Becky Sue Has Skin in the Game

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How about ending this week with nothing remotely connected to personal finance? I think that’s a capital idea. So let’s begin.

Goodbye Mitzi

I’m happy to report that our first animal-fostering experience turned out to be a smashing success. We survived Mitzi with only minimal damage to Groovy Ranch. And considering that we received Mitzi during the bleeding stage of her heat cycle, and considering that Mitzi had a skin ailment that required daily medication and twice-a-week bathing, and considering that Mitzi wasn’t 100 percent house-broken, that’s quite an achievement.

But most important, Mitzi survived us and was adopted by a wonderful family. Kim arrived one sunny afternoon with her teen daughters Olivia and Grace, and all three of them fell immediately in love with Mitzi. And if the pictures that Kim recently sent to us are any indication, it looks like Mitzi has fallen in love too.

Goodbye Mr. Turkey Vulture

A couple of weeks ago, Mrs. Groovy and I ventured out of our house to walk Mitzi and to our shock, we discovered that a turkey vulture had taken up residence in our back yard. Yep, a poor turkey vulture injured its wing and was unable to fly. We called Animal Control and a couple of bird-rescue outfits but were unable to secure any help. Apparently, no one really cares about injured buzzards. Injured hawks and eagles, yes. Buzzards, no. Anyway, our poor turkey vulture hung around for a few days and then disappeared. I guess nature took its course.

Goodbye Mailbox

The other day while I was peacefully tending to Becky Sue’s rebar scaffolding, I heard a loud boom by the roadside in front of our house. So I put down my welder, removed my welding helmet, and exited my garage. And sure enough, I peered out toward the roadside and immediately recognized that our mailbox was missing. Some distracted driver veered off the road and kissed our mailbox with his or her front bumper. Here’s a picture of the gathered remnants of our once-proud mailbox.

Well, I wasn’t particularly in the mood for a 26-mile trip to Lowe’s, but homeownership is a stern taskmaster. Here’s a picture of our new mailbox post sitting in some freshly poured concrete.

Hello DIY Free Weights

If I’m going to achieve my fitness goals for the upcoming year (see here for the details), weighted pull-ups need to become my dear friend.  The only problem is that thanks to Coronavirus and the home-gym craze, free weights are in short supply. And if you do find a retailer or a Craiglister with free weights available, you’re going to pay a premium for them. No one is parting with circular chunks of forged metal these days easily.

So rather than curse the damage the Coronavirus has done to the free-weight supply chain, I decided to take the scrap rebar from the bison build and weld it into a half-ass representation of a free-weight plate. Check out my creation. It’s a two-layer circle of rebar that’s 14 inches in diameter and weighs 37.2 lbs.

Hello Skin Phase of the Great Bison Build

Finally! The scaffolding phase of the great bison build is complete. Now comes the task of adorning the scaffolding with metal skin and metal fur. How long will this phase last? Can’t say for sure, but I’m assuming I’ll have it done by next spring. All I know is that the skin phase of the build has begun and I’m starting with Becky Sue’s beautiful face. Check it out.

Final Thoughts

Okay, groovy freedomist, that’s all I got. Have a great weekend. Peace.