I heard a story this morning, and I’d like to share it with you. It’s both heartwarming and validating, an unexpected reminder of where we are and why we love it here on The Mountain.
The tale involves an elderly couple who live deep in the woods on the east ridge of Hall Mountain, about a mile and a half southeast of our homestead. She’d just come home after a lengthy hospital stay, and he was suffering complications from recent joint-replacement surgery. A couple of days ago, both were in dire need of medications.
Last week’s flooding had washed out their driveway and the access road leading to it — they couldn’t get out, and even four-wheel-drive vehicles couldn’t get in. Neighbors’ attempts to reach them cross-country were foiled by the steep, rugged and densely wooded terrain, as well as downed trees from the Memorial Day tornadoes.
The local volunteer fire department was called — I’m not sure if it was Yellville or Rea Valley — and, refusing to give up, eventually they were able to deliver the couple their meds.
On horseback.
My friends, this is where we are. That story paints a vivid picture of both place and people. Should you ever wonder why I go on and on about how great it is to be here, come back and read this again.
If you looked at today’s header image and thought that I must’ve spent my Thursday cutting firewood, I can assure you that I didn’t. It’s way too hot to be doing that. The chainsaw in the picture is the one I brought back from Ohio a week ago.
It’s a Husqvarna 440 with an 18-inch bar. I bought it on eBay four years ago, a refurbished unit that cost me $225 (instead of $375 for a new one). A refurbished Husky 440 still can be had for $235 (via eBay seller Husqvarna Direct), compared to $390 new.
The last time I used it, over three years ago at Second Chance Ranch, it bogged down badly whenever I tried giving it throttle. Since I want to be able to work it hard here on The Mountain — and I mentioned this the other day — I planned to give it a thorough tuneup first.
Impatient as well as curious, this morning I brought it out of the shed and tried to start it. Damned if it didn’t fire right up and idle like a contented kitten.
Squeezing the trigger, however, produced the stumble I remembered. I could coax it up to speed, and once I got it screaming it’d stay there. When I released the trigger, at least it didn’t stall.
But right now it’s not terribly useful.
I didn’t fuss with the saw any more today. Next time I have it out, the first thing I’ll try is giving the carb’s high-speed needle adjustment a quarter-turn. If that doesn’t fix it, I’ll take a look at lines and fuel filter.
The Husqvarna isn’t really a duplicate of the Stihl we’ve been using here for a couple of years now. It has a bigger engine (40.9 cc vs. 31.8 cc), more power (2.4 hp vs. 2.0 hp) and a longer bar (18 inches vs. 16 inches). Provided I can get it to run reliably — and I’m hopeful I can do that myself without handing it to a shop — it’ll be a good stable mate to the Stihl.
“If you can get Kamala Harris elected, I think you’ve kind of proven that ‘democracy’ is fake.”
Tucker Carlson, to Dr. Ben Carson
To follow-up on what I said yesterday about the state of the Democrat party and its bubble-headed (presumptive) nominee, I’ve observed that many true Americans are cocky about Trump’s prospects in November. The celebration, in some quarters, already has begun.
Not only is that premature — it’s dangerous.
Think Chuckles can’t win? She sure as hell can. Think the Uniparty won’t dump her at the convention? They damned well could.
Remember, Trump isn’t up against a candidate — he has to defeat a machine that uses the Permanent State to rig elections.
Have you forgotten what happened to the predicted “Red Wave” two years ago?
This is no time to be ordering balloons. Get your mind right.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
