My Teva's and a $10 shed

Our well-house had been caving in long before we bought the place two years ago. Built of 1/8th inch plywood and no ventilation, it rotted from the inside out. It also wasn't insulated at all, so every year a handyman was called out in the wee hours of the morning to fix frozen and busted pipes, billing us about $50 each time (split with the neighbor who shares the well with us).

Well, over the last year, I've been collecting scrap lumber from new construction sights. Throw-aways too warped to use for those $300,000 houses, and the scraps from trimming the good ones to size. I bought a couple vents to air it out in the summer, and used 2x4s for the framework with 2x6s, 2x8s, etc for the walls. Some free leftover paint and the remaining metal roofing from my mother's place completed the job. I used recycled nails, screws, hinges, and the old handle, keeping the job down to about ten dollars (from the vents and a few new screws for anchoring). As I was walking away on the second-to-last day of the project, one of my sandals fell apart while walking up the hill. Darnutt. My 6'x8' shed that would probably cost over $800 for a kit, now ran me a grand total of $50.

just chillin' with my best friend

We're not big fans of the whole materialistic hoopla of the holiday season. Working in the retail business for the last 12 years has brought loathing and dread. People are exceptionally rude during the holidays. Very rude. That's why I'm posting this picture. Reminds me of the best life has to offer...just chillin' with my Becca.

Peace to you this holiday season.

Too good to be true

This here's Sam's Irish Stout.

For the life of me, I couldn't find a use for a bottle of Miller Lite, but Sam could (Don't know if he dumped it out or drank it). This is a bottle of his own home brew he passed on to me several weeks back. A gift that big takes a special occasion to break out. I couldn't wait. Sam, if you're out there, this is the best beer I have ever drank. Fits perfectly with my homemade 10 bean-fat back soup for the end of cool December day. Cheers!

bluebirds

Down below our home on the ridge, a creek runs through the valley and joins Wolftever Creek on its way out to Harrison Bay and the Tennessee River. I haven't once thought of a birdbath since the little creek runs year-round. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to put out one with pebbles in it, out on the deck near the feeders. Within 3 days, the bluebirds discovered it. Now, when they're resting from feeding on the orange fruits of the bittersweet vine, they all perch on my deck railing and gutters, and guzzle from the new birdbath. I've seen nine at a time on the bath and railing--only 5-10ft from my window.