We Use the Shit Out of Stuff!

 

This photo was taken in late 2015, or at least by mid-January 2016 when it was included in a post.

For context, which may not be easy for anyone that hasn't looked inside the rear doors of The Van as many hundreds, or maybe thousands, of times as I have, we're standing on the ground at the rear of The Van looking at what's inside the passenger-side door.

Starting from bottom left and going around clockwise, we have the inflatable kayak all bundled up in its grey carry-case, the large chamois I used as a bath-towel back then, a green flotation vest, a bicycle helmet, an EasyUp style canopy, and a folding camp chair. A chair I bought in 2010 to go with The then new Van.

The rest of these photos were taken this morning June 11 2026

This is the canopy (a different one) that is pretty much permanently sitting outside the barn under which I sit most mornings looking out across the valley and pond eating plain Greek yogurt (shit tastes terrible but ever since chemo screwed me up helps to keep the gut functioning) and checking emails after working out.

And this is what I'm sitting on.

Yep, same chair. Sitting out in the weather 24/7 for many years now.

A little faded, sinking well into the clay ground, and a bit worse for wear.

Especially as of a few days ago when the abused bottom layer of the two-layered seat portion split as I rocked forward to get up.

Since then that split has spread to the upper layer and I'm pretty much sitting more on the crossed steel supports underneath than on the seat-bottom now.

But I'll just have to make do for a little while longer because it will probably be next week some time before we make a run into town where I can replace it.

It's been a long-time companion and I'll feel a twinge when 'retiring' it. (Edit June 25: I guess not. It went out with the trash yesterday morning.)

Along side that chair is this little folding table I made for Elmer many, many years ago so he would have a place for his coffee and cigarettes when sitting outside his trailer.

Once he was no longer using it I commandeered it for myself.

A little more grey is showing through the green-wash than when it was new, but it's showing no signs of splitting yet.

Wonder if I can find another green chair? (Edit June 25:  Nope, the new one is dusty blue. Not a lot of choice in our small town so you take whatcha can get.)