Batman says:
WHY??
“I don’t care if I look silly Peach I want to wear more than 2 shirts I’m freezing!”
Categories
Tag: health
Batman Says:
So, here we are again headed towards a new year and all that it holds in promise. If all goes well (welp, cross that off, when has all gone well ever?) this time next year I will have less than a month left to work at a job that has encompassed 27 years of my life. Peach and I will be moving on to different things and honestly I’m ok with that. I have enjoyed this career and will think fondly about it after i’m gone, but only for a few weeks, then it goes in the “bucket” and off we go to do stuff.
I have been pondering ideas around in my mind as what to do with the time I will have. First time must be spent repairing and replacing all the little things around the place that I have let slip with the “I’ll do it later” tag on it. That honestly is not a lot of things but it is a few and should keep me busy for a couple weeks, then what? Peach has informed me numerous times that she will not be giving up her job so I will have to find interesting things to do to occupy my alone time, I will probably do a bit more fishing, I used to enjoy that and my kids called me the fish whisperer as a joke. Run the trap lines with a bit more interest, something I kinda got out of the habit of doing that I really enjoy the challenge of. Exploring new spots in which to hunt is also an option, can’t ever have too many spots to sit and surprise a wary buck. I won’t be going off taking photographs by my lonesome, as that is something Peach and I do together. I may write more, get in the habit of posting small little blurbs as to what my daily plan is and what I did the day prior, basically a record for my family to see and laugh at when I’m no longer here (you’re not that lucky Peach, it’s gonna be a long time still). Peach got me started with this blogging stuff and I don’t always hold up my end and write posts like I should. But, I won’t have the “work” excuse anymore. I have made myself a promise that I would try and write a book of stories, as mentioned in a previous post “writing interesting things” (it was I think) and putting it out there to see if there are any “old country boys and girls” like me out there that might find it humorous to buy a copy and laugh at my “out of the wrong time period” sense of humor and right and wrong. We are gonna give it a couple months to see how things settle down in the Country before we start travelling around, not in the mood for people to freak out if I’m not wearing a mask on the side of the road changing a flat tire for some lady who is helpless roadside (yes it could be a guy too, don’t get all indignant, told you I was from the wrong time period). Once we start traveling, I hope to post interesting tidbits along the way that others who are traveling around may find useful, even if it is a “do not do this or that” mistake we made that saves someone an issue. I know Peach will be posting all kinds of good things as we travel I am even gonna get her a new faster computer to use to do so (no excuses now, Peach). Been rummaging around through stuff on the internet (what a fresh h*** of grossness and stupidity you can find if you’re not careful what you search for) reading about people making money doing blog posts, that is novel. Not sure I got what it takes to do that but if someone wants me to write a blog post for their business or about a product that I am familiar with, and they want a down to earth honest opinion on, and they are going to pay me for it, then I’m your huckleberry (y’all point them my direction will ya?).
Some of you all will remember Peach and I teach firearms usage and gun safety, we have done this for a while now and its a satisfying pastime, plus brings in a little extra income. We plan to do this even after retirement as we have found that it is something people want and need. As an NRA instructor I have 3 certifications: Certified Home Firearm Safety, Personal Protection in the Home, and Basic Pistol, all of these are important to some folks, and its something we are happy to provide. The cool thing about being an NRA instructor is no matter where in the United States we are, we can sit down and give a class to anyone that wants it, provided we have the necessary safety precautions in place, and in some instances a range to shoot. Another side project I recently took an interest in to perhaps provide a bit of extra income if we need, but more to keep me active and out of the refrigerator (have I mentioned Peach is an EXCELLENT cook?) is becoming a “Home Inspector”, there seems to be a place for me as one, and it is something I could do when I wanted and not do when I was busy with other important matters (like fishing, hunting, napping is very important to me, also), it would require I attended classes either in person or online, and pass several tests (if you knew me you would know how much I dislike tests of any kind), but I think I could manage to do well enough to get licensed in the State to do it. I think I would be good at it as I have knowledge already from life experience and I have a willingness and want to help people. The biggest issue facing Peach and I as with most retirees is health insurance, but with Peach’s smarts and us listening to each others ideas, I believe we have a plan that will let us do what we want when we want without to much hassle.
