tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635390139892945252013-05-23T13:02:30.761-04:00xBrigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.comBlogger1299125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-52540193723563961452013-05-22T19:38:00.001-04:002013-05-22T22:39:37.714-04:00

May 22, 2008. The first public post on Home on the Range. A simple recipe for Oatmeal Scones. Barkley was five years old,  I was forty-(mumble).  My friend Tam had recently moved to Indy, and I just got a promotion that meant my life was going to change a lot. The first two posts were on food. I had about 15 visits. The third was a simple post on the  Heller Decision and  it garnered over

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-45279076822524520662013-05-21T17:00:00.000-04:002013-05-21T17:00:00.243-04:00

Please say a prayer for the families of Oklahoma City and surrounding areas, especially the town of Moore. So many effected, so many losses. Also say a prayer for the first responders who came to aid, either by duty or by simply the courage of being there and doing something. As volunteers continue to arrive there will be need of much prayer and support.  There will be much to do.

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-79324915816808444142013-05-20T15:15:00.000-04:002013-05-20T22:32:01.527-04:00

"Nineteen-year-old Steve Maxwell just wants to get his feet on the star road to find a better homeworld. By facing down Lotus Tong thugs, he earns an opportunity to become a spacer apprentice on a merchant spaceship, leaving the corruption and crime of Earth behind. Sure, he needs to prove himself to an older, tight-knit crew, but how bad can it be if he keeps his head down and the decks clean?

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-64445968859262039332013-05-19T18:18:00.002-04:002013-05-20T14:01:23.375-04:00

The Wather PP (police pistol) was originally produced in 1929 at a factory at Zella-Melhis, which lies in what is now Eastern Germany.  Even being a bit late to the automatic pistol party, compared to such pistol manufacturers as Mauser, Luger and Colt, it was still considered a marvel in simplicity and accuracy. The PP was one of the first commercially successful double action pistols, with

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-74173677848776247742013-05-18T15:29:00.002-04:002013-05-18T15:46:55.209-04:00

The air conditioning went Tango Uniform Thursday (it seemed to know that I have four days off and it's going to be warm) With temps in the upper 80's and high humidity, it was pretty hard to keep the house cool.  Barkley, fortunately, loves all the interesting sights and smells in the basement.  The cool floor down there is just a place for him to hang out or snooze on his bed while while the

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-6685792146421981122013-05-17T17:36:00.004-04:002013-05-18T09:39:23.194-04:00

During much of  the last 15 years, I have been a  sponsor or volunteer at local shelters for the physically abused, many also homeless. People ask why I do it, as it is often depressing, and sometimes futile. The women who have been abused, present an image to the world that is often one of stone, hiding the pain, hiding the bruises, until eventually, one night, the stone is shattered by the

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-70297055799110684992013-05-16T08:47:00.000-04:002013-05-16T19:39:03.048-04:00

I like Trader Joes, and thoroughly love exploring one when I get the chance, always coming home with some tasty little surprises, shopping there always a pleasant experience with their  helpful staff and selection. That being said, when I heard they had their own brand of Whiskey/Whisky, including new single malts I had to check it out. The Two Buck Chuck was a nice surprise in the wine

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-49948664060913713832013-05-15T18:18:00.000-04:002013-05-16T18:36:08.839-04:00

Hey, what's Mom making for dinner in there? I spent a weekend recently at the crash pad cleaning out some cupboards, which unearthed several old cookbooks of Mom's that Dad found and mailed, including some from soft bound 1960's vintage cookware company cookbooks. Barkley - what do you think about Party Meatloaf? In reviewing some of the recipes I realized that it's not the lack of

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-34143039258553430022013-05-14T19:34:00.000-04:002013-05-14T22:51:28.106-04:00

We all grow up, yet, we all do not, still children inside, even if we won't admit it.  For I have, on more than one occasion, been up on a stand in a courtroom as the expert witness, or offering testimony on a case of my own, doing the double take when my name and title are called, convinced for a moment they've got the wrong person. For honestly, on such days, there in my dark blue suit and

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-73446548515974682642013-05-13T21:35:00.004-04:002013-05-14T20:56:57.980-04:00

Second Monday of the Month. Scotch Club.  Where current and retired flying squirrels gather to taste and rate (with cell phone photos). Tonight's selection is above. I'm voting for the Oban 14 as my favorite of the new ones. On arrival, slightly malty and bittersweet then gently falling into the arms of dark oak and subtle smoke. But before it gets there, it hits the palate, undiluted,

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-88813167313749368262013-05-11T14:34:00.002-04:002013-05-12T09:54:42.029-04:00

". . .paid a high price for living too long with a single dream." That was one of the few lines I remember from reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's  The Great Gatsby in my youth, the words coming to mind when I saw the trailer for the movie last night. As children we dream. Growing up where toys had actual moving parts outside of a video controller, our imaginations roared.  We were cowboys, we

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-34494579861598814152013-05-11T06:01:00.000-04:002013-05-16T15:20:11.613-04:00

Coming up this next week or weekend, a  Range review of the P1's little brother the Walther PP, The perfect little Pop Gun. Until then Pop-Buns - otherwise known as Popovers. Popovers are a favorite of mine, though I don't make them very often, their being just an occasional treat. But they are worth it.  They are tall, flaky on the outside and all soft and billowy inside, partially

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-88203838383548742372013-05-10T18:40:00.000-04:002013-05-10T23:58:54.406-04:00

Murphy's Law likes to post "Saturday Man Movie" on the weekends. So, with that in mind, before you've decided what to do on Saturday or before you've done your grocery shopping, how about an easy bachelor dinner to go with that? Perfect for family or an easy make ahead and forget it meal to cook while you're out and about with a friend. Then you can come home and pick out the best Man Movie

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-5126105167142643772013-05-09T19:38:00.002-04:002013-05-10T07:05:24.196-04:00

I've written of my issues with "fashion" before.  I will never be pictured in one of those ladies glamour magazines except those old "do and don't" columns where they'd take photos of people off the street dressed improperly with a black square over their eyes to try and hide their identity - "Here's another woman that just does NOT know Ninja purses do NOT go with camo pants after Labor Day".

