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The staff and I are working on a few things, like adding the latest fictional endeavor to the Fiction of the Chant page, and also determining where I'm going next with that very same endeavor. Will this be a short story kind of thing, or will I extend it into an entire book? It's kind of depressing writing about what could happen if we don't grow up as a country.
Too many so-called citizens are not paying attention. Our damned politicians (both sides of the aisle) seem ready to sell out to the highest bidder, and, and...
Enough of that.
See, I get too wound up at times.
It's Saturday night and The Missus Herself and I are getting pizza. So there.
I like the song...
Hope there's no need for that sort of thing any time soon.
But keep your powder dry, just in case.
Yeah, on the one hand they're more than willing to sell out to the highest bidder, but on the other hand they're also more than willing to rob us blind. Trillions and trillions of our future tax dollars are in serious jeopardy right now.
ReplyDeleteThings have seriously got to come to a head, and that right soon.
Agreed!
DeleteThe days of being left alone have just about drawn to an end what with the happenings since the beginning of 2020. The people doing the pushing will find out that it won't end the way they believe it will. Keep plugging with your latest series Sarge, perhaps more frequent breaks will help. Pizza and the requisite libation are prescribed.
ReplyDeletePush may indeed come to shove.
DeleteI think an administrative down jacket would add cost, add extra burden, and provide only a small benefit to the wearer.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I did like getting paid, so there's that.
On the home front we will close out the work ticket on removing the broken porcelain soap dish and replacing it a new one as soon as the new one is caulked. (Note. A dropped small glass bottle of nail polish is capable of removing the corner of a soap dish without breaking the nail polish bottle and making a huge mess.)
Also on the home front, I now have a post World War II Japanese made home sewing machine. It's extremely heavy and built like a tank. It's also beautiful in its own way as it has decals and pinstripes.
Research says that it's a clone of a popular Singer sewing machine, and there is a lot of interest in the elderly Singer machines.
Depending on when exactly the machine was built, we may be around the same age and the popularity of the Singer machines means that consumable parts and repair parts are newly made for the Singers and I can probably get parts.
The wiring needs to be replaced, but the mechanical cleaning and lubricating, as well as a simple electrical job are well within my skill sets, and I think it would be cool to bring the machine back and use it.
You ask, "What does that have to do with our possible dystopian future?"
You can get a hand crank kit to run the sewing machine for when the power goes away.
That might be a good thing to have, or I could sell it to the average Californian next week.
I'm onboard for wherever you and your Muse takes me.
I known I'm a part of the tribe. I just scored a button hole attachment for my old White Rotary sewing machine. It's electric, and I have the handle to make in manual. I can't help but smile at how alike we are here. It's coming out in a week or so for practice and a couple covers for some equipment I have. I also want to try and repair a satchel that has some leather torn...
DeleteKeep warm up there brother!
STxAR.
DeleteA few moments ago I successfully separated the two halves of plastic/bakelite that enclosed the bulb holder and now I can solder on new wiring. Some minor chips, bah humbug, but this isn't a restoration.
I'm pretty sure that the manufacturer intended that it could not be taken apart. I laugh at their silly ideas!
I also have a White treadle machine that I haven't even looked at yet.
We are cooling off, but not even close to freezing, I have bumped the snowthrower repair ahead in the Q.
John #1 - Having things which don't require electricity, sad that it's come to this. I hope the "Green Energy" clowns wake up to the fact that their pipe dreams are all bullshit. You want lots of clean power? Nuclear!
DeleteSTxAR - That's a cool thing to have. I once had a sewing machine for various things, I should have kept at it.
DeleteJohn #2 - We've had some mighty fine days up here in New England, but I can feel the winter just over the horizon. It's coming.
DeleteOooh. Administrative Down Jackets... Hmmm... Chant Gear! Yes. While you (OAFS) are down, think of merchandising. Everyone else does it! Have LUSH run it out of her home... That way we can all have special LUSH children sticky handprints!
DeleteOr not...
Um, no.
DeleteNot only are our politicians of both stripes seem ready to give away the complete store, and promise to give away everything our great-grandkids could ever dream of producing, they are forgetting that we are not alone on this rock. As the past 2 years have shown, this country can be extremely affected by the things that go on, or don't go on, in other parts of the world.
ReplyDeleteThings folks should remember include the fact that unless you are an American citizen, you do not qualify for the benefits, and the responsibilities of being an American. At least legally.
