Pandemic Saturday

 

As if the pandemic is officially over and against the advisement of Federal health officials, Governor Greg Abbott recently issued an Executive Order (GA-34) lifting the mask mandate in Texas and increasing capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent. The Governor made the announcement at Montelongo's Mexican Restaurant in Lubbock in an address to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. 

"With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus,” said Governor Abbott. "We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent. Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared (?), but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations, and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed. Today's announcement does not abandon safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year. (Are you fucking kidding me?  I have seen my fair share of "Texans" who have totally ignored "safe practices" since the pandemic began.)  Instead, it is a reminder that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety and the safety of others. With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny".   

This is exactly that kind of rhetoric that Covid deniers have used since the pandemic started - that mandates put in place for the health of all interfered with individual personal freedom.  In other news - I am scheduled for my first shot on Monday.

Anyone want some silver?

 

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TCR

Third time's a charm?

 

SpaceX stuck the landing but SN10 exploded about 10 minutes later.

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Last night inside?

Pampering this last surviving rooted cutting of my 2 year old tomato plants by bringing it inside the hut at night.   Had a low of 30 this morning which should be the last overnight freezing temperature of the year.  Going to transplant it soon.  57,63,30,0,B

Ordered this crucible...

 

Graphite Foundry Crucibles are made from a combination of graphite and clay, and are recommended for melting precious, or non-precious metals and can handle large batches of material. Their thick inner walls can handle direct heat and open flame foundries. They can be used with propane melting furnaces as well as a standard torch method. Rated to withstand temperatures up to 2912°F (1600°C). Measurements: 5-1/4" high x 4-3/4" in diameter (exterior dimensions); 4-3/4" deep x 3-3/4" in diameter (interior dimensions). *The "#" in title represents the amount of aluminum that the crucible can accommodate (in pounds); the "Kg" is for the amount of kilograms of brass and copper capacities.

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Shine a light...

Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 15 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Pandemic Saturday

 

Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine just approved.  "No more tears"?  There will probably be plenty more tears as we may reach 1 million dead by the end of this year because millions are still Covid deniers...not to mention the millions of idiots who are anti-vaxxers.  75,84,52,0,B 

Paramotors at TFL...

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Nesting...

 

A bunny has started creating a burrow in the greenhouse where I store the hay and alfalfa.  Perhaps one of them is expecting...  60,65,52,0,B

Two years old...

 

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Burro parking...

 

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Starlink coming soon...

I am looking forward to trying out Starlink satellite internet.  I signed up a couple of months ago as a beta tester and was just notified that I should be able to get it this fall.  You can see in real time all the Starlink satellites currently in orbit here.  My Big Bend Telephone DSL is relatively slow compared to big city internet at 6 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload speeds.  The download is adequate for my surfing needs but that snail-paced upload speed is dismal for high res live streaming and uploading long videos to YouTube.  The only problem I foresee out here is that the dish doesn't like temperatures over 104 degrees.  Everyone in the US can get in on the ground floor and sign up now and put down a refundable $99 deposit.  Once service is available for your area, the equipment is $499 plus tax and shipping and the monthly fee is $100.  Worth it to try out (especially if you have no other option) as you have 30 days to get a full refund if it doesn't work out for you.  With just over 1000 satellites already up there, SpaceX is on schedule to launch at least another 1000 this year.  So far the beta testers are pretty happy with how it works.  Go SpaceX!   64,70,34,0,B

the foolish

Psalm 39:6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. 8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. 

Pandemic Saturday

 

numbers are going down but it is far from over

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forging ahead...

Melting brass for the AA desire chips I am planning on producing is virtually impossible using just a standard propane torch and a ceramic crucible.  It was easy enough for silver, but I want to try other higher melting point metals such as aluminum, bronze, and copper.  Just ordered this small metal furnace that ships from Lithuania.  An excellent price considering the reviews and the fact that shipping is free.  45,56,17,0,C 

success...

