Cowboy Wisdom

A Cowboy's Guide to Life
Don't squat with your spurs on.

Don't interfere with something that ain't botherin' you none.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

The easiest way to eat crow is while it's still warm.
The colder it gets, the harder it is to swaller.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop
diggin'.

Don't name a pig you plan to eat.

Don't sell your mule to buy a plow.

If it don't seem like it's worth the effort, it probably ain't.

It don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.

The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with
watches you shave his face in the mirror every morning.

Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.

Only cows know why they stampede.

If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try
orderin' somebody else's dog around.

Don't worry about bitin' off more'n you can chew; your mouth is
probably a whole lot bigger'n you think.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

Don't corner somethin' that's meaner than you.

Generally, you ain't learnin' nothing when your mouth's a-
jawin'.

Tellin' a man to git lost and makin' him do it are two entirely
different propositions.

If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now
and then to make sure it's still there with ya.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from
bad judgment.

Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

Most of the stuff people worry about never happens anyway.

When you give a personal lesson in meanness to a critter or to a
person, don't be surprised if they learn their lesson.

When you're throwin' your weight around, be ready to have it
thrown around by somebody else.

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier
than puttin' it back.

Words that soak into your ears are whispered, not yelled.

The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and
put it back into your pocket.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Amaryllis

The inspiration and the polymer clay.

SunOven Muffin Loaf

Today was sunny and wind-free, so I tried out the new SunOven. I tried some chocolate muffin mix (just add water) in a small loaf pan. I preheated the oven in the sun until it read 275 degrees at 12:51 PM. The outside temp was 41 degrees. I could tell within a few minutes that it was cooking. The temp in the oven continued to climb to a peak of about 315 degrees. These pics were taken at 1:12pm. I left it to cook for one hour. At 1:51 I pulled it out of the oven and it was done but not over-done. I think it was probably done sooner but there was no problem leaving it in for the full hour. Tasted great.
We are near the shortest day of the year so if it's possible to cook now, we can cook anytime. The sun disappears at 4 pm and the temp in the oven started dropping about half hour before that time.

Siberian Peppers Getting Ready For Christmas

This small Siberian Pepper plant was in the raised bed until about a month ago. It was blooming and getting little peppers. Now after bringing it inside it is getting ready for Christmas. The peppers are turning red and look very xmasy against the green leaves.

“By a continuous process of inflation, governments can confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important part of the wealth of their citizens…and while the process impoverishes many, it actually enriches some…. The process engages all of the hidden forces of economic law on the side of destruction, and does it in a manner that not one man in a million can diagnose.” —John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) From “Economic Consequences of the Peace” 1920

“I have always harbored an exaggerated view of my self-importance. To put it bluntly, I fancied myself as some kind of god or an economic reformer like Keynes….”—George Soros from “The Alchemy of Finance” 1987

Blackberries Oct 1st

Prime Ark-45 Blackberries

These primocane Ark-45 blackberry plants are a new variety. They just arrived and look good.
We are prepping a trench for them with the hopes that we won't get my usual 80% winter kill.

Book- Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick

Here is the current book I'm reading. Wow am I ever learning a lot about North Korea.

The satellite photo of North & South Korea by night on page 3 is amazing. South Korea is lit up like a Christmas tree, in contrast to Communist N. Korea's almost total blackness. The movies they were allowed to see were all State produced Socialistic propaganda. The basic theme being:
"The path to happiness was self-sacrifice and suppression of the individual for the good of the collective."

BumbleBees & Berries

Taken today, these bumble bees seem to be among our most prolific pollinators.
Prime Jim Blackberries. If the weather stays mild we'll have a handful of berries to eat soon.

Hummers at Dusk

It was too dark to get anything but silhouettes of two humming birds fighting over four drinking spots at the feeder.

Prime Jim Blackberries

These were planted in Sept 2008.

A-B-C's

To Achieve Your Dreams Remember Your ABCs
Copyright 1991 By Wanda Hope Carter all rights reserved.

Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits
Believe in yourself
Consider things from every angle
Don't give up and don't give in
Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come
Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches
Give more than you planned to
Hang on to your dreams
Ignore those who try to discourage you
Just do it
Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier
Love yourself first and most
Make it happen
Never lie, cheat or steal, always strike a fair deal
Open your eyes and see things as they really are
Practice makes perfect
Quitters never win and winners never quit
Read study and learn about everything important in your life
Stop procrastinating
Take control of your own destiny
Understand yourself in order to better understand others
Visualize it
Want it more than anything
Xcellerate your efforts
You are unique of all God's creations nothing can replace you
Zero in on your target and go for it !

© Copyright 1991 By Wanda Hope Carter, http://InspirationMotivation.com All rights reserved by the author, her heirs and assigns. No duplication, copying or reprint in any form or manner including downloading, e-mailing, or site posting permitted without express written permission! It appears here with permission. This piece is published and available as a poster and other products.

Day Lily

With a new cheapy close-up lens.

Debt Agreement

Quote by Ron Paul:
This is akin to a family “saving” $100,000 in expenses by deciding not to buy a Lamborghini, and instead getting a fully loaded Mercedes, when really their budget dictates that they need to stick with their perfectly serviceable Honda. But this is the type of math Washington uses to mask the incriminating truth about their unrepentant plundering of the American people. - Ron Paul

Walla Wallas going to seed & Sunchokes

Bee on Clover

Ayn Rand

"When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing; when you see that money is flowing to those who deal not in goods, but in favors; when you see that men get rich more easily by graft than by work, and your laws no longer protect you against them, but protect them against you...you may know that your society is doomed."
- Ayn Rand - Atlas Shrugged

US Constitution "Living Document?"

I enjoyed this article along with several books about the founders and the amazing document called the Constitution of the United States of America.
The books are:
The Original Argument (The Federalists' Papers) by Joshua Charles & Glenn Beck.
The Five Thousand Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen
Control Freaks by Terence P. Jeffrey
in the to-read pile are several little booklets by David Barton:
The Second Amendment
Impeachment (Restraining an Overactive Judiciary)
Separation of Church & State (What the Founders Meant)
American History in Black & White (Setting the Record Straight)

God Bless America

1775
....America began to show in her conduct to the mother country, that there is a point beyond which endurance ceases to be a virtue. Actual hostilities commenced at Lexington. Notwithstanding the almost prophetic warnings of Mr Pitt, a blind and headlong policy urged the administration of Britain to the beginning of a warfare, the ending of which was crowned with glory to every true patriot. It was then and there, the torch of liberty was first lighted; the stamps on pieces of blank paper, and the duty on certain shrivelled leaves, called 'Tea, brought about the consumation of the noblest, happiest and bravest nation on Earth, and must ere long promote the cause of liberty over all the enlightened World.... W. W. Livingston (1853)

Ruby Rainbow

GOALS

Goals are dreams with deadlines.  ~Diana Scharf Hunt

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.  ~Author Unknown

I don't care how much power, brilliance or energy you have, if you don't harness it and focus it on a specific target, and hold it there you're never going to accomplish as much as your ability warrants.  ~Zig Ziglar

The best angle from which to approach any problem is the try-angle.  ~Author Unknown

Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes.  ~Author Unknown

Of course I'm ambitious.  What's wrong with that?  Otherwise you sleep all day.  ~Ringo Starr

Always concentrate on how far you have come, rather than how far you have left to go. The difference in how easy it seems will amaze you.
---Heidi Johnson

Science Fair

I am very proud of this special girl, she won 2nd at the local School Science Fair for her grade.

Happiness !

Anonymous;

“When I was five years old, my Mom told me that happiness was the key to life.
When I went to school, the teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.
I wrote down "happy".
The teacher told me that I didn't understand the assignment,
I told her she didn't understand Life...”

Happy Valentines Day !

From my two faves.

Urge to plant

I have a big urge to plant seeds.
If I can get in gear I'll try some of the following from Seeds Trust:
Indian Ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides)
Siberian Pepper (Grandpa's Home Pepper)
Bunching Onions (Tokyo Long White)
Siberian Tomato (Sasha's Altai & Red Siberian)
Pole Beans (Titus Magic)
Herbs and flowers said to be good for my climate.

