Cabbage eating cow

Not really about cabbage eating cow.

About a year ago a retired Army man bought a 5 acre plot about 1-1/4 miles east of my place. Of course new to country life the first thing he had to have is a broke down old saddle horse. Second thing to get rich as a small rancher be bought 8 Corriente rodeo stock roping cows. Corriente is a small breed seldom exceed 800 pounds, favored in rodeo roping arenas.

April 2023: These cows were under weight and had been handled roughly. New guy soon discovered that he had enough grass pasture to feed 1 horse and maybe 1 small cow. When he had to start buying 75-100 dollar a bail hay he became a motivated seller.
Ron (son-n-law) bought one about 450 pounder with a broke horn for $350 and I bought one that weighted about 500 pounds for $400 dollars. Grin.. I got the best deal mine was pregnant and calved 33 days later.

We took Ron’s cow to be processed Nov 6th, weighed in at 608 pounds live weight, We should be getting back about 375 pounds beef around the 27th of Nov. If she’s back on schedule I’m going to smoke a large rack of ribs for Thanksgiving day.

Just a side note, my cow will be sent to the butcher shop in May 2024, see if I can get her near 800 pounds, and my Calf the following April or May 2025.

Happy Holidays

HAM… radio station

Long painful story short. A few months ago I took a ‘Huge’ lighting strike to my Amateur Radio antennas and to my radio shack electric service line.
Lighting totally destroyed my 2 meter, 70 CM and HF antennas as well as 3 – 75 foot runs of Belden 9913 coax cable. In the radio shack this strike destroyed a HF antenna tuner, FTdx1200 HF radio, Signal Link (Digital interface unit) a IC-2730A VHF/UHF duel band radio and a FT-2980 VHF radio.

If this wasn’t enough lighting entered my radio shack via the electric service line taking out the breaker box, radio power supply, security cameras, computer and monitor as well as a 40 inch TV and my internet router, WiFi transceiver and antenna dish. Home owners insurance only covered a bout 20% of the total replacement cost.
Sad smile… National Weather Service said “A typical lightning flash is about 300 million Volts and about 30,000 Amps, that’s about 9,000,000,000,000 watts’, that would power a lot, a lot of 100 watt light bulbs.

Over 3 months of time, effort and money I’m fully back on the air. OK I’m finished whining ‘for’ now.
I have 2 new Diamond X-300A (VHF/UHF) duel band antennas and a new OCF (Off Center Fed) Windom style dipole HF antenna mounted on a 43 foot hing over antenna pole with an additional 8 foot copper clad ground rod and copper ground cable, with a 3 new Belden 9913 coax cables installed.

Almost every thing in the shack is new.
Radios I selected are, FT-2980 VHF, IC-2730A duel band radios. I selected the FT-2980 because it is built like a M1 Tank and does 80 watts out of the box, a really great base or mobile radio.
I replaced the dead FTdx1200 with Yaesu’s FT-710. It has a very small foot print, less than 10 inch width/depth and only about 3 inches high it has an auto-antenna tuner built in and receives/transmits every bit as good as the FTdx1200 maybe even better.

Happy Holiday season

Ham Hock Stew – Cold weather has arrived time for a large pot

The quantities listed here are intended as a rough guide and can be varied as much as you like. I tend to go for as many vegetables as will fit in the pot. My soup/stew/chili pot is a 6 quart Lodge enameled cast iron pot with a tight fitting lid.
The ham hock I use comes from A & R Packing Co Inc. purchased at Walmart at $2.95 a pound, usually 3 hocks in a package and weighing 2 to 2-1/2 pounds. Three dollars a pound is a lot for mostly bone and skin, but the taste is worth the cost.

With all that said, adjust your vegetable choice to your taste and more importantly the size of your stew pot.

Ingredients: Note: for this recipe Course Chopped means bite size.

