mbrewer 🏳️🌈
@smalladventures.net
Retired FOSS nerd DIYer left-leaning rural-living outdoor enthusiast in Vermont.
I just realized that I never wrapped up this thread with a completed bridge picture. Here you go:
October 19, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I just realized that I never wrapped up this thread with a completed bridge picture. Here you go:
Spent all day painting the winch plate. The morning was cleaning it with simple green, stripping the protective coating off using a drill and grinder. Then this afternoon I cleaned it with mineral spirits, primed it with 2.5 coats, and painted it with 3.
Next break in the weather I can mount it.
Next break in the weather I can mount it.
October 19, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Spent all day painting the winch plate. The morning was cleaning it with simple green, stripping the protective coating off using a drill and grinder. Then this afternoon I cleaned it with mineral spirits, primed it with 2.5 coats, and painted it with 3.
Next break in the weather I can mount it.
Next break in the weather I can mount it.
Photos from the rally-style protest today in VT. Turnout seemed about the same as the last no-kings, but Vermont has a lot more locations this time. So hoping total turnout is far higher as predicted.
I'm hearing 200k for DC, vs. 100k last year. Curious to see total numbers in a day or two.
I'm hearing 200k for DC, vs. 100k last year. Curious to see total numbers in a day or two.
October 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Photos from the rally-style protest today in VT. Turnout seemed about the same as the last no-kings, but Vermont has a lot more locations this time. So hoping total turnout is far higher as predicted.
I'm hearing 200k for DC, vs. 100k last year. Curious to see total numbers in a day or two.
I'm hearing 200k for DC, vs. 100k last year. Curious to see total numbers in a day or two.
I spent the morning working on getting a winch on my FJ in the stock bumper. 4'th photo is the winch plate. 3'rd photo is the test fit. I cut a bracket and moved the A/C line, but otherwise things fit well.
Next I need to wash the oil and wax off the winch plate and paint it, probably on Sunday.
Next I need to wash the oil and wax off the winch plate and paint it, probably on Sunday.
October 16, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I spent the morning working on getting a winch on my FJ in the stock bumper. 4'th photo is the winch plate. 3'rd photo is the test fit. I cut a bracket and moved the A/C line, but otherwise things fit well.
Next I need to wash the oil and wax off the winch plate and paint it, probably on Sunday.
Next I need to wash the oil and wax off the winch plate and paint it, probably on Sunday.
We passed halfway on decking the bridge today. Ethan, one of our contractors, has been coaching us through it. Angie and I have installed the bulk of the boards (2x6 on edge) while he did the hard stuff like install the sleepers.
We ran out of wood, and I'm shot, so back to it tomorrow.
We ran out of wood, and I'm shot, so back to it tomorrow.
October 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
We passed halfway on decking the bridge today. Ethan, one of our contractors, has been coaching us through it. Angie and I have installed the bulk of the boards (2x6 on edge) while he did the hard stuff like install the sleepers.
We ran out of wood, and I'm shot, so back to it tomorrow.
We ran out of wood, and I'm shot, so back to it tomorrow.
We finally set the beams for our bridge that is replacing an undersized culvert on our long driveway. Today was the big day where we get the beams delivered and swing them into place with a crane. The bridge gets welded together next, then decked, and then the road gets regrade.
September 18, 2025 at 4:07 PM
We finally set the beams for our bridge that is replacing an undersized culvert on our long driveway. Today was the big day where we get the beams delivered and swing them into place with a crane. The bridge gets welded together next, then decked, and then the road gets regrade.
Angie spotted a Chicken of the Woods mushroom (sulfer shelf) while we were on a walk today. It was in a public area so we just grabbed a bit of it for dinner.
We sauted it in ghee with salt and pepper, added peas and placed it over pasta with butter.
This is the first time we've found a good one.
We sauted it in ghee with salt and pepper, added peas and placed it over pasta with butter.
This is the first time we've found a good one.
September 11, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Angie spotted a Chicken of the Woods mushroom (sulfer shelf) while we were on a walk today. It was in a public area so we just grabbed a bit of it for dinner.
We sauted it in ghee with salt and pepper, added peas and placed it over pasta with butter.
This is the first time we've found a good one.
We sauted it in ghee with salt and pepper, added peas and placed it over pasta with butter.
This is the first time we've found a good one.
Mint tea I just jarred up made from feral/wild mint growing along the edge of my driveway. Dried on stem, spread out on my desk in the basement.
September 9, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Mint tea I just jarred up made from feral/wild mint growing along the edge of my driveway. Dried on stem, spread out on my desk in the basement.
