2001 and Done

I’m sorry for the length of this post, but I need to cover a lot of information.

This day has been a long time coming. For me, perhaps, too long.

This is the 2001st post on the Zeiger Family Homestead Blog. At this point, I’m saying “2001 and done.” It has a nice alliterative ring to it (of which, as long-time readers know, I’m overly fond). I’d thought about a time milestone, such as last summer’s 10th anniversary (see This Blog Turns 10 Years Old Today) but I blew past that, and I’m unwilling to wait any longer.

This may be a hiatus, or it might be a total shut down. Only time will tell.

But, It’s likely to be permanent, and I need to explain why this is happening:

Zeiger Homestead view

Goodbye. (Photo: Mark A. Zeiger.)

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The Constrictor Knot Deconstructed

It has often been said that the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else. For a long time, I’ve wanted to fully learn a particular knot that would be a very useful one in my life. Perhaps, by sharing it here on the blog, I’ll come closer to that goal.

The constrictor knot is a very simple knot that holds extremely well. It will not come loose on its own, and, if pulled too tightly, may not come off at all! It’s very useful for closing bags, securing bundles, seizing rope ends, and many other jobs. My most trusted knot guru, Brion Toss, (see The Homestead Reference Library: The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice) says “to know this knot is to constantly find uses for it” and says that it can do almost anything a hose clamp will do. That’s impressive!

Constrictor knot

A constrictor knot closing a bag (Photo: Mark A. Zeiger).

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