NEW TOOLS - OLD iPOD & BEBOP - BUCKWHEAT - JIBBER JABBER - POPPING SMOKE

 As usual here, new tools and brands I comment on are just that. Not pushing a product, brand or company. Just opinions.

We have been in need of a new yard blower for a few years now. The older Ryobi works, but has lost its "umph." Given I have picked up a couple other Ryobi 40V battery operated tools since we arrived in Texas, adding another was a good idea. Plenty of batteries and chargers. Looking at the rear of this new blower looks like it is right out of Star Wars. Space vehicle like. 

It has a "turbo" button that pumps the output to maximum as long as the button in held on. It did not take but a minute to learn that that is where this blower shines. "Turbo" moves large gravel rocks like it does the dust and dirt. A friendly  recoil on turbo.   

I learned quickly that using "turbo" sucks a 40Volt battery dry in about 15 minutes. Solution: plug in another charged battery. 

LANSKY 

I have looked at the Lansky knife sharpening kits for well over the past 3 years. I have seen good reviews, but I have held off for the concern that maybe there is a better tool/procedure than this one. There may be, but I found this kit at a reasonable price and decided to buy it.

Gives me much more control over the consistency of holding a sharpening angle on the edge of the blade.  It included three sharpening stones.

I practiced on the abused pocketknife above. The knife holds a sharpened edge quite well for the hard use I put it through. Forgiving. 

It took about 15 minutes of using the coarse, medium and fine stones to return the original sharpness. Still a ways to go to perfection, but proved the viability of the Lansky kit.  I have always been demanding when it comes to razor-sharp pocketknives. (I am a big fan of CRKT knives because of how they hold an edge, how they carry and how they feel in my hand.)

The kitchen knives returned to original sharpness using the fine stone.

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NEW DRILL SET from Harbor Freight

I have put off buying a complete drill set like the one above because I have never taken care of the other ones I have purchased in the past. 

New drills disappear at the mere opening of the new drill set. But I vowed to be better in my behavior and as of today, the set is still intact. How much fun it is to open this up and find the exact drill I need when I need it. 

Who knew the value of returning a tool to its tool box?

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OLD iPOD (2007ish)

 

Over the course of many years and a few new computers, three old iPods have not been lost. They are the only Apple technology that still has all of the songs I purchased in those years that has not been corrupted. 

My Apple laptop actually puked its battery out of the bottom 8 years ago and only turns on using the power cord.I can see the music on the lap top, but cannot access the songs.

The old iPODs are still rechargeable and play through new stand-alone speakers. 

I can still bebop in the garage. Not suitable for on lookers. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!! ...... my Guardians of The Galaxy cassette(s).

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BUCKWHEAT

 

Old friend on my morning walks. "Buckwheat." 

As I understand it, the grand kids call the horse "oatmeal." The horse was called "Buck." And then through the magic of imagination became known as Buckwheat. 

Buckwheat and I have a thing or two in common; we are enjoying our elder years with good eats and magnificent pastures to roam at will.

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A FUNNY STORY 

This not about the gal in the clip; it is about the story.  Had I been riding along with this older gentleman when he did what he did and without him letting me in on the final punch line, I would have lost my **** with uncontrolled laughter leaving the second drive up window. 

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JIBBER JABBER

Last post this month. How fast time fly's by is a constant.

The bride and I have been burnt once too often this past week while lunching out at a few of our old favorite hamburger joints. Very rude staff across the boards, favorite dishes overpriced, quantity minimal and quality of the eats well beyond their sell by dates. Three chicken strips for over $9 was the final straw for the bride."NO" was a complete sentence.

We have decided that packing a picnic lunch works easily and can add some adventure to a day trip. Saving $20-$30 and reducing the pain of encountering rude people to zero is all within our control.

Of course, we will opt for stopping at a recommended eatery, but we will want to know that going in.

We have enjoyed being outside for better parts of the days now. Chores getting done and a few dump runs have spruced up the outside digs. The old body reports at the end of the day that it is not use to all the bending, lifting, moving and twisting. 

Appreciate the visit this week. Share this blog with a friend and keep on keeping on.

 Popping smoke.

