KNIFE SEX - RIBEYE PIT BOSS - EGG FOO YOUNG - JIBBER JABBER

My wife indulges me and my wanting and enjoyment with knives. She is the one who said "it looks like my knives are having sex in their drawer." She has slanted views. Maybe why I love her so. I was going to also her show her the flashlights, but no topping "knife sex."

Started long long ago when I was given my first knife. Small, single blade, dull pocket knife. Similiar to the one pictured here in the upper lefthand corner. I was in grade school then and could not wait to take it to school and show my friends. At recess, playing marbles, we would show/share our prize possesions. Never ever mishandled or used in any manner beyond its intended use. Well, ok, we did play stretch. A boy being given his first pocket knife by a family member was a grand moment, looked forward to and always remembered. Elders were putting trust in us. Mothers put a few bandaids in their purses.

To this day an EDC tool. How many fracking packages I have  with my little pocket knives. And how many times I have kicked myself for not having it with me. 

Knives pictured above. Starting top left and moving clockwise.

1. Winchester two blade basic pocket knife. Never gets in the way in my pocket, but does get easily misplaced.

2. Outdoor edge with sheath. By far the sharpest kinfe I have ever found. Readily available at most hardware stores. Designed for replacement surgical sharp blades. Pull off the blade, slide in a new one till it locks. Comes with a half dozen extra blades in the sheath. Suggest you never gift this knife to anyone. An excellent choice for knife #2 in your bugout bag. Not for EDC in my opinion. Not a knife you would share for use with a companion. This knife spends most of its life in the drawer.

3. Kalashnikov 74 Auto-open. EDC, used daily and abused. Holds an edge. Very good all around knife.

4. Two CRKT knives. One of my favorite knife companies. Knives flip open if correctly pulled out of the pocket. Locks open, hold razor sharp edges and can be abused in every day use. Comfortable to hold. Looking for Christmas gifts? Reasonably priced. A forever knife if maintained.

5. Cobra Tech Knives-Black Ryker. Cannot remember when or where I found this knife. It was in the "knife sex" drawer. Auto open and holds wonderfully in hand. It must have been a moment of weakness, but a very nice find this morning. 

6. Buck knife with sheath. Auto open. Heavy like a truck in hand. Holds a razor sharp edge. If I ever go to a belt carry knife, this will be the one.

7. Copper Head Bear Hunter. Made in Pakistan. Found this for $10 at the gun show yesterday and made a big mistake for not buying a half dozen. Nice knife. Smoothed out the opening/closing with a little gun oil, ran the blade a few times over a smooth stone. This will be my EDC in place of #1 above. Nothing lost if I lose it. Well, I am already fond of it so yeah, it would be missed.

8. No name knife with sheath from the gun show yesterday. Good edge, but did spend time on the stone to fine tune. Oiled the movement, but still rough. Feels good in hand and will most likely carry like #1 and #7. Back-up knives. 

Over the course of time these knives get lost, misplaced, set down doing a job and then forgotten. After losing a few knives, I have found myself paying more attention now to folding the blade in and returning the knife to my pocket. If I let a friend use it, I reach my hand out for the knife when done. They are like good friends that do not let me down to move a simple job forward. Out of earned respect now, I hold them a little closer.

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RIBEYE ON THE PIT BOSS

This roast has been in the freezer two years. It has been awhile since I have used the Pit Boss and it is Sunday. I see prices of ribeye's now for $75-plus and no way I will ever pay that. Two years ago they were on sale BOGO. Price then was reasonable and the roasts looked wonderful. The ribeye I saw a few days ago looked like crap. We always have a ribeye for Christmas and News Year's eve so we justified this one as a test case. Maybe they willl come on sale again somewhere. Maybe the prices will be reasonable in today's markets and just maybe the roasts will be as good as the one above. If not, we still have one left in the freezer for this New Year's eve.

Rubbed the roast with olive oil and then a heavy coating of black pepper. Looks like dinner around 3 PM today.

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Egg Foo Young in a wok.

I have posted this before and also quite awhile ago. This became one of our go to breakfasts when we started new eating habits. I think it is the soy sauce that gives this dish the finishing touch.

Half the fun is trying to flip this without getting it all over the stove.

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SMALL GENERATOR

 

I fire up this small generator once a month. This morning it started on the first pull and I brought down the small winter elecdric heater for the shop and used it to load the generator. Surprisingly, this little generator runs that heater running on high.  I also want to get some new gas in it for the winter months. A few more morning runs and that job will be completed.

