Time To Act

I know most or nearly everyone will ignore this, because they're afraid it may actually happen or they just don't want to think about it. Or they think, "we're an advanced society (or some BS like that) it can never happen because we have safe guards."

I've been thinking the same for years as they talk about and have never done anything about it. If you haven't seen the documentary you can see it again on August 22. It's time to do something. It may not happen for awhile, but who knows. At least I think I'll be able to go to a local grocery store that doesn't use computers and scanners to buy groceries. They still exist here and there.

Time for some real insurance in case the largest Ponzi scheme in history rears it's corrupt head too soon. It's no wonder I hate politics so much. The entire worlds' financial system is a fraud! Unbelievable documentary.

What kind of insurance? Silver bars. Yea, I've thought the same. It's pretty "expensive" now. But what happens when money becomes worthless? Or should I say when the shit hits the fan. There will be no demand for paper money. Look back at history...see the documentary. What will money be? Something that has value. What kind of value?

Considering there will be no demand for paper money, real value (it could also be as simple as having a few heads of cattle) will sky rocket. I'm not talking about sinking all my dollars into silver. Just enough to feel safe for the short term, but that may change when things begin to stir...if I can get ahead of the crowd.

Think about it. I know few will for reasons already mentioned. It's also nice to think I have a place to hunker down when the shit does hit the fan. Let's hope it doesn't, but all the signals are there. I ask anyone with an open mind to debunk my opinions BUT you have to watch the documentary.

A New Project

Considering I can't get far with my video production..for now...a new project. I stumbled across an email from an old fraternity bro. Actually he's in charge of the alumni. In recent years I've just scanned his updates but this time noticed they needed a webmaster. Frankly the current site was very boring and dated. The guy in charge knows programming very well, but is very weak on design.

So it's time to bring the fraternity site into 2012. Below is a first draft. Actually I've tinkered with so much it's probably my 20th draft. This comprehension thing of mine is gaining ground. Could it really be about what you eat?

I'm finding all sorts of gizmos to use, including this free calendar that practically anyone can update, but adding those little graphics does take some getting used to for a novice. I've looked at all the fraternity charge websites and only one looks like competition in so far as nice looking. I'm hoping these alumni can be proud of what they have once the annual convention takes place August 1.

It's an important time for the fraternity because some yahoo brothers back in the early 90's let the house and everything else go down the tubes. Now there's help being offered in building a brand new house and I wanted to be a part of it...finally.

There's gonna be all sorts of cool stuff..IF I GET WHAT I WANT, particularly pictures and information about the current members and so forth. I can even get some video up there as I have a separate page devoted to that. All someone has to do is send good  raw footage and it's almost done. We'll have a message from Andy (the president of the alumni) but his wife will have to handle nearly all of it.

I'm excited about this. Let's see..some more pics...this looks clearer..I had no idea how to embed another website into the existing. Now there's no reason to go off this site to see the main fraternity site..but it needs some tinkering to size the whole page.

Photo galleries. No clicking required. Just hover over a small image and it shows in the big box. Notice "need description." That's what it's all about to make this thing hum...I know two guys in the main pic. Time to go outdoors. I've let things go the past ten days. The lawn hasn't been mowed in three weeks.

It looks More Like....

Any ideas? I watched some Aussie bake some bread on YouTube, but maybe I got liter and the actual quantity mixed up. Never did resemble dough. More like a pancake batter. Looking at other videos after this failure, one cup of water is mentioned, or just add enough to get a thick consistency. Geez, I don't know how that Aussie did it, but his turned out okay.

Oh well, first try. I can always slice it horizontally and get some bread slices out of it?

Noooo. This one is headed for the trash... Salty tasting and gooey like it hadn't been baked long enough. 375 for 30 minutes or so I thought.

What was that recipe? It was called an easy baking recipe.  Considering he baked two loaves I cut everything in half.

(1) teaspoon baking powder
(16) oz water

MIX---

3 1/2 cups flour (rice--maybe that was the problem)
(1) teaspoon salt
(2) teaspoon vegetable oil

I see no yeast others mention.

I did let it "get ready" or try to rise before complete baking. Not much good.

Btw, it's almost been a week since I started this healthy eating kick, Result is loss of five pounds. I haven't starved myself, nor have I cut out all the questionable stuff out, particularly at lunch time\by eating about 400 calories of lays chips along with a sandwich. My exercise regime hasn't changed either. I may spend two to three hours out in the garden and I still hit the couch after lunch and dinner meals.

Nooooo More!

For years I've always had a problem with eating the right foods. Doesn't everyone? It really got to me this spring when I couldn't stop from shaking. I've always had issues with it but got more pronounced the last few years. So I looked and researched a bit into what's in Coke Zero. Done with that. Save $20 a week.

