Zorin 18 vs WIN11 - Will Linux Zorin Topple Windows11 as Best Operating System?

 

Winnipeg River (photo by VA McMillan, 09 AUG 2026)

Title: Zorin 18 vs WIN11

Date: 16 August 2026

It has been much too long since I have posted here on my Blog. Sometimes life gets like that...I hope you can forgive my absence.

Since I have been away for the keyboard I have been monitoring the current chatter on online privacy and the gross overreach of many of the world governments to seize power and domain over an open and free internet. Many of the BS laws they have enacted in the name of protection are in fact the tyrannical oppression many dystopian novels and movies are based on. And if oppressive governments were not enough invasions of privacy, there is also the corporate overlords who want their pound of salt out of your data...that they mine every second of every hour of every day. With or without your informed and explicit consent. Of course, the big tech giants will say it was all explained in the “User’s Agreement” you agreed to...yatta, yatta, yatta. With the options to escape this death spiral of protecting your privacy while online from hackers, governments, or big tech corporations, what can the average person do??

Now, I am not a tech expert, however I try to keep an open mind, and keep my eyes and ears open for options. Alas, I may have found a path to protecting personal privacy online. Part of the solution is to switch away from the main stream computer options, namely Apple & Microsoft. This path away from the giants leads you to Linux. Right that scary unknown computer operating system that is “FREE”! Open source code. Scary. Applications (APPs) that can be downloaded for “FREE”. Scary. Operating systems that are transparent. Very scary. Well, Apple, Microsoft, Google, and the rest want you to think that Linux is scary. Please, allow me to introduce you to Zorin, specifically Zorin 18.1.

Lenovo Thinkpad T-14 with Zorin 18.1 O/S

Quick back story...I have not upgraded my old laptop to WIN11 due to a number of reasons with data mining and invasion of privacy being at the top of my list to say “NO”! However, I need a viable alternative. I started researching the many Linux distro (distributions). The Linux way of saying build version. Now Linux has been around for a long time and has been used by a variety of computer scientists, programmers, hackers, game designers; and the list goes on and on. Not on this list is the average computer end user. Until recently many Linux distros used command line prompt to navigate. For those old enough to remember DOS (disk operating system), that is what we are talking about here. Effective but not as user friendly as GUI (graphic user interface) aka desktop icons that link you to where you want to go. End result of that initial research was there were too many options to select from. Furthermore, too many distros were not designed for the average user, someone who just wants to use a word processor, email, and surf the net.

I even bought a book, Linux for Absolute Beginners by Andrew Warner. Which was informative but did not answer my questions I had that were preventing me from jumping ship from a Windows operating system. Namely:

1) Can I access files saved on my external hard drive that I saved using Windows?

2) If I can access my files can I edit them in a Linux environment?

I was not finding answers to my questions, until one day a friend shared a link to Mark 3 7 (https://mark37.com/). End of story, my new laptop is a Thinkpad T-14 running Linux Zorin 18.1 O/S.

Homepage on T14 with Zorin 18.1 O/S

Linux Zorin 18.1 O/S is one of many Linux distros. I have not had time to test drive other Linux distros, but I have had enough time with Zorin to make the following personal claim:

Zorin 18.1 is the easiest Linux distro for the average computer user to transition to from a MS Windows environment.

First, I found Zorin to be quite intuitive to operate and navigate. When setting up your laptop Zorin gives you many setup options to customize the home-screen layout to mimic Windows, Apple, or traditional Linux layouts. This gives a new user a familiar place to start.

Second, I was able without issue to access my files from my old hard drive and copy the files I wanted to my new hard drive.

Third, my laptop came pre-loaded with LibreOfficce, so editing documents is possible. In fact, LibreOffice (an open source office software) is very similar to OfficeUltra 1.3 I used before I went back to school. School assignments generally required submissions in MS Word (DOCx) format. But now I can return to open source software and get away from the annual, ever increasing bill to use MS Office365.

I am still learning the nuances of my new laptop, but suffice to say I am not planning on returning to a Windows environment for day-to-day use. I may fix my old netbook and continue to run Windows XP Pro, the last good version of Windows ever created in my biased opinion. But that will be for a project not everyday use and not for general net surfing. I still have to figure out what to do with email accounts. I understand the next big threat to privacy will be AI data mining old email content. Do you save your old emails???

The next threat to tackle will be a personal communications device...finding the correct cellular phone is on the horizon.