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JIBBER JABBER 

The 3D printer has been running 8-10 hours a day for over a week. Christmas presents to complete by early December. Wife's mass cookie productions start next weekend and the kitchen table will be knee deep in CC cookies and family speciality cookies her mother always made. She keeps this history alive for brothers and sisters to enjoy. I hope she calls on me to taste test to make sure no flaws have developed since last season. I am always honest, to the point of having to try some batches several times to make sure the highest quality and standards are being met. Work work work work work!

I alluded to this in past posts and still notice the relaxation and hope in the air today. My wife said that it is time for us to start using some of what we have put away for rainy days. Much in part this thinking comes from our age and time left here. But it is also fed by changing leadership in this country. 

Yard work today went by the way side. Weather patterns still offering nice days ahead. Tomorrow. Yep, tomorrow for sure. Promise!! 

Thanks for the visit. Have wonderful Thanksgiving and for goodness sakes, leave politics out of the get togethers. God Bless.

 

BAMBU LAB A1 MINI 3D PRINTER REVIEW - FLASH MOB : "WISH YOU WERE HERE" - JIBBER JABBER

REVIEW:

I had planned on starting this review with two thumbs up, ten out of ten, 5 stars, good to go and "Good Job Hancock" to Bambu Labs. 

All too often, I have wanted and had high expectations from service, a purchased product or tool. Then only to be sorely disappointed and telling myself I should have known better, asked more questions or spent more time doing homework. 

I have wanted to try 3d printing for well over a year now and have been putting off the purchase for the reasons stated above. I wanted a low cost /reasonable entry level, small footprint and proven design. A tool that I could set up and that would work as I learn the ins and outs of 3d printing. I wanted to avoid the downside of having to repair and constantly work on a printer just to get it to print. "Once bitten, twice shy."

I read many reviews and watched many and asked folks who use 3d printers for advice. The Bambu Lab A1 Mini always surfaced as the best choice for a entry level 3d printer. 

Some of my previous posts show a few of the small objects I have been designing and printing or free sailing model boats. I have been able to spend my time on design, modeling, prototyping and working in the design process loop. The little 3d printer is my helper in the process. 

A bigger project. Cell Phone Holder.

I saw a wooden cell phone holder months ago and loved the simplicity and function of the design. I made a wooden model from which to move to the 3d printing process.

Iterations

Size, angles, fit, function, simplicity and appeal. 

Happy with this design, I moved to modeling in the computer. My wife was happy with this wooden prototype and asked if I would stain it. To date, she has not wanted a 3d printed upgrade. A lot to be said for old school!! 

But I am learning something new everyday that can be added to my box of tools. I can still build things just on a smaller scale. Besides it is fun! And just an FYI, the above 3d printed cell phone holder takes 7 hours to print. See, ya just learned something.

Yea, "Don't Let The Old Man in."

I would recommend the Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D printer for getting started with 3D printing. From un-boxing to set up to first print. Maybe a great idea for kids this Christmas. Affordable $199 and with a spool of PLA filament about $225. 

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JUST FOR FUN 

Flash Mob: music from Pink Floyd. Turn up the volume. 

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JIBBER JABBER

Rain, cooler days, first fire lit in the fireplace last week. The yard beckons to me no matter what window I look out. "Come clean me up - winter is coming." 

Holidays again. Turkey fixens, family and friends will again run its course. Black Friday, if we play, will be from the internet this year. Some Christmas presents already stacked on the kitchen table and in the queue for mailing. My wife's mass production of Christmas cookies is about a week away and they will all be delivered by the middle of December. And I again, have to be good and not eat any. What are the odds?

I notice some weight off of my shoulders. Not letting my guard down, but a sense of relief and hope that has been gone for too many years. 

To you, thanks for the visit this week.

 

 

 

4 MORE YEARS - WINTER IS COMING - LOCAL CHRISTMAS FAIR - PURPLE MARTIN BIRD HOUSE - STRING BEANS AND BACON - MODEL SAIL BOAT MOCK UP - JIBBER JABBER

I cannot find another photo that I have taken in the past months that best represents how I/we feel this past week in our neck of the east Texas woods. Our county went 85% for Donald Trump. The nation also stood up and showed how important getting out to vote is. Memes said that "we could not vote our way out" of these past years; maybe we can. Memes also hinted that "voting harder" was wishful thinking. My bet is a few million pens in hand pushed a little harder when marking those check marks for change in leadership for this country.

