Thursday, December 29, 2016

Telling Tales

Good day, friends.

Thought I’d bring your attention to a wonderful local storyteller, a feller who resides right here in Atlanta, Georgia. EM Lockaby just completed his second novel and I must say I found it to be a fantastic read.



The Infinite Lawman is a science-fiction, LitRPG, western novel set in a dystopian future where people wind up with their minds uploaded to simulations, thus, the western aspect of this is a simulated wild west where a Speedrunner encounters this retired Lawman of sorts and in a roundabout way enlists his help in achieving her aim.

This novel is full of action, wit, and surprises and is a well-written, thought-provoking work that comes with all of the grit and dirt you’d expect of a western and the mud you’d hope to find in a simulated western world as well as giving a fascinating glimpse into a future with all its splendors and pitfalls.

The narrative style is as easy-going as if you were listening to the tale being told while you’ve got your feet kicked up on the rocks of a fire pit in the middle of nowhere, flames slowly warming the soles of your boots, stars twinkling overhead, crickets chirping, the story drawled out casually and punctuated by intermittent spitting and frequent swigs of whiskey.

I highly recommend you give this novel a shot. Thanks for listening. Peace.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Baby Carrier and Morels

Check out this cool baby carrier. I've been using this Infantino Breathe Vented Carrier since my daughter was barely able to see over the top edge and it's been the perfect option to allow us to go on walks and hikes together. She loves it, still squeals with delightful anticipation when I get it out and put it on. She is comfortable in it, legs and arms can swing free, no poorly-placed buckles or straps that might pinch or bruise her, it's safe, convenient, light-weight and you can often find them on sale. This one right now is only $16.11, that's 27% off list price! My daughter and I even went out this spring and hunted for morels, this carrier was perfect, it allowed her to swing along with me as I traipsed through the brambles and the bushes and sought out those wonderful little mushrooms in the great Georgia outdoors.



Friday, December 9, 2016

Return to Earth

Rejoining the world of the wild blog post after a helluva hiatus, I certainly have some explaining to do. Shortly after my last post, back in March of 2013, my father passed away. Shortly thereafter I was wed to a beautiful and wonderful lady. We've since brought an amazing little girl into this world and I've spent a great many hours hiking and adventuring with her, first strapped onto my chest in a Baby Carrier, and recently with her by my side striding precariously over sticks and twigs as she learns to walk and to hike along the many amazing trails that dot Midtown, Atlanta, and the surrounding suburbs. I've got a lot I want to share with you all and I hope you my readership is keen on coming along for the journey.

Peace.

-Brad

Product Review: Darn Tough Socks

Darn,

Tough times have been come my way since last my blog was active. I'd had such great hopes to post once or twice per week, but that hasn't happened in these intervening years. I've been derailed from my obligations by a death in the family, then a wedding, then buying a house, then having a little baby, then moving to a new house, then working to finish my college degree. Such a road it has been. I want to get back on track by making good on a promise I made to a certain Ben Dickie of Darn Tough Vermont. I'd asked him for a product I could review on my blog and had since failed to follow up.

Pictured here is a pair of the most phenomenal pair of socks that I have ever owned.

These are my go to pair of camping socks, cold-weather socks, comfort socks, they are all-around amazing. Tall, knee-high, wool, warm, soft, comfortable, these Darn Tough socks are the best pair of socks I have ever owned; they're amazing. I would recommend these to anyone as camp socks, lounging around socks, all-around beautiful and warm and comfy socks. I know a thing or two about wanting to stay warm, my wife says I'm ridiculous, but honestly, I like it hot, I like to stay roasty toasty warm. Can't stand the cold, despite being born and raised in Wisconsin. These Darn Tough socks keep me warm.

I'm not sure that Darn Tough sells this exact pair anymore, but I can guarantee you that I'll be visiting their site shortly to see about snagging a few pairs of their newest offerings because if they produced this fine a product three years ago, I can only imagine what they've got to offer now. Please stay tuned to this page as I will be sure to note the glory of their latest products. Darn Tough is definitely a company to be reckoned with in the world of fine, warm, comfortable socks. Amazing.

https://darntough.com




Tuesday, November 15, 2016

The Dirt on Tara

I want to steer off topic for a moment and share with all of my glorious readership the struggle my sister is going through. She has her own blog dedicated to healthy living, so please head on over and show her your support. Her plight is something that affects her quality of life, makes daily tasks difficult and needs a good deal of light shed upon it. My sister Tara suffers an ailment known as Chiari Malformation, which clearly causes a great deal of hardship for those who suffer from such.

Chiari malformations (CMs) are defects in the structure of the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that controls balance. The cerebellum and parts of the brain stem normally sit in an indented space at the lower rear of the skull. When part of the cerebellum is located lower than normal, it is called a Chiari malformation.

CMs tend to develop when the bony space is smaller than normal, causing the cerebellum and brain stem to be pushed down into the upper spinal canal. This causes pressure on the cerebellum and brain stem and can affect functions controlled by these areas and block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which is the clear liquid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord—to and from the brain.

More information about Chiari Malformation can be found here:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chiari/detail_chiari.htm

Conquer Chiari
http://www.conquerchiari.org/education/chiari-faqs.html


Please send her positive vibes and keep her in your thoughts. To follow her story, please subscribe to her blog at Positivity Filter with Tara
http://positivityfilterwithtara.blogspot.com

Clearly, we're all in this life together, so the next time you're out hiking in the woods or lounging or doing whatever you love, remember be thankful for your blessings and opportunities and remember that there are folks out there who might not be so lucky. Keep a positivity filter on your life! Thanks for checking us out. Thanks for reading. Peace.

Hiking Plus 22 Pounds

Been a good solid while since last we blogged. I now carry a beautiful 22 pound weight everywhere I hike. Her name is Lexi Sage, she's honestly the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, let alone carried along on my expeditions into this world. We frequently hike and journey and explore the world together, and in that spirit, I aim to reignite the midtown mudblog and talk fervently about the journeys on which my little lady and I embark upon together. I hope to continue to explore and report my expeditions into Midtown Atlanta with my readership, I hope
my readership appreciates the addition of the fresh young perspective that Lexi will surely bring to this journey. Thanks for reading, thanks for joining us on our journey through the midtown mud. Peace.

Pictured is little Lexi looking perplexed by the wild Persimmons and bouquet of Thistles that she helped me find as we journeyed around our neighborhood.