1 tsp olive oil or oil of your choice
1 large or 2 smallish ham hocks about 2 pounds
2-3 medium sized potatoes course chopped
2 to 6 cloves garlic whole and peeled
2 large carrots course chopped
1 carrot finely chopped
2 ribs celery fine chopped
1 large or 2 small onions course chopped
1 cup kale Optional or 1 cup turnip or collard greens course chopped
3/4 to 1 cup of frozen peas
3/4 to 1 cup frozen corn
3/4 to 1 cup Frozen beans
3/4 to 1 cup course chopped okra Optional
2 sprigs thyme or 1/2 tsp dry thyme
2 sprigs rosemary or 1/2 tsp dry rosemary
2-3 bay leaves remove before serving
Salt and pepper to taste, use caution adding salt, hocks tend to be a bit salty.

Optional alternate vegetables:
Fennel, turnip, sweet potato, butternut or acorn squash, pumpkin, a few brussels sprouts, broccoli.
Vegetable choices are endless.

Cooking:
Heat a large pot over medium heat, add the oil and heat through. Add the onions, finely chopped carrots and celery, sautéing until tender, about 5 minutes.
Place your ham hock and garlic in the pot and cover with water. Bring this to the boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for about 2 hours until the meat easily parts from the bone.
Remove the hock from the water and allow it to cool enough to separate all of the meat from the bone. Shred the meat into small pieces and return these to the pot.
Next peel and chop the potatoes, carrots and onion in to bite-sized pieces, add these to the pot and bring back to the boil and then reduce to a simmer. I use as many vegetables as will fit in the pan and remain covered by the liquid.
Use whatever ratio of the different vegetables you prefer.
Add any herbs to spices of your choice to the pot. I usually add some black pepper with some dried rosemary and thyme.
Then simmer this for about 30 minutes until the potatoes and carrot are cooked. After about 15 minutes of this add a large handful of chopped kale/turnip or collard greens to the pan and mix this into the other vegetables.
Finally when the other vegetables are cooked through add frozen and fast cooking vegetables, bring it back to the boil and allow it to simmer for a few minutes until vegetables are tender.

I can, hot pack hot sterilized quart jars with left over stew. Store refrigerated for quick easy meals in the cold days to come. Use within 2 weeks unless canned in a pressure canner.

Happy Gardening

Fall Radish Crop

The Radish seed planted 3rd week of September are maturing and I’m harvesting a few most every day.
All parts of radishes are eatable, green tops are often over looked by many in north America.

Radish greens are the edible tops of the radish plant, and are commonly eaten as a vegetable in Korea and China.

A member of the Brassicaceae family of cruciferous vegetables, radish greens are nutritious and enjoyed as mature leaves, microgreens, or radish sprouts.

Per cup (128 grams) cooked, radish greens contain about:

Calories: 70.4
Carbohydrates: 8.3 grams
Protein: 4.5 grams
Fat: 3.5 grams
Fiber: 2.3 grams
Potassium: 16% daily value
Magnesium: 28% daily value
Iron: 7% daily value
Vitamin C: 77% daily value
Vitamin K: 171% daily value

Radish greens are low in calories but are a good source of protein, iron, and potassium. They are also rich in magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin K.

Radish greens have a pleasant taste similar to mustard greens, but they can range in flavor from slightly bitter to earthy and spicy.

Mature radish greens are prepared in a similar manner to other leafy vegetables, and radish microgreens are used as garnishes or to enhance salads.

Here are some ways to eat radish greens raw or cooked:

Add to salads, soups, or stews.
Top sandwiches or toasts like avocado toast.
Prepare in a cooked or fresh dish with radish roots.
Blend into sauces like pesto or marinara.
Add to casseroles.
Steam or sauté and eat as a side dish.

Beets and Turnip harvest will start in a week or so. I’m a big fan of pickled beets spiced with clove. I think I will have enough beets for 12 – 15 pints pickled beets. I pull beets small no larger than about 1 1/4 inch in diameter and turnips no larger than about 1 3/4 or maybe 2 inches in diameter. Large beets/turnips with tops go to the chickens.

Grin I add beet greens to my turnip green at 1 part beet to 2 or even 3 parts turnip greens.

Happy Fall Gardening

Autumn is upon us

A few days and Fall Equinox arrives on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 02:50 A.M. EDT in the Northern Hemisphere. After a more or less normal hot dry summer I’m looking forward to cooler day’s and our Fall rains.

