Baking Bread
Trash Flying Out the Window: part 5
Back and Forth, Hither and Yon
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Country Life: Competing with the White House Vegetable Garden
Read a Dangerous Writer
by Ms Kingsolver as it was on my wife's book club. She journaled a year where her family only at what they grew or could buy from local
farms (roughly less than 50 miles away.) The account is informative, ...
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Country Wisdom: Making certain that the Turkey is not lonely
Country Wisdom: Making certain that the Turkey is not lonely, ThanksGiving Day 2009
10 PM, Day before:
1. took 2 cups of sourdough starter, mixed in Ascorbic Acid and 3 cups of White Rye (Tried "Dark" and "Medium" Rye, not the way mommy made it.)
put in oven with damp towel over it and light on to create the sponge.
2. Betsy is getting all the side dishes going, including cutting up and scooped out 20 ...
<< MORE >>Politically Incorrect: Production Number 065 '63 Avanti R2 (Supercharged, stick shift) Back on the Road, 24 November 2009
Politically Incorrect: Product Number 065 '63 Avanti R2 (Supercharged, stick shift) Back on the Road, 24 November 2009
Number 065 '63 Avanti R2 is back on the road. http://avanti.sterkel.org
1. rebuilt ...
Dripping in Nostalgia
Dripping in Nostalgia, 12 November 2009
Found this in one of those “viral” emails that aggravate the !@#$%^@^# out of millions of victims. This one actually “spoke” to me and likely to anyone over ~50.
-
All the girls had ugly gym uniforms?
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It took five minutes for the TV to warm up?
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Nearly everyone's Mom was at home when the kids got home from school?
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Nobody owned a purebred dog?
- ...
How Not to Win a Free Car
How Not to Win a Free Car, 11/3/2009 4:46:00 PM
The local Chrysler Dealer had a free car giveaway. All the person had to do was provide an essay on what having a car would mean to them and their lives. I happily provided "quality essay" material to one family to ensure that they would win.
Saturday, 31 October was the announcement day. The family did not get the car. Which looks like proof that you do not accept any help from me if you want to win a free ...
<< MORE >>Camerata Winds on FIRE
Camerata Winds hits it out of the Stadium, 28 Sept 2009
http://www.cameratawinds.com
There are only 4 more concerts this season. They play each concert only once. The top music critic in North Texas, Scott Cantrell,has repeatedly provided "wow" reviews “Polished, tuneful delights. They play Smartly and Stylishly.” They also do school education programs. If you miss the next concert, you will never know what you are missing!!
see also: http://yack.sterkel.org,
<< MORE >>appreciating the weasel
appreciating the weasel, 9 Oct 2009
"Eagles may soar, but weasels do not get sucked into jet engines"
John Benfield
I have been in the company of weasels lately, and it has put me in a contemplative mood. Collecting some of their favorite phrases helps me sort weasels from eagles. Here are some of the most common:
whatever,
essentially,
In essense
virtually
basically
practically
can do
can allow ...
Grade School Memories: Working Dogs
Grade School Memories: Working Dogs. 21 Sept 2009
About 3rd grade the teacher was teaching types of dogs, Working, Sporting, Toy, etc. We were to come back the next day with a description of one of our dogs or a neighbors and say what type is was. We had Shepards, English Spaniels, and Poodles. I talked about our nodhead Pomeranian, -Rusty, which was a "Toy." One girl presented her mutt, declared it to be a working dog, as it was trained to use the toilet and flush.
... << MORE >>Grade School Memories: A Sloth of Boars
Grade School Memories: A Sloth of Boars, 15 Sept 2009
Probably around 5th grade, we had a Miss Thacker, who was married, but all teachers were Miss or Mr. She was a stickler for conciseness and clarity. One of these was the proper use of nouns and pronouns. I still say “to whom am I speaking” and “It is I”. Another was caring enough to use the right noun and verb, and not be lazy and use “whatever.” She probably has turned over in her grave enough to ...
<< MORE >>Can you get a "social disease" from being promiscuous on Facebook and MySpace social networks?
