Font Size:     

Category: personal

Mon. Jan. 20, 2025 – a day to remember absent friends…

On this day in 2018, Robert Bruce Thompson passed away. Bob was the originator of this blog, among a great many other things. It’s a rare day that goes by without me thinking of him.

I’ve been “unlocking the door, and turning on the lights” here since he got sick, a task that I thought would be temporary, and short lived. With Barbara’s blessing, I have continued to do so to keep this place, Bob’s memory, and the community that lives here alive.

I’ve now published just over 2500 daily posts, slightly more than half of the total since Bob switched blogging platforms. Over 17,500 comments, of the almost 244,000 total. It’s those 244K comments that tell the real story– it’s the people who keep coming here, reading, commenting, and returning, that make this a special place on the internet and in the world.

The world is a better place for having had Bob in it, and for having all of you in it too.

I hope you will continue to find comradeship and value here, and stay with us as we make our way through whatever is coming, and to better days ahead.

As we move forward, take some time to look back and remember Bob, and the others who are now absent from our lives, but still part of us.

Thank you for the opportunity to continue being a part of your life.

nick flandrey

Read the comments: 80 Comments

Sun. Jan. 12, 2025 – written at 12:12 on 1-12, hmmm…

Another cold but sunny and dry day? Dunno. Hope so. Yesterday went a long way toward drying out my remaining Christmas decor. I’d like to have today to dry out the rest. And not freezing all day would be nice. It was below freezing with frost on the ground and cars yesterday morning. I think I’ll sleep late to avoid that today.

Yesterday was my non-prepping hobby meeting day. It was nice to get together with everyone. Several people who I didn’t get to see or talk to last month at the potluck dinner were there Saturday. It was a good day to just hang out and talk a bit. No one can believe the incompetence displayed in Cali, and no one found the idea that it could be intentional at all scoff worthy. We’re at a point where anything could be true. Or all lies. It’s very disconcerting.

Afterwards I came home, napped for a bit, did some domestic bliss, and avoided doing any major cleanup.

Today I’ll be paying for my slackitude. We need to get the house back together and get my stuff sorted out. I’ll be talking with a new auction to sell some of my stuff, and hopefully getting some of it out of the house. W is starting to send my articles about the negative effects of clutter and disorder… and it’s past the point where I should have been more proactive.

So that will be a priority, once I actually get my thumb out and get started.

The reorganization of my office and workspace needs to continue too.

Lots of opportunities coming up to miss deadlines and fail to complete tasks…

But the stacking will continue, at least a little bit, and mostly ‘targets of opportunity.’

I urge you to do so too.

nick

Read the comments: 54 Comments

Tues. Jan. 7, 2025 – wasn’t a revolt. that’s coming later.

Still cold. Still clear and dry. It was a brisk winter day yesterday and should be another one today. Colder at that BOL by a few degrees whenever I checked too. It’s handy having the new weather station working and online…

Yesterday morning I mostly did auction stuff, with some domestic bliss mixed in. My guts were still a bit out of sorts from the travel and all the massive amounts of sugar I ate. In the afternoon, I did a couple of pickups. After the auction pickups, I got the hairiest member of the family from the dog sitter. He was a furry missile and general nutburger. Dervish comes to mind. He likes the sitter, but he LOVES his girl.

Today I’ll do some auction stuff too, after getting the kids out the door. Later I’ve got a pickup to make in Montgomery, which is a bit farther north than I’d like, but the deal was too good. I’ll probably spend at least a little time in the afternoon taking down Christmas decor. D2 wanted to leave it up longer, but W wants it down. The wind has been blowing the inflatables all over and putting them right several times a day is getting bothersome. I will try to leave the lights up for a bit at least. Maybe to the end of the week.

I should probably get the generators running too. And the natgas heater I intend to plumb into the fireplace gas line… I’ve got no way to gauge whether this cold will produce the same outages as before, be a nothing burger, or create a whole new set of problems. I should probably do something “prepper-ish” though…

Stacking isn’t enough, you have to be ready to use the stuff, and it has to work. I could do a bit more in that area, I’m sure.

Get some practice with your preps, but keep stacking too.

nick

Read the comments: 47 Comments

Mon. Jan. 6, 2025 – join our intrepid hero as he attempts incredible acts of ordinariness

Cold and windy. There is winter happening across the nation, and we’re getting some here in the swamp. I’d like to remind the chattering masses that we’ve had snow on the ground around Christmastime three times since I moved to Houston. And that I was in Dallas when we got 14″ of snow overnight. In other words, it gets cold and snows in winter. Sometimes it does that a lot.

Sunday was spent playing games with family and reading until it was time to head home. Our flight was uneventful. There were signs of rain and high wind when we got home, but no real damage. It was chilly though.

Today I’ve got to catch up on a couple of things, and I think I’ll probably have to do a pickup or two. Kids are still off, so I’ll also be trying to get them to get ready for the start of the new semester. I’m sure piles of domestic bliss also await my attention. In other words, time to get back to it.

