Category: General

Of Oils, Beard Wax, And Learning Experiences

Among other things I got done yesterday, I made up a fresh batch of beard oil using a slightly different recipe and scents than the last time. The results were nice, though I still want to play with the recipe a bit more. Some of the oil is going to a friend, some went into making beard balm (again, some going to a friend), some into beard wax, and some into an experiment.

The beard oil is a mix of several different oils and is intended to help promote healthy skin and hair. If those who champion one particular essential oil are correct, it may even help with hair growth. Not going to bet on that, but it smells and feels good.

Beard oil is a prime component in both beard balms and beard waxes. I was out of my beard balm, so made some more. Again, played with the recipe just a bit as while it was good it was not quite what I was looking for. Wanted a bit more hold, even though — again — the balm is supposed to help ensure healthy skin and hair. Thing is, it is also supposed to provide at least some control and I didn’t think it was quite there.

For the record, a good balm contains beard oil, raw shea butter, and wax. Specifically, bees wax. On the latter, I bought some good quality bees wax “grains” a while back and they are lasting for now. Got some decent shea butter, and life has been good though it is often six months or so between batches as the products can last a while.

Now, a beard wax is new to me and I tried a recipe that sounded interesting. It used pine resin as part of the mix. That was different from what I had bought in the past and been looking at, so decided to try it. It does seem to work, but I’m also underwhelmed with the hold, the clean-up, and the fragrance.

The recipe called for beard oil, wax, and resin. My mug-warmer heater that I use for production (you need a low heat) apparently did not get hot enough for the resin, so used other means to heat (carefully) the mix and eventually pour it into a tin. Used some last night when I went out, and did not get the hold I expected and was hit with the overwhelming odor of turpentine as the resin overrode the scent of the oil. Think I’m going to be looking for a new recipe.

The last measure of the beard oil, however, went to another experiment. I decided to try to do at home a hot-oil conditioning for my hair. Since I’ve started letting it grow out, I’ve had to start using conditioner (Mane and Tail, as if it’s good enough for show horses it’s good enough for me). For a number of reasons, decided to try this at home. My recommendation is, don’t do this at home.

Not only was the application harder than expected, it quickly went everywhere. The floor of the shower was slick, I was slick, and it took a lot of effort to get the hair coated properly. Then, things got interesting.

Despite several washings, I could have appeared in a 1920s feature where all the males had their hair slicked back flat and dripping with oil. I’m just as happy few people saw me looking like that. Today, when I got my shower, I washed my hair with a bit of Dawn, and that did the trick. The conditioning did seem to help, but next time I think I’m going to leave it to the pros.

Meantime, have a good solid “base” recipe for the beard oil and am mostly playing with fragrance now. I also have a solid base recipe for the beard balm, and am mostly playing with how getting the hold where I want it. Finally, am going to be researching new recipes for beard waxes as I am underwhelmed with this one. Also, I’m going to leave hot-oil hair conditioning to the pros.

Onwards.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

To Those Hitting The Tip Jar

Thank You! Thank You! THANK YOU!

All the donations have been anonymous, so wanted to say thank you here. Know you get an automated thank you, but wanted to do something more personal. While the payment processor (not GiveSendGo) takes a cut, I’m putting the full amount donated towards payment of the plane tickets and other expenses of the pilgrimage. Thank you for helping me make this possible.

Remember, the tip jar is in the upper right and if you don’t see an option you like, reach out and we can go from there. The main link is at A New Life on GiveSendGo but there are other options including (sigh) PayPal. Yes, I tried to close that account and there were technical issues on their end that prevented that. Still an option at need.

Again, however, THANK YOU!

Three Good Reads

On the mend, but still not fully back. However, I do have three good reads for your consideration.

First up is The Land That Forgot About Wolves. Second is You say You Want A Revolution. Third up is the launch of Sarah’s latest book. Two solid food-for-thoughts and a fun series to go with it (dessert?). Enjoy.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Backpacks And Artificial Shoulders Pt 2

I wanted to follow up on this post and thank everyone who offered suggestions and advice. I can’t thank you enough!