Inflation News

The top 10 predictions for 2011, from the National Infation Assn.

Beautiful Potholders

Potholders woven by the sweetest young lady I know. Aren't they colorful and well done? I sure think so.

Today's Carrot Harvest

30 Dec 2010
With about 6 inches of snow on the raised bed, we decided to pull up a few carrots for a snack. Here is what we found beneath the snow, & straw.
They tasted sweet and good.

Merry Christmas !

Drawn by my favorite 5 year old.

Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck's programs online.

"Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period, and pursued unalterably thro' every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematical plan of reducing us to slavery." ~ Thomas Jefferson, 1774

Ben Franklin

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty.

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.

This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties. A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins.

Thanksgiving 2010

Here's a view of the Ruby Mts at sundown.

The Harvest

Not much actually.
So far we've picked a few carrots a few pears, about a gallon of tomatoes. The total apple harvest, consisted of one little Honey Crisp from a 5 ft tall tree.

Collapse of the US Dollar

The Economic Collapse of 2010.

and massive inflation as the Fed cranks up the printing presses.

Carrots & Butterflies

I know you don't see any carrots but these are carrot blossoms. Who knew they were so pretty? I plan to harvest the seeds and should have a pot-full when it's all said and done.

Wild Iris near the Ruby Mts

Some Fave Quotes

“The one thing you can’t take away from me is the way I choose to respond to what you do to me. The last of one’s freedoms is to choose ones attitude in any given circumstance.”
Viktor Frankl

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”
Mark Twain


“It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.”
Mark Twain

“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
Mark Twain

Failure

Failure is not in falling down, but in refusing to get up. --Chinese Proverb

Mystery Plant Solved?

The Master Gardener says the mystery plant may well be a squash or a related family member. Actually that makes sense since the last batch of seeds in the little pots included a few butternut squash. There's a good chance that's it.

Mystery Plant

Mystery Plant, Can you identify? This baby plant is in a tray of tomato seedlings, but is different. I reuse these little peat pot seed starters when seeds don't emerge. Some possibilities are cone flower, pea shrub, squash, but I really haven't a clue. Any ideas?

Todays Quotes

Today's quotes, all by Benjamin Franklin, are from a Very Special Person.
Thanks Sweetie:

A good conscience is a Continual Christmas.

A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.

A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.

Ben Franklin

“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place,
but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”
Benjamin Franklin

Quotes

Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.
Will Rogers

By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.
Ben Franklin

A difference of opinion is what makes horse racing and missionaries.
Will Rogers

Tomatoes

Here is a progress report on my tomato plants, so far. Starting plants from seed has never been that productive for me, but seeds are cheap so here I go again.

On Feb 21st, I started a little tray of seeds on top of my dehydrator. Germination was quick (about 3-4 days) and nearly 100%. The temp on top of the dehydrator was about 85 degrees more or less.

I planted 3 varieties including: Large Red Cherry, Ace 55 VF, & Beefsteak.

Unfortunately, when I transplanted them to larger containers, I lost track of which was which, so we'll just wait and see what shows. The containers are in the window now and seem to be doing well. I often leave the blinds down and adjust the louvers so they angle the sun towards the plants. I'm not sure if that's helping but they seem OK so far.

A joyous Easter to all.

Collins portraits

I need to say that the portrait scans, shown here of Stephen & Mary, are not exactly as received. I touched and tweaked the scans a bit. I'd be happy to provide the untouched versions to anyone who would like that version. I'd also like to ask if anyone out there has any additional information or photos about this or associated families. With the recent new tidbits and wonderful photos, I thought it might be a good time to update what is known about this family. I have some thoughts about the Helfer/Helpher family as well, that I will post soon.

Crayon Portrait - S.L. & Mary Collins

Stephen L. & Mary Marie Collins Photos

I just received these wonderful photographs from a terrific, sharing cousin. These appear to have been used as the basis of a combined crayon photo, showing the two of them together. I'd be happy to post or send that photo as well to anyone who is interested. Thank you Juanita....