Protect yourself out there!!

Until next time...look for solutions!!

Mountainman.

Designing a Better Highway System

 

Hwy 543 West Bound (photo by V.A. McMillan)

Blog Title: Designing a Better Highway System

21 February 2026

Welcome back.

Ever have one of those ideas that just won't let you go??? Well I have one of those ideas and it deals with improving the highway system. In the last five or so years I have had the pleasure to commute many thousand kilometres on the blacktop between various work locations and back home when time allows. Long drives give you time to think and consist many different perspectives. So, allow me to share my ideas for improving the highway system connecting our communities together.

If I was going to design a highway system, especially a national or federal highway system, these are the points I would address when new highways are being designed or existing highways are needing upgrading.

First, the physical spacing between opposing traffic lanes. I acknowledge inside urban spaces this may not be possible, however, there are millions of kilometres of blacktop between urban centres across this country where this can be adopted and employed.

Many highways there is only about 100 metres separating the multiple lanes of traffic flowing in each direction. There are some good examples of highways separated by more than 500 metres, like the Yellowhead Highway (#16 west of Edmonton) or the Trans-Canada Highway (#1 near Ernfold, SK). In both of these examples traffic rarely sees the headlights of oncoming traffic due to rolling hills, forests, or shear distance. With the proclivity of wildlife adjacent to roadways in Canada, driving at night is challenging enough without having to drive great distances with only low beams to warn you of Bambi or a moose grazing on the shoulder of the road.

Separation Distance

My suggestion for increasing safety, especially when night driving, is increasing the separation distance between traffic lanes, from the current 100m to at least 1000m/1km. For the life of me I cannot comprehend why multi-lane highways need to have opposing traffic within sight of each other. Why??? More separation will allow major highway systems to avoid obstacles and allow contouring the best elevations. This will also permit the use of high-beam setting on headlights when traffic thins.

The next item that can be improved with a national highway system is the standardizing the design of rest stops. We will address spacing between rest stop a bit later. One of the other benefits of more spacing between lanes of traffic is it allows space for creating places like rest stops. When systems are only looked at in small pieces and not in the totality of the system you end up with the system we currently have – a waste of time...piecemeal, ad hoc, mishmash of rest stops. Will the exit be on the left or the right? Will you have to cross opposing traffic to enter? Will there be pit toilets or flush toilets? Will the rest stop be open? Winter? Late at night? If you are tired can you safely park for four hours to catch a nap before driving on?

The preferred rest stop is located between the lanes of travel. With shared flushing toilets and running water. If planned in advance, these rest stops will service traffic traveling in either direction with a single structure. The amenities will include:

• Washrooms in a building

• Parking for passenger vehicles, RV's, and tractor-trailer rigs

• These spaces will also support picnic areas and maybe open areas for kids or pets to run around before being getting back in the vehicle.

A Better Rest Stop Design

For security and safety, there will not be bypass lanes to allow for “U” Turns. These rest areas will create spaces for use by good people and not designed to encourage nefarious activities. Make these spaces favourable for families and pets and the criminal element will find other spaces for conducting their illicit activities.

The next needed feature of an improved highway system is the placement of Full Service Rest Stops at predictable spacing. Again, we will address the spacing shortly.

These Full Service Stops will use the same traffic pattern of feeding traffic in both directions without crossing over opposing lanes of traffic. These stops will meet the needs of travelers – fuel, washrooms, food, power, Wi-Fi, cellular service, picnic areas, and plenty of parking.

The traffic pattern off the highway will employ multiple lanes for both deceleration and acceleration, to reduce conflict with the flowing traffic on the highway. Proper signage with proper symbology shall be used to ensure all road users are in the proper lanes before the Rest Stop and not making radical unpredictable erratic driving manoeuvres. Flow in and flow out.

A Better Full Service Rest Stop Design

The Full Service Rest Stop will share features with the basic Rest Stop as well as these features:

• Fuel services (gasoline, diesel, propane)

• Charging stations for electric vehicles

• Restaurants and other food & beverage services

• Potential for locating laundromats and coin operated showers

• Picnic areas with playgrounds

• Police Call Box

• Open 24/7

With the basic design features addressed...Let's discuss strategic spacing of Rest Stops and Full Service Rest Stops along a well design highway system.