 

 

 

 

 

MORNING HORSE - LOW CARB EATS - SAN FRANCISCO - EAGLE WITH FISH - DAKAR 2023 VIDEO - JIBBER JABBER - LINEMAN & HELICOPTERS

"Cannon" watched the other morning as I did two walking laps past his field. Magnificent animal. I keep promising these horses a fresh carrot or two but have not followed through. I do not think they believe me any more. 

A VERY GOOD HORSE STORY HERE and a book published.

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I MADE IT UP!

Lots of fresh veggies and fruit. Drizzled with raspberry vinaigrette. Had planned a few fresh slices of avocado, for photo purposes, but it was well beyond it's prime. It was "what's for lunch."

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THE REAL MAYONNAISE (link)

For the most part, I thought that mayonnaise was mayonnaise.  I said that once in front of my wife and an education followed. 

Mayonnaise is not mayonnaise. Blue Plate Mayonnaise is real mayonnaise (says so on the jar). We have a few extra jars because two is one and one is none. And yes, it is much better than mayonnaise.

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PORK ROAST DINNER

Ok, I apologize. Eating healthy, ya know.

Pork roast slow, long oven cook. Salt and pepper only. Spinach with sour cream and flaked asiago cheese. (Do not hate on the spinach side dish till ya try it. Eats like candy and spinach is a super food). Home made Picco de Gallo for added personality. Minimal carbs, lots of flavor and filling.

 

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THE DE-CIVILIZATION OF AMERICA  

I thought a good video. Easy to listen to and yet hard to take in that such a beautiful city (and other great cities) is in full decay. Heartbreaking. But hey! "you're going to meet some gentle people there."

EAGLE GRABS FISH 

Found on ACE this past week. From Mark Smith Photography.

Magnificent video of an eagle being an eagle. Finding Mark Smith Photography, to visit more often, is also an upside.

 

BEST OF DAKAR 2023  

Four minutes of fun and excellent off road photography. If I were a younger man!!

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JIBBER JABBER

The Dodge truck left again on a tow truck to the mechanic. Fuel leak. Neighbor said he smelled fuel, looked under the truck and said, "you have fuel pouring out."  Apparently a broken fuel tree injector thingy located under the intake manifold. Not a rubber connector line or easy to get to fuel line. Nope, major surgery. 

Down to one car. Her car. Suffice it to say I miss my truck. Like a good friend who has left and I am not sure if he will return to continue to serve. The thought of having to go through another car purchase, in this lifetime, is unsettling. 

But much like me, the Dodge is old. Has a good heart, strong running gear and a good attitude. But he ,too, is aging. The rust may do him in sooner rather than later. I really understand that line of thinking. And yes, I can continue to drive and stay close to home. Fix it as it may break down again. BUT the need for dependable transportation, in these aging years, is much more important than in the youthful years. So what to do? 

I really do not want to try to save money by buying someone else's problems and be no further ahead than I am with the Dodge. AND, I do not want a new/newer truck/car with all the black box controls and constant reports being sent over the air waves of every time I step on the gas pedal, come a quick stop or sneeze.

God forbid I wind up with a vehicle that thinks it knows how and wants to make decisions for me while I am driving. In a perfect world, I'd pick up an old 1956 two door post Chevy and go out of this driving life the same way I came in.

And then there is the cost. My god! And the worst part of all is playing the game looking at used cars/trucks. I should ease up, relax, go with the flow and all of that. But I fear that I will not be able do that. That's just me. My wife is another story. Zero BS threshold. 

Currently, we have adopted the car/truck shopping scenario as "trips for entertainment." With that mind set, we think we can at least enter the ring. 

September 2023 half gone. Just like that. What to get my wife for Christmas? 

Have a great week. Hug someone ya love this week.

Thanks for the visit.

Son at the office. 

He has very good stories to tell.

 

 

NEVER GIVE UP - THAT KIND OF SUMMER - 2007 SOUTH AFRICA VIDEO - JIBBER JABBER

 "NEVER GIVE UP." 

Just happened on this video the other day. Well done.

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Yes, it has been this kind of summer. Weeks and weeks. I have lost count of the days.

