FintlewoodlewixChronicles

November 30?

2011-11-30T09:41:00.000-05:00

Can you believe this weather? Here it is the last day of November, and the day before yesterday I was out on the back deck with a cup of coffee, reading a book! Amazing!
Cold weather is coming soon, though, time to snuggle in for the winter, I think.

Just canned another batch of Dorie's veggie-beef soup, and we're looking at doing up another batch of applesauce, while they still have apples at a decent price at the orchard. We've got some granddaughters who can't get enough of that stuff! And I should have made a double batch of apple butter as well!

The garden is resting for the winter, but there's activity going on underneath. The garlic is in, and I'm doing next year's garden on paper -- lots of heirloom tomatoes, more parsnips, and I'll be trying some of the vertical gardening techniques I've been learning about.

Didn't get the tunnel greenhouse built this year, but it's still on the burner for next year. Of course, if the snow holds off I just might still be able to get it put up this year.

Finally got my shop cleared out so that I can work in it again. I'm hoping that one of the Edenpure heaters will keep it warm enough, as I don't like using the kerosene heater in a space that small.

Still working on the next two books, and planning to send them all to the various Ebook venues, like Kindle, Nook, Sony reader, etc. Maybe soon!

Enjoy!

So much happening!

2011-10-14T10:36:00.000-04:00

Taking a break from shredding and canning sauerkraut, and thought I'd catch up a bit.

We went up into New England for a long weekend, went on a whale watch, then drove up to Freeport, ME to the L.L.Bean store. Fun! We had perfect weather for it, nice and warm and clear. The fall foliage is a little dull this year, with only a few spots showing good color.

I got my garlic planted earlier this week, and helped Dorie with canning. She's been doing beets, pickled beets, applesauce, veggie-beef soup, and grape jelly. Still lots to do, but the garden is about done for the season.

I'm close to sending my next short story collection into Kindle for publication, and will probably send Mattie's Place there as well. The new Kindle Fire looks good, and the pricing changes on the old ones are attractive as well, so I figure it's going to be a good market for me.

Back to the grind ,,, errr,,, shred! :-)

Retired!

2011-09-26T09:05:00.000-04:00

Lots going on, with the floods and all. So many people hurting, and so many people helping, even in the midst of their own hurts. I've heard about folks who have lost everything, but still take time helping those who are even less fortunate. One local business owner, after losing his car dealership and service station, put everything on hold, and personally went to help those of his employees who had been displaced by the floods. He maintained his payroll, and kept everyone going. "There's time enough to replace inventory and things later. Right now my employees need the help more than I do." God bless him, and others like him!

As my heading indicates, I'm now officially retired! I'd been feeling lousy the past few weeks, and finally went to the doctor, who informed me that I had walking pneumonia, and put me on an antibiotic. I decided then that I'd had enough of slinging groceries, and told my managers at Weis that I would be resigning. They didn't hold me to the customary two weeks' notice, so I cleaned out my locker and left. Feel some better now, but still fighting the remnants of the pneumonia.

Those who enjoy gardening might enjoy my garlic article, published in the last issue of Backwoods Home Magazine. You can see it online at http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/tuckey131.html

Floods!

2011-09-08T15:37:00.000-04:00

There are lots of hurting people around here today. These are the worst floods in recent memory, more devastating even, than the 2006 flooding. We're high and dry here at home, but have friends and family who have been flooded out. Binghamton, Vestal, Endicott -- the whole Chenango/Susquehanna river valley, in fact, is inundated by flood waters dumped from tropical storm Lee when it stalled over us. We've been told to expect more, that it's not over yet. You may still be able to see the pictures at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=245296512172392&set=pu.115976508437727&type=1

Stormy Weather

2011-08-27T20:46:00.000-04:00

Sitting here waiting for Irene to arrive, but feeling her presence already. She's reaching out and touching the arthritis. Hoping it feels better once she's passed.

We had a bit of a flap a week ago. Dorie went downstairs at around 3AM, and came running back up and woke me up, saying that the kitchen was flooded. The hot water line under the sink had come apart, and we had about two inches of water on the floor. It ran into the adjacent sewing room as well, and soaked the carpet there.
It ruined the carpet, all the base cabinets in the kitchen, and the linoleum has to be replaced as well. It's not quite all dry yet, and we're waiting to receive the estimate from the insurance adjuster on it.

Life is interesting!

Remember Hurricane Hazel? I do, way back in 1954. I wrote a poem about her a few years ago, and just posted it in her honor on the "Etcetera Page" of my website, www.howardtuckey.com.

What a pain!

2011-08-11T21:34:00.000-04:00

New laptop, new OS (switching from XP pro to Windows7, new mail (can't run Outlook Express) but dunno which one to run. I have Outlook, Gmail, and Roadrunner mail, but they're all so different from OE that it's going to be a royal mash-up to get one of them running while saving all my old stuff.
May be mumbling for a while.

Wow!

2011-07-31T20:03:00.000-04:00

A whole month gone by! Talk about busy! Been writing, gardening, working, sweating (a lot) etc etc.

Mattie's Place is doing okay, but not selling as fast as I had hoped. The follow-on book is almost ready to send in to the publisher, and I need one more short story for my "Loose Canon" collection. That's a "twilight zone" type bunch of strange short stories -- some scifi, some ghost stories, some flash fiction. I'm planning that one for the Kindle. Also for the Kindle is the futuristic (post-apocalyptic) trilogy I've been working on. The first one is in final edit mode, and may be placed on Kindle in August. I figure if I get that one out there it will give incentive to get the next one done. Especially if it sells well! :-)

Re : Loose Canon, that's a working title. Will probably change it for pub. I woke up a couple of weeks ago with a story on my mind, and had to get up (at 3AM) and write it. That makes two in that collection that hit me that way. It's an eerie feeling -- sort of like just being a channel form wherever the story originated. No, I'm not into "channeling" -- just a figure of speech!

The garden is out there. Not doing well, but it's out there. We're getting a few tomatoes and cucumbers, but no squash yet. Garlic is nearly ready to harvest. I planted beets, more peas, and more cukes and beans. Getting ready to start the broccoli, and will put in some kale for winter harvest, and some tunips as well. .

Watch for the August/September issue of Backwoods Home Magazine -- my garlic article should be in there.

Re-Kindled!

2011-07-01T17:49:00.000-04:00

Dorie got me another Kindle -- thank you, Honey! I promise I won't soak this one in coffee!

Reading several books right now, Laurence Leamer's King of the Night, the Life of Johnny Carson is one, along with a Dean Koontz novel, A Mid-Summer Night's Dream, Decision Points, and Demonic, by Ann Coulter. I switch between them, depending on the mood.

Garden is spotty, at best. There are some peas ready to pick, and it's time to plant follow-on crops of beans and potatoes. The tomatoes look good, and the cukes are starting to come on strong. Weather has still been weird, but things are shaping up. Cherries were a bust again -- too much rain at the wrong time, ditto the strawberries.

The doc wants me to take some time off my job -- says that standing at the register all day is hurting my back and legs. Can't really afford it, but will talk to mgmt about it next week.

Storms again!

2011-06-24T21:40:00.000-04:00

Rain, thunder, lightning. Wind. More lightning and thunder, more rain. It's really getting strange. All the rain has put the kibosh on my (and everyone else's) strawberries and cherries too. Green Brothers normally has a 7-10 day picking season, but they were done in six hours this year! My plants look great, sending out runners all over the place, but what few berries showed up rotted before they ripened. Same with the two cherry trees -- turned brown and dropped, and the few ripening ones have big brown spot on them. Too much rain.

The peas are filling out, may pick some early next week! Yum! Still have more peas to plant, and more beans, potatoes, corn, cukes, beets, and squash. The tomatoes are coming along nicely, as are the peppers. I planted several varieties, ranging from mild to temporary insanity. Hoping they do well.

Going to try Tattler reusable canning jar lids this year. I ordered some, and they look good. They're supposed to be good for at least 20 cycles, so if they work well it will cut down considerably on our canning costs. Check http://www.reusablecanninglids.com/ for more info and to purchase them.

Still getting good responses on my book! See www.howardtuckey.com for more on that.

Hoping it will be dry enough to get out into the garden tomorrow!

World Without End

2011-06-17T10:35:00.001-04:00

Almost forgot -- was going to say a few words about Ken Follett's new book World Without End -- the sequel to The Pillars Of The Earth. Excellent book! I enjoyed it very much, even through some of the slower-paced spots. Set 200 years after Pillars (14th century) it give a great picture of life uder the thumb of feudal lords, the church, and the guilds. I saw much of today's New York State in it I'd recommend it to anyone interested in that period!

Ain't technology wonderful!

2011-06-17T10:21:00.000-04:00

Sitting here in the Kia dealer's shop, waiting for some service on my Sedona, and still bemoaning the loss of my coffee-soaked Kindle. I've had it sitting in rice (took the back off it first) but I think it's DOA. Bummer! Was in the middle of several books too -- currently reading a collection of Flannery O'connor short stories, as well as Midsummer Night's Dream, editing my new book, and reviewing a copy of a new book written by my son-in-law'a pastor. Now all I need is a new Kindle!
:-(

So I had to bring my laptop with me (they have a hotspot here) and might as well catch up on some writing while I wait. I've been tweaking the web page my son-in-law Aaron set up for me at www.howardtuckey.com, and it's looking good! Thanks, Aaron! Now looking at setting up an RSS feed on it. Looks fairly straightforward to do with Joomla -- that's what he used to set up the page, and they make it look easy to include some other bells and whistles too. I'm increasingly impressed with Joomla as a webpage builder!

Also working on Mattie's Place Two -- How Bump Really Got His Nickname! So far that's the working title, and folks who read the first one will draw the connection with little effort.

I wish I had started all this a long time ago! I still don't have a sense of time being short, but feel driven to write, to complete a few projects I've started and not finished. The extra $$ from my part time job at the supermarket do help, but the work, as much as I enjoy it, really cuts into my writing time! Not sure how much longer that will last.

Garden is going well -- actually had to water it again! The asparagus is done until next spring, but there are strawberries ripening, blossoms on the peas, even some little tomatoes on the plants! I count time in the garden as writing time too, as I write in my mind while working on weeding, etc, and I've actually sold an article to Backwoods Home Magazine on how I grow garlic. Won't get rich doing that, but it did pay for a month's internet provider service. Now working on another article for them.

On that note, gotta get busy!
'bye!

This is weather?

2011-06-03T08:37:00.000-04:00

Well I guess! This past week the temp has ranged from near 90F to this morning's low of 40F, with wind, rain, and thunder, and I actually had to go out and water the tomatoes a few nights ago. I almost went out and covered the garden last night, but decided to go ahead and take a chance. No frost, but the cold does slow the tomatoes and peppers a bit.

I've got three dozen tomato plants (mostly Roma for canning and sauce), two dozen assorted peppers -- sweet, hot, hotter, hottest, and Masochist's Delights, plus cukes, peas (up about 8 inches) , strawberries, asparacus, garlic, and some posies. More of those, plus the usual suspects left to plant. Wasn't going to do beets this year, as I got a good crop last year and canned a whole bunch, but I forgot to do the pickled beets. Not a good lapse there -- we love those things, so I'll plant them again.

There are lots of little green sweet cherries on the trees, and if I can save them from the birds, we might have a pie or two.

Speaking of the birds, had lots of finches, grosbeaks, woodpeckers, wrens, etc, until last week's storm. Now very few. A big crow has been stopping once in a while, but the little guys are scarce. Hummingbirds are back, and they'll fly right up close to me, but the rest are noticeably absent.

No bees either, and that's still scary.

Guess what -- it's raining!