Distances are based on either the location of the perimeter highway system or the corporate limits of the community. The first critical distance is the Full Service Rest Stops outside a city or large community, this distance will be at least 30 km out from the ring road but no more than 60 km's. At 120 km/h these distances translate to fifteen but not more than 30-minutes before arriving at an urban centre. This location allows travelers who are not comfortable driving, navigating, or stopping in urban areas to top up their fuel, food, beverages before the stressful driving begins. This stop will also allow travelers to review maps – digital or paper and plan the next leg of their trip from a safe location off the highway.

Next is the spacing to the next Rest Stop (a basic Rest Stop) which should be about 50 km's. Followed by the next Full Service Rest Stop being another 50 km's.

Linear Spacing of Rest Stops

You may recognize the spacing between Full Service Rest Stops is 100km. This is to create a system of predictable spacing between service centres. This will benefit all road users and travelers with electric vehicles will appreciate this planning and convenience, as well.

The final comment on spacing rest stops is that it should start from major centres to major centres. Thus the TCH #1 Calgary to Medicine Hat to Swift Current to Moose Jaw, etc. The distances will work from the perimeter of each major centre towards the other to establish locations. If the spacing does not divide perfectly, spacing for one of the rest stops will approximate the best average or convenient location keeping in the spirit of this concept.

National / Federal Highway Speed Limit

Lastly, a national or federal highway system should have certain features to differentiate this class of highway from provincial or municipal primary, secondary, or tertiary highways or roadways. The primary feature of a national highway is it shall be designed for the flow of traffic and commerce. There will not be any:

• Level rail crossings

• Traffic lights

• Stop signs

• Crossroads

• No tractor-trailer rigs passing another tractor-trailer unit when there are less than two lanes of traffic in a single direction (no rigs blocking traffic flow by clogging all the traffic lanes)

Conversely, the national / federal highway will have:

• National speed limit of 120 km/h

• Bypass towns, communities, or cities where the speed cannot be maintained

• Strategically located and spaced Rest Stops & Full Service Rest Stops

I believe that has captured the bulk of the features for this idea of an improved designed highway system.

Until next time...if ideas will not give you rest or peace...

Share those ideas!!

Mountainman.

Rebut - Alberta's Military Viability: A Practical Assessment

 

Big Rocks (photo by V.A. McMillan)

Blog Title: Rebut – Alberta's Military Viability: A Practical Assessment

15 February 2026

Yesterday, a copy of Alberta's Military Viability: A Practical Assessment (by Alberta Secession – Why @cnm5000) posted on “X” was shared with me. I am not on “X” so I do not have a link to share to the source article. However, I believe a found a copy on Substack (Here). Further, I was asked to review the article and offer an assessment as well as suggestions for the creation of an effective military force for an independent Alberta nation, should that reality come to be.

Challenge accepted.

The article was well written and with the best intentions. Nation building is complex and has many interconnected pieces that MUST work together for success to follow. For the purpose of this assessment and following suggestions I will be looking only at the “military” piece of this puzzle. Shall we begin...

First let me share the points of the article I agree with in principle and then I will identify the assumptions I noticed, before I offer my analysis of the defence challenges of Alberta and potential solutions. The points I agree with, in no particular order:

• Alberta's defence needs will NOT need to duplicate nor replicate the Canadian Forces

• The Swiss Civil Defence model is a good starting point for developing in Alberta

• There is no naval requirement at this time

• Mandatory service is a worthy starting point for national defence

• Building a defence force for Alberta will need to be tailored to Alberta's needs

• Interoperability with Allies is required for joint success

This list may lack meaningfulness to readers unfamiliar with the original article. I suggest tracking down the article and reviewing it. (It is located HERE.)

Next let me share the points from the article that I assess to be assumptions, and not necessarily a solid foundation for building a military force upon. As such, these assumptions need to be verified before acted upon as if they were facts. These assumptions are:

• The separation of Alberta from Canada will be amicable

• Canada will willing surrender military assets to Alberta

• Alberta could be served realistically with a military force of 2000 Reg Force & 8000 Reserves

• Alberta faces no conventional military threats

• Alberta would not need military assets – fighter aircraft, radar bases, heavy lift aircraft, vessels

• Alberta would have military partnerships/alliances with Canada & the USA

• Mutual defence agreements would come without costs to sovereignty

• Individual soldier skills at arms & continuous skills development is equal to effectiveness

• No need for heavy armour divisions in Alberta, or artillery

• Matching Canada's total military capacity would be beyond Alberta to achieve

In my previous blog posts (1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5) I have explored solving the military needs of a unified Canada at the program level and at the branch level. Focusing on only Alberta will be where we go from here.

