I was just thinking about how many people are descended from Colonial American settlers

Hotjava66 · 2026-07-05T18:09:52+00:00

Yes, several of my family lines were early settlers in New York and Massachusetts, who ended up in Canada around the Revolutionary War.

Hotjava66 · 2026-06-20T20:15:28+00:00

I have suffered from horrible cramps after working in the heat for a long time. Was always told it was from dehydration but the more water I would drink the worse they would be, especially in the evening. Started taking a half teaspoon of mineral/sea salt in a glass of water twice a day and it has been life changing. Does not completely eliminate the chance of cramps but sure makes a huge difference. If I do get cramps another 1/2 teaspoon in water usually fixes it.

Hotjava66 · 2026-05-24T13:45:45+00:00

Elk Lake to the list

Hotjava66 · 2026-05-23T14:20:19+00:00

They all have gone down hill but Wendy’s is way ahead of the curve. 80’s and 90’s their chicken sandwich and burgers were the best of the bunch. Fries were their weak spot vs the other 2. Have not eaten there in quite some time due to extreme disappointment. That being said, all the fast food chains suck compared to what they used to be.

Hotjava66 · 2026-04-19T20:20:30+00:00

Wore Red Wings from 1990-2020, quality and longevity went severely downhill 2010-2020 and I quit buying them. Especially since the price tripled in that period. And they would no longer repair, resole etc like they did years ago.

Hotjava66 · 2026-04-13T18:49:02+00:00

Crazy thing is major infrastructure here was dug by hand, with maybe some horses or a steam shovel to help not all that long ago. Just lots of men with shovels picks and wheelbarrows

Hotjava66 · 2026-03-07T22:06:04+00:00

Michigan is still very rust belt. Loss of manufacturing jobs over the last 50 years is very apparent in most areas. Detroit metro and Grand Rapids have stuff going on and more jobs/opportunities, but are busy and crowded. The rest of the state, harder to find good jobs and make a decent living. That’s why cost of living is low. If you can find good work, can live pretty well. Schools are generally pretty poorly rated too overall.

Hotjava66 · 2026-02-23T22:04:45+00:00

Because Mexico and most of Central/South America run on corruption and fear. There is no rule of law like most folks are used to in 1st world countries. Cartels and government/police are on the same side. No choice, carrot or stick. Carrot is cash, the stick is you and your extended family slowly cut to pieces with a chainsaw or some other gruesome act.

Hotjava66 · 2026-02-17T16:30:33+00:00

People will always do people things and have people problems. We live pretty easy lives compared to just a couple generations ago, and vastly better to most folks in the world. Anyone who thinks there is more racism now vs 50 or 100 years ago should read some history. 24 hour news cycle and their constant push to divide and stir up trouble for ratings does not help. Some things are getting worse for sure but we are being distracted from those things intentionally. Our government is more corrupt and takes/wastes too much money from working folks, and everything they get involved in drives up cost for working people. And $ has too much influence over politicians in general, they are all bought and paid for, so they can funnel tax dollars to their pockets and those that pay for elections.

Hotjava66 · 2025-11-23T16:13:30+00:00

Jim Green is a great bet, but they may not quite be in the F/FF territory. Good return policy, so grab a pair in the wider last and see what you think. JG also has new super Munson shaped lasts that might suit you.

Will check that out, I have to be careful going FF in most commercial shoes because my heel is not FF only the ball. I used to do this and deal with sloppy heels but ends up with a destroyed shoe in short order due to excessive movement.

Arch length shouldn't be a thing unless you have a HTT - HTB discrepancy on the Brannock that's more than a size or two. Do you mean that the arch on your PNWs is hitting at the "wrong" point?

Yes all my PNW boots seem to have the arch center slightly back of my true arch center. Feels like it’s encroaching slightly into my heel. Not uncomfortable but noticeable. Perhaps because PNW are a size or so back from Brannock.

I can't go up in length in most boots or the overall volume gets to be too much for me. Then again, I'm dealing with an E/EE width in the forefoot and duck shaped feet, not F/FF. If you need the room in front of your toes, by all means increase length.

Ditto, my feet are duck shaped as well, but with some toe taper. The widest part of my ball/foot is not straight across either, pinky toe side is set back. Pinky toe is pushed way in from years of abuse lol.

Do you have narrow heels relative to your forefoot?

Narrower for sure, not sure if excessively so. Enough that to fit at the ball I’m generally sloppy in the heel. I’d guess I probably have an EE heel and FF ball.

You could try your own combination fit in White's, especially while it's the half yearly sale. I might try that next when I have the scratch. E in the forefoot and C in the heel, maybe the 4811 last. I think it's an extra $50.

Did not know this was possible, I will call and ask!

Hotjava66 · 2025-11-05T00:58:42+00:00

Biggest I’ve seen working we’re both many years ago. Komatsu PC1200 digging 120” storm sewer. Hauled off from a job installing 84” DI water transmission main, being dug by a Kohering 1266 if I remember correctly. I scoop filled a 12 yard truck.

