One more note before Christmas begins.
I have set up two gallons of mead with a recipe that I got from these folks. Come by in February and we will try some.
Finally, our old friend Publius Vergilius Maro (Virgil)has this to say about this time of year:
"...winter is the farmer's holiday, and the husbandman feast on their stores all through the frozen time, and spread the banquet among themselves in mirthful round. Merry winter bids the guest and lightens the heart;..."
It has been written, so let it be...
SDG
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Beer or a pill?
If one must keep a psychiatrist, you should keep the one in this video. Now, before you get all excited about why a psychiatrist is on a blog like this - please watch:
Two things should be noted.
First, starting at about 0:42, Dr. Szsaz says that, according to the learned, there are 294 diseases discovered by the psychiatric (read: pill developers) industry in the last 60 years. Dr. Szsaz is a skeptical about this as we all should be. He calls it an 'epidemic of psychiatry.' What a great line. He goes on to say that the entire industry is based upon 'a story, a mythology, a fable.'
Second, starting at about 1:50, Dr. Szsaz makes the brilliant observation that we 'advertise (the pill), but we can not advertise beer.’ Then he asks the critical question; which is more toxic (the pill) or beer? That is the question!!!!
Some years ago, Tom Hodgkinson made a similar observation when he wrote about the obscene profits that the pill industry drags in. Of course their employees, otherwise known as doctors, push these pills for everything. I admonished loved ones to convalesce after an illness or surgery.
Of course, for eight or ten thousand years or until 60 years ago people took a more Epicurean approach to their troubles. That was, as Hodgkinson observes, before our troubles became professionalized, commoditized and industrialized. Back then the cures were good company, good cheer and good beer. That’s correct the best solution was friends, food and drink.
So, open your house, grow vegetables and meat and brew beer because tomorrow…well, tomorrow will have it’s own troubles.
SDG
Two things should be noted.
First, starting at about 0:42, Dr. Szsaz says that, according to the learned, there are 294 diseases discovered by the psychiatric (read: pill developers) industry in the last 60 years. Dr. Szsaz is a skeptical about this as we all should be. He calls it an 'epidemic of psychiatry.' What a great line. He goes on to say that the entire industry is based upon 'a story, a mythology, a fable.'
Second, starting at about 1:50, Dr. Szsaz makes the brilliant observation that we 'advertise (the pill), but we can not advertise beer.’ Then he asks the critical question; which is more toxic (the pill) or beer? That is the question!!!!
Some years ago, Tom Hodgkinson made a similar observation when he wrote about the obscene profits that the pill industry drags in. Of course their employees, otherwise known as doctors, push these pills for everything. I admonished loved ones to convalesce after an illness or surgery.
Of course, for eight or ten thousand years or until 60 years ago people took a more Epicurean approach to their troubles. That was, as Hodgkinson observes, before our troubles became professionalized, commoditized and industrialized. Back then the cures were good company, good cheer and good beer. That’s correct the best solution was friends, food and drink.
So, open your house, grow vegetables and meat and brew beer because tomorrow…well, tomorrow will have it’s own troubles.
SDG
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
What to eat?
It seems that in the hollowed halls of learned that they have had a change of heart concerning your diet. You can read about it on the LA Times site. Of course history may make its fatal judgment known...it is too late. The industrial feed companies have 'only met a market need.' Since most people gave up their humanity to be employees lonely refueling with industrial feed is perfect for the Neolithic civilization that make up the undifferentiated ant mounds known as 'the city.' An acquaintance recently allowed that he never had to worry, because the shelves of his favorite grocery store are always full. A moment’s reflection would remind him that the same was said in Soviet Russia, Weimar Germany and Britain in the 70's and 80's. Still as much as one would like for things to be different - one can only look upon such creatures with compassion and let it go.
So, what should one be eating? I can not answer for others but at this time of year the garden here are very dry and in need of rain (forecast for the next couple of days). However, currently the gardens are producing beets, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, chard, several varieties of lettuce, potatoes, radish, spinach and turnips. One could do worse, say a manufactured and chlorinated carrots.
Given that last month was the month to fill the storage with meat, I would say that one should have a good stock of your favorite meats. It is still too early to enjoy the salted pork or a ham, but if you started early some of the bacon may be just right. Additionally, a few pullets or hens can always be recruited to fill the pot for the week. Also, should you be fortunate enough to have shot a deer or two or three, a few rabbits and a turkey then you are set.
Oh, I forgot all the vegetables that were canned or frozen during the summer. Heck, we are not missing a thing except bread. So, with the winter wheat only just now showing growth, one could dig into last springs wheat and oats. Here I mix both into bread that will keep you going all day.
That just about does it for all of the basic food groups - meat, roots, leaves, grains, vegetables. Did I mention that the only food pyramid we use is how high the food can be stacked on the plate?