 

The weather officially breaks this weekend September 9, 2023. Friday was the last day in triple digits with heat index the same. Yesterday, today and Monday's high forecast in low 90s and Tuesday a drop to 79 degrees as the high. That appears to hold through the week. This is a massive temperature change given these last months of never ending triple digits. 

Last year's heat wave broke on September 7th. Climate consistency? Shhhhhh!!

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South Africa video of 4x4 driving in the De Wildt National Park. Also includes lions feeding in their natural habitat. Old video I took in 2007 and recently ran it just though a newer video editing program.

VIDEO HERE 

Broke our hearts to leave "Ginger", our Land Rover Defender, behind.

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JIBBER JABBER

Do not hate on the Brussels sprouts. They are a "superfood". You can look it up. (Steamer bag for 3 minutes then browned in olive oil with a little garlic salt sprinkled in the pan. Seven minutes on the rib eye in a cast iron skillet.)

My wife and I call these meals "free food." Little to no carbs and full of healthy nutrition.

Many years of blogging here on all types of meals and good eats. Going forward we are eating and cooking differently. Not going on a diet anymore. Changing the foods we eat, eating habits and learning how to get flavor from fresh fruits, raw/cooked vegetables and lean meats. 

Some KETO (carbs under 20 a day) to low carbs keeping carbs under 60 a day. A challenge, but doable. You will be seeing this approach to cooking and eating in future blogging.

Thirty days now, a little weight loss, walking longer distances and noticeably feeling better. 

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Had planned some ranting here this week at the world order of things, but cannot muster up the negative energy. 

Have a good week, thanks for the visit.

Grandfather's Dog 1940's.
 

 

 

EAST TEXAS SUNRISE - HAY IN - TO DO LIST - OLD VIDEO - KITTEN RESCUE - JIBBER JABBER

I was greeted with this early morning view this past week during my morning walk. The sun rises over this field every morning and this photo repeats daily in some fashion. 

Neighbors to the north of us can awaken to this as often as they wish. This would have to be a cup of coffee moment for me every morning and ten minutes of time uninterrupted. 

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THREE CUTTINGS THIS SEASON 

I took this photo one morning last week on the way to town. A couple hours later the bales of hay were on large trailers being towed by Ford and Dodge "Dualies" off to sale. Abundance of hay this coming winter and ranchers will be able to meet the feeding demands of a Texas winter. 

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TO DO LIST 

A good friend of mine and his family are spending this holiday weekend on their sailboat in Miami. He said he wanted to get started on his "to do" list before setting off on a long planned adventure. I was curious on what his list looked like.  I have made to do lists, but never like this one. But when your boat is your home and you are on your own for long periods of time, the list below and organization of things that may need attending to is common sense.

 

PROJECTS	NOTES	ACTION REQUIRED
Hatches		Hatch gaskets, glass, & bolts
Keel bolts	inspect rudder bearing and cutlass bearing	Keel Bolt kit
Seal all deck fittings
Clean rig
Rewire nav lights, replace with LED		LED bulbs, 10awg wire
Cleats & Backing plates
Arch support & new dinghy davits
Clean holding tanks
New sanitation hoses from toilets to tanks		hoses, back flow
Water maker service
UV sterilizer under kitchen sink		sterilizer
Seal all water tanks	tank lining epoxy
Reposition water maker manifold
Fix high bilge pump
Replace ice maker	maybe refrigerator	Portable ice maker, drink refrigerator
replace flush solenoids	ordered from amazon
Inspect toilets		spare pump, joker valves, parts kits
Spare electrical		10, 6 awg, lugs, heat shrink, crimp, shrink fittings, breakers, dimmer
plumbing spares	full set of everything
Domestic water system		spare pump(s)
Battery master shutoff switch		on hand
Arch flood light bar		flood lights
Generator full service
Engine full service
generator spares		zincs, impellers, oil, filters, fuel filter
engine spares		zinc, impellers, oil, filters, fuel filter
20HP Suzuki service		oil, filter, zincs, starter battery, spare prop
6HP suzuki service		oil, filter, zincs, starter battery, spare prop
Anchoring		bring spare 25kg, dinghy anchor
Diesel cans		buy 2 more
Water cans		bring 2 from NH
Gas can		replace cracked can
solar spares		MPPT, MC4 connectors
Life Raft		Inspect
Ditch Bag		inventory and create
Propane tank		replace small one, router out the cover to accommodate 20lb
Spare line		inventory and buy
Water toys		wake board, foil board, tube, raft/dock, tow rope,
Fishing		lures, line, gear, spear, long fins
Dinghy		cover
Swim platform teak		buy and repair
swim ladder		stainless hardware, replace and de-rust
Gelcoat repair		fix
Port Lazarette		build floor
Autopilot		replace with evolution
Hailer		Fix/wire
Master cabin water damaged doors		Fix
Floors		refinish
Night vision cam		buy
Refrigeration		evac pump, R134A, fittings, brazing tools, spare thermostat
Adhesive inventory		spare glue, hot glue, 5200, etc.
Fiberglass repair kit		west epoxy/hardener, glass matte
LED lighting		spare salon/cockpit bulbs