Can you get a "social disease" from being promiscuous on Facebook and MySpace social networks? 4 Sept 2009
People who are promiscuous social networks are getting social diseases, e.g., worms, Trojan horses, and viruses. Not yet a pandemic, but it is quite wide spread, bringing down your personal computer by using its resources to spread itself. If you insist on broadcasting instead of personally writing or calling, at least be prophylactic, see
www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2008-080315-0217-99
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Competing with Al Gore
Competing with Al Gore, 2 Sept 2009
Bragging rights in North Texas
We have just been notified that our sustained cropping efforts on our modest north Texas farm, Indian Paintbrush Prairie Farm>, has been rewarded with a contract to SELL “carbon credits” on the Chicago Board of Trade www.chicagoclimatex.com color="#0000FF"> As far as we can tell, this is the first contract in a 20 county area around us in North Texas. We have been working since ...
<< MORE >>Fact Check: Global Cooling and Political Bias
Fact Check: Global Cooling and Political Bias, 23 Aug 2009
For at least five years, I have been toying with a quick counter-paper to the movie "An Inconvenient Truth" entitled "the Inconvenient Vikings." This is in reference to the fact that Vikings had vibrant farming and viniculture in GREENLAND in the 12th and 13th centuries. If all that nasty capitalism has been despoiling Gaia starting with the invention of the steam engine and the industrial revolution, then why are no Inuits major truck farmers??? hmmm.
I ...
<< MORE >>Fact Check, USA is first in life expectancy (oops!)
Fact Check, USA is first in life expectancy (oops!), 22 August 2009
We all KNOW that the life expectancy in the good old USA is on par with 3rd world dictatorship, though not as good as Cuba. If you do not believe me, you can rent the DVD "sicko" produced by the guy how needs a shave. Or, listen every night on TV. Or...you can check the facts
Going to the CIA Factbook, about the most neutral data source I know, I see that the USA is ...
<< MORE >>Have the benefits of scientific research outweighed the harmful results, or have the harmful results outweighed the benefits?
Have the benefits of scientific research outweighed the harmful results, or have the harmful results outweighed the benefits? 7 April 2009
This is the response to an essay question in an MBA course. If, I was doing it for my own credit, each point would have been expanded to 2 – 5 paragraphs with minimum 4 citations. But, I was in a rush, and already on my third glass vino. Even without the Vino , I ain’t PC. I find neocons and neolibs a crashing bore, ...
<< MORE >>Firesale on Hohnstein, Langmachner, Sterkel, and Texas Web Domains
Firesale on Hohnstein, Langmachner, Sterkel, and Texas Web Domains, 3 Apr 2009
I currently "own" the rights to the following domains. At one time I kept each active and current. To cut down the work, I have upgraded my hosting SW and I can get the same content into fewer domains. This leaves the following domains unused. I will "sell" for the cost to me for remaining contract and the transfer fees I would have to pay. I will not profit, just trying to not lose any money. the ...
<< MORE >>Barn 1, Barn 2, Barn 3
Barn 1, Barn 2, Barn 3, 22 February 2009
Barn 1:
Terry's Barn started as a Pole Barn, in the New England tradition. The plan was to build as time and money allowed. The pole barn approach allowed the approach of "build a little", "wait some time",
then repeat as cash flow and his paying job allowed. He bought blueprints for the New England style barn, and corresponded (a lot) with the AIAA architect to ensure that he understood. He even
figured out the ridge beam. ...
Bring Ford and GM back to Fannin County
Bring Ford and GM back to Fannin County, 14 Feb 2009
We have been requested by the Bonham Mayor to write to Ford and GM letting them know our need for a local dealership. Letter writing campaigns are very effective, but mostly ignored in the age of IMs and Twitters that are 5 – 20 words max. To get you started, here is a letter that you can copy and send to Ford/GM/Buick/Cadillac.
Dear CEO of _______.
Subject:
Why do you want ...
<< MORE >>Gas ME! NOW!
Gas ME! NOW!, 7 February 2009
Terry has always been a very nervous dental patient. The moment when the Hygenist shows up with tools looking like a Ridgid Tool Calendar, (example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/umpqua/41851216/in/set-917376/, the tools, not the Hygienist), Terry immediately screams for the nitrous oxide aka laughing gas aka happy gas aka inhalation sedation aka relative analgesia (RA). A couple of years ago, the insurance company stopped paying for the gas. Like a junkie, Terry has been weaning himself off the "hard stuff" and has just ...
