Exiled

For better or for worse the reality is that the GOP is now Steve Bannon's party.  

If you embrace economic isolation and white nationalism you will find a hearty welcome.  If you are a Republican but do not support Donald Trump, Roy Moore, and Steve Bannon - you are unwelcome.   

If you believe in fiscal responsibility, the rule of law and separation of powers - then this party is not for you.  

That doesn't mean the Democrats are your party either.  What this means is you have become an exile.

Condemned to wander in the wilderness until the morale improves.

Net Neutrality

There has been a great deal of discussion about the subject of net neutrality of late.   

For instance, is it logical to file suit to block AT&T’s takeover of Time Warner while loosening rules on internet providers allowing big companies to charge more for their services?  By rolling back net neutrality, the government is giving old-school media companies like AT&T and Comcast more leverage over companies like Netflix, Google and Facebook that are increasingly becoming their competitors.  

I still haven’t made-up my mind on this topic but I would like to share one of the more cogent arguments made during testimony submitted during the FCC’scomment period back in 2014.

Beer and the Reformation

500 years ago a German monk named Martin Luther published 95 criticisms challenging the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church – notably the sale of indulgences.   

The reform movement began in Germany in 1517 but soon spread throughout much of northern Europe.  Although he intended to reform Catholicism and not break it apart the result led to the creation of Protestant churches separate from the Roman Catholic Church.  The Church of England broke from the Roman Catholic Church later in the 16th Century.   

Luther’s act of conscientious defiance changed the world religiously, economically, politically, socially, and intellectually.   It even changed beer as we know it today.  Yup – beer.   

During a time where water was unsafe, beer was drunk by everyone and was the nutritional and social fuel of Germany.   Coincidentally, the Catholic Church had a stranglehold on beer production, since it held the monopoly on gruit — the mixture of herbs and botanicals used to flavor and preserve beer.  Hops – on the other hand – were considered noxious weeds and were not taxed by the church.  As a consequence a Protestant brewer who might care to defy the Catholic Church used hops to preserve and flavor his brew instead of the herbs.   

As it turns out hopped beer travels well and the export of this hopped beer may have contributed to the spread of Protestantism.  Plenty of breweries today sport a picture of Martin Luther on their wall.   

You can learn more about this historical tidbit here.

Flat Earth

From the Washington Post - A California man who planned to launch himself 1,800 feet high Saturday in a homemade scrap-metal rocket — in an effort to prove that Earth is flat — said he is postponing the experiment after he couldn't get permission from a federal agency to conduct it on public land.  

Instead, Mike Hughes said the launch will take place sometime this week on private property, albeit still in Amboy, Calif., an unincorporated community in the Mojave Desert along historic Route 66. 

“It's still happening. We're just moving it three miles down the road,” Hughes told The Washington Post on Friday. “This is what happens anytime you have to deal with any kind of government agency.”

God speed Mike Hughes...

The Best Roasted Pumpkin Seeds in the World

I've been roasting pumpkin seeds most of my life.  Beginning as a child with the help of my parents followed-on by several decades of jack-o'-lantern carving.   And finally by means of serious pumpkin growing specifically for seeds.  I've grown pumpkins for carving, roasting on the grill or making pie filling. You can get a can of pie filling just about anywhere.  But where can you get a good roasted pumpkin seed?   

If you're a fan of roasted pumpkin seeds you absolutely need to check this out.  Not only are these pumpkins terrific for fall décor they are prolific seed producers.  Furthermore, their seeds lack the tough outer hulls of other more pedestrian pumpkins making them perfect for roasting.  On top of that they're a bush-variety and don't take-up large amounts of space in the garden.

Behold the Kakai pumpkin.

click on image to enlarge 

A fetching bright orange pumpkin accented by dark green digital camouflage.  A non-GMO, organically-raised gourd of about 3 to 8 pounds.

And chock-full of hull-less green seeds - pure kernel - without the tough shell.  All you have to do is open them up, insert your hand into the pulp and all of those seeds will slip right out.  And plenty of them too.  

Pour your seeds into a stock pot and add enough cold water so that they float freely.  Add to that as much kosher salt as you can stand (about a half cup - give or take).  Bring your pot to a boil and then turn-down the heat and simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes.

Drain your seeds in a colander.   

Spread them out on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees - stirring every 15 minutes with a spatula for 60 to 90 minutes as ovens vary.  When they start to snap, crackle and pop your seeds are talking to you.  Pay close attention to them.  They're almost done.   

Finished product!   

A light, nutty, salty, snack that is full of vitamins, minerals and healthy antioxidants.  They’re good for your prostate fellas.   Trust me on that.    

I like these with straight kosher salt.   Experiment with Worcestershire or other spices if you care to.  Serve with an icy-cold brewski during the Packer game and at deer camp.  

This was a tough year for the pumpkin patch with cold and wet growing conditions.  I finally got one single vine to sprout after four attempts planting three mounds.  My total harvest was two pumpkins,  These seeds are worth their weight in gold...