Teamwork

So Duane read my post where I mentioned canning bacon.  We both like the results of the method that calls for lightly browning the bacon pieces before canning as opposed to filling the jars with raw bacon.  He said he would come over and cook up the bacon for me.  I could sit and fill the jars.  Turns out we figured that between us we have one good body.  :)

I got 13 half pint jars of bacon bits.  There are so many uses for them.  They are good in scrambled eggs or in fried potatoes.  I have used them in scalloped potatoes and in casseroles.  Anywhere commercial bacon bits are used, these home canned bits can be used.

I will be ordering a couple pounds of bacon with each grocery order until I have enough to can again.  I am low on canned hamburger, so will do the same for that. 

Teamwork.  Makes the job so much easier.  Thank you, Son.

Time To Get Busy

There have been a couple of wake-up calls for me lately. 

One was when my 54 year old son had a stroke.  He is way too young for these problems. I watch him fight to regain what he lost.  He can walk without tipping over now.  But his right hand is still completely numb.  He can't tell if the dishwater is hot unless he tests it with his left hand.  His hand still has the strength it did before, but he can't hold onto anything with it because he can't feel anything with it.  He worries about being able to work again.  I learned up close and personal that life can change in a heartbeat.

The second wake-up call was learning that it is now legal to kill a full term baby as long as it has not yet been born.  I knew that evil had gained ground in our country, but I did not realize to what extent until now.   And to see the smiling women cheering as this horrific piece of legislation was signed into law was sickening.  If one state can legislate the killing of babies, what is next?

I have always preached preparedness.  But I have become lazy.  I have used my medical issues as an excuse to put off doing the things I know I should be doing in order to be as prepared as possible for whatever comes next.  And if you think everything is just dandy, read the headlines.  As I write, our new governor is working to promote more gun control laws in my state.  We have our very own Sanctuary County that includes the City of Minneapolis.  Old friends tell me that the small town where I grew up is totally unrecognizable due to the influx of 'refugees' who find it entertaining to harass the locals in what was once a lovely downtown shopping area.  The list goes on and on.

So it is time to stop making excuses and get busy.

There are 18 cases of empty canning jars that need to filled.  This morning I dug through the freezers and found several pounds of bacon that need to be canned.  I have put off doing this because I have difficulty standing for more than a few minutes at a time.  Not good enough.  I am changing the way I can bacon.   I used to dice the bacon and brown it before jarring it.  But if I sit at my kitchen table and pack the raw bacon into jars and can it that way, all I need to do is lightly brown it when I go to use it, requiring less standing time.

I found several small bags of sliced bell peppers.  Those are now in the dehydrator.  I have found that when dried, the skins are really tough when rehydrated, so I am running them through my little coffee grinder and turning them into powder that can be added to dishes for flavor.   Same with dehydrated celery that wants to stay rock hard.  I can use the powder for flavor.  I have canned celery that works well in soup or casseroles and will can some more as I am nearly out of it.

I don't know what the future holds.  I just know I am not as ready for it as I can be.  Right now I am at a place where I don't need to run to the grocery store to stock up before a major storm.  But that's not good enough.  Should something really bad happen and my grandbabies come knocking at my door saying, "Grandma, we're hungry," and I couldn't take care of them, I would be hard pressed to forgive myself.

Yep.  Time to stop fussing about my limitations and concentrate on doing what I can.

I Want to Know

I want to know why in New York it is alright to murder a baby up to one day away from its birth.  In many states, if a pregnant woman is murdered, the killer is charged with two counts of murder - one for the mother and one for the unborn child.  But yet it is now legal to end the life of the unborn for any reason or no reason at all.  And for the love of God, why are women in particular, cheering the right to kill their offspring.

I want to know why a red cap with the words 'Make America Great Again' on it is considered in many circles to be the equivalent of a white hood.  Why is this cap such a threat to the left.  I thought every American wished for our beloved country to be great.  Now it seems to be a reason for the media to work itself into a frenzy over a school boy whose only sin was attending a religious school, having light skin, standing his ground and wearing a red cap. 

I want to know why my sons should apologize for being men.  As far as I know, neither are 'toxic.'  Both have a work ethic second to none.  They take care of themselves without the help of our nanny government.  They protect and defend family, whether it is their own wife and children or whether it is their mother and siblings.  They both have strong religious convictions and believe in the power of prayer.  Their sin is being male and white.  How having faith, showing respect for elders and peers and protecting their own equals 'toxic masculinity' is beyond me.

