my journal: various subjects, opinionating, CW at times
The title explains itself.
If you're interested in the ramblings of a middle-aged man with chronic conditions who, at times, sees things a little too clearly for his own good, then read on.
Sometimes I get political, but it won't be all the time.
I don't mind comments in general but if you're going to differ with what I write, that's fine--as long as you can explain your position clearly & reasonably. Rants, shouting & general incoherence will be ignored or flagged, depending on the situation. Try to remember that not everyone else in this world holds your beliefs.
Every so often I may post art or snapshots of projects I'm working on.
If you're still interested after reading all the above, great. (I do wonder at how much time you have on your hands, though)
[CW: DEATH, TENTATIVE DESCRIPTION OF]
Last night was a bit rough but now it's over & gone, as all things eventually are.
Immediately after waking up, I caught a quick visualization of one of the possible ways I'll be removed from the census...image inside my head: a half-rotted skeleton dressed in homespun clothing, slumped on the ground under a tree. It was obvious that I'd gone to the tree, sat down in the shade under the canopy & never got up again.
Also instantly knew that it was my tree on my land.
🤔 ...Not a bad way to go, all things considered. It's rather pleasant.
I'd prefer to be sitting at my drafting table or collapse while working on something in my home shop but if that's the way my life sub will run out, I'll take it.
from the Chronic Cooking Dept.:
Started this about four nights ago...it took just over 24 hours to finish. Unfortunately I didn't have any carrots or potatoes at the time, but I did throw in some lentils in the last 20 minutes. Also, part of the base stock was peposo. If you don't know what that is, keep following this journal & the next time I make it, there will be pics. Anyway the stew turned out well...better than expected, in fact.
Signed the lease today. I have seven more months in this crackerbox, with a rent increase. But as long as I remember why I signed, it'll be okay. What I am buying is time.
Time to let Beryl & whatever other storms come this year pass through. Time to do what I have to (one of the first tasks: finish the bike trailer mod. Pics will follow!)... Time to pick whichever parcel I like, assemble the funds, sign the paperwork & get it. Time to take a few trips to wherever it will be, & get to know the place...& if possible, start building small but necessary things there before I even move.
The day after I leave this anthill, I'm gonna post the review it deserves on G00gle Maps....maybe even on Yelp.
Got my work cut out for me now. I may or may not be here all that often for the rest of the year & a while after January. It all depends on how things go. If you make a sacrifice to whatever god(s) you venerate for me, I would be grateful. I'd really appreciate it if your chosen deity happens to be Bacchus.
@slowdecline48 I can't say I won't miss seeing you around Slow. Maybe throw us a bone every now and again to let us know how it's going ? Stay awesome 😎
A sacrifice? I got you covered 😂
@mytwistedsoul 😆 I'll try. If the Sometimer's* disease doesn't kick in I may post snapshots of my preps & projects for the move, if anyone is interested.
*That is a perfect word you coined. It sums up bad short-term memory so well.
@slowdecline48 I'd definitely be interested in seeing how things are coming along. You don't have to worry about swamp puppies where you going to be building do you? Or those big man eating snakes? 😅 I frickin' hate snakes *shudders*
It works doesn't it? Cause sometimes we forget 😂😂
Not too much. I'm more worried about insects than anything else, particularly mosquitoes & ticks. Swamp puppies can appear anywhere in Floridastan, but the little ones are nothing to fear unless you're a Chihuahua or similarly-sized dog. 😃
@slowdecline48Yeah you never know what the mosquitos and ticks will give you these days if they bite you. Anything from dengue to something that makes you allergic to meat
it's always fun when I forget how the forums work *smh* 😅 sometimers in action! They've even found swamp puppies in Pa recently. Probably people letting them go as pets - unless they're migrating too 😬
The gators are running north to get away from Florida Man.