Not going to gloat or beat a dead horse to death here. BUT, we won. The nation won. We The People won. Families won. The economy won. McDonald's won. Garbage men/women won. Squirrels won. Lying, hatred and contempt for the American citizen all failed and hold no near future.

There is a lot of work to be done. We are not out of the woods. But the next 4 years look so much brighter. Good for the USA!!

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WINTER IS COMING

Yep, even here we feel it. Up north in our old NH, snow and cold weather. Snow in NW Texas and cold fronts passing through here leaving the much needed rain. Up in the morning now putting on my old favorite work sweatshirt, socks and long pants. Still finish the days in t-shirt and shorts but those days are numbered.   

Family came out to visit this weekend and the bride was all involved in getting the house cleaned and ready.  Fun snacks on the table when they arrived, pulled pork from the slow cooker for dinner.

Pulled pork 

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Saturday morning we were among the first in the doors at our Christmas fair put on by all of the local churches. All items are handmade by locals and bargains were everywhere. We always find fun gifts and homemade eats yummy beyond words.  This event is a wonderful introduction to the Christmas season. More so this year. 

I found a few great Christmas gifts and this bargain below, hidden by drop table tops around one of the displays. The gal explained that she could not set the bird houses out for lack of room nor bring them out further on the floor as they would trip folks walking by. 

I pulled this Purple Martin bird house out and the gal said I could set it on her table top. She said that the price on this item had just dropped by $25. The quality of construction was excellent and the hand painted flowers a perfect finish. 

As I walked by, so did a lady holding a large tray of home made fudge brownies. I joked that I would be happy to help her eat that tray. She set the brownies down and started to pull off the saran wrap covering. With a big smile, she said she was just waiting for an excuse to eat one and was happy to share. I told her I was teasing and that I could no longer eat those kinds of desserts. I felt bad because I bet we would have easily eaten two apiece. Everyone at the fair had a smile on their face and a desire to visit. Strangers were like family and friends. 

I do love these east Texas folks. Yep!

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Another bargain I found was a cookbook put together by women from all of the local churches. An excellent price and full of good east Texas home cooking.

But on page 86, I found a reciepe for  Possum Roast. "Place the dressed possum in a kettle....." is the first step. I quickly turned the page. PORK CHOP CASSEROLE. Whew. Then on page 90 Roast Possum again. "Rub opossum with salt and pepper."

I closed the book. "They are serious" I thought to myself. Then I made the mistake of setting the cookbook down and asking the internet about Possum recipes. I knew better from the get go. I just knew better.

I am a fan though of their Home Made Cinnamon Rolls and Very Cheesy Lasagna along with a few hundred of their other southern treats.

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 STRING  BEANS AND BACON OR BACON AND STRING BEANS?

I am a fan of string beans and the bride says she will always eat string beans when they are not cut up. I found bags of fresh string beans at the local market and took the time to clean, trim, blanch and add home fried chopped bacon and onions. A treat, as making s-beans like this is time consuming. Maybe I overdid the bacon and onions.

Cheese omelet with bacon and onions. Salsa and avocado always.

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3D  PRINTING DECK MOUNTS -- 22" MODEL SAIL BOAT MOCK UP PROGRESS

Rudder and self-adjusting Braine Steering device install next. 

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JIBBER JABBER 

It has been a week adjusting to the time change and being in some kind of recovery mode from these past few years. Some restless sleep coupled with some drop off the edge of a cliff deep sleep. Add days of wanting to do nothing all day to the list. Jibber jabbering is also going to wait. I will leave you with this project in the works.

Testing the first "chicken soup in a jar" recipe idea for a few Christmas gifts. The goal is to build a chicken soup in a jar that can be cooked in one hour with very little else needed.

Have an excellent week and thanks for the visit. 

NH FALL FOLIAGE - PINE NEEDLE BATTLES - 3D PRINTING - JIBBER JABBER - PUMPKIN SILLINESS

 H/T to foxhat

Friends living in Bradford, NH sent these fall foliage photos last week. Photos taken in the morning just days apart. The colors change noticeably as temperatures drop and the season progresses. We do miss the intensity of this part of fall when we lived there. The colors explode. 

