Just a musing that is amusing. The Easter bunny, a pooka, sold to the masses to celebrate spring and rebirth. Loosely tied to another religion in which many of it's patrons eat chocolate bunnies and collect eggs hidden by the pooka, while acknowledging their belief in the rising of Christ.
Thank you Mister James Stewart for introducing me to Harvey! (Film from 1950)
24 April 2011
09 March 2011
A Perfect Landing
Live Streaming by Ustream.TVThe shuttle Discovery makes another amazing landing this morning. As the thought of what they have to do to get that bird out of the sky. It is essentially a brick with wings, unlike a plane they do not have a second chance if something goes wrong. If the landing gear does not deploy correctly can you imagine trying to land on one set of tires in a plane with no engines? Or what if the tires blew out? Wind shear cutting the runway?
I am glad the crew made it home. Congratulations Crew! A few more shuttle trips to go till the end of a space flight era arrives.
05 March 2011
First Sunburn of the Year
Today was filled with tearing out the weeds and replacing them with rather all too orderly garden rows. Seriously, they are in a line one after another with no real planning involved. I think the next time I will be planing the squash and those I will do in some diagonal pattern or something. Straight lines.... what was I thinking?!
I saved most of my head but my arms and neck are burnt, yup I am a redneck in that respect. Staring at the ground for too long causes it. Pondering what will come from my labors in the months ahead. The great news is my greenhouse is doing its job. I have been starting my seeds in there and am ready to plant within two weeks each time. Such a time saver and seed saver. Plus my crops can be started a month earlier than normal, a frost does not usually affect a full plant in a harmful way, but it does prevent seeds from sprouting.
I love the part where I planted enough for a small army of people, and I am the only one living here. Good news for those I consider friends and nice neighbors. When I grow large gardens I like to offer the food for free or a donation, my way of showing love for my fellow humans, and animals of course. I make sure there is enough for the birds, bunnies, squirrels and dogs.
I saved most of my head but my arms and neck are burnt, yup I am a redneck in that respect. Staring at the ground for too long causes it. Pondering what will come from my labors in the months ahead. The great news is my greenhouse is doing its job. I have been starting my seeds in there and am ready to plant within two weeks each time. Such a time saver and seed saver. Plus my crops can be started a month earlier than normal, a frost does not usually affect a full plant in a harmful way, but it does prevent seeds from sprouting.
I love the part where I planted enough for a small army of people, and I am the only one living here. Good news for those I consider friends and nice neighbors. When I grow large gardens I like to offer the food for free or a donation, my way of showing love for my fellow humans, and animals of course. I make sure there is enough for the birds, bunnies, squirrels and dogs.
27 February 2011
The Right Tool For The Job
Yesterday during the local snow storm I was out in the garage working on a special order for a client. When I attend shows I take a special display setup with me that many people love and it is sturdy, almost wind proof (do gales count as wind?) and fairly light weight. In the past I have hand made each display using a hand held jig saw, circular saw, hand drill and a large plunge router. My eyes saw all the imperfections, gaps, odd angles, uneven sizes, etcetera. It would take me 2 days to complete the assembly of one three foot display, then another day for varnish.
This year the tax return went to some new tools. The table router made fast work of edges and it was a breeze to use on the 1x wood I use for these displays. The table saw, oh my, a quick rip and the wood was angled precisely and evenly all along the length, no more waves. Band saws are awesome for doing flat work several layers thick at once. Last but not least using a forstner bit in the drill press was magic, instant aligned holes thanks to a couple of clamps. Almost forgot a tiny but oh so useful tool, no electricity needed needed, a frame clamp to hold the material together while I drilled for the wooden dowel connecting pins (I like mine to show rather than being hidden).
I just about completed two full displays in about 5 hours! That was with much needed improvements in the design and having to think through using the new tools, ah, I am still alive, I learned something new.