<< MORE >>American Standard Company's Integrity
American Standard Company's Integrity, 4 February 2009
You may remember the Yack "Lavatory Miracle" from last month. The replacement lavatory arrived exactly as and when the American Standard Company promised. Terry installed, and everything is rosy. We are thrilled to report about the integrity of an American Company. We will continue to look for opportunities to buy "American Standard."
see also: http://yack.sterkel.org, http://blog.indianpaintbrushfarm.com
http://sterkel.org, ...
Betsy and the Renter
Betsy and the Renter, 2 February 2009
Good Evening
We just finished our hot wings, blue cheese stuff , with celery --thus, was healthy! We are watching movies in lieu of super bowl.
Thought you would like a good story!
A renter, Gina, who lives next door to Betsy's niece (who lives in the house where renter was found dead via someone walking by), had not been responding to calls and knocks on the door. On Friday, her sister drives by ...
<< MORE >>How your Electricity Utility kills Solar and Wind Energy
How your Electricity Utility kills Solar and Wind Energy, 16 January 2009
Under Title II of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) was required to adopt rules to encourage cogeneration and small power production by requiring electric utilities to sell electricity to qualifying cogeneration and small power production facilities and purchase electricity from such facilities. Section 210(f) of this Act requires the state regulatory authority with jurisdiction over electric utilities to implement the FERC rules. Last year, Congress extended and sweetened ...
<< MORE >>Happy New YEAR!
Happy New YEAR! , 1 January 2009
With the start of 2009, it is good to count our blessings, whether it is family, friends, health, pets, loved ones, or fulfilling activities. We are all blessed by the love of God through his Son. While each of us have our trials, some very trying, being positive will make the situation more bearable and make opportunities become obvious much quicker. "You are what you think!"
... << MORE >>
IF THE OIL FITS...WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR CLASSIC, ANTIQUE, VINTAGE, MUSCLE, AND/OR JUNKER CAR
IF THE OIL FITS...WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR CLASSIC, ANTIQUE, VINTAGE, MUSCLE, AND/OR JUNKER CAR, 1 Jan 2009
Hi!
There is a raging debate on what oil your car needs if it is older than 20 years. There are "high mileage" oils out there, and they are generally recommended for automobiles with over 75,000 miles. However, there is an other controversy. If your ride's engine uses "flat" tappets (that is that "older than 20 years" part), then there ...
<< MORE >>MacBeth Done Right
MacBeth Done Right Wednesday,
December 31, 2008 at 3:45am
Normally done with shtick, Macbeth can be more than a little
embarrassing. Who has seen a three weird sister scene and did not cringe at the
over the top camp? A surprising entry in the Macbeth movie lexicon is
"Throne of Blood", directed by Akira Kurasawa. Moved from feudal
Scottland to feudal Japan, specific scenes are adjusted to be realistic to the
times and culture of Japan at that time. One example is that ...<< MORE >>
CHRISTMAS DAY AND STICKY TEXANS
CHRISTMAS DAY AND STICKY TEXANS, 29 December 2008
These missives are also mirrored at http://yack.sterkel.org. Cheers!
Terry is still burning his "use it or loose it" vacation leave. Back to work is 5 January. He is goofing off. Betsy is planning the next Family Christmas party. We moved Christmas to 29 December 2008 at 4PM. The theme this year is "C". All gifts ...
<< MORE >>INAGURATION DAY
INAGURATION DAY 27 Dec 2008, 1:10 PM
It is Inaguration Day!
No, it is not January 20, 2009. It is December 26, 2008. This "Yack Page" is an experiment. Apparently, some nieces are having difficulty with the technology of reading e-mails with journals in them. However, they can handle Facebook and MySpace or as ...
