Shaving notes of the MaineYooper

Another morning with unanticipated adrenaline rushes, in an emergency sort of way! We were getting up to start the morning when my wife noted her ostomy appliance was springing a leak (thankfully she saw it before much more than a leak occurred) so we did an emergency appliance change. You never really know when something won't adhere right or some other issue arises. We strive to be as consistent as we can with prepping the area and doing the changes. Typically, it can go 5 days or more, but we like to change it on our schedule rather than wait for an issue. So, that started the day with a bang, but we did it with minimal issues and now she is resting more and me, well, let's just say I got a nice Thanks for helping me and not complaining!



Those are half pieces, and yes, I can't believe I ate the whole thing! Unlike Dave's tasty treats, these are not homemade. My wife can turn out some delicious desserts, but her health hasn't been up to it. These are "my halves" from a sampler cake her folks got us from a wonderful bakery in Mississippi, Sugaree's Bakery. It took me a while but had a couple of mugs of some fantastic French press coffee and now I am sitting here in a state of contented bliss! My kind of breakfast!



On to the shave. This was one for the books.


GEM Junior, ca. 1933 to 1938, nickel plated by BRG
Personna Pfft GEM (5)
Ever Ready boar 
House of Mammoth Z
Ethos Lather Enhancer
Thayer's Original WH toner

First, you need to look at that boar knot. Paul mrdoug restored this Ever Ready with a Maggards 24mm premium boar. I don't know how you broke it in, Paul, but this knot is as soft as a SynBad or Cashmere! I hadn't used it for a month or more, so I soaked it overnight before yesterday's shave and it was outstanding. The above photo is how that knot looked this morning before soaking while I showered. Glorious goodness! And coupled with the Ethos and the Mammoth soap, I had luxurious, creamy, slick lather that had me wanting to stop and either take pictures or make notes on exactly what I did right! Whatever the case, this shave was the kind that make me worried about tomorrow's follow up shave, as this one set such a high bar!


Hope your day is great! Thanks for reading along.

Sorry about the emergency but glad chaos turned into yumminess and a glorious shave !! Take care Mrs MaineYooper !!!

Sorry about the emergency but glad chaos turned into yumminess and a glorious shave !! Take care Mrs MaineYooper !!!

Thanks, Dave! Will do!

Like Dave in KY, ETHOS SFS is “the BOMB” (and pricey) for me too. 

rocket, it sounds like you have a pretty good list!  I’ll be interested to hear your impressions and comparisons.

Like Dave in KY, ETHOS SFS is “the BOMB” (and pricey) for me too. 

rocket, it sounds like you have a pretty good list!  I’ll be interested to hear your impressions and comparisons.

Mike, You're stuttering again  Sorry, I couldn't resist....

Ha!  Don't be sorry Dave in KY.   Yesterday was somewhat of a whirlwind for Mrs. Highspeed and me.  We spent over seven hours in the Mary Washington Hospital ER.  Fortunately, it turned out to be a tempest in a teapot, but we did not know that until near the end.  Unfortunately, it took the better part of that seven+ hours to a) be interviewed, b) have X-rays taken and c) be actually admitted to the ER (taken back into an ER bed).  Meanwhile, every vending machine in the place was 100% empty, and all the water fountains were covered over due to COVID.  So I am sitting in the ER after about 5 1/2 hours, typing on my phone (never the best device for me), ready to hunt down the last Coca-Cola in the desert, and thinking "What the xxxx just happened?"  "Didn't I just post this?  Oh well; I'll just hit 'Post' ¿again?!" 

It was just meant to be a crazy day.  And to reemphasize (but not stutter ), it turned out to be a normal age related issue - one that requires treatment, but which is not life threatening, and so far as we know now, does not appear likely to impact quality of life.

Like Dave in KY, ETHOS SFS is “the BOMB” (and pricey) for me too. 

rocket, it sounds like you have a pretty good list!  I’ll be interested to hear your impressions and comparisons.

Like Dave in KY, ETHOS SFS is “the BOMB” (and pricey) for me too. 

rocket, it sounds like you have a pretty good list!  I’ll be interested to hear your impressions and comparisons.

Mike, You're stuttering again  Sorry, I couldn't resist....

Ha!  Don't be sorry Dave in KY.   Yesterday was somewhat of a whirlwind for Mrs. Highspeed and me.  We spent over seven hours in the Mary Washington Hospital ER.  Fortunately, it turned out to be a tempest in a teapot, but we did not know that until near the end.  Unfortunately, it took the better part of that seven+ hours to a) be interviewed, b) have X-rays taken and c) be actually admitted to the ER (taken back into an ER bed).  Meanwhile, every vending machine in the place was 100% empty, and all the water fountains were covered over due to COVID.  So I am sitting in the ER after about 5 1/2 hours, typing on my phone (never the best device for me), ready to hunt down the last Coca-Cola in the desert, and thinking "What the xxxx just happened?"  "Didn't I just post this?  Oh well; I'll just hit 'Post' ¿again?!" 

