tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61768971943819765342024-03-09T21:47:44.794-05:00Into the PitA place to share some outdoor cooking and other subject's. Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-75020317573619233272023-07-13T21:37:00.005-04:002023-07-13T21:44:39.549-04:00A Baseball Tournament near Frankenmuth<p> We finally got to see our son Jake play baseball last weekend. He had a trip to Costa Rica that kept him from playing in two of the other tournaments. Anyway, for his age(16u) it was only a three-team tournament. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGNhNx0Qj4Ente7YJrU9oFZHNAmXPcycy2GsbfD9TghPpwZ22UgRdNsrRECmMsi5mR5kwZs2UdjmcClIVXW7johb1Qju2eoxvpY-KQuJog-lC_xqAV2b0X3x2wb0zGCfjx_NN4_0z9t5CLII16kiBrAFPl7tlVVAafICsT0JYvN0O_vDGNZ3pG2852GE/s2554/IMG_4671.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2554" data-original-width="1846" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGNhNx0Qj4Ente7YJrU9oFZHNAmXPcycy2GsbfD9TghPpwZ22UgRdNsrRECmMsi5mR5kwZs2UdjmcClIVXW7johb1Qju2eoxvpY-KQuJog-lC_xqAV2b0X3x2wb0zGCfjx_NN4_0z9t5CLII16kiBrAFPl7tlVVAafICsT0JYvN0O_vDGNZ3pG2852GE/s320/IMG_4671.jpeg" width="231" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sat Outside where the Arches are<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDUJKhYuIez3ZDGrhbZm-T4_yVtpuxnh2YjNd7vcBGmIi1E3EmD1ZhjMHJGAj4XOFkMJeqlcLkTZWjgZ0zFoL6To1dujiR3ukn7048ufxZ73meiu1lFtOfLq1nUk3BwebseCXWYv9vU2tvkznlwLSxayMEzl8kGw-tVjGdNBkmU0K28kFciVRfeq-0sA/s3345/IMG_4675.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3345" data-original-width="2860" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDUJKhYuIez3ZDGrhbZm-T4_yVtpuxnh2YjNd7vcBGmIi1E3EmD1ZhjMHJGAj4XOFkMJeqlcLkTZWjgZ0zFoL6To1dujiR3ukn7048ufxZ73meiu1lFtOfLq1nUk3BwebseCXWYv9vU2tvkznlwLSxayMEzl8kGw-tVjGdNBkmU0K28kFciVRfeq-0sA/w263-h320/IMG_4675.jpeg" width="263" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table>We stayed with family on Thursday, played some golf Friday afternoon then headed to Frankenmuth later that day. After check-in at the Bavarian Inn, we met up with the rest of the team parents at the lounge and sat outside. We had drinks, listened to a musician sing some tunes and had a great time. <p></p><p>We did some shopping in Birch Run on Saturday. Games were cancelled due to the weather. We did not make it over to the World's Largest Christmas Store. If you get a chance stop there. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEoAzf85TWLrJVWsOhvoRySCaS9TY9z4cDsqLbU1UencdPY76_xp78yaXT0sMMCbLZ45Qi9CE6-tSb04wkUW_sJctrKtMcmrz_SvtnxA7oCRy8j00aiNvRqR4spCFXLkKAOFDHGTM7xmf3M5bjasFlp-lN9k4OHGuyhBPVS6mmdtjFEA3cPnfMwzml8w/s4032/IMG_0814.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEoAzf85TWLrJVWsOhvoRySCaS9TY9z4cDsqLbU1UencdPY76_xp78yaXT0sMMCbLZ45Qi9CE6-tSb04wkUW_sJctrKtMcmrz_SvtnxA7oCRy8j00aiNvRqR4spCFXLkKAOFDHGTM7xmf3M5bjasFlp-lN9k4OHGuyhBPVS6mmdtjFEA3cPnfMwzml8w/s320/IMG_0814.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view from our room</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ3AHpcDWRYbfJ5nzchlgwy2fk2NcC5iOTp6D97T0U7FL4MyFgct-4rIzggrPVACifXPmQqefbmtvqkwq-MBKaUgZxnyPQPegPf4C2sqtr8WW38ToZsBt2vFhXhK-Lbx-JN0Oxxb211vuAzZEJarjiTMsoggX-alLVwYZTrP1M_pikspiwDoKOrq8Qzs/s4032/IMG_4608.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ3AHpcDWRYbfJ5nzchlgwy2fk2NcC5iOTp6D97T0U7FL4MyFgct-4rIzggrPVACifXPmQqefbmtvqkwq-MBKaUgZxnyPQPegPf4C2sqtr8WW38ToZsBt2vFhXhK-Lbx-JN0Oxxb211vuAzZEJarjiTMsoggX-alLVwYZTrP1M_pikspiwDoKOrq8Qzs/s320/IMG_4608.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our room<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZWbLad_CYSg5QShvK3qoXux2wo01knk8PTYJzjICsCK7Q5K-4WyhjNy2hMt7aK2kC-YfJxK6TzxFaQHvSfJvblKi5NROraCGz0pkD9ota9-mK6yYhEFrz-P721Ok3whX3gIPWcsnCCxNB-sHbZyZfUgA_TgE6mAUMB0M9r7ZAqHXPzssDWtFgO3wAbE/s3181/IMG_4673.jpeg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3181" data-original-width="3021" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZWbLad_CYSg5QShvK3qoXux2wo01knk8PTYJzjICsCK7Q5K-4WyhjNy2hMt7aK2kC-YfJxK6TzxFaQHvSfJvblKi5NROraCGz0pkD9ota9-mK6yYhEFrz-P721Ok3whX3gIPWcsnCCxNB-sHbZyZfUgA_TgE6mAUMB0M9r7ZAqHXPzssDWtFgO3wAbE/w266-h320/IMG_4673.jpeg" width="266" /></a> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span></p><p><span><span>Back to baseball. The West Michigan Misfits lost the first game 1-3.</span><span> Jake did not play that game. They came back the next game and won 8-0. Jake was 1-2 with and RBI and a walk. His hit was a nice single. </span> </span><span> </span></p><p><span>In the championship game he was 0-2 but knocked in the only run we scored. We lost 1-11 and finished runner up.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="2048" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq0irIDlxWYDuQ-NWAfOS2BY_ve9SSrs0n_lQQSIeEb4xt087RYcU7pN1WO-idhKS9AKvIsszDGSEUNQ65hPuQthV4PJdtROxRGmpoaZHvaj7oKxAiiCfauMVqxfTX2-bzM9jVFPPQK7YkoLQjQVGYFfSlEtYA3Wp7puSGDAZeV321RhG_pLzhu8mNIE/s320/IMG_0842.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">putting the bat on the ball</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq0irIDlxWYDuQ-NWAfOS2BY_ve9SSrs0n_lQQSIeEb4xt087RYcU7pN1WO-idhKS9AKvIsszDGSEUNQ65hPuQthV4PJdtROxRGmpoaZHvaj7oKxAiiCfauMVqxfTX2-bzM9jVFPPQK7YkoLQjQVGYFfSlEtYA3Wp7puSGDAZeV321RhG_pLzhu8mNIE/s2048/IMG_0842.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuYA2hrpkNrOgSE1RsZ_DL7Dk3bPGM4sHYezaQW0CUVJZtfDgUw3mCKRXP5zytTTMxA6Qx_RScRNVbh5Bz0oRhWmrYg3WSU49Nva1ppgb5xxo8RbAy5YnmIaUfN-KvneVgLnAe38_W9yz0DAwWzOsk5LnY_0vcdzEXgQWRbcV_8dNglLVg3CiIjYaBpY/s2048/IMG_0844.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuYA2hrpkNrOgSE1RsZ_DL7Dk3bPGM4sHYezaQW0CUVJZtfDgUw3mCKRXP5zytTTMxA6Qx_RScRNVbh5Bz0oRhWmrYg3WSU49Nva1ppgb5xxo8RbAy5YnmIaUfN-KvneVgLnAe38_W9yz0DAwWzOsk5LnY_0vcdzEXgQWRbcV_8dNglLVg3CiIjYaBpY/s320/IMG_0844.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">truckin'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFu5KMkOzQESPWwI_3GvnB7yMsmK6osKYIVoRmOCUfKQmnS6FA7nOeGA8qUsepEwheAFqUyIMalRyS-PGmV_5V_eMdzT6tuPJTgZGcmCorkghFOszYaPSISsSe8mkoVGgGyHTUiq4frs9a_YUpWErBM7PbgXk6RvTc47KxFHzNWOEkISldej6hXu1oU4Y/s2048/IMG_0843.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFu5KMkOzQESPWwI_3GvnB7yMsmK6osKYIVoRmOCUfKQmnS6FA7nOeGA8qUsepEwheAFqUyIMalRyS-PGmV_5V_eMdzT6tuPJTgZGcmCorkghFOszYaPSISsSe8mkoVGgGyHTUiq4frs9a_YUpWErBM7PbgXk6RvTc47KxFHzNWOEkISldej6hXu1oU4Y/s320/IMG_0843.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some defense<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>All three game were played on Sunday afternoon/evening. It was over a 2 drive home for all of us but it was well worth it. What a great weekend!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-51117558879775830772023-07-03T09:48:00.005-04:002023-07-03T09:55:50.650-04:00Brisket, Wings and a Celebration<p><br /> Every year for the 4th of July weekend we go up to Higgins Lake. The kids meet us up there and we stay at my in-law's place. We also celebrate Amanda's birthday. This year Amanda asked if we could have wings with our brisket, so of course, I had to deliver. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB8Wp-UbdWwZaH89C8VOinPhEegipgkwmeAhsD6a3h5Z5LUKELHXABpqo4GaX9gSm45FbwzHPqrnIwYORtLe6frMZhndfV194PDwAQOruHNju_IN41azBK9ZqCpsjI8-ppmCVMORRn0TFInJgjs7A6920xLPxuyNs-4b1_ATKV2aq3NfMyDYrkFR9Z9o/s2208/IMG_0796.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="1240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB8Wp-UbdWwZaH89C8VOinPhEegipgkwmeAhsD6a3h5Z5LUKELHXABpqo4GaX9gSm45FbwzHPqrnIwYORtLe6frMZhndfV194PDwAQOruHNju_IN41azBK9ZqCpsjI8-ppmCVMORRn0TFInJgjs7A6920xLPxuyNs-4b1_ATKV2aq3NfMyDYrkFR9Z9o/s320/IMG_0796.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Higgins Lake at Sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEbmRg00qzlimTphf10aRCjsa_ue94UDQbAZzpukk8rRlZGSluIviM_FEuGgvYWkxhaJNJZRNKqtGh53SNadeXq8svpPFr7Y_Xhe-LQtebDYk5qEsxAidEgQq2QvSB_2LQMP3SVvkIFScloDHUuStiDmYBWW7fw7lQfwsW4Sw0N7d1tteafQLUzm9-yY/s2208/IMG_0797.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="1240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEbmRg00qzlimTphf10aRCjsa_ue94UDQbAZzpukk8rRlZGSluIviM_FEuGgvYWkxhaJNJZRNKqtGh53SNadeXq8svpPFr7Y_Xhe-LQtebDYk5qEsxAidEgQq2QvSB_2LQMP3SVvkIFScloDHUuStiDmYBWW7fw7lQfwsW4Sw0N7d1tteafQLUzm9-yY/s320/IMG_0797.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pit Boss is Fired Up</td></tr></tbody></table> The sunrising over the lake was to beautiful to pass on. I had to get a picture. Higgins is such a big, beautiful and clean lake. Its hard not to go every weekend but Jake is still playing ball and summer tournaments take a lot of those weekends. <div><br /><div> I prepped the brisket the night before, trimming the excess fat and adding the rub.<br /><p></p><p>Anyway, I fire up the Pit Boss. In the picture, it is going through the start-up.</p><p>After start-up, I leave it on the smoke setting and put the brisket on. I used hickory pellets.</p><p>I use my <a href="https://amzn.to/3NXoNnB">MEATER probe</a> for this cook. In case your not familiar with MEATER, its a Bluetooth thermometer you put in the meat. It gives you constant feedback. There is not a lot of range, so you need to keep the phone close, or you lose the signal. When you open the app and set up the cook it will look something like this:</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpMIKPWiEzrNmclaILCw4jo6nt_X5KQDd7ffHbBwI5lWzMZZ4ZVDOH3YR6Ho0DK3MM5cz7b6kbHB1vcht7cnAjOVroQ5Uh51MGvGzUJZ8w1dE9Fw03rXjdiV20aX7I03iGzO6fuAiZlDL-Jrh9cFYsAtVvZRfElboXqbRe3ASean_UK-qYYN2tLfECMc/s1455/IMG_0808.