Collins in Andrew County Missouri

Since learning that S. L. Collins & family lived in Amazonia, Andrew County, Missouri, I have been looking to more precisely learn when they were there. A couple of marriages performed by S.L. in 1868 have provided that confirmation.
Andrew County Missouri Marriages:
Thomas Mason to Jennie Halliday, 17 October 1868.
James T. Thompson to Clarissa Ann Roberts, 5 July 1868.

These are the only two S.L. marriages, I have found so far but they put the family in Andrew County from about July to October and likely longer. We know that S.L. purchased the Dade County MO, property in 1869. I do not know yet precisely where Linnie was born in July 1867. We also know that Christopher, married in Daviess County in Dec 1868, but S.L. may not have been living there at that time and he did not perform the marriage ceremony.
More to find...

Stephen L. Collins as a Methodist minister?

The Wayne County Ohio Library website has a listing of early ministers who performed marriages in Wayne County. S.L. Collins is listed as a Methodist preacher, no date, with the notation under township location as "fm". I don't know what the "fm" means. I do think he was an itinerant circuit preacher.

From another source, I have that S.L. Collins was a Methodist preacher in "Fred's Circuit" in Wayne County OH in the 1840s. He married Mary Marie Helfer in Wayne County in 1840. The ceremony was performed by George W. Howe who was a Methodist Minister, in Wayne Co, in 1840.

The American Baptist Year-Book, 1870, has the following listed as an Ordained Minister:
Collins, S. L., Amazonia, Missouri [ note: Amazonia is a small town in Andrew County Missouri, north of St Joseph). S.L. Collins does not appear in the 1868 Baptist Year-Book.

We know that by about 1847 he was a Baptist Minister.

S.L. Collins - Baptist Home Missions

In the Civil War letter written by Stephen L. Collins, he mentions that he is a "Missionary Baptist" preacher. Googling led me to books re: the Baptist Home Missions in North America and the American Baptist Home Missionary Society. A few listings for S. L. have been found as follows in Ohio and Missouri:
Rocky River Association, Church at Seville, Medina Co., OH, 6 Baptisms, 77 members. [note this is where Christopher Royce Collins was born, 11 May 1847, I previously thought it was Leesville, I was wrong).
Rocky River Association, Church at Westfield, Medina Co., OH, 29 members.
Zoar Association, Church at Steubenville, Jefferson Co., OH, 30 members. S.L. was the minister at this church from May of 1851 to about Apr 1852.
In a History of the Baptists in Missouri, a State Convention of Baptists was held in Sept. 1865. Rev. S. L. Collins is listed as being on the executive board of missions. This would mean that the Collins family moved from Nebraska sometime after the birth of John Tim Collins in June of 1864, and before the Missouri Baptist Convention in Sept 1865.
From the Missouri Baptist General Association 50th Annual Session in Marshall MO, Oct 21st, 1884, S.L. Collins is listed as a minister from Greenfield MO.

Collins 1820 Census Jefferson Co. NY

Speculation has gotten me into trouble before, but here are the Collins families in Jefferson County NY, 1820. Without more evidence, we won't know which, if any, of these are related to Stephen L. Collins. High on my list will be checking for will/probate records. Also, I have not yet determined if any of these 5, were born in Vermont. Only three of these households had a male under the age of 10 years. If S.L. was born after the census (official date for the enumeration was August 7th, 1820), then he would not have been counted. Most records indicate that S.L. was born before that date (most likely in May). Here are all 5 families.

Collins, Clarissa, Henderson Twp: 1 male (0-10), 1 female (0-10), 1 female (16-26)

John Collins, Watertown: 1 male(16-26), 1 male (25-45), 1 male (45+), 3 females (0-10), 3 females (10-16), 1 female(26-45), 1 female (45+)

John B. Collins, Ellisburg: 4 males (0-10), 2 males (10-16), 1 male (26-45), 1 female (0-10), 1 female (10-16), 1 female 26-45)

William Collins, Ellisburg: 1 male (45+), 1 female (0-10), 1 female (16-26), 1 female (45+)

William Collins Jun, Ellisburg: 2 males(0-10), 1 male (26-45), 1 female (16-26)

Stephen L. Collins Civil War part 2

+++++++ Click to enlarge.
The Civil War Records of Stephen L. Collins, included this handwritten three page letter by S.L., in which he describes the circumstances surrounding his service. He asks that his name be cleared, and mentions a wife and 7 children dependent upon him for support. While not perfect, it was well written and certainly gives a different side to the charge. I'll continue to process the rest of the documents in his folder. S.L. was officially released from service 22 July 1864. The original terms of enlistment only called for 9 months service, but he was not officially discharged until 16 months after volunteering.