It was just meant to be a crazy day.  And to reemphasize (but not stutter ), it turned out to be a normal age related issue - one that requires treatment, but which is not life threatening, and so far as we know now, does not appear likely to impact quality of life.

Very glad to hear that all is well (mostly), Mike. The ER is never fast, fun, often not user-friendly. Take care and relax today if you are able to!

Like Dave in KY, ETHOS SFS is “the BOMB” (and pricey) for me too. 

rocket, it sounds like you have a pretty good list!  I’ll be interested to hear your impressions and comparisons.

Like Dave in KY, ETHOS SFS is “the BOMB” (and pricey) for me too. 

rocket, it sounds like you have a pretty good list!  I’ll be interested to hear your impressions and comparisons.

Mike, You're stuttering again  Sorry, I couldn't resist....

Ha!  Don't be sorry Dave in KY.   Yesterday was somewhat of a whirlwind for Mrs. Highspeed and me.  We spent over seven hours in the Mary Washington Hospital ER.  Fortunately, it turned out to be a tempest in a teapot, but we did not know that until near the end.  Unfortunately, it took the better part of that seven+ hours to a) be interviewed, b) have X-rays taken and c) be actually admitted to the ER (taken back into an ER bed).  Meanwhile, every vending machine in the place was 100% empty, and all the water fountains were covered over due to COVID.  So I am sitting in the ER after about 5 1/2 hours, typing on my phone (never the best device for me), ready to hunt down the last Coca-Cola in the desert, and thinking "What the xxxx just happened?"  "Didn't I just post this?  Oh well; I'll just hit 'Post' ¿again?!" 

It was just meant to be a crazy day.  And to reemphasize (but not stutter ), it turned out to be a normal age related issue - one that requires treatment, but which is not life threatening, and so far as we know now, does not appear likely to impact quality of life.

I'm sorry it was a wreck of a day. They happen. Glad the end result was conclusive and manageable. Put it in the rearview mirror now and be well !


HEY, someone get this man a COKE CLASSIC STAT !!!!!

Like Dave in KY, ETHOS SFS is “the BOMB” (and pricey) for me too. 

rocket, it sounds like you have a pretty good list!  I’ll be interested to hear your impressions and comparisons.

Like Dave in KY, ETHOS SFS is “the BOMB” (and pricey) for me too. 

rocket, it sounds like you have a pretty good list!  I’ll be interested to hear your impressions and comparisons.

Mike, You're stuttering again  Sorry, I couldn't resist....

Ha!  Don't be sorry Dave in KY.   Yesterday was somewhat of a whirlwind for Mrs. Highspeed and me.  We spent over seven hours in the Mary Washington Hospital ER.  Fortunately, it turned out to be a tempest in a teapot, but we did not know that until near the end.  Unfortunately, it took the better part of that seven+ hours to a) be interviewed, b) have X-rays taken and c) be actually admitted to the ER (taken back into an ER bed).  Meanwhile, every vending machine in the place was 100% empty, and all the water fountains were covered over due to COVID.  So I am sitting in the ER after about 5 1/2 hours, typing on my phone (never the best device for me), ready to hunt down the last Coca-Cola in the desert, and thinking "What the xxxx just happened?"  "Didn't I just post this?  Oh well; I'll just hit 'Post' ¿again?!" 

It was just meant to be a crazy day.  And to reemphasize (but not stutter ), it turned out to be a normal age related issue - one that requires treatment, but which is not life threatening, and so far as we know now, does not appear likely to impact quality of life.

Very glad to hear that all is well (mostly), Mike. The ER is never fast, fun, often not user-friendly. Take care and relax today if you are able to!

I'm sorry it was a wreck of a day. They happen. Glad the end result was conclusive and manageable. Put it in the rearview mirror now and be well !


HEY, someone get this man a COKE CLASSIC STAT !!!!!

Many thanks guys - for the well wishes, great advice, and laughter!

SEpGemBoar Week continues


(sorry, no photo for you!)

Razor: GEM Clog Pruf Peerless
Blade: Personna GEM (6)
Soap: House of Mammoth Z
Brush: Cascadia Line with TGN boar
Ethos First Lather before every lather

As our friends north of the border used to say, Beauty Shave, eh?!

Too perfect! Great response!