Update from the Homestead

I haven't written in awhile because I'm furiously working on the second book in the trilogy End of Days.
The first of this series is available via Kindle. In this book, we have a long journey underway, some dangerous encounters with wildlife, and assimilation into a vastly different culture.

This actually happens while on a long distance hiking trail and I can feel for our heroine. Yet, she has a lot of secrets and issues, and finds herself changing in unexpected ways. Who doesn't?

Life goes on around me, though, the colors are beginning to change. The fall weather always reminds me of campfires and cold frosty mornings where kids burst from the tent and run to the fire, ready to receive their mug of hot chocolate.

I loved taking the kids camping at Starved Rock, Illinois, so named because back in the mid 1700s a band of Indians took refuge atop the rock, surrounded by  a rival band determined to slaughter them all in retribution. During their ordeal, the natives lowered buckets to attempt water collection, but that failed as their nemesis cut the ropes.
Later, french traders traveled the nearby trails, saw the buzzards circle and decided to investigate. They found all the bodies, and discovered what happened, recording this story at the nearby fort.
Turns out the whole warfare began when some lusty braves killed the chief of the rival band.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starved_Rock_State_Park

The moral of this true story is not to start something you can't finish, or perhaps a little tolerance goes a long ways.

Hope you enjoy the autumn.

Bandits-A Movie Review

I just finished watching a terrific movie with Billy Bob Thornton and Bruce Willis,
called Bandits.
Its a 2001 movie, and I'm surprised I hadn't seen it already. The writing is funny, the plot somewhat zany yet believable, the ending a nice twist and satisfying.
There are some great songs embedded into the scenes, and a beautiful woman. The rationale for robbing banks is that the money they steel is insured by the government and the government steels from the people, so they are just taking it back.

Billy Bob does an excellent job as the brains, albeit, hypochondriac of the team. Bruce of course it the muscle, and a smooth romancer as well. Our leading lady get wined and dined, a love story.

They have a dream for Paradise in Mexico. We see this is definitely before all hell had broken out south of our border. I wonder if that movie would have much appeal these days with the gang stuff going on down there, all the murders.

This is a movie I would like to buy, which is saying a lot.

Breaking Bad-AMC TV Series Review

I picked up the July issue of Time from this year and read a three page review on this series which is actually beginning its fourth season.

An unlikely scenario, the hero finds he has terminal lung cancer and works as a chemistry teacher. Without sufficient money for his surviving family and treatment, he goes into meth cooking which would normally cause us to hate him, a drug dealer. But, think Weeds and Dexter and you may find yourself curious like I was.

On Netflix the first three seasons are available and as I watch episode two of season one, I am committed to watching it all.
We find a gentleman who has turned 50 who partners with a previous student due to unsavory circumstances. The student has graduated and very hip, it feels real. The teacher loves chemistry, this is obvious. His compulsion for neatness and perfection and novel ways of solving problems are well done. As he learns about weapons, and the hard core characters that interact in this business, I can't help rooting for him.

My first take away here is not to judge a book by its cover, and that you never know where your skill set will lead you , or what the desperation you may encounter will drive you to do.

If You Move it They Will Come

My boyfriend has four trail cameras. They can be set to photo or video, timed intervals between first detected movement, and sensitivity.

Anchored to their location by locked cable to metal painted in camouflage motif, most animals totally ignore them while getting their pictures taken. Some amazing bear, fox, coyote, bobcat and hog photos are the result.

A house cat defied reason by hanging out at the Mulch pile camera. I knew something was eating all the watermelon rinds, apple cores and various garden refuse. Nothing likes the broccoli stems. But a house cat? I finally figured he must be stalking the mice and squirrels, but still, I would have thought we'd catch a deer browsing on it.

So, with that lackluster result, my guy moved the camera down trail and farther away from our homestead.

This morning, while checking the draw of my new wood stove, I walked out behind the studio and a huge black bear was caught unawares, running away from me.

Moved the camera, the bear comes near.