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We won the pine needles battle this past week. Well, not the battle but have stemmed the major onslaught for this season. Rain forecast for later this week. Clean-out just in time.

 

Four hours of yard raking and piling out back. We had help. 

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3D PRINTING

After months of wanting to learn how to design, draw and build/print my own designs with a 3D printer, I have finally learned enough of the whole process to prototype my ideas into handheld objects. Redesign, rebuild, redesign, rebuild until the items represent my idea in form, function and strength. It is the design process that helps keep my mind active and fulfills my wanting to build things.

I purchased a Bambu Lab A1 Mini ($199). I am going to write a review soon, but no time now. Suffice it to say that the size, cost and dependability of this little 3D printer is proving to be all that it is represented to be as an introductory tool to this process. 

I came across this story by accident. Take the time to watch it. 

Then this one.  

And this. 

In 2005/06, I was teaching "Project Lead The Way" in NH. The kids who opted for these classes were young geeks and were all miles ahead of me in the classroom as their teacher. If I was at least even with them on any given day and their ability to eat up a curriculum, well, that was a good day. My learning curve with "Inventor" and "Digital Electronics" was vertical.

3D printing was in its infancy for being available to high school classrooms. 3D prints were sand models, brittle to touch, but produced a hand-held product physically representative of a particular design. We had companies show up at the school and demonstrate how 3D printing worked. I was as much a kid in awe of all of this new technology as were any of my students. 

I had one student far ahead of the others in one class. It was all I could to keep him interested and busy while I attended to the whole class. Finally, I handed him a model airplane engine with a few small tools. I told him to take it apart and make a working model we could print the day the 3D printer was scheduled to arrive at our school. He disappeared into the computer at this desk for a couple weeks. A few questions maybe, but you would have thought I had given that student the assignment of a lifetime. His desk was full of model engine parts and on his computer screen soon appeared a fully working model of that engine. Again, the kid in me and all of the other students were in awe of watching that little engine run perfectly in the computer model animation on his screen. 

Here was a model airplane engine that I used flying model airplanes for years now fully reproduced using computer design software. Behind all of the work was a young teenager. 

And, later that month, a full sand 3D printed model of that little engine was prototyped. Good stuff. 

So, to the videos above. This technology has come a long way. 3D printing is changing the world we live in and you and I can sit at our home laptop, think of an idea, draw it along with a few dimensions, reproduce that product in a CAD program, send it to a small home 3D printer and physically hold our ideas in our hand within an hour or so.  So far, in my case, all of my ideas have been re-done and improved. From complete failure to a working model worthy of printing using stronger filaments.

Give a laptop and a 3D printer to your child along with instruction and help and you will open up a world without limitations to his or her ideas. 

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 JIBBER JABBER

I have this week finally deleted some of the net sites I visit. The depth of balonium and lies are far more that I can stomach in the search of learning truths. The wars in the Middle East should keep me awake at night, but what is the truth? Simple truths. All is couched in, well, jibber jabber. 

So, when I hit the bed at night, I push my mind to "tomorrow" here at home. Chores, meals, winter coming, visiting with neighbors and playing house with my wife. We are at no loss of things to do. A cup of afternoon tea, the warm Texas sun and a breeze that puts the cats on their backs soaking up the simplicity of warmth, safe and sound.

So, October is all but history and I would have lost money betting on this October 2024 surprises over last year's. It appears that this month will, too, come and go without the world ending.

November? Who ya gonna call?

Thanks for the visit this week.

PUMPKIN SILLINESS FROM FOXHAT (just in.)

 

 

DEHYDRATED CARROTS - YARD BIRDHOUSE - 3D PRINTING - 22" POND YACHT BUILD - HOMEMADE TOMATO SOUP - JIBBER JABBER

We found bags of waffle-cut carrots and entertained ourselves in filling the dehydrator for a day. This morning, the bride is looking for a glass jar container that she know she has, but has yet to find. Surprising that the carrots shrink so much and yet all of the carrot flavor is still locked into each of these small pieces. This will meet our carrot wants this winter.

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FRONT YARD BIRDHOUSE

This is a test pose of the final resting spot for the birdhouse I built for my wife. She likes it. We set a wooden post yesterday and I will have the final mounting completed this coming week. 

My wife does have an eye for things like this. I can build stuff, but get lost in how and where to display. We must have walked around this and viewed from many distances. Gotta say it visually pops. Instantly worth all of the work. 