Stephen L. Collins Civil War Records

Yesterday I downloaded copies of 27 pages of Civil War Documents from Stephen L. Collins' service file.
I have known for some time that he was listed as a private in Company "M", 2d Nebraska Cavalry. The indexed listing also indicated he had deserted. The most interesting documents were, the enlistment paper (shown above), and Stephen L.'s, 3 page, handwritten response to his charge of desertion.

His enlistment paper was interesting for a number of reasons, transcribed below:
=
Volunteer Enlistment
Territory of Nebraska, Town of Nemaha City
I, Stephen L. Collins born in Jefferson County, in the state of New York, aged 42 years, and by occupation of Minister of the Gospel, do hereby acknowledge to have volunteered this 16th day of March, 1863, to serve as a soldier in the Army of the United States of America for the period of nine months unless sooner discharged by proper authority. Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations and clothing, as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, S. L. Collins, do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honorably and faithfully, against all their enemies or opposers [sic] whomever and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.
Sworn and subscribed to, at Nemaha City this 16th day of March, 1863, before R. W. Furnas, capt Co 2nd Neb Cav.
S. L. Collins
I certify, on honor, That I have carefully examined the above named Volunteer , agreeable to the General Regulations of the Army, and that in my opinion, he is free from all bodily defects and mental infermity [sic], which would in any way, disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.
C.F. Stuart (Examining Surgeon)
I certify, on Honor, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer previous to his enlistment; and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that, to the best of my judgment and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied Soldier, I have strictly observed the Regulations which govern the Recruiting Service.
This soldier has Black eyes, Light hair, Dark complexion, is 6 feet - inches high.
S. F Cooper (2nd Regiment Nebraska Volunteers, County? Luet & Recruiting Officer.
=
Of particular interest: he lists his place of birth as Jefferson County, New York and his age (as of March 1863) is listed as 42 (b. abt 1820 if his birth month is May). In later records S.L. indicated he was born in Erie county New York, and his birth year as 1819. His physical description is listed as: 6 ft tall, black eyes, dark complexion, and light hair.

More to follow.

Elko County Hunting & Fishing Licenses 1912

I am not sure of the history of hunting and fishing license requirements in the state of Nevada, but by 1912, a one dollar license was required. In Elko County, in 1912, 1,275 persons paid their one dollar and obtain licenses. Soon I will have completed the first draft of an indexed copy of these 1912 records. To my knowledge these have never before been made available, and once complete I'd be happy to do free lookups for anyone.

Here is an example of a 1917 Elko County Fish & Game tag.

Missouri State Historical Society Cuts.

State Historical Society of Missouri Hours and Services Cut

Due to a 25 percent withholding in its fiscal year 2010 state appropriation, the State Historical Society of Missouri is decreasing its hours open to the public to Mondays through Thursdays, 8:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m., effective immediately. The Society will no longer be open for research on Fridays or Saturdays. The withholding ($364,010), caused by the continued downturn in Missouri state revenues, was made public last Wednesday, October 28. The State Historical Society’s response to the withholding, determined by its board of trustees, was announced at the annual membership meeting in Columbia on Saturday, October 31.

To continue operations and implement the withholding, the Society’s twenty-two staff members have voluntarily taken a 20 percent pay reduction, and three staff positions have been eliminated. These positions included one unfilled position left temporarily vacant due to a 10 percent reduction in the Society’s FY2010 budget on July 1, 2009, one retirement, and one layoff.