2011-05-15T21:20:00.000-04:00

Shoulda got my garden in last week, but was afraid of the frost. We have a tub of water on the back porch that I've been using to water the plants, and it had ice in it a couple of mornings. I haven't had to bring them in for the past three nights, though, so may be able to set them out into the garden before Christmas. :-)

Forecast now is for rain every day through Friday, with possible flooding in some areas. It doesn't really bother my garden, as this sandy soil drains well, but I would like to get stuff planted soon. The first peas are growing okay, and the end of the week will be just about right for the second planting of those.

The second book is going well, and should be ready to submit to the publisher in a couple of months or so. I'm planning, along with a couple of other local authors, to do a booth at the county fair this summer, and I'd like to include the second Mattie's Place book.

Back to the grindstone ....

My web site is open!

2011-05-13T15:27:00.002-04:00

My website, www.howardtuckey.com, is now open for business! I think it looks great! Thank you Aaron! I appreciate it.

Way too busy!

2011-05-03T07:53:00.000-04:00

One of my chief complaints about blogs I've followed is that the blogger would go without posting for weeks at a time. Ooops! It's been a whole month since I've posted, and I can see how it can happen.

Been busy doing Other Things, and suddenly it's Now, and I can see all the empty pages I've left since Then.

Did lots of things over the past month, mostly accompanied by shivering. It's been cold, and Spring has come later than usual.

Sold a few books so far, but have seen no reviews on any of the book store sites. Perhaps that's a kindness. But folks seem to be enjoying it. I gave a copy to our local library, and the librarian told me the other day that it's on a waiting list, and I now have a second book signing scheduled for there, a week after the one at Barnes and Noble.

Someone told me they saw posters advertising the B&N signing already, and they are planning to come. Should be fun!

I got my early peas planted finally, a few weeks after I wanted to plant them. While tilling for them I noticed a few aparagus spears coming up, and couldn't wait -- I picked and ate one right there. Yum! The garlic is up 8 or 10 inches, and is growing nicely. I just got a check in the mail yesterday from the magazine that accepted the article I wrote about planting it, last fall. Gotta get busy and write some more! I write that not to brag, but to tell you that it's never too late to start doing the things you've been putting off.

If you have an article or a story that you would like to tell, find the magazine that prints similar stuff, and look on their website for "Guidelines for Submission." Follow them, and send it in! Worst case, they say no. Best case, you get a check in the mail a while later, and maybe an invitation to write something more for them!

That's what I have to do now -- finish another garden article and send it in!

cheers,
hjt

Eagle Cam 2011 | HAMPTON ROADS NEWS | WVEC.com | News for Hampton Roads, Virginia | Microsite Content

2011-04-02T15:30:00.000-04:00

Eagle Cam 2011 | HAMPTON ROADS NEWS | WVEC.com | News for Hampton Roads, Virginia | Microsite Content

My Book has been released!

2011-03-17T20:34:00.000-04:00

http://www.halopublishing.com/bookstore/Stories-From-A-Country-Diner

After way too long my book is on sale at Halo, Amazon, and many other book stores!

March!

2011-03-02T09:45:00.000-05:00

It's already March! Haven't posted here since Feb 12, but have been doing lots of writing. Two kids' books, plus one in the works (for my youngest granddaughters), and now 23k words into a new novel.

But that's not the big news -- "Mattie's Place" is in final production at Halo Publishing! They'll be taking orders sometime later in March.

Even better -- IT"S ALMOST GARDEN TIME!

:-)

All sorts of stuff

2011-02-12T12:39:00.000-05:00

It's almost quiet here! Two of our grandkids stayed with us this past week, and now they've gone home. Cari is here, playing with Sam (our Golden Retriever) and watching Blue's Clues.

It's been cooooooold! Temp got down to -15 earlier this week, and is now back up to 33, but the wind chill is lots lower than that. Still looking for Spring!

I've got some of my garden seeds in hand -- still have to get more beets and cabbage, and a few other items. I've had a garden for so long now, that I simply can't believe how the enclosed video clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRlXieQohhA&feature=player_embedded can happen! Talk about fascism! I think there's be bruises if anyone tried that in my neighborhood!

Waiting for a proof copy of Mattie's Place from the publisher. It's getting close!

writing, writing, writing

2011-02-05T19:11:00.000-05:00

Well, my Mattie's Place ms has been sent to the publisher, and I've been working on the cover art. Learning a lot about the art of creating and selling a book! I didn't realize just how much is involved in getting one out to the market place, and I'm thinking that the writing part was the easiest!

But we're on track, I guess, and it'll be interesting to see how well it does.

I've also been working on a couple of new stories, as my three youngest granddaughters have been after me to write each of them a book with them as the central character. Got one done so far, and one pretty well along the way. The third granddaughter, Joy, is here now for a few days, so I imagine we'll get around to working on that one too. Then to get them out to the publisher to see if they pass muster. This could be addictive!
:-)

On another note, it's raining and freezing here -- has been all day -- and the roads are atrocious! We need to get down to our church to do the bulletins for tomorrow morning, but I don't know if we'll make it or not. If not, we'll have to do it in the morning. We get there early in any case, so that's not much of a problem, but it'll be more to do.

Coold again!

2011-01-22T10:38:00.000-05:00

The temp was a little below 0 F this morning, and a couple of our water lines froze, but nothing too serious. It's up to 7 now, and Ijust came in from feeding the birds. We've got a Carolina Wren hanging around this year -- real pretty! It's the first one we've noticed in all the years we've been tending the feeders.
Still working on the story for Cari Grace. A puppy named Daisy, and a unicorn so far. Got several possible scenarios, and working towards one of them. Not easy writing for a precocious six-year-old!
:-)
Sent off my ms to the publisher yesterday, for initial edit. Hoping not to have to explain/insist on a couple of purposely misspelled words and grammatical anomalies.
Gotta go make some more sourkraut. We're down to one jar left, and it's good! I posted it here back in November 2009. when I first made it. It's still back there if you want to search back for it.

January Thirteenth

2011-01-13T16:41:00.000-05:00

It's been a while! Too many trips to the funeral parlor -- been there five times since the New Year began, and that's not a pleasant way to start the year.

It's shaping up to be a cold weekend here! Supposed to get down near the single digits (F) tonight, and I'm getting to the point where I just can't handle that any more. I've decided that of the two choices, I'd rather complain about being too hot than too cold!

But while I'm shivering, I'm looking out at the garden and deciding what and where to plant in a few months. It's almost time to start onion seed, and a few other things follow shortly thereafter.

It's almost book time too! another month or so, and it should be out. Now working on a special book for my granddaughter. She's requested a story about a puppy named Daisy, and I'm hoping I get it right. Not easy writing for a six year old!

Gotta close this -- supper smells great!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-27T16:51:00.000-05:00

I hope your Christmas was as good as mine! Got some nice goodies, including a Kindle! It's excellent!
I just ordered a book (Decision Points, by George Bush) and it was quick and easy. Went to the menu, chose the store, searched for the book, ordered it (had enough credit for it), and started reading it, all in less than 30 seconds. Also bought a Dean Koontz book that I wanted to re-read -- same thing.
I do want to get a lighted cover for my Kindle -- they're about $60 at Amazon -- so I can read it at night. Takes me back to when I was a kid, reading at night under the covers.

It's coooold here today, and very windy, so the cold blows right through this old house. Using lots more firewood this year than last year. It's had an extra year to dry out, so it burns fast. I was out moving and splitting firewood several times this morning, and got chilled through. Had to hang out near the woodstove to get warm again. Thankful for this old laptop with the usb wireless that my son-in-law set me up with. I can even ftp into my desktop upstairs (where it's really cold) and get at my files and folders there. I just have to remember to synch them when I update files on one or the other.

Getting lots of seed catalogs already. and will order soon for 2011 garden. I think it will be best to order early, because with this economy going south, some stuff may end up in short supply. I'll concentrate on open-pollenated seed this year, because of that very reason. Best to have some viable seed to save for the future. Call me paranoid, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Just wish I could convince the rest of my family and friends to do the same. Best to learn or re-learn those food producing and preserving skills now, than to wait until the coming panic.

Praying for a great new year for all my friends and family!

Tempus fugeddaboudit!

2010-12-12T22:42:00.000-05:00

Time does fly! Been cold and snowy, now rainy and windy, with more cold on the way.
Dorie and I celebrated our 44th anniversary on the 10th, and are looking forward to more of same! I love you, honey!

Trying to get the computer situation stabilized. I've been using an old HP (512mb ram) machine since my Compaq bit the dust, and boy is it slow! I could probably live with it, but it gets so cold up here that my fingers turn blue and it's hard to type. So my son-in-law fixed me up with a refurb laptop, with wireless, and I can drive this old HP from downstairs by the fire. Learning lots!

Still working on that NANOWRIMO novel. I became interested in what my main characters were doing -- should say will be doing, as it takes place way in the future -- and decided to keep them doing it. I hope they remember me.

So far I've received several garden catalogs, and am getting ready to send in a seed order any time now. The way the economy is going, I don't want to take any chances on not being able to get what I want. Also stocking up on canning supplies, etc, and non-perishable foods as well. I'd like to invest in some sort of solar/wind/battery power too, because right now we're at the mercy of a Spanish-owned power company, and I'm just paranoid enough to want to get out from under their thumb.

It's late -- g'nite!

How to stay busy

2010-11-24T07:51:00.001-05:00

I know, I haven't posted in several weeks. Been busy as a one-armed paperhanger with jock itch, in a roomfull of rocking chairs, dancing on a fire-ant hill. Or something.

Been foolish enough to add NANOWRIMO to my list of things in progress, and am only 6k words into it. If you've never heard of it, NANO... is a yearly challenge to write a 50,000 word novel, tarting on November 1, and ending on November 30. I've been gonna give it a shot for several years now, and finally got talked into it. It's really good exercise. See more at http://www.nanowrimo.org/ .

Weather's been mild for this time of year. Haven't been out deer hunting yet, maybe this weekend. I write in my head while doing other things, so that shouldn't interfere too much. I try that at work, but customers keep interrupting. :-)

Planted some bargain bin bulbs on Saturday, and saved a bunch of them for forcing real early in the spring. That really breaks up the long dreary winter, and I like doing it, especially with daffodils. After they blossom and die back, they can be replanted outside, and will come up again next spring. I also do some Paper Whites -- a variety of Narcissus. They won't come up again, but their beautiful scent makes it worth it anyway.

Back to nano!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Election Day

2010-11-02T07:14:00.000-04:00

Well, it's 7AM here in New York, and we just got home from voting. Seemed like kind of a letdown after all the hype, pomises, and mudslinging we've endured for the past several months. I feel like I know a lot of crap I didn't want to know, about a lot of people I didn't want to know, at least at that level.

But most of the things I've learned about most of those people are not the things I needed to know in order to really cast an informed vote. In most cases I heard why I should NOT vote for a given candidate, and I heard very little about why I SHOULD vote for a given candidate. And that is wrong. But unfortunately it's all I had to go on in many cases, so I had to go with what little I do know, or surmise, about my choices.

All we can do now is pray that it all works out according to God's will (and I do trust that), and, if you'll pardon the cliche, be the changes we want to see in our corner of the world.

Cold!

2010-11-01T14:52:00.000-04:00

It's November already! And before you know it, it'll be time to plant the garden again! :-) I know -- wishful thinking. Gotta shiver through another winter before we can think about playing in the dirt again. Or do we? I think that instead of dumping and storing the planter boxes, I'll cobble up a couple of shelves and flourescent fixtures, and grow some salad indoors. Should be fun!

I picked up a couple halves of chicken, marked down at the store for quick sale, and cooked them up with some onions, carrots, and celery, and some herbs and spices. Ended up with a bowl full of chicken pieces for biscuits and gravy, a few very nice chicken salad sandwiches, *and* ten pints of excellent canned chicken stock, all residing on the shelves down cellar, and ready for some yummy soups, noodles, and other dishes later on.
Then Saturday we did this:

Cari wanted to come down and "Learn how to make applesauce so I can teach mommy!" So we did!
That's a Victorio Food Strainer she's cranking -- best investment we've made for the kitchen in quite a while. They're around $60 at Amazon.com.