Threat assessment:

Geographical considerations.

Alberta has no ports, so direct naval threats do not exists in the classic tradition. Could a sub launched ballistic missile or a ship launched cruise missile reach Alberta from the Pacific, Arctic Ocean, or Hudson's Bay? Maybe. Similarly, could an aircraft launched from an aircraft carrier reach Alberta? Maybe. So, while a naval launching platform may assist a hostile act against Albertan territory, the threat received would be aerial in nature. However, goods being transported to market could be directly impacted by naval aggression while on the high seas.

Land routes into Alberta. Highways and railways from the west consist of six highways (#3, #1, #16, #43, #49, & #64), two rail routes, and numerous industrial roads, especially north of Grande Prairie. There are two highways from the north, of which only highway #35 makes a land route deep into Alberta. From the east there are nine highways (#28, #45, #16, #14, #17, #13, #12, #9, #1), and few secondary roads, and plenty of agricultural range roads south of highway #16 to the US Border. From the south there are only five official crossing points (#41 Wildhorse, #4 Coutts, #62 Del Bonita, #2 Carway, #6 Chief Mountain), some minor agricultural roads between Wildhorse and Coutts. In Waterton National park there are a few footpaths/trails that cross the border and one lake route.

Air routes into Alberta currently arrive into either Edmonton International Airport or Calgary International Airport. There are a plethora of regional airports and even more smaller community or rural airports and minor airstrips. Plus military air facilities, see Military Considerations.

The Rocky Mountains (The Rockies) are a range of mountains that separate the province of British Columbia from Alberta that run in the south from the US Border north and slightly west to just north and west of Grande Prairie. Mount Robson is the highest point of the Canadian Rockies at 12, 972' / 3954m and is west of Jasper, Alberta just north of highway #16. The Rockies influence weather to the areas east of the range. High winds and Chinooks are notable hazards.

Numerous river systems descend from the mountainous western edge of Alberta. Bridging these rivers is a defenders advantage and weakness. These river systems flow east, south, or north, draining into the Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean via Hudson's Bay, or into the Atlantic Ocean via the Caribbean Sea. Seasonal flooding of these river systems present an annual challenge to communities co-located with the rivers.

The Prairies are an area of open rolling country that extends from the base of The Foothills across to Saskatchewan in the east and down into Montana to the south. This open terrain is tank country, not unlike the Steppes of Russia. Two dozen Main Battle Tanks is not even close to enough armour to hold this ground from a motivated adversary. Similarly, tanks in the open need to be protected by artillery, aircraft in the skies, and ground troops. This is classic Cold War defence tactics. If you cannot control the ground, you do not own it – militarily speaking.

Military Considerations.

Currently, the Canadian Forces have four Reg Force military establishments in Alberta. CFB Edmonton, CFB Wainwright, CFB Suffield, and CFB Cold Lake. This is supplemented by numerous Reserve Force armouries and “ships” for the Reserve Navy. The current status of the Canadian Forces is demoralized, under staffed, under funded, under equipped, and suffering a leadership crisis of monumental proportions. There are not less than 100 too many General rank officers, compared to the number of serving Officers and Other Ranks. This imbalance favouring the most senior officers contributes to instability and retention issues faced at the pointy end of the spear. When senior officer are more concerned with career advancement over the welfare of their troops, and troops fear being stabbed in the back by their superiors, your force, no matter how well trained, cross-trained, and exercised, will not be COMBAT READY. Add on the betrayal of a federal government that has broken so many promises for new equipment and basic tools for the job, that the troops cannot trust that even their pay cheques will be deposited on time. Available military equipment includes a collection of aging aircraft, tanks, armoured personnel carriers, trucks, and worn-out weapons systems from rifles, pistols, to machine guns.

Population Considerations.

Alberta's population has been changing composition in the last couple of decades. This is influenced by the available employment opportunities that have traditionally been available. Alberta has a much younger population than some other Canadian provinces due to this. So, Alberta has different challenges than other provinces as it is a generator of economic wealth. The population has access to institutions of higher learning and currently access to stable infrastructure support of learning or earning pursuits. In recent years, like centres of higher learning across the Western World, these institutions are showing signs of having been infiltrated and subverted to methods of cultural indoctrination favoured by Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. These subversions were predicted decades ago by Yuri Bezmenov, and we are seeing the outcomes today. This is resulting in a divided population, even in Alberta. The increase in the followers of Marx/Lenin, socialist, and the current perverted form of liberalism all combine to undermine the will of Albertans to be a unified people.

