Well, I guess we are officially in the tail-end of fall…went out to start the truck this morning and there was a bit of snow in the air. So, time to drop the Cold Weather Module back into the bag of tricks.
I’ve mentioned the Cold Weather Module before but I don’t think I’ve ever done a post about it. Succinctly, its a collection of cold weather accoutrements to keep me warm if I get caught out in the cold weather….gloves, liners, scarf, hat, thermal undershirt, etc.
Its purpose is so that if me, or anyone with me, winds up getting caught a bit unprepared by a sudden weather change….there are options. Of course, I also keep a winter jacket, socks, gloves, hat, etc in the vehicle. Freezing to death is a peaceful way to die, almost freezing to death, however, is a horrible way to live.
And, I suppose, this means its also time to throw the shovel and sandbags back into the truck.
Sadly, snow season means its also likely end-of-property-hunting season since what passes for roads in those places are going to be even more of a challenge.
Personally, fall is my favorite time of year. Cool days, cold nights, the satisfaction of being warm and comfy when the wind is howling, that sort of thing.
In other matters, someone sent me a couple USB drives in the mail that were full of all sortsa cool fiction and sci-fi books…including Ing, Heinlein, Ahern, and a few other stalwarts in the genre. I wish I had time to read the way I used to, but being digital I can always slap these onto my phone for viewing when Im stuck in line somewhere or such. Big thanks to the thoughtful reader who sent those.
I was just updating one of my truck bags with an Trangia alcohol stove, got some Everclear to use as fuel because it’s non-toxic and can be used to clean wounds or get drunk. Ran across some neoprene duck hunting type gloves I used out on the powerlines, excellent for wet and cold conditions.
For the vehicles, I like the 12 volt plug-in thermos that boils water in about 90 seconds. Throw in some styrofoam cup-o-soup/ramen with small cans of chicken or beef to put in them and you could dine well for a week or more. Also, the single serve instant coffee in Mylar pouches are terrific.
BTW, ramen beyond the expiration date is awful.
Best part of my winter module is decent quality snow tires.
Wore my Filson Mackinaw Cruiser yesterday-first time this season!
Yes Berglander we saw it on your insta post
fyi cool jackets begin and end at Paul Harrell.
All kidding aside, for the money filson charges ($200for a hoodie) for their product you think they would not have to offshore 80% of it. Private equity raping another heritage brand. Enshittification strikes again.
Which is why I buy the old used ones at thrift stores and eBay…$300 for barely-used, tough and iconic American wool coat is well worth it for the work I do. Which is outside, year-round, in all weathers. Quality clothing is something I can’t afford to not have.
just picked up a Filson 100% wool vest from shopgoodwill.com for $80, nice!
Fall is my favorite time of year also. Seems like we went from fall to winter in about two weeks this year. Maybe we’ll get an “Indian fall” this year. First snow on our mountains last night.
“Minutes trudge, Hours run, Years fly, Decades stun.
Spring Seduces, Summer thrills, Autumn sates, Winter kills.”
2025 shot by like a flash. Cannot believe we are already looking at the 2026 beginning soon. The years flip by faster as we age – how do we slow this down ?
Hi!
There is an old saying you might not have heard –
“Life is like a toilet roll – the closer you get to the end, the faster it seems to go!”
Ceejay
Mathematically, that would be true. As the diameter of the roll decreases, each complete turn of the roll offers less surface area and thus less paper. But…you knew that.
I did indeed!
Even truth can have a “Fun” value…
When I was still practicing clinical medicine I’d always have medical journals with me in case I found a minute or two for reading – paper at first of course, then digital
Now, I have all the time I missed reading for fun on my phone, kindle, laptop… it’s GREAT!
Thanks for the reminder. I believe it was you (CZ) who also suggested slip over ice cleats that I now keep in my winter bag. Those have saved me from falling on my bunch at least a dozen times. It’s only getting into the low 50’s in my economic collapse zone, but soon will need the winter kit added to the jeep.
Envious of the thumb drive. I’ve tried to put a bunch into PDF on something similar to read. I need to get back to reading, it was so much more calming than the constant doom and gloom of today’s Facebook and youtube channels. I really do miss the old newsgroups where people like Tired Old Man, Flea Taxi, Jerry D Young posted stories on Timebomb2k, Frugal Squirrels, ARFCom. Might even start writing again, seems the half dozen I wrote back then received good reviews.
If you have a library card, Hoopla app is free and gives you X free ebook and audio book downloads each month. X depends on your library. I use my allotment of 20 fully each month.
Have been to the north of the Arrowhead in Minnesota,saw frost but no white fluffy yet. Going south was almost tropical. Wearing shorts and t-shirt gets looks in the 50’s some places
Amen I miss those guys too. I have started rereading a lot of the old stuff. I even pulled out my Survival guide collection out of storage.