 

Seven months after launch, the Mars 2020 rover travelled 300 million miles and successfully landed on a spinning planet within a 10 kilometer diameter target zone at precisely the projected time of arrival.

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tune in tomorrow...

HELLO MARS!

new castings coming up...

I was recently contacted about producing more AA desire chips.  Since the price of silver is relatively high now, I am going to try to cast them in brass.  44,56,22,0,C

last winter storm...

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to know wisdom

Proverbs 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

Pandemic Saturday

We have been here before. Over the past year, there have been moments in almost all countries when cases declined, and governments opened up too quickly, and individuals let down their guard, only for the virus to come roaring back." That caution is backed up by multiple studies that indicated states and countries that raised their restrictions too early saw continued infections and earlier returns to widespread infections.  This is a basic outcome of viral spread. The drop in cases is a result of social restrictions, either mandatory or voluntary, lowering the rate at which each infected individual passes the virus on to others. The ultimate goal of these restrictions is to lower the overall cases so that, when people start everyday activities again, there are very few infections, allowing contact tracing and isolation to limit the virus's spread. Stop the social restrictions too soon, and a lot more people will be infected, making contact tracing ineffective and starting new infections at a very high level.  That's what seems to have happened in the United States, which never saw distinct waves of infections but instead had a number of peaks standing out from a backdrop of high levels of viral spread.  Unfortunately, the US seems dedicated to revisiting its earlier mistakes. At a time when infections are still well above any point prior to November, a number of states have responded to the drop in new cases with plans to lift restrictions.

Year of the Ox...

 

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last taste of winter...

 

jury of peers?

After watching the first two days of the trump impeachment trial, I have to say that the evidence presented so far has been incredibly damming for the "don".  A lot of the evidence coming from trump's incessant twitter stream and videos of the insurrectionists from their own social media platforms.   If I was a juror, this would already be a no-brainer - beyond a reasonable doubt.  But jurors in a normal court of law are not subject to losing their jobs because of their decision in a trial.  Unfortunately, the highly payed "jurors" in this trial are NOT impartial to the outcome.  Apparently many of the Republican members during the presentations are not even paying attention during the presentation of evidence and are already decided in saving their jobs as elected officials - afraid of being objective and weighing what is being presented with an open mind because of what they have to lose.  Will enough of them who pledged to uphold the constitution stand up for what is right above their own selfish desires?  

watering a bunny...

 

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breakfast treat...

Conspiracy Theory

 Believing in God is not a conspiracy theory...

Isaiah 8: 11 For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and nwarned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: 12 “Do not call oconspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and pdo not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13 But the Lord of hosts, qhim you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 

Pandemic Saturday

the trump house

 

Something is up at the "Trump house" in Alpine - the one with the ever changing curb appeal decorations.  Local and federal law enforcement agencies stopped by on Thursday morning.  Witnesses reported seeing several boxes being removed from the location.  No word yet what is going on as apparently the "visit" was part of an ongoing investigation.  Stay tuned... 69,77,49,0,B  LATEST NEWS

Up and away...

Decided to do a test flight with my Mavic Pro since it has been over a year since it has flown.  I bought it during the summer of 2017.  All systems were nominal...  68,76,51,0,W

Sole survivor...

 

The last surviving rooted cutting from my 2 year old plants that were killed off by frost is about to yield a ripe tomato.  71,83,54,0,C

Groundhog Day 2021

 

Five more weeks of winter?

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rush on silver...

Saw in the news over the weekend that the price of silver was going up.  Seems that because of some market manipulation there are a lot of people rushing to buy bullion so I thought I would take advantage of the opportunity.  Listed five 10 ounce bars for sale on ebay at $10 over the spot price and they all sold within an hour.  Nice when buying low and selling high actually works.  58,65,45,0,B

resist...

James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  

Pandemic Saturday

old friend...

 

been almost a year since Moley stopped by for a visit

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his days are numbered...

