Hope you get her back Norm! 👍

 

Out right now getting burgers from the local greasy spoon. On my way out of the subdivision I came across this guy and snapped (pun intended) a few pics! As close to prehistoric as you can get!

 

The alligator snapping turtle. Mean creature.

 

That's a common snapping turtle - note the smooth carapace. Alligator snapper has ridges on the carapace.

 

Snout is different, as well....

 

I realize there's nothing there for scale. He/she wasn't very big, maybe 2ft from head to tail, I've seen much larger ones. We only live maybe a 1/2-mile from the Mississippi, and there is a creek less than 1/8-mile from where I found him that flows out to the Mississippi. We also have 2 storm water retention ponds here on the subdivision property.

 

Okay Mike, I'm gullible and going to bite. You're just bull$hitting us that you don't know who Tom Brady is right? You know, the Tom Brady that most consider to be the all time greatest Quarterback to ever play in the NFL, the Tom Brady that won Seven Super Bowls, the Tom Brady that's in a bijillion TV commercials? You really do not know who he is?

 

Worse nightmare is to find one deep in the hollow of a shoreline bank of a river/stream/pond while noodling for catfish. Best to have a stick in your hand when you first go in elbow deep.

 

Mike - You're correct & interesting you should point this out since a goose has no political affiliations.

 

I appear to have made-up some lost ground on my stock portfolio - thankfully! Back to locating a vehicle commodity as soon as I have my truck back.

I'm interested in following Jim's stick barn building scenario. I enjoy watching others spend their money.

 

I see ridges, Norm.

 

You may be correct, I may be incorrect.

 

Yesterday my game was filled w/ exactly these types of shots - I couldn't do anything correctly. On a Par 5 hole I was 20 yards from the green in two shots & it took me FIVE more shots to get into the cup.
At least I don't get paid to lose amount of $$ while playing as a professional. These are some nasty professional golf shots; yet, they do make me feel better when I see professionals muffing shots.

https://www.pgatour.com/article/news...rage-tee-times

 

I agree with you Norm- that's a common snapping turtle. We've got lots of them around here, and the shell (carapace) isn't perfectly smooth. The ridges just aren't as pronounced as the alligator snapper. Those suckers have a beak! They'll F you up. a common snapper isn't something to mess with either. Check those claws. I've seen them a couple feet across the shell near the streams in the Brookfields and central Mass. You'll see them crossing the road sometimes. People drive around them.

 

I've picked up & handled both. I know there can be local environmental variances. Residing & working as a research biologist on the BNR (Buffalo National River), Arkansas, I've handled a couple Alligator Snappers ~40lbs - 50lbs - a much darker carapace w/ far more pronounced ridges.
Common types of Alligator Snappers I'm more familiar with...

 

I am almost certainly wrong.

 

The meatloaf intended for Friday got made tonight. 350 for an hour did not finish the spuds, so one got nuked. Leftovers consist of meatloaf and potato. One is frozen, the frozen spud may not make it.

Used a food processor instead of my slap chop thing for the onion. That went well. Then, I put another onion in there, along with a cucumber. That did not go well, so that part got tossed (it was salad augmentation.) I guess one should chop up one thing at a time in there.

 

John - I enjoy reading about your culinary endeavors. I find it rewarding to prepare & cook food. A lay person’s chemistry lab. Some toss a steak on a grill & call it cooking - I laugh.

 

HaHa Norm - That's the same exact image I stole off the web and was going to post to show just how different the alligator looks vs. the common!

 

The title to that video is Soooo true. GOLF IS HARD! Thanks for sharing.

 

I am probably going to be a lifelong bachelor. I am resolving to not live like one. I need to keep my house cleaner, exercise more, and cook better. For the latter, I am disposing of silly "as seen on TV" one use only things, like a breakfast sandwich cooker, or a toasted jelly sandwich maker, or a Ninja ingredient prepper thing / smoothie maker. I am also upgrading my gear. I donated my WalMart food processor which smelled like a dying electrical motor each use, and bough a Cuisinart brand one and pimped it out with:

Doug blade
Chopping blade (came with this)
Medium slicing disc (came with this)
Small, thick, and really big slicing discs
Fine and Medium shredding discs
French fry disc
Julienne disc.

That's all I can find for it. Got all those and some accessory holder containers. It did a number on the onion, but you respect that pulse button like you respect a BBO gas pedal.

I am keeping my reissued anniversary edition George Foreman G5. I wore the hell out of the first one, and I have a third one still in wrapper besides this barely used one. I may give the wrapped up one to my friend the gardener when she moves out from her parent's house as a house warming gift. I do have a dinky Foreman I traveled with for work in 2015. I should get rid of that one. I cooked well in a residence inn and ran several miles a day. Need to get back to that.

 

I think that's a great decision. I'm not sure of the model # of ours, but we use our larger size one all the time to quickly cook a wide variety of things.

 

Good morning everyone.

No rain this morning, in fact the clouds were broken and I could see a couple stars and the moon. That's helpful.

Chris I actually knew Tom Brady was a ball player, but I couldn't tell you what team he plays for. I assume it's football. Not interested in his accomplishments, though I can appreciate his talent.