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1455" data-original-width="1284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpMIKPWiEzrNmclaILCw4jo6nt_X5KQDd7ffHbBwI5lWzMZZ4ZVDOH3YR6Ho0DK3MM5cz7b6kbHB1vcht7cnAjOVroQ5Uh51MGvGzUJZ8w1dE9Fw03rXjdiV20aX7I03iGzO6fuAiZlDL-Jrh9cFYsAtVvZRfElboXqbRe3ASean_UK-qYYN2tLfECMc/s320/IMG_0808.JPG" width="282" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracking the Cook</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The green line is the ambient temperature in the smoker. The purple line in the internal temperature of the meat. This information is critical, for this cook we are looking to pull the meat and wrap in butcher paper at 175 or at stall. I should add that we spritzed the butcher paper with a apple cider vinegar and water mix. Then, my wife, swaddled the brisket like a baby and we out it back in the smoker. Turn the temp to about 250 and let it finish. When it got to 197, I pulled it, wrapped in a towel and stuck in a dry and empty cooler to rest. Total cook time for this one was just over 5 hours. I cooked it as low as I could until 175. </p><p>About an hour later the wings go on the smoker. I prepped those the morning of. I used <a href="https://amzn.to/3r4RGVQ">Meat Church Voodoo</a> on half and <a href="https://amzn.to/43czJSJ">Meat Church The Gospel</a> on the other. I didn't do any saucing this time. We had sauces out, then everyone could do their own thing. </p><p>Here we go.... THE BIG REVEAL </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMYqgSePI6SapXk3y_8QCIdZA7W8cj6gZXgTRstIRbASzMJtbQtMhVT1p75QsPb9AKVpSs1eaYCEBziELETZIlB5S0VULPsRYzwpWjP511NZOeu2Phe9FSkmv7fB9V2U5L6-jlvqLkbE1OPWdb58XtPJ6zyoPN10dYE-CDBV2Q8ALreQPdtWy4dn6iEA/s2208/IMG_0799.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="1240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMYqgSePI6SapXk3y_8QCIdZA7W8cj6gZXgTRstIRbASzMJtbQtMhVT1p75QsPb9AKVpSs1eaYCEBziELETZIlB5S0VULPsRYzwpWjP511NZOeu2Phe9FSkmv7fB9V2U5L6-jlvqLkbE1OPWdb58XtPJ6zyoPN10dYE-CDBV2Q8ALreQPdtWy4dn6iEA/s320/IMG_0799.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brisket is Done</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZNJrnS1-eIqs74s-9tGoggKEk0aSuptUcOd9aSdeyskM9x8TgHoYJKejgcYkUM3WK3J9TAOR_dlnXw8W2w_KsYEM73B_CakHFEMslWMGBYl5CsoqvlMuTbO4M57e7zo1GJ8TApy_raOjPwyyNaDiyz8ulys1NBdeWjxg9dpnJeGmvbNmXHCvenscu4M/s871/Brisket%20and%20Wings.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="871" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZNJrnS1-eIqs74s-9tGoggKEk0aSuptUcOd9aSdeyskM9x8TgHoYJKejgcYkUM3WK3J9TAOR_dlnXw8W2w_KsYEM73B_CakHFEMslWMGBYl5CsoqvlMuTbO4M57e7zo1GJ8TApy_raOjPwyyNaDiyz8ulys1NBdeWjxg9dpnJeGmvbNmXHCvenscu4M/w200-h198/Brisket%20and%20Wings.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner is Ready</td></tr></tbody></table></div> I finally got the bark I wanted. The thicker end defiantly juicer. As I've learned the thinner part will dry out quicker. Still great flavor.</div><div><br /></div><div> The wings came out great.</div><div><br /></div><div> The biggest reward of this kind of cook is in the picture below. Everyone at the table talking about the meal and just enjoying each other. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJXZtjqw8Vp72Up4kSyoGQzHbw8xZUnv1p83QqYo9qURMimA3o1xoRnfI7yd_p8Fw0SkXK1llIMldqlobJs7REyfN1ENpB_bcdbUKhWFvFSipMgFvEWcEVGyJbunkod6zGnLs0-vn5bzCGayBnCHOZJsy9gZ00DahgjdRZAZUIh2T28ukvUtGPMca9Yc/s2208/IMG_0800.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="1240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJXZtjqw8Vp72Up4kSyoGQzHbw8xZUnv1p83QqYo9qURMimA3o1xoRnfI7yd_p8Fw0SkXK1llIMldqlobJs7REyfN1ENpB_bcdbUKhWFvFSipMgFvEWcEVGyJbunkod6zGnLs0-vn5bzCGayBnCHOZJsy9gZ00DahgjdRZAZUIh2T28ukvUtGPMca9Yc/s320/IMG_0800.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love seeing the Kids at the Table</td></tr></tbody></table>I need to add that my wife and mother -in-law had some great side dishes. </div><div><br /></div><div>After dinner, we had Amanda open gifts and had cake. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, a great day, with great food and a lot of togetherness. </div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-68916097988510939672023-06-28T15:51:00.000-04:002023-06-28T15:51:28.524-04:00The Smoke Hits West Michigan<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPe-xRQNOWOf9OE1FVPFu_xO0ducg_JlY8EuR-8YrX_MBkMRfmorNaZeSVKoEHGtPgzGzG-oOIHsLgb8gxrCQDHzwBFe7TclbhVfL2cyyLJ4Ek4XS_8UjswaRwGeWNjVJjuP60VW6gKTqamI1O5Ig9KrkgYnIxDs-BV79re4Dh7mtEntrmtBint1Zhno/s1320/72132a4e-6c23-40a9-b637-dd27fabf78e0-Wildfires_map_062823.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1320" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPe-xRQNOWOf9OE1FVPFu_xO0ducg_JlY8EuR-8YrX_MBkMRfmorNaZeSVKoEHGtPgzGzG-oOIHsLgb8gxrCQDHzwBFe7TclbhVfL2cyyLJ4Ek4XS_8UjswaRwGeWNjVJjuP60VW6gKTqamI1O5Ig9KrkgYnIxDs-BV79re4Dh7mtEntrmtBint1Zhno/w400-h258/72132a4e-6c23-40a9-b637-dd27fabf78e0-Wildfires_map_062823.webp" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>From the map above you can see all of the wildfires happening across Canada and some in the U.S. For us in West Michigan the air quality is becoming quite terrible. According to AccuWeather.com we at an unhealthy level. You can click the link to see the air quality report. <a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/grand-rapids/49503/air-quality-index/329374">Grand Rapids, MI Air Quality Index | AccuWeather</a>.<p></p><p>It's nowhere near where New York was a few weeks ago when the skyline was orange. <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/how-canadian-wildfire-smoke-is-worsening-the-air-quality-of-new-york-other-parts-of-the-us/ar-AA1darA6">How Canadian wildfire smoke is worsening the air quality of New York & other parts of the US (msn.com)</a>. It is getting bad though. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo9qQp0JJEjPSl2RNXYktfd1rogDnevy2NMuKASRrpZRLpeIt8DZwgw1A9SZGHf9pNb_Ttz5t_j-rLKfRmTlh6Y29NXHiGUdx81Or2OpqaXxsZK9mFTgG-lH67gHIXep3BkuxPIAg-ARxAUhYtqU4SyZ3sot7fWoApF-vEVzrSxEdJD6-uKjYE7PN3tc/s1252/IMG_0788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo9qQp0JJEjPSl2RNXYktfd1rogDnevy2NMuKASRrpZRLpeIt8DZwgw1A9SZGHf9pNb_Ttz5t_j-rLKfRmTlh6Y29NXHiGUdx81Or2OpqaXxsZK9mFTgG-lH67gHIXep3BkuxPIAg-ARxAUhYtqU4SyZ3sot7fWoApF-vEVzrSxEdJD6-uKjYE7PN3tc/s320/IMG_0788.JPG" width="307" /></a></div><p></p>These pics were taken on the way home today. In both pics, if you look at the tree lines, you can see the haze. You can pick up the smell also. <div> In the building at work, you can see the air just hanging near the ceiling. It is just crazy what is going and the effect of the wildfires. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KTt37gOKbuBfv-MUBpyyhglg9N3-RGP-KDCTXX4ZuAnD5T8qOGqOFP8CTYvzmlKrDghvQzELNSrjF7LTOZAsoQ0PTh6Um0lML9zmRGHhImU_Ih3tuheeMEX6KKnL6myy5Z1CoOrpd66y28tw1anIOJvinIFJdenKGV2WtJkMy6GNqndLAkBR3vJB6UQ/s1463/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KTt37gOKbuBfv-MUBpyyhglg9N3-RGP-KDCTXX4ZuAnD5T8qOGqOFP8CTYvzmlKrDghvQzELNSrjF7LTOZAsoQ0PTh6Um0lML9zmRGHhImU_Ih3tuheeMEX6KKnL6myy5Z1CoOrpd66y28tw1anIOJvinIFJdenKGV2WtJkMy6GNqndLAkBR3vJB6UQ/s320/IMG_0791.JPG" width="272" /></a>Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is advising that people with heart or lung, older people and young kids:</div><div>Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.</div><div>Outdoor activities short</div><div>Move physical activity indoors or reschedule.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone else:</div><div>Walk instead of run.</div><div>Keep outdoor activities short.</div><div>and I love this one.....be active outdoors when the air quality is better. </div><div> Oh and I read that if you are going outside, they recommend N95 masks. I won't get on my soap box about the government treating us like idiots or rant about masks. Just make sure you are careful outside and listen to your body. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-19214529332063807242023-06-26T15:35:00.001-04:002023-06-26T15:35:13.773-04:00Chicken Quesadilla <p> A couple nights ago, we decided to do some chicken quesadillas. These were pretty quick and easy with very little prep time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3Bvjm75znqGYDVo6qRuTaTAYlGmpBWmdC4bxh3F08oVSY40sbTBMXDXR6VXNz9aonmRMFsMojCBIoXuKI1B0KSMcMbNejSbyj9-HkiLKKkJIQgUsD79DtFrK3byhM3pPLEWBi-irHPBN385BovsRVdPpymvcmF46XwKd_2PDzwetnxf4_gF491sQZrI/s3059/IMG_0779.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3059" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3Bvjm75znqGYDVo6qRuTaTAYlGmpBWmdC4bxh3F08oVSY40sbTBMXDXR6VXNz9aonmRMFsMojCBIoXuKI1B0KSMcMbNejSbyj9-HkiLKKkJIQgUsD79DtFrK3byhM3pPLEWBi-irHPBN385BovsRVdPpymvcmF46XwKd_2PDzwetnxf4_gF491sQZrI/s320/IMG_0779.HEIC" width="316" /></a></div>Let's see how we got there. 😊😊😊.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-L9ri-YA8EdUlQyRh7F2NQjqQYkCeY6iVnSXWrtO6MPjk_lPvv0iZCvpvXjZUIiBaWjL9rH9GpcIedgZ8uMlIJZG7DXTC8Z4qMbuc924DU45h59YyQJ8X1UJK3x6OQBRc60bIDv2Ta4P9GIMktLqi72uLgO89AZjBL_Gen-8UE2pwpkwqZkhtrVhBKrs/s4032/IMG_0774.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-L9ri-YA8EdUlQyRh7F2NQjqQYkCeY6iVnSXWrtO6MPjk_lPvv0iZCvpvXjZUIiBaWjL9rH9GpcIedgZ8uMlIJZG7DXTC8Z4qMbuc924DU45h59YyQJ8X1UJK3x6OQBRc60bIDv2Ta4P9GIMktLqi72uLgO89AZjBL_Gen-8UE2pwpkwqZkhtrVhBKrs/s320/IMG_0774.