Yesterday afternoon, I spent a good bit of time at a locally-owned outfitter with a gentleman who went over current load-bearing technology and pack systems. It was a bit eye-opening, and the days of simple hip belts and such is long gone. I actually got to try on a system or two, and then work out the system and pack for my frame.

I’ve got more reading to do and I plan to go to a chain outfitter this week or next to try on another brand of pack (and verify the size I need). Bit more research, but well worth it and some of these newer pack systems truly rock. Also looking into new passport/ID holders, billfolds, and the like. I’ve been using an ID holder I picked up at Camp Victory, Iraq, as my wallet since 2007, and it is time for something new. So, looking at waterproof and RFID-blocking options, of which the outfitter yesterday had several.

Oh, I should mention that the Osprey packs several recommended have an option for an attachable day pack that could serve as my carry-on luggage as well.

Thank you all for the inputs, and for the introduction to the newer packs and systems. Much appreciated.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

More Is Coming

Just things have been busy if not hectic. Doing a bit extra at Church for the next few weeks, had lots of appointments and such this week, and trying to get some things done for next year even. More on the latter soon I hope. The dental work started a few weeks ago is now finished, and didn’t require a bottle of rye and a leather wrapped hardwood stick to finish (smile). I do wish my dentist had told me in advance no solid food for 24 hours as would have shopped a bit different. The massage therapy this week included cupping, which gave an odd reaction even as it did a lot of good. However, it made for an interesting Wednesday night as things flushed out of the system. Much more planned, hoping I might get some up tomorrow, but no promises.

A Dog’s Breakfast

Going to share several links this morning, as I have to go help a friend move and then attend a church thing or two. I had planned to write yesterday; however, my body and I were having a small disagreement that kept me at home (had planned to go grill at a friend’s) and down most of the day. It was my fault as I should have known better than to eat something I did. Have some more columns to come in regards Germany, France, and concerns stupid people may do stupid things and cause serious problems.

First up, Sarah A. Hoyt linked to this wonderful post at Instapundit. In hanging around the military, one generally finds that those who Kipel (Kiple, Kipple?) are the ones who seem to have a clue. Derided by the literati (or at least the credentialed ‘elite’), the man was and is spot on. It is well worth the read.

Next up, three good posts from L’Ombre de l’Olivier, tying into my posts on England. Start here, though this and this provide further background. Also, yes I saw the ‘interesting’ comment left here, which is a cut and paste of one left at Insty, and I’ve got a suspicion is the product of a Paki bot farm as it or something very similar seems to be hitting a lot of sites and platforms all at once. Thanks to all who have responded to it, as a lie should not be allowed to stand unchallenged.

This is some food for thought in regards Europe and the future. I would like to think Europe will stand, though I don’t think the EU will stand. Instead, the only hope for them lies in the individual countries. Italy and Spain may have a chance, but that depends on some complex factors that may or may not come together.

If you’ve been following the work of DataRepublican in regards NGOs, influence, and money laundering, this post will be interesting. On a somewhat related note, check out this from David Strom.

Finally, this post fits in nicely with previous discussions (here, here, & here) of reproduction in microgravity. I find it interesting that mice, who would make great subjects for much needed research, feel so bad in microgravity that they just aren’t interested in sex.

Also, thanks to the anonymous donor who hit the tip jar. Much appreciated!

More soon I hope. Meantime, be prepared. Keep your friends and family close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Be Careful Out There

Seems like this has become my standard holiday message, but there is chatter and we just had that demonic attack the school yesterday. It’s enough to give one an itchy feeling between the shoulder blades. So, keep your situational awareness, have a plan, and enjoy the holiday.

Be safe and be prepared. Keep your friends and family close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Thank You

To all who offered condolences, prayers, and humor (did need the laughs), thank you. It’s hard to believe that it’s just been a little over a week, as in some ways it feels like it’s been two or three. Sunday was sorta weird, in that I kept expecting to see him come through the door at his usual time.

Doing confession is going to be interesting, as some there have had him as their confessor for more than 40 years. Our liturgy may start on Orthodox time (late, in other words) because now there is only Father John to hear confessions and he can’t start the liturgy until all that need to do so have done confession. Father Stevan usually took care of that.

Hopefully back to more regular posting soon. Thank you for your good thoughts and patience during this time.