Since, it's been the local spring water. At least now I can write a check without the struggle. Then there's constantly being  hungry and those so called good foods just add to the problem. Two really surprised me. Granola and wheat bread. They have high fructose corn syrup in them along with all the other crap in the trash basket. Ketchup contains that crap too. The Town House wheat crackers couldn't fit in the trash can.


Not only hungry, but the shakes come back from time to time, particularly in the morning. Bad blood sugar from my research. So I'm gonna eat Jap...or come close. I even bought some green tea, but am skeptical when I look in the grocery aisle and see too much of one thing. It tells me the masses are buying it and they're always wrong...just like me. Look at the yogurt aisle! Most of that stuff doesn't work to keep the weight off, unless you starve yourself.

That's what it's mostly about with me. Tired of the gut. In recent summers I've always lost 15 pounds or so by this time. No change this year. I even dumped the chips and ice cream. Instead eating salads for lunch (sandwich and wheat bread) and 60 cal pudding after dinner. Not gonna cut it. That 60 cal stuff has something in it not good for ya. Eat Jap...except for the baked potatoes (they're good for you) and I don't think they do much veggies...high cost over there? I could be wrong. Got some brown rice. Avocado too. Oatmeal for breakfast.

Bread? Rumor has it rice bread is perfect or something else called ...I forget. Imagine the confusion when I inquired about some of this stuff at the local Walmart yesterday. Folks, I live in a town that's raised on fried chicken and other fatty stuff. Once everyone, or so it seems, gets out of high school, marries, has a few kids, they're done! Not long ago I was at the Ford dealership. A mother and daughter were talking near me. High school age, she looked great. Pretty and fit. The mother on the other hand, overweight with a bad complexion. I imagine the mother looked the same when younger.

 I'll try some baking...

Rain and More Rain

Glad to have it. Gives me time to work on a project I've dreamed about the past few years. Considering Google doesn't like smaller mom and pops type websites anymore it's time to get going with another revenue source. Mom and Pops? Yea, those that don't have big brand recognition. The Gorg business model is all about money nowadays and not the relevance they claim to brag about. Most people don't notice the difference, but one thing is clear, Home Depot ain't gonna give you the information you want.

Video. Having invested enough into it I gotta get it going again. Considering I now have the ability to put something together that includes all aspects it should be a good revenue source. Aspects include filming, editing, and production of the final product. There are two competitors really, but they don't have the source to market it as I do.

My source is hardwoodinstaller.com. Sure traffic is down 45% from pre-Google messing or what they called Panda, but still enough to grab the right people. A test run on my packaging.

Admittedly, all of my previous videos have horrible picture and light quality. But I never put enough time into learning the right way. So much went over my head the last time I looked into it. I suppose I didn't have the right concentration and comprehension. A better diet may be helping my aged mind as well.

Now it's all coming together...and there are so many things to know. Correct camera settings..duh! Good lighting..duh! Color correction...cool tool. Divide into chapters etc. How to render it properly is also a biggie. I put this short clip up on YouTube. Looks good from my house, but it won't look the same on a DVD, and a wide screen TV to boot.




Having looked at the competitors, one is made very well (lighting could be better) but doesn't really show what most people want to see. The other has horrible light, and filmed by what appears to be the guys wife. And yet this guy is the go to guy at FineHomebuilding magazine for hardwood flooring. No tripod, so the video is all over the place. Both were produced by Taunton who published things like Fine Gardening, Fine Homebuilding etc.

My advantage is I can produce each one for about $ 2.00 not including the time spent making it. I suspect I'll need two months to edit as I expect it to run about 70 minutes. Good project for this winter. The other guys are selling at almost 30 bucks. I'm looking for a safe estimate I can sell two per day just from the site...and I haven't even developed another domain that's perfect for this.

Should be interesting, but I have one problem..mentioned on the video and here.

Good "Homemade" Weed Killer

Notice the quotes "" used in the title with homemade. I certainly didn't make the ingredients. Anyway, I don't run into any large weed problems around here except for the sunnier spots. So the question was what to use? I'm not paying twenty bucks for that stuff at Lowes, so I did some digging across the web, ignored save the earthworm types of people. Besides, I have thriving population of those critters around here.

Here's what I'm playing with. Mind you this is for spots I don't want anything to grow. Areas include the driveway and along the drive. Most of the web suggestions mention vinegar (one gallon), salt (one cup), and some type of detergent (one tblspn) in varying quantities. I decided to go with some copper sulfate (bought at a local farm supply store) I use for the septic system. It's a salt and is supposed to sterilize soil.

Before...