Silnylon Stuff Sacks and Ditty Bags-Sale Item

This set consists of 3 stuff sacks, one stake bag and three ditty bags. All together, they only weigh 2.5 ounces. Price includes shipping. $25

You get:
Large blue stuff sack 10.5 x 14.5
Medium green stuff sack 8 x 12
Smaller blue stuff sack 8 x 10.5

black ditty bag 6 x 12
green stake bag 16" long
blue ditty bag 4.5 x 6.5
camo ditty bag 4.5 x 6 (a heavier ripstop, ideal for fuel tablets, knives, etc.)

The three stuff sacks shown above have squared off bottoms. The smaller blue one has a pull loop which aids in cinching to a pack, or facilitate removing tightly stuffed gear.

See sales page for ordering information.
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html

New Green 8 x 10 Tarp-Sale Item

Sold==The 8 x 10 silnylon tarp is the work horse of the backpacking world. I've sewn more of this size than any other, including. I use staking loops, not ties or grommets, which have proven strong enough to last years and never rip out.

The staking loops on an 8 x 10 work out to 2 feet apart on the center seam, and 8 foot lengths. On the 10 foot length the loops are 2.5 feet apart. This is "halved, quartered, and corners", a standard spacing option for many tarps.

The green tarp was made with first quality 1.3 ounce silnylon, some call it soarcoat, a brand name. The center seam is rolled, with my signature double sided center staking loops. This tarp has never been used.

It weighs just 15 ounces, including the stuff sack.

Sold!

Stuff sack included, measures 7 x 9.4
Price  includes shipping to anywhere in the USA.
$85.

If you are interested in purchasing this tarp, see the Sales Page on this blog.
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/sales-page.html

Sorry, no tent stakes are included.

127 Hours- A Movie Review

I just finished watching the gripping saga of a young man who goes hiking in Canyonlands alone and after 5 days cuts off his own arm which had been totally trapped by a rock.

The accident and events leading to this drama are very well photographed. Its very believable, as well it should be, the guy has lived to tell about it.

We learn many lessons from watching this movie such as always leave your itinerary with a friend, carry a sharp knife, its good to go with a buddy whenever possible.
This sort of vicarious learning is long lasting. Its not preachy, the guy is very likable, we never feel he "got what he deserved".

He has water for his day hike gone wrong. After becoming trapped, he sparingly drinks, savoring each swallow. He attempts self rescue by emptying his pack and evaluating options. He uses his abundant climbing gear to rig a harness to facilitate sleeping, to wrap himself in against the cold nights in the desert, and to create a tourniquet.

Watch it, enjoy it, and be prepared for gut wrenching scenes when the arm is being amputated. Very realistic.
In the end we are told the long term outcomes. Spoiler: they are good.

127 Hours- A Movie Review

I just finished watching the gripping saga of a young man who goes hiking in Canyonlands alone and after 5 days cuts off his own arm which had been totally trapped by a rock.

The accident and events leading to this drama are very well photographed. Its very believable, as well it should be, the guy has lived to tell about it.

We learn many lessons from watching this movie such as always leave your itinerary with a friend, carry a sharp knife, its good to go with a buddy whenever possible.
This sort of vicarious learning is long lasting. Its not preachy, the guy is very likable, we never feel he "got what he deserved".

He has water for his day hike gone wrong. After becoming trapped, he sparingly drinks, savoring each swallow. He attempts self rescue by emptying his pack and evaluating options. He uses his abundant climbing gear to rig a harness to facilitate sleeping, to wrap himself in against the cold nights in the desert, and to create a tourniquet.

Watch it, enjoy it, and be prepared for gut wrenching scenes when the arm is being amputated. Very realistic.
In the end we are told the long term outcomes. Spoiler: they are good.

One Person Can Make a Difference

Does anyone remember the adage that yes, one person can make a difference. Sometimes its easy to feel very small in a world with several billion people in it.

According to this report, one person made a huge difference, not only in the south west, but the whole country. When a huge power outage goes down, people sit up, and take notice.
http://news.yahoo.com/blackout-reminder-power-grid-vulnerabilities-223505231.html

Hopefully, the powers that be will work on safe guarding the Grid. And the rest of us, hopefully we'll be making plans to live off the grid, at least short term if it happens in our neighborhood.

