I was out working in the yard a couple of weekends ago. After mowing, trimming and edging, picking up fallen branches and putting them in the fire pit, I decided to wash and seal the deck behind the house. Since it was hot, I had started my day of outdoor work at 9 a.m. I wasn't really paying much attention to the time when my neighbor hollered over and asked if I was about done for the day because he was getting tired watching me work. It was closing in at about 4 p.m. by that time. When the deck was finished a few minutes later, my neighbor, Jim, said he really only yelled over at me because he had something he wanted to share with me.
Having only lived in this house for a year, I'd have to say that Jim may be the friendliest neighbor I've ever had. He regularly mows all the way over to my driveway and from time to time will edge my driveway and sidewalks. In return, I've shoveled the snow off the sidewalk all the way to his driveway.
Anyway, Jim really enjoys kicking back with an adult alcoholic beverage and shooting the breeze. That Saturday, Jim said, "I've found my summer beer" and handed me a bottle. Having never seen the beer and being really hot, I took a quick look at the label and unscrewed the cap. Maybe it was the fact that the beer was incredibly cold or that I was really hot but I'd have to say that this may have been the best tasting "summer beer" I've ever had.
Now let me stop and say that I'm definitely no beer connoisseur as I'd bet I only drink about one beer a month so I should not be considered an expert by any stretch of the imagination.
Oh......the beer...........it's Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy. The bottle says "Weiss beer with lemonade". It definitely has a lemonade flavor to it.
I found it at Marsh so you can probably find it in about any local grocery store. Give it a try on a hot summer day after working out in the yard. It won't disappoint you.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Summer Camp
My wife and I dropped off our 12-year old daughter, Libby, at summer camp this past Sunday. She's going to Flat Rock YMCA camp between Shelbyville and Greensburg, Indiana. For those interested, information can be found at http://www.flatrockymca.org/. My two older boys both went to the same camp for two years each and loved it. My youngest son, Brad, wanted to go back again this year but just couldn't fit it in his schedule.
Libby didn't really want to go to camp but Karen and I figured that a week at summer camp is good for any 12-year old girl and maybe even better for the parents of a 12-year old girl. She didn't fight us too much but was a little nervous since she was not going with a friend so she'd be there all by her lonesome. Since Brad was not doing anything that afternoon anyway, he decided to go along to drop her off. Karen and I "coached" him about how he had to talk up the camp on the ride down there. Thankfully, he followed the script and by the time we got there, Libby was feeling pretty comfortable about being there for the week.
Because there's no electronic communication available to the campers, Libby and I sat down before she left and tried to come up with a way that we'd know she was okay. From experience with the boys, I knew that on the second day, the camp took pictures of each of the cabin occupants for that week and posted them on their website. Libby and I decided that if she was having fun, she'd give us the "peace" sign in the picture.
My wife and I waited nervously for the picture to be posted. For some reason, it was much harder for us to leave her at camp by herself than it had been with the boys. I think it was because she wasn't really sure she was going to have a good time.
Finally, I saw that the pictures had been posted. Here it is: http://www.flatrockymca.org/blogimages/bigWyandot2.jpg
Look for the hidden peace sign!
Peace out.
Libby didn't really want to go to camp but Karen and I figured that a week at summer camp is good for any 12-year old girl and maybe even better for the parents of a 12-year old girl. She didn't fight us too much but was a little nervous since she was not going with a friend so she'd be there all by her lonesome. Since Brad was not doing anything that afternoon anyway, he decided to go along to drop her off. Karen and I "coached" him about how he had to talk up the camp on the ride down there. Thankfully, he followed the script and by the time we got there, Libby was feeling pretty comfortable about being there for the week.
Because there's no electronic communication available to the campers, Libby and I sat down before she left and tried to come up with a way that we'd know she was okay. From experience with the boys, I knew that on the second day, the camp took pictures of each of the cabin occupants for that week and posted them on their website. Libby and I decided that if she was having fun, she'd give us the "peace" sign in the picture.