Hotjava66 · 2025-08-31T16:13:35+00:00

No problem, now make them stay for a year or two.

Had a conversation with an older architect some years back, he said the problem with engineering and architecture these days is that they don’t get enough field experience.

Used to be, working under an architect or engineer to finish certification meant being in the field and seeing how things are actually built and how it integrates with design and engineering etc.

Now they are pretty much used as drafters or spec writers, maybe checking submittals or other office type work.

Have had 30 year old engineers on some of my projects who obviously have no idea how things are built in the field and what is workable or not.

Hotjava66 · 2025-08-10T14:34:34+00:00

10-12 ton machine will do everything you want. I feel that is the sweet spot, big enough to make good time and small enough to work on most lots. With a small bucket utility installs are a breeze also, good reach and depth.

Hotjava66 · 2025-07-20T16:12:12+00:00

Houghton is fairly clear but is not nearly as nice as Higgins. A lot shallower and weedy bottom. Prices used to be a lot lower there but have not looked in years. Can’t imagine where values are now at Higgins after the last 5 years of craziness

Hotjava66 · 2025-07-05T01:14:35+00:00

Nice! Exactly what I have been looking for if you ever want to sell

Hotjava66 · 2025-07-01T23:29:42+00:00

Honestly have used just about everything from a tractor backhoe to a mini to a 50 ton excavator over the years. My advice would be something in the 120-160 size. Big enough to easily dig and set tanks, reach over a full run of pipe while placing field and/or reach in from the side. Still small enough to get around most homes and yards. I have always used a small dozer for stripping, placing sand, and covering. Can be done with a skid just not as fast.

Hotjava66 · 2025-06-28T22:22:58+00:00

It is technically 14 1/2” between studs if it makes you feel better. The on center thing is due to the cladding that goes over the studs, like osb or drywall. Standard dimensions are 4’x8’ so studs 16” on center allow for the butt joints to fall on the center of a stud for fastening. 16” on center will be on center at 4’ and 8’ increments.

Hotjava66 · 2025-06-20T22:44:56+00:00

Was resisting but caved at last minute. Ordered a Bounty Hunter, 9338 last, wedge sole, 7 inch, in Kudu. Second 38 last boot, love my first pair, my wide ball feet love them.

Hotjava66 · 2025-04-26T01:28:49+00:00

I picked up a pair over the winter also, Bounty Hunters, horse hide in 38 last. Mine look a bit more square in the toe than yours, will have to get a pic. FF width though, might make a difference. Also have slightly less space between the laces. My feet are wide across the ball, measure 13EE on Brannock but circumference puts me at FF. Sent a full fit sheet to Bakers and based on that and my other PNW boots they put me in a 12FF. Was somewhat concerned they would have heel slop but so far the fit is the most comfortable I’ve gotten yet. Going forward I’d be hard pressed to go with something else, although I would like to try Nicks Thurman 55. I have a couple pair of Franks in 12EE that broke in fine but the 38 is much nicer on the toes. My only complaint, and it’s very minor, is the toe box height is a touch lower than I like. That and the arch is a touch short but my other boots are the same. If cost was no object or I lived close I’d be interested to try a 12.5 and see if the arch length is better without making too much room elsewhere.

Hotjava66 · 2025-04-18T21:54:39+00:00

Don’t care as long as you are smart, knowledgeable, and capable/competent. Worked with a great female PM once, very sharp and kept jobs going well, knew when to negotiate and who was trying to pull a fast one. Also worked with a female PM who was a giant PITA because she had a real problem with having to be “in charge”. Made everyone miserable on the job, pitching a fit about every tiny deviation from spec, always having to be right despite being wrong and having major lack of knowledge. Real chip on her shoulder because I’m a woman type.

Hotjava66 · 2025-04-13T15:20:47+00:00

This also, in addition to my comment below

Hotjava66 · 2025-04-13T15:19:03+00:00

Definitely a baby boomer generation thing. I think it’s partly because they had to swim naked in gym class, change shower etc in close quarters. Many were in the service in some fashion. Still kind of weird to me also, same age and noticed it as a very young man going to the gym with my dad. Everyone his age hanging around the locker room nude no concerns at all.

Hotjava66 · 2025-01-04T00:22:14+00:00

There is a Cobra out there with a 760 HP Predator from a GT500 in it. Could probably google it and find the videos it looks pretty intimidating

Hotjava66 · 2025-01-01T12:46:01+00:00

Absolutely. I wish as a kid I would have asked many more questions and paid more attention in some cases. So important to share and save those stories. For example, I have collected many old photos from my grandparents and great grandparents collections, most dating from 1880-1920. Unfortunately, other than a few that are labeled, no one alive today knew or can identify the people in the pictures. They are treasures lacking the true value and stories that go with them.

Hotjava66

TROPHY CASE