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One of the nice things about living out in the schtix is the fact that even when you have neighbors, the tend to be far enough away that they don’t mind (read: can’t hear) when you play Digital Underground REALLY LOUD. Some of you are no doubt saying, “Ben, who is this Digital Underground that you speak of?” To those people, I say, click here. There are also some of you saying, “Ben, what kind of country squire are you that you are listening to Digital Underground?” To those people, I say, click here.

I’ve been doing a lot of mindless data entry lately – hey, it happens. Even here in Rural America. Deal with it. – so I’ve been playing lots of really loud music to keep me going. I have to say that as I type, I am playing music so loud that if I lived in an apartment, condo, or a thin walled close neighbored old Victorian in Chicago, I better invite the neighbors over for the party or wear headphones. That is one of the many cool things about the country. Sure, I’m not listening to Alan Jackson or whoever just won American Idol, but NO ONE CARES! Well, I mean, if I drove through town in my beat up old GMC pickup truck playing “Freaks of the Industry” or the New Orleans Klezmer All Stars loud enough to rattle the barber shop windows I’d get a few stares, but not at home. A man’s home is his castle. Especially when his castle is far away enough from your own that he can play House of Pain’s Jump Around so loud that the barn cats are running for cover.

So next time you think that country folk are intolerant or square, just remember, that you can’t be intolerant of stuff you can’t hear or see!

I was feeling pretty smug about all the wood I have stacked. Then I started noticing how fast I am using it. Crap. After our little blizzard yesterday, its a little late to go out and cut more in the woods, too. Time to call Tim Green, the wood guy.

On a side note: mix the green wood with the seasoned wood. My Hardy wood furnace will burn most anything, but wet wood tends to burn in the center and not fall down onto the grate, where the blower will fan the flames. Thus, after awhile, the fire temperature goes way down. I learned this previously, but forgot to take the lesson to heart and ended up crawling around on my stomach in the snow clearing the ash grate and blower and then rearranging all the wood. It was still burning, but when the wind chill is -3, it’s good to make sure that the water is at full temp (180 degrees)!

There you go! Another pearl of wisdom from your country cousin. You can feel all smug riding METRA into work this morning now.