After...two days later

 

Pretty good results the way I look at it. None will be applied in the center of the driveway. Question is how long will it last? I may add another shot with a copper sulfate and water only mix to get at the roots. The first application was sprayed lightly all the way up the driveway or 150 feet.

I would not suggest it to spot kill weeds in flower beds or lawns.

Costs? 

Vinegar $ 2.65

Detergent ? A nickel?

Copper Sulfate? I'd guess $ 2.00 if you were to buy a two pound container of RootKill

Coverage in this example. Approximately 250 square feet.

Update June 19. Save your money. It doesn't work, but the application of copper sulfate and water was very weak.

E Cigs - Nine Days Without A Smoke

And it wasn't that hard at all. It's these e-cigs that I learned about on a TV infomercial. I think it was about the Blu brand which I've learned does have it's drawbacks mainly with battery power. E Cigs work by way of water vapor or mist with flavors and that all important ingredient of nicotine.

Even though you can order tobacco flavors it seems few actually stick to them; and they don't really taste like a real butt. Some taste like pipe tobacco. I've tried five flavors with Keoke Coffee (mild coffee taste) seeming to be the winner at this time. Strength: 18 mg, whatever that means. For hard core smokers that use Camel and the likes one can opt for 24 or 36 mg. I tried a test vial of 24 mg and it knocked me back a bit.

It started at 7PM Friday September 9. I've been cutting down on those older analogs (that's what they call real cigarettes in e cig circles) since April of 2010. Down to 10, 8 back to 12 and finally at six per day, while only smoking 1/3 of a butt at a time. This past summer it got worse as far as breathing capabilities. I thought I had COPD or worse. I thought I was done, a goner.

I couldn't push the lawnmower without taking two breaks, walk up part of my driveway without five breaks. Nine days later it's a complete reversal. I zipped through the lawn with ease and actually pushed a wheel barrel up the drive with one break. I have energy and don't dread doing yard work anymore.

More important I can breathe again. Yea, it sounds all preachy, but will it last? For me it has to which will make it work. The real benefit to this and not all the other gimmicks is the sensation of "vaping." Although different flavors offer different results it's just a matter of forgetting that real cigarette feeling...if that makes any sense. I'll admit I'm not there yet, but minor urges pass me by each day.

Yea, I've been "dragging" on coffee all throughout this short entry. If you're interested I would suggest the TRex e cig and buy the additional power thingie that you can plug into a PC. While they claim the batteries last awhile(300 charges), I don't trust it. How safe is nicotine? Who really knows? Could be similar to caffeine. With some e cigs you can ween yourself to 0 mg. One thing is clear, I don't choke and gag every morning.

Good message board for more information.

Random Happenings

Yesterday afternoon while sitting on the porch having s half a smoke, I heard this yelp..or so it sounded like it,  then a domino effect sound. I knew the log pile fell over. I thought it had been leaning. Guess that's why a cord is measured four feet inn height. It got up to five or six feet. Shown is Lewis inspecting the grounds this morning. I wouldn't have minded if that neighbor dog that yaps at 5 AM was under it, but nope.

Good thing my elephant ear didn't get buried, but lost were 3 or 4 Caladiums.

What good are those little dogs that "mouth off" for no reason? Two weeks ago the place sounded like a freaking kennel out of control. It was horrible! There are something like (3) adult mutts and four or five puppies. I had enough, and made my displeasure known. It was okay for a few weeks until the past few days. First time I've been displeased with my neighbor.

Now good old Lewis (pictured) is a good dog. He barks when necessary, not just to exercise the jaw for nothing. A few days ago while visiting, Lewis begins barking. I figured some critter was about. Sure enough a Heron across the creek appeared unfased by his barking and didn't budge. I don't think Lewis wanted to chase it, as he did his thing from my porch.

Look here, a sunflower opens up. I can't understand why someone up 52 on the way to town has rows and rows of these things and yet mine are decreped looking. Oh well, I don't know how to spell it either.

El Presidente or whatever Lily flowering. Those things aren't healthy looking either...Forget all the Calla Lilies (not shown). I guess they'll wait till next year.

Here's a bright surprise up the drive. It wasn't there last year and is going to town. It's either some kind of wild morning glory, potato vine? Loaded with buds. Incidentally, one flowering morning glory this morning on the side of the house up the chicken wire trellis I built. Maybe all is not lost?

I gave up on the Allysum along the wall here. Now there's some creeping Jenny. Hopefully it will fall over the wall nicely over the next few months. Hard to see, just planted but they're in between the mounding Petunias on the edge. Those sprawling Petunias (last year) are a better choice there.

We just may have some tomatoes soon...someday.

Fish fertilizer. I've been hearing about it..not sure how well it works but I did put some in the hanging planter a few days ago and the plant greened up big time.