It was a nice break, and nice to spend time with my mom and sibling. But it also took time away from the Holiday break that we would spend closing out the year and getting ready for the new one. There are always trade offs in life, and this time I chose family time. I don’t think anyone ever said “I wish I’d have spent less time with mom and bro, and more time cleaning the driveway.”

The other thing I haven’t done is New Year’s Resolutions. I don’t generally put a lot of energy or effort into them. They don’t usually make much difference in peoples’ lives. But it is a convenient time to try to make changes in one’s life. SO. I would like to do some work on my physical conditioning. I will try to find a time and method to do that. I will try to raise money by selling more of the stuff I have to sell. That will contribute to the last- I will try to reduce the amount of stuff I have stacked around that is NOT contributing to a good life for my family.

There you have it. I’ve stacked up three resolutions…

Stack some of your own!

nick

Read the comments: 63 Comments

Sun. Jan. 5, 2025 – 01052025 – hmm, chilly here, but sure is sunny

Another sunny and clear, but chilly day went by, and another is forecast for today. It was a good day to be outside at a swapmeet, but once the sun went down, it was a good day to be inside…

And that was the major activity of the day- swapmeet! It’s one of those permanent setups, with indoor booth space, covered booths for rent, and just open places for people to come sell their crep. Lots of choices from new mattresses, facials, produce, tools, vinyl, clothes, souvenirs, etc, including yard sale stuff, and just about anything else you could think of. I picked up a few antique and collectible things to bring home. If I was at home, I would have grabbed a few more items too. Had a nice cuban sandwich for lunch, and then we headed home.

Spent the rest of the day playing cards and games, reading, eating, and more games. A good day.

Today we’ll do some of the same, then at some point head to Tampa to fly home. I hope to be sleeping in my own bed tonight. Then the kids will soon be back in school, the new year will really get started, and I’ll fall even farther behind on my list… but that’s life.

Stacking up the good times, the memories with family, and time with the kids. That’s enough for the moment.

nick

Read the comments: 40 Comments

Thur. Jan. 2, 2025 – Sunny in Florida, still cold though

Unseasonably cool here in the Sunshine State. Dunno how that will play out over the next few days, but for now it’s long pants weather.

Yesterday was a mostly slow and lazy day for me. Took my time getting packed and ready. Had to replace most of the spare batteries in my bags and replace the “get home” money that I “borrowed” when a fun toy became available at an irresistible price… My back pack has 1 oz of gold coins and about $1K in USD tucked into it. That is supposed to be untouchable and just for emergency use. I’m good at lying to myself though, and I raided it for some cash.

I’ve talked about the other stuff I carry before, but the high points are a tourniquet, blow out kit (first aid focused on bleeding control), change of clothes, windbreaker, towel, food, water, and some really thick zip ties…

I’ve got some other stuff in there too including my toughbook and kindle, batteries, a bag of cables and chargers, my back up id and cards, blister first aid, some crayons and a little coloring book (for fussy kids), and general snivel gear.

99% of the time I don’t need anything in the bag but something to read and a charging cable. It’s there if I do need it though.

That’s pretty much the story of my life as a prepper and a husband and father too. It’s there if needed.

The vast stacks of stuff are there too. Which comforts me and gives me choices. They turn mountains into molehills, and let life continue without interruption.

Get some of your own, and feel the satisfaction… stack!

nick

And carry your TQ at least when you are out in crowds. If not a TQ, then an Israeli bandage and a pack of quick clot. It’s not big, and it might save a life.

Read the comments: 48 Comments

Wed. Jan. 1, 2025 – A whole new year ahead of us, every day…

Cool and kinda damp in Houston. But supposed to still be clear. Florida meanwhile is getting some cold air, and who knows what the temps there will be? I’ll find out though…

Did my mileage for taxes. Did a bunch of personal care and grooming. I don’t usually do it all at once, but I did yesterday. Did laundry too. Even folded my clean clothes. In other words, lots of domestic bliss, not a lot of other stuff.

Today will be a bit of packing, a bit of cleaning, and a bit of getting ready to go out of town. I’m headed to Florida to see mom and sibling… Wasn’t my idea, but maybe it’s for the best. I really don’t like holiday travel. And I don’t like all the rushing and activity we’ve had this break. But my likes don’t really matter much at the moment. I’ll suck it up and soldier on.

I’m thinking ahead though, and trying to decide what I can do a few more “long form” posts on. If and when I start poking at the solar, that should be good for a few posts. Maybe I should refine my milk crate food storage system, or look at redundancy in cooking/water/heating/cooling/energy etc. Or maybe I should turn some focus on my physical condition, and look at improving that…

Not sure what will come, but I’ve been slacking in the actual content department. I’m going to consciously try to change that this year.

It’s hard to keep repeating the basics, even if new people come to prepping all the time; and some of the more advanced stuff will either seem too narrowly applicable or too far out…and I’m not an expert by any means.

The default will be more of the same. Hopefully that is enough.

And there will be stacking, of course.