It would appear from all the ideas about extra income that we are going to be working just as much as we do now, but that’s not the case, all these ideas are what float around in the mind of Batman when he has to much time on his hands. Y’all keep checkin back in, if for no other reason, you can see what scatterbrained ideas I come up with next.
“Now I get to enjoy some of your awesome chili huh, Peach?”
Batman says:
Here’s a short pictorial view of Peach’s and My trip to Estes Park in Colorado to visit our youngest son. Just a fantastic day and hike through our makers AWESOME painting of earths wonders, enjoy…
Times have changed since then, youngest moved back closer to home, work makes long trips less possible but someday we will return to revisit and maybe stay longer, and enjoy more of Gods artwork.
“Yes Peach I do know the way back to the truck from here..”
Batman says:
“Peace” has a multitude of meanings (look it up yourself) and often we forget what it can mean to us as people.
I like to think of it as the most unstressed, relaxed, calm and happy feeling. The kinda feeling one gets walking in a brisk wind along a vacant beach where no signs of humanity intrude. Or snuggling in a favorite chair and getting lost in a good book where the story carries you away. Or sitting outside after dark in a quiet place watching the stars migrate across the heavens. Peace to me is that content feeling, that place where I’m not distracted by man’s noisy need to control everything and be heard all the time. Walking around photographing pretty things with Peach, holding hands and just being, not having to speak to know that you are happy just being together. Taking sunrise pictures while at work to send to my “pretty girl” Peach to let her know I always think of her.
There are many other things that help me find peace, wandering around outdoors is one of my favorite ones. Think I mentioned before Peach and I like to hunt, trap, fish and generally wander the woods, always have. Getting into a blind an hour before the first hint of light, lets things settle. Night creatures are headed home and the dawn patrol are waking up. I get settled, squirm around, and finally settle comfortably and wait. It is a wonderful world deep in the woods away from man’s intrusion that slowly reveals itself. Owls, sing their haunting hoots and purrs and crackles, and shuffles in the bushes made by mice, opossums, raccoons and others add to the suspense. Still too dark to make out any real detail, I close my eyes and just listen to nature’s symphony slowly give its first performance. Birds flit quietly from their homes into the bushes, still not quite ready to play their tune. Usually the first animal I can actually see and identify are squirrels, as they slink around and find seeds and acorns to nibble on and sometimes stash buried in thousands of secret spots. They too are still silent, not wanting to break the silence of the morning, and then it happens. Somewhere, could be close, could be far away, the first bird clears its throat and to my surprise it’s the gobble of a turkey. Unless you have heard one in the wild you haven’t heard a real turkey, folks. Then the other birds perk up, and soon there’s music all around in the form of this bird and that, each seeming to try to outdo the other. Sometimes a squirrel interjects it’s voice into the symphony but mostly they are too busy eating and chasing each other around.
This continues for 30-45 minutes then settles to infrequent chirps from birds, and solitary songs as the sun breaks the horizon. Then the squirrels slink off and up into the trees and begin their turn at calling to each other and clattering and chattering away, trying to drown each other out.
All the while, I sit (sometimes, when I’m really lucky Peach joins me) and listen and watch silently. Letting the sounds from the animals that God created wash over and through me. As it does I can feel tension and stress piled on from the week of work and strife, slowly start to break up. The longer I stay the more I find my “Peace”, the kind of feeling that is hard to explain, but everyone knows when it happens. For a time, no worry no fear no pain no insecurities nothing, just “Peace”. It’s what I expect to feel every day in heaven when my time is up here. Till then I have found a way to find true “Peace” and be as God intended us to be, happy, content and blessed to be alive and in God’s masterpiece. Those of you whom hunting offends, I do not apologize for being a hunter, God made us that way, I do think there is a reason for me being one, but to be honest the actual taking of game has become much less important to me over the years than it used to be, I still do take game but if I let something pass sometimes, it does not bother me as it once did.