My wife and I waited nervously for the picture to be posted. For some reason, it was much harder for us to leave her at camp by herself than it had been with the boys. I think it was because she wasn't really sure she was going to have a good time.
Finally, I saw that the pictures had been posted. Here it is: http://www.flatrockymca.org/blogimages/bigWyandot2.jpg
Look for the hidden peace sign!
Peace out.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Financial sense (or is it cents?)
As most of you have figured out by now, I'm what you probably call "old fashioned." Other words to describe me would probably be frugal or thrifty.
Sometimes I listen to Dave Ramsey on the radio. For those of you unfamiliar with Dave, he gives financial advice to people who need some major help. I think part of the reason I listen to it is to make myself feel better about my own personal financial situation.
A typical caller would be something like this: "Hi Dave. I've got a situation I'd like to have some advice on. I've currently got an older car that is worth about $3,000. I owe about $10,000 on it. I drive a lot and need a reliable car so I'm looking at a $50,000 BMW. I don't think I can qualify for a loan for the car because I've got about $25,000 that I owe on four different credit cards and haven't made a payment on them in several months because I only bring home about $1,000 per month. I've been at my job for 30 years and have built up my 401(k) to almost $70,000. I was thinking about cashing in most of my 401(k), paying off my old car and paying cash for the BMW. With what's left over, I can start to pay down the credit cards. What do you think, Dave?"
Dave, to his credit, normally very calmly explains the stupidity of the plan.
I guess I don't get what some people are thinking regarding their finances. When I was growing up, I was taught that if you didn't have the money to buy something, you didn't buy it. It's really not a very hard concept. Why is this so difficult for so many people?
Sometimes I listen to Dave Ramsey on the radio. For those of you unfamiliar with Dave, he gives financial advice to people who need some major help. I think part of the reason I listen to it is to make myself feel better about my own personal financial situation.
A typical caller would be something like this: "Hi Dave. I've got a situation I'd like to have some advice on. I've currently got an older car that is worth about $3,000. I owe about $10,000 on it. I drive a lot and need a reliable car so I'm looking at a $50,000 BMW. I don't think I can qualify for a loan for the car because I've got about $25,000 that I owe on four different credit cards and haven't made a payment on them in several months because I only bring home about $1,000 per month. I've been at my job for 30 years and have built up my 401(k) to almost $70,000. I was thinking about cashing in most of my 401(k), paying off my old car and paying cash for the BMW. With what's left over, I can start to pay down the credit cards. What do you think, Dave?"
Dave, to his credit, normally very calmly explains the stupidity of the plan.
I guess I don't get what some people are thinking regarding their finances. When I was growing up, I was taught that if you didn't have the money to buy something, you didn't buy it. It's really not a very hard concept. Why is this so difficult for so many people?
Friday, May 30, 2008
Blogging in the Comics
One of my favorite comic strips to read is Zits. I actually have a Zits daily calendar that I religiously look at every single morning when I come down for breakfast.
For those of you not familiar with this comic strip, it's about a middle-aged set of parents, Connie and Walt, and their 15 year old son, Jeremy. It's appropriate for me at this time because my wife and I have a 16 year old son and can relate to most of what's in the comic.
In one particular comic, the parents and the son are having dinner when Jeremy says, "I have a good idea." Of course the parents look up from their food as Jeremy continues, "If you two would start a blog, you could post all of the long, boring stories you would ordinarily tell at dinner. Then I could read them on my own time and we could eat dinner in peace."
Shocked, the mother says, "If we're not going to talk, why bother even eating together?" to which the son responds, "There's another good idea!"
If you have a teenage son, try reading Zits for a while. It can be found here:
http://www.arcamax.com/zits
For those of you not familiar with this comic strip, it's about a middle-aged set of parents, Connie and Walt, and their 15 year old son, Jeremy. It's appropriate for me at this time because my wife and I have a 16 year old son and can relate to most of what's in the comic.
In one particular comic, the parents and the son are having dinner when Jeremy says, "I have a good idea." Of course the parents look up from their food as Jeremy continues, "If you two would start a blog, you could post all of the long, boring stories you would ordinarily tell at dinner. Then I could read them on my own time and we could eat dinner in peace."