We, as a country and a people, have rights and responsibilities that other countries do not espouse. Good, bad, indifferent--that's just how it is. For example, France gives its citizens who work full time 5 weeks of vacation time annually. Personally, I think that 5 paid weeks off every year sounds like a wonderful benefit. However, their gun laws are extremely strict and very regulated. You have to pass a psychological test before being able to apply for a permit to own a gun, and there are limits on ammunition as well. Who knows who is making up those tests, what they are looking for to say is "normal" or "abnormal". So, thanks, but no thanks, I will stay here in America where, currently at least, we are guaranteed the right to be able to own a gun if we choose and take less vacation time.
The other thing to remember is our country can be affected by what goes on in other countries. Yes, Covid 19 came from China, and isn't the first virus to be passed to our country from theirs, but what I am more concerned about these days is what effect their economy could have on ours if Evergrand fails. The largest real estate company in the world...too big to fail...are phrases that make me twitch a bit. Because like it or not, the countries of the world are much more inter-connected than we were even just a few years ago, not just how things were 50 years ago. And if one crashes, the ripples will be felt around the world.
The problem is, in my opinion, what can we do?
As a people, we can hope that our elected leaders don't go completely off the rails---not sure how comforting that hope is currently, as I haven't been impressed with the reasoning and "logic" I have seen coming out of Washington recently.
As a person? I can only affect my actions, and make my plans/decisions based on how others actions will effect me and mine.
And, yes, inaction is an action, sometimes a lousy one, sometimes a good one. After all, a lull in the action gives a chance to refresh, refuel, and generally recharge. These lovely, warm, sunny days we have been experiencing recently this Fall here in the Northeast have been a blessing. One I am happy to accept. They allow me more time to get ready for Winter, which I have this horrible feeling is going to be a humdinger this year.
But for today, I am enjoying my own version of an Admin Down Day. Hope yours was refreshing!!
Well said Suz!
DeleteI cannot imagine what is to watch the country you fought for start shedding it's tread and going lumpy. But here we are. One way I've been working through this is to start putting down my skill set, or knowledge base. I don't know who will need it, or want it, but I spent a lifetime acquiring it. So, skills that have left me scarred but knowledgeable are being sorted and wrapped in brown paper and set out for free.
ReplyDeleteAfter my run in with the Apparatchik Medical Association this year, I'm not sure how long I have left. Lots of medical followups yet before I know the full import of this summer. All I know is the earth suit I have, like everyone else's, is wearing down. Quite a bit quicker than I thought it would. Poor mechanics have ruined stuff for ever, though. Especially those that follow the party line and are unable to think for themselves. I never thought I'd see doctors (*spit*) follow political guidance and turn a blind eye to medicine. What a weird weird world we live in.
Happy Son-day Morning! I'm so glad there is more to life than what meets the eye.
Write on, OAFS! I'm learning from you, and you are spurring memories and applications in my mind. I appreciate that immensely.
Thanks STxAR, as my old friend Buck always said, "Keep on keepin' on!"
DeleteRegardless of the media, it's obvious there is fear among the wannabe tyrants. They still think subverting the law is a good method of taking the country, and ignoring how many firearms are being purchased because people don't respect laws passed to remove their liberty.
ReplyDeleteAfter my years of being in construction, I had many opportunities to observe the younger generations. Most have a strong urge to keep their liberty, are ignorant, and don't quite understand how the founders passed some simple, but strong laws to prohibit the actions of the government. It was, and is, my job to patiently explain, when I have the opportunity. Our education system failed, but that doesn't mean we too should fail.
There are a lot of good "kids" out there who were badly misled by those that should have equipped them to be citizens, not subjects. But they're learning, unfortunately it looks as though it will be learning the hard way.
Delete"The Staff". It all sounds so fancy and elegant.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your down time Sarge. The only comfort I tend to take now is that Our Political and Social Betters are so economically and policy inept that things will collapse of their own accord much more quickly than they anticipate.
I think you're right on that last bit. Hopefully we'll survive and come out stronger on the other side.
DeleteThere were discussions, in print, about the founding of the USA. Hamilton's vision is advocated in the Federalist Papers; the fears (and somewhat prophetic) are Letters from a Federal Farmer. I should recommend THAT more often.
ReplyDeleteI'd be willing to bet that there aren't even 200 people in the Washington DC SMSA (2020 Census Pop 6,385,162) who have read them. There oughta be a law!
