Politics in Rural America
Walter and I came across a committee of vultures on our morning walk. They were taking turns sunning themselves in the road and eviscerating an unfortunate possum, a victim, no doubt, of voting against his own self interest. The birds, with heads wrinkled and as red...
Good Afternoon
It was shirtsleeve weather and sunny in town, pretty mild for the second day of spring. Mike and I decided to go look for snow. We found it at 3000' in the Gifford Pinchot. There was no snow below that level and ice flows covering the road above that. Satisfied, we...
Good Afternoon
Walter, Mike and I went looking for the snow level today. We found some snow here and there around 1400'. By 1700' there was a solid 6" under the trees and covering the road. ...
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...
Good Morning
8/13/26 6:45 56F (13.3C) AQI 84 smokey, no wind. Smoke has returned to the valley. I can see it, I can smell it and I can taste it. Just out of sight, beating propellers announce the passage of aircraft, probably water bombers behind the ridge. There was a fire...
Good Morning
8/12/26 5:45 62F (16.6C) AQI 32 The sky is hazy blue in the dull light of dawn. It is calm and windless, smelling faintly of smoke. Good morning. ...
Good Morning
8/11/26 7:45 62F (16.6C) AQI 64 Clear blue sky with a faint odor of burnt plastic. A white cloud of smoke sits low on the SE horizon, beyond the canyon rim. There is no breeze. I got up late this morning. The sun is up. Walter barked beyond my endurance, so...
Good Morning
8/10/26 7:00 59F (15C) AQI 32 The sky appears clear and blue, but the air smells burnt and I can see haze in the distant trees. The rooster is crowing and Walter has found something to bark about. Probably the orchard workers picking pears across the road....
Good Morning
8/9/26 5:15 58F (14.4C) AQI 18 No wind. The air is good this morning. Mostly clear, with a few wisps of clouds, very little haze and only a faint whif of wood smoke. The last sliver of the moon is rising in the east. Good morning. ...
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...
K.P.
Nothing beats a meal cooked over an open fire and eaten outdoors, but how do you deal with clean-up? Dirty dishes and scraps of food are sure to attract pests if not attended to. Rinsing your cook ware in the creek will leave an unsightly mess on the stream bed and...
Rusty Brogue
I recently discovered Shanky’s Whip. A dark, sweet liqueur, somewhat analogous to Drambuie, Shanky’s Whip is a mixture of Irish whiskey, vanilla, caramel, and other ingredients. I have been mixing equal parts of Tullamore Dew and Shanky’s...