I want to know why protecting our borders is 'immoral.'  I want someone to explain to me why 'our betters' feel it is quite alright for them to live behind the protection of gated communities and walls, but it is wrong for my home to have the same protection on our borders.  And while we are at it, why is it a good idea to protect illegal alien criminals in sanctuary cities and states.  Might as well hang a big sign over your front door - "Come on in.  Steal everything I worked hard to obtain.  Rape my daughter.  Shoot my son.  You will be set free to do it all again."

I'm done.  Thoughts?

What Was Great-Great Grandpa Up To In 1878?

Having become just a bit burned out on crochet work and having become a lot tired of the window drama, I decided after reading a comment from a friend who is enthusiastically researching her family history (thanks, SJ) to do some work on my own.  I have tons of information, census records, birth, marriage and death records, letters, etc. on my computer that need to be organized.  So I am spending the next few days doing just that.

I came across a bit of information that some might find interesting.  I know a couple of my kids will like it.

My Great-great Grandfather wanted to run a ferry service from one point on the Minnesota River across to another, in the southern part of the state.  This required permission from the State of Minnesota in the form of a Legislative Act.  I stumbled across a transcript of that Act from 1878.  It is fascinating to me for the way it details how he is to run his business - even to how much he can charge his customers.

"GENERAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA,
PASSED DURING THE TWENTIETH SESSION OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE,
COMMENCING JANUARY EIGHTH, ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-EIGHT,
AND TERMINATING MARCH EIGHTH, ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-EIGHT.

8,000 COPIES ORDERED PRINTED.

ST. PAUL:
RAMALEY & CUNNINGHAM, PRINTERS.
1878.

Page 411 - 412

Chapter 131.

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE WILLIAM MATHENY, OF THE VILLAGE OF OTTAWA, TO ESTABLISH A FERRY ACROSS THE MINNESOTA RIVER, AT OR NEAR THE VILLAGE OF OTTAWA, LE SUEUR COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota:

SECTION 1.  That William Matheny, of Ottawa, Le Sueur county, Minnesota, his heirs, executors, administrators and his assigns, shall have the exclusive right and privilege for the full period of fourteen years, to establish, keep and maintain a ferry on the Minnesota river, at a point where the section line between sections twenty-seven (27) and thirty-three (33), town one hundred and eleven (111), range twenty-six (26), in Ottawa, crosses the Minnesota river.  Said right of ferry to extend one and a half (1-1/2) miles on each side of said described location of said ferry.

SEC. 2.  That said William Matheny, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, shall within four months of the passage of this act, place and maintain in good condition such boat or boats in said river as the requirements of public travel may demand for the safe and expeditious crossing and transport of teams, horses, carriages, cattle and other animals, and for the safe and speedy crossing of all foot passengers, goods, baggage and lumber, and all other freight that may offer or be offered at said ferry, and shall, on all occasions, give prompt and ready attendance at all hours of the day, during the season of ferrying, from the hour of seven (7) o'clock A. M., to the hour of seven (7) P. M., from the removal of the ice in the spring until such time as autumn or winter ice renders crossing dangerous.  Provided, always, that such ferrying shall not be demanded of the public as a right when by reason of high winds, floating ice, or other impediments of nature, crossing would be dangerous to the ferry or public safety.

SEC. 3.  The said William Matheny, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, shall have the right to land their boats on the land of any person or persons in the county of Le Sueur, or in the county of Nicollet within the three mile range hereby granted in this act, provided the permission of the owner be first obtained.

SEC. 4.  The said William Matheny, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns shall, within three months after the passage of this act, file or cause to be filed with the auditor of said Le Sueur county a bond of satisfactory to such auditor with two or more sureties, in the penal sum of five hundred dollars (500.00) conditioned for the faithful performance of all the conditions of this act, and which said bond shall be for the benefit of any and all persons sustaining any damage by the neglect of the said William Matheny, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns to perform duties enjoined by this act, and in case of failure so to do, the rights, benefits, and privileges granted by this act shall at once determine.

SEC. 5.  That for each and every neglect to keep good and sufficient boats, or failure to give due and prompt attendance to all persons wishing to cross said ferry, the aforesaid parties shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten dollars ($10) to be recovered by and for the use of the county of Le Sueur, in a civil action before any justice of the peace, or court having competent jurisdiction, and shall further be liable for all damages that may be sustained by any person by reason of neglect of any of the parties acting under the privileges of this act.