 

Well, then, let's get to work on that "lil ol" list!!

Video here 

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CAT KITTEN RESCUE

On our early morning walk yesterday, this kitten ran from the edge of the woods and landed at the wife's feet. A trip well planned in my book. No "shushing" or "go aways" would work and I just knew. It had been written.

I continued on my walking goal, not looking back. A kitten had just come into my wife's life our life and our day had some new plans. Not going to take it for a ride as apparently someone else had already done. The kitten was a victim of circumstance way beyond its control. Not the kitten's fault. These outlying farm roads are dumping grounds for animals folks no long want or can take care of.

Of course, the kitten walked in the driveway, to the carport totally throwing our two cats into a feline dither. They wanted nothing to do with this kitten and disappeared. Excellent avoidance behavior. 

Meow, meow meow and MEEEOOOOWWW. Yea yea yea, heard it all before. Her found the old cat cage we had shoved behind a storage cabinet.  I knew the drill. 

A trip to town and she returned with kitty dry food mix; a few other items. I had the cat cage opened/ready and the rest is history. 

The kitten went face down in the kibble and within a half hour was sound asleep. Full tummy and safe. She keeps saying "No more cats!!" I agree, I agree, I agree. Besides keeping this kitten would severely disrupt the already perfect, two outdoor cat living arrangement we have now, two years working. 

This morning, the kitten is safe inside the air conditioned shop until we can take it to the shelter this coming week.

Kitty is on FB looking for a happy home.

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JIBBER JABBER  Found this morning on The Burning Platform

Happenings Await

There is a constant gnawing inside of me that I work at controlling. I worry, am most concerned and try to keep my head on a swivel for anything out of place. There is much consistency in most all posts I read these days that we have a hell of a path we all must travel to ever get to the other side of what is coming. Jim Kunstler's article says it well.

We concentrate here on family and good friends. But we do not talk of these things. We talk of life and ongoings of our small circle of life. Hay in, projects, a cold beer over jibber jabber. Joking of long years of marriage. Men talk big when the wives are out of earshot and wives are lost in girl things. Happily lost in women interests of which they can visit away hours. Quite often laughing at those musings.  There is security in touching base daily with this living in which we all have been raised. The America we know so well. An America that works. The love and affections of close-knit neighborhoods.

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September 2023 is upon us now. The end of the year looms in the days ahead. God bless us all. And you bet, I so appreciate your visit this week.

 
 

WEATHER BREAKS - EATING HABITS - JIBBER JABBER - LZ TWO BITS

 

 

Last hot day of the heat wave. At least for the next 7 day forecast. I hate to say it is all over and then have to take it back. Tomorrow starts temperatures in the low 90's with overnights in the mid 60's. Some rain predicted as a stationary front is hanging around.

 

 

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EATING HABITS 

 

A little Raspberry Vinaigrette does wonders.

Not a diet anymore. Now a new way of eating if I want some longevity from this body. An acute pulmonary embolism 4 weeks ago and I survived. 

 “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” JOHN ADAMS

Come to find out Cheetos are not a food group. Who knew?

I am fortunate that I have never smoked and have a good heart. 

A low carb, keto, Mediterranean-based diet. Walking walking walking and more walking. 