Deletehtom - I need to dig into those. I've included them on the "Things You Should Read" page over on the right. Oddly enough, today is the first I've ever heard of those. Sad commentary on our educational system I suppose. But on the other hand, there's only so much one can teach a young mind, some things that young (or old in my case) mind must seek out on their own. (Or with the help of one's readers!)
DeleteThanks htom.
juvat - I'd be surprised if even a tenth of the citizenry have even heard of them, let alone read them.
DeleteI build 1/6 scale vehicles, out of wood. I use a 1/6 scale action figure as a jig, to get seat heights, control locations, etc right. Last year, I made a 1/6 scale Bobcat, but I made it without a cab. ( cabs cost thousands of dollars, but they must improve the operator's lot enormously, as I have not seen a cabless Bobcat, in years ). Last winter, I took Amanda, ( the action figure ), put her in the Bobcat, and photographed her, clearing snow. Even though she is an inanimate object, she looked so cold in the photos, that I am doing the layout work today, to put a cab on her Bobcat.
DeleteThe cab should be almost finished tomorrow, but I have ordered 10 1/4 inch diameter, 1 inch long cylindrical keychain flashlight, off of eBay, so the cab will have working work lights. ( 2 at the front of the cab, facing forward, 2 at the front corners of the cab, at 45 degree angles, and two at the rear of the Bobcat, facing aft.that is only 8, but they come in a pack of ten ). So I am thinking of a completion, sometime in November, depending on when the lights get here.
Our host posts his works on Facebook, as well. I will put a picture of Amanda's Bobcat there, so you can laugh at it.
DeleteStB #1 - Off topic much?
DeleteStB #2 - Nice pic.
DeleteThe Federalist Papers were written so the average farmer could read and understand them. Way back when 6th grade was the limit for normal education. Then educators moved it to high school studies about 1800's-1900's, then they were studied in college, then grad school. Now, they aren't even in the curriculum.
DeleteToo hard to understand now for graduate students, and who needs them anyway? A contract that has whatever meanings the SCrOTUS of the day decides it has...
Just telling what I are up to on my Down Day!
DeleteYou commented on another comment.
DeleteJust as an asset here's a Link to Letters from a Federal Farmer
Deletejuvat--I'm clicking on it, but it's not working???
DeleteI put it over on the right. If you're reading on a smart phone, you might have to svroll to the bottom and select "View Web Version."
DeleteWhen my father decided it was time for me to graduate from World Book and Childcraft to Encyclopedia Brittanica, he purchased the works. In addition to a Great Books collection, he also bought Annals of America, a collection of important source documents including the Federalist Papers. I see they offer it now as an Interactive edition online. Point of lengthy anecdote, it was once considered foundational to a good education to read them, so much so that an Encyclopedia publisher offered them.
ReplyDeleteAll good to have in one's library. Better yet to have read hem!
DeleteAh, pizza. Curiously enough, Saturday night at Chez Beans is Pizza Night, which means Mrs. Andrew gets home made pizza (gluten free, of course) and I usually fix chicken parma-provolone (parm and provolone cheese) but last night I also fixed pizza. And now I feel like a bloated toad. But it was worth it.
ReplyDeleteDunno what's gonna happen, but I see the powers-that-be are pushing the rock faster down hill every day. Sadly, when we (the USA) fall, the rest of the world takes a much greater hit. Non-USA people just don't understand how much US aid and US food and US cash is sent to non-US countries. But, sadly, they will.
Watched a video of Cole the Cornstar (yes, it is a thing, kid in Iowa who has a farm and a you-tube channel) and he was talking about how, even though he's looking at record harvests this year on all his farms, he's not going to make a lot of profit, as all the ag-chemicals are now basically doubled in price, all the parts are getting harder and harder to find to fix all the machinery, and he broke it down in easy language that next year, with inflation, it's gonna suck big time. Sigh. I miss OrangeManBad but seems that 60 million people didn't like mean tweets (why 60 million? because figuring out the level of cheat in Maricopa County I really think the 21 million additional 'votes' for the Alzheimer's in Chief weren't, real votes that is. Again, Le Sigh....(done in a French accent...))
I prefer Larson Farms' channel. Farming is fascinating.
DeleteBeans - The Commies have ever been stupid and self-centered.
DeleteStB - To each his own.
Deletelet's face it: when it comes to the numbers, we wuz taken!
Deleteautem: it happened at least once before.
Yup.
DeleteHappy Taiwan National Day! Hope they get to celebrate many more!
ReplyDeleteHear, hear!
Delete