Parents set the stage for valuing education. If there is no value on it at home it will be reflected in the kids and it will then be passed through the generations. Generation after generation of barely getting by and failure.

While I disagree with the “failed state” label (go look at Haiti) it certainly isn’t setting itself up for future greatness.

Pretty much it. They have been trained by decades of “if it bleeds it leads” news, Fox news, and talk radio to be in perpetual fear and see themselves as being under attack. The internet has fueled this wildly. They see everyone as being out to take their way of life away, steal their money (taxes), needing guns against the mobs waiting outside of their door, etc. On top of that is an apocalyptic mindset that used to be just evangelical Christian but now has become a secular mentality of “shake society hard enough and we’ll magically come out on top”. It is the lottery mentality of success, no effort, no self improvement just have it fall into your lap.

Meanwhile the wealthy continue to push for the degradation of society as long as it serves them in their lifetimes. Cut corp taxes to nothing, cut capital gains taxes, move from income taxes to sales taxes, buy struggling businesses, fire everyone, don’t pay debts, take out loans against it then cash in on selling the pieces. Destroy the environment because only future generations will pay for that. Corp and capital gains tax cuts and tariffs put more and more of the burden on the lower and middle classes. Get rid of education oversight, medical research, financial watchdogs, etc, none of those matter to the wealthy who will always have access to private schools, concierge doctors, financial advisors, lawyers, etc. They just keep distracting the working class and rural voters with frivolous culture wars distractions while they pick your pockets.

The fact that so many people continue to support him is sickening. They live in a fantasy that the world is 1700 and we don’t need a federal gov or any social systems. They love having a big military to bully the world though.

Demonstrations have become so predictable that people ignore them now. Politicians know that if you wait a few days they will be forgotten. What you really need to do is shut down the nation like the French rail unions do.

Getting the lemon poppyseed scones at Fresh Market yesterday

I’m not tasting them in most restaurant dressings.

Doing some 14,000 ft’rs in the Rockies this summer

I think I’d like it if the pineapple were in smaller pieces so it doesn’t overwhelm everything else. “Pizza…pizza…PINEAPPLE…pizza…”

Worst is tomato slices. Waaaayyyy too watery. It is like someone left your pizza out in the rain.

Banana peppers and black olives, same here.

They need to put them on caesar salads more

Artichoke hearts

Prosciutto

Black olives

11. Yah, “shoes/boots” would be better. On rough trails I also prefer boots because otherwise you will feel every rock through the bottom and your ankles are more vulnerable to being rolled.

This is why I hired someone to do my bathroom shower remodel. My house is old and has no 90 degree angles left lol. I call it the “Dr Suess House”

Dull tools are the death of accuracy and enjoyment alike.

Same in cooking. A sharp knife is a safe knife. If you are pushing to cut you will have an accident.

Me, “Measures 50 times and it still doesn’t fit just right” “WTF!!!??”

Mushrooms

I read they think the guy in “Into the Wild” died because he was eating a plant that interfered with vitamin absorption.

Hiking/backpacking (not exactly niche?)

1. Don’t buy a ton of stuff for day hikes. You need less than you think. If you carry enough for an overnight there is a good chance you’ll be so slowed down that you’ll end up staying overnight.
2. Carry the ten essentials. GPS’ run out of battery and you can end up in areas without satellite reception. Always have a compass and paper map and visualize your route before going if you are backpacking in deep. Be aware where roads and bailouts are relative to your route.
3. Occasionally look behind you to get an idea of what the route back will look like if you’ll be returning the same way.
4. If it doesn’t look like a trail, stop, you need to backtrack to the last sure spot. Don’t plow ahead blindly thinking it will resolve itself.
5. Winter hiking means less daylight and more stuff (slower). Plan accordingly.
6. “Mountains generate their own weather”. Bring some light raingear and insulation even if it is warm at the trailhead. I’ve started in 80+ temps and gotten snow near summits.
7. Carry hiking poles. They are invaluable for things like stream crossings. They saved me from breaking a leg stepping down boulders once.
8. If the trail is blazed and you can’t see them look up and behind you for them, sometimes they are painted high up for snowpack.
9. Carry traction (ice creepers) if going up into the mountains in spring/fall. Early/late snow and ice is common. In winter bring crampons.
10. Always check the weather, especially for mountain hikes. Be ready to turn back or change your plans if the weather looks sketchy. Don’t get “summit fever” just because you made a special trip.
11. If you are shopping for gear spend the most on boots. They will be the major deciding factor in how comfortable your hiking is. Make sure to break them in before a trip. I’ve been on a multiday mountain trip where a guy had brand new boots and his feet were bleeding by day 3.
12. If winter hiking and there is a snow pack wear gaiters (or built in ones). Snow in boots = cold/wet feet = frostbite. I’ve seen too many people have to turn around because their boots were getting packed with snow and they were suffering.

Yup. And here we are, still blaming covid for shortages and “supply chain disruptions”.

Yah, I was going to just get a board cut but this is an excuse to buy a new tool, right?