Finding “Peace” means many things to many people, but to me it’s meaning is as described above, and none of it would be possible without God’s input and my Peach’s companionship. Once a week or more if I’m lucky, I slip away to one of these places and “breathe the free air” and feel my “Peace” seep into my tired body to enliven me for another week.
I truly hope each and every person can find the kind of “Peace” that they need at a time when they need it most and it does for them what they need. Everyone needs a cleansing of their minds to function as God meant. Folks, He watches us, He listens to us and He gives us ways to reboot, for me it’s through “Peace”
Hope this ramble makes some kinda sense to someone that needs it, if not *shrug* makes sense to Peach and I 😬
“Right Peach, makes sense to us right? Peach? Peach?…not funny”
Categories
Batman’s Lamb Chops
At the risk of being accused of pilfering someone’s recipe (which actually I didn’t) and if it resembles yours I do apologize but it just popped into my frond (Stargate SG1 reference, means head) today while contemplating a way to cook lamb chops in a skillet.
Most important is the skillet, it has to be cast iron and it has to be LODGE (has to!) my momma used LODGE, my grand mom used LODGE, and I am sure on down the line my family used LODGE. They make the best cast iron anything. Not sure if I mentioned this or not USE LODGE CAST IRON.
Ok so let’s start with the recipe:
1/4 cup or so, freshly chopped rosemary
5 cloves garlic, minced
kosher salt
black pepper
2 lb.small lamb chops
1tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Combine rosemary and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Press lamb chops into mixture on a plate and rest a couple minutes on a plate.
In a large skillet (use LODGE if I didn’t mention that earlier) over medium heat, heat oil, add lamb chops, cook 4-5 minutes per side (times vary) until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Let remove from skillet (LODGE) and let rest for 5 minutes, then give thanks to God for the meal, the day, and your life, then commence to consume with vigor.
You can if you wish heat the pan again to medium, stir in 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth and de-glaze the skillet, stirring with a wooden spoon to get the brown yummy bits off the bottom (the French have a name for these bits, but I don’t remember it and if I did, I would probably misspell it) reduce the liquid by half stirring occasionally. Once reduced, add 2 TBSP butter and stir till thickens a bit and pour over chops as a pan sauce.
This recipe came about as a result of a grocery shopping trip with Peach (she lets me actually go inside the store sometimes) where we were trying to find an alternative meat to chicken (before you sputter it out, I know chicken is not meat, let it go). Pork chops are one choice, fish, turkey (seriously, don’t go there I know). We had stumbled on lamb chops about a month ago and so we got a couple more chops during this trip. If y’all know of other alternatives, let me know! Peach and I will try them (Wait!! Not liver, I know of no way on this good earth to cook liver that will make it taste good, sorry but ain’t gonna happen).
Food experiments have always been something I like doing, and this recipe is probably a combination of numerous dishes we have made over the years. If it sounds like your recipe, don’t write me and say bad things, I freely admit I could have taken parts from many recipes, but as far as I know, it’s all outta my noggin.
Sorry got off on a side road there…lamb, if not over cooked is really flavorful and tender and served with the right sides it can make an awesome supper. Peach and I had it with Brussels sprouts, cooked in butter, salt and pepper. The meal was outstanding, and the cost of the lamb was well within reason. Anyways, feel free to try it, add/subtract ingredients, see what you think. If you feel like it, share the recipes on here and we will try it.
Last things…if I didn’t mention it before use LODGE cast iron, and no I have no affiliation with LODGE cast iron, I just really believe they make the best cast iron stuff, AND it’s made here in the USA.
