Hand Carved/ChipCarved 8" Plate With Scalloped Edges

A little something I'm working on.

Another Hand Carved Bass Wood Plaque

What do you think?

Somebody's Got My Number!

I don't know about you folks out there in blogville, but I am getting a boat load of spam in the comment section.  Of course, I file them in the spam folder, but there is always more the next day.  Any tips on how to deal with this?

A Gift For Mom. Wood Carving/Chip Carved Plate

I just finished this carving a couple of days ago.  Tell me what you think.

Let's Talk About The Weather

We have enjoyed some very nice weather the last few days.  Yesterday the temperature reached 80 and today it is currently 74.  Nice indeed.  Yesterday I didn't get the chance to enjoy it much as I was at work all day.  Those are the days a person regrets having an indoor job.  Today, I broke a sweat cutting some firewood.  Yes, I am still working on that both for next season and the remainder of this one.  I don't think we will need much more this season, but we are in for some cold weather yet.  The weather man is calling for some rain tonight and tomorrow, hopefully it is a sign of things to come this year.  We had 2 years of drought and I'm not sure I can stand another.  The great thing is that I can feel spring in the air!  I am ready, are you?

Big Cedar Lodge Getaway

We had a great time at Big Cedar Lodge near Branson these past few days.  There is a lot to do at the resort itself during the summer months.  Given that we were there during the off season, there wasn't quite as much to do because it is all set outside.  Although we still found plenty to do.  We went for a hike on their hiking trails (which about killed us!), played mini golf, took out a paddle boat on Table Rock lake, went swimming in the indoor pool, sat in the outdoor hot tub, and played bingo-all in one day.  This 43 year old body was worn out-and I was an athlete for a good part of my life!

I found out later that my wife, the one with the camera, didn't get many pictures taken, so I will post one or two when she uploads them.

The other days we spent in Branson at the the great thrift stores they have there-and there are plenty.  We shopped a little at the Landing, if you can call it that with no money to blow.  I did pick up a box of ammo from Bass Pro there.  We found a cool, tiny stamp shop for our daughter who collects stamps.  She bought a few and was tickled to add to her collection.  And we went to the Titanic Museum which is fascinating.  I don't know why it fascinates us so much all these years after the fact, but it does.

All in all it was a good "mini" vacation.  Where have you gone for a few days and had a blast?  Tell me about it.

A Little Family Getaway

We're heading out tomorrow for Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, MO!  We are simply going to take a few days together as a family and enjoy some time away.  I know I don't post here that often, but in case you missed me, that is where I will be.  Maybe I'll share some pics of our little trip, see y'all then!

Why Do We Need High Capacity Magazines?

I had an interesting conversation today with a young coworker of mine.  I am blessed that way.  I have the freedom to converse in my line of work and sometimes these discussions can be quite lengthy and, even heated.  Today was no different.

Let me open with the question that he posed to me.  I do this to illustrate a point and the point is that the media have formed the minds of young people in large proportions.  None seem to have the ability of critical thinking nor free thought-it's whatever they're told to think.  So, the question was, why do people need semi automatic weapons and high capacity magazines?

His thought was that homes can be defended with a revolver, or a baseball bat.  I cannot deny that, homes can be defended in that way.  Many people keep a revolver nearby, just in case.  You see, he says that he is not against guns, just doesn't understand the need of semi auto weapons and high cap magazines-two MAJOR buzz words flying across your TV screens nightly.

My response was that I not only want to defend my home and family from knuckleheads trying to steal from us, but I want to defend my home and family from knuckle-headed government.  Tyranny is to be opposed, thankfully it was-once, beginning in 1776.

His thought was that a six shooter could do the same thing.  Not if they come with semi auto weapons themselves, I told him.  A little pistol will do nothing against 5 armed men 40 yards away.  All  I ask for is a fighting chance.  He never did get it.  We went round and round for quite a while, resulting in him getting quite perturbed at me, so I left it.

But here is the thing that strikes me the most.  He thinks just exactly the way "they" want him to think.  Yes he attends a government funded college, and watches all the mainstream garbage on TV.  He said nothing that I haven't heard for the past few weeks in the news, notably Joe Bidden who suggests women just buy a shotgun and just pointing it at an intruder will scare them off.  The message is that "we won't take away you right to own a gun" by making suggestions like that to soften the blow.