Will Work For Food:)

What a deal! My son Ryan is now living up here in the mountains. Considering he's known nothing but Florida all his life I'm hoping he fits in well...it worries me. Dad is quite proud he overcame some problems a few years ago and has a new lease on life or as Pastor Anastasi calls it "returning him with a sound mind to his family." Sound? Yes. Quite a change has taken place. I expect to have some video sometime soon. Yea, I know I said that about GGG, but she came down with a case of chigger fear. In other words no more outdoors!

There will be lot's of wood to chop this summer. Here's part of a smaller tree I took down a few weeks ago that had died a few years back.

Let's see what else is happening. Lawn work? Sure.

Here's a good pic of Ryan for his Facebook profile when we were in Florida last week.

That's about it for now....

One Good Thing About Rain - Firewood

Over the weekend a large white oak fell over the main road leading in. Considering I have exhausted much of the easier accessible dead wood laying around, it looked like a good time build up the inventory. Plenty around for a few months. I won't be using as much anyway this winter as the little wood stove can't keep temps above 70 when outdoor temps stay low. It's good for days that may only be in the 40's and 50's.

That could be the next few days too! I was asked this morning if I wanted to drive to Florida. Sorry.

The whole neighborhood probably wanted a piece of the action with this old timer that fell. In fact when the first cut piece went into the back of the truck a neighbor stopped. Naturally he wanted some of the action. I hesitated then asked if he lived in the area. "Yep, up the hill..." He got a half dozen pieces; said he's be back the next day. I did leave some for him but he was a no show this morning.

Good thing most have jobs otherwise it would be gone.

Winter exercise.

Cartecay Trading Post - Pics

Written about three weeks ago...

I was looking for a window for the new garden room. Had forgotten about this place for quite awhile. Located about eight miles towards Rich Mountain it has all sorts of stuff, but not what I wanted. Need a buggy? See the one on the porch?

Oh I see something mother would probably buy depending on price. Any guesses?

Old snow sleds too. I didn't check the price. I was on my way into town a few evenings ago and the place was closing up early.

Doors, windows, appliances etc...

Mossy Flagstone Walkways - Surprise

Here I thought I'd have to plant the stuff if I wanted some. Considering haven't paid much attention to what's growing on the actual dirt, this morning I noticed quite a bit of moss growing in my shady areas. This ought to really look sharp given more time. I bet that's hard to grow in Arizona, eh Kim?

The photo above is the walkway just off the driveway. Tyme has grown well, but I'm not crazy about the stuff. There's another creeper that grows wild around here (down by the stone bench too) that I may replace it with. Shown growing on the first walkway on the west side of the house with the photo below.

And onward down to the creek. It seems these danged Impatiens growing in the adjacent rock garden could be a problem if not watched. Here are some growing between the flagstones. Some have made it on to the lawn...but not for long! Reading some comments at Dave's Garden (website) it seems these plants just pop or explode when the seeds are ready. How else could they wander out of the garden? Wind?

Nearer to the creek. A healthy stand of moss...

Btw, if you're not familiar, click the images for a larger view.

Some Misc Pictures

Looking through pictures taken last year. View going east on 52 about 1.5 miles from home. Hillcrest Orchards (apple house) on right. Very busy place in the fall that includes an animal petting farm. On the left the Cartecay fire house.

Here's one taken about ten miles east of the above location looking west, also on State Road 52...

Looking northeast from 52 to Southern Road across a corn field...

Two restaurants in town have closed this summer. Here's on I visited once. It had been the location of the Davis House Restaurant that has since moved out of downtown. Website is far out of date. I spent some time here but after they moved it wasn't the same.

And my favorite restaurant River Street Grille (below) closed down as well. Apparently not enough business, yet the owner Steve did a great job with it in my opinion. I only wish him well in wherever he surfaces. Another honorable mention, especially for breakfast goes to the Cornerstone Cafe located just off the square.

I couldn't forget to mention the Cajun Depot Grille. Sorry no website or pics. Nice spicy down south Cajun food. Pretty waitresses too!

Here's the big movie house up in Blue Ridge!

These things practically fell apart after a few weeks...waste of money. DCon works just as well, but I think the mice may be into the wiring again as the AC hasn't been working this summer. Haven't had the need. The ceiling fans cool the place nicely.

On the porch last August...in shorts after a morning workout! Danged chiggers are still around. Long pants and boots this year:( Hopefully cooler September weather will send them packing.

And the Chinese restaurant. Great folks at Tin Loong and a good buffet. Not a lot of restaurants serve liquor up here if that's a necessity. East Ellijay, yes. Ellijay, no.

Q - "Hey, whatcha taking that picture for?"

A - "I am a mysterious restaurant critic"