Filter Rain Water Run Off

On the next Hobo Project, I used water from the abundant run off from Tropical Storm Lee. We were without power for 18 hours and I took this time to make and demo a double filtering system using recyclables, totally hobo style. Finish with a few drops of bleach. By removing the organic material from the water, less chemicals are needed to make potable water. Of course, one may also boil the water instead of using chemicals.

Alaska Buget Details OMG

Many thanks to Kara who posted this trip review and listed the money she spent thouroughly enjoying 17 days in Alaska. Its an eye opener.
Alaska on a Budget 2007

I really appreciate her openness in the journal, sounds like she had a great time. Even getting her flight free with frequent flyer miles, she spent nearly $4,000 bucks. She traveled alone, stayed in hostels, rented a car.
I've got to do better.

I spent 2 weeks in Cozumel which is way cheaper. My cheap plane ticket, meals in a deli and free snorkeling helped keep the cost to below $ 1,000 in 2007. I split the cost of a nice budget motel room with my guy, so that wasn't too bad.

But, Alaska, wow. I'm going to plan that trip with more money available.
Things that used to be free, I'm told, are now being charged for. The shuttle bus, I'm told, was free to travel down that road in Denali to Wonder Lake with the admission to the park. It now is $40. I'm sure everything is higher than when my friend went in the 90s. So, I've been warned!

Vampires Suck-Movie Review

This 2010 movie is so well  cast that you would swear they are the same kids who starred in Twilight and New Moon, the Hollywood hits that have teen age girls swooning over Edward and Jacob. The heroine, Becca has the same maddening twitches, the same confusing bewilderment that the star of Twilight does.

If you've never watched either of those, you will probably be confused by the crazy parody and ridiculous events witnessed. We do have the vampires drinking True Blood, and we can see other derivative drama unfolding from that hit HBO series.

Personally, as a grown woman, I soon became tired of the whole thing, but continued until the end just for the purpose of giving a fair review.

With so much name dropping, the piece dates itself and will soon become meaningless. We see the cover of a magazine posting Tiger Woods picture. The heroine's mom was being banged, she said. We have mention of Face book, the Kardashiens, Jonas Brothers, George Clooney, and Cris Brown, all in appropriate context.

You could just about slap the stuff out of Becca because she can't seem to figure out why Edward is "different". Why do cute girls fall for SSJ, the Strong Silent Jerk ?
Nothing is sacred in this film, the dad is gross, beats up his friend who is wheel chair bound, and says crude stuff to his daughter. In the roll playing for safety part, she maces him, tears off his 'stash, and kicks him in the balls. Sad stuff.

I think its rated pg-13. I'd rate it a  near TDFW, too dumb for words. Again, if you're going to watch it, it will seriously help to find and watch the Twilight series.

Ultralight Backpacking is Survival School

This is my 9 ounce silnylon pack I designed and used for my successful thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. It was pretty basic, yet I made sure the shoulder straps were wide and padded to keep the pressure of a fully loaded food bag from causing pain on the trail.

Successful ultralighters think ahead. We plan, learn skills, innovate and don't expect to be bailed out.
We make mistakes, suffer awhile then fix it as soon as possible. I used to have problems not sleeping warm enough. Tried lots of things. Don't camp on hail, if you can help it. An empty silnylon backpack is poor insulation under the feet in winter. Use a full length pad. When the down bag gets marginal performance, it probably needs washing. If you have to wear your rain jacket to bed, do it. If you need 10 more degrees, use a bag liner.Buy fabric from walmart and sew one on the trail.
Its pretty rugged country up there in Vermont, and that hurricane Irene did a job there. Its easy to imagine communities being cut off. I'm surprised, however, that those folks didn't have more food and camping supplies tucked away for emergencies, any emergencies. I bet they will in the future.
Life is all about live and learn.
Ultralighters weren't born overnight. It takes schooling, a learning process. Sometimes we cut it too close, get into town starving. Then we eat everything in sight and probably haul way too much food out to the trail.
Sometimes we eat bad food combinations, forcing ourselves to eat anyways until next town stop.

Live and Learn. Makes great memories.