 

Unfortunately, this javelina is on the target list.  He is rather mean and keeps stealing food from Ben every night.  I am going to harvest him soon and a neighbor is going to turn him into sausage. 56,61,40,0,B 

for parts or repair...

First batch up for sale on ebay.  

This is a "lot" sale of 35 dollar pocket watches for parts and repair.  

Individual pocket watches that have been serviced

will be coming soon...

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off grid - old school

 

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Let's get lost...

In 1987, I started a year working as 2nd assistant for fashion photographer Bruce Weber.  I was 28 years old.  My job consisted of unloading and loading his cameras as fast as I could (in the days before digital photography).  It was a busy year of fashion shoots for Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, among other clients.  Some in the studio in NYC and some on location in London and Paris.  At the beginning of my "term of service",  Bruce was finishing up a film about jazz musician Chet Baker - taking us from New York to Santa Monica to Oklahoma to the south of France.  It was a great (and sad) experience getting the chance to meet and work with Chet Baker - especially the studio recording sessions for the film soundtrack.  He was a brilliant musician who unfortunately was also a heroin addict for most of his adult life.  During the filming, Chet was rather uncooperative until he got his daily fix - whether it be methadone or heroin...and then barely functional once he got it.  But once he was "in the zone", his musical performances were always perfect.  Chet died less than a year later from a fall from a second story hotel window in Amsterdam.  Heroin and cocaine were found in his room (and an autopsy revealed both drugs in his body).  He was 58 years old.     

If any of you lack wisdom...

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  

Pandemic Saturday

Roughly a year after the first reported case of Covid-19 was reported in the US, we finally have a real President who is taking definitive action for the American people.  

The Evil Out Here...Part III

 

Terlingua Ranch resident pedophile was found GUILTY 

of all 9 criminal charges brought against him.

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first rain of 2021

 

Got a little shower overnight.  Not much - but I will take what I can get.

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"We've braved the belly of the beast"

thirsty javelina...

My original bucket video has had almost 8 million views...

thirsty bunny...

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the path

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. 

Pandemic Saturday

 

The daily infection and death rate is still climbing, 

yet people are still traveling around the world like nothing is wrong.

STAY HOME - STOP THE SPREAD!

lunch guests...

 

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Max Godino

Continuing the fishing theme: my friend Max posted this video in 2013.  It deserves more views - so also check it out directly from YouTube and make sure to comment, like, and share it.  We met each other by chance through a mutual friend after we were both featured in Lloyd Kahn's book Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter, published in 2011.

new hobby?

 

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POCKET WATCH SALE

I am getting ready to sell over 100 pocket watches.  Before I start listing them on eBay, I'm giving my blog readers a chance to get in on the action first.  If you are interested in a pocket watch, send me an email. Price range is $40 - $125.  I will send you specifics on what is available. lifeoffthegrid@yahoo.com  44,53,27,0,C 

my former Airstream

 

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Minions of Satan

 

Tools of Satan claiming to be battling evil...

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, 

and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, 

he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Pandemic Saturday

 

2020 rainfall...

Death by Frost...

 

My 22 month old mother plants survived 22 degree lows last winter 

but 18 degree lows killed them along with 3 rooted cuttings last week.

I managed to save one rooted cutting by keeping it inside 

my hut on those cold nights.

(Javier approves)

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Sad day for democracy

 

Trump gave a speech this morning to his supporters who are in DC 

to protest the election results.

After reiterating his baseless claims of voter fraud, he told his minions:

"We will never give up...we will never concede."

It is no surprise that a few hours later his gang of thugs 

stormed the Capital and disrupted the proceedings 

causing lawmakers to be evacuated.

Here is Joe Biden's live response to the assault.

and here is trump's incredibly lame taped response to the assault.

an owl killed a dove this morning...

happy moo year

as it is written...

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 

Pandemic Saturday

The death toll is still rising and nothing from trump on the casualties 

as he and his minions still fight over his election loss 

while the millionaires in congress are fighting over 

how much "socialism" to dole out.