Somewhere in the dim past, say eight to ten thousand years ago, a group of rather ‘unhandsome and inferior creatures’ began to plant seeds, tame animals and harvest both. Thus, this ‘exceedingly nasty tribe’ was able to spread throughout the earth. This Neolithic being, despite fashions, plumbing and other “camouflage of civilization”, remain constant, “just a repulsive type of animal, very inferior to pretty much all the rest of creation.” In the end, to manufacture its feed and collect it into herds seems to be best for this “unformed, unquickened, Neolithic matter.”
SDG
So, what should one be eating? I can not answer for others but at this time of year the garden here are very dry and in need of rain (forecast for the next couple of days). However, currently the gardens are producing beets, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, chard, several varieties of lettuce, potatoes, radish, spinach and turnips. One could do worse, say a manufactured and chlorinated carrots.
Given that last month was the month to fill the storage with meat, I would say that one should have a good stock of your favorite meats. It is still too early to enjoy the salted pork or a ham, but if you started early some of the bacon may be just right. Additionally, a few pullets or hens can always be recruited to fill the pot for the week. Also, should you be fortunate enough to have shot a deer or two or three, a few rabbits and a turkey then you are set.
Oh, I forgot all the vegetables that were canned or frozen during the summer. Heck, we are not missing a thing except bread. So, with the winter wheat only just now showing growth, one could dig into last springs wheat and oats. Here I mix both into bread that will keep you going all day.
That just about does it for all of the basic food groups - meat, roots, leaves, grains, vegetables. Did I mention that the only food pyramid we use is how high the food can be stacked on the plate?
Somewhere in the dim past, say eight to ten thousand years ago, a group of rather ‘unhandsome and inferior creatures’ began to plant seeds, tame animals and harvest both. Thus, this ‘exceedingly nasty tribe’ was able to spread throughout the earth. This Neolithic being, despite fashions, plumbing and other “camouflage of civilization”, remain constant, “just a repulsive type of animal, very inferior to pretty much all the rest of creation.” In the end, to manufacture its feed and collect it into herds seems to be best for this “unformed, unquickened, Neolithic matter.”
SDG
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Blood Month or Hunter's Moon
November has started with a great wind. Seems that we are in for some cold this first week of November and that is a good thing for the preparation of meat. We often have warm and sometimes hot weather at this time and it can make meat gathering and storage into a race as opposed to the earthworms pace of life. That it has cooled off is a good thing in that respect.
However, there is another side. The tomatoes, beans, Southern peas, corn and squash are still blooming. The tomatoes are heavy with fruit and the corn is making ears. So, the hope is that there will not be a frost. The prognosticators are conjuring up a frost for tonight and tomorrow night. One can only hope that they are struck down.
As the title of this post(Blod-Monath)indicates this is the traditional time for slaughtering of livestock and the hunting of game. This insures that the table will continue to be burdened with food for the winter months and the celibrations that occur in these same months. And so it goes that Deer Hunting season begins on Saturday. One might think that it would be cause for excitement out here on the rolling savanna, but that would be a mass understanding (also a misunderstanding).
The masses will come to the hills beginning tonight and tomorrow and shoot up the place. They will be dined by the towns 'club women and men' and keep the State's warden busy collecting revenue. They will drink deeply and feast greatly in the halls (converted barns) of the bankers, lawyers and oil men. From all appearances it will be a great and glorious 'hunt' for those "unintelligent, ignorant, myopic, incapable of psychical development, but prodigiously sagacious and prehensile" mass-men that come here once a year.
However, for those of us who are "of necessity fitted closely into the pattern of the changing year, who were of the earth and what grows in it," this weekend will be a time of 'staying in.' There will be great danger in the wood these days as the mass-minded are among us. The dogs will be kept inside, the children dressed in bright colors, and with God's mercy no livestock will be shot down.
There will be much to keep us occupied indoors. Vegetables to be canned or frozen, peas to be shelled, corn to shuck and bread to bake. So, in all even the moderate disturbances of the barbarians we will contue to be blessed and fill our days with joyful service to those who have been given to us as gifts.
SDG
However, there is another side. The tomatoes, beans, Southern peas, corn and squash are still blooming. The tomatoes are heavy with fruit and the corn is making ears. So, the hope is that there will not be a frost. The prognosticators are conjuring up a frost for tonight and tomorrow night. One can only hope that they are struck down.
As the title of this post(Blod-Monath)indicates this is the traditional time for slaughtering of livestock and the hunting of game. This insures that the table will continue to be burdened with food for the winter months and the celibrations that occur in these same months. And so it goes that Deer Hunting season begins on Saturday. One might think that it would be cause for excitement out here on the rolling savanna, but that would be a mass understanding (also a misunderstanding).
The masses will come to the hills beginning tonight and tomorrow and shoot up the place. They will be dined by the towns 'club women and men' and keep the State's warden busy collecting revenue. They will drink deeply and feast greatly in the halls (converted barns) of the bankers, lawyers and oil men. From all appearances it will be a great and glorious 'hunt' for those "unintelligent, ignorant, myopic, incapable of psychical development, but prodigiously sagacious and prehensile" mass-men that come here once a year.
