Phrases like “to-do list,” “bucket list,” and “on my list” aren’t just expressions to me. Lists are tools I use to propel me from nothing to something.
I’m tedious that way. I’ve been ruthlessly organized my entire adult life.
As I organize my days, so I organize my thoughts. And today I’m making lists of a different kind, beginning with one that (lacking a better description) lays down a few markers.
I won’t pose as someone I’m not.
I won’t live on hope. I won’t wish my life away. To the extent that I have hopes and wishes and dreams, they’re backed up by work.
I won’t cower, and I won’t hide.
I won’t talk shit behind your back unless I’ve talked shit to your face. I won’t give you the impression that we’re friends and then run you down when you’re not around.
I won’t waste time — my own or yours.
I won’t toss good after bad. I won’t squander money. I won’t throw away perfectly good food, clothes, tools, furniture, lumber, hardware, spare parts, or anything else I can think of. I won’t discard good people.
I won’t self-medicate.
I won’t wake up in the middle of the night screaming, “What the fuck have I done?!” I’ll sleep very well.
“I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.”
John Bernard “J.B.” Books
I guess it was about a year ago that I stumbled across an article describing a new kind of “gift registry.” What once was traditional for wedding presents and baby clothes, set up at department stores and jewelers and such, has become a thing for divorces.
I didn’t read the article then, ’cause I knew I’d never go through another divorce. Now I am, and the whole idea of a “divorce registry” deserves a snicker or two.
Relax, I won’t be creating a registry for myself on Amazon. But if I did, what would be on my list?
Building materials. With the departure of more than half of The Mountain’s income stream, finishing-out the cabin will be an even slower process than it was before. Doing the work won’t be a problem. Acquiring materials, however, must happen as funds are available — and that’s fine.
Muck boots, of course. Dryshod, over-the-calf, size 13.
Gnome. The only item on my list that’s decorative or symbolic rather than practical. (Thanks to the kindness of a friend, this has been taken care of.)
DeWalt 12-inch 20V chainsaw. Yes, the tool I so often praised left The Mountain in The Grab. It was purchased originally for the person who took it, owing to their apprehension about gas-powered saws, and it was used by them exactly once. I, on the other hand, ran the piss outta the thing, and I mean to replace it one of these days.
FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System. This counter-top appliance would’ve been central to making efficient and cost-effective use of short- and long-term supplies of food and other provisions. But it rolled off The Mountain that Saturday, along with attachments I’d had for 25 years.
Enameled Dutch oven. Though I’m set for bare cast iron — a couple of skillets and a small Dutch oven — restoring a five- or six-quart enameled Dutch oven to my kitchen arsenal will be better for acidic foods. Range-top. Oven. Table. Essential. I might get a basic electric Crock-Pot in the near term.
That’s all I can think of. It’s a short list.
And it’s only stuff.
I’m good. Here and now, I have every thing I need.
The rest of today’s post will be listless. But it will talk about the weather.
I don’t recall rain showers being in the forecast for Saturday night, but that’s what The Mountain got. They persisted well into daylight hours.
I’d considered getting a head start on today’s run to the transfer station by gathering trash and loading the truck yesterday, but the sloppy conditions put me off.
Three loads of laundry, dumping tanks, and a Casey’s run seemed a good use of my time.
Naturally, I took a gander at the SPC outlook maps for Monday and Tuesday. Ozarkansas isn’t under threat today, though the same can’t be said of the upper Midwest — parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa are at “moderate” risk (level 4 of 5) of severe weather.
Stay sharp today, my friends.
Tomorrow’s convective outlook continues to put The Mountain in the middle of a looong swath of “slight” risk (level 2 of 5) that also features an “enhanced” threat in the Northeast.
The consensus seems to be that the Tuesday event will be more widespread than it is serious.
My view of the valley is all but gone now, but I’m lovin’ the lush blanket of spring. The scene on The Mountain richens, deepens, draws closer with each day that passes.
It’s like a dream sequence from my childhood, made real here and now.
And I noticed something yesterday for the first time — there’s a faint, almost imperceptible green haze on the gravel driveway. Not all of it, but enough to confirm that Nature is in the early stages of reclaiming the harsh and rocky (and artificial) surface.
That’s exactly what I had in mind.
A cool sighting on my way home from Casey’s. Six in all, every one of ’em blowin’ coat.
It’s great to be here.
P.S.: Miss Smudge caught her first squirrel.
I think she expected it to be more resilient.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable