It's been years since I decorated my house for any holidays, partly because I work most holidays so it's hard top get into the spirit. This year has been no exception unless being exceptionally without holiday spirit.
I'd planned on dressing as Father Christmas and going out to spread Christmas cheer but it simply wasn't within me to do so. Working in a grocery in the most obese state in America takes a physical toll on an old man so all my other projects had to be pushed aside as I have just been feeling beat down. I do enjoy music of all kinds as long as it is done well. However the Christmas music they played at the store this year was even worse than ever before.
The best part of Christmas has been going yesterday to Mom's for lunch. We had ham, dressing, peas, sweet taters, tater salad, greens and corn bread. She made a couple of pies for dessert but I was too stuffed to partake of the sweets.
The main thing was being with family and spending time together. My brother was there in body but his mind still isn't where it should be. It's heartbreaking to see a man once so strong and independent unable to do for himself.
My knees and back are hurting like Hell as of late so ASAP I'm going to have the doctors at the veteran's hospital check me out to see can they fix any of my worn out parts. I plan on going in for a check up in the near future but will put off any repairs as long as possible. I only live about a half mile from Mom but she has her hands full with my brother. The last thing she needs now or soon is to have me go down with any surgery.
I know this post sounds like a "pity party" but it is anything but that. We have a roof over our heads, food and water, warm beds to sleep in.
God is good always. It is Christmas Day. If you believe in His Son, Jesus join with me today and every day to celebrate His birth.
God bless us all, every one!
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Monday, December 19, 2016
Weather Roller Coaster
Saturday we had a high temp of 79 degrees F. Last night we had a low of 27 and tonight's is supposed to be around the same. A 50 degree change in about 24 hours is crazy even for Mississippi.
At any rate Mack & Tosh, my chinchillas aka "The lads" are enjoying fresh greens from our makeshift cold frame. It's merely a couple of 3' x 5' window frames (with glass intact) laid over a raised bed garden that I seeded with radish, carrot and beet seeds a few weeks ago. It's actually turned out to be one of my more productive experiments.
For myself I have a Crock Pot full of stew that I'm keeping warm. It started as a mess of collard greens but each day as I consume a heaping helping I add in some precooked meat or veggies and just just let it morph into something new each day.
Maybe someday I can figure out how to make an edible biscuit or maybe try some premixed stuff and make dumplings.
Stay warm, my friends and God bless!
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Dec 17, 2016
Things here are always changing, especially the weather.
A few weeks ago we had a cold snap where the lows were in the 20's. Today's high is supposed to be near 80. Then rain is in the forecast followed by a couple more nights in the 20's. At least we're officially over our drought.
I mentioned the other day Bella had caught a mouse and eaten half of it. She's showing no ill effects from that little meal and has as of late shown no concern about sniffing in, around and under the sofa so maybe we're mouse free for the moment. I'll leave the glue traps in place and check daily as well as harvest and place catnip around the house where I think rodents may enter before sealing any said points.
My dryer is now in need of replacing after some 6 - 8 years of faithful service. I noticed last week the shut off when open switch on the door wasn't working properly. Yesterday I loaded it up and ran it for some 30 minutes. When I checked the clothes they were still quite moist so I ran another 10 minutes. I checked again and the load was not only wet but cold so I can only figure the heating element has gone out. These days anything past the original factory warranty is borrowed time on anything one buys.
My dad had a refrigerator in his laundry room just for cold beer and such that was up at his parents' house when I was just a wee fella. It was an old model about only 5' tall, with rounded corners and a latch type door. It was quite a shock to me when I went to fetch a beer and not see the old machine there. Hell, that thing must have lasted a half century or so. I wish I'd known that it had crapped out and got tossed to the curb. I'd have loved to replaced all the workings and kept it going at least until the end of my days.
Anyway, I'll go online and check a few places and most likely buy a new dryer from the same good folks as I got my washer from. Speaking of the washer, it gets off balance easily so I need to check the level on it and if I can't cure that problem maybe the dryer delivery guys can.
Last note: The "holiday blues" have officially set in for me. Working in a grocery in Mississippi (the most obese state in the union) is physically hard on my old body and even before starting that line of work I haven't truly enjoyed the holiday season for quite a few years. My daughter, Alisa has invited me over for Christmas dinner and I'm always welcome at Mom's but I think I'll just stay here at home with my critters. I've had a sore throat for a few weeks along with assorted other "crud" symptoms that I'd rather not share with anybody except maybe that pack of knobs I work with. I've juiced a couple of lemons and added honey to take after my warm salt water gargles hoping to at least get my voice back.
A few weeks ago we had a cold snap where the lows were in the 20's. Today's high is supposed to be near 80. Then rain is in the forecast followed by a couple more nights in the 20's. At least we're officially over our drought.
I mentioned the other day Bella had caught a mouse and eaten half of it. She's showing no ill effects from that little meal and has as of late shown no concern about sniffing in, around and under the sofa so maybe we're mouse free for the moment. I'll leave the glue traps in place and check daily as well as harvest and place catnip around the house where I think rodents may enter before sealing any said points.
My dryer is now in need of replacing after some 6 - 8 years of faithful service. I noticed last week the shut off when open switch on the door wasn't working properly. Yesterday I loaded it up and ran it for some 30 minutes. When I checked the clothes they were still quite moist so I ran another 10 minutes. I checked again and the load was not only wet but cold so I can only figure the heating element has gone out. These days anything past the original factory warranty is borrowed time on anything one buys.
My dad had a refrigerator in his laundry room just for cold beer and such that was up at his parents' house when I was just a wee fella. It was an old model about only 5' tall, with rounded corners and a latch type door. It was quite a shock to me when I went to fetch a beer and not see the old machine there. Hell, that thing must have lasted a half century or so. I wish I'd known that it had crapped out and got tossed to the curb. I'd have loved to replaced all the workings and kept it going at least until the end of my days.
Anyway, I'll go online and check a few places and most likely buy a new dryer from the same good folks as I got my washer from. Speaking of the washer, it gets off balance easily so I need to check the level on it and if I can't cure that problem maybe the dryer delivery guys can.
Last note: The "holiday blues" have officially set in for me. Working in a grocery in Mississippi (the most obese state in the union) is physically hard on my old body and even before starting that line of work I haven't truly enjoyed the holiday season for quite a few years. My daughter, Alisa has invited me over for Christmas dinner and I'm always welcome at Mom's but I think I'll just stay here at home with my critters. I've had a sore throat for a few weeks along with assorted other "crud" symptoms that I'd rather not share with anybody except maybe that pack of knobs I work with. I've juiced a couple of lemons and added honey to take after my warm salt water gargles hoping to at least get my voice back.
Friday, December 16, 2016
Collard Greens
I must admit I love me some greens; turnip, & mustard are good but I am a collard green eating fool! Lo and behold today I saw at the grocery collard & other greens for sale at a mere 99 cents for 3 bunches. They as do all greens require a long cooking time so I continued my "look around" and saw a 5 quart slow cooker for $17.99... one of which also came home with me today.
Cooking greens requires a somewhat large vessel for a decent helping as they do cook down and reduce quite a bit. Nothing goes better in greens than some sort of smoked hog meat. Smoked turkey necks are also quite tasty but the swine is divine!
I washed the cooker then set it on "low" for a few minutes while I prepped my vittles. I started with about 3/4 pound of thick sliced bacon cut into thirds and lined the bottom and sides of the pot with that. Then 1 bunch of greens with all the ribs removed. One medium onion was next followed by another bunch of greens. Then came 2 Anaheim peppers from the garden and the last of the greens. Salt, pepper and a few fresh crushed cloves of garlic topped it all off.
My friend at work, Robert says I can't cook anything without garlic, bacon and butter. I was thinking I'd proven him wrong as I hadn't used any butter in my greens... but there will be some in my corn bread. Maybe he's right!
I do like jalapeno peppers in my corn bread along with a small can of corn (can be either creamed or whole kernel) and I have a fresh jar in the pantry. Dribble some of the juice into the greens once plated and that's a meal fit for a redneck king!
Bella Vs Mouse
Bella, my dachshund and I have been trying to rid our home of field mice for some time now. Vlad, my Jack Russell terrier seems totally disinterested in the critters. Somewhat odd as his breed are supposed to be mousers. Bella seems more than willing to kill anything she can get her mouth on.
To make a short story long, yesterday I was down for a nap and heard Bella in the living room mousing once again. When I got up I found she had caught one, eaten the head and front quarters and ever so sweetly left me the torso and hind quarters... in the middle of the sofa! As Vlad hadn't partaken of the aforementioned offering I just chucked it out the front door for the neighborhood cats and/or mutts to consume.
I'll keep the traps set just in case there are more and I'm sure my killer will remain ever vigilant! Hopefully we're clear of mice at least for a while.
I've done some research and found catnip is supposedly a natural repellent for mice, rats & kin. When I lived in my previous dwelling I'd planted catnip for my cats who by the way didn't seem interested whatsoever. When I moved here I dig up several plants and set them out in the back yard. They are doing quite well so I have an ample supply. I'm shoving sprigs into all the cracks and cervices, in cabinets, under furniture, etc to make the little bastards feel most unwelcome.
To make a short story long, yesterday I was down for a nap and heard Bella in the living room mousing once again. When I got up I found she had caught one, eaten the head and front quarters and ever so sweetly left me the torso and hind quarters... in the middle of the sofa! As Vlad hadn't partaken of the aforementioned offering I just chucked it out the front door for the neighborhood cats and/or mutts to consume.
I'll keep the traps set just in case there are more and I'm sure my killer will remain ever vigilant! Hopefully we're clear of mice at least for a while.