This is the last place I would have chosen for this bird house location and it proves to be the very best place. Proves my point.

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3D PRINTING

A new 3D printer for me up and running. I will be sharing a review of this printer and the progress of the next 22" Pond Yacht build in the weeks ahead. All of this brings out the kid in me, full tilt!

Hull shape mock up with third and forth iteration(s) of 3D-printed fittings. All prototypes. Nothing like taking an idea and seeing firsthand the good/bad/ugly of a design. Watch for progress in the weeks ahead.

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TOMATO SOUP: SET IT, FORGET IT.

Another test from the bride. Homemade tomato soup. First cups for lunch today. Put parts and pieces in the slow cooker in the morning and easily complete at dinner time. All this meal needs is a large handful of saltine crackers and a toasted cheese sandwich. But you knew that. 

Dad use to put so many saltines in his bowl of tomato soup, that it turned into tomato stew. But it always put a smile on his face. 

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JIBBER JABBER 

If you have not yet seen this, than you may be one of the few who have not. 

Space X Capture 

I was impressed when Elon Musk put his car in space and that it is still out there somewhere doing something. But what he is currently doing with space exploration is beyond words. If you need some hope of the future, here it is. 

Temperatures in east Texas cooling. Days warm and comfortable. Still no rain in the 7 day forecasts. Fracking pine needles now with fallen leaves, but the lawns do not need mowing. Looking for an upside here.

New neighbors from far far away looking for a place that is not cold and filled with snow for months on end. A neighborhood welcoming bag of cookies this week.

October 2024 is marching along. Staying busy with stuff is very helpful.

I appreciate your visit as always.

HAY FIELDS - PINE NEEDLES - DEHYDRATING VEGGIES - ZUCCHINI RELISH - CAJUN SALMON - JIBBER JABBER

Third hay harvest this season.

Typical east Texas field of hay.

Current solution to moving pine needles. Larger load plus easy dumping. The pine needles are currently still winning.

 

Double load of weekend dehydrating yellow squash and zucchini. Ought to last through a winter of soups and stews.

 

Add two batches of home made zucchini relish (hot water bath). A team effort. She makes the relish, I watch over the hot water bath. We have just 3 jars left so time to fill up that corner of the cupboard. We do enjoy the work and the results. Top off a hot dog, hamburger or baloney sandwich. Small jars: they go fast.

 

Atlantic salmon dinner seasoned with homemade Cajun seasoning. Above leftovers for next day lunch.

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 JIBBER JABBER

Busy week. Not sure how that happens or where the week has gone. 

Evening TV watching has been "The Unit" and will finish up "Citadel: Diana" tonight. After 4 episodes of Citadel Diana, I am still lost in the story. Feels like excess "baloneyum" to me. The hair cut is not getting it done and not much action from the heroine. But with only 6 episodes, we will just finish the series. Not as good as the first Citadel season with Priyanka Chopra. An opinion.

My worldly worries have taken a backseat to chores. The weather has been warm, user-friendly. 

Son has returned home from a couple weeks working storm damage down south. No stories or photos. Said he was full tilt on staying healthy and getting the job(s) done.  Crews were released to go home and/or go to Florida.

This coming week I am hopeful that I can 3D print my first designed model sail boat part. A small step, but a giant step in the learning of CAD design and 3D printing. So much to learn that my head fills up much faster than my ability to tie it all together. 

Have a good week. Thanks for the visit.

 

TO FLY 57 YEARS LATER - OCTOBER SURPRISE - SQUIRREL MODE -JIBBER JABBER

Mid America Flight Museum

 

 

B-25 RESTING ON THE FLIGHT LINE

 

I commented to wife how small the B-25 is. Looking at photos and flight videos of these old twin engine airplanes, I thought them to be much bigger. But they are not. And the history that flows from this plane while standing next to it can be felt.

UH-1H HUEY  This helicopter flew in Vietnam, had been shot down several times, was brought home and restored.

Flying a UH-1H Huey, 57 years later.

Old men like to talk, tell stories and this old man could write a book here on my/our visit to the Mid-America Flight Museum last weekend. I will do my best to be short.

I have for all of these years wanted to get in a Huey one more time and fly. Hover, take off, turn, climb, approach to a landing and hover. I always knew I could still fly, but had no illusions of having the same touch I did at 20 years old. But I could fly if given the chance.  

And that chance happened by accident, last weekend. 