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I season the chicken with Meat Church's The Gospel. This is a great all-purpose rub. It has more of a sweeter taste to it. Not spicy at all. I hit the peppers and onion with some Kosmos SPG. (Salt, pepper and garlic). I put it on just about everything.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhvS-sGSPh1Epn0JU5yLfQs2Ttd1wfMsN50siNaR7E9SECTLCyD8maSkShBH_uZRxFT5oG284OEd6DsFQYOKV_K0y7aKHQODGfUvAa-yAVDIe4a3ZSAToew2acz1Ndyh_vw3ctm4A1lwuI5GWk-9dnQHbyzLYsJgYWQocTbGdKAjMfaisFBH3ZOV_M5A/s4032/IMG_0775.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhvS-sGSPh1Epn0JU5yLfQs2Ttd1wfMsN50siNaR7E9SECTLCyD8maSkShBH_uZRxFT5oG284OEd6DsFQYOKV_K0y7aKHQODGfUvAa-yAVDIe4a3ZSAToew2acz1Ndyh_vw3ctm4A1lwuI5GWk-9dnQHbyzLYsJgYWQocTbGdKAjMfaisFBH3ZOV_M5A/s320/IMG_0775.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>I already have the Weber Grill and Blackstone Griddle heating up. Once they are good, I go out to the pit and get to cookin'. I liked cooking these pieces of chicken because they are more uniform in the thickness. I have them on a lower heat, so I don't overcook them. I pulled them off a 165.</p><p>The peppers and onions go until they are soft and a bit brown. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HjnjRpAaR9lETEjhPj9Y3SHIPa_m9vaeqvuPrfteSUqa9TEuRQ-iSEaiSysw0l1snJOfPq7ochurccc9nY2zEsasWsryg24iBF01m2jkfgG5no_Hg3nZokiInYc7hLOYAM0hdOmSK8KqUKnJNGOd2PDmMw4NS8wprjnvHSZtpW4Y_cAW7h1Pziu-8tU/s4032/IMG_0776.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HjnjRpAaR9lETEjhPj9Y3SHIPa_m9vaeqvuPrfteSUqa9TEuRQ-iSEaiSysw0l1snJOfPq7ochurccc9nY2zEsasWsryg24iBF01m2jkfgG5no_Hg3nZokiInYc7hLOYAM0hdOmSK8KqUKnJNGOd2PDmMw4NS8wprjnvHSZtpW4Y_cAW7h1Pziu-8tU/s320/IMG_0776.HEIC" width="240" /></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabmg1m4JX1nDDhemfkxBwCxFtJL7cITAeJqau_KO95j5BVLwSa5bb_6FNY3FQjLLh1U_6qMIgx5QjszJYwEfZ9MFiTOjTDlxO8EVjqXaeZpVfUQqOCa8KTtgWIuFdzngHcCBnzmUQEiESDYrQX4KSowQMH5vqmTGOmOuJ8tOrcju7XGoYCWzcebDMwOc/s4032/IMG_0777.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabmg1m4JX1nDDhemfkxBwCxFtJL7cITAeJqau_KO95j5BVLwSa5bb_6FNY3FQjLLh1U_6qMIgx5QjszJYwEfZ9MFiTOjTDlxO8EVjqXaeZpVfUQqOCa8KTtgWIuFdzngHcCBnzmUQEiESDYrQX4KSowQMH5vqmTGOmOuJ8tOrcju7XGoYCWzcebDMwOc/s320/IMG_0777.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that nice color on the chicken.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>When the chicken and vegetables are done, I bring them in the house and hand them off to Melissa. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJiRf5-aYGrxcQva85RwpjnrAg1lkZjIZazFBAGaL44zmjYrBjrOJNOLqtLbkIMm-9eIecfJgSEj6lGNTcfj_-DbgOb_rbGBLWR-lElI4G0nyn4oE255_-R3q684YFx0yhkoO_CCsksOltpGM60q6Ii8Dr3p1smloPX9HXtMkQpLD-S2tnxJtEJFV3Jg/s4032/IMG_0778.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJiRf5-aYGrxcQva85RwpjnrAg1lkZjIZazFBAGaL44zmjYrBjrOJNOLqtLbkIMm-9eIecfJgSEj6lGNTcfj_-DbgOb_rbGBLWR-lElI4G0nyn4oE255_-R3q684YFx0yhkoO_CCsksOltpGM60q6Ii8Dr3p1smloPX9HXtMkQpLD-S2tnxJtEJFV3Jg/w240-h297/IMG_0778.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Melissa heats up the tortilla, loads it up with chicken, vegetables and cheese. KA-POW!!!! Some dang good quesadilla.<br /><br /><p><br /></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-14855788715954340862023-06-24T08:05:00.000-04:002023-06-24T08:05:16.954-04:00A Return to Work and a New PerspectiveAfter my follow up on Monday, my doctor released me from any restrictions. He supported my request to ramp in the work hours for the next couple of weeks. So I returned to work on Wednesday. I worked Wednesday-Friday 4 hours each day. With some of the aliments still lingering, I wanted to see how I would hold up. The answer? I held up ok. Some pain in areas but not too bad overall. Next week I go to 6 hour days so we will see how that goes. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjVv1DhlKNIQyqjConjM5Ki-7BbZ17dLeW_HNwKMpZ_BNIV8GhKUJcJ8DyUI1Bvf5NUGox5MjDMwCoRn6AF8HDvfDTP-9b_U6kpRLgJGTl3v_NDIJz_VkWvRPEQXENjMGpiJUGJWI9b6RTC9GM_u-wQWSmJ2rguw-dO8HeCLe3SpnqN74o91wtJXKZKU/w400-h300/2019-07-02-work-cartoon.webp" width="400" /></div> I had plenty of people welcome me back and mentioned that I looked so much better. Of course, that always makes a person feel good. <div> Now I start in a new area. I have a person that does the mold setting and other things, so that will let me focus on my actual supervisor responsibilities. This leads to a new perspective. Things like, how can I make this area better? What does the team want to accomplish? How do we stand out as one of the top bays in the building? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeIZ-nHxOC-EyyG9ozf5o9xaLb9eZU27V8UN1EN9HrhMFLI81_MRZkLYrYfU1nTus2ReV2ZDnPETo_zeCgSy3CpBlu18kfutN_H0rn-BSh1QUdVAKhlNilgBhChnvPd4KNNg1abnEEBDnsNGXZjPWirIUskX9f9iPcg6TfqE9H9NRbAHKmhdoTnuI92w/s840/138-1387449_thinking-person-person-thinking-icon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="840" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeIZ-nHxOC-EyyG9ozf5o9xaLb9eZU27V8UN1EN9HrhMFLI81_MRZkLYrYfU1nTus2ReV2ZDnPETo_zeCgSy3CpBlu18kfutN_H0rn-BSh1QUdVAKhlNilgBhChnvPd4KNNg1abnEEBDnsNGXZjPWirIUskX9f9iPcg6TfqE9H9NRbAHKmhdoTnuI92w/s320/138-1387449_thinking-person-person-thinking-icon.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div> This gives me a chance to utilize my years of experience and make a difference. It has to be done in the right way. </div><div> There is a lot of mistrust with management right now and seems like morale is low on the production floor. To lift morale in my bay, I need to earn the trust from my team. They need to see that I will go to bat for them whenever possible, stand my ground with management and hold them accountable when needed. Management needs to walk the walk.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvGQHvSYid4m48WwJDegaomsDUyPg9oG_V7VgucqipmHwT3OBBN-A_l11VSWF-VOfO9B7C9uNeVgmjL6sIqFLlUSpRhVBytIvNiWZz4lkNvwhOzo632NA7UQYO84RFRb6GXD9Kt2UCNbRyWkHeYp7eD7jwMWfpSmjYcFTCoaZNuAoMd2j2fo8yEsd4qA/s474/OIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="474" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvGQHvSYid4m48WwJDegaomsDUyPg9oG_V7VgucqipmHwT3OBBN-A_l11VSWF-VOfO9B7C9uNeVgmjL6sIqFLlUSpRhVBytIvNiWZz4lkNvwhOzo632NA7UQYO84RFRb6GXD9Kt2UCNbRyWkHeYp7eD7jwMWfpSmjYcFTCoaZNuAoMd2j2fo8yEsd4qA/s320/OIP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div> I may lose some battles, but I will make a lot of noise doing so. At least, in my own sensible way. </div><div><br /></div><div> From what I can see, getting management to walk the walk will take time. What I can have a direct impact on is how I go about my business. Organized, clean and attention to detail. It starts just by picking up, wiping machines down, sweeping the floor, responded to quality issues in the appropriate manner, etc. </div><div> That is all I have on this right now. I could go on and on, but it would be redundant and boring. I'll update as I get more settled in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda6H4mASYe2os5bJ3qSF996WTEm45XNGg5FMinv1Lmz-MvLw7L4y8F2H5QoBirRwzGPBMHvtgUme6GJj6GBPipTg37BWr58fc06r8i3o0_vRsNZSndykbmPl5giUFCBEIXoUMyG4RJsPi2NqWyDN4jbaiNNHM1EhkZIuybOIJeyNAC7AmgrSrKM6G5s4/s1920/broom-clipart-sweeping-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda6H4mASYe2os5bJ3qSF996WTEm45XNGg5FMinv1Lmz-MvLw7L4y8F2H5QoBirRwzGPBMHvtgUme6GJj6GBPipTg37BWr58fc06r8i3o0_vRsNZSndykbmPl5giUFCBEIXoUMyG4RJsPi2NqWyDN4jbaiNNHM1EhkZIuybOIJeyNAC7AmgrSrKM6G5s4/s320/broom-clipart-sweeping-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-50844443185454185882023-06-22T20:52:00.002-04:002023-06-22T21:01:18.443-04:00Country Road.....<p> Tonight, is an overcast night with a temperature of 76 degrees Fahrenheit. My wife and I decided to take the dogs for a walk. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IoCbF9gkVQo6lyE6Cqs41bF7krngb5cVbR4j4GR13dms1h-li1tp67oWMtEo-WuWvm4vzVzHoqoShi0jgBPEZs29wT3wY1MbfLgpmqqS4upvGd9K9VAZRO8w1Gqk-xZSl7lABspRwToHT63hT7lwrDkkyWlfn2-8goEOzVkyqOnyBp47as5kWu-n7Lk/s3718/Tucker%20and%20Timber.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2214" data-original-width="3718" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IoCbF9gkVQo6lyE6Cqs41bF7krngb5cVbR4j4GR13dms1h-li1tp67oWMtEo-WuWvm4vzVzHoqoShi0jgBPEZs29wT3wY1MbfLgpmqqS4upvGd9K9VAZRO8w1Gqk-xZSl7lABspRwToHT63hT7lwrDkkyWlfn2-8goEOzVkyqOnyBp47as5kWu-n7Lk/w200-h119/Tucker%20and%20Timber.HEIC" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker and Timber</td></tr></tbody></table></p>Don't let this picture fool you, both dogs love their walk. The route we go is pretty quiet after 6:30pm. Tucker will get pretty ramped up when vehicle's drive past, so we have to make him sit. Timber is pretty calm all of the time so walking him is a breeze.<div> There is a large field just down the street from us. We pass this barn on our walks. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD42kKQNOOgVayQ06EQW8KVkT3gViGP4PBxQOEOliLdQv4OPWE-O2on_WUDriqC8jyp6ke7lwFuPRqyTqHkL5ptt6f5H_8EwK8NCp0MBNzlLnLFjgpo0_nTurzGN6LfLWRwZQ7-ovNKArRczm1jRXpMoz-U16Rp_CURXkY90EL4wzNRZYnT6dV3JG0bao/s3000/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD42kKQNOOgVayQ06EQW8KVkT3gViGP4PBxQOEOliLdQv4OPWE-O2on_WUDriqC8jyp6ke7lwFuPRqyTqHkL5ptt6f5H_8EwK8NCp0MBNzlLnLFjgpo0_nTurzGN6LfLWRwZQ7-ovNKArRczm1jRXpMoz-U16Rp_CURXkY90EL4wzNRZYnT6dV3JG0bao/w200-h150/IMG_1012.