So, how do we defend Alberta?

This will be a simple solution with missing components. Governance, legal systems, enforcement systems, border control systems will go un-addressed, and focused cooperative industrial outputs not included. Focusing on the military components, these would be key points to include:

Logistics

Divide Alberta into Three Geographic Divisions – Northern Div, Central Div, and Southern Div. Include special operations divisions – Mountain Warfare Zone Rockies & Open Warfare Zone Prairies.

All Divisions will require primary, secondary, and tertiary transportation corridors; air fields; supply depots; bases/camps; training areas; and armouries. Additionally, the required vehicles, weapons, ammunition, uniforms, and feeding assets will be required for all Divisions.

Multi-tiered Staffing Model for the Alberta Defence Force (ADF) [Top Down]

Minister of Defence – this role is responsible for providing funding to the ADF, that is predictable and consistent year after year.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)– the senior ADF member responsible for providing the financial needs of the ADF to the Minister of Defence.

Branch Commanders & Operational Theatre Commanders – are responsible for ensuring the operational needs for their troops will be met with adequate planning, gear purchasing, and resources needed to achieve their specific missions. The output products from this level are the formal budgets submitted to the CDS. Branches to include – Land (Army/Armour/Artillery), Air (Air Force), and Naval (Marines). Operational to include Domestic Operations, Foreign Operations, and Special Operations.

For small nations to defend themselves they MUST operate their defence forces as integrated and interoperable as possible. This means that no matter what level of operational duty a member is currently employed in, they can be advanced to the next higher operational level and perform their required duties or function, seamlessly. So, the Branch & Theatre can be broken down into Five levels or tiers: Top Tier (Special Forces), Tier Two (Regular Forces), Tier Three (Primary Reserves), Tier Four (Militia), and Tier Five (Home Guard).

Top Tier – Units to include the most highly trained operators in their field of study – land warfare, air warfare, naval warfare, and intelligence/espionage. The total staffing to range from 250 to 2500, combined strength.

Tier Two. Land – full-time professional soldiers. Army/Infantry, Armour, Artillery, Combat Engineers, and Battlefield Logistics.

Air – full-time professional aviators. Air Transport, Combat Air, Ground Support, and Air operations Support.

Naval – Lacking the need for a navy, but requiring interoperability with Allies, the creation of Marine units to function in naval operations would be recommended. These units would conduct classic Marine functions – Air Operations from a Naval Platform, Land Operations from a Naval Platform, Security functions at Naval facilities, and Underwater Operations – Combat Diver, UDT, Rescue Ops.

Tier Two will be staffed to a strength of 15,000 Land, 5000 Air, & 2500 Marine.

Tier Three. Will be Reserve Force personnel trained for the same taskings as Tier Two, however they will only be required to parade weekends and one evening a week. This pool of personnel will be operationally ready to fill vacancies in Tier Two units on short notice and augment Tier Two units during normal operational commitments to share operational experience into Tier Three units. Staffing will include 30,000 Land, 10,000 Air, & 5000 Marine.

Tier Four. The Militia Regiments will be dispersed to every community with at least 5000 citizens in population. These Reserve troops will mainly be trained in taskings common to Land units or common support roles across all branches of service. Each Militia Regiment will be staffed by members in a common region. Individual communities may support from Platoon to Company sized detachments of the Regiment. Weekly training at the community level, with combined Regiment training at least twice a year – Winter Ops & Summer Ops Training Concentrations. Militia will be expected to serve domestically, however opportunity will be provided to allow Militia members to compete for positions augmenting Tier Two missions. There will be a capacity for Militia Regiments to support up to 150,000.

Tier Five. The Home Guard will be the final layer of the tiered defence plan. Tier Five members will be expected to defend the Homeland and not expected to be deployed away from Home. Members will come from Veterans who previously served, Veterans wounded in action who do not qualify for service at a higher readiness tier, Loyal Patriots who are willing but have medical conditions that prevent service at a higher tier, and those too young or too old to serve in other tiers. The Home Guard is paid an annual honorarium and will support their local Militia Regiment. There will be capacity for at least 500,000 Home Guards.