SEC. 6.  The rates to be collected at said ferry shall not exceed the following:  Each foot passenger five (5) cents;  each horse or mule and rider fifteen (15) cents;  each team of two (2) horses, whether loaded or not, twenty (20) cents;  each single carriage, drawn by one (1) horse or other animal, fifteen (15) cents;  each head of cattle, horses or mules five (5) cents;  each swine or sheep two (2) cents.  Provided, That the parties desiring to cross said ferry at unusual hours shall pay double prices.

SEC. 7  If any person or persons, other than the said William Matheny, attempt to cross for passengers, teams, stock or freight within the three mile limit granted by this act, he or they shall forfeit and pay to him, the said William Matheny, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns the sum of twenty dollars ($20), to be recovered in any action before a justice of the peace or court of competent jurisdiction.

SEC. 8  All acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed.

SEC. 9  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

Approved March 11, 1878."

I thought this was awfully wordy for permission to run a ferry, but I guess that's how the government does things - even at the state level.  It amazes me what information is floating around on the Internet.

Note to my kids - Now you know how your Great-great-great Grandfather spent his time in 1878.

I'm From the Government and I'm Here To Help

So the crew of two brought along a third worker and they were going like a house afire.  Right up to 10:00 this morning.  When a City Official informed them they had to cease and desist.  It seems they were lacking a permit.

They had just removed the second window and were getting ready to install the new one.  Mr. Official wouldn't even let them put it in.  The guys are now boarding up the opening and putting up as much insulation as they can.  They can do no more work on the windows today.

They apologized like mad.  They will put my furniture back where it belongs.  They will dig my laundry basket out from behind a mountain of stuff in my bedroom so I can at least have clean knickers.  There is no point in moving the rest of the stuff as it will all need to be moved again when they return.

Thing is...the temperature here will drop tonight into the 'way too cold to replace windows' range.  And the prediction is for it to stay in the single digits for at least a week and maybe two.  Most night time temps will be below zero. The wind is predicted to blow tonight and tomorrow up to 45 mph.

I would really like to know where Mr. Official was last week when the guys were replacing the windows in the apartment next door. 

Your Government at it's finest.

I don't know why I am surprised!

Not Done Yet

There is one new window installed.  There is one old window with all the surrounding woodwork removed.  There is one old window yet untouched.  There is plastic sheeting covering one of the two heat registers in my living room.  The temperature in my apartment remains a brisk 61 degrees compared to the comfortable 70 degrees where it usually is.  My green fuzzy blanket and I have become inseparable. 

The crew departed early afternoon today.  There is one more 20 degree day forecast before another cold snap hits.  Unless the crew moves at the speed of light, I can't see this project being finished in one day.  I hope I am wrong.

 I called my cleaning lady and asked her to wait until next week to clean my apartment.  My bedroom is piled high with stuff from my living room.  All my crochet material is piled on my kitchen table.  My living room is torn apart.  I didn't want her to take one look and quit on the spot.  Seriously, there is so very little space available to clean that it wasn't worth her time to drive here to work.

 On the positive side, my oldest daughter brought me a space heater this evening.  My living room is heating up nicely.  The new windows aren't quite what I expected, but they still look nice.  I thought they would be more like the tall, narrow windows you see on old buildings and they are a bit taller but just as wide as the old ones.  I found out that has to do with the fire codes.  The old windows were the crank-out type.  These are the kind that open top and bottom.  These are required so that a fireman can open them and climb through to rescue me in case of a fire.  Can't argue with that.

 Me...I have been mostly living at my kitchen table with my lap top, Kindle and crochet work.  Inconvenient - yes.  But not a permanent situation.  And I can still get to my recliner, so life is still good.

 But I am about as tired of window talk as you must be of reading about it.  I will post a picture when the job is finished.  And then it is on to other more interesting things.  :)

Oh Hold

So this morning the window crew of two showed up and moved furniture, hauled out the old blinds and screens and transferred some odds and ends to my bedroom.  Then they went out to work on the outside of the building.  About ten minutes later one of the guys came back in and said, "We took a company vote and if it is alright with you, we will be back on Monday when it might be warmer."

I can't fault them for postponing work in hopes of warmer weather.  It is cold out there today.  Last I looked, it was 9 degrees F. with a wind chill factor of 1 degree.  That is almost guaranteed frostbite.

They offered to put things back in place in my living room, but they didn't move stuff enough to bother.  The forecast for Monday and Tuesday is for temps in the 20's, not ideal for outdoor work but better than today.  By Tuesday they should be busy moving old windows and installing new ones. 

My cleaning lady comes in Tuesday morning.  I hope she doesn't cry easily.  :)