2013 Year End Wrap Up

I’m sure a few of you are wondering what’s happening with me Scurvy Dog’s Blog. Let me explain…

First, the Blog has grown so big, its database has become extremely bloated. So much so that I run the high risk of losing some content to data corruption. All these posts with tons of photos takes its toll on data management. If and when the database becomes corrupted, I will not be able to restore it completely, if at all. Yes, I do database back-ups, but even that is not a perfect solution. Nor does it protect the thousands of images on the site. The ‘back-up files’ exceed my allowed limit for my hosting service account. Taking older posts off-line and archiving the content is one solution, but it would make searches take longer than they do now. Some images would no longer be available. Me Internet savvy First Mate has setup our own private hosting account so as to have more control over website hosting issues. Now, all our assorted sites reside in one convenient place.

That’s a good thing.

Second, I have a degenerative congenital condition of both ankles that until recently, was only ever a minor inconvenience. Back in the day, I used to backpack and cross-country ski so it never got in the way. Fast forward to my late 40’s, I got to where I could not stand on my feet all day to work. Simple solution- stop standing all day. Then in my late 50’s, I had to start limiting myself to a few hours of standing with a nice fat break tossed in. Still OK… Unfortunately, in the last couple of months, I have come to the point where I can only stand for about 15 minutes at a time and that’s only if I slug some pain killers. I hate doing that. Too much Ibuprofen is not good. I am seeing a specialist about my ankles, but the prognosis is still kind of grim.

Fortunately, as soon as I sit down, the pain goes away.

Many, many people put up with debilitating, chronic pain. It’s hard to ‘get that’ until it happens to you. Like a messed-up lower back or chronic Migraine headaches. I only share this as an explanation for the delay in writing. Not being able to get around has put a real crunch on some activities. I’ve had to rethink my plans and how to work around the ankle issue.

Tonka Toy Time

Since my last garden post, we acquired a well used Thomas ‘Bobcat’ loader. Once I replace the seat plate, seat and seatbelt, I’ll be using it to set a few paths around the property. Then I’ll be able to cover more of the ‘farm’ from a 4 wheeler or 4 track as they are called here. I figure it will take me a year or two to get the work done since I’m not under any time constraints. I might even be able to set a path across the hoya to the rest of the property. I’ll also be making a few benches and spreading them around.

So now you know. There will be more posts from the road, less tromping through the brush and scramble. I’ll be mounting my new ‘ActionCam’ to the Bobcat for a view of the ‘damage’ I do. Photos and a vids will follow.

I have a long list of potential posts and many more Puerto Rican towns to visit. I won’t stop ’til I’ve seen them all. Not too many people can say that. Most of the stories I’ve done did not require a bunch of walking. For the rest, I plan to score a ‘Walkstool’. A very light weight, but sturdy folding stool made popular by sideline sports photographers.

Puerto Rico is just as exciting to me as the day I first set foot here, 4 years ago. I may never see it all, but it won’t stop me from trying.

A garden update will follow between Christmas and New Years.

To that end, Merry Christmas one and all! May your New Year be filled with many great adventures! ARRG!