To make this five tiered system viable, voluntary, and combat effective, it may be necessary to interconnect functions, responsibilities, and benefits. This could include connecting firearms laws to serving in the Alberta Defence Force, such that serving active members are authorized to own specific types of firearms. Or civil defence functions like search & rescue or emergency/disaster management could be included inside the Alberta Defence Force umbrella. Similarly, a sixth tier could be added for Border Security Operations.

Specific equipment suggestions could be made, however that can be debated in a future post. Suffice to say that to build a unified Alberta Defence Force you will need:

• Strong Leadership

• Common Purpose/Shared Vision for the Future

• Mission Focused Members

• The WILL to Serve

• Branch specific uniforms that are sharp and defining, with high standards of dress & deportment

• Proportional Ranks for each level of command and Tier

• Service based on HONOUR, COURAGE, & INTEGRITY

• Service will be honoured by the government, no one left behind after service

• Honest remuneration for service – maybe tie politician pay to wages of service members

• Provided the tools to do their jobs & create Alberta industry to support providing these tools from within the borders of Alberta (no profiteering, genuine support symbiosis)

This topic requires further discussion to work out the nuances of each tier and the interconnectedness with other functions of a sovereign nation. Suffice to say, a plan in hand would be best recommended for a new country to have ready. Once a nation is born, things will move rapidly both inside the borders and with out.

Until next time...provide feedback and solutions!

Mountainman.

Links of Interest

https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/04/future-cf-structure-from-partisan.html 

https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/06/canada-first-model-land-assets.html 

https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/canada-first-model-for-national-defence.html

https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/canada-first-model-for-national-defence.html

https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2022/02/canada-first-model-reforming-federal.html

https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2024/08/canada-first-model-canadian-wildfire.html

Barracuda 500BZ – Portable Industrial Sewing Power

 

Winnipeg River 2026 (photo by V.A. McMillan)

Blog Title: Barracuda 500BZ – Portable Industrial Sewing Power

31 January 2026

Hoping to get this uploaded before January 2026 is behind us...cutting close!

This is a gear review of sorts. After breaking my old Elna sewing machine, again...I have decided to upgrade. I had an old Singer industrial many years ago and I enjoyed the capability of an industrial sewing machine. I reached out to the folks at International Sewing Machine Group (ISMG) more than a year ago to explore industrial sewing machine options. I thought my only options were full-sized Juki, Singers, Consew, and the like. At the end of 2025, I happened upon an advertisement from Tandy Leather that showed a portage industrial Consew. This started a rapid education and research project to know more. Which led me to contacting Jonathan at ISMG to re-kindle available machines. Long story short, the Barracuda 500BZ from Reliable seems to have met my needs better than the Consew machine I was first looking at.

The Barracuda is a portable industrial sewing machine with all metal construction – internally and shell. Sewing at 800 stitches per minute and employs a walking foot. The 500BZ can accept 135 – 17 needles from size 16 thru 23. This is a huge step up from my overtaxed Elna which maxed out at size 18 denim needles.

To solve lighting issues, the 500BZ comes with a pair of rechargeable CudaLights. These LED lights are magnetic and have a reliable single touch switch on the front. The included USB C charging cable allows for quick recharges of the units. I do not have a runtime on each unit but they are quite bright and since they are magnetic, they can be re-positioned to provide the best illumination needed for your project.

I will do a follow-up post, showing the Cuda Case, which allows the Barracuda 500BZ to pack away when work areas are needed for other types of projects or you are transporting your 500BZ to a new location to work on a project. The versatility of a portable industrial sewing machine.

Thanks Jonathan and team at International Sewing Machine Group!

Until next time...if your tools are being worked beyond their design capacity...level up.

Mountainman.

Mini Torch and Pouch Build

Winter on Winnipeg River (photo by V.A. McMillan Jan 2024)

 

14 December 2025

Well November 2025 slipped by very quickly. Before December does the same, how about a quick project post???

I have resisted making the plunge for a mini torch for too long. This is like a super Bic lighter, with the bonus benefit of being refillable, without the fuel leak issue on a liquid fuel Zippo lighter. The local hardware store sells a version of the mini torch for about $10. A five pack of Bic lighters is now around $6...cost-benefit analysis...get a mini-torch!!