Cold again!

2010-10-19T08:04:00.000-04:00

Well that was short and sweet! It's raining again, and miserable out. No roof work today, I think.

I'm glad I got the garlic planted, though. Now the only thing remaining is to mulch the strawberry bed with a few inches of straw, but I should wait until the ground freezes and they go dormant. Also could start some more grape vines from cuttings. Just watched a video on how to do that, and now's the time for it.
If you're interested, you can see the video at http://tinyurl.com/2alvj5y . That's Mike McGroarty, who has built up quite a business for himself -- found a niche in the gardening world, and filled it. You can check that out at http://www.freeplants.com/wanted.htm.

Maybe this weekend.

Gotta finish that article and get to work.

Beautiful Fall Weather!

2010-10-18T11:50:00.001-04:00

The weather turned from cold and nasty wet to beautiful, sunny, and breezy for the next xouple of days. Just taking a break from working outside, to catch up on some coffee, writing, and email.

Yesterday, in just over 1 hour's time, I was able to ge the tiller going, till up a patch, and plant 250 garlic cloves. Now writing an article about it, which I hope to sell, complete with pix, to one of the gardening magazines. I plant garlic a bit differently than most folks, and manage to get a very nice harvest from a very small planting. Saving the details for the article, so I can't publish them here.

On Saturday we processed and canned 40 pints of home made applesauce. Dorie had done 46 pints last week, and now we have 1 1/2 bushels to go. The grandkids love it, and we do too. We use a lot of it warmed, spread on pancakes or French toast in place of maple syrup.

The main canning season is about done, but I've still got a pumpkin to do, and want to put up some pickled beets. The canner never gets put away, though, as I use it for chicken or pulled pork, or several other things when we can get them on sale.

Our pastor was just here, looking at the roof that needs replacing. He's coming up tomorrow with a couple of the guys from church to do it.

God is good!

It never ends!

2010-10-05T21:49:00.000-04:00

Got the garden just about put away, only need to till a couple hundred square feet now, and will be planting the garlic soon. It was a good year! The pantry is pretty well stocked, and we're pleased with the results.

I didn't get the shed moved, or the greenhouse started, or the grape arbor put up yet, but there's still time. First, though, gotta re-roof the 200 square feet over our living room. That's just under 5 rolls of half-lap, and a bucket of roof cement. No tear-off this time, so I should be done in a day or so, even less if I have some help with it. Then there's one back porch to close in for winter, and I'd like to put a roof over the other one. All in good time.

Meanwhile, we had a funeral last week, and two more later this week -- too many good friends leaving us. One, a close neighbor, died this morning of cardiac arrest, while doing her job as an emergency responder, treating and transporting a patient. She was our town fire department emergency services chief, and a 19-year emt. She'll be sorely missed.

Education of a Wandering Man

2010-09-15T09:35:00.000-04:00

I haven’t done a book posting lately, because I’ve been so busy reading and doing other things that I haven’t had time. Been saving them up for a winter day when there’s nothing else going on. But this one I had to share. I just finished Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L’Amour, and I highly recommend it!

L’Amour, most widely known as a writer of westerns, was much more than that. He wrote over 100 books, many of them westerns, to be sure, but a great many of them were set in ancient times – in the Middle East and Asia, and even in modern day settings. They all shared a common characteristic – the author’s love of historical accuracy, and his desire to teach, through his writing, the impacts one single man can have on the world around him.

Given all this, one would suspect that L’Amour was a highly educated man, with a study lined with degrees from the most prestigious universities. Well, he did have many of those degrees, but they were honorary, given in recognition of an education attainable only in the way he attained it. He left school at age 15, with a hunger for knowledge that never left him, and traveled the world on ships, trains, trucks, and on foot, working his way, and ever learning through the vast number of books he acquired and read.

In Education of a Wandering Man he says “No one can ‘get’ an education, for of necessity an education is a continuing process. If it does nothing else, it should provide students with the tools for learning, acquaint them with methods of study and research, methods of pursuing an idea.”

He also says “The idea of education has been so tied to schools, universities, and professors that many assume there is no other way, but education is available to anyone within reach of a library, a post office, or even a newsstand.”

This book is an account of just such an education – one acquired by an attempt to satisfy a hunger for learning that is indeed rare in modern times. That he was still hungry for learning in his late 80s (he died at age 88) says much for this man. He lived to learn, and to pass on his leaning, hoping to instill that passion in others.

I only hope I can pass on that passion to my own grandkids, and I highly recommend this book to anyone with like interests.

Lots happening!

2010-09-08T22:47:00.000-04:00

It's harvest time, and we're putting food by, as Gramma used to say. Dorie and I both get involved in it, but she does a lot more than I do. She won't do the pressure canning, though, since she saw my mom scald herself badly, using a old pressure cooker. Doesn't matter that she was not using it correctly, taking unsafe shortcuts, she got burned, and Dorie wants nothing to do with the things now.
So I do the low-acid stuff, like beets and other low acid veggies, as well as pork, chicken, and other meats and stocks.
We had gotten low on tomatoes and sauce, so we concentrated on those this past week or so. Here's a picture of our cellar pantry:

and another

We use the milk crates as well, and there are 27 more quarts of tomatoes stacked to the right of the shelves. We did beets, pickles, sauce, chili sauce (hot and regular), meat sauce with zucchini, etc etc. Still have to do around 2 bushels of apples -- maybe three -- into applesauce, and I just picked another half-bushel of Roma tomatoes, and may make another batch of sauce for pizza, and maybe some salsa.
Sure, it's a lot of work, but it's good eats!

Lots of rain!

2010-08-25T08:46:00.000-04:00

It's been raining here off and on for several days, so I've been working inside. On Monday I canned 30 pints of beets from the garden, and they'll taste great this coming winter. Now waiting to do tomatoes, sauce, chili sauce, and maybe some more pickles.
The garden is winding down, with only a row of late beans to pick right now. I harvested the garlic -- got a whole bunch of nice heads, mostly hard-neck, and a few soft-neck.
We had some big zucchini, and we used it for Dorie's zucchini stew -- like a rich spaghetti sauce, with chunks of zucchini in it. I put up 23 quarts of it in the pressure canner, and that'll be great on pasta, or just by itself with a loaf of Italian garlic bread on the side.
There are still some onions and peppers out there too, and a long row of sunflowers starting to bloom. Maybe I'll get some seeds to roast this year, but they mostly go to the birds as winter feed. I just hang up a head of them, and watch the birds go at them.
------

I've been working on my book too, and it's supposed to be out in March 2011. Doing final edit now, and it's amazing what a difference a hard copy makes, over reading it on the computer. Hoping this one goes well, as I have at least two more waiting their turn.

Monarch!

2010-08-12T09:49:00.001-04:00

Our grandkids brought a dozen or so Monarch caterpillars a couple of weeks ago, and we put them into containers, fed them with milkweed leaves, and watched them chrysallize (is that a word?). One of the three came out ysterday, and this one made its entrance this morning. I was fortunate enough to see again the miracle of metamorphsis up close and personal!

I saw it once before, several years ago, and wrote this account of it:

Monarch

The air was still and crisp. I moved my lawn chair into a sheltered spot near the house, next to a patch of wildflowers and weeds that I had missed with the mower, and sat in the sun. It had been a difficult day, and my head was full of my own self, and all of my problems. It’s a wonder that I even noticed the chrysallis, hanging nearby on a dried-out milkweed plant. A movement caught my eye, though there was no wind. I watched for a moment, and saw that it had begun to split open, revealing a dark interior. At first I thought it was all of one color, but it opened further, and I saw the black and orange cloak of a Monarch. It struggled for a time with its confinement, then stopped, its spindly legs and crumpled wings trapped half in and half out of the unyielding case.
It’s too late in the season, I thought, it just didn’t make it. Too bad. My own thoughts came crashing in again, and I closed my eyes for a moment, to try to sort them out. Things were just not working out the way I had planned them, and now it was too late to do anything about it. Might as well give up, like this poor, dead, black and orange thing. Monarch of what, I thought sarcastically, some king -- can’t even get out of its own shell. Just like me.
Then something brushed against my cheek, and I felt something hit the front of my shirt. The touch was so light that I thought for a moment that a leaf had drifted down from the maple in the side yard. I opened my eyes and looked down, and there was the Monarch, resting on my chest, just over my shirt pocket. Its wings moved slowly, drying, and I could see life working its way into them. The twisted legs straightened and flexed, and it appeared to be enjoying the warmth of the sun.
I sat still, hardly daring to breathe, captivated by the miracle I saw unfolding so close to me, until the wondrous creature gathered up its warmth, and its strength, and flew off to join the rest of the late bloom on their southward migration. Never too late, it flashed in a blaze of black and orange reassurance, it’s never too late to claim a kingdom.
hjt-1997

Busy Day!

2010-08-03T13:36:00.000-04:00

Been a busy day so far!

Stopped at the barber shop first thing, and now feel cooler again!

Then the truck started overheating, was low on coolant. Looks like maybe a small leak in the water pump. Added some cooland, ant it seems okay now. Came back in out of the heat.

Added a 1gb memory stick to this desk-top computer and didn't notice a whole lot of improvement in speed, but it's running, so I must have done it right.

The old Troy-bilt tiller (1963 model) stripped the engine mount bolts last week, and I just now got it back together and working again. They must have been loosening themselves for quite a while, and I just missed it. Gotta pay more attention. Anyway, I was able to replace three of them, but had to re-tap the fourth hole and go to a bigger bolt. The originals were 5/16, and the next size (available) SAE bolt was 7/16, so I opted for the in-between 8MM metric. Seems to work okay, and I put the red loc-tite stuff on them so they'll not back out again. I don't anticipate ever having to change out the engine again.

Came back in and submitted an article on writing, to a magazine -- $75 if they accept it.

Back out and tilled up a space to plant the fall broccoli and kale, maybe even some more beans and peas. Tiller's working fine!

Dug up the garlic, and laid it out to cure. Got some nice heads! Then cut some Swiss chard for lunch -- YUM! Saute a little fresh garlic (crushed) in some olive oil, drop in the washed chard, and add a splash of balsamic vinegar. Cover, and let it steam, tossing once or twice to coat it all. Double Yum!
------
The only downer was the call from the interviewer I talked to last week, saying that they'd hired one of the other applicants, who had "more computer background and skills than I do." Not sure what that means, since I've been extremely active in the computer field -- teaching, supporting, repairing, building, using -- for over 40 years.

Oh well -- into every life ... speaking of which, I'd better get back out and finish up in the garden, as we're supposed to get some T-shower activity this afternoon, and the tiller still sits out there.

My Life by Golda Meir

2010-07-22T07:47:00.001-04:00

I’ve been reading My Life, by Golda Meir, and it’s a real eye-opener. It details the life of this amazing woman, and her part in the struggle for an autonomous Jewish state in Israel, and what they went through to establish it. I knew the British resisted their efforts during and just after WW2 to settle in Palestine, but I was amazed at the extent to which they went, to block that settlement.

Anyway, I just read a passage that describes the airlift of Yemeni Jews into Israel in late 1948. These Jews had been isolated as a people in Yemen for 2000 years or so, having been relocated there by the Romans, and serving as serfs and slaves since then, with no rights at all. Golda describes meeting the first planeload, and talking with an old man who had just gotten off the plane. She asked “Had you ever seen or been on a plane before?”

He replied “No, I never had even seen one up close.”

She said “You must have been terrified.”

“No, I was not. Why would I be frightened? I remembered the prophecy in Isaiah: ‘You shall mount up with wings of eagles’”

And she writes “Then he recited the whole passage from Isaiah, blessed God, and said “This was the fulfillment of that prophecy – why should I be afraid?”