Bony Appletite😬
This is a repost of one I did last year I think
Batman Says:
I’m not sure why, but I’m sure it is going on, most of the world turning a blind eye to “Human Trafficking”. Where are the outcry’s of rage? Where is the supposed “news media”, where are the family members of missing loved ones? Where are the Police? Where are the elected officials? Where for Gods sake are the red blooded American citizens who should be beating down the powers that be’s doors?
There are an estimated 800,000 missing children EVERY YEAR and these estimates are lowballed and do not include adults. There are evil people out there, snatching kids off the streets, playgrounds, and even yards, to sell as slaves and sex objects. It is not a new thing, it has been going on for ages, in the background, silently and stealthily, people are being snatched and disappear hourly.
Where is the outcry? It makes no sense, with all the families of the missing, there should be marching in the streets. Where is the so called news media, that says they have the public’s interest at heart in their “news” stories, one would think something like this would be front and center DAILY so people would see the severity of the problem and rise up to begin to stop it. They are not reporting it because it’s not sensational enough, there are no bad cops to show, nor politicians whose ideas they don’t agree with to bash, therefore they do not care. Folks to fix the news media is another story all by itself, but emailing and writing may help, I suggest something radical that I’m sure not a lot will do, but it would work, stop watching the news, stop watching that network, the one thing I do know these people want is ratings, without you they don’t have that, then they send out polls as to why and you can express your opinion and tell them why, but this is about the missing not the biased news.
This is no fantasy story, nor something happening only in lower class places, this is something that effects us all. Human traffickers care about only one thing, money, and to get money they need live bodies, boys, girls, men and women are ALL targets. We as people have GOT to make a stand and start thwarting these (and I won’t use foul language) lowest of life forms on the planet, by EVERY means available to us.
Here are a few tips:
Moms and Dads know where your kids are at all times
Watch your neighborhood, call the Police over suspicious people and / vehicles
Go places as groups not alone
Look at your surroundings as you move about, look up, not at your feet
Always tell someone where you are going to be, and when to expect you back
Let someone know your route you plan to take.
(Where it’s legal) Carry pepper spray, mace, or a stun gun, in your hand Anytime you are walking or running.
Park your car as close to the store you’re visiting as you can get, under a light if possible.
Do not park next to a van or truck, especially if it is between you and the store front.
When you leave the store Know where your vehicle is prior to wandering all over the lot.
(Where it’s legal) Walking to your vehicle have your pepper spray / mace/stun gun in your hand until you are in your car, with the door locked. Look at your car, does it look like it’s been disturbed? Is there a car or truck or even a car with dark tinted windows around it? If so, ask a store worker to walk you to your car.
There are hundreds of things we can do to make ourselves and our children and friends “hard targets” but it takes constant vigilance to do it.
As a Police Officer, I am appalled at the lack of concern, lack of public knowledge, lack of commitment by most anyone on this subject. It’s a disgrace and should not be allowed to stand.
Folks, if you know ANYTHING at all that could lead to finding even one missing person, one human trafficker, one location, or anything, I beg you to tell a Law Enforcement Officer, or anyone you can that may be able to help…if you’re afraid or don’t want to get involved, message us here privately and we will get the right people to the right places.
Together we can stop this horrible crime and maybe rescue someone’s loved one in the meantime.
Use the tips I posted 24 hours a day 7 days a week, pass them to your friends and family, pass the word around, information and diligence is key and together we can win.
Peach and I are both available to speak to groups about personal safety, just shoot us a message and we will see what we can come up with.
God bless you all and please be safe.
“Your stun gun is fully charged Peach, is my hair sticking up?”