When my wife and I arrived at the museum/airport, we were picked up and taken to the open hangers and museum. Sitting there on the apron were a Huey Cobra, UH-1H Huey lift helicopter and a Hughes OH-6, LOH. That moment put a lump in my throat and touched a place in my heart and soul that I cannot cover here.  That moment was bright and alive and I was again the kid walking the flight lines of Army Helicopter flight school and 500 Vietnam combat missions.

(I will briefly say here that the politics of that war, tearing apart of our nation in the 60's never played in me then. Even to this day, knowing more of history of that era, the rights, wrongs, politics do not play.

I  flew for the boys on the ground. They called for aerial support and we flew to them. Never once did I ever worry about anything other than getting to their location, making contact with a forward observer, identifying their threat and expelling the armament load of two Huey gunships to eliminate that threat.)

A fellow was calling out and making a list of folks who wanted a ride the Huey. I told him I did and wanted to sit in the pilot seat. He took my name and said I would be "pilot" on flight #2. He asked for my wife's name and she was put in the jump seat between the pilot and co-pilot seats. Not only was I going to get to fly, but my wife was going to get a ride with her veteran husband, an Army helicopter pilot. 

We were loaded, buckled in along with 8 other passengers. The pilot climbed in, shook by hand and started the helicopter. The feelings and sounds have long been subdued inside me, but came alive in an instant. The vertical bump of that turning rotor system (the Huey bounce), then spooled up to flight rpm. The pilot said that he was going to pick up the helicopter, fly to a high hover in the middle of the runway and then "give the helicopter to me." And he did.

There it was, that moment I have been longing for for 57 years. Rusty, but ok. Not that fine-tuned young pilot, but this old pilot did have a hold of a Huey again and was doing fine. 

The pilot talked me into forward flight and to climb to a 100/200 feet. I was searching for the forward flight attitude. It took a little coaxing, a helpful push forward on the cyclic, but the helicopter was mine. I could feel "it" coming back. "It" was there, but 57 years rusty. 

We flew an oval course over a lake, a large field with a large building in it, then towards two twin silos and finally back to a left downwind, descending left turn base leg and final circling to final approach. "Head to the center of the field" and I was working on that approach to a high hover. The pilot told me to hold the hover. For a minute I got to try to bring back every ounce of skill I once had to hold a perfect hover. I was close, held steady but wanted so to ask for a few more take offs and approaches. The kid in me was not satisfied. "I can feel it. I want more, just a few more trips around the pattern" I told myself. 

After that minute of hovering, the pilot said "I have the helicopter."  I raised my hands up from the cyclic and collective. Just like that it was over. 

After landing and idle down, the pilot reached over, shook my hand and said he would fly with me anytime. 

Today, these old war birds rest inside a hanger with their own special place, together and representative of helicopter history at its finest. To this day, these birds are still active in the service and in civilian aviation. 

I have video in the making marrying this past weekend flight along with old super 8 video I took in 1967 and 1969. I am adding music of the era. I just need time to finish it properly. 

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I cannot turn from this month, what is happening and all the negative prospects from media outlets. To think we are going to make it through this month and November, unscathed, is head-in-the-sand thinking. A personal opinion. 

The hurricane that ran through the southeast is in the news. What to believe? Who to believe? What is my gut telling me? My lying eyes? Rabbit holes everywhere I turn. Add the longshoreman's strike shutting down the ports for a few days only to come back to work Friday with some wage increases and the strike postponed to mid-January. Does not "feel" good. 

The longshoreman's strike had our attention for a couple days. I was thinking long term given the history of dockworkers' strikes. Powerful union and they are not folks to mess with. Facts of life. These folks can shut down the good ol' USA in a heartbeat and the longer it goes on, the longer it takes to come back to "normal." So that is postponed. 

The southeast hurricane is surfacing surprises for me. Never, ever thought that services to hurricane victims would be denied from any agency or governing bodies. That people like us on the ground and trying to serve are being threatened by governing agencies from doing so is beyond horrifying. If this is indeed the case, then "Houston, we have a problem." 

New hurricane forecast to hit Tampa and mid-Florida later this week. If there is any good news here, the governor of Florida is on top of these kinds of emergencies, folks have time to prepare and I doubt that the governor will turn down civilian help if offered. I believe recovery will be in high gear for these folks after the storm passes.