Not a painful change as I love all the foods that make up these eating lifestyles. Portion size control and I will adapt.

An easy to adopt philosophy of "eat foods that grandma or mom put on the table." Plan a daily 51% raw vegetables/fruits regime. Learn new recipes. 

Already I feel better and this success is easy to build on, even if I have to do it one meal at a time. 

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JIBBER JABBER

THE BURNING PLATFORM I find good reads here. All the elephants in the rooms now. Will they be ignored?

Mandates are Back

Not surprising as there have been many hints and testing of the waters of all of these restrictions coming back in late summer. I am curious what folks do now with all of the evidence from the C19 lock downs a few years ago. 

HOLLYWOOD 

Again not surprised. More so, I do not care. 

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SUMMER 56 YEARS AGO

Flight of four approach into LZ Two Bits

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September will bring easier days weather wise. We will sit outside on our car port and visit. Neighbors will stop by and spend time with us talking of no never minds. We will be getting our morning walks in on the quiet back roads. Gardens and hanging baskets will be cleaned and tucked away. For the most part, all had a good run this season. 

Appreciate your visit this week. Keep planning ahead and God Bless.

 

109 DEGREES WITH A 118 DEGREE HEAT INDEX - STREET TACOS - FRYING PAN

109 degrees forecast today with 118 heat index. I have not seen this heat nor index since we arrived here in east Texas 3 years ago. 

The cats have been coping outside, but this morning, we moved their cat house in the shop with two A/Cs running. Would have done this sooner but thought there was a wasps' nest inside their cage. Closer inspection this morning showed no wasp nest. A wasp bite is not something either my wife or I want to add to our concerns these days. Cats will be moved inside late morning.

Hurricane Hillary is not breathing down our necks and we will take that as a big up-side of this day.

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STREET TACOS

We have been told that a "street taco" can be anything you want it to be. A four inch flour or corn tortilla filled with some meat, sauce, spice and a myriad of other things, in any order or fashion, will work. Two each for our lunches and often dinners are very filling. Half the fun is taking leftovers, adding some zing and making sure that the taco can still be folded, is proving to be a very tasty new approach to our eating habits.

An upside is the simplicity of variety and good eats.

My recent health scare with blood clots has set me on a forever path of new eating habits. No going back 6 months from now to all those foods and such I have shared in the past on this blog. 

Low carb/KETO designed meals. I have always enjoyed veggies in any form along with fruits. There are hundreds of new ways to cook and eat that will make this life change easier for me to adopt. Surprising how much of these foods and meals can be stuffed into a soft tortilla shell.

The extreme heat cancels outside walking plans although I am able to get in an early morning walk. Adapting. Today a few chores was enough to take the place of that morning walk. "Pay attention to your body." Advice I take to heart.

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The bride bagged up a half dozen frying pans the other day, handed them to me and said to toss in the garbage. Two new frying pans from Amazon will be all we will need.

Two frying pans in the drawer and one tried and true WOK on the counter. Good to go! 

Simple pleasures like new frying pans are stupid I know. 

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 An hour of never before seen old 8mm Vietnam War footage

Editing recently digitized 8mm film from the Central Highlands, 1st Air Cavalry Area of Operation 1967, over these past two weeks has greatly improved my skills using video editing software. 

Fifty-six years, sitting in cool dark rooms, has kept the film in very good condition. Some of the film (now MP4's) is blurred but for the most part, a good run of vintage and historic footage.  Look for these as we near Veteran's Day this year. 

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Heat index already109 at 10:30. Gonna be a bitch today. 

Chores done and the cats are in their cage in the shop with a/c. They are unhappy, but it is for their own good, yadda, yadda. 

Appreciate the visit and God Bless.

WORKING SHEEP DOG - TENNESSE WHISKEY by SARA SPICER - VELVETING BEEF - HOT EAST TEXAS - DRAG RACING (ride along)

 "GREATEST SHEEP DOG...."

I laugh every time I watch this. A good start for this week's blog.------

Well, I went to his site (OZZY MAN) and went down the rabbit hole.

Just lost my S*** on this one. Complete uncontrolled laughter with tears running down my face.

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Found on Daily Time Waster.