The Society will seek private funds to continue its newspaper microfilming program and to print the award-winning Missouri Historical Review. The microfilming program annually preserves over 250 Missouri newspaper titles and adds these papers to the fine collection available for research at the State Historical Society. Missouri newspaper publishers, libraries, and local historical and genealogical societies also rely on purchasing these microfilmed papers for in-house use and to add to their research collections. The Missouri Historical Review is sent quarterly to over 4,800 members of the State Historical Society in Missouri and throughout the United States. Scholars, students, and the public use the journal for the study of the state’s history.

The popular Missouri History Speakers’ Bureau, which furnishes speakers to local civic, historical, and genealogical groups, will be discontinued. The State Historical Society has sponsored 34 Speakers’ Bureau presentations around the state since the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1. A MoHiP (Missouri History in Performance) Theatre production on the life and times of John William “Blind” Boone already scheduled for March 19, 2010, in Columbia will be held. Future performances by MoHiP, the State Historical Society’s reader’s theatre offering original productions based on historical characters and events, will not be scheduled.

“The reduced hours will have a significant impact on genealogists, students, and scholars who make use of the State Historical Society’s collections,” said Gary R. Kremer, the executive director. “And local organizations that have used scholars well-versed on a variety of historical topics will lose access to a much-needed source for speakers.”

The 25 percent withholding reduces the Society’s state funding to 65 percent of the FY2009 appropriation.

Dehydrating with Contact Paper

The title is a bit deceptive but essentially true. I've been dehydrating for a few weeks now with my new 9 tray Excalibur machine. I've enjoyed it and do a load every few days at a minimum. Currently I'm drying frozen bagged veggies I've purchased on sale for from 80c-1.20 a lb. We don't live in a farm area where there are farmer's markets so produce is generally what comes from my garden or the local grocery store. I discovered that to finish processing my home grown tomatoes I needed some tray liners to keep the juices corralled. The Excalibur non-stick sheets sell for $10.50 ea (x9 plus shipping). That's over $100 and way steep. In my hunt for a substitute, I had the following criteria in mind: 1.) moisture proof, 2.) food safe material, 3.) big enough to cut to size (14"x14"), 4.) able to withstand temps to 150 degrees, 5.) won't break the piggy bank, & 6.) easy to clean.

I recently found the answer at Costco in heavy duty Contact Brand shelf liner. It comes in a roll 18" x 15 feet, for $10.99. This is heavy duty plastic and non-adhesive. This is nothing like the thin paper backed patterned plastic stuff we remember from the 70's. My biggest concerns were, was it food safe plastic, and could it take the heat. I shot an email to Contact to their customer service and was informed that it is indeed food safe. A trial in the dehydrator proved to be successful in the heat department. Although it likes to ripple just a bit at the edge, it seems to work fine. I even tried washing it in the dishwasher (eliminating the heat dry cycle). So far so good. The only down side I have experienced, is that the tomato juices have stained the plastic, which is no big deal. I'm hoping to make some fruit leather soon.

I'm on the lookout for the perfect apple peeler, corer, slicer. I'd like to dry some apples soon. I have been inspired by the following DEHYDRATE2STORE website. To watch her Apples, Apples, Apples how-to video, click HERE. I can't say enough good things about this great website. For anyone wanting to try dehydrating it's a first rate source.

Red Pears & Dehydrating Fun

I've been trying out my new dehydrator. Here's a pic showing the results, using commercially frozen veggies I found on sale. From left to right 3 lbs of mixed veggies (abt 3 cups dried), 6 lbs of crinkle cut carrots (abt 4 cups dried), 8 lbs of sweet corn (abt 8 cups dried), & 4 lbs of peas (abt 4 cups dried). I vacuum sealed the lids and added the rings. Some say to add an oxygen absorber.
In front are some of the red pears from our tree. They have an excellent sweet taste, and the color of apples. I'm hoping to dry some of these pears soon.

Sunflower in the garden

Taken today.

FDIC Going Broke - Safe Banks? HR 3200

SurvivalBlog has an interesting article by Dr. Gary North, re: FDIC and how solvent it is (NOT). While the FED will continue to pump money into this - the consequences are sobering.