For us Fall weather arrived on the 9th of September with temperatures cooling 30-35F from the past weeks 100F+ degree days. The cooled air brought in a nice much needed 1 1/2 inches of rain.

Taking a chance I dry planted my Fall crop of Radishes, Cabbage and Turnips. Cabbage and Turnips can both stand a lot of cold temperatures so I’m hopeful for a nice late Fall, early Winter crop. My dry planting worked out well, we got a nice soaking rain only 5 days after planting.
Cooler weather has reduced the Grasshopper horde as well as all of those other garden loving insects to a manageable level.

If you are unfamiliar with the term Dry Planting it’s the process where you wait until the soil is very dry. If the soil has any moisture the seed will germinate then die from lack of water. Grin, Dry Plant and then hope for a slow soaking rain to germinate your seed and get your crop off to a good start developing a good root system before soil starts to dry again.

Cooling weather has sent many Dove and Hummingbirds south for the winter. The last of my welfare birds usually migrate south by the end of September or first week of October. I’ve been stocking up on hen scratch and black sunflower seed when I find it at reduced prices to supplement feed the Dove, Cardinals, Quail and Mocking birds that over winter in this area.

Monarch butterfly migration is under way. I’m seeing more and more every day. Got to enjoy them while I can, they will soon be gone until next springs migration north.

Happy Autumn Gardening

VHF – UHF Antennas — Which Antenna Is Best For My Location

If you are a dedicated on the go hand held walkie talkie user this information is probably not very useful to you.

My intention is to help new/novice radio users make wise choices and get the most benefit from their radio investment.

The 3 most common antennas are (1) 1/2 wave Dipole, (2) Vertical and (3) Yagi.

Yagi antennas are multi element (beam) antennas and are highly directional and can be vertical or horizontal polarized depending on how they are mounted. Unless you are setting up a point to point communications link Yagi is probably not a good choice for your primary antenna system.

1/2 wave Dipole antennas have 2 diametrically opposed elements, with each element being 1/4 wave in length. Dipole antennas can be mounted vertical or horizontal. Horizontal dipoles are bi-directional while vertical dipoles are more omnidirectional. A vertical mounted 1/2 wave dipole has very near the same characteristics of a 1/2 wave vertical antenna.

Vertical antennas are commonly 1/4, 1/2 or 5/8 waves in length. With few exceptions, to work properly a vertical antenna commonly has 2 or 3 – 1/4 wave length ground plain radicals located at the base of the antenna. When vehicle mounted, the vehicles steel body/frame acts at the antennas ground plain.
If you are wondering why your HT/Walkie Talkie has no ground plain radials, it’s because your radio’s metal frame work is acting as a very poor ground plain for your inefficient antenna.

Antenna current distribution based on antenna wave length.

Antennas longer than 1/2 wavelength show more current at the base that is out of phase with that in the upper section of the antenna. That’s what contributes to decreased low(ground) angle of RF radiation.
The 5/8 wave antenna has more conductor that is radiating but 1/8 wave of that radiation is out of phase with the main radiation, so it actually reduces the radiation at the horizon. An explanation for this is that the out of phase portion at the base has low enough current that it doesn’t have a significant effect on the over all radiation pattern. Ignore it and that leaves us with the same current distribution as the 1/2 wave vertical, just a bit higher on the horizon.

Which antenna works best if the top tip of antennas are at the same height.

Conclusion: 1/4 wave ground plane with sloping radials, 1/2 wave dipole, and 5/8 wave vertical with the tops at the same height over perfect ground. Performance is virtually identical for all three antennas.

You can’t change the fact that VHF/UHF frequencies are line of site. You can increase your line of site by increasing your antenna height. Mount an antenna on a pole tower tree. Move to a near by high spot/hill top.
Line of site calculator: https://www.southwestantennas.com/calculator/line-of-sight

Antennas are only as efferent as the amount of RF energy reaching the antenna feed point.
Antenna mismatch (SWR – Standing Wave Ratio) and Coax dB loss are big factors in your antennas real transmitted RF power. A SWR of 3:1 = a loss of 50% of your transmitters output power at the antenna feed point.