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Barn down the Street</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>We have some our best conversations and our most quiet moments on these walks. It gives us time to step away from the day, no matter what it threw at us, and lets us decompress. </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQURsFmnmowWqdgcIy5STlu0TlXdwRhka-LXrp0K5oYHeaDyxJXuLGqMhIpIEeEZYfynj1yiyrXjmzLBjjcvR_ki-vTm2aiY8aweO0qEL9EgoNMyL4jyzAsflq9Duf08IN7bsAF_r0OwwsqNFySmmxNAoujquj_pTLZq2_7F72NL9jfZHtu6Kz3Rqp_8/s4032/IMG_0780.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQURsFmnmowWqdgcIy5STlu0TlXdwRhka-LXrp0K5oYHeaDyxJXuLGqMhIpIEeEZYfynj1yiyrXjmzLBjjcvR_ki-vTm2aiY8aweO0qEL9EgoNMyL4jyzAsflq9Duf08IN7bsAF_r0OwwsqNFySmmxNAoujquj_pTLZq2_7F72NL9jfZHtu6Kz3Rqp_8/w150-h200/IMG_0780.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Road one Block Over</td></tr></tbody></table>Sometimes we will see deer or turkey's hanging out in the field. Heck, sometimes they come through our back yard but that's another story.</div><div>But the walk, it will end up 1.5 miles. So, get out there and walk. Its easy, helps with stress and clears the mind. I also hear it can help with creativity. Which is why I need to take more walks. 😁<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw_9V4DEayYBAXmLu-U2YJUBehyeXtKXF6LxRNLmI_MwAsxfEkvqocNoCoKqMHhGIi07CmVyrjlAvY4TYM0_Sj-M3CNDMrN0vG5uFQHyYcEfN51_RNWeeza4VLVFQv1zIDn5HeIlW8ltFqp2-eKg0XSR_VBaU2EhBCah6AriQvCj1XWzYlxmjgfAg41c/s1000/Turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw_9V4DEayYBAXmLu-U2YJUBehyeXtKXF6LxRNLmI_MwAsxfEkvqocNoCoKqMHhGIi07CmVyrjlAvY4TYM0_Sj-M3CNDMrN0vG5uFQHyYcEfN51_RNWeeza4VLVFQv1zIDn5HeIlW8ltFqp2-eKg0XSR_VBaU2EhBCah6AriQvCj1XWzYlxmjgfAg41c/w200-h142/Turkey.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpxASE_zFzrHwTibq5GEookccEtdzzfAmCqwY4P-lvX0fQCga213QdKM6Jj_ZntGlymHmOZhALcEggJ_qrM4i0Ccfo4dlAY1VEGH4J2bRwql3uPmZKG0hvn6gzePjdrMUJq8qCG1a7jwUpLrWu8mL_-j7jaYK6sMxmA_lwTyzBq0Sc_3FRJO96yi72cs/s1920/Doe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1740" data-original-width="1920" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpxASE_zFzrHwTibq5GEookccEtdzzfAmCqwY4P-lvX0fQCga213QdKM6Jj_ZntGlymHmOZhALcEggJ_qrM4i0Ccfo4dlAY1VEGH4J2bRwql3uPmZKG0hvn6gzePjdrMUJq8qCG1a7jwUpLrWu8mL_-j7jaYK6sMxmA_lwTyzBq0Sc_3FRJO96yi72cs/w200-h181/Doe.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-45138096280798695042023-06-20T10:23:00.010-04:002023-06-26T15:43:15.176-04:00A Father's Day Dinner Worthy of High Regard<p><br /> We decided to have T-bone steaks with potatoes, onion, rolls and a ice cold Coor's Light. Sunday morning, I got up at 6 am. Got the coffee going and took out the thawed steaks. I put the steaks in a large Ziploc bag and added Dale's Steak Seasoning (liquid form). Pulled them out of the bag at 4:30pm and added a bunch of salt. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>Threw them on the Weber Grill. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-XLGsOocLopOXSvLCGep7plgMBk-DQwAyhRgEjCbq_LQ4IGXX9bL-tJfF6EZRprC6Ua_BzdTppS1nJnXkutYVFGiyJEIIckAQZBXARhuj3OfgZdKKvMP_M0CIGziJKP0O4E4koXeFYaCHv-fNdggwsCJxS-F97mrlZovvweEv2N3WNjnWWbjGV24-qI/s4032/IMG_0766.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-XLGsOocLopOXSvLCGep7plgMBk-DQwAyhRgEjCbq_LQ4IGXX9bL-tJfF6EZRprC6Ua_BzdTppS1nJnXkutYVFGiyJEIIckAQZBXARhuj3OfgZdKKvMP_M0CIGziJKP0O4E4koXeFYaCHv-fNdggwsCJxS-F97mrlZovvweEv2N3WNjnWWbjGV24-qI/w240-h320/IMG_0766.HEIC" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" title="Weber GS4" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steaks</td></tr></tbody></table>At the same time, I heat up the Blackstone Grill, put down some oil and get the onion and potato going. I could've started the potato sooner because they did take longer cook. But hey, The steaks needed to rest anyway so all good. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu-Nj1coMIZ9NEBFQKwAbV3fR3akFOhCPffdOGYZOk2Lo1oTE_7ChPN1rA36j7oqpHKCfaP--hEMLpUzWYEAwXCUFDL8fRmA4EA1DlRXY-atJRx4BRZe3I9tZnPm5DomErjPuajxIAFADPa8uZ-j4Kc-tpYLC8eTRsLRzLApw7TeTth8fn4A9-OfPAFg/s4032/IMG_0765.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu-Nj1coMIZ9NEBFQKwAbV3fR3akFOhCPffdOGYZOk2Lo1oTE_7ChPN1rA36j7oqpHKCfaP--hEMLpUzWYEAwXCUFDL8fRmA4EA1DlRXY-atJRx4BRZe3I9tZnPm5DomErjPuajxIAFADPa8uZ-j4Kc-tpYLC8eTRsLRzLApw7TeTth8fn4A9-OfPAFg/w240-h320/IMG_0765.HEIC" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Potatoes</td></tr></tbody></table> Cooked the steaks to about 160. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvfSwxRz_C983Swa7WNAcCcEKWAm2NNyKQq1mX_M19vC4LC1054CVzDSbm6vyTguIemDJ6_FVqBoF_MXYOy_y6gymsK0cmPx0C8zGrcrqTRONu9wzVacpbAKysfiq76kOQSy6N1KCF9w_hG0ZjbGnGDnkHqq7zrj8WoV_ip35TUKMnpdHKz8JTVmFfnE/s3249/IMG_0768.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3249" data-original-width="2925" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvfSwxRz_C983Swa7WNAcCcEKWAm2NNyKQq1mX_M19vC4LC1054CVzDSbm6vyTguIemDJ6_FVqBoF_MXYOy_y6gymsK0cmPx0C8zGrcrqTRONu9wzVacpbAKysfiq76kOQSy6N1KCF9w_hG0ZjbGnGDnkHqq7zrj8WoV_ip35TUKMnpdHKz8JTVmFfnE/w288-h320/IMG_0768.HEIC" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="288" /></a></div> Potatoes are done:<p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxRsSUPx5riWf0x2-1A8wljelaXp-PnMiuNBtOwBh58OLEpuFMrSFLX9-yQilvcEgBX6seUEoqWgwiFRkD-4Noogmo0RS9wcxmAe3HQX2NDkimuhDwxvcIvljqhL4sbBJVZElx7MTQR9ei5On3yVko0ec3C0DPDcFKZ53eW-6H-UWV5kpyu_FFISBYtM/s2968/IMG_0769.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2795" data-original-width="2968" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxRsSUPx5riWf0x2-1A8wljelaXp-PnMiuNBtOwBh58OLEpuFMrSFLX9-yQilvcEgBX6seUEoqWgwiFRkD-4Noogmo0RS9wcxmAe3HQX2NDkimuhDwxvcIvljqhL4sbBJVZElx7MTQR9ei5On3yVko0ec3C0DPDcFKZ53eW-6H-UWV5kpyu_FFISBYtM/w320-h300/IMG_0769.HEIC" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="320" /></a><br /></p> <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Dinner is served:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOw-9Djxx3eaGRGSudZoWLl8FJTvJj_btlrrb0302WvLxGYBvpHrfIFt24lycht8owKhUqdHNNxDiP0EeQU4ebLUL_aM5plQMXp6_1Q6gW7IIjoF-2t96NPCWRK6sp1fQZvLsrI6H_y4ByGyb912IDlfaowMsaGWmspEQpFfFjrv0gHh1ozdfwynuYLs/s4032/IMG_0771%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOw-9Djxx3eaGRGSudZoWLl8FJTvJj_btlrrb0302WvLxGYBvpHrfIFt24lycht8owKhUqdHNNxDiP0EeQU4ebLUL_aM5plQMXp6_1Q6gW7IIjoF-2t96NPCWRK6sp1fQZvLsrI6H_y4ByGyb912IDlfaowMsaGWmspEQpFfFjrv0gHh1ozdfwynuYLs/w240-h320/IMG_0771%20Copy.JPG" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="240" /></a> With Dale's Seasoning and some butter added while on the grill, these steaks came out great. My wife said they were "gas". (New lingo from today's youth, it means great) They had a ton of flavor. The Coors Light just topped off and paired really well. <br /><br /> <br /><br /></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-16142900017005971102023-06-18T09:12:00.005-04:002023-06-20T10:26:49.297-04:00A Saturday Morning Breakfast<p> My wife, Melissa, loves to send me new ideas for breakfast, or dinner. I am learning to cook, especially outside. This is one of those ideas she found on Tik Tok. </p><p>First, I fire up the Blackstone Grill. Let it heat up, throw down some oil and/or bacon grease, then get them hash brown's cooking. I gave them sometime because they take the longest.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzDgg1UM5y1hENmd2-JFqRrP730d-8KnZLqOqE_45IMBgJJmwrQVxuXK_myPsSmlrHOKiubIzATkTQrUyACWia_GKJgzEOArXlF8Ut9oGa8tht4ewD6y5mCxteluz5t5dmULKfIQsYQ6bnddFf7XgQIWphIEo5lixxoMRVbOU3Jp1uYOhMudqhnQw/s4032/IMG_0751.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzDgg1UM5y1hENmd2-JFqRrP730d-8KnZLqOqE_45IMBgJJmwrQVxuXK_myPsSmlrHOKiubIzATkTQrUyACWia_GKJgzEOArXlF8Ut9oGa8tht4ewD6y5mCxteluz5t5dmULKfIQsYQ6bnddFf7XgQIWphIEo5lixxoMRVbOU3Jp1uYOhMudqhnQw/w173-h200/IMG_0751.HEIC" width="173" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Once them hash browns start to brown. Then I get some eggs going. Slap that bread down in the egg. Give it a minute. Flip the bread with the egg over. Once the bottom of the bread is lightly toasted, add ham, cheese and maybe some bacon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWz-xyr-zjJTC22s6HisQCRZ8GNnaIRp0VO38EYX_TbZW4yyf2Pq9F9m1c6IQnzfVV-MTRO8SPRbVJa8cFsSqY8qlUVHsYZnCXwtqy1NATuAEo93bTnYBn7qc4FMwxChignCw9Gulo4tpFDfX_gCxO4WseC_QXhdv59KOdRbXx6MK7xAV2-EoPZEU/s2208/IMG_0752.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="1242" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWz-xyr-zjJTC22s6HisQCRZ8GNnaIRp0VO38EYX_TbZW4yyf2Pq9F9m1c6IQnzfVV-MTRO8SPRbVJa8cFsSqY8qlUVHsYZnCXwtqy1NATuAEo93bTnYBn7qc4FMwxChignCw9Gulo4tpFDfX_gCxO4WseC_QXhdv59KOdRbXx6MK7xAV2-EoPZEU/w112-h200/IMG_0752.JPG" width="112" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZZ4EXrnfqG9SlZkEujO0ayi8g0QJAL4Ugvy_xs3_hOlBMZR7v84FB_iVXPUgiC-_BagavnJCA3iXlBWIkfbpw4ukgW6hDAwfu7qVBUvhTDu5W5aL22qO5NtKcnNJn_tjagRX5xEQYhoUexpLf80NaCwD-i9FC4M7x0dghkL9eaDes9tIpJ-B1wG-/s2208/IMG_0753.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="1242" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZZ4EXrnfqG9SlZkEujO0ayi8g0QJAL4Ugvy_xs3_hOlBMZR7v84FB_iVXPUgiC-_BagavnJCA3iXlBWIkfbpw4ukgW6hDAwfu7qVBUvhTDu5W5aL22qO5NtKcnNJn_tjagRX5xEQYhoUexpLf80NaCwD-i9FC4M7x0dghkL9eaDes9tIpJ-B1wG-/w113-h200/IMG_0753.JPG" width="113" /></a></div>Don't forget to add the hash brown's. Next you add the top piece of bread and BOOM!