Federal Tax Revenues Plummeting

Here are a couple of links to check the rating of your bank.
The Street.com
and for Credit Unions
Baurer Financial
or
BankRate

The survivalblog is mostly a downer and deals in worst case scenarios, but I'd rather prepare for the worst, than be blindsided. Everyone must decide for him/her self.

I have been reading HR 3200 (the massive Health Care Bill in the House of Reps). I have not gotten far but from what I've read thus far on a personal level, it will almost surely take away my current coverage (free with no premiums), and replace it with something I must pay for (there is no opting out) that may or may not be better. The regulations are massive and to administer this program will be VERY costly. Reid has said that 50 million are uninsured (a number I dispute), but if the estimated tab is 1.5 Trillion, that is 30,000 per uninsured. If they must spend this hideous amount of money, then surely it would be cheaper than $30,000. per person to simply buy them traditional coverage and leave the rest of us alone? Obviously this is not just about providing medical care for the uninsured.

I have already written to my DC reps, expressing my displeasure. A copy of my letter is at:
Opinions & Rants from Elko Nevada
Needless to say I have not received a response from Harry Reid.

I would urge everyone to read at least some of HR 3200. It is a frightening piece of legislation.

Garden Update

Here are a few recent photos. In general the tomatoes are doing good. Somewhere I read that they like dried crushed egg shells (for calcium), so along with the Tomato Miracle Grow they are getting egg (shells that is). I ate my first tomato today and it tasted pretty good. I picked another today and they will be ongoing now until freeze. If I end up with more than I can eat I'll try canning some tomato sauce. All of the other tomato plants (6 in the garden) are blooming and I've velcro-ed them to stakes or caged them. The corn is tasseling and the pole beans are climbing the corn along with some stakes. The carrots look OK but not big enough for even baby carrots yet. I peeked under one of the potato plants and see at least one small spud, I'm hoping for a good crop but time will tell. The fruit trees look good. The golden delicious apples are starting to look green (not red) and they have the little bumps on the bottom. The pears (3 types) all look good too, but still small.

Ernst H. W. Schmoe - Julietta Indiana Evangelical Association

I just chanced upon an interesting reference to Ernst H. W. Schmoe, my G.G. Grandfather and family. Here are a few pages from the book. Click to enlarge.

"Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835-1915"

Some of those mentioned in the article:
Frederick Schmoe [b. 1834 in Germany] is believed to be Ernst H.W. Schmoe's brother. "Father & Mother Ostermeire", were William [b. 1803] & Christine Eleanore Tegtmeier Ostermeier [b. 1805], father and step-mother of Ernst Schmoe's wife, Caroline Ostermeier [b. 1828].

Mysterious Schmoe's in Old City Directories

There are a number of Schmoes listed in old directories, most of these individuals are known to me, and in predictable places and times.

Below are a couple of mysterious entries from 2 old City Directories.
Both are Schmoes, and I'm not positive yet, who they are. I'll put my guess for one, the other is so far still unknown.

1936 Oklahoma City, OK, Polk city directory page 672.
Schmoe, Lillian, asst chemist Balyeat Hay Fever & Asthma Clinic, r899 NW 18th.

While there were several Lillian Schmoes (both married and unmarried), I cannot positively place this one with any of the known families, especially in Oklahoma. Any Ideas???


1881 Kansas City Missouri, Hoye's City Directory, page 574
Schmoe, Ernst, carpenter, r. ws. Harrison, bet. 21st and 22nd.

I believe this is Great-Great Grandfather. Ernst H.W. Schmoe born 1822 in Germany. In June of 1880 he was living, with his children, in Jennings County, Indiana, listed as a farmer. His married daughter Mary Reinking with husband Carl and family were living nearby. We know that sometime between June 1880 (census), and June of 1881 (birth of Carl & Mary's dau Pearl in Oak Grove MO), the Reinking's moved to Oak Grove, Jackson County, MO. Not far from Kansas City. The family tradition is that the families first went to Kansas City to find work. The Reinking's stayed in Oak Grove the remainder of their days, but Ernst Schmoe and his other children moved to Prairie Center, Johnson County Kansas sometime before the 1st of March, 1885 (KS state census). Ernst died there in 1894.

Canby Red Raspberry