Norm once you get the truck back you won't need the second car. Except for if the truck goes TU again. I've had good luck with my V6 Charger.

John I hate to hear that. Even as I approach middle age I still hold out hope that there's someone out there for me. Trouble is it doesn't take long for me to find something about her that is a deal breaker. Most of the women around me are trailer park honey's that are looking for someone to pay for their illegitemate children.

Good, busy day here. Same good team. The lead is an idiot. Eh, what's new.

Okay have a good day. One more to go...

 

Norm, It may be a while, I had a framer all lined up but he wanted to build a castle at castle prices so i said Adios. I have another guy who wants to set metal trusses on a pole bar with a crane.. Trouble is without a permit I'm afraid to bring a crane on Stay tuned

 

Mike - Keep holding out hope there's the right gal out there for you, I believe there is!

 

Good morning guys,

Beautiful out this morning, but cool for this time of year here. It got down into the upper 40's last night and only suppossed to get into the mid-60's today. I actually fired the gas fireplace up again early to take the chill off in the house..

Keegan is suppossed to have his first Baseball game this summer this evening. We're still waiting to see if the fields will be dry enough to play after all the rain we got Monday and Tuesday. He will have 2 Football games again on Sunday that I'm planning on going to.

Saturday I'm planning on going to my first Judged Show this season at a Knights of Columbus Hall in the little town of Cadet, Missouri. Cadet is about 40-miles from me and one of the farther drives I make to go to a show. I've been to this show before 2-yrs ago and it was nice, but didn't attend last year because of rain.

With all the periods of rain and cooler weather my grass is still growing like gangbusters! I had to mow again yesterday, and I am having to mow every 4th day now the last several cycles. Sure wouldn't break my heart to have that slow down a bit.

Hope everyone has a great day! 😃

 

After the truck is back on my property it is being retired/relegated to a farm truck - short-haul work horse.

 

Mike - I know a couple gals...



Stable income...





Has Daddy issues...

 

I'm suddenly nauseous!

 

You guys probably remember when Dawn and I went to see the Big Boy Locomotive #4014 at a stop in DeSoto, MO a couple summers ago. It was an incredible experience! The Locomotive is making an Eastern tour again this summer so if it's ever been something you've wanted to see in person you can checkout the detailed itinerary of stops via this link:

Big Boy No. 4014’s Schedule | Union Pacific https://share.google/gnJgvQDtil2IMb4VN

 

Norm where did you get a picture of my neighbors?

Chris looks like the Big Boy will be back in St. Louis. You can go again. It needs to go on a southeast tour. There's a Big Boy in Colorado in a museum but alas, it's a static display.

 

 

I wish I'd seen steam in action. Both of my folks remember them. My mother could hear them in Greene County growing up, tearing across the land. The steam whistle on a cold night is in songs. My old man would go visit with his family my grandma's relations in Buhl up on the Iron Range. Kids sometimes greased the track leading up out of the mine. Steam engines worked hard hauling the ore with slow hits on the cylinder, then would hit the grease and spin out and slip back a few feet with a lot of noise.

 

The only Buhl I really know of is Buhl, Idaho because I've been there; but, when you said Iron Range I knew it wasn't Buhl, Idaho since I've also been to the Iron Range of NE Minnesota - so, your statement sorta caught me off-guard until I figured you were talking about Minnesota.

 

Jim - I'm unfamiliar w/ using metal trusses on a pole barn. Is there an advantage using metal trusses - cost savings, less labor, easier to install, longevity? Interesting.

 

Looks delicious, Tostadas? What all do you have on them, obviously refried beans, cheese, and tomatoes, what else?

I'm having Brats again, Dawn bought an 18-pack. I ate 3 right off the bat, and then froze the rest in packs of 3, so I'll have 4 more meals after tonight. Dawn doesn't eat them, too much fat in them for the diet she's on.

 

Tostadas...diced red onions, diced lettuce (spring mix), La Costeņa Green Salsa. I prefer Green Salsa because it's tangier made with tomatillos and cilantro.

This is twice in the same week you guys (Dan + Chris) have spoken about Bratwurst. This may pique my appetite, shortly.

Speaking of s(n)ausages....I like mustard on a Brat (generally); but if I indulge in a good Kielbasa I like it with jelly/jam/preserve. Anyone else?

 

What else is weird (about me) is I prefer a bratwurst on a good roll but I prefer a good Kielbasa w/o a roll - laid out on a plate with some jelly/jam/preserve. That is NOT the only thing weird about me. JS

 

Your mix of toppings on the Tostadas sounds wonderful. I like Brats much more than Kielbasa, but I'll enjoy Kielbasa in a pinch, but never even thought of trying Kielbasa with jam/jelly though. Was that a family thing?

I like my Brats with mustard, onions, and Sour Kraut if I have any in the house. I don't have any Kraut right now though, I need to pick some up before I eat up the rest of these Brats.

 

I cook my Bratwurst by boiling in water (sometimes w/ seasonings). I think it's the best way to maintain succulence and not get dried out. Although, I'll admit, there are many times I've a had golden seared Bratwurst from a grille which is just as delicious.