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrus7t3Tjb_UMIQT2cbjZtWnFz0SWnbjq8ZV5P96sE_qwQzdPUv1pFo60C7t76uMucSzlJ6w4fIgJ2RhhDdAn8E5Y2PwQqAcspwj9GONSk-hTJEazb3EtHQgiOW1U0vPGz0Pw5ZfrA0oMBtgbEKDDFqMhjLx-xfBsMBys5xbcharIpAwgLoFZEuO6/s2208/IMG_0754.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="1242" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrus7t3Tjb_UMIQT2cbjZtWnFz0SWnbjq8ZV5P96sE_qwQzdPUv1pFo60C7t76uMucSzlJ6w4fIgJ2RhhDdAn8E5Y2PwQqAcspwj9GONSk-hTJEazb3EtHQgiOW1U0vPGz0Pw5ZfrA0oMBtgbEKDDFqMhjLx-xfBsMBys5xbcharIpAwgLoFZEuO6/w113-h200/IMG_0754.JPG" width="113" /></a></div>You got yourself a very filling breakfast sandwich. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This was a fun cook to do. I really enjoy using the Blackstone grill. I'll do this one again.</div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-90282599525719646542023-06-16T17:43:00.003-04:002023-06-16T17:45:24.653-04:00A Lot to Catch Up on Part 3<p>.....Just after the struggles with the appliance, I had a follow up appointment with my surgeon. Remember when I said I had to record my fluid output? Well, it turns out, I was severely dehydrated. My kidneys almost shut down. Though I was drinking my fluids, it was just coming right back out. Emptying the bag got really old, real fast. Just so you know, the maximum output for a day is 1500 fl oz. I was over that almost every day. I felt like crap, but I thought it was surgery related. I ended up staying in the hospital again for five days. </p><p>We get the appliance right; I get rehydrated with a much better understanding of what I am supposed to do. We go home armed with Imodium and Lomotil to help slow things down. </p><p>Mid-March, I finally got to a point where, I could change out the appliance myself. I figured out that French fries really slow things down. We started to find some humor with the situation. I have to say this....it is very hard to be intimate when that dang bag is rustling around. If you take a plastic bag a crunch it up, it kind of sounds like that....what a turn off.😬</p><p>May 2, 2023 time for the reversal to reconnect and put everything back into its home. I will have a wound that looks like I took a bullet to the stomach. Everything inside is functioning properly. I should be able to return to work next Wednesday. There's one more minor detail. I now have to figure out why my hips and knees ache and aren't working properly.</p><p> We now have a good plan in place to stay on top of this issue. The battle is not over and with Crohn's, it never will be. </p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-12207716111535757192023-06-16T17:19:00.005-04:002023-06-20T08:18:54.332-04:00A Lot to Catch Up on Part 2<p> ....as for me, I'm doing better now. For those that don't know me, I've had Crohn's Disease since the late 90's. I've had to bowel resections over the years. They have given me good results but they don't last forever. Crohn's comes back!!! Let's back track to July 2021....</p><p> I go in for a CT scan, after drinking 3 bottles of the contrast, I had to go back the hospital because the contrast induced a flare. Gastro doc puts me on Prednisone. I was adamant that I did not want to be on it long term. Well, it turned out long term. At the same time, Humaria started to become ineffective. Skip ahead to February 2022....</p><p>I find out that my current Gastro doc left on permanent leave. Flare up's were starting to increase but I could manage them. It took two months for the office to get me another Gastro. He ordered another CT. I refused to drink more than two bottles. He puts me on another biologic and keeps the Prednisone going. </p><p>I had an allergic reaction to the first biologic, so puts me on another. That did not really work and by Aug 2022 another hospital visit due to a flare up. Increased Prednisone again, with a third biologic. Guess what, late Oct 2022 back to the hospital again. This time a partial blockage with a flare up. For the first time, I had to have an NG tube put down my throat. That was a long 5 days. </p><p>Dec 2022 Gastro doc finally admitted defeat and referred me to the U of M Medical Center. Mid-January 2023. We have a plan in place to get me back to right, but it was going to take a major change....</p><p>They could not do a straight bowel resection because of the length of time I was on Prednisone. My insides needed time to heal. So, the first surgery ended up with me having an Ileostomy. </p><p>Here is this major change, and the one I feared the most. I mean I was pooping into a bag. How is that not a shot to the ego!!! My wife and I had to learn how to change the appliance out, record the output and stay hydrated. A few days later we go home. Three days after going home, we had to change the appliance. It took us three days and fifteen tries to realize we needed a new style of appliance. Once we changed, I didn't have to worry about fluid running down my side. We shed a lot of tears over the struggles with the first appliance. Talk about character building. But hold on there's more...... </p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-54695368436034206752023-06-15T21:30:00.003-04:002023-06-18T08:10:44.386-04:00A Lot to Catch Up On<p> Hello there....glad you stopped by. </p><p> I see that my last post was in 2012. It's now 11 years later and I am going to try again. I do not want to catch everything up in one post. It would go on forever and some would probably fall asleep. So instead, over the next few posts I will get a lot caught up. </p><p>But where to start.....Well my son Cody will be married in October, He made us grandparents to a wonderful little girl named Lilly. She is 7. There has been so much growth with Cody. Lilly and Aliana (daughter-in-law) have made him a better man. I'm so proud of him. </p><p>Daughter Amanda is married. Her and her husband are figuring things out. Melissa and I coach them along the best we can. They have a wonderful home with our two grandpups and a real nice yard..</p><p>Son Jeff is not married. He is figuring his life out and what he wants to really be doing as a career. He has a free spirit, so it'll be interesting what he does.</p><p>Son Jake. He is going into his senior year of High School. He just got done with an amazing run with his high school baseball team. He leaves for Cost Rica tomorrow. The trip is through his Spanish class. When he comes back, he will start with summer ball. </p><p>Melissa continues to be an amazing and supportive wife. </p><p>As for me, I'm doing much better now.......That story will be coming soon. Hold on because it is a doozy!</p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-80830762770684344442012-01-08T13:08:00.000-05:002023-06-16T17:46:53.174-04:00Update on my Mission to be a Guitar PlayerI think in my last post about guitar,I was just starting. I was working on G, Cadd9 and D chords. After a lot of work I am very happy with my progress with these three chords. I have since learned A,Am,E, Em plus power chords. I am now working on Bm. That is a very hard bar chord to learn. I feel like I can do it though.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkWFv_7vbm0ZmrHYSnGLNywmVZID1cg8Rrf3qgwaPADeH72EJnOKhcLu4_aeErML7612eyyUokonwSxYmiLZhOgLfIAPTHnvfz0KAaPiQJ6k0tx6GzmlLx-wIGEB4j6Ix3U80PiBhyOg/s1600/Guitar+guy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkWFv_7vbm0ZmrHYSnGLNywmVZID1cg8Rrf3qgwaPADeH72EJnOKhcLu4_aeErML7612eyyUokonwSxYmiLZhOgLfIAPTHnvfz0KAaPiQJ6k0tx6GzmlLx-wIGEB4j6Ix3U80PiBhyOg/s200/Guitar+guy.jpg" width="141" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-thgb9wlVudPUHSKyKk7ljugbyP3TZHfy0THtL5E8A8gUYnfbXM7u-ryyO660PH2jJkn0L494W2wiOnpib-X20lKYUOz7t0Yzc11Sbezcn9YU76njHbIZ_ArPYMkziATCBnjmLhBSKI/s1600/Pion_guitar.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-thgb9wlVudPUHSKyKk7ljugbyP3TZHfy0THtL5E8A8gUYnfbXM7u-ryyO660PH2jJkn0L494W2wiOnpib-X20lKYUOz7t0Yzc11Sbezcn9YU76njHbIZ_ArPYMkziATCBnjmLhBSKI/s1600/Pion_guitar.gif" /></a> Songs have been Rock-n-Roll Ain't Noise Pollution, Nobody's Fool, Every Rose Has its Thorn, Can't You See and Two Steps Behind. I have the basic idea with these songs. From this point on its about polishing it up. I need to work on my up strokes when strumming and learn to not let the pick slip. I am working keep my hand a little more closed when strumming and narrowing my strumming window.The feeling is that, I coming down to far on the down stroke and trying to compensate on the up stroke, then I catch the the meat of the pick on the high E string. Its frustrating, but I'm not beating myself up. That's why I'm the student.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBCJ-fcUKPtdQ4ha8Abkq1zuN2IoTlUZKX4GaP7G6y4-eFmtcZvSkp_iQLH1bR5nwJOIUNFaxLSuhvJQRetAqlNwsk-YrRLXlAWFhBEt7qhuyALc5dG4KW9OKlAjHdNp2dry54MSRGSc/s1600/every_rose_has_its_thorn_by_irenepk2-d325cot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBCJ-fcUKPtdQ4ha8Abkq1zuN2IoTlUZKX4GaP7G6y4-eFmtcZvSkp_iQLH1bR5nwJOIUNFaxLSuhvJQRetAqlNwsk-YrRLXlAWFhBEt7qhuyALc5dG4KW9OKlAjHdNp2dry54MSRGSc/s200/every_rose_has_its_thorn_by_irenepk2-d325cot.jpg" width="132" /></a> If you are a student or teacher don't forget to have fun in whatever you are doing.There's something said for PLAYING guitar. One of the definitions for play is: exercise or activity for amusement or recreation. Its meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over. So sit down, plug in, and have some fun.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-90929212031749567592012-01-07T11:38:00.001-05:002023-06-16T17:48:56.698-04:00Controlling CrohnsWell last I posted about Crohns, I was trying probiotics. Probiotics at the point had helped slow everything down some. Fast forward to the last couple of weeks. I have been taking Imuran with fish oil and Calcium in the morning. By mid morning, I take a probiotic with a aloe vera capsule. I found this helps make my life a little easier after lunch. I was having so many bathroom visits between 12pm and 4pm. I realized over Christmas that I need to find a solution for this problem. Thanks to my uncle that is an herbalist. He gave me list of things to try and I only have just started to tap into his suggestions. I also have reduced my water intake and increase my use of tea. I usually use Numi tea. The Red Roobios seems to help best, but also use Green Roobios and Orange Spice. These teas seem to hydrate because they are caffeine free, they also help sooth. If I drink pop its usually Diet Vernors. This seems to sit well. I do not drink pop that often anymore.<br />