I just discovered I have boneset growing in my field. Woot! I don't have a ton of it right now, but I'm hoping it and the joe pyeweed spread a bit more so I feel comfortable harvesting them next year.
Speaking of, it's time to pick up a funnel so I can decant my mint extract and see how it tastes.
Speaking of, it's time to pick up a funnel so I can decant my mint extract and see how it tastes.
September 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
I just discovered I have boneset growing in my field. Woot! I don't have a ton of it right now, but I'm hoping it and the joe pyeweed spread a bit more so I feel comfortable harvesting them next year.
Speaking of, it's time to pick up a funnel so I can decant my mint extract and see how it tastes.
Speaking of, it's time to pick up a funnel so I can decant my mint extract and see how it tastes.
I got this email from Amazon last night. I've been on a friend's Prime since around 2009 when I lived with them, but they are canceling that program.
If you got this email too, this is the perfect opportunity to join the boycott and simply not give your money to Jeff Bezos.
If you got this email too, this is the perfect opportunity to join the boycott and simply not give your money to Jeff Bezos.
September 2, 2025 at 11:49 AM
I got this email from Amazon last night. I've been on a friend's Prime since around 2009 when I lived with them, but they are canceling that program.
If you got this email too, this is the perfect opportunity to join the boycott and simply not give your money to Jeff Bezos.
If you got this email too, this is the perfect opportunity to join the boycott and simply not give your money to Jeff Bezos.
I grew up raising corriedales (a different sheep breed), and I have trouble believing this breed is real, even though I know it is. Different breeds look so different, anywhere from a literal ball of wool with stubby legs sticking out, to difficult to distinguish from a goat.
August 7, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I grew up raising corriedales (a different sheep breed), and I have trouble believing this breed is real, even though I know it is. Different breeds look so different, anywhere from a literal ball of wool with stubby legs sticking out, to difficult to distinguish from a goat.
I'm finally announcing Tasx is in public beta.
Tasx is a GUI #FOSS #caldav to do (task list) application written by me in #rust for #linux. The intention is to be a fully featured standalone application good for desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
codeberg.org/multilinear/...
Tasx is a GUI #FOSS #caldav to do (task list) application written by me in #rust for #linux. The intention is to be a fully featured standalone application good for desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
codeberg.org/multilinear/...
July 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I'm finally announcing Tasx is in public beta.
Tasx is a GUI #FOSS #caldav to do (task list) application written by me in #rust for #linux. The intention is to be a fully featured standalone application good for desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
codeberg.org/multilinear/...
Tasx is a GUI #FOSS #caldav to do (task list) application written by me in #rust for #linux. The intention is to be a fully featured standalone application good for desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
codeberg.org/multilinear/...
I'm making some mint extract.
We're putting in a bridge on our driveway. Construction should start in a week or sooner. There's a bunch of mint along the side that will likely get crushed, so I figured I should harvest it.
The quart jar is packed full of mint leaves and filled with cheap vodka.
We're putting in a bridge on our driveway. Construction should start in a week or sooner. There's a bunch of mint along the side that will likely get crushed, so I figured I should harvest it.
The quart jar is packed full of mint leaves and filled with cheap vodka.
July 13, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I'm making some mint extract.
We're putting in a bridge on our driveway. Construction should start in a week or sooner. There's a bunch of mint along the side that will likely get crushed, so I figured I should harvest it.
The quart jar is packed full of mint leaves and filled with cheap vodka.
We're putting in a bridge on our driveway. Construction should start in a week or sooner. There's a bunch of mint along the side that will likely get crushed, so I figured I should harvest it.
The quart jar is packed full of mint leaves and filled with cheap vodka.
... What? The AT runs right through southern Vermont where it overlaps with the long trail for a short ways before cutting east and entering New Hampshire and the White Mountains.
Was this AI written?
Was this AI written?
July 10, 2025 at 12:19 PM
... What? The AT runs right through southern Vermont where it overlaps with the long trail for a short ways before cutting east and entering New Hampshire and the White Mountains.
Was this AI written?
Was this AI written?
Over 3% of the United States protested yesterday. We're nearing the 3.5% rule!
Also realize that the few bits of violence the news is beating you over the head with involved dozens of people out of 11 *million*. We're talking < 0.001%. This was very very peaceful.
#nokings #notrump #boycottusa
Also realize that the few bits of violence the news is beating you over the head with involved dozens of people out of 11 *million*. We're talking < 0.001%. This was very very peaceful.
#nokings #notrump #boycottusa
June 15, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Over 3% of the United States protested yesterday. We're nearing the 3.5% rule!