An antenna is only resonant on one frequency, as you move up/down in frequency you introduce increasing antenna miss match and loss of transmitted RF power.
To calculate your antennas resonant frequency: 234 divided by operating frequency time 12. Example: 1/4 wave antenna, 234/FX12 will give you antenna length in inches. Example: 1/4 wave antenna 234/462.550 MHzX12 = 6.070 (6 1/16) inch antenna. To calculate a 1/2 wave antenna 468/462.55X12 = 12.141 (12 9/64) inches.

Coax Loss: Coax is a contributor to the amount of RF power reaching your antennas input connector.
Coax Attenuation Chart: Measures the attenuation (loss) of different types of coax at 50 foot lengths.
Attenuation is measured in dB.

Your antennas claimed gain will be reduced by the amount of coax loss. A claim of 4 dB antenna gain will be deduced to 0(zero) gain using 50 feet of RG8X coax feed line.

J-Pole is one of the exceptions I spoke of, an antenna not requiring ground plain radials. Easy, cheap to build and works as well as any $150 dollar commercial made 1/2 wave base antenna. There are many DIY J-Pole projects to be found on line. A easy J-pole calculator can be found at: https://www.hamuniverse.com/jpole.html

I hope this information is useful to you in your efforts to design and install a functional radio communications system.

Lentils for your health

Lentils gained popularity as an affordable meat substitute in the U.S. during World War II.

These small, gluten-free legumes pack a healthful punch. Lentils are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, without the fat or cholesterol of red meat. Lentils are edible seeds of the legume family. The most common types are: Brown lentils (European lentils): The least expensive type of lentil, brown lentils stay firm, making them an easy replacement for black beans in burgers and soups.

Green lentils (French lentils): These nutty-tasting lentils stay firm when cooked. They’re especially good in salads.

Red lentils: The fastest cooking, this mild and sweet lentil gets soft when cooked, so you can use them in purees and Indian dals. Lentils also come in shades of yellow and orange.

Black lentils: The tiniest type, these lentils look almost like caviar. In fact, they’re called Beluga lentils.

A little goes a long way when it comes to the health benefits of lentils. One-half cup of cooked lentils contains:
140 calories
12 grams of protein
0.5 grams of fat.
23 grams of carbohydrates.
9 grams of fiber.
5 milligrams of sodium.

Lentils are high in protein, which helps build and maintain your muscles, bones and skin. Protein can also help you manage your appetite and support weight loss because it makes you feel fuller than other nutrients. Lentils are gluten-free, making them a great option for those with celiac disease.

Plant-based Polyphenols may be anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective. Studies also show that lentils may improve cholesterol levels in people with diabetes.
The fiber in lentils, along with antioxidant properties, may help ward off cell damage and prevent cancer growth.

Lentils ‘May’ help lower blood pressure. Potassium helps counter the bad effects of salt, which can lead to high blood pressure. Half a cup of cooked split red lentils has more than 270 milligrams of potassium. Their high protein level also makes lentils a great substitute for red meat, which has the bonus of helping you keep your blood pressure under control.

Heart health, folate protects your heart and supports the formation of red blood cells. It’s especially important for your baby’s development if you’re pregnant. Lentils have plenty of folate, iron and vitamin B1, which also support heart health.

Lentils ‘May’ be helpful in lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure. One study found that eating lentils led to greater reductions in blood pressure than eating chickpeas, peas or beans.

Half a cup of cooked lentils can provide 15% of your recommended daily iron needs. If you eat a vegan or vegetarian diet, that news may feel like hitting the iron jackpot.
Combine lentils with a source of vitamin C such as tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers or Brussels sprouts to enhance the absorption of iron.

Fiber plays an important role in regulating our bowels and protecting the immune system. Foods that are high in fiber, like lentils, help us stay healthy.

Lentils are simple to prepare and cook. You don’t need to soak dry lentils overnight in water, unlike many other beans. Just rinse them to remove any dirt or debris.
Options:
Replace 1/4 to 1/2 of the water with chicken or beef broth.
1 clove garlic
chopped onion
diced carrots
diced celery
diced sweet pepper
Garnish with chopped chives or basil.

