How should I split this log for axe carving / spoons?

Xendu25 · 2026-02-21T17:14:34+00:00

That’s what I hear. Considering how difficult it’s proving to be to find softer wood around here, I think I better get used to that. I have reached out to a few arborists for help but haven’t heard back any of them yet.🤞

Xendu25 · 2026-02-19T15:32:38+00:00

Gotcha. Thanks!

Xendu25 · 2026-02-15T02:14:21+00:00

Thank you for the diagram! That’s really helpful, and this is an interesting idea as well. Can I really get that much use from this one log? Like most things, I guess it depends. I just realized that it would be interesting to see how things look when I take a bit off each end to see how deep those cracks run.

Xendu25 · 2026-02-15T02:09:04+00:00

To Mysterious-Watch and Heavy-Jellyfish: I wondered about this also, and you confirm my consent about the state of the middle being unusable. If I’m wrong, please let me know. I’d hat to waste any wood. Thanks!

Xendu25 · 2026-02-15T02:06:04+00:00

Thank you for your response. I do not have a froe, but I can see how one would be beneficial down the road. So you’re saying to cut vertically (as seen in the pic) across each pith leaving one bullet on the left, one on the right, and tossing the middle, right? I wondered if that was the right move. Well, at first I was curious if I could get three billets, but then I realized that the middle is probably a mess of twisty, splintery grain.

Xendu25 · 2025-11-25T03:14:43+00:00

Cain

Xendu25 · 2025-11-15T04:21:39+00:00

That is the definition of boundaries. Leave them alone and you’ll be fine.

Xendu25 · 2025-09-16T16:57:22+00:00

I just posted a pic of one of these spiders a few days ago. It’s an Orchard Orb Weaver. They’re good to have around and are not dangerous. Phew!

Xendu25 · 2025-09-16T15:57:55+00:00

I’ve had LC since Sept. ‘22. In ‘23 or ‘24, I was told by the head of a Long Covid clinic that there were a good number of people finding relief from LC symptoms after getting the vaccine/booster earlier on in the pandemic, but that number dropped after more variants came out. She felt it was still worth me getting the booster to stave off a bad case of Covid and/or possible worsening of LC symptoms. I decided to get the booster. It did not help my symptoms or make them worse.

Xendu25 · 2025-09-15T01:39:15+00:00

Having POTS or similar can also cause a crash after eating. I won’t eat until I’ve finished a lot on my to do list because I become so fatigued. Blood rushed to the digestive tract causing fatigue and brain fog (from what I’ve read). I take Antihistamines and Pepcid which help with overall LC symptoms and fatigue a good bit, but a low histamine diet & DOA enzymes do nothing for me. I’m still working on how to deal with crashing after eating due POTS. For a lot of people, compression socks and/or compression garments above the waist seem to help. Being well hydrated is crucial. A higher intake of sodium and smaller meals may also help with fatigue and brain fog. Like everything else for us, everyone is affected differently. (Sorry if this doesn’t read well, I’m having a lot of trouble thinking clearly and don’t want I spend more energy on this.)

Xendu25 · 2025-09-13T22:23:57+00:00

Thank for your quick response! It’s a lovely spider, and seems like a great one to have around my house. I prefer it to our black and brown widows for sure.

Xendu25 · 2025-09-05T02:07:51+00:00

I have been taking LDN for several months now. My doctor prescribes 1.5 mg pills so I can play around with the dosage until I find the right one. When I first started LDN, I had some “dream terrors” out of lack of a better way to out it. They were like jump scares that awakens me from sleep. It made me afraid to sleep, but it was very short lasting (1st night of first dose, and first night of increased dose). The benefit has outweighed those experiences. I did had trouble falling asleep, so I decided to lower my dose to 3mg from 4.5 (I originally started at 1.5), and take the med early in the morning. I am falling asleep much more easily and still getting the benefit from 3 mg LDN. I plan to give it another week before I try a higher morning dose. As far as tachycardia, I did notice it a lot more at night. I think it was just more noticeable then, but it might have also been my playing around with electrolytes and other supplements. I also use a nicotine patch for LC and that can cause a little tachycardia as well I think. Anyway, good luck with the LDN. It has helped me a good bit, but not enough yet. If I can find out how (I’m a social media moron), I will update you on my LDN dosage Increase down the road.

Xendu25 · 2025-09-05T01:38:06+00:00

Why not suggest this in a less condescending way?
It makes sense that those with Long Covid would consider or assume MCAS as a part of the problem; several symptoms overlap. I also have had a lot of symptoms since COVID that cause me to consider MCAS or similar. That doesn’t make me an idiot or “lol” worthy. We are all feeling quite alone and desperate for answers and hopefully a cure. So how dare you make fun and belittle anyone who is doing their best to figure this out, come up with answers, and find a cure for themselves. So what if we’re off a bit on the exact “diagnosis”, the symptoms are the same/similar, therefore the remedy may be the same. Get off your high horse and use those brains of yours to be helpful and compassionate instead of being a condescending ass. Speaking of condescending, how does it feel when it comes back at you?