<< MORE >>BURN BABY BURN
BURN BABY BURN,17 Dec 2008
Ever since Terry missed the protesters burn the pine trees outside of the Pasco (Washington) City Hall in the 60's, he has felt a primal void. This week, he went to a class in starting fires in Clay County (Texas). He drove through the terrible ice storms (what Ice? what Storm?) for 3 hours, checked out the town, Henrietta, and had lunch. What immediately caught Terry's attention was the honest friendliness of everyone, not just politeness, or "merchant smile ...
<< MORE >>BLOOD FLOWING IN THE TIJUANA MARKET
BLOOD FLOWING IN THE TIJUANA MARKET, 8 Dec 2008
Terry has cancelled the Family Christmas at our house; he cannot get parts for the metal detector.
Well, we were warned not to go over the border into Mexico. Of course, like Israel during the Infatata, and Morocco, that only made us want to go more. So, on Sunday the 7th, we arrived at the Border, walked across into Tijuana. It was not clear how to walk over to the blue collar ...
<< MORE >>ANOTHER URBAN MYTH BUSTED: CELL PHONES AND DO NOT CALL LISTS
ANOTHER URBAN MYTH BUSTED: CELL PHONES AND DO NOT CALL LISTS, 24 Nov 2008
www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/truthaboutcellphones.html
see also: http://yack.sterkel.org, http://blog.indianpaintbrushfarm.com
http://sterkel.org,
http://indianpaintbrush.com
Country Wisdom: FANNIN COUNTY IS IN TOP 10% OF BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN SW (TX, OK, NM, AZ)
FANNIN COUNTY IS IN TOP 10% OF BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN SW (TX, OK, NM, AZ), 1 November 2008
33rd of 379 counties per Progressive Farmer Magazine and on-line Magazine
see also: http://yack.sterkel.org, http://blog.indianpaintbrushfarm.com
http://sterkel.org,
http://indianpaintbrush.com
Country Wisdom: It's a Cake Walk
IT'S A "CAKE WALK", 28 Oct 2008
Terry just found 5 Texans whose cultural awareness is less than optimum. The local Cowboy Church (no joke, there is such a thing) had 5 barbeque cookers going this weekend, and advertized events such as barrel roping, calf racing, and cake walks. A close member of the family confessed that she did not know what a cake walk was. As an experiment, Terry has so far asked 5 native Texans. All could not explain what a cake ...
<< MORE >>Bursting at the Seams and Horse Pucky
BURSTING AT THE SEAMS AND HORSE PUCK, 7 October 2008
Well, we have not bothered you for a while...concerned that you may get complacent.
Terry put the trailer in the 1946 barn. With the red trailer, the tractor and the truck and all the implements plus some new-barn fixtures, the 1946 barn is bursting at the seams. The tractor does not fully fit in, even with its bucket draped over the tongue of the trailer. Terry is having to "reconceptualize" the new Barn. Speaking of the red trailer, ...
<< MORE >>Gerald does Dallas
Gerald does Dallas, 3 October 2008
Terry and Gerald had a good time together, Betsy was relieved to have Terry distracted by having someone else around.
After picking Gerald up, the next morning Terry got Gerald up early and ran to the site of the Building Supply Auction. This was to scout out what was available, and the rules of the game. Gerald needed some seasonal shirts, so he enriched Sam Walton's progeny. After that it was fishing in Beatrice's Pool.
... << MORE >>LAVATORY MIRACLE TO BE VALIDATED BY THE CHURCH
LAVATORY MIRACLE TO BE VALIDATED BY THE CHURCH...1 October 2008
Even in Bonham...a Miracle can happen
The Vatican has been informed and two Jesuits and one Dominican have been dispatched to Bonham Texas to examine the claimed miracle. In the interim, Betsy has set up an alms box with a collection of candles at the doorway. Pilgrims can feed the box and take the candle, put it on the Lavatory and light it.
Background:
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Getting ready for Gerald on the Farm
Getting ready for Gerald on the Farm, 30 Sept 2008
Betsy is busy beaver getting the place together for Gerald's visit. We have "redecorated" at least 4 times in the last 4 years, moving pictures back/forth/up/down/left/right. This has left lots of holes in odd locations. She has filled them in and painted. where did the holes go?
Betsy's first DAR meeting of the year went well, but because of Ike, they had to skip the Graveyard dedication.
