Darren8306

When others talk to me about leather, often they are asking about upholstring. Skidoos, boats and even some furniture have all been subjects of interest. Our local upholsterer moved his business away too, so maybe I'm hearing about it more than you would. In any case welcome, and I hope you not only find something particular and satisfying, but that you share it here.

I think you are all unexpectedly getting what we up north get lots of. If you have a vehicle breakdown, one guideline in the north is that you start a fire first, make repairs second. This is often not a concern in warmer areas, but it's a lot easier to stay warm, than it is to get warm. Be well, everyone. Help neighbours. All that warm stuff.

Weird. My parents said they found me in a cabbage patch, in the prairies, near a wrecked airstream with Wyoming plates. They gave me some clothes, and here we are.

Well NOW I want to drag our camper trailer down there for a looksee

thanks! I can't think of any suitable for sharing here, but I'm following with interest.

Guys, please keep your 'fruit loops' to yourselves. Even with that fun name, I would shrink away. I'm not using mine as much these days, but I still like them, and wish to keep them.

bison bison athabascae, at least as far as my information provides. There is some doubt among biologists, because some think they are not distinct from bison bison bison, only that their environment causes the increased mane and neck size, but I'm not biologist enough to come down on one side or the other. The Mackenzie herd is sometimes billed as 'the largest disease-free herd, of bison. This refers to bovine brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis, and looks true enough from here. Anthrax, however, killed off a third of the herd a few years ago. Maybe actually happened twice in my 25 years here. In the southern end of NWT, there is a 'bison control area', where people are asked to report sightings, to keep those diseases away. My understanding from several years ago, was that anyone could shoot (and report) bison in that area, and even keep the meat. No hunting license required, only communication and reporting to the gov't. Of course, check current rules before rushing up here to hunt them. Oh, and location of that area makes it so expensive to hunt there, that you are far better off starting your own bison farm. Well, maybe slightly less expensive than that. Several years ago, my sweetheart and I went to hunt these, and stayed at 'Lake 690 Camp'. If you can't find it, no worries. It was in the middle of nowhere

I've gotten quite close, but I use a long lens to close the last bit of distance. And often use a steel armor made by Ford. oops - meant to add - these are from the Mackenzie herd. I get to drive by every time I go south.

...and PLEASE don't add the CCP's '9 dash line' lol

The young man who was trying to beat me, did so. Hard. His first attempt at that strava mile, he was 30 seconds slower than me. Now, he has reached almost 2 minutes faster than me. For the non-runners out there, that means I'll have to cut a BUNCH of weight, or make my legs a decade or three younger...not sure which approach makes most sense to me yet. Seriously though, I couldn't be happier. Watched the kid grow up next door, and take up athletics in his late 20s. Started running because I hectored him into it. I don't have a lot of hope, but I mean to go try it later today, and if it's warm enough, I'll drop a layer before starting it. Wish me luck! (pic is my little Ethyl, looking at the start/finish line on Range Lake)

When I was a kid, we had a family celebration for my first communion. Mom served rappie pie to everyone, which is a traditional Acadian dish requiring a huge prep and beloved by all the attending family. I was upset, and remember insisting that it was MY first communion, and we should be able to have hot dogs instead!

I make the cheapest chicken dogs ever, with teeny wraps as buns, and tell everyone they are called 'glizzies'. One day, a friend will go to Illinois and unwittingly start a riot.

Happy New Year! Anyone coming for an icy run today?

Haven't tried kangaroo hides before. Does anyone know what kind of friction it would add, to try to get these from north of the border? And what the HECK do I make with a kangaroo hide of ANY colour ? Thanks for thinking of us here, @Ferg I hope you can easily find new homes for the items you want to clear out.

Coffee is dripping, kettle is boiling, my dog is enjoying her Christmas breakfast, and I'm just waiting for my sweetheart to get up. Merry Christmas!