Hope some of this helps.......Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-38938461362676798862011-09-05T09:43:00.001-04:002011-09-05T09:50:40.306-04:00End of Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22G411k0VBu539mnZAtz6JGsURaNGUjo2zp09QLWPe9X9mE_66OAmokmUa7nqE-tzaFGhSx03F2pFXT8j5ol3R0ZXlvlxrTF28En7d2tj3N3RlK9gt7zP8eoYpXy-WV08PihEemcwGRc/s1600/IMG_5788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22G411k0VBu539mnZAtz6JGsURaNGUjo2zp09QLWPe9X9mE_66OAmokmUa7nqE-tzaFGhSx03F2pFXT8j5ol3R0ZXlvlxrTF28En7d2tj3N3RlK9gt7zP8eoYpXy-WV08PihEemcwGRc/s200/IMG_5788.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> Well usually Labor Day weekend is the last time we go to the cottage for the summer. Here we see a nice sunrise. The sunrise on the lake is always something to see and admire. This was a great start to a great weekend. We picked up Klaudia, our exchange student, from the airport on Wednesday. We didn't give her a whole lot of "soak in time" at home. We left for the lake on Thursday (Melissa's Birthday). Friday morning she took this picture.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dTV75PSEGLbyz8gEVc5ShtU_HnDRHlerA-d1VpOzLaNUAfn_RtCqbNFIn4dmvS_jRBR3tjSzbUXryJZ3bP3vMLKCrGuEPMwWlSqds1X2d3rfKiiIUg6gi17Kk2m1oQcjMgdn3UXULTQ/s1600/IMG_5819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dTV75PSEGLbyz8gEVc5ShtU_HnDRHlerA-d1VpOzLaNUAfn_RtCqbNFIn4dmvS_jRBR3tjSzbUXryJZ3bP3vMLKCrGuEPMwWlSqds1X2d3rfKiiIUg6gi17Kk2m1oQcjMgdn3UXULTQ/s200/IMG_5819.JPG" width="150" /></a> Friday morning we left Higgins Lake for Mackinac. The did some shopping. We left Mackinac about 1:30pm, then headed to Tahquamenon. Klaudia has been to the States for trips with her family. She has never seen The Mackinac Bridge. Of course we had high winds Friday and traffic was very slow. High winds make the trip across very interesting.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBMAoMkHdwW8pu_W9c2eYQ_NbO7yE1PGPjH7FBXL0qC8TDLPIEMduoIUD7L0moMJ8IUKwcBxWL_emsWYFfJw-b9O994UnPBAsXOpnmVBLPrqEBiJrXoYRlBzQChhOdNtDuUgB0deJIuM/s1600/IMG_5848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBMAoMkHdwW8pu_W9c2eYQ_NbO7yE1PGPjH7FBXL0qC8TDLPIEMduoIUD7L0moMJ8IUKwcBxWL_emsWYFfJw-b9O994UnPBAsXOpnmVBLPrqEBiJrXoYRlBzQChhOdNtDuUgB0deJIuM/s200/IMG_5848.JPG" width="150" /></a> Now this starts the adventure to the Falls. Most of the kids were sleeping along the way. I'm not sure why, there are so many trees to look at, how could a person not be excited. We were hearing reports of rain most of the way. We arrived in Paradise, Michigan and it started to rain hard. When you have driven that far,there is no turning back. By the time we arrived at the lower falls the sky opened up and the rain stopped. A true blessing. Melissa and I would have walked it no matter what. At least we were sparred from the grumbling from certain children. The river looked very low compared to last October. They are beautiful none the less. When we were done at the lower falls,we went to the upper falls. It was the first time there for all the kids. As far as I can tell, the all enjoyed it. One of these times we will hike the whole thing. Here's a link if you want more information on Tahquamenon Falls: <br />
<a href="http://www.exploringthenorth.com/tahqua/tahqua.html">http://www.exploringthenorth.com/tahqua/tahqua.html</a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-83200507457793414532011-08-26T22:50:00.000-04:002011-08-26T22:50:04.436-04:00This Next WeekI usually blog about the 29th being the worst day of my life. I lost a dear friend and had to overcome my own injuries at the exact same time. I'm not going to go on and on about it being 7 sevens years and life is so hard during this week. Does that day suck? Yep. Does it get easier to handle? Nope. The day is drawing near where I will not let it bring me down. Not only did I lose a dear friend, but I had to overcome a lot. That often is forgotten. We eulogize my friend, and rightfully so. He was a great man and part of the reason I'm still here.<br />
It does me no good wishing I could go back in time. We can't. I can't take back a bad decision. I wish I could but I can't. So what good does it do to feel sorry for myself? Zero. I still have to work and raise a family, I still have to cut the grass. There will be times where its hard not to cry. I will not let it bring to the depths of despair.<br />
As much as I miss my friend, I have to be able to celebrate the things I had to overcome. Broken leg, pelvic fracture, scars on my hand, arm, forehead, the therapy, the grieving for a dear friend, dad, grandfather, all in the same year. With God, family and friends, I overcame ALL of it. I persevered. So I am going to try to celebrate that day by pouring my energy into my project. For me, Cole, Dad. Its what they would want.<br />
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Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-57103372868535990662011-08-02T20:54:00.000-04:002011-08-02T20:54:05.064-04:00As I was in the pool....Laying on a raft and looking up the sky yesterday, I started thinking. I remembered some years ago an great aunt, on our Dad's side, told Joe and I that "we would do great things." Now as far as I'm concerned, my brother has done a great job of filling that statement. He has done great things through his art, church and some other activities. As for myself, I have been searching for what that is. But back to the start....<br />
I was thinking, what is it that God has for me to be great at? Then it kind of smacked me on the head. Maybe the one thing I am supposed to be great at is right under my nose. Its my home, my life, my family. Its getting this marriage right, its being who I am and enjoying it. Its living with Crohn's and making the most of it,not letting it beat me. All the other interests, are all secondary. So what if I never find that special ability.Then again maybe I already found it and am now starting to understand.<br />
"There are no extraordinary men...just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with".~ Admiral William Fredrick Halsey JrBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-15944350064679019602011-07-21T20:06:00.000-04:002011-07-21T20:06:32.657-04:00So you've been asking.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTnirEzkcJlzIMaZiY5J5sLdszNjNr-iJCA6l1GmQOHitZ6bc44A0OxvllXqz7okqNoUBFUSl-EeuBsJIrVPhzscgFZVKWyVkc49ISxys9o6qyExvhhBTkd952tIYRW5Fv4JYRyhWHks/s1600/Au+Sable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTnirEzkcJlzIMaZiY5J5sLdszNjNr-iJCA6l1GmQOHitZ6bc44A0OxvllXqz7okqNoUBFUSl-EeuBsJIrVPhzscgFZVKWyVkc49ISxys9o6qyExvhhBTkd952tIYRW5Fv4JYRyhWHks/s200/Au+Sable.jpg" width="200" /></a>What has Brian been up too. Well let me tell ya. Since baseball finally ended the second week in July, we've been busy. We have had a our exchange student. That has been a great experience. We have taken her to Higgins Lake, tubing on the Au Sable river, Cedar Point, to Lake Michigan and she has been to a concert. She leaves this Saturday and she will be missed, especially by Jacob. He's going to be heart broke for a few days.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO9xkEV3MQ-4asIg-e4Hm6qnlByPtOyDt1f43oDFSTUINwSuH4OemJ2hwf6hxeYy3PgURlWUGZ27UClmfqQ_xTEGcfXWMs6RqjXCW6ZyQfwVlDNgnva0G-GPciZ2B-XeHlUR1a0UidCg/s1600/cedar-point-amusement-park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO9xkEV3MQ-4asIg-e4Hm6qnlByPtOyDt1f43oDFSTUINwSuH4OemJ2hwf6hxeYy3PgURlWUGZ27UClmfqQ_xTEGcfXWMs6RqjXCW6ZyQfwVlDNgnva0G-GPciZ2B-XeHlUR1a0UidCg/s200/cedar-point-amusement-park.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
The house will be back to normal for August, then our other exchange student arrives at the end of the month. She will be here the entire school year.<br />