23 February 2011
Cat Food
Writing this with Floyd on my lap, she is my rockin' little kitty cat. Since she was given to me I have raised her on various kitten branded pet foods. Last night I decided it is time to start moving her up the chain to adult cat food. Since I was in a Walmart there were a decent selection of dry foods. I started my minor quest by looking at the ingredients label of the kitten food I had been feeding her, Purina Kitten Chow. Corn. Yup corn was the main ingredient as I recall. My cat does not eat corn. How do I know this? I like corn, sweet yellow or white with dairy cream butter and fresh cracked pepper, the cat does not. Left on a counter she will lick the butter but not chew on the corn. The dog will eat corn, but he seems to eat almost anything.
At that point I must have looked like a insane person as I started picking up bag after bag of dry food for cats from every company Walmart had, including Iams. Until I hit a tiny section for natural foods all the major labels primary ingredients, including Iams was corn. I even had a brief discussion with a random stranger also buying food for his pet about corn and we both started listing things like our food, pet food, cow feed, car fuel, and plastic food containers all made of corn. He did not know of the food containers.
So I turned my attention to the tiny naturals section of dry cat food. Newman's own had decent ingredients but the price was a premium. There was a name I had never heard of, also a bit pricey. This was starting to remind me of shopping for food for my own consumption, the better the food the higher the price, the junkier and more marketed the cheaper. My eye was drawn to a small card board box of 'Purina One beyOnd' Chicken and Whole Oat Meal. I was impressed to find Chicken listed first, then chicken meal, whole brown rice (which my cat does eat from my plate, always seems to be sneaking nibbles from my plate), soy bean meal and a host of other ingredients including eggs, beets, fish oil, apples, etc. Guess what was missing. CORN! Yay for Purina. I say that here because the 1 lb box was a stunningly low $2. Real food at a decent price.
I purchased the food, took it home and immediately had the opportunity to fill a bowl that was nearly empty. Floyd hopped up and sniffed the small nuggets of her new food. She nosed around in it a second then tested a dark morsel with a tentative crunch. I was sort of expecting her to turn and look at me with a pensive, what is this stuff look, instead she plunged face first into the food and was munching away.
I only endorse products I feel deserve it and this product I freely (as in not being paid for it, though I won't turn my nose up at a check Purina!) endorse, as I fairly certain does Floyd.
At that point I must have looked like a insane person as I started picking up bag after bag of dry food for cats from every company Walmart had, including Iams. Until I hit a tiny section for natural foods all the major labels primary ingredients, including Iams was corn. I even had a brief discussion with a random stranger also buying food for his pet about corn and we both started listing things like our food, pet food, cow feed, car fuel, and plastic food containers all made of corn. He did not know of the food containers.
So I turned my attention to the tiny naturals section of dry cat food. Newman's own had decent ingredients but the price was a premium. There was a name I had never heard of, also a bit pricey. This was starting to remind me of shopping for food for my own consumption, the better the food the higher the price, the junkier and more marketed the cheaper. My eye was drawn to a small card board box of 'Purina One beyOnd' Chicken and Whole Oat Meal. I was impressed to find Chicken listed first, then chicken meal, whole brown rice (which my cat does eat from my plate, always seems to be sneaking nibbles from my plate), soy bean meal and a host of other ingredients including eggs, beets, fish oil, apples, etc. Guess what was missing. CORN! Yay for Purina. I say that here because the 1 lb box was a stunningly low $2. Real food at a decent price.
I purchased the food, took it home and immediately had the opportunity to fill a bowl that was nearly empty. Floyd hopped up and sniffed the small nuggets of her new food. She nosed around in it a second then tested a dark morsel with a tentative crunch. I was sort of expecting her to turn and look at me with a pensive, what is this stuff look, instead she plunged face first into the food and was munching away.
I only endorse products I feel deserve it and this product I freely (as in not being paid for it, though I won't turn my nose up at a check Purina!) endorse, as I fairly certain does Floyd.
30 January 2011
Boredom in a Universe Full of Wonder?
I was watching Discworld, the episode about Hogwatch, and at the end Death says something akin to, 'In a universe so filled with wonder humans have managed to invent boredom.' Just then I looked out the widow and saw some amazing lighting on my yard. The greens popped, the trees turned ghostly white and the sky was formidably dark, yet a very small section of a rainbows arch (out of frame to the right) was showing above the neighbors palm tree. Such richness in color and the contrast of bright sun to dark storm in the same section of valley. Beautiful!