I've done some research and found catnip is supposedly a natural repellent for mice, rats & kin. When I lived in my previous dwelling I'd planted catnip for my cats who by the way didn't seem interested whatsoever. When I moved here I dig up several plants and set them out in the back yard. They are doing quite well so I have an ample supply. I'm shoving sprigs into all the cracks and cervices, in cabinets, under furniture, etc to make the little bastards feel most unwelcome.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Crazy Crazy Weather
In the past few weeks we've gone from drought to near flood conditions here. Years back when I lived in Texas a friend from California said the four seasons there were "mud, flood, earthquake and drought". We're not far from that here and now. For months we've had temps well above average and now suddenly we're below freezing at night at least for last night and tonight.
I've still some greens and roots growing in my makeshift cold frame but all exposed greenery is pretty much done for this year.
I did stop by the "dry goods" store before the cold front came in and got some fresh long drawers... 1 shirt and 2 bottoms.
Looking out my office window I see a blue bird Sun shiny day out there but it's still what I call "ass biting cold".
On a different note, I finally found some dates (the fruit, not hot babes) that still have the pits in them. I'll do some online research to see if I can germinate them and if so, how.
Back to my mice problem, I did snare one in a glue trap. It seems a horrid way to die even for vermin, being stuck face first in a glue trap so I ended its torment as humanely and quickly as possible. A pop to the noggin with a soft shot BB gun to its brain.
I know some people may ask "how is that humane?" But to those I pose this question. Should the mouse chew the insulation off the wiring in my house and it burns down would any of us have a place to live?
I've still some greens and roots growing in my makeshift cold frame but all exposed greenery is pretty much done for this year.
I did stop by the "dry goods" store before the cold front came in and got some fresh long drawers... 1 shirt and 2 bottoms.
Looking out my office window I see a blue bird Sun shiny day out there but it's still what I call "ass biting cold".
On a different note, I finally found some dates (the fruit, not hot babes) that still have the pits in them. I'll do some online research to see if I can germinate them and if so, how.
Back to my mice problem, I did snare one in a glue trap. It seems a horrid way to die even for vermin, being stuck face first in a glue trap so I ended its torment as humanely and quickly as possible. A pop to the noggin with a soft shot BB gun to its brain.
I know some people may ask "how is that humane?" But to those I pose this question. Should the mouse chew the insulation off the wiring in my house and it burns down would any of us have a place to live?
Friday, December 2, 2016
Dec 2, 2016
Well, I survived the Thanksgiving blitz at work and finally got my vacation. I've mostly been enjoying some R&R.
The weather is the main story here. A few nights ago we had some severe thunderstorms and tornado watches. Most of the really bad weather hit Alabama and Tennessee so prayers to the folk there. We did finally get significant rainfall here but more is still needed before our burn ban can be lifted.
Meanwhile Bella and I continue our mouse hunt. I've seen one field mouse and either an offspring thereof or a house mouse in the living room.
As far as eliminating the critters I'd rather (A) live trap (B) snap trap or shoot w/ soft shot BB gun to assure a quick kill. It seems I'm going to have to pull out all the stops and buy some glue boards.
As much as I hate the idea of any of God's creatures (except flies and cockroaches) ending their lives stuck to a sticky trap I hate having a mouse run loose in my home even more.
Not that I have anything personal against mice but I don't want my home burned down from a rodent chewing on the house wiring insulation.
I'm still trying to fix my old computer, an emachines W3118 so I can get back to writing my book, "The Journals of Merlin". It's my take on Merlin and all the King Arthur tales. If I have to take the old machine to the shop I'd take the hard drive out because I want this story to be all mine until I'm done and ready to publish.
Well, that's all for now. Take care, God bless and peace on Earth.
The weather is the main story here. A few nights ago we had some severe thunderstorms and tornado watches. Most of the really bad weather hit Alabama and Tennessee so prayers to the folk there. We did finally get significant rainfall here but more is still needed before our burn ban can be lifted.
Meanwhile Bella and I continue our mouse hunt. I've seen one field mouse and either an offspring thereof or a house mouse in the living room.
As far as eliminating the critters I'd rather (A) live trap (B) snap trap or shoot w/ soft shot BB gun to assure a quick kill. It seems I'm going to have to pull out all the stops and buy some glue boards.
As much as I hate the idea of any of God's creatures (except flies and cockroaches) ending their lives stuck to a sticky trap I hate having a mouse run loose in my home even more.
Not that I have anything personal against mice but I don't want my home burned down from a rodent chewing on the house wiring insulation.
I'm still trying to fix my old computer, an emachines W3118 so I can get back to writing my book, "The Journals of Merlin". It's my take on Merlin and all the King Arthur tales. If I have to take the old machine to the shop I'd take the hard drive out because I want this story to be all mine until I'm done and ready to publish.
Well, that's all for now. Take care, God bless and peace on Earth.
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