Estimated reading time: 1 minute
While I haven’t posted much lately, I’m still in the game. Besides being retired, I’m watching the fall of the American Century, collapse of the American Experiment, and rise of American-style fascism. It’s been a busy time.
Given this, all I can do is post another music video for these times. So many people are finding out that we didn’t know what we had, until it’s now gone.
Estimated reading time: 16 minutes
I enjoy my Native Watercraft Slayer Max Ten Propel kayak, once it’s on the water. Getting it in the water, and out again, is a problem. Although it’s only ten feet long, it’s wide (for a kayak), and weighs about 95 pounds with the pedal drive unit loaded. I’m already resigned to using a trailer instead of car-topping it. But, moving the kayak around is another problem.
After trying out some commercial kayak carts that didn’t work out, I designed and built my own. I ended up with a cart that weighs 9-1/2 pounds, and costs about $100 in parts. This is my “How-To” building a Native Watercraft kayak cart.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Last week Winnie and I took a two-night RV trip up to Damascus, Virginia, and rode our bikes. The ride, on the Virginia Creeper Trail, was on one of the most beautiful “Rail-to-Trail” lines I’ve seen. It also was the longest one-day bike ride I’ve made. Winnie and I ended up a bit sore afterwards, but it was well worth the trip.
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
My first kayak was a Trophy 126 fishing/recreation kayak. I didn’t know anything about kayaks at the time, but this was advertised as an “easy learner,” and had the added advantage of included fishing rod holders. So, we (Winnie and I) bought it and started our love affair with kayaking.
I hadn’t done a review on this boat as the original manufacturer went out of business a few years after I bought it. But, I recently discovered that a new company is manufacturing this same boat, still with the “Trophy 126” model name. So, here is my long-overdue review.
And the days go by, one at a time. I’m not in the “another day’s useless journey spent” as per “Days of Future Passed.” I am into learning one day at a time how to be really retired. How to schedule my time, focus on what is important for any given day, and work on little projects that before, I’ve always felt too rushed to do.
Most importantly, after working and earning my own money since I was thirteen, I’m in a position to do things that are fun. This is perhaps the best thing I can learn.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
This past weekend our lovely Queens City of Charlotte had a close encounter with winter. Being a nominally “southern city,” this is not the place people expect to see snow. As a matter of record, Winnie and I chose to retire here partially based on believing we’d see less wintery stuff than in Woodbridge, Virginia.
However, snow has now come to Charlotte. It’s not nearly as exciting as that may sound.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Being an officially a retired person conferrs a lot of free time. Which means I no longer have excuses reasons for not doing a lot of projects I’ve been putting off for, well, most of my adult life.
One particular project is building my home workshop. After fits and starts and early iterations in previous homes I’ve lived in, I’m finally building my dream workshop.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Today is another Christmas. A day that rolls around once each year to remind us of peace and joy and goodwill to all mankind. Also another day to gather with family and friends to exchange gifts, eat, drink, and have lots of family fights… No scratch that “family fights” stuff…
Anyway, since I’m still not feeling inspired to write much, I thought to share a bit of Christmas holiday music from one of my favorite groups.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
I’ve been in a state of transition over these past several months since retirement. One result has been my complete inability to write anything in this humble blog. Not because there’s nothing going on, but because there’s too much. These times overwhelm me with the relentless pounding of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
So, in an effort to break out of my writer’s block I’ve decided to reflect with a bit of music for these times.
MAGA Brain Meltdown Over Fourteenth Amendment
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
So, yesterday, five of nine U.S. Supreme Court justices decided that our 14th Amendment to our Constitution actually means what it says. Any person born on American soil is automatically an American citizen. No one could have predicted that the party of MAGA, who believe the U.S. Constitution should be interpreted based on its original public meaning, are now having brain meltdowns over our 14th Amendment.
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