And That Was The Month That Was

February's gone?  Already?  A busy month of many time-eaters.  But here are some highlights of life lately:

• Picked out a new antenna for the Carrabelle repeater that was zapped by lightning two weeks ago.  This one, an all-aluminum j-pole-ish thing.  It checks three of the main boxes (lightning resistant, not too heavy or big to go on the existing mount, and good wind survival – reportedly 153+ mph), while losing some of the gain we formerly had – about 4 dB's worth.  All engineering is a compromise, and the lower gain is something we'll have to live with.
• Dealt with some loose-and-flapping questions about a proposed antenna tower at the new-still-in-planning Franklin County EOC.  Messy.
• Wrapped up construction and testing of the "PRC-26" backpack radio.  This was one of those projects that fought back, first with minor but time-wasting construction details on its antenna, and then with a radio that wouldn't program via computer but required hand programming.  In the end though, it all came together and it works.
• Two bizarre flat tires on the gravel bike, one a thorn, the other a big ol' square-cut tack.
• And for the tubeless mtb, I got How To Use Dynaplug Tire Plugger sorted out too.  So weirdly simple.
• Federal. Taxes. Done.
• State. Taxes.... undone, but help is lined up, so should be done Real Soon Now.
• Two visits from two brothers that both got rescheduled twice.  I mean, what're you gonna do but roll with that?
• New brake pads all 'round on the Mustang, and in time before the rotors took a beating.
• Oh yeah, a new war, and this one looks.... concerning.
• And finally something good today – Holly Williams (yes, THE Holly Williams) in a short concert, within walking distance of home!  Her song Waiting on June seemed to suddenly put some dust in the air in the venue..

I'm taking a little time off over the next week or so.  Will post pics of any worthwhile adventures.  Not even going to try to tag this post, it's so scattershot and mostly ephemeral.

ps: Saw this a day later on Monday the  2nd.  Somehow  fits the overall theme here.