As for me, well I have been working on what I've been wanting to for a long time. I have finally convinced myself to do it and shut up. Yes I am learning......(wait for it).....guitar. Yes guitar. In three weeks I have learned E minor, D, A major, E major, Cadd9, G. Now I'm in the beginning stages of putting them together (the hard part).I'm going to say what song I am going to learn first. To be continued.......Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-80969297103280288982011-06-19T21:36:00.000-04:002011-06-19T21:36:32.202-04:00Fathers Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDmkKueYqPs/Tf6aGYN6IWI/AAAAAAAAANU/ETwxmoL2dYs/s1600/g1+PC.+WEB+CATCHER+MITT++32.5++BLACK..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDmkKueYqPs/Tf6aGYN6IWI/AAAAAAAAANU/ETwxmoL2dYs/s200/g1+PC.+WEB+CATCHER+MITT++32.5++BLACK..jpg" width="200" /></a></div>What a good day. I woke up at 7am, had some great coffee and had some quite time. Melissa and the kids got up and had some gifts for me. There was a Detroit Tigers Wind Jacket, A U of M sweat shirt, a teddy bear from Jake and a Catcher's mit. I have been wanting a catchers mit for a while, especially Jeff is throwing harder. After that,Melissa made waffles for breakfast, YUM! <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxXoFHiI3ipxcG4IlyXM3c4zl1Y3P4E_zK2wpqZm2YkK6RMOsgoE3kgGMow_swm4fL98FZWsCa7cvjvlfQrPSMrJZRNoRBBVmK6GLuXUc9sTAoMc80w6endL2aOq-0LdRA-C0gJVzMQQ/s1600/rougeriver-rockfordt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxXoFHiI3ipxcG4IlyXM3c4zl1Y3P4E_zK2wpqZm2YkK6RMOsgoE3kgGMow_swm4fL98FZWsCa7cvjvlfQrPSMrJZRNoRBBVmK6GLuXUc9sTAoMc80w6endL2aOq-0LdRA-C0gJVzMQQ/s200/rougeriver-rockfordt.JPG" width="200" /></a> We got a workout in. I got 10 miles in 40 minutes on the stationary bike. I decided I would like to go to Rockford for dinner at the Corner Bar, we ate down by the river. </div><div> When we got home, I went and grabbed the guitar. I spent well over an hour through lessons on an app I downloaded on the ipod. I have two chords I need to work on until perfected. Its going to be frustrating at times but it can be dealt with. It was a great day!!!!</div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-37258014468928145672011-06-14T20:14:00.000-04:002011-06-14T20:14:49.476-04:00New HorizonsWell ok maybe the title is pushing it a little. When I say "new horizons", I'm talking about putting some old things on the back burner and putting time into things I wish I would do or better yet, should do. My whole problem is, though it sounds good, I have a hard time executing. I think I get it from my Dad.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fiUTqyM0Qqs/Tff0cGJYFiI/AAAAAAAAALk/cUTuN1f-o2c/s1600/video+games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fiUTqyM0Qqs/Tff0cGJYFiI/AAAAAAAAALk/cUTuN1f-o2c/s200/video+games.jpg" width="133" /></a> So I am working on putting the computer games down and spending time else where! Don't get me wrong games are like books you can play. They are fine in a lot of ways. Now I have to fill that time with something else.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHIx27c5eoCow0aN4xjnXPXUlhIpwIjGpgxNxzQlbffLLSPMFNFU3IbtNJa_luB4_SjwRF1w_2a5sHTM7fJwg4GZJJ8hzJ2gjEeH4XYV-bAJSeYsHgeXqw7wnMbYHXnV5bndea97wXNk/s1600/Grilling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHIx27c5eoCow0aN4xjnXPXUlhIpwIjGpgxNxzQlbffLLSPMFNFU3IbtNJa_luB4_SjwRF1w_2a5sHTM7fJwg4GZJJ8hzJ2gjEeH4XYV-bAJSeYsHgeXqw7wnMbYHXnV5bndea97wXNk/s1600/Grilling.jpg" /></a></div> I am learning that I like to grill. I grilled brats the other day for my Mom and Rich. I boiled them in beer and water and they came out nice and juicy. I grilled burgers tonight , though they were good, I want to make a great burger. One that makes you go "WOW!" <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcharJ-FhK35DFhPWqnCa13oubHZQqkuzK1GHS7RBZA4T-tlhTyH3yJ0FYKVoYkaEWYxQ6oh7Ak03dcjG4FIU673LXp_Drlik_nGShsdwpSnenvI4uRklSuEXbIt6H7e8ksLai4jAqxMo/s1600/Guitar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcharJ-FhK35DFhPWqnCa13oubHZQqkuzK1GHS7RBZA4T-tlhTyH3yJ0FYKVoYkaEWYxQ6oh7Ak03dcjG4FIU673LXp_Drlik_nGShsdwpSnenvI4uRklSuEXbIt6H7e8ksLai4jAqxMo/s200/Guitar.jpg" width="88" /></a> Then of course, with help from a friend, I have renewed my love for music. I have had it in my mind for a long, long time to learn guitar. Seeing how drums aren't practical right now, guitar is the next best thing. I don't need to be a wailing axe man, but just a guy that plays the occasional acoustic song. Kind of like around the camp fire. Really the only thing holding me back is......ME! <br />
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Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-29325433382534320582011-06-06T22:06:00.000-04:002011-06-06T22:06:51.441-04:00SmoothnessSo I talked a while back about smoothies being very beneficial for me. Obviously when you throw fruits or veggies in a blender it breaks them way down. In my situation with Crohn's it allows me to get nutrients that I may otherwise have trouble with. Here are some smoothies that I came up with the last few days<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Sunday: Strawberries, Banana, and Spinach with vanilla yogurt, a little milk and RAW protien. I don't really measure anything out. <br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZkS9LFxQdk/Teu0-5G77zI/AAAAAAAAAJM/9Er2OP0MSJA/s1600/027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZkS9LFxQdk/Teu0-5G77zI/AAAAAAAAAJM/9Er2OP0MSJA/s200/027.jpg" width="200" /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gMY8d5M5s4s/Teu0JbynufI/AAAAAAAAAIc/cNczzqCE-8w/s1600/022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gMY8d5M5s4s/Teu0JbynufI/AAAAAAAAAIc/cNczzqCE-8w/s200/022.jpg" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBxe2BBju58/Teu0aHmmurI/AAAAAAAAAIo/nmmFbDYATb8/s1600/024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBxe2BBju58/Teu0aHmmurI/AAAAAAAAAIo/nmmFbDYATb8/s200/024.jpg" width="200" /></a> </span></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monday was: Raspberries, Kiwi and Spinach with vanilla yogurt, and a little milk. I also add ice to all smoothies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBxe2BBju58/Teu0aHmmurI/AAAAAAAAAIo/nmmFbDYATb8/s1600/024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBxe2BBju58/Teu0aHmmurI/AAAAAAAAAIo/nmmFbDYATb8/s200/024.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vm9y7DCVBPE/Teu05fCgexI/AAAAAAAAAJE/u7-jsbKPn3o/s1600/026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vm9y7DCVBPE/Teu05fCgexI/AAAAAAAAAJE/u7-jsbKPn3o/s1600/026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"> </span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vm9y7DCVBPE/Teu05fCgexI/AAAAAAAAAJE/u7-jsbKPn3o/s1600/026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vm9y7DCVBPE/Teu05fCgexI/AAAAAAAAAJE/u7-jsbKPn3o/s200/026.jpg" width="111" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCjTXByLN9A/Te2Gafu6r6I/AAAAAAAAAKo/IR4VxJvPtyY/s1600/kiwi_fruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCjTXByLN9A/Te2Gafu6r6I/AAAAAAAAAKo/IR4VxJvPtyY/s200/kiwi_fruit.jpg" width="200" /></a> Of course at the center of it is......<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMuLYD5uYIY/Teu1MGpo_cI/AAAAAAAAAJk/o-duMKd6-fI/s1600/029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMuLYD5uYIY/Teu1MGpo_cI/AAAAAAAAAJk/o-duMKd6-fI/s200/029.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This smoothie maker rocks!!!</div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-55752735843674450292011-06-05T11:24:00.000-04:002011-06-05T11:24:57.428-04:00Time to get FocusedSince vacation, we have been slacking in the fitness area. Now that sports schedule has slowed down some, Melissa and I can get refocused on our routines. For me, dealing with Crohn's is much easier when I am active and eating right. For her its about self esteem. As much as we enjoy taking walks together, we each have our own plans. Melissa mostly enjoys cardio, for me I need cardio and strength.<br />
Today I hit the weights. I need to be more aggressive in achieving muscle failure. I'm never going to be a bulging mass of muscle and don't really want to be. I am more for high reps and toning. As the weather stays nice, time outside is critical. I have wood to split so that will be a goal, plus it mixes up the same old same old. I may set up stations outside for an added twist. Putting the time into fitness helps keep stress low and I feel more productive.<br />
Everybody has their own ways of staying grounded and happy. Some its crafts and art, some its social media, some its church, some its music, some its a mixture of all of the above. Its all about living life to the fullest and enjoying it along the way. So what you enjoy.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-56034940916797540622011-04-20T21:42:00.000-04:002011-04-20T21:42:12.226-04:00Update<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eGp5YhKlWrI/Ta-K2tjn3CI/AAAAAAAAAH4/aETIPE5oquM/s1600/teak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eGp5YhKlWrI/Ta-K2tjn3CI/AAAAAAAAAH4/aETIPE5oquM/s1600/teak.jpg" /></a>Well, before my recent vacation, I went to my doctor for the follow up to the E.R visit. He agreed with me that now is not the time for Prednisone. This makes me very happy. Vacation went well up through Friday before we came home. I wasn't having any problems. I had a half of a flank steak at our elegant inner .I believe this is what gave me some issues. We had steak again the first Tuesday we were home. That gave me same pain issues almost right away. It hung with me for a few days. I'm still having little pain issues but nothing major.<br />