Don't fall for it people.  The fact is "they" think we are all like the youth I was talking to, simple minded, line toers who will "fall in" once things happen.  They count on us being like my friend.  They hate free thinkers-those of us that don't watch TV .  Don't fall for it.

Family Night With Pizza And A Movie

Tonight is one of my favorite nights of the week-and no, it's not because it's Friday.  Well, maybe partly, it is pizza night and family movie night!  The pizza is homemade and awesome!  The movies aren't always awesome but they are fun and it's nice to relax with the fam.  This is how frugal people spend time together.  Frankly, I think it is a much more wholesome time together with much more interaction.

We have been doing this for at least 12 years.  I can't imagine what life would be like without movie/pizza night.  What do you do in your home to spend time together?

Chick-Chick-chicken Time!

It is the time of year that we should be ordering our broiler chickens.  I have to be honest here-my heart does not seem to be into raising these chickens.  Oh we're going to do it, but I, kinda, don't want to.  I think I'm getting lazy in my old age.

Joking aside, what really has me bumfuzled is the cost of feed.  We sell many of the birds, keeping enough for ourselves, but it is getting harder to turn a profit.  We buy a ton of feed at a time, supplemented with grass in chicken tractors.  Last year, when I went to buy feed it cost $400 for a ton.  It's still cheaper using our custom mix than buying Purina junk, so it worked out, but I haven't checked on the price of things yet-so I'm dreading it.

In the end, I need to quit lollygagging and get the order in for the birds.  No matter what, they are still the best tasting, best for you chickens around.

Always Kiss Me Goodnight Chip Carving/Wood Carving

 This is my latest carving that I am kind of proud of.  The design is all my own, gleaned from various objects.

 A close up of the oak leaf done in a positive relief chip carving.

The border carving took me one hour to get three inches.  The entire piece is about 31 inches long by 6 inches wide.  I had a blast carving it.  It is for sale, should you be interested, use the link to the right to visit our family Etsy shop.

Economy and Gun Control On the Radar

Be sure to read this article carefully.  Read between the lines.  Mr. Obama's state of the union address tonight will involve little in the way of the state of things and a lot in the way of setting his "second term agenda".  It is interesting to note that many lawmakers have invited citizens that have been affected by "gun violence" to sit by them.  Hmmm... What do you suppose that means?

Trucks, Hay, Rain And A Bummer

My how plans are interrupted when least expected.  I was going to take my 3/4 ton truck to get a bale of hay and I was already bummed because it started raining, I hate moving wet round bales of hay.  I have to push them myself as we don't own any equipment.  But that was all put to rest when I found a large fuel leak in my carburetor, flooding out the engine.  Humph!  Now I'm stuck until I can get to the part store and get a new gasket, replace it and hope that is the problem (I'm pretty sure that's it though).  I won't get that all done before the hay place closes, so it looks like I will have to work on it tomorrow after work and drive to get the hay on Saturday.  Oh well, it will work out.  I am specially thankful to have found the leak because the truck was running badly and giving me fits.  Now, at least, I know the source of the problem, for which I am thankful.

Are You Ready?

I had a interesting little meeting today with a friend.  He wanted to get together and bounce ideas around about the coming end as we know it.  It was a good meeting, even had a few laughs.  I am not going to expound on the things we discussed, but I wanted to share a thought with you all.  What I gained from this is a knowledge of places we are lacking in regarding our preps.  Chinks in the armor, if you will.  From this standpoint alone, it is worth talking with others.  You can gain new ideas and recognize places that might become weaknesses.  We can never plan for everything, but we can improve what we have planned, if that makes any sense.  So, why am I telling you this?  Talk to like minded people, every chance you get.  It will help.

Areas to consider improving in prepping:
Medicine-learn about herbs and their healing properties.  Learn how to set a broken bone.  Learn to stitch an open wound.

Learn how to forage-you WILL need this skill.

Ask what would happen if power is lost or the internet goes down-what will you do for knowledge and communication?

There are many others, leave some suggestions here, ideas are always welcome.  Let's have a discussion.