What’s on your mind?

[Scepticalscribe]

Just back from the farmers' market - this morning, as it happened, I had a car at my disposal, which meant that I could do a decent shop - where vegetables (onions, leeks, spinach, salad greens, aubergines (eggplant), courgettes (zucchini), peppers, chilli peppers, new potatoes, tomatoes (grown by the person who sold them to me, as was everything else), cucumbers, garlic, chives) and fruit (cherries, nectarines, apricots, strawberries, rhubarb, cooking apples), plus some free range, organic eggs, were all purchased.

As were proper (handmade) butcher's sausages, and bacon rashers (from pigs reared by the people who sold them to me), and chicken thighs (skin and bone attached, because that is where the flavour lies; again, the fowl were raised by the people who sold the chicken to me). Plus some herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley).

Olive oil was also purchased.

 

[Apple fanboy]

@DaveFromCampbelltown had any snow? I saw you had a bit your way. Careful with the brakes. Use them sparingly.

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

@DaveFromCampbelltown had any snow? I saw you had a bit your way. Careful with the brakes. Use them sparingly.

No, the snow was in the Northern Tablelands, about 500 km away. We did get a couple of 0C mornings with a light frost a week ago.

 

[JackAHyde]

I had no idea so many people were trying to replace Spotify, but this is an interesting insight, especially at a time like this where I'm trying to stream music from a personal Jellyfin server.

 

[rm5]

About 90% of my music is local files on a hard drive. Best way to have music is to actually own it. It also feels a lot more personal, too. I give my music folder to people I know well (if they want it), on the condition they don't give it to anyone else.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Just got back from camping in the mountains. Highlights: campfires, knocking down dead trees, nature watching, sharing wilderness with my kids. Downside? I forgot socks & my usual sleeping hoodie and I was completely unprepared for 35-38F nights with rain. It was COLD. I was not expecting those temperatures, week one of August. Granted I was at 9500Ft elevation but during the day it was tshirt and shorts & hiking sandal weather. Once the sun went down, the temperature plummeted and my summer tent was not the best choice. Should've brought the winter tent lol .. in August.

 

[rm5]

Haven't been camping in years. To be honest, it's not my favorite thing. I love a nice day hike, but it gets a little tiring after a couple days out in the wilderness.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

No, camping is not my favourite thing.

Personally, I'm a passionate devotee of the manifold delights and joys of modern plumbing, something that is rarely possible when busily communing with nature.

Moreover, I cannot conceive of contemplating a gentle stroll, - let alone undertaking a hike of any description - without wearing socks; quite apart from the fact that I have suffered from cold feet (literally, not metaphorically) all of my life, there is also the minor matter of blisters......

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

No, camping is not my favourite thing.

Personally, I'm a passionate devotee of the manifold delights and joys of modern plumbing, something that is rarely possible when busily communing with nature.

However, I cannot conceive of contemplating a gentle stroll, - let alone undertaking a hike of any description - without wearing socks; quite apart from the fact that I have suffered from cold feet (literally, not metaphorically) all of my life, there is also the minor matter of blisters......

There are also a myriad of tiny, bitey things, plants that attack you in various ways, water that drips down the back of your neck, uneven ground that is seeking to twist your ankles (or worse), and lots of things with teeth that are trying to bite you to either make you go away, or to see what you taste like.

As a trained biologist that has spent much time in the wild, I am firmly of the opinion that that's where it should stay, in the wild...

 

[KaliYoni]

chicken thighs

Glad to see there's another dark meat-eater here! I always get depressed whenever I see huge trays of "all white meat chicken breast" at the supermarket or when a restaurant's fried chicken offerings are all based on breast.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Glad to see there's another dark meat-eater here! I always get depressed whenever I see huge trays of "all white meat chicken breast" at the supermarket or when a restaurant's fried chicken offerings are all based on breast.

A heartfelt and passionate amen to this.

Well said.

My feelings are similar when I lay eyes on these depressing trays.

Personally, I deeply dislike (almost detest) chicken breast - a dry, tasteless meat, even when you leave the skin on when cooking it.

If offered a choice, I will always opt for chicken thighs - the meat has a lot more flavour and is considerably more moist - than are chicken breasts.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

There are also a myriad of tiny, bitey things, plants that attack you in various ways, water that drips down the back of your neck, uneven ground that is seeking to twist your ankles (or worse), and lots of things with teeth that are trying to bite you to either make you go away, or to see what you taste like.

As a trained biologist that has spent much time in the wild, I am firmly of the opinion that that's where it should stay, in the wild...

Again, a heartfelt and passionate amen to this.

Actually, I have long suspected an element of masochism in those who claim to like camping; and, of those who do, I suspect that they are mostly men - very few women will express a preference for such activities, not least as they come with all of the drawbacks of standard domestic drudgery plus several extra added, without any elements to redeem the experience.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Here my aching hip is on my mind. Especially when I walk. It feels better than this morning, so I’ll try and move around a bit at lunch.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Camping isn’t for everyone that is for sure but is typically more fun to those who grew up doing it so know how. That definitely helps. Obviously you need to be smart about your kit and how you set up.

But yeah no way around the lack of running water and bitey things and doing your business with a shovel.

Luckily kids seem to be purpose built for the task. I have yet to see a kid not enjoy themselves

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Here my aching hip is on my mind. Especially when I walk. It feels better than this morning, so I’ll try and move around a bit at lunch.

Wince.

Sounds painful.

What brought this about?

