Catch Up

I'm really behind the eight ball here at the shop. I've several weeks of 'stuff' that need my attention. I'm also deep into gathering all the little bits and pieces for the long dark and deep tax season. It isn't fun.

All this to say I will write, I hope, a far more interesting post as soon as heavenly possible. I've some good material, but lack the time.

I believe you'll like 'Mr. Know It All.'

Now, please excuse me while I sweep away a few cobwebs. And, again, my sincere thanks for all of your kind wishes and prayers over the last few weeks. God bless each of you.

Stephen

Thanks & Welcome

To my new friend and follower, Jayme. She writes the nice blog Family Best. Please, take a few moments and run over say hello. I'm sure she'd enjoy your company as much as I do yours.

Jayme, I promise to always reply to any comments...again, thanks and welcome. You are now among friends.

Stephen

Busy

I'm here but very busy. My first day back at the shop. Will write when I have a chance...feels so good.

This next is at the request of Little Bit. It was story book dress up day at her school.

See you guys later...

Stephen

Treasures Lost

It's a peaceful morning. Sweet Wife is hard at study for her job - she reads piles of documents as the wind whips the trees and scuds the clouds into a frenzy. The hard rains passed late this morning and has left us with gusts that exceed forty miles an hour. With no other sound in the house other than my breath and the click of this keyboard it's hard to stay awake. I need to get back into a novel.

My pretty friends, A Girl and Her Gun, and kymber, left remarks on my last post about encyclopedias. It made me recall, years past, when I dumped (literally) my last two sets in a dumpster for my move cross country. As I said to them, I deeply regret that awful and stupid act. But at the time all I held in life was a truck, a dog, my guns (wrapped in oiled wool blankets) a few clothes and two boxes of books (all first editions) and my life savings. I didn't have room for two sets of heavy and bulky encyclopedias. I even left my Labrador Retriever, Dixie, with a close friend, although I have her portrait framed and hung on my office wall.  

Back to the subject, encyclopedias. After our brief exchange on the subject I had this overwhelming desire to rush out and purchase another set. I need them like a hole in head but none the less there is a void in my library.  I did mention to kymber that as soon as I pass a thrift store or Salvation Army outpost or even a Goodwill store I will take time to stop and scan their shelves for a set. I hope to find another set of Britannica, but at this point I settle for those below. Yes, it's Russian.

 
There's just something warm and gentle about the feel of an old book, even an encyclopedia. If you're lucky enough to own a used leather bound set take it in hand and caress its covers and allow it to tell you of its journeys. Know in your heart some child has held the volume and dreamed of lands far away and has taken in the knowledge of its facts. It's very possible, some weary farmer, in his home snuggled deep in a river valley, sat before a fire with his wife and read aloud those passages of the founding of our nation. I'm sure they roamed from the swamps of Florida to the iced caps of both poles to the shores of Africa by nothing more than the flip of a time scented page. 

Some treasures just can't be replaced by a computer.

Stephen

Old Books and Coffee

Seems I've made a liar of myself. This morning I stated we'd spend the afternoon hunkered down in wait for a large storm. We didn't. Instead Sweet Wife asked if I'd like to get out of the house, storm or no storm. I hit the shower and was in wait behind the wheel before she had a chance to take a deep breath. Women, are slow.

She wanted to take in a large antiques mall. Fine, I knew they had nice benches and a coffee shop. What I didn't know was it also held a fine book shop. As you know books are one of my loves in life. I was happy.

I truly hope you had a nice day too. Try the Balzac.

Stephen

Sweet Banana Fritters

Our forecast for the day calls for heavy afternoon thunderstorms. Think we'll hunker down today and make a few banana fritters.

Recipe from this nice lady.   



If you like fritters, you will love these banana fritters. It seems I am always looking for recipes using bananas and this is a favorite at my house.  We like them for breakfast or just anytime.

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 bananas, mashed

2 eggs

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring

1/4 cup milk

1 cup oil

Confectionery sugar

 

Whisk together the dry ingredients in a bowl. (Flour, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar, and salt) Add eggs, butter, vanilla, milk and bananas and mix well with a spoon.  Heat the oil in a skillet. Drop mixture into hot oil   (I use an ice cream scoop full for each fritter).  Brown on both sides.  Remove and drain on paper towels.  Sprinkle with confectionery sugar.  (You can use syrup or any topping you like). Makes about a dozen fritters. Enjoy!

 

Stephen

Ugly As Is

I'm sorry but this is just plain bump your butt in the mud ugly. As is...

She's a Taurus Zombie Responder and can be purchased in .454 Casull, .45 Colt and of course the .410.

Slap some nice stocks on her and she'd gleam.

Stephen