Home Chicken Flock

Just a health note for those that are new to raising chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. Chickens and turkeys do not mix well. Chickens are carriers for diseases that are not a problem in a chicken flock but can wipe out your turkey flock. Mixed flocks with ducks, geese and turkeys work out well and ducks, geese mixed with chickens are not a problem, just avoid mixing turkeys with chickens unless you can keep the the flocks well separated from one another.

It’s getting to be the time of the year that many folks that bought 25 or more day old chicks in January now need to deduce their flock size. You can pick up pullets and young laying hens at a very reasonable price now. If your looking for meat birds or a rooster for your flock start looking now. Many flocks will have far to many roosters and you can pick them up for rock bottom prices.

Any of the Leghorn breeds are excellent layers and do not go broody. They lay large white colored eggs. Put them in an old store egg carton and the kids will never know the difference, grinning.. Most other breeds lay lightly tinted to dark brown eggs. Check out ‘McMurry’s Catalog’ for a ton of useful information on many different breeds, egg colors they lay and much more.

Note: At laying age 1 hen will lay 1 egg about every 27 hours. Base you flock size on your egg needs. Two hens will produce about 1 dozen eggs a week. Chickens require little coop space, a 4X4 foot floor plan is enough room for 2 nest boxes and 4 or maybe 5 hens.

Chicken growers have a large selection to choose from. The tiny Mille Fleur to the New Jersey and Black Giants. Everything from plain Jane everyday chickens to award winning Fancy’s. They come in every color in a rainbow to solid whites or blacks. Some breeds are very quite easy to handle others always seem to be a bit stand offish and on the skittish side. With that said, they all have a few things in common. They are always fun to raise, fun to watch, wonderful table meat and produce eggs from thumb nail size to extra large. No mater what breed you select I’m sure you will enrich your life and give your family an experience they will carry through life. You will be blessed having them in your backyard.

Salsa – It’s Summer Time

Salsa {This is a good basic Salsa} an updated 2017 post.
Prep Time: About 20 minutes
Recipe Yield about 4 cups (2 pints)
Ingredients
4 or 5 large tomatoes, de-seeded and chopped
1 strong yellow onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 to 5 cloves garlic, minced {To your taste}
2 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or {1 Tablespoon dried}
1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tomatillo, diced (optional) {Best roasted}
2 – medium or 1 large size mild green Chili peppers de-seeded and course chopped
1 or 2 green or red jalapeno peppers, minced {de-seed and de-vane peppers for pepper flavor and less heat from the peppers} (Start with 1 pepper, taste Salsa, adjust salt and pepper to your taste.)

Directions
In a food processor or blender, combine tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, oregano, lime juice, vinegar, tomatillo, hot pepper, mild chili pepper(s), salt to taste. Chop /blend a scant 5 or 30 seconds.
In a non-aluminum pan, over medium heat, warm until Salsa reaches 165 to 180 degrees. {Use meat thermometer to check temperature} Pack into (2) hot sterilized pint jars, Seal tightly, when cool, this may take several hours, refrigerate Salsa. Salsa will keep safely under refrigeration for 1 or 2 months.
For longer storage, process Salsa for 20 minutes in a boiling water bath. Cool over night, check to insure jars sealed properly. Store in a cool dark place. Salsa will safely keep 1 or more years.

Fried Hominy

A south and southwest dish. Don’t like Hominy?

Try a side dish of Fried Hominy and you may well change your mind.

1 -14 oz can feeds two people.

I like yellow hominy, because that’s what mama fried.

1 – cup yellow corn meal

1/4 to 1/2 cup flour

1/8 to 1/4 cup corn starch

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Bacon grease, Olive oil or Canola oil, start with 2 or 3 table spoons add more as needed.

Heat pan and oil over medium heat add a layer of hominy when oil hot.

Mix dry ingredients, drain water from hominy can and coat with corn meal mix

shake off excess corn meal mix and add to hot oil.

Fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Options:

Add a small squeeze of lemon or lime.

Dust with chili power or Cajun spice the kind you like.

Add a pinch of onion or garlic power during the frying process.

Add 1/8 cup chopped hot peppers or 1/4 cup mild/sweet pepper

the kind you like during the cooking process.