Anyway, the very best of luck with it and hope that it improves soon.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Camping isn’t for everyone that is for sure but is typically more fun to those who grew up doing it so know how. That definitely helps. Obviously you need to be smart about your kit and how you set up.

But yeah no way around the lack of running water and bitey things and doing your business with a shovel.

Luckily kids seem to be purpose built for the task. I have yet to see a kid not enjoy themselves

Does what you refer to as "kids" in this context include girls who have enjoyed the experience of camping?

I mention this because male plumbing seems a bit more easily adapted - even as a child - to dealing with some of the delights of the outdoors than is what some of us have been born with.

 

[mtbdudex]

From the USA national archives , our visit Sunday 8/3/2025

 

[mtbdudex]

There are also a myriad of tiny, bitey things, plants that attack you in various ways, water that drips down the back of your neck, uneven ground that is seeking to twist your ankles (or worse), and lots of things with teeth that are trying to bite you to either make you go away, or to see what you taste like.

As a trained biologist that has spent much time in the wild, I am firmly of the opinion that that's where it should stay, in the wild...

One thought is humanity is a failed bioengineering experiment… look at all the others species that inhabit earth .. we alone need shelter, coverings, etc.
Why is that?

 

[Apple fanboy]

Wince.

Sounds painful.

What brought this about?

Anyway, the very best of luck with it and hope that it improves soon.

Literally no idea. I was fine yesterday. A bit better than this morning.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Does what you refer to as "kids" in this context include girls who have enjoyed the experience of camping?

I mention this because male plumbing seems a bit more easily adapted - even as a child - to dealing with some of the delights of the outdoors than is what some of us have been born with.

Not a camping fan either. But these days ladies just take a shewee!

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

From the USA national archives , our visit Sunday 8/3/2025

This would make a fantastic tattoo.


Or Tshirt

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Does what you refer to as "kids" in this context include girls who have enjoyed the experience of camping?

I mention this because male plumbing seems a bit more easily adapted - even as a child - to dealing with some of the delights of the outdoors than is what some of us have been born with.

I totally get it - all boys. My wife likes to camp but she grew up in a hunting family, out scouting for elk, mule deer, grouse etc. so is very good at it. We have had many a candid conversation about the different needs of men and women (boys & girls) when out in back country.

Usually this translates to: must have pit/vault toilet access or foldable toilet option, if out for more than three days, access to running potable water and a shower & if it’s that time, the above or we don’t go and I’m ok with that.

We’re not playing a game of mountain man. We’re providing a solid foundation of respect to our kids for what it really is like in nature. A perfect lesson for why we as a species have developed the societies and technologies we have developed. A couple nights in the frigid, wet 30s F and you develop a visceral appreciation and understanding of how nice insulation is and central heat and a sealed home and refrigerated food lol.

I mean one can bounce through life ignorant to this visceral reality … or ignore it by staying within the confines of their developed community. I choose to provide my kids with that visceral, “ I just froze my nuts off” experience, they have a great time doing it and are smarter for it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I totally get it - all boys. My wife likes to camp but she grew up in a hunting family, out scouting for elk, mule deer, grouse etc. so is very good at it.

Fair enough.

We have had many a candid conversation about the different needs of men and women (boys & girls) when out in back country.

Usually this translates to: must have pit/vault toilet access or foldable toilet option, if out for more than three days, access to running potable water and a shower & if it’s that time, the above or we don’t go and I’m ok with that.

Completely relate to your wife's position, or stance, on this.

We’re not playing a game of mountain man. We’re providing a solid foundation of respect to our kids for what it really is like in nature. A perfect lesson for why we as a species have developed the societies and technologies we have developed. A couple nights in the frigid, wet 30s F and you develop a visceral appreciation and understanding of how nice insulation is and central heat and a sealed home and refrigerated food lol.

I mean one can bounce through life ignorant to this visceral reality … or ignore it by staying within the confines of their developed community. I choose to provide my kids with that visceral, “ I just froze my nuts off” experience, they have a great time doing it and are smarter for it.

In my case, I have worked in war zones, (or, places, countries, regions, that had been war zones) in three continents, - worlds where once there were many (if not all) of the comforts and conveniences we all too often take for granted, comforts and conveniences that the conditions of war have damaged, if not destroyed - thus, I do understand the need to teach that the security and safety of the lives we live and lead are not necessarily permanent, or may not be shared by others elsewhere, and that just as we evolve and progress, so, too, can we regress.

However, in my free time, I do like, greatly appreciate, in fact, - and derive serious pleasure from - the comforts that urban civilisation has bequeathed and bestowed upon us.

Nevertheless, one of the key lessons I learned from my time abroad was to remember to take the time to take actual pleasure from the small, quotidian, everyday things of life.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Spent the best part of an hour and a half chatting with Decent Brother; very enjoyable.

 

[Clix Pix]

The closest I have come to camping is back a few years ago spending couple of nights in the RV that friends owned and that we traveled in to attend a group event in another state. It was kind of fun and interesting, and certainly better than being outdoors in a tent in the middle of the woods somewhere. My family was too "citified," too urban, too suburban, I think, even though my father had been brought up on a farm and probably would've enjoyed camping, felt right at home in the woods and natural environment.

When I was a child, my mother was adamant: no camping! When she traveled she wanted all the comforts of civilization and that included staying in hotels and eating in restaurants. For her going camping was abhorrent and as she said, what kind of vacation would that be for HER? My dad more than likely would have enjoyed it and I probably would've too, but she would have been stuck doing a lot of the tasks including of course dealing with meals and all that as well. Not too many restaurants in the middle of the wooded wilderness....