I read that with tears streaming down my face – the simple faith of these people in God’s promise to preserve them was amazing!

This book will be a permanent part of my own personal library, and I highly recommend it for all who would like to learn more about what has been happening in Israel and the Middle East.

Learning Curve

2010-07-19T12:26:00.001-04:00

Ahh yes -- there is indeed a learning curve associated with Windows 7. Also with MS Outlook, and a few other new bells and whissers on this beastie. But I'm learning!

Along with the new stuff on the machine, we've been busy with canning -- picked two rows of green beans this morning, and we (Dorie, mostly) have 18 pints of them in the canners right now. Should taste good come winter time! On Saturday, she put up two dozen+ pints of pickles -- zucchini pickles, dills, and a few jars of habanero dills as well.

Looked out in the garden the other day and saw this:

then a few evenings ago, this guy was lying in our back yard:

They don't seem to be nipping any more of our produce, and they're fun to watch!

More pix of the garden soon.

BTW -- that brown and white one is called a "piebald" deer. This one is a little deformed -- some are moreso -- due to the genetic aberrations that caused the cool color scheme. It seems to be healthy enough, though, and was out back dancing about the other evening while Dorie was bringing in the laundry off the back line.

Back on the air!

2010-07-11T20:37:00.000-04:00

OK -- I've got computer again! Now for the bit of a learning curve that comes with Windows 7.

Computers!

2010-07-10T07:19:00.000-04:00

I'm temporarily sans computer, getting updated to Windows 7 and a few other goodies.

Back soon, I hope.

Interesting tomato snatcher

2010-07-04T18:23:00.001-04:00

I'm missing some Roma tomato plants from out back of my regular garden, in a spot where there were no tomatoes before. I had hoped to avoid the tomato blight for some Roma paste tomatoes that we will can for making sauce later. This critter has been nipping them. We see it morning and evening. Finally got a picture -- not a great quality picture, but enough to show what I'm dealing with.
Hoping to see it on opening day of deer season, as I love venison steaks and spiedies. And that hide will make a beautiful jacket!

Arizona law

2010-06-29T07:22:00.002-04:00

Someone just sent me the MSNBC poll asking the question "Do you support Arizona's tough new law on illegal immigration?"

ABSOLUTELY!

When you stop to think of it, what’s the first thing they ask you – a natural-born American citizen – for, when you go to the doctor’s office? Your ID!

Likewise when you cash a check, get stopped for speeding, (or even jay-walking) open a bank account, buy insurance, take out a loan, or mortgage, get a library card, buy beer (at least in NY State), buy a plane ticket, walk into the courthouse!!!, visit an inmate, etc etc etc, you're required to show your id. And that’s for CITIZENS! So what’s their beef?

I answered as above, then went to look at the poll, and found that 95.7% of responders ON AN MSNBC POLL are supportive of Arizona's law!

95.7% !!!!

Yet bho (ptooie!) is determined to file suit against the state of Arizona and its governer Jan Brewer, to put a stop to the law.

It's about time he understands that it's "WE THE PEOPLE" -- not "ME THE PRES"

If you're interested, the poll is at

http://world-news.newsvine.com/_question/2010/05/12/4274124-do-you-support-arizonas-tough-new-law-on-illegal-immigration

Doom, Despair, and Agony on me

2010-06-28T09:24:00.004-04:00

Deep, dark depression, excessive misery ...

It's not to that point yet, but it could get there if I keep thinking about the news.

Someone asked what I thought of the following article re the oil spill.

http://www.rense.com/general91/oilor.htm

All hyperbole aside, there may be something to it.

Can you say “Revelation 8:8?”

Anyway, my friend was wondering about the immense pressure at the ocean floor, over a mile down. Why does it not simply smother the well?

Right off the top of my head, remember the pressure is relative, so it’s the differential that matters. Think “bends,” and the need for divers to come up slowly from great depths in order to equalize pressure.

The pressure at the bottom is the same on everything down there. Add a unit of pressure to one side of the equation (the stuff coming out of that well) and it’s higher than the pressure of the water trying to hold it down.

I’ve read about the “volcano theory” before, and it is indeed scary. Who knows how interconnected everything down there is?

No, I'm not thinking "Journey to the Center of the Earth;" any prehistoric beasties are emerging as tar balls. But they're leaving a rather large gap down there in all that heat, that has to be filled with something. Like, maybe, Florida? I can see the price of orange juice going up a lot.

A couple of simple illustrations that happened not far from where I live:

A friend from church said one day that he had to save up for a new well, as their well had collapsed on itself, and they had no water. The water table is high right around here, and there’s no natural reason a well should suddenly do that.

I remembered that I had been by his place a couple of times shortly before that, and they were rebuilding the road (Route 79). Both times I had to wait for trucks to unload gravel fill in spots where the road bed had settled. They had huge tamper machines compacting the fill as they dumped and spread it and you could feel it for hundreds of yards in every direction. I told him to file a complaint with the DOT, and sure enough, they traced his well failure to the hydraulic pressure traveling through the ground with sufficient force to collapse the well. They paid to replace his and several neighbors’ wells.

Another incident happened north of Syracuse, back in the 60s, where they were filling sinkholes in the building of I81. After days of dumping and compacting, they were interrupted by a farmer who drove over to complain that he now had a new mound in his hay field. The pressure had followed a fault line to a weak spot, and created a bulge.

I’m wondering if our recent earthquake just outside of Toronto, and felt in this part of NY State, might even be a fore-runner of things to come as a result of pressure changes caused by this blown well.

Do you think it's time to start circling the wagons yet?

I know I’m not investing in Florida real estate real soon ... maybe California orange juice?

Busy!

2010-06-15T21:30:00.001-04:00

It's starting to come along now; the rain has helped immensely! But it's been slow getting the rest of it planted. Of course, I'll plant some of it at intervals over the next couple of months, for a sustained harvest. I've got to replant a bunch of peas, as the rabbits have about demolished the first planting. There are some peas to pick soon, but nowhere near what there ought to be. Also have some hot peppers already, as well as some green peppers. The cukes and squash are growing nicely, and that first rain made the asparagus almost jump out of the ground! Won't be able to pick any of that for a couple of years, though.

We're seeing lots of beets and Swiss chard, onions, carrots, and the tomatoes and beans look to be right on schedule. Still have lots of time for potatoes, winter squash, and more of most everything else.

I've got most of the materials for a 3-bin compost pile, and am building some moveable fence panels to keep the critters out of my beans and peas.

On the "bummer" side, the birds and bugs got most of the cherries off my new sweet cherry tree. This would have been the first harvest, but it didn't turn out.

Will post morepix later.

Good Day's work

2010-05-27T15:40:00.005-04:00

Had the day off today, and it's been a scorcher! But I had to get some garden in anyway, as we're supposed to get some rain tonight. Here's a shot from the southwest corner, showing about half of the garden. Click on the picture to enlarge it if you wish. I'm gradually relocating it to get it out of the shade of the big oak tree. The shady part is still good for some things -- lettuce, carrots, etc, but full-sun loving crops need to be on the far side. The tall stuff on the right is garlic, planted last fall. It's just a couple of feet east of the center of the garden, so you can get an idea just how big 8000 square feet of garden really is.
Today I planted 36 tomatoes, two dozen peppers, red onions, and moved a volunteer clump of violas that appeared in the other garlic patch. Oh, and more cucumbers and squash. Can't have enough pickles! Still have sunflowers, more radishes, some potatoes, pumpkins, pole beans, scallions, marigolds, carrots, parsnips, basil, coriander (cilantro when green, coriander when the seeds mature) chard, nasturtiums, lettuce, broccoli, kale, turnips, and other stuff. Some crops will go in later, to mature towards the fall.
Already have bush beans, beets, garlic, radishes, 50 asparagus plants, yellow and zucchini squash, carrots, gladiolus, dahlias, and a few other flowers. Gotta have flowers!
It's a bit of work, but I love it, and fresh veggies are way better than the stuff they overcharge us for at the supermarket. We eat what we can, and what we can't eat, we can! It's a pretty sight in the dead of winter to see all the jars of home-canned, home-grown GOOD food!

Someone asked about all the white garden stakes -- I recycled them from the railing around a swimming pool deck. They last forever, and they make great marker stakes!

Using Picasa3 to view and upload to here --- dunno how it works.

Miep Gies

2010-05-22T11:39:00.008-04:00

A beautiful human being passed away in January, at age 100, and I just learned of it. Her name was Miep Gies, and I imagine it is unfamiliar to many, if not most of the people who have been touched by her life.

And that is a crying shame.

Miep Gies was the woman who hid and protected Anne Frank and her family, at the dire peril of losing her own life for it. She is the one who recovered Anne's diary, and gave it to Anne's father, Otto, after the war. Without her we would never have known Anne's story, yet she considered what she did for them to be nothing worthy of note; she was only doing what one human being should do for another.

The NY TImes did run an article about her -- you can read it at
NY TImes Gies Article
It is a good reminder of an era and an atrocity that many -- including some our own current administration seem to be determined to downplay.

Please read the article, and also do a Google search on her name. She deserves to be remembered forever, for what she did.

It's that season again

2010-05-19T08:41:00.000-04:00

They say the ticks are going to be especally bad this summer -- just found one on the back of my knee. Maybe I'll get a flock of Guinea Hens to help keep them under control. Wonder if my Golden Retriever (Sam) will leave them alone?

What the ...!???

2010-05-18T13:55:00.000-04:00

Hot button warning!
Was listening to a local talk radio show in the truck this morning, and a caller opened his chat by saying "I'm not going to vote [on the school budget] today, because I'm only one vote, and it wouldn't count anyway, because blahblahblah." He then proceeded to sound off on the evils of our political and educational systems, and I had to agree with him on 99% of what he was saying.

EXCEPT

That first part, where he said "I'm not going to vote ..."

To my limited cognizance, that means that he had already given up on his right to complain. He was not willing to even attempt to hold up his end of the bargain, so where did he get the right to berate the ones on the other end of the yoke?

I'm not purposely singling out this gentleman, because I know he's definitely not alone. But that's the point, isn't it? He contends that he has only one vote, and it is already rendered nil by the powers that be. His actions don't mean anything in today's world. The actions of one person carry no weight in society whatsoever.

Tell that to Rosa Parks.

Echo it to the young man who stood in front of that Chinese tank in Tienamin Square.

Neither of them are with us any more, but none of us will forget them, and their one "vote" to stand up for what they knew to be right did make a difference to the world they lived in.

Just an opinion.

Great Strategy!

2010-05-09T19:12:00.000-04:00

I think I've discovered the best strategy for keeping the tomato plants from freezing -- Procrastination! :-) !!!

I was gonna put 'em in last week, and get a head start this year, but just didn't get around to it. Last night it snowed here, and we've got freeze warnings for the next two days.

So ,,, maybe next week ...

Rose Bush

2010-05-08T21:37:00.000-04:00

Finally moved the yellow rose bush from beside Bev and Aaron's home to its new home in the corner fence in our side yard. Could almost hear the poor thing crying "Not again!" It does have a history:

My Grandma moved from Sydney, NY to Bainbridge, NY when my dad was two or three, (1919 or 1920) and took this climbing yellow rose with her. It had been growing for years at the home where she lived. Then when they moved to Binghamton they moved it again -- around 1938. It got moved a couple more times in the early 40s, just after I was born, and in 1947 it got moved to our home on Bunn Hill, between Vestal and Binghamton.
In 1959 we dug it up again, and moved it into Vestal, where it stayed for a couple of years, until Mother and Dad bought this house in Lisle, NY. Dad put it next to the barn in 1961 or 62, where half of it still grows, and then moved half of it up the road when we bought this place, and they put a mobile home on a foundation just on the other side of the barn.
Bev and Aaron bought the mobile home a few years ago, and now they want to build an addition right where the rose bush grew.
So today I moved it, and I'm hoping that it will survive yet again.
It's a beautiful old-fashioned single yellow rose, with the nicest fragrance, and I want to keep it.
After all, it has to be over 100 years old by now.