Also realize that the few bits of violence the news is beating you over the head with involved dozens of people out of 11 *million*. We're talking < 0.001%. This was very very peaceful.
#nokings #notrump #boycottusa
Also realize that the few bits of violence the news is beating you over the head with involved dozens of people out of 11 *million*. We're talking < 0.001%. This was very very peaceful.
#nokings #notrump #boycottusa
Finished plumbing the basement half-bath yesterday. It did not go smoothly, but it's done and everything is functional now. We might build a wall around it someday, but that day is not today.
#dyi #homeimprovement
I need to deep clean the basement now, there's concrete dust on everything.
#dyi #homeimprovement
I need to deep clean the basement now, there's concrete dust on everything.
April 25, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Finished plumbing the basement half-bath yesterday. It did not go smoothly, but it's done and everything is functional now. We might build a wall around it someday, but that day is not today.
#dyi #homeimprovement
I need to deep clean the basement now, there's concrete dust on everything.
#dyi #homeimprovement
I need to deep clean the basement now, there's concrete dust on everything.
Quick project this morning now that the ground is drying up. My 2000 Tacoma's mud guards were collapsing. I used a $20 piece of carpet runner, cut it to shape, and replaced the mud guards. We'll see how it holds up.
April 18, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Quick project this morning now that the ground is drying up. My 2000 Tacoma's mud guards were collapsing. I used a $20 piece of carpet runner, cut it to shape, and replaced the mud guards. We'll see how it holds up.
More progress on the basement bathroom. Left photo: the pipe on the left is the drain pipe, pipe on the right is the vent. Right photo: The hole to the left of that supply pipe is where the vent now comes through (I forgot to take a photo with the new vent).
April 9, 2025 at 9:15 PM
More progress on the basement bathroom. Left photo: the pipe on the left is the drain pipe, pipe on the right is the vent. Right photo: The hole to the left of that supply pipe is where the vent now comes through (I forgot to take a photo with the new vent).
We added the pipe going downwards with a rag in it today. This is the drain for an upflush toilet for our basement.
The next two days we're (hopefully) doing the vent, which will run up through the floor into the kitchen, behind the washing machine and across meeting an existing vent pipe there.
The next two days we're (hopefully) doing the vent, which will run up through the floor into the kitchen, behind the washing machine and across meeting an existing vent pipe there.
April 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
We added the pipe going downwards with a rag in it today. This is the drain for an upflush toilet for our basement.
The next two days we're (hopefully) doing the vent, which will run up through the floor into the kitchen, behind the washing machine and across meeting an existing vent pipe there.
The next two days we're (hopefully) doing the vent, which will run up through the floor into the kitchen, behind the washing machine and across meeting an existing vent pipe there.
The entire lawn is solid angry Vermonters.
April 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The entire lawn is solid angry Vermonters.
April 5, 2025 at 4:09 PM
This is the last of 15 delicata squash we got from a single volunteer plant in the compost pile last summer. I put it in a stir fry this evening in nearly April. Delicata is special because it stores all winter, but you eat the skin like summer squash.
We're drying the seeds to plant this year.
We're drying the seeds to plant this year.
March 27, 2025 at 11:20 PM
This is the last of 15 delicata squash we got from a single volunteer plant in the compost pile last summer. I put it in a stir fry this evening in nearly April. Delicata is special because it stores all winter, but you eat the skin like summer squash.
We're drying the seeds to plant this year.
We're drying the seeds to plant this year.
Photo of fisher track on my driveway. The 5 toes aren't super clear in this photo but the odd rear, front-front, rear gate pattern is. Fisher track patterns often look pretty random in practice, because their body is too long to direct register in a cross-walk.
March 27, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Photo of fisher track on my driveway. The 5 toes aren't super clear in this photo but the odd rear, front-front, rear gate pattern is. Fisher track patterns often look pretty random in practice, because their body is too long to direct register in a cross-walk.
Damnit. I used turbotax (intuit) to file my taxes :(.
It seems ebay is independent of paypal these days, that helps as they are often a substitute for amazon, and a source for stuff otherwise unfindable, like a vent deflector for my hood vent.
It seems ebay is independent of paypal these days, that helps as they are often a substitute for amazon, and a source for stuff otherwise unfindable, like a vent deflector for my hood vent.
March 25, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Damnit. I used turbotax (intuit) to file my taxes :(.
It seems ebay is independent of paypal these days, that helps as they are often a substitute for amazon, and a source for stuff otherwise unfindable, like a vent deflector for my hood vent.
It seems ebay is independent of paypal these days, that helps as they are often a substitute for amazon, and a source for stuff otherwise unfindable, like a vent deflector for my hood vent.