Lusk Creek Militia
Walter Dawg joined Cap'n Ron, Michael and me on a winter excursion into the Gifford Pinchot. ...
Authentic African Black Soap
I was given a jug of Authentic African Black Soap for Christmas. Gentle and fairly sourced, it is supposed to be the best for washing everything. I have been excitedly waiting for the McFarlanes to bring it to me from California. I haven't washed anything, saving...
Playing With Sharp Objects
Cliff and Donovan came over yesterday and helped me set up a throwing axe target in the back yard. Andy had loaded a huge Ponderosa round in the bed of my truck. We took down a set of poles that was in the way and backed the truck in as close as we could before...
A December Foray
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Good Afternoon
12/13/25 2:00 60F (15.5C) Calm, clear and sunny It was a beautiful sunny Saturday, quite warm for December, so Amy, Walter and I set aside our chores and went for a walk. We ended up down at Wy'East Winery. Amy had a glass of red and I had a glass of pink. Walter had...
Good Morning
4/18/26 7:00 38F (3.3C) Wisps of white clouds stretch across blue sky. No wind. Sprayers whine and orchard fans rumble in the distance. The sun climbs over Snakehead Ridge but hasn't quite lit the canyon floor. Good morning. ...
Good Morning
4/17/26 7:00 37F (2.7C) Calm and quiet. I slept late this morning, clinging to dreams which faded and disappeared as soon as I opened my eyes. Patches of white clouds decorate the blue sky. Birds trill sweetly. A dove coos. Squirrels chatter as...
Good Morning
4/16/26 6:00 34F (1C) Cold, partial clearing, no wind on the ground. The temperature has dropped. Orchard fans are thrumming. It rained all day yesterday and through a good deal of the night. There is snow on the hills up behind the house. We actually...
Good Morning
4/15/26 6:00 46F (7.7C) Cool, wet, and gray. A slight breeze wags the birch catkins and flutters the sodden ribbons at the tips of the lodgepoles. It is raining hard. I can barely hear the birds singing over the steady tattoo of raindrops. Perhaps it...
Good Morning
4/14/26 6:30 40F (4.4C) Uniform grey overcast, light breeze, dry for the moment. I slept in. It was already light when I opened my eyes. Walter got tired of waiting for me and licked my elbow until I got up and let him out. I tried hitting snooze, but...
Dutch Oven Trailer Trash Casserole
Trailer Trash Casserole: Tater Tots, diced onion, ground beef, Cream of Mushroom Soup, cooked in a Dutch Oven, finished with grated cheese melted on top. Ketchup added to taste. Ingredients 1/2 bag of Tater Tots 1 diced onion 1/4# ground beef per person 1 can...
Irish Toddy
My new favorite is an Irish Toddy. Place a slice of lemon and a squeeze of lemon juice in a mug. Cover with scalding water, leaving room for one ounce of Shanky's Whip and one ounce of Irish Whiskey. Give it a stir and enjoy. Repeat as necessary....
Nettle Soup
Stinging Nettles are a nutritious early season foraged food which can be found throughout the United States. Gloves and garden nippers and a little care make it possible to harvest them without getting stung. Drying or boiling the plant neutralizes the stingers,...
Foggy Meadow
Foggy Meadow This layered drink reminds me of dense fog blanketing the field behind our house. The club soda calms the anise flavored Pastis, allowing it to play nicely with the rich caramel and vanilla of the Shanky's Whip. I think you will enjoy this. Ingredients ...
Mushroom Stuffed Burger
I had some fresh chanterelles, a half a pound of ground beef and some grated cheese left over from last night's dinner. It was lunch time, I was hungry. A stuffed burger seemed like the obvious solution. Ingredients ½# ground beef 1-2 medium...