Got compost?

2010-05-06T07:27:00.000-04:00

An 11AM start time at work gives opportunity for other things! I went to the landfill yesterday morning and got a truckload of nice (free) compost for the garden. It took about an hour, and I'll probably do it again later in the week.
They do this every year, and have a huge composting area to handle yard waste to recycle it instead of filling up the landfill with it.
Check your local landfill for a similar program!

To plant or not to plant

2010-05-05T07:20:00.003-04:00

Lots of work to do in the garden! Removed most of the posts and fencing -- it's easier to till that way, and gotta rotate the beds anyway. I've been tilling every few days to try to kill off the weeds as they sprout, and watching for volunteer potatoes so I can dig them out before they can get a start. Garden co-op says that is best way to avoid a repeat of the blight that destroyed the tomato and most of the potato crop last season.

My asparagus roots arrived from Miller Nursery -- 25 Purple, and 25 Super Male -- so I've gotta make the final decision where I want the bed to be, and get the trenches dug for them. We do love fresh home-grown asparagus, and the bed I planted some years ago is starting to peter out.

Will have to buy pepper plants now, as the seed I started was mostly no-show. Sometimes happens, especially with peppers. At least with the peppers I start! :-)

We're out of home-canned beets now, so I've gotta get some out of the garden this year. That's one crop I've had to worst luck with. Maybe better this year.

Cari Grace is planning her garden plot, and will probably plant a 3-sisters garden again, plus a few other goodies. If you've never done one, there are good instructions here Just be sure to explain the history behind them to your kids -- Cari loved it, and can still tell you the story behind it.

Lessons From Armed America

2010-05-01T15:59:00.003-04:00

Recommended reading for anyone interested in the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution. Kathy Jackson and Mark Walters have written a riveting book outlining exactly what it means to be armed in America. Whether you carry, or contemplate carrying, a handgun for sport, competition, or defense, you would do well to read and consider this excellent book. It combines anecdotal with statistical evidence to present the privilege and responsibility embodied in the second amendment. Again, highly recommended!

Turkey in the garden this morning!

2010-04-23T15:19:00.000-04:00

Looked out the window this morning and this is what I saw checking out the pea patch! Season starts in a week, so this one may be dinner before too much longer!
Sam and I (he's my golden retriever) watched it for several minutes before it finally moved along.

I Love You Three Dots

2010-04-22T08:36:00.002-04:00

We've read lots of books to our kids and grandkids, and I've seen some very nice ones over the years. But one new one just made it to the top of our list. It's I Love You Three Dots, by a friend of mine, Mona Haynes.
In it, a mom is helping her young son to learn his numbers, and he asks her about the three dots he sees after each number. She tells him that they mean the idea goes on and on. It's a symbol for something that just keeps going.
Well, the meaning makes quite an impression on him, as we learn later, at bedtime.
It's a wonderful story, and it's available at Amazon.com. Check it out for your own kids, or for anyone who needs reassurance that love does indeed go on forever.

Yum!

2010-04-18T21:24:00.000-04:00

We finally cooked up the 20 lbs of chicken leg quarters that were in the freezer, and I canned them this afternoon in the pressure canner. Got 11 pints of chicken meat, and 9 pints of stock for soups, etc. It stores well in the cellar, with no worries about power failure, freezer quitting, and all those kinds of things.
A word to the wise -- if you want to do any canning this season it would be wise to stock up now on jars, lids, etc. Looks like lots of folks are going to try doing it this year, and supplies may get scarce just about time to put up the tomatoes.
Trying to get a line on where to buy the Tattler reusable jsr lids. BackWoodsHome Magazine had an article on them, and they look like the way to go. WIll post more info here as I find it.

It was snowing this morning here in Lisle, NY. Not sticking, but definitely snowing! We've got the fire going now.

Go Fly a Kite!

2010-04-07T22:16:00.000-04:00

Granddaughter Cari Grace came over this morning and said that her mom found her new kite, and asked if I could help her fly it. There is no way I'm saying "no" to that! So we went out and had a great time. The wind was too variable in the back yard, so we went across the road and flew some kite!

It's one of my favorite things to do!

Under Way

2010-04-04T20:53:00.000-04:00

I got out to the garden yesterday, and fired up the tiller. Only took one pull! Then I got a whole lotta tillin' done! :-)

It was still early when I finished tilling, so I planted two rows of Early Frosty peas, and two rows of Little Marvel peas. More coming later. Now to put up some support fencing.

I'm under no illusions that we'll harvest lots of peas from this planting, because my grandkids love them! When they arrive at the house (later on in the summer) they say Hi, and immediately head out for the garden, and begin munching on fresh green peas! I don't mind a bit -- it's better than watching them chow down on candy bars! I just want to harvest enough to freeze for later.

Peas are about the only thing I freeze any more. I've become leery of the power company here. NYSEG is owned by a Spanish company, and I'm not comfortable that they even care about their upstate customers. So I'm not making any bets on the power staying on 100% of the time. So, we can most everything, using a pressure canner for low-acid foods. Let the power go off -- I'll go down into our nice cool cellar, and retrieve a home-canned jar of chicken soup, or some beets, corn, etc.

But canned peas can be downright nasty!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T13:33:00.003-04:00

HE IS RISEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Blind Side

2010-03-29T13:48:00.000-04:00

We watched The Blind Side yesterday evening -- Great Movie!!!!!!! I'd recommend it for anyone! Not sure why Quinton Aaron didn't garner any nominations for awards for his portrayal of Michael Oher, but he did a bang-up job as well.

Currently, in a (formerly) great country near you

2010-03-23T08:17:00.002-04:00

Someone asked me what my thoughts were on the current debacle that is our political system. After some thought, I answered thusly:

Most of the Democrats see it as "Rallying Behind our Great Leader," and are so caught up in the fervor of Political Correctness resulting from electing a black man (ANY black man) that they are blind to what's really going on. BHO is so caught up in himself, and his vision for America that he thinks he is invincible, and can force his agenda (he thinks it's his agenda) on a public that has been apathetic enough to allow it. Have you read any of his books, or looked into the backgrounds of the people he's been surrounded with all his life? I sincerely believe he is merely a tool, created and prepared by the far left -- Soros and his ilk -- who are the ones driving this wagon load of loony toons. It is they who are forcing this "Progressive" agenda onto the stage. They deny the authority of God Himself, insisting that MAN is indeed the captain of his soul. Their agenda takes literally the last stanza of Henley's great lie, "Invictus" --

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

They have no fear of standing before a Holy God at the judgment, thinking that even if they do, they will be able to stand before Him with heads held high, look Him in the eye, and tell Him that He is irrelevant. And they insist they will lead us into the same doom.

The Republicans have enjoyed the "good life" for so long that they've become apathetic as well, and have forgotten any lessons we've (supposedly) learned over the past 200 years or so. They profess to fear the wrath of God, but most of them are too devoid of character to stand for what is right, and they choose to simply "enjoy" the fruits of their (and everyone else's) labor now.

The "far right loons" as they're called may well be the only really sane and serious voices remaining in this country, insofar as they are very vocally crying out Jeremiads against the debauchery we call politics.

They call for return to the principles on which we were founded. They remind us of the reasons our ancestors came here in the first place. They place the awareness of millions of aborted babies into the forefront of our consciences. They demand that our elected representatives not abrogate the rights acknowledged in our founding documents. And they remind us that we are still, indeed, creations of an Almighty and Just God, who has promised to bless us if we will return to Him.

Meanwhile, most of the rest of us have become de-sensitized by the abundance we have become "entitled to," and which we have abused and misused, to the point where we only cry out when stung directly, and move just enough to ease our own discomfort. Well, the whole hornet's nest had to fall on us at some point, and I think it's now.

That the "far-right loons" must resort to spectacular measures to warn us says much against our current condition. But then again, Noah simply built an ark, and no one paid attention to him.

Job Openings?

2010-03-22T22:08:00.000-04:00

Did anyone notice that among the promises made in foisting Obamacare on the average hapless American citizen, was the one about creating jobs?

Well, it looks as if he's delivered on that one as well! Written into the bill is a provision for the IRS to enforce it, and to do that, they say they need 15,000 more people to carry the load.

Jobs!

wow

yea

pfffftt!

My Theory on the Current Situation

2010-03-18T15:09:00.002-04:00

I have a theory.

Unlike those “Birthers” as they’re known, I believe BHO may have originated here in the US after all, but not by the conventional method.

I think he may have been put together from old, leftover Muppet and Barney parts, (maybe with a bit of Smurf thrown in) and raised in a tank with other misbegotten creations.

He – and they – were connected to brain feeds and pumped full of data specially formulated to shape their thoughts and actions into Politically Correct ones; into anti-American ideologies, specifically designed to bankrupt and destroy any remnants of the Judeo-Christian heritage we have enjoyed heretofore.

He was then picked from his lesser siblings, (if, indeed, that term applies) and turned loose on a society and civilization that has been dumbed down by the same force that created him, a society that is now ready to embrace him, as he carries out his nefarious programming.

His siblings, though not to be deemed his equals, received further (remedial) programming, and emerged from the tanks as left-wing politicians, and as media types – journalists, celebrities, and community organizers bent on elevating BHO regardless of how stupid they appear to anyone who actually has the talent of thinking.

Earlier versions of these creations were turned loose into all levels of our education system, and have been quietly preparing the citizens of this once-great country, blinding us to this, the cabal’s final onslought. They have succeeded in dragging us nearly down to the level of pre-Renaissance Europe, to the point that we were ready to grasp at any straw that promised buoyancy, even though anyone in his right mind would have realized that Kapok (even Kaopectate) would have been eminently preferable.

I fear for the collective sanity, the social well-being, and the moral underpinnings of this great country. I am afraid that very soon we shall approach the point of no return, and shall face a reality much more horrific than the Frumious Bandersnatch that Lewis Carroll wrote about.

We face the claws and jaws of the Jabberwock itself!

Beware!

Sic transit gloria mundi. Thus perishes the glory of the world. (Thomas A Kempis)
Non teneas aurum totum quod splendet ut auram. Everything that glitters is not gold. (Alain de Lille):

Finally Got Going!

2010-03-14T22:07:00.000-04:00

I guess I must have shamed myself into it, and got the garden started yesterday. I went out to the shed and liberated some pots and flats, and moved some stuff around. The tiller diesn't look as bad as I feared, so it shouldn't be too much fuss to get it going for another season. This will be its 47th year of stirring up the dirt! It's a 1963 model, that I bought in 1987. I replaced the original engine in 2003, and will replace the (rear) tines again (4th set) before I start tilling this year. It's a good old beast, and I've gotten way more than my money's worth out of it. Even wrote a short story around it. Guess I should dig that out too, and brush it off and see if I can get it published.

Anyway

While I was out in the garden I grabbed the long-handled spading fork and went looking for parsnips. Sorry, Andria, no luck. But maybe I was in the wrong row. Will try again when things start sprouting -- makes it easier to find them.

So, back in the house, I was able to start some tomatoes (4 kinds), onion seed, 8-packs of sweet peppers (2 varieties), hot peppers (2 varieties) husk cherries, besides some sweet basil that I repotted.

Starting to get the garden bug again -- happens every year about this time!

Maybe this week I can get the tiller going and actually plant a row of peas! oboyoooboy!

March

2010-03-12T08:32:00.002-05:00

March has to be the most difficult month of the year. First it’s warm and sunny, then cold and rainy, and always the threat of more snow on the way.

Go to work, and everyone remarks on what a nice day it is; get a day off, and the weather turns miserable!

Everything begins to pile up until the stack looks insurmountable, and the first thing you know, it’s time to plant the garden, and the seeds are still in the box.