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I have not been working out or as active since being home. I also haven't been making smoothies as much. So bottom line, I need to get back to it. Doe exercise really help? Do smoothies really help? I believe that smoothies really do help. Everything is already broke down so it makes digestion that much easier. Also, it may be time to limit steak or try very lean cuts. If I have to become a fish and chicken man that's fine by me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SI1_lyeDbAA/Ta-LKm6MiQI/AAAAAAAAAH8/QW9-DmW9rI8/s1600/smoothies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SI1_lyeDbAA/Ta-LKm6MiQI/AAAAAAAAAH8/QW9-DmW9rI8/s200/smoothies.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-9221880517116643472011-03-30T19:00:00.000-04:002011-03-30T19:00:04.388-04:00Its War!Last week Tuesday I went into the E.R for what I thought might be an appendix issue.Turned out it was a Crohn's flare, which I figured but wanted to be safe. At the end of the visit, the E.R doc with the help of a GI doc decided to prescribe Prednisone, I want no part of this steroid. I do not think I need it. So this made me very unhappy. Note: I have not gotten the prescription filled.<br />
Fast forward to Sunday. As I googled "how to cut an avocado". I ran across something in an article. The basic message was to prove out the need for vegan diets. There was a statement in there that got me to thinking. Generally it suggested that there had been an increase with Cancer, Crohn's, Ulceratvie Colitis in people that eat cooked high fat and high protein diets. I to some extent agree. I think it mostly comes from genetically engineered meats and things. That is just my feeling, I have no proof.<br />
This got my wheels turning big time. I have a friend at work the suggested sometime ago to try Raw Protein powder to give my body a more natural way to recover from my workouts. Raw Protein is completely organic with the protein coming from numerous sprouts and things.The one thing he said that stood out that it has probiotics. What are probiotics you ask, and am I glad you did. Probiotics are basically the good bacteria in your intestine that help support your digestive system. From what I have read Crohn's patients that have inreased their probiotic intake have had reduced symptoms. I did not say cure but reduced symptoms. This starts my mission and it is war!<br />
So far it has only been three consecutive days since committing to this self trial. Each day I have had the Raw Protein in smoothies, that have had included, strawberries, blueberries, black and raspberries, bannana, kiwi, apple or any combination, I also add yogurt and splenda. I have had reduced pain, more energy, less bathroom visits, just overall better feeling. Tuesday I had some pain after dinner but I think that was because of broccoli. It was fine Wednesday morning. I am taking my Imuran also. Again this is just three days of results, I will continue this mission. It is not my intent to give false hope. It is my intent to prove there is hope away from to many medications. I will post another update after vacation.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-10560133891565140392010-12-19T13:42:00.000-05:002010-12-19T13:42:02.546-05:00Working OutSo, work has been terribly busy. To the point where I come home very frustrated and stressed. Don't get me wrong I am thankful we are busy. Its a good problem to have. Anyhow, I have felt the need to manage that stress in a positive way. Its nice to read when I can relax but I can't read when my stress is out of control. So that leaves working out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmaKRn9rwYp6NK5SRzWKDI5erelQZXjgQ7uOa34h1BjfV78AwV3b_4_9nCy6P1dEks3mTehjOGOj-p2ejyv0jMGjPFS8gLn790V2Gt9Ro06IpmdkcAdTBv7ltTRqkDYZ4PpalrcnGmU8/s1600/Stress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmaKRn9rwYp6NK5SRzWKDI5erelQZXjgQ7uOa34h1BjfV78AwV3b_4_9nCy6P1dEks3mTehjOGOj-p2ejyv0jMGjPFS8gLn790V2Gt9Ro06IpmdkcAdTBv7ltTRqkDYZ4PpalrcnGmU8/s1600/Stress.jpg" /></a></div> It used to be I had a handful of workouts I like to do. It starts to get old after a while. Now I've taken those workouts and incorporated the Bowflex (resistance) with dumbbells (dead weight). At pretty good weight (100 lbs resistance) 25 lb(dumbbells) amounts and I try to get more than 10 reps per set for 3-4 sets. I found that I hit muscle failure much quicker. Sometimes I will throw in fast paced med ball exercises between sets. This keeps my heart rate up and blood flowing. See I have so much pent up energy by the time I get done I feel good about what I just did.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tO-gbnHixQc/TQ5RFC8klZI/AAAAAAAAAG0/c4zh3gkgY8M/s1600/Bowflex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tO-gbnHixQc/TQ5RFC8klZI/AAAAAAAAAG0/c4zh3gkgY8M/s200/Bowflex.jpg" width="175" /></a></div> As far as cardio goes, every other day, it has been treadmill programs and increasing the speed to challenge myself. Sometimes its the recumbent bike with programs and pushing hard with it goes to high resistance. I haven't been able to put together full weeks. I'm starting to become ok with that because it is Christmas and because I am older and don't want to over do it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NkxaB2Zsoej8hYM21zMpzAnJtf2t0276nllVs7cKKVcgQf2fxIBSmfEPC-MLX_eWScw4xY0pfWLmReLiHmQ8UNIwm_UnzarMXrAfSljiV02TjZDNUkr5UcM1y7vk55tctQ8Xa_Q0jc8/s1600/Treadmill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NkxaB2Zsoej8hYM21zMpzAnJtf2t0276nllVs7cKKVcgQf2fxIBSmfEPC-MLX_eWScw4xY0pfWLmReLiHmQ8UNIwm_UnzarMXrAfSljiV02TjZDNUkr5UcM1y7vk55tctQ8Xa_Q0jc8/s200/Treadmill.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> I try to keep motivated with custom playlists on my Ipod. I don't listen to angry music, it gives me a headache. But upbeat, high energy tunes. There are points in some songs that give me that extra boost when I need it. At cool down I will listen to classic guitar, or light Christian music. This helps me to reflect a little bit and appreciate everyone around me.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176897194381976534.post-1149669479354377062010-11-25T11:04:00.000-05:002010-11-25T11:04:33.432-05:00Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9ms6cIKDznumQndBxKv5tM9H2FKGuCgN3vuKvjKjsSGgb_jq4fNonaEgWrx55s9vXHEiIO8ydhFk_ZGgvIWl7njLd17rDQT8CC9mIkMRoBK5s81ALAD1407KKfAN0VcGLlk8_PPPfKk/s1600/800px-Embarkation_of_the_Pilgrims.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9ms6cIKDznumQndBxKv5tM9H2FKGuCgN3vuKvjKjsSGgb_jq4fNonaEgWrx55s9vXHEiIO8ydhFk_ZGgvIWl7njLd17rDQT8CC9mIkMRoBK5s81ALAD1407KKfAN0VcGLlk8_PPPfKk/s200/800px-Embarkation_of_the_Pilgrims.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>As I see all the posts on what people are thankful for, it got me to thinking a little. Everyone has their own little things that they are thankful for, family, seems to be the most popular and rightfully so. I want to open some thought to the bigger picture.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tO-gbnHixQc/TO6Iqp4FoLI/AAAAAAAAAGs/eBDJtp6_FMg/s1600/Harriet+Tubman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tO-gbnHixQc/TO6Iqp4FoLI/AAAAAAAAAGs/eBDJtp6_FMg/s200/Harriet+Tubman.jpg" width="148" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZpeaHku5RvxLFEZYlGeOa2gaiSUjTlhh9ENthz_xKstiJNroGebAQ6xHTeYZdhpF7bkuobLcLhPjkLdC3qlfb-mq5N3BJlQHZs-f3KhbhxgipiiFvdlnbpwH2VTZK89-UttuY5zaBBc/s1600/1581351003_L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZpeaHku5RvxLFEZYlGeOa2gaiSUjTlhh9ENthz_xKstiJNroGebAQ6xHTeYZdhpF7bkuobLcLhPjkLdC3qlfb-mq5N3BJlQHZs-f3KhbhxgipiiFvdlnbpwH2VTZK89-UttuY5zaBBc/s200/1581351003_L.jpg" width="105" /></a> It is easily forgotten why we have a Thanksgiving holiday. I see no one, myself included, giving thanks for God giving Columbus , then the Pilgrims, the guidance to sail over here. I mention God first because nothing happens without Him. The Pilgrims started the whole Thanksgiving day tradition, yet there is not any mention of being Thankful to them. There is never any mention of thankfulness to Washington, Jefferson and the rest of the writers of the Constitution, never any thankfulness to the revolution. These are things that helped gain our freedom from the British. I never hear any thanks for Harriet Tubman and the under ground railroad, I hardly ever any thanks to our WWII vets, that were the nail in the coffin of Hitler. We are finally starting to get it with thanking our current troops, and protecting us from people that just plain hate us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0f5wSupHQDQ-bKJzI_zUYZgBkECSajeoA9UiZQtPEH44b-I4ikHXlN8-MDxw4P5EMyRXEIoOpfqw1yTvjzrhPM_-0HhAFlh91uzLZFYOMWbPmQHvsPEfMF3WBWbo0IoDSrnR2zGUdxGk/s1600/intro+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0f5wSupHQDQ-bKJzI_zUYZgBkECSajeoA9UiZQtPEH44b-I4ikHXlN8-MDxw4P5EMyRXEIoOpfqw1yTvjzrhPM_-0HhAFlh91uzLZFYOMWbPmQHvsPEfMF3WBWbo0IoDSrnR2zGUdxGk/s200/intro+pic.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>Again this is not pointed at anyone, but everyone. How often do you really look at history and are thankful for sacrifices that have been made? Would we be where we are at if these things did not happen? Just trying to start some thoughts this Thanksgiving.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12541290175461744205noreply@blogger.com3