What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain.
I miss the convenience of different authentic cuisines found in Toronto. I want pho? Done… what kind. Dim sum? Sure… be more specific. African? Um… that’s a continent, be more specific. Nigerian? Ethiopian? South African? Shawarma Empire? You got it. Toronto has all kinds of variety and street food a-plenty. I miss that multicultural neighbourhoods. I miss the Canadian mosaic. Mind you, here in the bush… one CAN find flavourable food. One just has to ask around and take some risks. When it gets critical, the Owen Sound Farmer’s Market can provide a bit of Saturday morning variety.
I also regret the absence of a properly funded municipal public library. I used the Toronto Public Library to its maximum and I miss it. My local Bruce County library system is teeny tiny and stocks resources that the locals want ((((Euro-centric, popular or pulp culture)))).
Our telecommunication system reduces the isolation one can feel here in the bush. We planned for it! TS manages here mental health by keeping a telephone routine with a dear family friend, Monday to Friday at about 6:30 a.m. I use super-secret squirrel instant-messaging with my buddy in SE Scarborough…. on the other side of the tracks. I’m still trying to attend more shed-events, like the Bruce Men’s Shed to keep track of local going-ons.
During the winter, we make the time to attend at least 1 market in Owen sound per month. During the Spring-Summer-Fall season, we offer weekly sales events. Black Dog Biscuits (and this year, the debut of NeemTree Creations/Cutlery-Sharpening/Firewood) give our family the opportunity to talk to strangers and chit-chat with fellow vendors.
Our rock farm is never boring. With 25 acres of rocks, trees, and critters… there’s always something to do. Our home’s off-grid so it requires year-round maintenance. Monotonous? Nope.
SATURDAY, MARCH 7/26 UPDATE – TS REMOVING WORRYSOME SNOW.
There was a resounding WHOOMP sound this morning on the west side of the house. A metric fuckton of snow fell off the DAY-USE-ONLY-BUNKIE and smacked our west wall.
When more snow melts away, we’ll cut out that damaged flashing, straighten it out, apply construction adhesive, and re-attach that skirt. There’s MORE repairs to be done on the collapsed Shelterlogic. Ug, it’s not looking good. TS started the recovery efforts and I’ll take on the repairs.
MARCH 7TH UPDATE – PN’S PAINTING PANELS.
The outside temperatures right now are about +9C right now and the melts in full effect. The UNATTACHED-UNANCHORED patio and pavilion will get enclosed, and I’m aiming for the end of the month to get this in place.
Naturally, I posted a 4/5 star review on Home Hardware about the product. I didn’t post the price as that violates their terms of service (don’t bitch about the cost). I also shared my reasons for recommending Home Hardware, instead of the other home renovation companies. My pen-name: LindsayRoad40-Man….
At this price point, I expect a superior paint. We had it tinted with Saltspring Island green and it looks very promising. It was applied on roughly-wire-sanded plywood, on a horizontal position, in a climate controlled garage (temp 10-15C). The painted plywood will be installed on an exterior pavilion that will get south, south-east and south-west facing exposure. I was surprised by the product’s texture in the can. It was viscous and had a somewhat gelatinous texture. My spouse assured me that this is normal for exterior latex paint. It permeated the plywood surfaces and left an even coat. I’m excited to see how it takes a second coat and am eager to see it on our outbuilding! {{{{I rarely give a 5/5 star review right off the cuff = $55-60 per tin is a lot of money for paint; will it weather the hostile abiotic surfaces on the pavillion? Stay tuned}}}}}
My local Home Hardware Building Centre is staffed by some of the most well-versed individuals I’ve ever encountered in a hardware store. They know where it’s all located. And will provide creative solutions to customer home renovation issues. I also feel better supporting HH than the nearby competitors: Rona (US-based company), Canadian Tire (too corporate and impersonal), Home Depot (US-based company, disagree with the owners’ political views). {{{{this doesn’t get posted on the website, so I can bitch about HH’s competitors}}}}
SATURDAY THE 7TH – HEADPHONE REPAIRS AND MODIFICATIONS.
TS knit me a wonderful headband for my repaired Sony MDR7510 headphones. Now, I just have to find the screw-in proprietary jack adapter…
Forty-four pounds for an OEM dongle directly from Sony. Yeahhhhhhhhh, no. Click on the image for details and meta-captions.
BCB&B, neemtree, bdb, and blog 