But not this year! Today I’m going to start the onions and tomatoes. Yes, it’s late for the onions, and early for the tomatoes, but I’m thinking it’ll all average out somewhere.

Then there are tomato cages to build, but I can probably let that go for a while – don’t need them quite yet.

And some cleanup still needed from last year’s garden, but I’m not ready to till that spot yet either. And the tiller should be gone over, and the mouse nest cleaned out of the motor housing, but it’s still too cold and wet this morning – that can wait for a sunny day. Ahh – some brush to cut and trim for support for the peas! But I still need to sharpen my brush cutter, and get the tire fixed on the cart.

So, gotta find that bag of potting soil and get the flats ready for the onions and tomatoes, but where is it? Oh yeah – under that pile of stuff I haven’t straightened out in the garden shed yet, because it’s been too cold.

Nuts!

I wonder how much the Garden Center is asking for onion sets and tomato plants this year ...

Young Artists for Haitian Relief

2010-03-02T09:20:00.000-05:00

I've posted here before about Anastasia Rizikov, a young lady who I have had the privilege of meeting at two of her piano recitals near where I live. She is an awesome talent, and it is a joy to me to simply have listened to her pour her heart and soul into her music.

Anastasia, with nine other young pianists around the world, recently participated in a special performance on behalf of the children in Haiti.

The performance is at http://www.youtube.com/ya4haiti . Please watch it, and participate as you will.

Cabin Fever!!!

2010-02-21T22:14:00.000-05:00

I know we shouldn't wish our lives away, but I'm so looking forward to getting the tiller going again, and planting the garden! I'm thinking of expanding it a bit -- it's only 8000 square feet now, and not enough room for what I want to do.
It'll require some extra planning, because I've got to decide what I want inside the fenced area, and what will be safe to leave outside. This year I want to plant a 6x50 foot patch of red winter wheat, to be harvested next year. I've always wanted to try growing, grinding, and baking with my own wheat, and I figure I won't be able to do it for too many more years, so I'd better get started. Part of the new area will be for that, so I'll have to till up the bed and maybe raise some short-season stuff there, and clear it off in late summer so I can plant the wheat.
Then there's a couple of top-bar beehives to make, and bees to buy for them, so I can get some home-grown honey. But the main reason is for pollination. I didn't see a single bee in my garden all last summer! So I'm going to try to make sure they're there this summer.
I've got most of the seed already, from Fedco, and they've backordered the peas I wanted. I'm sure they'll get here in time -- still another month at least before it's time to plant them.
Gonna try potatoes under hay again. Last time I did that, the mice got into them, but we got some beautiful spuds anyway, so it's a tradeoff -- lose some taters, in exchange for a lot less work to do in planting and harvesting.
Any commens or tips on all this will be welcome -- no way I can think of everything!

MAVs

2010-02-09T22:44:00.002-05:00

Here's an interesting tidbit, from the folks entrusted with our care and well-being. This oughtta give the bad boogers some headaches -- and the ACLU too!

:-)

http://video.designworldonline.com:80/video/vid=0f7d1e1689b1472a83149c3c5d822235

Can we get past it and on with our lives?

2010-02-07T16:27:00.002-05:00

No, I don't mean health care reform or offshore drilling, though those are very interesting topics.
I mean the annual frenzy we collectively worship -- the SuperBowl!

It's really getting bad now, but I didn't realize just how bad until I checked out a youngish couple -- three kids with them -- at the grocery store the other day.

They had a cartful of junk foods "For our Superbowl Party!" They were all excited about it, and fretted that they might have forgot something.

Well, yes they did forget something -- and I almost committed one of Political Correctness' cardinal sins as they slid their card and announced "EBT." I very nearly asked them if they realized that they had spent nearly their entire month's food stamp allotment on junk munchies for their Superbowl Party!

With three kids to feed, they blow their whole food budget on one stupid football game! What are they going to eat for the rest of the month?

And they're not alone -- there were other similar abuses, and we see them every day.

When are we all going to wake up?

I think I may have stumbled onto something!

2010-01-30T23:56:00.001-05:00

Did Algore watch a lot of movies back in the 60s?

Remember the old “Flint” movies, starring James Coburn and Lee J Cobb? I saw that one of the movie channels was rerunning them, so I tivo’d them and watched “Our Man Flint” this evening.

I never realized how prophetic they were!

The plot – such as it is – is about a bunch of bad guys who invent a way to create natural disasters. A few of these are shown to set the tone, accompanied by a narrator, who ominously anounces: “He who controls the weather controls the world.”

They then proceed to discover that certain area of the planet have warmed by a few degrees, threatening every coastal city with drowning. Pictures of melting glaciers – looking strangely like the ones we’ve seen recently on PBS and the Weather Channel – are broadcast around the world. Panic ensues, and all manner of experts are called on to assess the situation.

They call on Flint, who single-handedly invades the evil island headquarters of the bad guys, which, by the way, is filled with mindless automatons, but he is knocked down by an eagle, and captured. He asks “What’s with the bird?” and is told “That’s a neat touch – an American Eagle trained to attack only Americans!”

He then proceeds to escape, wreck the island, and save his five beautiful assistants, who have been kidnapped by the bad guys. They escape, by the way, by going over the falls in barrels, much like the Dwarves in the Hobbit. (neat Tolkien touch there)

Given the current geo-political situation, I’m wondering if the Grand Poobah of the Algorians might have developed the theory of global warming after watching this, way back in 1966, while waiting to invent the internet.

That might explain a lot of things ... except the dwarves ...

:-)

Are we really crazy?

2010-01-25T21:36:00.003-05:00

In the grocery the other day I noticed they had a special on Bay Scallops -- $4.99 a pound. Didn't think that was too bad a deal until I looked closer at the label. It said "Product of China."

Now, given the various ways they've tried to poison us, and especially our kids, with toxic metals/paints and other materials in the toys and other junk they ship us, would any of you dear readers want to swim in the bays where they harvest those scallops?

Yecchhhh!

Enough is enough!

2010-01-19T16:15:00.003-05:00

Here's a copy of the letter I sent last night to our senators and representatives from NY . Feel free to copy and use it, substituting the names of your own public employees.
Enough is enough!

-------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
Lisle, NY

January 18, 2010

Dear Senators Gillebrand and Schumer, Congressmen Hinchey and Arcuri:

If any of you truly represent me and the great majority of the people in the state of New York -- as you claim to do -- you will vote against the health care bill now being railroaded through congress by an ill-informed, ill-advised, and ill-mannered “majority” that is quite apparently totally out of touch with the American people. We neither want, nor can we afford this misguided attempt to gain control over still another part of our private lives and finances.

And at least one of you might have the courage, backbone, and integrity to submit the following proposed amendment – or one very like it in spirit and intent -- to our United States Constitution. I believe that we the people, the ordinary Americans who have come together to form this great union, and who have chosen you to represent us, deserve no less from you, our public servants.

Amendment to read as follows:

"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators or Representatives, and Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States, with the exception that term limits shall be established for Senators and Representatives."

Thank you for your kind attention to this matter

Back to work

2010-01-12T10:33:00.003-05:00

I've been off work for 8 weeks following surgery, but am starting back tomorrow! But now I'm feeling the beginnings of the first cold I've had all winter! Oh well, spring can't be far off now, can it?
Please tell me it can't!
Please!
:-)

COLD!

2010-01-11T07:46:00.000-05:00

Yes it is.

all gone?

2010-01-02T11:44:00.002-05:00

Well, Christmas has been packed up and put away for another year. At least the Christmas trappings are -- the Spirit of Christmas should be a year-round thing. Too bad for many folks it's not. I saw an idiot cut into the line at the landfill this morning, dump ALL his garbage into the recycle bins, and duck out again. Too good to wait in line and pay the toll like the rest of us.
---

I see the Sierra Club is holding up environmental remedies for environmental reasons ... again? Now an endangered tortise is holding up a solar energy project that would power 142,000 homes, using solely renewable resources. What is the turtle going to do with all that land when we're all broiled -- or frozen, depending on your point of view -- off the planet?

---

And our wannabe prez's cabinet picks are showing their brilliance again -- NOT! Janet, go back to Arizona, find a rock, and crawl under it! Watch out for the turtles, though.

---

Is this the 2010 we've all been waiting for?

:-)

Breathless -- a twofer Monday

2009-12-28T11:32:00.000-05:00

I know, I sound like a one-man Dean Koontz fan club -- deal with it!
:-)

His new book [u]Breathless[/u] left me exactly that! At first from following the various plot and character turns, then from hurrying to find out what was going to happen to the wonderful characters Koontz invited to this party.

My daughter bought this for me for Christmas, and I finished it Saturday night, started it again Sunday, and enjoyed it immensely.

Great book! And a great scene where two of the main characters discuss a subject that interests me immensely -- d ... nevermind -- you'll have to read it for yourself!

Enjoy!

Soon!

2009-12-28T11:11:00.003-05:00

How many seed catalogs have you received so far? Getting anxious yet?
Isent my first order in to Fedco Seeds, they've already cleared the check, and I expect to see the package in the mail soon!
I got all the usual things -- tomatoes, onions, cukes, squash, several varieties of peppers, plus a couple of different things -- husk tomatoes, ground cherries, and some new types of lettuce and greens. Still need to order celery and squash, sunflowers, etc etc etc -- oh yes, and etc!

Jackie Clay ( http://www.backwoodshome.com/advice/advice.html ) praises her "wall-o-water" plant protectors for allowing her to set her tomato plants out earlier than would normally be possible in her Minnesota garden, so I thought I'd try them this year. But I can't really afford them at $3 apiece, so I'm going to improvose with a circle of 2 liter water-filled soda bottles around each plant. They'll absorb heat during the day, and keep the plants warmer at night. They're supposed to protect them down to 15-20 degrees -- we'll see. But I'm only going to try a half dozen or so at first, and see how they do. Maybe more next year.

That's the best thing about gardening -- there's always Next Year!

Merry Christmas!!!!

2009-12-22T11:52:00.001-05:00

Inside the Revolution

2009-12-16T21:32:00.003-05:00

Just finished reading Joel C Rosenberg's "Inside the Revolution -- the Followers of Jihad, Jefferson, and Jesus Battle for Change in the Middle East"

Excellent book! Rosenberg covers the Jihadists, their origins and goals, then the Reformers, who are attempting to instill Jeffersonian Democracy in many countries now under theocratic dictatorships, and finishes with those trying to bring true Christianity into the region.

A Jewish Christian, Rosenberg is also well qualified through his experiences in working within the State Department, and as an assistant to Binyamin Netanyahu. He is an excellent writer, with several books making the best-seller list.

I recommend him.

No, Joe, he didn't lie ...

2009-12-15T21:30:00.003-05:00

In a well-publicised speech before congress, President Obama was interrupted by a congressman who took exception to his comment that "No illegal immigrant would be covered by any proposed health care leglislation."

Well, in an effort to bring truth to that outrageous statement, Congressman Luis Gutierrez is introducing the “Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act (CIR ASAP),” a bill that would bring 12 million people out of the shadows and into the full protection of the law.

Can you imagine the impact of adding 12 million people to our already over-stressed economy?

What, pray tell, is wrong with sending them back to the full protection of MEXICAN law??? Let them pull Mexico up out of the mire, rather than pull the USA down INTO the mire! I know, it's easier to pull things down than up, and we're sliding already, but we don't need to be accelerated by those who want instant gratification courtesy of OUR taxes and resources!

Please understand -- I do not hate anyone, and I do not consider anyone of lesser value before God. But I, along with many others, spent years of my life defending the values of this country -- indeed, some gave their lives for it -- and it is galling to see it being given to those who think they can simply come in and take what they want without working for it as we did.

And I find it extremely ironic that the folks who are claiming it is our "Christian Duty" to accommodate all these illegals are the same folks who are striving to take Christ out of the public arena all over this country -- especially at this time of the year!