TENNESSEE WHISKEY   I liked this song. Sound up/head phones on. FF to 3:00 in the video. Sara Spicer singing. I have not heard her before.

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DRAG RACING

 DRAG RACING WITH TRACY video

Ride along with her and share!

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HOT (forecast)

 

What each day was.

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Learning "Velveting Beef" to pass time these hot summer days. How Chinese restaurants tenderize beef.

I decided to give it a try.

 

If you enjoy Chinese foods and often eat out, you may recognize that the beef slices in the photo above look just like the beef slices in restaurant
Chinese dishes. I used an old package of frozen beef from the freezer to experiment on this dish. A matter of being curious and the wanting to  learn this. 

This adds a few more moving parts but well worth the planning and a little more effort.

I used half a white onion sliced and two small peppers from the garden.  packaged Mongolian Beef packet for the flavoring, and followed the directions on the web site above.

FYI My wife, who can be  IS a very outspoken critic of foods, gave 5 thumbs up. Cleaned her plate, twice. I do love a win!

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A cup of coffee in Johannesburg SA, 2007. Called a "Creme Caramel"..

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Hanging on a hook

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Building Afternoon Storms

Near the Yukon River, Alaska

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Mission complete, returning to base camp, Central Highlands, RVN, 1967.

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Talking of the heat in Texas will be a part of this blog through August and into September.  We are not alone in the heat this summer for sure, but it is a daily challenge to the normal comings and goings for us. 

I have noticed a big uptick in the price of beef. 

Gas is also up nearly .50cents per gallon seemingly over night. 

We are paying closer attention to keeping the rat car and the Dodge truck in top shape. No cutting corners on mechanical issues. 

Appreciate the visit this week.

HOT,CLEAR; DAILY WX FORECASTS - STORM DAMAGE - SIMPLICITY OF RICE - FARM FIELD WATERMELON - CROSS WIND LANDING

Typical farming fields with hay bales all neatly set out to dry in the sun. All picturesque, works of art and hard work completed.

 

 

Week two with no rain. Temps reaching 100 degrees daily. Low humidity.  August next week and we are transitioning into the official Texas summer. Folks say,"Wait till August" when weather is the topic of conversation. 

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Storms of late June, early July. Local in town damage.

Traveling the back roads in our area still finds many trees on the ground awaiting clean up. Most every home and every yard still show the signs of passing storms. From what I read, many towns around the nation are working the remains of passing storms and floods. In comparison, we are lucky.

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 SIMPLICITY OF JASMINE RICE

I cannot help to think, when I make a small pot of rice, the historical aspects of this food having the fed world for eons. Affordable, still available in bulk, stores well in containers, easy to prepare, a comfort food and filling. 

Jasmine rice with soy sauce serves us well as a meal or side dish. Growing up, a little butter with a sprinkle of sugar made a bowl of rice the first go to dish on the dinner table. Never ever set aside nor pushed it way. Never!!

What if? I continue to ask myself this question. What if? 

I do not want to find myself reminiscing some day soon, "if only I would have stored a few more bags when it was available and affordable."

Maybe put in some extra of rice. Yep!

And this just in; "India imposes major rice export ban" 

Who knew?

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SEASONAL WATERMELON  (with seeds)

Fresh out of the field this past week. Back road farmer's next to the road farm stand.  Honor system of payment, put your cash in the box. We brought home two. Both "thumped" hollow. One for us, one gifted.

 

The bride cut, diced and cleaned. Sent me to the compost pile with the left over mess.

All by myself with a bag of watermelon rinds. No one watching and the kid in me returned full tilt. A wonderful messy treat "cleaning" the last layer of red melon from those rinds.

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STRONG CROSSWIND LANDING GONE WRONG 

 Bristol Bay Alaska
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Closed the gate here at sunset last night and found myself, arm resting on a cross bar,  listening to the quiet. Narrow country road just off the down slope of the driveway. No traffic the norm. A few birds chirping, the far off distant rustling of a tractor working and this west edge of the Piney Woods all lush with every shade of green, captured me. 

How easy it was to stop the daily routine and just look to the land that I at times, fail to appreciate. All for the stopping of a daily routine in mid step. Could it be this easy?

Appreciate your visit this week.