randal cranor

Howdy,

I also have worked in the woods most of my life. There doesn't seem to be quality shoe repair around like there used to be. I also still buy handmade boots that can be repaired by the maker. I just have to ship them back. I still have some pairs that are going on quite a few years old, and possibly will out last me.

The company I buy from is in the PNW and close enough that return repairs are pretty quick. The company also makes all types of boots and shoes. It was easy to measure my feet and use their measurement scale. At different times certain styles do go on sale and that was how I was able to buy my first pair, almost a $100 off. You may be able to find a boot/shoe maker close to your area.

I also do some "repair" on my own cheaper pairs of knock around shoes, especially when the soles wear out and just glue leather or whatever to the bottoms. I do get leather scraps from taking gloves apart etc. and I use Barge Leather cement

Howdy
Yes, still here and still trying to make some things a little brighter with some free open air music.

2 of my permanent band mates died in the last 4 yrs, which brought a halt to some things, BUT I still manage to get out by myself and play a guitar and dobro. I don't sing, and I do get folks coming up telling me how they enjoyed it, might leave a tip. Then I "met" 2 women who showed an interest in playing with me, they both sing, one on banjo and one on guitar. WE started to have a regular practice sessions and still going at it.   We have done practice sessions outdoors at local park and folks come up and ask us if we play anywhere else. We have been approached  by "promoters" who ask if we're interested in playing local pub type gigs.

Now when I am out in public, farmers mkt, potluck get together, etc, people ask if I brought a instrument, and I usually have one in my car.
For me, FREE MUSIC is a start for a BRIGHTER WORLD!

One of my favorite songs, GET TOGETHER, by THE YOUNGBLOODS

Howdy,
I voted yes, daily.
I have, what I call The Coastal Outhouse Tour. I am able to coast from the front door of my house to the Outhouse, which, at 73,is way faster than walking, some of you will get the meaning of this.

I used to ride a lot more. I do on occasion take my bike with me to do some pleasure riding. I think in the future,on good days(sunny,not raining) I will be taking my bike to town,park my car, and do my town errands on my bicycle. I do miss riding my bike.

I do "produce"all my electric power with a 24/7 micro hydro system and solar panels. I could be charging an electric bicycle, which for me, may be "enviornmentally" friendly.

When I was younger, living in Upstate NY, I used to bike tour with a group(60-80miles a day) that included Pete Seeger. Got to know him well enough to be invited over to his house a few times.

When I was 13 I had a paper route, for 3 years. My dad clocked the milage and I guess it was 26 miles a day, single speed Schwinn  cruiser.

Howdy,
I live in the wet part of PNW, Oregon, about 40 miles in from the Pacific coast.
I am able to usually draw knife/peel most soft woods when green. If the peeling is hard, I will score the length with a chainsaw, just into the sapwood, about a 1/4 inch. I have also just hacked a line with an axe or hatchet, coming back later and peeling when the bark shows signs if peeling off by itself.

In my neck of the woods, if I leave the bark on till the tree is dry, it is way harder to peel.

I seem to remember that trees are easier to peel, if cut when the sap is running, like cut in spring and peeled within days of cutting.

howdy,

howdy,

Howdy,
I also have just mixed in with my running vehicles fuel. I have even put old fuel mix from 2 cycle engines in my running vehicles, usually something like 10gal to 1 gal or less(old fuel).  

howdy
I just grow corn for all my baking corn meal. I don't grow every year and I grow mostly maize type/colored corn. I also grow popcorn every now and then. I have blue corn from 5yrs. ago, maize from 3yrs ago and am growing maize this year and planting beans to climb the corn.  This is a plot that I till with my "outhouse pit" compost.  I save and plant a lot of my own seeds.

Howdy,

A lot of "paper" is now RAG paper, made from all kinds of RAGS, not natural fiber but polyester,rayon,nylon,etc and also plastic. Slick paper is rag paper, that's why it doesn't burn well when I/you use it to start fires in the stove/fireplace/outdoor fire ring. Hard to recycle, hard to stop in the mail, etc, so I put it in the PO(post office ) trash when I am in town.