How often do we miss beauty or amazing events because we looked the wrong way or were too busy to care? The old saying stop to smell the roses is great advice, but don't forget to look around while you do it!
29 January 2011
Misconceptions of Food Advancements 2
This morning while eating my breakfast the flavors in my mouth reminded me to continue this article. Last time I covered briefly that food is often ripened using hormones and chemicals after the fruit has been picked way too early. The lack of essential nutrient load was mentioned.
Food that is picked too early also is missing many flavor compounds. Lackluster taste is the hallmark of early picked food. I currently live in an agricultural area and at the end of summer I bought a crate of nectarines for the low sum of $9. An entire crate, what did I do with it all? I ate some fresh, I made juice, added them to Jello, I handed them out to city friends, and I prepared some for freezing. Freezing preserves the fruit with a small breakdown in cellular structure from the water in it expanding. In the case of the nectarines this is a useful feature. I like to freeze then in small containers so I can use them easily.
Yesterday I defrosted a container of nectarines and this morning I opened them up. Yum! The aroma of late summer filled my kitchen and I had not even done anything with the fruit yet. Going to the cupboard I pulled out the rolled oats and bottle of ground cinnamon (grinding fresh spices is a great way to add mega flavor). A layer of oas, some cinnamon, a layer of oats, the fruit spooned in, a layer of oats, some sugar crystal (just a pinch) then some water. I put it in the microwave for a minute. Took it out and oh my goodness, the scent was so good, reminded me of peach pie, stir and replace for another minute. Piping hot greatness! Notice I said greatness not goodness, the flavor is so intense because the fruit was not picked until ripe and about ready to fall on the ground.
The orchard I picked them up from supplies grocery chains in California and abroad with many types of fresh fruit. The thing is, for the shipment the fruit is picked a week earlier than what I purchased at their roadside stand. The difference is really noticeable.
The same can be said of the groceries I am growing in my backyard. Fresh out of the ground, with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Heck even the wild bunnies and fowl like going in the garden to help themselves it is so good. No need for me to fret, I planted enough to go around.
If you get the chance grow some fresh herbs, vegetables or fruit and visit your local farmer's markets. Seasonal food surprises that will not find on any grocery shelf await your taste buds!
Food that is picked too early also is missing many flavor compounds. Lackluster taste is the hallmark of early picked food. I currently live in an agricultural area and at the end of summer I bought a crate of nectarines for the low sum of $9. An entire crate, what did I do with it all? I ate some fresh, I made juice, added them to Jello, I handed them out to city friends, and I prepared some for freezing. Freezing preserves the fruit with a small breakdown in cellular structure from the water in it expanding. In the case of the nectarines this is a useful feature. I like to freeze then in small containers so I can use them easily.
Yesterday I defrosted a container of nectarines and this morning I opened them up. Yum! The aroma of late summer filled my kitchen and I had not even done anything with the fruit yet. Going to the cupboard I pulled out the rolled oats and bottle of ground cinnamon (grinding fresh spices is a great way to add mega flavor). A layer of oas, some cinnamon, a layer of oats, the fruit spooned in, a layer of oats, some sugar crystal (just a pinch) then some water. I put it in the microwave for a minute. Took it out and oh my goodness, the scent was so good, reminded me of peach pie, stir and replace for another minute. Piping hot greatness! Notice I said greatness not goodness, the flavor is so intense because the fruit was not picked until ripe and about ready to fall on the ground.
The orchard I picked them up from supplies grocery chains in California and abroad with many types of fresh fruit. The thing is, for the shipment the fruit is picked a week earlier than what I purchased at their roadside stand. The difference is really noticeable.
The same can be said of the groceries I am growing in my backyard. Fresh out of the ground, with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Heck even the wild bunnies and fowl like going in the garden to help themselves it is so good. No need for me to fret, I planted enough to go around.
If you get the chance grow some fresh herbs, vegetables or fruit and visit your local farmer's markets. Seasonal food surprises that will not find on any grocery shelf await your taste buds!
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