Batman Says:
Sitting out on the deck early this morning before most of this part of the world wakes up, I closed my eyes and just listened. Ever do that? Just listen? Interesting what the result may be if you do. Because I was outdoors, and Peach and I live out in the country (not deep in the woods away from all sounds of man like I wish but, still country folk) I get to hear nature, sometimes mans noise butts in, but mainly nature. Early like this, there are still night creatures about but also the day crews are waking up and moving about. It’s a peaceful time, and the amount of nature that could be heard (probably could hear more, but for years of teaching shooting numbing my hearing 😳) night hawks, whip-or-wills (Chuck-will’s-widow more often) early morning Cardinals, Mocking birds and of course, the always present sound of roosters crowing, Horned owls, Barred owls, and Screech owls… you get the idea. All add their voices at one time or another, together or separate, frequent or rarely, and just listening to them relaxes me.
There are at times no sounds at all, it’s creepy still, the time of morning or night when as Sherlock Holmes put it “the powers of evil are exalted”. Times like these some get nervous or frightened, but as Don Williams sang “Nothing makes a sound in the night like the wind does, but you’re not afraid if you’re washed in the blood like I was”. Night sounds (early morning, too) can stir up fears in people, an involuntary reaction stemming back to the days when it was kill or be killed, and wild carnivores roamed everywhere, it also stems from man’s evilness to one another where certain elements prey on weaker victims. But in the here and now, the sounds I hear are stealthy, and then some are musical, neither cause fear as I have and still hunt the evil most refuse to acknowledge exists and fear little in doing so (“Fear profits no man” ..13th Warrior). Settling more in my comfy chair I hear leaves rustle, probably a mouse or mole looking for edible yummies, as I look up thru the live oak leaves to the crystal clear ink black sky with its brilliant sparkly lights (them is stars in case you didn’t get it) flashing colorful lights from far away. You can almost hear the trees talking to the wind and each other (probably wondering why we get to move around when they can’t) with soft subtle voices that you either believe in or don’t. If you believe, you can quietly hear the soft voices on the wind, maybe not understand them but you can hear them if you listen. Most refuse to hear those quiet voices from things in nature, especially those they hear when it is dark, and they do it out of fears. Fears of the unknown, fears others may not have heard it and would ridicule or belittle them, fears they would lose friendships or companions.
“Fear does not stop death it stops Life and worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles it takes away today’s Peace”
If you must fear, the fear should be that you have let God down by not following his word. (Squirrel ran by…apologies)
Listening teaches us so much more than talking does, and if most people would open their ears and close their mouths, they would learn tons and there would be way less conflict. So I sit, when I can, be it at home or at work (rare but I do sometimes get the chance) and I listen to what the world is trying to tell me. I hear the sunrise, I hear the wind, I hear Gods creations great and small. I don’t always understand them, but I hear them all, each has its own unique voice, some booming some barely perceptible. None of these would I be able to hear if all I did was talk. The gift of silence is often underestimated, but having the ability to let someone talk or vent, without interjecting, is a rare ability that more people need. Take the time to shut up and just listen, I bet you hear a lot and maybe learn to appreciate silence more.
“What’s that Peach? Sorry wasn’t listening” 😬
Categories
New Trend
Batman says:
Peach and I discovered the next new “Buzz” word or new trend.. laugh now, but you watch and see..
We were working together in the kitchen as we are wont to do from time to time and needed some herbs, as luck would have it we happen to be growing fresh Thyme, Rosemary and Basil, and as bad luck would have it, it was out on the front deck in the pouring rain. So out I go and cut off what we need and come back inside and between the two of us being silly, we discovered the new trend that I’m sure will pop up all over once discovered.
“Rain washed Herbs”
Are your herbs rained washed? If not you’re doing it wrong! Imagine all the new age people and others with their herbs rushing to plant them outdoors where they can be rain washed instead of using tap water.
😂😂😂
“Yes Peach I really did post that”
Batman Says:
Raise your hand if you like camping 🖐🏼🖐🏼. Peach and I are, and pretty much have always been, fans of camping which is another one of the thousands upon million of reasons I love her. Her family, like mine, were brought up as campers. Cars were packed up stuffed full of tents and paraphernalia as well as kids, then off to some spot, usually a known place where they feel comfortable, and the camping set up begins.