Welcome to New Year, like every day, and yet somehow different. Let us hope and pray, work hard, and work smart, to make it a good year.

Thank you all for joining me here.

nick

Read the comments: 60 Comments

Sun. Dec. 29, 2024 – dang inconvenient to have the holidays mid week…

Cool and wet. That was how yesterday played out, and how today will likely go too. The rain dropped the temps, and the wet made every joint hurt. And it will probably be the same today.

I did get stuff done. The rain was patchy, and there were long enough periods between the squalls. I got almost all the trim installed in the dockhouse. I forgot my hammer drill at home, and I need it to install the baseboard on one wall. That will have to wait until next time. I got the chair rail in, and all the window stools.

Got the truck mostly unloaded. Did some small things in the garage. W cooked a prime rib roast with the new sou vide thing, and I finished it by searing on cast iron. The combo worked great, except I need to move a kitchen exhaust fan up the list… Saute’d mushrooms and onion, and fresh green beans rounded out the menu with store bought pumpkin pie for dessert.

Played pool with my wife, had a fire and s’mores with the kid and her friend. Talked about music. The rain had mostly cleared out by dusk and we had a nice sunset. Later it was still drippy wet, but I managed to get the fire going WITHOUT accelerants. I had some lamp oil standing by though.

I’ll keep working the list today. The cold and damp isn’t fun with the cumulative damage to my body, but I can still move and work, so I can’t b!tch too much.

Haven’t seen my buddy yet, which probably means he’s wiped out from the radiation and chemo, and the stress of the holidays. That’s got me worried and also thinking about my absent friends. Without the dark, we wouldn’t know the light. But it still sucks sometimes.

Stack time with friends and family. Tis the season.

nick

Read the comments: 49 Comments

Wed. Dec. 25th, 2024 – Christmas Day

I went to bed during a rainstorm, with falling temps and have no idea what today will be like. It could continue to storm, or it could blow through. I’m hoping for “blow through”. Yesterday was fairly nice until late, so if the storm doesn’t sit on us, and it blew in on strong winds, it should blow through.

We had a nice Christmas Eve. I braved the mall for something on my wife’s list. Took D1 with me, then went and dropped off cookies for my buddy and his wife at his store. Got our greasy mitts all over the goods, and had a nice chat. D1 thought a chrome revolver with an 8″ barrel, chambered in .454 Casull might make a good carry piece. Only if there are more bears than humans around… thing must have weighed 7 pounds. The other thing her eye caught on was an IWI Tavor – kid’s got expensive tastes. And maybe there is a place for a small wheelgun or two in my safe.

I spent the afternoon doing a little cleanup, and then wrapping presents. We had dinner (pork ribs frozen in 2021) with fresh veg sides, then opened some of the pile o stuff. We’ll open the rest today. Facetimed with the grandparents back east for their presents. We do live in an age of wonders.

We had a nice day, and should have another today. I’ve got a lamb roast in the fridge, and plans for that later in the day. There is eggnog and french meat pie, and a pantry full of food. We are warm and dry. Our physical safety is pretty good, and our fiscal safety is ok. Change and disruption are coming but for the moment, we’re good. And that is the sort of everyday miracle we don’t think about often enough.

I hope you all are in similar situations, but if not, you can get there. I know some of you are alone right now for the first time in decades, and it sucks. Hang in there. You have friends who care about you. It’s a cliche’ but “this too shall pass”. I know I preach that bad times are coming, but I also think we can get through them, and get to the good times that will follow. Good times always follow bad. I don’t know what the timeline will look like, but I don’t think history will end.

I stack to help make the transition. And to survive all the cr@p between now and then. I hope you will too.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

nick

Read the comments: 49 Comments

Tues. Dec. 24, 2024 – 122424 – Christmas Eve…

Cool and moist, partly cloudy with a chance of rain. Probably. Yesterday had some clouds, and some of them looked pretty ugly, but we never got any rain. We got a lot of wind though.

I was partly successful working my list. I did get my two pickups done. Some stuff for the house and the BOL, mostly. Spent far too long driving near the mall, traffic was heavy around the mall. I thought it would be easier because I was going to a freestanding store, but when I finally got there, they no longer carry what I went there for. There is a store in the mall that does, and since it’s something from W’s list, I guess I’ll be going to the mall today. SO didn’t want to do that. And now I have to do it on Christmas Eve.

That is the main task for the day. Secondary is to get all my gifts wrapped. It would be nice not to be wrapping right up until we start opening gifts. Yeah, I had time before, if I just did it. But I didn’t. It’s one thing I always procrastinate.

I buy gifts throughout the year, but don’t make final decisions on GIVING them until I wrap them. Both kids have birthdays in a few months, so I can push stuff until then too.

Anyway, today will be last minute stuff that I’d normally abhor as a prepper. I don’t do last minute. Until I do.

May all the peace and joy of the season find you.

nick

(and may your gifts add to your stacks)

Read the comments: 43 Comments
// ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- // end of file archive.php // -------------------------------------------------------------------------------