Anastasia Rizikov

2009-12-06T23:17:00.003-05:00

English grammar provides a list of words called superlatives, to describe things outstanding. As a writer I am familiar with these words, and have used many of them. But I am proposing that a new word be added to that list, because none of the originals are adequate to describe what I saw on December 6th in Binghamton, NY.

That word is, simply, “Anastasia.”

This afternoon a young pianist held an audience spellbound, as she played for us selections from Bach, Liszt, Gershwin, and Bryl. Then, with a superb string quartet directed by Maestro John Covelli, she played Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21. The young lady’s name is Anastasia Rizikov, and she will be 11 years old this week.

I had an excellent seat, where I could see her hands, and her fascinating mastery over the keyboard. But I could also see her face, and there I saw her heart and soul, as she gave herself to the music she played. I saw the pain that comes with the long hours of practice – the hard work of bringing the masterworks of those composers to life again was displayed there, plain for all to witness. But overriding that work was her love for the music and what it represented. And she shared those precious things willingly, and in doing so, won the hearts of everyone in the audience. Anastasia, please accept my thanks for a wonderful performance, and please come back again soon!

To learn more about this treasure, do a Google search on her name, and prepare to be blown away!

Can't wait!

2009-11-30T15:12:00.003-05:00

On Saturday I put up 6 quarts of sourkraut, using a technique I hadn't seen before. No crock, no weights, just shred the cabbage, pack it into sterilized jars, add (to each jar) 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp white vinegar, then fill with boiling water. Put lids on loosely (don't tighten the rings) and let them set for 10 days to ferment. Then remove and rinse the lids in hot water, re-cover, and seal in a hot water bath canner. Sounds yummy! And it was easy -- 3 heads of cabbage made 6 quarts of kraut. Can't wait to try it! :-)

Also found a great-looking recipe for German-style warm red cabbage slaw in the new Grit Magazine. Got a head of red cabbage to try that one, but not today -- gotta set up the Christmas tree!

Yippee!

2009-11-24T22:22:00.002-05:00

Got the stitches out this morning! Sore, but feels better. Now for the rubber ball routine. This one is really going to need it, I think. Still can't grip anything well. Tried to split some kindling wood with my left hand, but that doesn't work too well either. This aging stuff really sucks!
My son-in-law moved the gas range into the new (remodeled) kichen this evening, and it really begins to come together! He'll put the other stove in the old kitchen tomorrow, while I try to get the old water heater drained so we can swap that as well. One thing breaks, everything breaks!
The doc says I can go back to work on 12/21. Guess that's good ...

Recovering from surgery

2009-11-13T15:57:00.002-05:00

Excuse the slow typing, had carpal tunnel surgery yesterday.

A friend wrote to ask how it came out -- figured I'd post it here to save time and duplication:

Got home too late to stack much wood, so just curled up in the fetal position (felt more like fecal position -- still does) and whimpered myself to sleep. Previous hand surgeries weren't too bad, but it seems that Medicare will not spring for scalpels any more. They opted for sharing a used cuisinart. Haven't seen one of those at a garage sale lately -- now I know why.

Anesthesia was a real treat! They had this cross-eyed midget with a big wooden mallet. That's why my knee is sore too (had to walk to the OR after a wheel fell off the old Giant shopping cart they were using for a gurney, and he got me just as I stumbled through the door). I asked if he had any ID, and he mumbled something about "Badges? We don' need no steenkeeng badges!"

Next thing I know, I'm sharing an IV tower with some manic depressive typewriter salesman in the recovery room, with the original Frau Bleucher offering me a cup of foofoo coffee, while two of the Andrews Sisters sang Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy, accompanied by the third sister on the same cuisinart the doc had used on my hand. Then I woke up and watched a video on roughage, while trying to remember what real coffee tasted like.

By this time Vern had fixed the wheel, so I got a ride back to the mustering-out area, got dressed, and waited for Dorie to find the car in all that construction. Had a nice chat with the nurse's aide who wheeled me out to the entrance, after we got done laughing over the sticking right front wheel on the wheelchair; watch for the scrape marks along the left side of the hallway next time you go in that way. Anyway, she's home for the holidays from welding school -- her minors are in parapsychology and raising champion tarantulas -- and she really likes her job! I just hope she gets over that rash before having to wear a helmet 8 hours a day.

Ooops! Gotta run to the john and figure out how to work this belt buckle one-handed before I wet myself again.

I like these guys!

2009-11-10T21:50:00.002-05:00

And I love their message!
Folks at the store ask me why I wear a Christmas tie so early (I wear it in July sometimes) and I tell them that without Christmas nothing else means anything at all!

Enjoy!

Disappointment!

2009-11-09T08:47:00.003-05:00

The "hot" was not!
I opened a jar of the habanero pickled garlic, and, while it is delicious, it's not at all hot! So much for the hot peppers we sell at out store! I should have used a whole one in each jar, I guess. Maybe they'll increase in heat as they age.

---
Speaking of increasing the heat, we need to do that on our reps, to let them know that 70% of the American people do not want or appreciate that atrocious health care bill they forced on us the other night. Now for the senate! Call, write, let your senator know that his or her job is on the line!

And don't even get me started on the AARP! They claim to represent me, then they sell me down the river!
---

Dunno if I'll get time to get another posting in for a while, and when I do, I'll be typing slowly with one hand. Surgery is this Thursday, for carpal tunnel and trigger finger release on my right hand. Doc says 4-6 weeks before return to work, but I was back in 3 weeks last time. It hurt, but I made it. We'll see.
---

Had some fresh radishes and Swiss chard from my garden for dinner yesterday. Very tasty! Also the last of the garden for this year, I'm afraid, except for the winter squash, pole beans, taters, and garlic we have stored away. Already looking at seed catalogs for next year's garden -- gonna be a good year!

Pickled whaaaat?

2009-11-02T21:46:00.002-05:00

Is pickled garlic that unknown? I mentioned it at work and got a bunch of blank stares. I canned up about 5 pounds of it over the weekend -- two different recipes -- and can't wait till it's ready to try. It takes a couple of weeks to develop full flavor, so I hope I can wait.
The second batch may be a bit much, even for me. The recipe called for a hot pepper for each jar. I used habaneros, and put a half of a pepper in each jar, after cooking them with the garlic as directed. It was pretty intense in the kitchen! I can handle pickled habaneros, but just barely. This recipe used 8 cups of white vinegar, and nearly 3 cups of sugar, heated to boiling, then the garlic, sweet red peppers, and habaneros added and brought back to a boil for another 5 minutes. I also added a couple sprigs of thyme, as I like it with the garlic. We shall see. :-)

Dorie also made some cinnamon honey butter -- much cheaper than the ready-made variety available in the store -- that's great on toasted English muffins. She makes it as we need it, using a stick of butter, honey, and cinnamon. Couldn't be easier! Couldn't be better!!

Folks have been picking on me a little, about the "Christmas ties" I've been wearing to work. They don't remember that I wore them in July as well (when I wasn't wearing a company tee-shirt). I just tell them that without Christmas there's nothing else anyway, so I do Christmas any time of the year. A few people politely accede, but a surprising number are enthusiastic in their agreement! They know what I mean. One lady suggested that I should wear a "Great Pumpkin" tie in honor of Halloween. I told her that it wasn't the Great Pumpkin who died for me. She'd never thought of it that way, guessed she was stuck in the commercial part of the holiday traditions, and agreed that there was much more to it than that.

-----
Got notified today that I'm scheduled for November 12 for Carpal Tunnel surgery on my right wrist, along with trigger finger release surgery on my right forefinger. I wasn't going to have it done so soon after having the left one done,(last July) but it's been keeping me awake at night, so I've decided to bite the bullet and have it taken care of. Besides, I might better have it done before Pelosi, Reid, and BHO totally screw up health care in this country.

Please press four

2009-10-26T22:11:00.000-04:00

I had heard the flack about a certain bank giving free ATM cards to illegal aliens back a year or so ago, but didn't think much about it until this morning.
I had to call their customer service for a debit card problem, and got the usual phone menus. You know -- "Press One for English" etc etc. All seemed pretty straightforward and common until I got to a sub-menu that rattled off a few more choices, including: "Press Four to send money to Mexico"

I kid you not!

At least the message was in English ...

But then again, If I pressed one for English at the beginning, why ask me later on if I want to send money to Mexico? Besides, I don't even know anyone in Mexico that would be asking me to send them money, so who the heck? There is a retired psychotherapist I went to school with, who moved down there after retirement, but he wouldn't be needing my help. I mean, the exchange rate still favors him, doesn't it? Gee -- I hope whoever it was is okay. Maybe NAFTA would help ...

Oh well, if it was all that critical they would have put it higher up on the menu -- maybe a two or three.

Have we let him go too far?

2009-10-19T22:06:00.002-04:00

This is an alarming speech, whatever your position on the global warming debate.

More at http://www.globalclimatescam.com/?p=572

Been Busy!

2009-10-17T22:18:00.003-04:00

It's coooold here! Got the woodstove going, but it's not helping upstairs, where we have no heat at all. I've always enjoyed it, but the last few years it's been a bit much.

We've been putting up applesauce this past week, and finished up with 36 pints today. Still have a bushel of apples left, so I may make another batch of apple butter, with a new recipe I've been wanting to try. Dorie does most of the sauce, and I help turn the food mill and help her fill the jars, but she does most of the work on it. Now we've got (24) 3/4 quart, and (40) pint jars of good homemade applesauce on the shelves down cellar, along with tomatoes, peaches, beets, pickles, jellies, etc etc. A friend wants me to post a picture of it all here -- maybe I will, after I get it straightened out.

I saw a very interesting (and welcome) sight the night before last. I got home aroung 930, and pulled in the upper driveway to go around the barn, and saw a pair of gray foxes! We have red foxes all the time, but the grays have been really scarce, and I haven't seen one in probably 20 years. But there they were -- two really pretty ones. They froze for a few seconds in the headlights, long enough for me to get a good look at them. They appeared to be healthy enough, with nice thick coats and bright eyes. Looked fat and ready for winter.
I hope they stay out of sight of the hunters. I hunt, but there's no reason to shoot one of those beauties!

Bamalympics! (a Monday extra)

2009-10-05T14:36:00.003-04:00

Presenting – the ‘BHOlympics!

Our Commander-in-grie ... er .. chief has ignited games fever all around the world, and we ought to take advantage of it before the iron cools.

I know he has more important things to contemplate right now, so lets assume a full standing position for a while, and come up with a few suggestions – and appropriate venues – for a round of games that will put our sorry shambles of a country back on the international map.

We need to use every possible means to make these games as non-confrontational as possible, so that extremely sensitive persons need not fear. For example, those nations with a nasty capitalistic philosophy, or a disagreeable attitude toward global warming will be handicapped accordingly, and taxed where applicable, in order to enable less fortunate nations/states/cities/’hoods to compete on an even playing field.

Furthermore, insensitive words such as ‘accountability’, ‘morality’, ‘work’, ‘responsibility’, or ‘integrity’, along with any other words or expressions deemed politically unacceptable by a yet-to-be-appointed Games Czar,(Jimmy Carter is on the short list) must not be used. Nor will expressions of patriotism be acceptable, as we do not want to be seen as creating a hostile environment for those rogue nations who will be invited and encouraged to attend.

Additional rules and penalties will be inserted in the final draft of this proposal – after it is voted on and passed – as deemed necessary and advisable by said Games Czar, with advice and counsel from Rev Wright, E. Emmanuel, B. Ayers, et al.

As to format of the games, the “Yes We Can!” logo will be displayed prominently, supported on pillars constructed from the blocks of crushed and twisted metal which are the remains of the Cash for Clunkers program.

