my journal: various subjects, opinionating, CW at times

Does anyone remember Run-DMC? I sure do...

....errrgh. Getting old is not as much of a blessing as people say it is...

[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.

[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.

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.

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 🎉 

...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.