I was out well before dawn clearing the driveway in the dark with the snowblower (which we’ve named Sparkles). It was -20 F but a good time to get it done because we were forecast to cool off a bit from just Crisp to Seriously Crisp and perhaps even Crisp Unto Brittle. In looking at the temperature now (-37 F), it was a good call. We’ve been sliding downwards all day, and we’ve now reached the point of “This is a test of the Emergency Long Underwear System.”
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Monthly Archives: January 2017
Yes, I am Feeling Write at Home
We’ve had a good run of snow over the past few days, despite temperatures in the -15 to -25 F range. Even living here, you kind of forget how much more difficult outdoor work is at those temperatures. Keeps thing vigorous.
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Revisiting the Home Electrocution Handbook
(Shed a Little Light)
A couple of years ago I was splitting wood when somehow I twanged something hard in my left arm. I’m still not sure what I did, but it was painful and it got worse before it got better. It was spring, though, so there was plenty of time to heal it up before I needed it for splitting wood again.
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Watch List: Oppose Appointees: 2. Take Your Pick
Heard about the incoming president who chooses the fox to guard the henhouse? Who’s filling the swamp with creatures from the Black Lagoon? Yeah. Me, too. I hate it when real life becomes a bad movie.
We’re in a very busy time in Washington, D.C., with a lot of cabinet appointees up for hearings now and in the coming weeks. Your voice is being heard in Washington! So keep on calling on the issues that concern you. We’ve seen the House pull back on eliminating the Office of Congressional Ethics, we’ve seen the hearings delayed for four incompletely vetted nominees, and Senator Murkowski has joined with several other Republicans to request a delay of the ACA repeal. There will be more. Keep watch, and call your representatives on things that you think they should oppose (or support). Here is a good guide to effectively doing this (I also follow Emily Ellsworth on Twitter). Derek Nelson at re:act is also good. re:act puts out a weekly list that is proving helpful. Here is the current one.
I am calling and hope you will, too. I’ve had some good conversations with congressional staffers.
Contact information for your senators is here. The phone calls are quick and easy when you have a few talking points (you can email, too, but it may not be as effective). I can’t keep up with the list of nominees, but I can point you some places to where to learn more.
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Watch List: Health Care 2. Affordable Care Act
This week is a big one in Washington, D.C. The Republican majority is going to try to ram through a bunch of things quickly in hopes that we don’t have time to assess and react. Keep watch, and call your representatives on things that you think they should oppose (or support). Here is a good guide to effectively doing this (I also follow Emily Ellsworth on Twitter): I am calling and hope you will, too. I’ve had some good conversations with congressional staffers. Contact information for your House representative is here and for your senators is here. The phone calls are quick and easy when you have a few talking points (you can email, too, but it may not be as effective). Here are some thoughts about the Affordable Care Act:
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