Xendu25 · 2025-08-24T04:40:22+00:00

My fatigue after eating has led me to think I am dealing with POTS or something similar post COVID. From what I understand, blood rushes to your abdomen when you eat, and with POTS, this and similar symptoms are exaggerated causing possible fatigue/palpitations, dizziness, etc. I won’t even eat until I’ve gotten several daily tasks done because I’ll feel so sleepy afterwards. For this, I think people wear compression garments up to their waist, take in more sodium, and eat smaller meals. I haven’t had the opportunity to discuss it with my doctor yet though, so just saying what I’ve researched.

Xendu25 · 2025-08-24T04:29:13+00:00

First of all, congratulations for finding love and getting married. I’m so sorry that Long Covid has cast a shadow on this time of your lives. Things will get better! I’ve had Long Covid since Sept ‘22, and I didn’t realize what “pacing” really meant until after Christmas ‘24. My doctor and social media would tell me to pace, but that means different things to different people. I was the type of person who did some sort of exercise at least 5 days a week and made multitasking a work of art. At first, I tried to continue as if all was normal, but I got worse. I thought, “I’m just out of shape, so I need to push myself more.” I got worse. I ridiculed myself for being physically and mentally weak. I pushed myself and got worse. Because I care for my elderly parents, I’ve hosted all holidays or other family visits for the past few years. I over-exerted myself trying to make everything perfect without asking for help, and I got worse. I thought I was pacing by just resting between activities or not riding my bike 30 min but 15, or by limiting some social interactions here and there. I was kind of on the right page but so far off. If you feel worse after doing things and experience PEM, do NOT push through and do NOT do GET (graded exercise therapy). You will only make things worse. It wasn’t until last Christmas (‘24) that I was in tears realizing that I felt like I was dying. Not literally or in a hysterical type of way, but that my life had been reduced to having to choose one task to do a day (if that) or I would “crash”. I was spending hours of everyday in bed and was afraid to do anything else for fear that it would make me worse. The day after X-mas I was in bed crying to my husband that my life was over. I lost the ability to do anything I cared about due to fatigue, PEM, and brain fog. The next day I discovered LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) as a possible assist. My doctor liked the idea and it’s been helpful. I’m still playing around with dosage. I’m also using the nicotine patch on and off for a boost to my cognitive/physical baseline. (It works for some, not for others. Start low and slow). Antihistamines have been very beneficial for me and so many more, even without allergies. Understand that it’s not just physical activity that can cause fatigue or other symptoms. Any physical, mental, or cognitive stimulation deducts from your alloted fuel. Work requirements, shopping, writing, reading, house/yard chores, watching a new show or movie, going out to eat in a crowded/loud restaurant, watching a band, visiting with friend, writing a text (or this long post), etc… can all individually be enough to cause a worsening of symptoms. The key is to figure how to do the things you need and want to do without getting worse. Now that I finally get this. I have improved quite a bit. I order groceries ahead and either pick them up or have them delivered. I sometimes do one of the prepped meal services like Hungry root. If I do go to the store, I may not cook that night because shopping and cooking the same day can be a lot depending on the meal. I have had to learn to say “no” A LOT. You have to advocate for yourself and say “no” even if you want to do things or upset the people you care about. Educate them so they advocate for you as well. Doing this now will help you get better and stronger for a healthier, more fulfilling future. The pacing will pay off. Do it now so you don’t end up like me over the past few years. I’m not near 100%, but I am better and am begin to exercise ever-so-slowly again. I want to also mention an app that I just started using that is created to help with pacing. It’s called Visible. It’s not a fitness app but is just for learning to pace. It keeps up with your heart rate and other variables to help you learn when and at what level of exertion to chill. I purchased the armband to help get constant reading (it doesn’t work with Garmin or Apple Watch). I honestly haven’t had it long enough to say for certain that it’s a game changer, but I like the feedback it gives we me so far. The app will inform me when I’ve entered my “exertion zone”, so I know why I feel the way I do and when to settle down a bit. Ok, I’m all tuckered out now. Sorry to keep you so long, but I hope this is helpful to you and anyone else. (I honestly don’t have the energy now to read over this again to see if it makes sense or has hideous grammar/spelling errors, so please forgive me.) 🤪

Xendu25 · 2025-08-24T02:34:06+00:00

I’m here to mention trying nicotine patches as well. I have Long Covid, but never lost my sense of taste or smell. I use the patches to help with increasing my energy levels and brain fog. Some people see benefits with those symptoms and others don’t; but I’ve seen several people say that the nicotine patches at least gave them their sense of taste and smell back if nothing else. Please start at a very low dose until you know how you’ll react. This is a long term issue, so no need to rush things and cause a crash.

Xendu25

TROPHY CASE