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-84116331411727946392013-05-08T23:51:00.000-04:002013-05-09T18:16:21.661-04:00

“It was not well to drive men into final corners;  at those moments they could all develop teeth and claws.” ― Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-1668717348993236652013-05-07T22:13:00.002-04:002013-05-09T20:20:28.744-04:00

Midwest Chick gets a box of pointy goodness in the mail, and from it, I get a photo from her and a comment about kittens. Much online giggling (and envy) ensues. For you see, about a year or so ago, I received a box in the mail. I get my packages at a UPS store.  I travel a lot and don't want something I ordered sitting out on the porch for days, stating "I'm not home!" Only a handful of

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-63996169159171337762013-05-06T19:58:00.000-04:002013-05-06T22:21:18.366-04:00

“At least once every human should have to run for his life, to teach him that milk does not come from supermarkets, that safety does not come from policemen, that 'news' is not something that happens to other people. He might learn how his ancestors lived and that he himself is no different--in the crunch his life depends on his agility, alertness, and personal resourcefulness.” ― Robert A

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-30475865884778723712013-05-05T21:57:00.001-04:002013-05-05T22:35:42.880-04:00

Me - "Barkley,  do you think they'd have escaped faster if the Tardis had a Shop Smith?" Barkley - "zzzzzzzzz" I'm settled in, 9 days away, now back in for 12 straight. So for tonight, tucked in the crash pad, some Dr. Who, some tea and some sleep. Barkley is already asleep after playing back seat driver for four hours on the freeway, the extra long commute due to a jack-knived Dalek that

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-88299734518054914892013-05-04T20:21:00.003-04:002013-05-05T22:25:54.338-04:00

A while ago, Midwest Chick brought me a gift of some Dirty Buck Soap as well as other soaps from its creator. (note: the website is www.dirtybucksoaps.com with an "s" in soaps, a slight domain name change from what's printed on this earlier version of the soap) First, after many "sleepovers" over the years, she knows I'm a big fan of the whole long soak in a deep bathtub in the evening, plus

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-9392064989030243532013-05-03T18:06:00.000-04:002013-05-05T23:28:45.598-04:00

 The most effective way to destroy people is to deny  and obliterate their own understanding of their history. - George Orwell He notices them in the city, old vacant houses, bearing the form of the formerly beautiful.  He  notices them in the country, old empty barns, the houses of which watched over them, also long abandoned. The barns drew him the most, some mystery there in their

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-21452853358924561312013-05-02T18:36:00.001-04:002013-05-02T22:20:14.423-04:00

Wine and food tastings have been around for a long time. One thing though, wine is not my drink of choice. I really like a good beer and I'll have a sip of wine with a meal, a red, Merlot perhaps, but honestly I'd just rather just skip the flirtation and cut right to the chase. The after dinner Scotch whisky.  Wine is someone showing up with flowers at the door.  A good scotch is tumbling

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-17705194078209999842013-05-01T00:05:00.000-04:002013-05-01T09:59:16.640-04:00

For someone that grew up on the whole James Bond series, just the name Walther conjures up scenes of adventure with spies, bad guys and beautiful women  (though Bond's Pistol was  a PPK and later, a P99 being carried in the Brosnan and early Craig films). Walther, founded by Carl Walther, is one of the oldest firearms manufacturers in the world with a history of producing quality firearms

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-82138042419585681682013-04-30T12:16:00.001-04:002013-04-30T22:03:53.377-04:00

Someone is going to come in from the cold, with temperatures in the 60's one day, the 40's the next.  With variable weather and lots of outdoor chores to do around the place during vacation (don't ask when I  had a vacation involving martini's, evening wear and a cabana boy, that would be never), it makes for some cold and hungry folks, spies or otherwise. Here's something you can throw

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-72154091238506730812013-04-29T14:09:00.002-04:002013-04-29T21:55:20.438-04:00

It was that time of the evening when things grow both restless and weary.  The sun had dipped below the horizon, just enough light remaining to make out the forms of a couple of bicycles strewn across a lawn down the road, abandoned by children called in to supper. Their house is dark but for the faint glow from the front window, the activity and the movement all in the back of the house,

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-563539013989294525.post-70524327912983149232013-04-28T18:35:00.001-04:002013-04-28T21:33:44.821-04:00

Are you awake?? With the AutoCAT software, I don't need a alarm, and was up to first light, the smell of coffee wafting down the hall With a house out in the country, back far from the road and lights and a huge high top bed with old fashioned quilts in the guest room (and a sip of Jameson before bed), I slept like a rock.  Barkley had  settled down by Mr. B. and Midwest Chick's bed, where

Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.com13