99 cent burgers fries and a soda.

The U.S. economy is showing clear signs of disintegration, as the global credit collapse continues to take its toll. The once bountiful Lake of Liquidity has dried up to now resemble the Owens Valley. Corporations are screaming for cash, banks are failing, the real estate market is in freefall, and hedge funds are desperately clinging to the edge of the abyss. The proposed "solution"--The Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB)-- keeps growing, with no end in sight. It is actually part of the problem rather than the solution. If you haven't done so already, prepare yourself for a long term layoff, loss of equity in your home, and and possible relocation under duress. A major depression now looks very likely.

And oh yes winter is on its way... hohoho

garden and the welcome visitors

Occasionally seeds fall into the yard and garden in unexpected places and we get to enjoy their visit. The sunflower showed up near the birdfeeder so its arrival was probably a fallen seed that took root. This wonderful vine though must have been seeded in the compost I put in with the flowers. I just let it grow and enjoy its visit.

Saturday after staycation

bfast- donuts and coffee (free)
lunch-- ramen soup/ salad (leftover catering)
dinner-- salad, tuna sandies, chips/dip

took some pics of the 'stead this morning as wallie had batteries on closeout for 94 cents for 4. Bought a cuppla packs to power the dijjie. So over the next few posts I will be adding some pics to the site along with my daily meandering.
Anyhow this patio set was a mish mash of garage sale and freebie finds. Paid $20 for the patio table and the 2 cafe chairs. The wicker chairs and the linens were dumpie finds. The plants hanging were rescued from the dumpie last week. Stupid people.. With care the plants will live thru winter. in the house window. Picked up a bunch more clay pots , plastic pots etc. Gotta love the dumpies.

Dont buy boxed steaks....

bfast- leftover egg roll, cheddar/jalapeno baquette, grapefruit, coffee
lunch- 2 hot dogs in bread, salad, mtn dew
dinner-- bbq steaks, corn on the cob, sweet peas, water and ice cream for dessert

Twas a wonderous laborless day. worked around the 'stead. made a few bucks from the CL and took the kids over to the pool on its final day. I got myself my second bath in 2 days. Dam I am good. Anyhow I have to take gettin the "stead ready for winter more seriously. The gutter replacement and downspout repair/repalce is going to cost me about 50 bucks. The caulking shouldnt cost but a few bucks more.

Time to get serious about stocking up on staples in the pantry. Who knows what winter will bring. I want to pick up a spare heat tape and some connectors and jojnts for the pipes. Better to have them then to have to run to Lowies to gettem .

The printer we found in the dumpie is working fine. While I wouldnt use it for photos due to its lack of quality its good for everyday printing. Anyhow since this is the last day of my staycation I will be putting the last of the summer beers in the fridge and will imbibe after my errands this morning.

The weather changed a bit last night after 4-5. The wind picked up and for a while we didnt think the bbq was going to happen. But I kept some water around just in case the fire in the grill got out of control. It didnt. But last night the weather dropped below 60 for the first time in the last few months. Its almost 50 right now and wont get warmer than the 70s today. Was able to turn the swamper off late last night but the fan which keeps my airwaves open is still on.

Quote of the week.....

I will not cede more power to the state. I will not willingly cede more power to anyone, not to the state, not to General Motors, not to the CIO. I will hoard my power like a miser, resisting every effort to drain it away from me. I will then use my power, as I see fit. I mean to live my life an obedient man, but obedient to God, subservient to the wisdom of my ancestors; never to the authority of political truths arrived at yesterday at the voting booth. -- William F. Buckley Jr.

Labor (less) day at the 'stead

bfast- bean/cheese burrito, cole slaw, coffee
lunch- chips and fruit
dinner- eggrolls fried rice and sushi. water bottle

Well I did hit behind the Safieway and snagged about 5-6 bags of greens and cauliflower/broccoli combos. Also dug up 3 grapfruits a tangerine a lime and a box of organic Mac and cheese. good stuff. Also snagged a few books from the booksellers dumpie.
Spent the day recuperating from the cold that has plagues me these past few days. Feeling a lot better and hoping to get some more work on the 'stead done. I went out yesterday looking for some lettuce and greens seeds to no avail. Taint none to be found.
Late afternoon the kid wanted to take a dip so we went over to the pool and as he jumped in the pool the rain and thunder began. Quick bath but he enjoyed playing in the nice rain.
It didnt hurt my maters and zuchs any either. Took the dumpie mobile over to Wallies as the wifey needed some stuff for schooling and a new iron.. All those new features. Whatever happened to a plain iron. Gets hot and flattens clothes and linens.. My oh my have times changed .
Anyhow supposed to make a few bucks off the CL today and the youngins want to BBQ some steaks and corn later so I guess we might. And the pool is open today so at least Trash can get a final free bath before winter.. haha ROFL.