Mini Torch and Pouch (photo by V.A. McMillan) 

Now the mini torch is a handy size, but it would be a whole lot handier if it was in a pouch that could attach to my belt, a pack strap, or clip to my PFD. A basic pouch should not be too difficult to craft, right?? You are correct it was neither material expensive nor time consuming.

Here is the sketch plan I worked up:

Mini Torch Pouch Plan (V.A. McMillan, DEC 2025)

A bit of webbing, a bit of hook & loop tape, a plastic snap hook, and a few minutes of sewing and viola a mini torch pouch that keeps your torch very close at hand.

Here are a few more pics:

Pouch Flap Open

Pouch Flap Closed

Side View

Refueling Instructions on the Mini Torch

Well I hope that inspires you to work on your next project...even if it is just a small project.

Until next time...work on all project great or small!!

Mountainman.

Remember this post?? Building your own gear pouch - LINK

REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe - A New Blade Cover & Belt Drop Loop

 

Autumn Reflections (photo by V.A. McMillan 2025)

Title: REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe - A New Blade Cover & Belt Drop Loop

Date: 25 October 2025

Howdy Folks,

It has been too long since I posted a project. Hopefully, wildfires and world politics will take a breather for the Winter. To get you ready for your next trip to the woods or to your favourite campsite, I will be showing you how to improve a REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe carrying case into something you can actually carry on your belt.

REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe - Original Case

First caveat, the original REAPR carrying case will not be used. It will be replaced by a simple axe blade cover and a belt axe loop. This combo will allow you to use the hammer face of the REAPR Sparrow Axe, without removing the blade cover.

Paracord Wrapped Handle & New Blade Cover

Second observation, I wrapped my REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe with paracord to increase the shaft diameter and provide some cushion when chopping or hammering...I also created a wrist-lanyard to prevent dropping my axe when swinging.

The axe cover is made from a piece of scrap Cordura 1000d fabric, an outer layer and an inner layer; which sandwich an inner padding core. Exposed raw edges where finished with binding tape. The longest edge is about 4 ½” by about 3”. The fabric is contour cut to reduce unnecessary fabric and bulk. To this padded blade cover is added a simple webbing strap in ¾” polypropylene webbing with double snaps. Starting with double snaps means if one fails while on an adventure you still have one to hold the blade cover in place until you can return to the shop and repair or replace the faulty snap.

New Blade Cover on REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe

The belt axe loop was constructed using 2” webbing. The bottom loop is double thickness and uses hook & loop tape to make it adjustable. The drop loop, is single thickness and a sewn loop. If I make a second version, I would be inclined to use double thickness for the drop loop and make it adjustable with hook & loop tape. As for materials used:

• 2” Webbing – 16” (x1 for drop loop & x1 for the bottom loop)

• 2” Loop tape – 3”

• 2” Hook tape – 2”

New Blade Cover and the Belt Axe Loop

Here is the finished project showing the REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe being carried. I can say the drop loop length at 8”, was the correct length for me. The axe is not hanging at an awkward angle if the drop loop was too short. As the drop loop is flexible, it is able to contour the profile of the body. Furthermore, the drop is low enough, that the axe will not interfere with a waist belt of your rucksack when backpacking or hunting.

Until next time...get the gear you need, and modify to perfection!

Mountainman.

Reference: The REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe is available at the Knife Center:

https://www.knifecenter.com - REAPR Sparrow Axe

The Great Canadian Redoubt (GCR) - Saving Canada from Canuckistan

 

Sharkey's Channel, Winnipeg River (photo by V.A. McMillan, October 2025)

Blog Title: The Great Canadian Redoubt (GCR) – Saving Canada from Canuckistan

12 October 2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have many things to be thankful for here in Canada – fresh air, lots of fresh water, outstanding scenery, some of the best farmlands on the planet, abundant natural resources, quality infrastructure, and generally a high standard of living. Only one problem, we have not lived in Canada for at least a decade, maybe two. We are living in the unofficial third-world country of Canuckistan thanks to successive tyrannical federal governments. Time for Canadians to take back their country from the tyrants.