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Barn Pad, rough utilities, and the "little red wagon"
Barn Pad, rough utilities, and the "little red wagon", 18 Sept 2008
The Boss finally allowed a check to be cut for the "Start" of stage 1 of Terry's Barn. This was for grading down 12 inches below the organic overburden, and hauling 200 tons of "select fill." Thus, the pad is now in, and Terry is going around saying that he has had his "paddling." The plan is to let the Winter storms beat the pad into a hard surface before putting in the poles for the Pole ...
<< MORE >>15 September 2008
15 September 2008
We are rolling in illnesses in various stages of transition. Jo Willa (Betsy's Mom) is out of the Nursing Home, and is taking it easy at Home. She is looking good, and after being lectured by the emergency room doctor about not eating enough, is doing well. Betsy is well on the way to recovery having DAR meetings, graveyard dedications, and cleaning the house for Gerald. Terry is in/out/in/out of some mystery illness. Apparently not serious. His new Endocrinologist nailed the ...
<< MORE >>Blackland Prairie Rancher's Economic Forum
Blackland Prairie Rancher's Economic Forum, 15 September 2008
Terry went to the Blackland Prairie Rancher's Economic Forum in Greenville Texas. It was all day with Economists, Agronomists, and Ranchers giving lots of hard facts and analyses. One shocking item is that the true cost of bailed hay is roughly double of what the average farmer thinks it is. Another is that any bail left in the open more than 6 months has lost most of its nutritional value.
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BETSY'S LEMON AND SUCH ...
BETSY'S LEMON AND SUCH ... ,20 Aug 2008
3 summers ago, I got a frantic call from Betsy that a nine foot copper head snake (poisonous) snake was in a fight with the girls. By the time I got home, it shrunk to 4 feet and turned into a rat snake.
Betsy was just wheeled into surgery. We are now at lemon size. I will let you know news as it is solid.
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BETSY'S ORANGE AND SUCH ...
BETSY'S ORANGE AND SUCH ..., 7 Aug 2008
Saw the surgeon. He indicated that orange was a better designator for Betsy's hernia. It is incisional. It is not strangulated, yet. Surgery is Thursday AM at the Sherman, Texas, Wilson N. Jones Hospital. Due to the added risks, Betsy will stay overnight. You can get room, etc. by calling the front desk of the hospital. We will notify you of any news, but will not be repeating old stuff. Betsy's number is 903 870 6221.
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Banned Books
Banned Books, 29 July 2008
Citation: "Banned Books Week," American Library Association , July 29, 2008. www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm (Accessed September 22, 2009) Document ID: 501452
see also: http://yack.sterkel.org, http://blog.indianpaintbrushfarm.com
http://sterkel.org,
http://indianpaintbrush.com
KATIE GETS HITCHED!
KATIE GETS HITCHED!5 July 2008
At her Grandmother Jo Willa Parker's Birthday Celebration at Terry and Betsy's House, Stephen Hrncir (aka "squeeze") surprises Katie Nix with a romantic proposal. Watch the "comments" for notice on where the Album is.
see also: http://yack.sterkel.org, http://blog.indianpaintbrushfarm.com
http://sterkel.org,
http://indianpaintbrush.com
Boeing Moves, Mont. St. Michel, and Coyotes
Boeing Moves, Mont. St. Michel, and Coyotes, 8 April 2008
The move from Anaheim to Huntington Beach by Boeing is a positive improvement. Nice campus, FRESH AIR from the ocean. The workers are unhappy that they lost their 60's style private offices and now are in 80's style cubical. I looked over what was leftover, as I arrived 6 weeks late, and took the smallest cubical as I do not really work in a fixed location. Another positive is that Boeing HR has a ...
<< MORE >>Beatrice is out of the hospital
Beatrice is out of the hospital, 1 April 2008
Beatrice is out of the hospital. We fed her bran flakes and canned salmon, and just two hours ago, she took her first dump. Just like a human, everyone gets excited about the first dump....
see also: http://yack.sterkel.org, http://blog.indianpaintbrushfarm.com
http://sterkel.org,
http://indianpaintbrush.com