Thursday, February 23, 2012

POETRY THURSDAY - I'M AGING (BUT SO R U!)


GETTING OLD LEAVES ME COLD

To turn and burn is what oldies yearn; but life has taken a slower turn.

Your body needs to stay fit - to stop causes it to quit.
The old line of “use it or lose it” does really make your body fit as long as you don’t pollute it.
Things we accumulate as we grow old will eventually leave you cold.
“You are what you eat” is really true but how much you eat defines you.
Americans eat too much.  We need to cut back on that lunch.
Obesity is the disease of the day as it seems to be an American way.
To cut back on caloric intake slows down our bodies break-down rate.
This three meals a day makes your body pay.
Our bodies store things that cause physical dings.
To clean your body out, you need to keep good calorie count.
Cut back on empty calories.
Good nutrients are what you need to seize.
Your good diet has lots of clout
Keep diseases out a
and extend your lifetime route!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

AND THE WINNER IS....!!

The Westminster Dog Show has named it's 2012 champion, a pekingese named Malachy.
My dog would eat this for lunch.  My cat wouldn't waste the time - too much hairball potential.

Congrats, I guess.  I'd like to see it herd some sheep....


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A MOVING VALENTINE'S DAY!!

So, did you feel it?   The earth moved for ALL of us on Valentine's Day!!

At 7:31 pm, Tues, a 6.0 earthquake rumbled through the area (along with a little bit of thunder).   The quake was centered 150 miles west of Coos Bay.

It's always a good idea to restock up on water, batteries, and dry goods (like crackers, cookies, pastas, etc - things that don't require refrigeration to last).  And don't forget the toilet paper!

Take this moment to remind the family where to meet in a disaster, where to go for a tsunami, and create an out-of-town contact person that everyone knows to call in case of separation. 

For more tips, go to the US Government site on earthquake preparedness.  Now, take down that expensive vase for a few days, just in case...

Monday, February 13, 2012

THE BEST TV SHOW EVER MADE RETURNS TOMORROW!!



My favorite show, Top Shot, returns tomorrow (Tues) on the History Channel.  It involves shooting, followed by some shooting, with each episode ending with some shooting.  I LOVE IT!!!

Just in case you haven't seen Top Shot, it is amazing.  The contestants get spun, flung, and zipped through the air, all while shooting.  There's not a whole lot of "beeyatch stole my makeup!" crapola.  But there is a whole lotta talented shooting going on, filmed with imagination and edited for maximum suspense.   It's a fun show - be sure to check it out!

Here's  a link to the Top Shot website.  You can catch up on past episodes, check out the new cast, and generally revel in the joy of shooting, without the political garbage that usually accompanies it.





Wednesday, February 8, 2012

SPINNER’S MAGIC

Several colors of spun yarn

(Note:  The following article is from the Mrs.  My better half.  She who must be obeyed.  I'm always accusing her of spinning her wheels.  She's found a way to turn that into something productive!)

I have always been interested in spinning.  The process of turning wool into yarn seems like magic.  A couple a years ago, I took a spinning class at Wild Rivers Wool Factory.  Soon after the class, I bought a spinning wheel,  which I now use on a daily basis.  I use an electric spinner - a Hansen Crafts Mini Spinner.  A manual spinner uses a foot treadle, which is great as long as your knees are strong!


Feeding the electric spinner

I did not imagine that the wool from sheep, goats, rabbits, etc. could be so different.   Some fleece feels soft and luxurious while others feel like the beard of an old man.  Some breeds of sheep have fleece that could spin themselves while others remind you never to spin that type of wool again.

Spinning wheels also differ as greatly as sheep’s wool.  Some are a dream to spin on while others seem to backlash (go backward when you want them to go the opposite direction) just by looking at them.  When I first took up spinning, I thought one spinning wheel was the same as another.  I now realize that you need to spin on the wheel that you think you may buy – not just buy it without trying it. 


Spun yarn, just off the wheel

A great place to try spinning wheels is at a wool-gathering, like the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene.  It takes place once a year and has spinning wheels, fleece, carters, drop spindles, etc. - all this plus live animals.  If you find fleece addictive, this is a dangerous place to go with credit cards or money.  There is so much to look at, feel and buy.

I found that you can travel with your addiction to spinning.  All you need is a drop spindle and some fiber.  You can spin while waiting in line, at airports, and as a passenger in a car. While walking around stores it is possible to spin.  The drop spindle is very portable and you can make a lot of yarn with them.  It came before the spinning wheel.  Columbus’s sails were the product of the drop spindle.


Measuring yarn length before pricing for sale

I think there are two types of spinners.  The spinners who enjoy spinning for the sheer pleasure of watching fiber turn into yarns.  These people do not plan to make anything out of their yarn.   I fall into that group.  Other people spin their yarn and create garments from their labor.  They either knit or weave – sometimes both.  We both enjoy what we do.  Also, if you want to exercise while you watch TV,  spinning is for you!

Friday, February 3, 2012

MOVE YOUR ASH FRIDAY!!!




Let's talk about the benefits of moving your ash!

For those of you with wood burning stoves, ashes can be more than a mess to clean.  They can be useful.  Ashes can be used as a mineral and fertilizer source.   Ash will alter the acid soil Ph to a more basic/alkaline soil.

The best way I've found is to empty your fireplace ashes onto a wood ash screen.  It filters out any unburned materials, allowing you to easily distribute pure ash onto your garden.  Here is one I've made from scrap wood and screen that works well. 

1.  Buy a plastic concrete/mortar mixing tray to hold the ashes. 


2.  You will need ¼ inch galvanized wire hardware screen to fit (about 2 feet by 3 feet piece). 

3.  Construct the screen to fit over the tray. 

·         The tray slides out the open end of the screen base. 
·         I used 2x4’s for legs, 2 – 2”x4”x3’ foot long for edges, 2 – 2”x4”x2’ long for ends for the frame. 

·         Next you need to staple the screen on the frame. 
·         Then cut and screw, from the bottom of the frame, 2 – 2”x6”x2’ and 2 – 2”x6”x3’ for top frame.  The 2x6s give the height to hold the ashes. 

4.  Transport the ashes from your fireplace to your ash holder using a fireproof carrier


5.  Ensure the screen is on securely over the top of the container

6.  Slowly pour the ashes onto the screen, working them through with some jiggling

7.  Toss out the stuff on top of the screen, then evenly distribute your ash over the garden

Tips & Warnings:
Magnet Bag
-Wood used for building (ie, fences, cranberry boxes, pallets, etc) will have nails or metal that need to be screened out.  If you have nails or metal parts in your firewood; use a magnet inside a clothbag to separate metal out of the ashes. 

-Do not burn treated wood as the preservative is toxic

-Stay up wind, city folks!

Now go make an ash of yourself!!