Of course, if some Canadians have not suffered enough to open their eyes and see the writing on the wall...we may have to wait for them. Until then, it may be necessary to establish a redoubt, until our fellow countrymen and women are ready to work together to bring back the Canada we have so loved and cherished in the past. Despite the Cold War during the '70's, '80's, and early '90's; this might have been one of the best eras to be alive in Canada. I am thankful I was alive to witness those good times. We are now a quarter century into the 21^st Century and my son has not seen the good times because we no longer live in Canada. Canuckistan is the product of an infiltration and subversion scheme that is likely “masterminded” by Global Elites and enacted by a corrupt left leaning politico-class of liberals, socialists, social democrats, communists, and mentally ill, confused useful idiots. So, instead of wasting energy focusing on the problem, we will invest energy on a solution...a redoubt to preserve the best of Canada until Canuckistan can become history.

What is a redoubt, you may be asking?? An online dictionary defines as:

Definition #3 seems fitting, a protected place of refuge or defence. That is what we want to create now before Canuckistan becomes the everlasting entity that was once Canada. For a place of refuge or defence we need to locate that in a place of strength, right?!? A place with the potential to have the strongest economy to keep people gainfully employed and earning a living. A place at the seat of innovation, free thinking, and a place where freedom of expression is not stifled by BS like political correctness. A place where honesty and respect triumph over state sponsored terrorism, propaganda, and ideological indoctrination. A place where, when not being oppressed by the tyrants, can take care of itself and its citizens. A place of freedom and liberty. A place that values and respects property rights of the owner. A place where criminals are held accountable for their behaviours. A place called Alberta.

There is one strategic weakness in a redoubt in the current geography of Alberta, namely...it is landlocked and unable to get to the world markets unmolested. Therefore, I present the Great Canadian Redoubt (GCR)...

The Great Canadian Redoubt (Image from Google Maps)

The GCR would include all of the current province of Alberta and a transportation corridor to a coastal port and a natural gas terminal (also on the coast) to get products to market via roads, rail, or pipelines. The basic boundary zone would be south of Highway 16 (the Yellowhead Highway) from the Alberta border near Jasper westward to Prince Rupert, BC. The actual border line/zone can be determined in the future to start the discussion and negotiations here are two images showing the proposed border zone in better detail:

Border Zone from Jasper to Prince George Area (Image from Google Maps)

Border Zone from Prince George Area to Prince Rupert & Kitimat (Image from Google Maps)

The current discussions around Alberta sovereignty are not about separating from Canada, it is about preserving Canadian values and vital economic resources from the outright theft by the current tyrants and their regime in Ottawa as they devalue Canada into Canuckistan.

Which brings us to the next issue, securing free access to the world market. Alberta requires a port and a pipeline terminal to sell our products to the world. Whether it is grain, timber products, petroleum products, technology devices, food products, or the output from manufacturing, Alberta requires uninterrupted access. No third party venues taxing or extorting. So, people smarter than me will need to conduct negotiations with the province of British Columbia to transfer land title of the northern portion of BC to the Great Canadian Redoubt.

While negotiations are under way, the GCR needs to consider critical infrastructure. This would include things like improved highways connecting communities to markets. More East/West routes in northern BC & Alberta. Increased four lane divided highways running North/South. Passenger rail service between urban centres. No more infighting and bickering. Transportation corridors should have been built in the 1990's!! Get your shit together people!! I recommend wartime construction pace and priority. The Alaska Highway was built in 1942 in just eight months was roughly 2700 kms in length! Projects like the Alaska Highway were build with grit and determination...not by weak, cowardly, whining and snivelling.

In addition to critical infrastructure, the GCR will need manufacturing capacity, and trained citizens to protect the GCR. To start with, an Alberta Sheriff Service can replace the RCMP in the entire GCR territory. Second, a Civil Defence Force should be raised to manage civil emergencies and disasters. An enhanced Wildfire Force should be deployed to protect the forests from fire. And, finally, a GCR Militia should be raised to defend the territory from aggressors – criminal organizations, terror organizations, military forces from foreign or domestic foes.

A Declaration of Rights & Freedoms should also be created to protect those God Given items of life and the right to pursue a life without state interference. And the right to defend life, property, and territory from aggressors. A citizen should never live in fear of having their home violated and their possessions, savings, or investments stolen by their own government. Much less having to fear for their life or the lives of their family. Tyrants and oppressors rule using fear to keep the citizens in order, we have had enough of that crap.

Freedom, Liberty, & Justice!

Until next time, think for yourself, stand up to tyranny, and DO NOT COMPLY!

Mountainman.

Update:

This article has been shared with me...

https://c2cjournal.ca

The articles Author, Bruce Pardy, presents an interesting solution for structuring the government of a sovereign Alberta. Could this be a model to structure the GCR???