Shocked, the mother says, "If we're not going to talk, why bother even eating together?" to which the son responds, "There's another good idea!"
If you have a teenage son, try reading Zits for a while. It can be found here:
http://www.arcamax.com/zits
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Celebrity Reality TV Shows
I've never been one to be awed by celebrities. Apparently I'm in the minority with all the celebrity reality shows on TV now. The latest to hit the tube are Denise Richards and Lindsay Lohan. I couldn't care less.
Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey were divorced before I knew about their show, Newlyweds.
I've never watched Scott Baio nor do I care what age he's turning.
I never watched Anna Nicole Smith or any of her drug induced shenanigans.
I never watched Ozzy Osbourne or any of his drug induced sheningans.
Hulk Hogan's show was as fake as wrestling itself.
I didn't live the simple life with Paris and Nicole.
I didn't go to college with Tommy Lee.
Hey Paula, your show was off the air before I even knew it existed.
Never seen Gene Simmons family jewels (but I understand that lots of women have).
I just don't get it. What's the fascination with these has-been celebrities who are trying to revive their careers?
Maybe somebody can fill me in on why people watch these shows. Until then..........
Peace out,
Rev Run
Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey were divorced before I knew about their show, Newlyweds.
I've never watched Scott Baio nor do I care what age he's turning.
I never watched Anna Nicole Smith or any of her drug induced shenanigans.
I never watched Ozzy Osbourne or any of his drug induced sheningans.
Hulk Hogan's show was as fake as wrestling itself.
I didn't live the simple life with Paris and Nicole.
I didn't go to college with Tommy Lee.
Hey Paula, your show was off the air before I even knew it existed.
Never seen Gene Simmons family jewels (but I understand that lots of women have).
I just don't get it. What's the fascination with these has-been celebrities who are trying to revive their careers?
Maybe somebody can fill me in on why people watch these shows. Until then..........
Peace out,
Rev Run
Monday, May 26, 2008
Homemade Ice Cream
One of the traditions we've created with our family is making homemade ice cream during summer holidays. I guess what we really make is custard, though, since the recipe has eggs in it. We've had a great time over the past several years making the ice cream with our kids and then inviting the neighbors over to sit on the deck and share.
A few years ago, the kids decided that plain vanilla was boring and that we needed to spice it up with something mixed in. We've tried candy bars, cookies, M&M's and all other candies for our ice cream but to me the best we've ever had is Oreos. We simply crush them with a rolling pin in a plastic bag so it's pretty fine. After we've eaten several Oreo cookies, we make the ice cream mix. Here's the recipe that we've used for years and the best we have been able to find:
INGREDIENTS
4 eggs
2 Tablespoons vanilla
2 1/2 cups sugar
4 cups whipping cream
1/4 teaspoons salt
Milk (about 5 cups or so)
1/2 bag Oreos
DIRECTIONS
In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs until their foamy. Gradually add in the sugar and beat it until it thickens. Add the whipping cream, vanilla and salt and mix it thoroughly.
Pour this mix into the freezer can. Add milk up to the fill line on the can and stir it so it's consistent.
I usually start the ice cream freezer and let it run for 10-15 minutes before I put in the crushed Oreos. If you put in the Oreos at the beginning, they tend to fall to the bottom.
Let me know if any of you try this recipe or if you've got a different one.
By the way, the most surprising look to the ice cream came when we used mini M&M's once. We had expected the ice cream to be very colorful. What we didn't know was that as the ice cream was mixing, the outer coating comes off the M&M's, leaving just the chocalate inside remaining. Of course, the mixture of the colored coating was about like dipping the easter egg in every color so it turned out a lovely shade of brown.