Lineman son has been in SC for 10 days now on storm duty. We talk briefly every morning. He still sounds good, strong, and taking one day at a time. Said this morning that another crew from New England arrived yesterday and that he had time to visit with old friends and get caught up with current events. This father just wants to know his boy is OK. Safe. Sound.  He said that his crew and the other crews are strong teams working hard and together. Great news. "We turned the power back on dad!" Pride in his voice.

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SQUIRREL MODE

Seasons and "times they are a changin'." 

Every year, when we find high quality and fresh zucchini and yellow squash, we take time to dehydrate a batch or two. Using a slicer to get even cuts, they are laid on racks and dehydrated for about 10 hours. Let set in a bowl for a couple days, turning and then set into airtight glass container. This year, we are going into winter with double batches for soups and stews.

JIBBER JABBER

With all of the jibber jabber reporting, the constant hint of nuclear exchange looms larger than ever in my lifetime. But it is just anther elephant in an already crowded room of elephants. Folks are quiet. 

I was surprised to find these still available. One box lasts one adult 10 days. If you do not have these on hand for everyone in your immediate family, order now. You can also find them on the shelves at pharmacies/wally world/Amazon. They will disappear in an instant so get them while you can.

There are sites on the net that also give good, easy reading of what to do in a nuclear event. If you have not done your homework, then you have not done your homework. 

Did you buy toilet paper last week when the dock strike started? If you did, then you have learned how fast basics will run out. You acted on what you learned. Good for you. 

Water? Food for the family for how long? Waste management? Protection? Learn all you can now and being as ready as you can. 

And oh yeah, the folks showing up at your doorstep expecting you to take care of them? Go ahead, say "NO" like you will when they are at your door. What is your reason?

What will you do when there is no internet, no phone service and no way to call friends or family. Day after day after day? Just asking.

Thanks for the visit.

A-1 Skyraider

This photo was taken in 1967 at the Phan Thiet air field. We were stationed there for a couple months and when I was not flying, I was near the runway with my camera. Every kind of fixed wing and helicipoter was always on an approach or taking off. 

We flew a couple mission with the Airforce Skyraiders. They would make a strafing run and we would follow with a pass using rockets and doors gunners. Then circle and watch these pilots make another diving run with guns and bombs. We had the best front row seats watching these planes in action. They were beautiful on the ground and in the air. 

The plane above was taxxing for take off. The sound and feel of those big radial engines working is breath taking. I was in awe of those planes and pilots and still am. 

Side note: The Phan Thiet air port was located parallel and close to the coast line. I always marveled at the beautiful white sand beaches right next to that airport. I often thought of how out of place all of that was in war time.

 

 

 

LAKE QUINAULT PHOTOS - MID-AMERICA FLIGHT MUSEUM

ht jb63 thanks

"All of these photos in the woods are from 3/14/2018.  "M" and I took a day trip from Olympia to Hoquiam to Ocean Shores to Clearwater to Lake Quinault on south and north shore roads to Kalaloch to Ruby Beach and back to Olympia... A great day I would love to do again!!  The waterfall is that creek that is on the south shore road that everyone stops to take photos of.

I love trees, and I get so disgusted when developers cut them down to build cookie cutter houses.  We need to keep the trees!  The trees above were in an area that suffered a bad blowdown of trees during a storm a couple of weeks before we were there.  The tree with the chain on it is my favorite, I am sure there is a story about the chain that has grown into the tree..... fascinating."

 

Quote above is from a good friend and high school classmate. A few photos shared from the Lake Quinault and Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive awhile back. Brought back many good memories of that area of Washington State.

Growing up near the coast, my parents and close friends would often head out on an early morning, lunches packed for that trip "around the loop." Years and years ago that drive offered unfettered access to streams, lakes and coastal beach travel. We would always stop somewhere along that route, throw down  blankets, grab sandwiches, homemade salads and drinks. The picnic lunch was never rushed and there was always time to walk trails or get wet in the waterways. It was an easy day trip playing and relaxing in some of nature's best work. 

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A SATURDAY FULL OF SURPRISES      

 

The Mid America Flight Museum is a quick, forty-minute drive for us. In our back yard, if you will. After four years here now, we had yet to make the trip. Forgetful, too busy and time has evaporated. But this past weekend, we decided to have a date day, visit the museum and treat ourselves to lunch out. Our plan was to be there early, take some good photos of war birds and look at one of the best collections of old airplanes, all currently flying. We have been told many times how wonderful and excellent this museum is. Only open to the public on Saturday mornings 08:00 till noon.