@slowdecline48 😂 You could be right! There's some really "unique" people in Florida. I've read the stories 😁 some people spent too much time in the sun and it's melted their brain
[CW: my political opinions, again]
For the most part I don't respond in these threads, though. Tribal-minded partisan fools never change.
from an article Do you have enough to feel financially prepared in case of an emergency? in consumeraffairs.com. It's good for basic guidance
As someone with chronic conditions & a little more economic & financial literacy than the average bear, I can tell you this:
Considering current inflation & probable economic trends for the rest of the year & 2025, it is obvious that $5,078 is strictly in the "better than nothing" category. For an emergency nest egg, if you're a single adult you should have $10K stacked up. If you have a spouse $15K is likely the bare minimum; $20K is best but if you can, try for $17.5 to $18K. If you have dependent children you should hold another $6K per head, at least.
I am well aware that quite a few people here either don't have an emergency fund at all or have nowhere near $5,078. Do what you can in your situation. Even a bunch of tens or twenties folded up inside a mint tin is still better than nothing if you have a sudden expense. But an ambulance ride can cost $3,000+...that's just the trip itself. A hospital stay or major car repairs can easily cost more than that. Which is why you need a nest egg. Right now is a great time to have a savings account with a higher interest rate than a typical retail bank will offer. Do your research & you'll find something for your needs (Investopedia has sections on financial guidance & planning. That would be a good start) But if you don't have a nest egg & you are able to save anything--even five bucks a month--then do it. And start putting it away.
Trust me on this, folks.
@slowdecline48
Yes I agree definitely more is better.
Financial uncertainly is more than ever an issue and the inflation and shrink flation on food in Canada is making food insecurity a thing for so many people here.
My son is in Engineering and even with a career set forth it maybe difficult to rent even or much less own a home unless very careful planning financially.
Even putting a modest amount of $ invested when you begin work pay yourself first is a great idea.
My child and grand children will have a tougher path definitely.
I am lucky to be retired, saved well and have a pension.
More than once in my thirties, I thought about traveling the world...Europe, Asia, maybe parts of Africa if they were safe enough to go. While I'd still like to see some parts (particularly Italy, maybe Spain), things have changed. My age, my priorities...& certain trends, which are fairly new but also age-old.
With regret, I must say that despite being partly of mixed Celtic descent, I can never go to Ireland. Or to England.
@slowdecline48
Travel as I age has changed bc if how I can get around ie walking or interest in what areas have changed bc of the world situation more of the world is less safe for various reasons.
I am from Canada 🇨🇦 I travel to USA and my own country preferred now.
I am Irish ☘️ descendant from Cork still got the accent lol 😂 and French descendant from the French islands of Newfoundland that still belong to France …
@SunShineAlwaysGrateful It's been a minute since I last saw you in here. Welcome back. How have you been?
Glad to be back life is settling thankfully and going to focus on the 50 plus community mostly …
Very glad to see you still writing … love it !
Thank you 😎
So I finally narrowed down the number of available properties to four.
I tried to boil it down to three but I just couldn't manage it. So many factors to consider, almost all of which tie into location & how much land I'll be sitting on. It's complicated!
Once I sort of figured it out, I e-mailed my agent & included the list. We'll see what happens, & when I can take a look at these places. Gonna hafta do more research before then. My work is never done.
@slowdecline48 Hey congratulations! 😀 You probably haven't seen it just yet tho lol but congratulations 🎉
@mytwistedsoul I haven't yet but I heard about it a minute ago, thanks 😂
@slowdecline48 You're welcome 😁 One of these days I'll have to catch a chat that you're in lol
...s***. 💩.
F$€πsticks.
Had a flareup yesterday afternoon, & my output vent* has been alternately itching & fiery all weekend....having the runs once didn't help, either. And right now I've been up over half the f***ing night again.
There is much to accomplish this week. However I have a sneaking suspicion that I won't get as much done as I should. As long as I'm above ground I still have a chance, I suppose...
As always, we shall see how it plays out.
@slowdecline48 That really sucks Slow. I hope the worst of it has passed and you and you "vent" 😅 feeling better 😊
Are you stressing things? Can that trigger flare ups?