Instead of polluting the environment and wasting precious natural resources by lighting an extremely inefficient torch, a single Compact Flourescent Bulb, powered by solar panels during the day, and a bicycle-powered generator at night will be used to open the ceremonies. China has agreed to provide this light (and the bicycle and rider) in honor of their promise to look into alleged human rights violations “real soon now.”

Flags used in the processionals during the opening and closing ceremonies must all be the same size and color, in order to avoid discrimination and embarrassment.

Medals will be identical for all contestants, and the awards podium will be at one level for all. Again, this will foster harmony, and engender a spirit of unity overall. Instead of a national flag and anthem, a 12 meter by 15 meter picture of the games’ founder – Barack Hussein Obama – will be permanently displayed, and “We Are The World” or “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” will be played.

And to especially honor the games’ founder, extra points will be awarded in every event for those who devise a new way to apologize for his or her country.
[insert appropriate deity here] knows we all could stand to apologize more!

Suggested Games:

A preliminary list of games is in place, but additional suggestions will be considered, based on their adherence to the established rules. The list follows:

1) Visually Challenged leading the Visually Challenged. – persons with extreme tunnel vision (or with blinders to simulate tunnel vision) will attempt to negotiate a straight line route from dumpster to mansion, symbolizing the promised fulfillment of unrealized hopes, dreams, and promises made to millions during the Great Campaign of 2008. To lend more reality to the symbolism, able-bodied people who have, and are already demonstrating that they can carry their own loads will be dragged onto the course and forced to pick up and carry bodily all contestants to the finish line (and to wherever else they demand to be carried).
2) The great resource-waster demolition event, where contestants will use sledgehammers to crush and destroy any vehicles or appliances that escaped the Cash for Clunkers program. A second phase will award extra points to those who can wrest enough cash from those who have it only because they earned it, and use it to smother the emissions from the smokestacks of factories in this country where those despised “M*de in Am*r*ca” items are still being manufactured. (Asterisks used here to avoid offending sensitive persons.)
3) Race to the Provider – Formerly illegal immigrants, now made citizens by executive order, will race against the elderly to see who can get to the doctor’s office and pharmacy first. In deference to age and disability, there will be 3 and 5 minute head-starts for those in wheelchairs and on crutches. Points will be deducted for tripping anyone with a cane. *** The latter is still open to interpretation as to whether it means “tripping someone by use of a cane”, or “tripping someone who is using a cane.” This case is expected to come up before our Supreme Court during our leader’s third term.
4) The “Cross the River and Over the Fence” race, in which contestants will make a dash across a simulated Rio Grande, climb over a simulated fence (which may or may not be in place at any given time or place) and lose themselves in the vast, free-for-all paradise which is Am*r*ca. (Again – asterisks used to avoid offence) Additional points will be awarded for previous deportees, those carrying AK-47s, and those who make it straight to an Emergency Room or Maternity Ward.
5) The “Throw Money at it Until it Goes Away” event, in which unlimited stacks of money will be procured at government printing houses, and piled on top of other moneys that are slowly sinking into giant sink holes on Wall Street, and Washington DC, as well as various state capitols (mainly blue states) and left-leaning non-profit organizations around the world. Extra points are awarded here, for anyone who can manage to throw a compatriot under the bus while doing so.
6) Finally, the Accelerated Vote race, in which points are awarded based on the speed with which one casts a vote in the affirmative for any of the administration’s proposals. Points will be awarded in several categories, with the most points going to those who vote “Yea” for anything connected with health care reform. Extra points are awarded for those who show the most enthusiasm!

And remember – 1000 extra points will be awarded in every event to anyone who can score while making someone – especially GW Bush, Ronald Reagan, or Hilary Clinton – in a previous administration look extremely bad.

We are sure that there are more games that could be added to this proposal. Feel free to do so.

(c) howard tuckey
October, 2009

Fall chores

2009-10-05T07:38:00.002-04:00

Well, I got the garlic planted yesterday afternoon -- 250+ sets, mostly hardneck. May put more in this week, if it stays dry. I do want to put up a few jars of pickled (with hot peppers) garlic, and that takes a lot more.

My fall radishes are coming along nicely, but the broccoli didn't come to the party -- not a sprout! I was never much of a fan for direct seeding broccoli anyway.

I got 24 half-pints of apple butter canned on Saturday, but it's not a thick as I like it -- should have cooked it down another few hours or so. Good flavour though.

Today I need to cut some more firewood. Our stove is 16" wide, and the stack of seasoned red oak is mostly cut to 18-19" so it doesn't fit. No way I'm complaining, though -- the stove was given to me, as was the load of firewood. It really warms the house nicely on these chilly evenings. We do have a larger stove, that my son-in-law is going to refurbish with new gasket, paint, etc. It takes 18-20" wood, and should hold a fire overnight. Also has a flat top, good for a kettle on top to keep the stew hot.

Sun's up, and things are starting to dry off, so I'm outta here!

Putting food by

2009-09-30T14:24:00.002-04:00

I know -- that's the title of a very good book on canning and preserving written decades ago, by Janet Greene, et al, and still in print, apparently. If you're into that sort of thing, you'd do well to obtain a copy!

But it's also what Dorie and I have been up to in the past couple of weeks. Taters in the callar, basil in the freezer, and from the pressure and water bath canners, beets, pickles, tomatoes, hot chili sauce, grape jelly, and now, apple butter. More to come!

We've always preferred canning to freezing for fruits and veggies, but lately we've been adding meats, soups, and lots of other things to the "summer in a jar" pantry shelves. Most of these things require a pressure canner -- which Dorie just does not like to do -- to be done safely. So I bought a large (23 quart) one a couple of years ago, and I do the pressure canning, and she does most of the rest.

Our aim is to get clear of the freezer -- an energy waster -- and get into nearly 100% canned food for stocking up. No wait time for thawing that way, and no worry about power failures costing us a fortune in beef, pork, chicken, etc. And much lower electric bills to boot!

We have a dehydrator as well, and will be doing some dried foods -- veggies and fruits, and even jerky and fish -- to fall back on. Wild mushrooms are excellent when reconstituted from their dried form, and so are commercial ones. Why pay a fortune for store-bought dried ones, when we can do it ourselves for much less?

Gotta run back down stairs and clean the stove -- the apples boiled over when I wasn't paying attention. Stove's a mess, but it'll clean, and it just adds to the fun!

What a week!

2009-09-26T22:23:00.003-04:00

Lots of fodder for writing this week!

Our main water heater pooped out, leaking all over the cellar floor. No harm to the floor, but it's a $750+ water heater -- not including installation. I can install it myself, but that first part is what's stopping the show right now. May switch to a tankless water heater, been reading up on those.

Then we discovered the right upper ball joint on my Ranger pickup needs replacing. Another $200. But it gets better. While we had it up on the lift, the mechanic (a good friend of mine) pointed out the fact that the frame is rotting away, and probably won't make it another year. O joy!

Then the next night a tire went flat on our van, and we ended up buying a new set of tires for the front.

Then my wife had to have an MRI to determine whether or not the brain tumor she had removed two years ago is returning. Won't find that out for a week or so.

And it's turned cold!

Meanwhile, we gotta keep on trucking! We started cooking down 1/2 bushel of grapes on Tuesday, and when I got home Wednesday my wife had 72 half-pint jars of grape jelly cooling on the table! Applesauce and apple butter next!

Busy!

Taters and Cabbage and Beets, Oh My!

2009-09-19T20:06:00.002-04:00

Today we drove out to the place where we've been getting our potatoes for the past several years, to get some freshly dug red potatoes and some Yukon Golds. The gentleman was having some trouble with the digger, but finally got it running, and we ended up with a bushel of red, 3&3/4 bushels of Yukon Gold, and a half bushel of beets. The taters looked fine, but it was a struggle finding enough decent-sized beets to fill a half-bushel. We didn't get any cabbage -- I only put it up there to make the title work. :-)

We'll use most of them, give some away, and still have some to plant in the garden for fresh new potatoes and green beans in early summer. Yum! Already planning next year's garden, and will start planting garlic within the next month or so. Will probably plant 400 sets this fall. We like it roasted, pickled, and in lots of dishes.

Kelsey

2009-09-15T02:21:00.001-04:00

Please watch -- and tell others

Today

2009-09-11T14:10:00.002-04:00

Woke up thinking about the date, where I was on That Day, thinking about all the people who died or lost loved ones on 9/11/2001.
Today is my day off, so I've had time to think about it. It's still depressing, but I don't want to let depression rule. That would be a partial victory for the mindless fools who earned themselves an instant trip to hell that morning.
So I pray for the families of the victims -- those left behind to weep and mourn.

Then I go about my own chores, and try to do the things that are right.

I got some mowing and raking done before it started raining, and some gardening as well. Planted a fall crop of radishes, and some broccoli. here should be time, but if there's not, there's always next year.

There has to be a next year.

On second thought

2009-09-10T23:42:00.001-04:00

On rethinking what he said, he did put one over on us, or tried to, anyway.

Remember Lewis' outburst when BHO said that not one dime would go to illegal immigrants?

I don't believe Our Prez lied, technically. But consider the fact that he, with the manic left, wants to grant blanket amnesty to said illegals, bringing how many millions of them suddenly into LEGAL status.

That dime is gonna get a lot thinner!

Obama's speech tonight

2009-09-09T22:58:00.001-04:00

Well, I must say I was impressed, but not convinced. I'm still skeptical that he can pull it off.

There's so much rancor on both sides that I think we've seen almost irreparable harm done to this country.

One thing we can say for certain -- he's a great speaker, and definitely a politician. I don't much like his brand of politics, but I can appreciate how well he does what he does.

As for me, I'm very seriously thinking of changing my registration from Republican to Libertarian. The last few years' excursion further into big government has made me distrust both the GOP and the Dems.

Swine Flu scaring you?

2009-09-06T13:03:00.002-04:00

Dunno whether the administration is genning this issue up to boost support for nationalized health care or not, but it is a scary and interesting topic. And there is and has been conflicting information provided by all the media about it, and it's getting more and more difficult to understand what's going on.

Strangely enough, there's very little to connect Swine Flu with pigs except for the name. It's really better named H1N1. So pigs, in some cases, have been getting a bad rap.

Here's a recent article that's making some waves. Among other things it says that perhaps those born before 1957 don't have to worry so much about it personally -- but what about our kids and grandkids?

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=108604

There are some interesting statements in there, some about Thimerisol -- used as a preservative in the vaccine -- and its effects, depending on the age of the person treated with it.

I plan to discuss this thoroughly with my doctor before getting the vaccine, and I suggest that everyone else does the same.

Slobs?

2009-08-29T12:06:00.002-04:00

Why is it that people just don't care any more?

Yesterday evening my wife and I were picking up a few things in Sam's Club. It was a little more crowded than usual, because BU students had just hit town, and were picking up their stuff for the new semester.

We encountered a group of students who were making the usual guys-away-from-home noises, and saw one of them finish the hotdog he was eating, and casually toss the wrapper on the floor. They continued on down the aisle, and I just stood there getting angrier by the minute. This is MY world too, and I'll be dipped if I'm gonna put up with some slob dumping his garbage anywhere he pleases in it!

So I bent over and picked up the wrapper -- carefully avoiding the side with the ketchup and relish smears, and looked up at my wife. She just rolled her eyes at me, knowing what was coming next. I went down to where the guys were joking about something else, said "Excuse me," and reached out to the guy who had tossed it. He instinctively reached out his hand to see what I was holding out to him, and I stuffed the wrapper -- nasty side down -- into his hand, and said "Maybe you just toss your garbage on the floor where you come from, but we don't do it here. There's a wastebasket right over there -- use it!"

The looks on their faces were priceless! He just said "Yes sir, sorry," and went over to the wastebasket at the end of the aisle.

Dunno if I made any difference, and maybe I'll get my lights punched out some day for doing something like that, but I don't care -- I'll do it every time! Like I said -- MY world!