Dads all over the world will get this..the frustration level increases to just before nuclear meltdown stage right about the time the !*%!%**%#! tent is finally up. Then when the blood pressure comes down from the stratosphere, the relaxing can commence.
I have fond memories of all night fishing trips on the river where we kids were forced to finally go to sleep in a huge old Army GP medium tent that my dad and uncle put up (can’t do it anymore as there are bleepin houses where we used to camp). But anyways, they were fun trips. Also remembered are the trips early in Peach and my marriage with the rug rats all crammed in a small tent, nothing could make these trips or the memories of them better that they are. Road trips to the camping spots also hold many fond memories along the way. We once stopped off in the Echota Cherokee Capitol Historic Site in Georgia and wandered around old log cabins and buildings where old settlers lived. No school classroom on the planet could replace the effect of actually being there, feeling the wood, seeing how the Cherokee people lived and survived in a completely different environment than they were use to….(I feel a squirrel running by). Our boys were products of both private, then public, and finally home schooling (Peach is a wonderful and patient teacher with the smarts of one of those people with all the alphabet letters attached to their names, and she came by her wisdom the right way, she lived and learned). I will not bash any form of schooling, I just believe that learning math you can use, English you can speak, and the history of your country as it was not as someone thinks it should have been, prepares kids better for real life than study guides set down by committee (you take God out of the equation, you aren’t worth the paper all those alphabet letters behind your name are printed on), just my opinion, again I’m not trying to change yours so don’t try and change mine. Told ya, Squirrel!
Anyways, we explored several places along the way to that camping excursion, and we learned a lot. Some of the trips were hot and sweaty, some cold to the point of ice, all were trips I would not change for anything in the world. I believe the time out in the fresh air, be it at a spring and river, or on a mountain top, did wonders for myself and the family. Working together to set up camp, exploring, building the camp fire and keeping it going, cooking meals, cleaning up, all have their places. Gathering around the fire at night roasting marshmallows or other stuff, talking and laughing, it freed the soul of stress. The downside to any of it, if there is one, is that it never seemed to last long enough, before long it was the night before packing up and going back home. Everyone’s movements slow, but time speeds up. No one wants to leave but we eventually get packed up and away we go, headed back home.
Seldom were there trips that we did not have a really nice time. It seems camping and the trips to and from always seemed to agree with us. Everyone returned with a happy disposition which sometimes lasted well into the week following.
I think the fun of camping is just being together “roughing” it for a couple days as a family. We slow down, we bond as a group, we “Live, Laugh, Love” and repair ills that society piles on us.
Just my opinion…yes you too can “chuck it in the bucket” difference is, I’m not trying to change yours 😉.
“No Peach I did not pack your hair dryer”
Categories
Mystery of Sunrise
Batman Says:
It starts as the darkest part of the night, then barely perceptible it begins. The darkness lightens, tantalizingly slow at first, then if all is right, color starts to erupt from below the horizon like dragons fire spewing forth. It continues to grow and strengthen impossibly bright and the glowing red orange ball we call the sun breaks the horizon pouring forth its warmth and light.
I have always been fascinated by sunrises, dawn skies with their promise of new beginnings with brilliant colors one day, dull and gray the next, and a myriad of in between looks that keep us guessing. Attached are a few sunrise pics we took over different times, hope y’all enjoy them, and get up early with a cup of coffee (glass of juice, whatever), settle into a comfy spot and watch the dawn light rise like a phoenix displaying Gods handy work for all to see
All these are as they were seen, we don’t tinker (means muck with) the photos by filtering or brightening them.
God created them, we figure that’s good enough.
“No Peach I did not put all the sunrise photos in one post thank you very much”
The Adventures and Musings of Peach and Batman 