However, for those of us who are "of necessity fitted closely into the pattern of the changing year, who were of the earth and what grows in it," this weekend will be a time of 'staying in.' There will be great danger in the wood these days as the mass-minded are among us. The dogs will be kept inside, the children dressed in bright colors, and with God's mercy no livestock will be shot down.
There will be much to keep us occupied indoors. Vegetables to be canned or frozen, peas to be shelled, corn to shuck and bread to bake. So, in all even the moderate disturbances of the barbarians we will contue to be blessed and fill our days with joyful service to those who have been given to us as gifts.
SDG
Friday, September 17, 2010
Fall Gardening at it's best
Well, another 1.10 inches of rain - Thanks be to God!
Four Rows of Blue Lake Green Beans have been planted and were just showing prior to the rain. With this good rain it is a fair bet that I will have a fall harvest of about 300 pounds of green beans. That should keep us till next spring.
Also, four rows of summer squash were just showing prior to the rain. If all goes well I should be able to harvest 430 pounds of squash. Everyone should keep the window on their cars closed, I may slip some squash into open car windows!
Next week the main fall/winter crops will be transplanted into the garden. Looks like I should get about 100 pounds of Broccoli, about 100 cabbages (280 pounds), 100 cauliflower heads (300 pounds) and some Brussels sprouts to round things off.
Since I have not mentioned it before, the five new keets are well and growing fast. They have moved out of the shop and into a kennel that has been renamed the "G" shack. More as they develop.
SDG
Four Rows of Blue Lake Green Beans have been planted and were just showing prior to the rain. With this good rain it is a fair bet that I will have a fall harvest of about 300 pounds of green beans. That should keep us till next spring.
Also, four rows of summer squash were just showing prior to the rain. If all goes well I should be able to harvest 430 pounds of squash. Everyone should keep the window on their cars closed, I may slip some squash into open car windows!
Next week the main fall/winter crops will be transplanted into the garden. Looks like I should get about 100 pounds of Broccoli, about 100 cabbages (280 pounds), 100 cauliflower heads (300 pounds) and some Brussels sprouts to round things off.
Since I have not mentioned it before, the five new keets are well and growing fast. They have moved out of the shop and into a kennel that has been renamed the "G" shack. More as they develop.
SDG
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Preparing for Fall
Rain glorious rain. For two days now we have been blessed with rain. The fall tomatoes were transplanted into the garden in August and needed watering everyday through that month. Our 'highly mineralized' well water keeps the plants alive, but they become anemic looking. Pathetic really. However, with these rains the plants are looking much better and already beginning to bloom.
As for the black-eyed peas...they were planted mid-August and came along very well, until the Vandals hit them. It is interesting that for two or more years (even with the great drought of 08-09) the deer were not interested in the garden. However, this year they found it. It seems that due to a good spring the local doe population have all twined. As a result they are hungry! They ate corn, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, pumpkins and even the leaves off of the red okra. Of course, I had to declare war! After several attempts at reinforcing the fence, I settled on electricity.
Fence charger and insulators were less than $30.00, whereas a roll of barbed wire was over $60.00. I already had the electric fence wire so it was a simple afternoons project to secure the garden. I am pleased to report that the vandalism has stopped and we are well on our way to a good fall/winter harvest.
The pepper continue to produce at a good rate and should meet the expected goal of 320 peppers by the end of the season. The sweet corn and Lima beans planted last week are already coming up. The rows of corn should produce about 450 ears and the Lima beans about 250 pounds of beans. This week the green beans are being planted in the garden. This summer we harvested about 200 pounds of green beans. I am putting in the same amount for the fall, so we shall see if we are blessed again this year. In the grow beds we now have the starts for broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. These will be transplanted into the garden by mid-September for harvesting to begin in November.
Our table should be burdened and our pantry full for this coming winter.
SDG
As for the black-eyed peas...they were planted mid-August and came along very well, until the Vandals hit them. It is interesting that for two or more years (even with the great drought of 08-09) the deer were not interested in the garden. However, this year they found it. It seems that due to a good spring the local doe population have all twined. As a result they are hungry! They ate corn, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, pumpkins and even the leaves off of the red okra. Of course, I had to declare war! After several attempts at reinforcing the fence, I settled on electricity.
Fence charger and insulators were less than $30.00, whereas a roll of barbed wire was over $60.00. I already had the electric fence wire so it was a simple afternoons project to secure the garden. I am pleased to report that the vandalism has stopped and we are well on our way to a good fall/winter harvest.
The pepper continue to produce at a good rate and should meet the expected goal of 320 peppers by the end of the season. The sweet corn and Lima beans planted last week are already coming up. The rows of corn should produce about 450 ears and the Lima beans about 250 pounds of beans. This week the green beans are being planted in the garden. This summer we harvested about 200 pounds of green beans. I am putting in the same amount for the fall, so we shall see if we are blessed again this year. In the grow beds we now have the starts for broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. These will be transplanted into the garden by mid-September for harvesting to begin in November.
Our table should be burdened and our pantry full for this coming winter.
SDG
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