A few years ago, the kids decided that plain vanilla was boring and that we needed to spice it up with something mixed in. We've tried candy bars, cookies, M&M's and all other candies for our ice cream but to me the best we've ever had is Oreos. We simply crush them with a rolling pin in a plastic bag so it's pretty fine. After we've eaten several Oreo cookies, we make the ice cream mix. Here's the recipe that we've used for years and the best we have been able to find:
INGREDIENTS
4 eggs
2 Tablespoons vanilla
2 1/2 cups sugar
4 cups whipping cream
1/4 teaspoons salt
Milk (about 5 cups or so)
1/2 bag Oreos
DIRECTIONS
In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs until their foamy. Gradually add in the sugar and beat it until it thickens. Add the whipping cream, vanilla and salt and mix it thoroughly.
Pour this mix into the freezer can. Add milk up to the fill line on the can and stir it so it's consistent.
I usually start the ice cream freezer and let it run for 10-15 minutes before I put in the crushed Oreos. If you put in the Oreos at the beginning, they tend to fall to the bottom.
Let me know if any of you try this recipe or if you've got a different one.
By the way, the most surprising look to the ice cream came when we used mini M&M's once. We had expected the ice cream to be very colorful. What we didn't know was that as the ice cream was mixing, the outer coating comes off the M&M's, leaving just the chocalate inside remaining. Of course, the mixture of the colored coating was about like dipping the easter egg in every color so it turned out a lovely shade of brown.
Mowing grass
There's been a fair amount of talk on different blogs about moving up the mower blade and leaving your grass a little high. I've done this for a few years and can tell you that it works very well. My grass is very healthy and it certainly keeps the weeds from being able to germinate.
When we moved into this house last year, there were a fair number of dandelions in the yard. My wife enjoys going around and spraying dandelions with Weed-B-Gone so I let her have all the fun she wanted. The previous owners had kept the yard fairly short but I kept my mower blade up as high as it would go as I had done at the previous house. This year I probably only ever saw maybe a dozen dandelions!
Now this can be carried to extremes. I won't tell you who did this because they might be a bit embarrassed but they have the same initials as my mom and dad. As a matter of fact, they just happen to have the same names as my mom and dad!
Since they spend about half the year in Florida anymore, they didn't return until just after May 1 this year. Normally, they had had somebody mow their yard until they returned but for some reason decided not to do so this year. Of course, when they got home, the grass was about knee-high. Knowing that the riding lawn mower wouldn't be able to cut the grass, my dad jumped on his tractor, attached the bush hog and started cutting his yard. After he got it to a manageable height, he got out his riding lawn mower and cut the yard like normal.
I was down at their house this past weekend for my niece's high school graduation. Their grass is more lush and green than normal. And my dad says he hasn't seen a dandelion yet this year!
Maybe the quality of their yard comes from the fact that it's been very wet and cool this spring but I'm attributing it to their mowing height. By the way, this bush hogging of your front yard works well when you live in the country without neighbors within view. I certainly wouldn't recommend it for those who live in town.
When we moved into this house last year, there were a fair number of dandelions in the yard. My wife enjoys going around and spraying dandelions with Weed-B-Gone so I let her have all the fun she wanted. The previous owners had kept the yard fairly short but I kept my mower blade up as high as it would go as I had done at the previous house. This year I probably only ever saw maybe a dozen dandelions!
Now this can be carried to extremes. I won't tell you who did this because they might be a bit embarrassed but they have the same initials as my mom and dad. As a matter of fact, they just happen to have the same names as my mom and dad!
Since they spend about half the year in Florida anymore, they didn't return until just after May 1 this year. Normally, they had had somebody mow their yard until they returned but for some reason decided not to do so this year. Of course, when they got home, the grass was about knee-high. Knowing that the riding lawn mower wouldn't be able to cut the grass, my dad jumped on his tractor, attached the bush hog and started cutting his yard. After he got it to a manageable height, he got out his riding lawn mower and cut the yard like normal.
I was down at their house this past weekend for my niece's high school graduation. Their grass is more lush and green than normal. And my dad says he hasn't seen a dandelion yet this year!
Maybe the quality of their yard comes from the fact that it's been very wet and cool this spring but I'm attributing it to their mowing height. By the way, this bush hogging of your front yard works well when you live in the country without neighbors within view. I certainly wouldn't recommend it for those who live in town.
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