 

It was a gold mine for this amateur photographer, way beyond my expectations. But the best story of all will be told and shared in next weekend's post. I have work to do with photos,  video and story telling. 

 

Stop by next weekend for the story. 

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Appreciate the visit this week.

 

FINNEGAN - HOMEMADE GRANOLA - LEGOS - SOUND OF NITRO - LAST GOODBYE - JIBBER JABBER

 Finnegan: ht nn

 

Finnegan is in the "dog house" sort of. Doing his job as overseer of his kingdom, he was hit in the face last weekend from the north end of a southbound skunk. In his wild reaction to get away from what had just happened, he ran into the house, trying to find some place to rub off the experience. 

And yes, experiences like this always happen on a weekend. It was bad enough that the fellow was sprayed in the face, but he also did considerable disruption to the home. If you have any skunk experiences, you fully understand the owners' immediate problems last weekend.

Finnegan was washed and washed and eventually cleaned with skunk cleaner. Then shaved in an attempt to completely clean off the skunk. The home also was in some disarray and, as of this weekend, the home is clean and odor free. Finnegan is on a short leash in hopes to teach him not to stick his nose where it does not belong. I fear though that Finnegan might not be able to control himself when his kingdom requires his personal investigation.

It could have been a face full of porky pine. These things happen. 

I so want to walk up to him here, give him a pat on the head and tell him he is a "good boy."

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HOME MADE GRANOLA

One of the very best "cooks" my wife makes. Quick mix of a few ingredients, stirred and put in the oven to bake. The smell permeates the home and the urge to scoop handfuls for eating is overwhelming. But we cannot, should not; for low carb diet reasons. But this ranks right up there with homemade bread out of the oven. 

This batch fills two quart jars and "we"/she made this for gifting. A "younger" neighbor to the west drives his zero turn mower down to help mow our sloped yard near the road. The slope makes me nervous and I have not stepped up yet to trying the slope. My mower, also a zero turn, leans and I get hinky. Especially after having watched a few videos on YouTube where fellows have flipped and turned over mowing slopes. We have adopted a partial mow with our mower followed by finishing the slope with weedeaters. 

But neighbor knows what he is doing, tells me I can do it, but still comes over from time to time to finish the job. He drives by, sees the job half-completed,  and cannot control himself. I tell him thank you and he replies "you are welcome." 

Long story short, the granola is a gift to say thanks. Saying thank you is important and besides, we know he and his wife love the homemade granola.  

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 VISCERAL EXPERIENCE

I found this scouring YouTube shorts.  A couple minutes. Watch it all the way through. 

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LEGO bricks 

I was most impressed with the technology of mass production and storage. How many simple designs and ideas like this have changed the world? 

Legos have open the world of designing and building to kids and adults alike. Your imagination is the only limitation to assembling these small pieces together.

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THE LAST GOODBYE 

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JIBBER JABBER

I was awakened this morning with my wife gently rubbing my feet and asking me if I was ok. I was yelling "hello" "hello" "hello" in my sleep and dream state at 04:30 this morning. I was aware that I was yelling that as I slowly awoke. "Yes, I am fine", I replied. I started to explain that a box of vertically stacked wood pieces was revealing the presence of aliens and I was trying to contact them by saying hello. I did not, could not see them, but apparently, the way the wood pieces had been re-stacked was proof that only aliens could do that; and thus, proof of their presence and existence. Hey, it was a dream. 

I do miss my flying dreams though and always trying to explain to my other childhood friends how to do it. Over the years, I have learned how to easily lift off and land and fly at will over hills enjoying the expanses and views from above. 

I would explain that I have to do is hold my arms down snug at my sides, open my palms and mentally press down. The secret lies in the belief that I can fly as I put 100% of my mind into that moment. As the dream years have evolved, the flying has been easier as my mind has more easily moved into the experience.

I also enjoyed lifting off the ground within a group of people and watching the looks on their faces. 

I would rather enjoy some flying now in these early morning dreams rather than looking for aliens in vertically stacked wood boxes.

Maybe watching "FAllOUT" again this week tweaked a few neurons. Not sure. 

Another blog without going down a world full of rabbit holes. "How am I doing?"

Thanks for the visit. Have a good week. We may just make it through September 2024. 

I do feel the need to re-stack that box out back full of wood sticks.