Today, we are going to the Lakeway pool to witness the annual polar plunge, a January tradition. We are catered by Eberly of Austin, and our entertainment is Foreigner.
It is the New Year, and the coffee machine has been working overtime on special coffee requests. With a visit of Son and daughter, there were lattes, flat whites, and dark black coffees. It’s the little things that make a visit so lovely. The machine had a few days off, so it delivered my cup in record time. Taking a sip while cuddled next to Twiggy and Tempest was a short-lived moment of peace. The Westminster chimes uprooted the sleeping dogs, and like the rule states, they should have been left to lie.
Feeling the tiny droplets of blood from shattered eardrums, it is imperative to silence the hounds of Baskerville. A large Benny bone tossed into the bedroom, followed by a slamming door, settled the matter.
Of course, the security system needed to be disengaged before going to the door. The control panel made the process simpler. The boiling oil vats were put on standby, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gattling guns disengaged, the moat net dropped, and the IUDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The locks on the door were thrown. The final camera check picked up the image of a guy with a shotgun who looked very much like Elmer Fudd. The AI message was delivered, followed by the snarl of a sabertoothed tiger. “Put down the shotgun.”
He dropped it and threw his hands in the air. The door opened, and he said, “No wabbit, just this message from Linda Hill.” Giving him a hands-down motion allowed the message to pass. “Take your gun and go.”
The Fudd lookalike disappeared around the house. The message was clear. Your prompt for #JusJoJan the 11th and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “It’s the little things.” Take whatever the phrase “it’s the little things” brings to mind and use it in your post. Have fun!
“Since this is my first Saturday post this year, and my friend Dan, who passed away in 2024, loved the security dismantling stuff, I decided to do it.”
“I hope he enjoyed it.”
“I’m sure he did.”
“It’s the little things that mean the most.”
“You have become a philosopher?”
“No. I just thought it was a great place to toss in the prompt.”
“Yeah, that makes more sense.”
“So, how was your time off?”
“It was great. Got a lot of visiting in and had some great food.”
“That is always good.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Speaking of good.”
“Here it comes.”
“Whaddya say to a few Voo Doo Rangers?”
“I missed last week, so they sound pretty good. Uber?”
“Right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Okay, this is weird.”
“Why do you say that?”
“We don’t get that much snow where we are in Texas.”
Research team makes surprising discovery after planting multiple crops in the same field: ‘It’s a promising combination’
Today’s good news comes from The Cool Down newsletter. Thank you, Noelle Granger, for spotting it and making me aware.
Research team makes surprising discovery after planting multiple crops in the same field: ‘It’s a promising combination.’
Leslie Sattler,
A new study from the University of Alberta points to an exciting way farmers can grow better crops while spending less on fertilizer.
The secret? Planting certain grains and legumes side by side in the same fields.
Researchers from the university planted two perennial grains—rye and wheatgrass—alongside three legumes—alfalfa, white clover, and sainfoin. According to the results published in the Journal of Animal Science, this combination produced high-quality crops that could more effectively feed livestock.
“The legumes naturally supply nitrogen to the soil, improve the organic matter, and improve the forage quality for livestock. At the same time, perennial cereal plants have deep root systems, which helps sequester more carbon and makes them more drought-resistant than annual crops, which is important in Alberta’s dry climate,” Cosmas Ugwu, who led the study, said in a post by the university.
“It’s a promising combination that can potentially help crop performance, reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers, lower costs for farmers, and promote environmental sustainability,” Ugwu added.
This planting method offers several benefits for farmers. The combined crops are more drought-resistant and provide better nutrition for cattle, making them easier to digest.
The research team tested two planting patterns across Alberta. Both methods worked well, but planting in alternate rows yielded slightly better results, producing about 5% more crops in the first year of harvest in 2023.
This farming approach could help build a more sustainable food system. When farmers spend less on fertilizer, food prices can stay lower. Plus, reducing synthetic fertilizer use helps clean our air and water, creating healthier communities.
The research team continues to study how this planting method affects soil health and carbon storage. It’s working closely with farmers to help them adopt these practices, which could start showing up in fields across North America in the coming growing seasons.
The good news in this story is that more effort is being put into finding more natural ways of growing healthy crops. Today’s JohnKu talks about farming. I hope you have a beautiful weekend.
“I’ll tell ya, Tempeste. This cold weather makes me want to sleep all day.”
“Yeah. Now that Dad is back blogging, you know that’s impossible.”
“I know it. He has been underfoot for what seems like a century.”
“It was fun visiting with our upright sisters and brother, though.”
“You are so right, but having Dad wander around with no purpose is unsettling.”
“At least he is back to work. I hear he has another book tour coming up.”
“Yes. It is a good thing. It’ll take him out for most of February.”
“That’s a long time. You think he’ll forget us?”
“Nah. He needs us. Besides that, it’s three weeks away. He’ll be around begging us to pose for photos. You wait and see.”
“That’s good. Hey, hold on. Mom just went into the pantry.”
“Too early for dinner. What is she doing in there?”
“I can’t see from here. I hear some things rattling, though.”
“Rattling things? Like maybe some pots and pans?”
“I think we ought to go check. You never know what might hit the floor.”
“You kill me. You know this is a split-second house regarding falling food.”
“Yeah, Mom is the quickest thing on two feet. Even if we can grab something, she has that iron grip that makes keeping the mouth closed around it impossible.”
“Man, did you hear that? There was the sound of a dinner can being opened.”
“Yeah, I heard it. You don’t suppose we took a longer nap than usual, and it really is dinner time?”
“That is impossible. Look outside. There is still plenty of light.”
“You must admit we don’t normally hear cans opening for the humans.”
“You are so right. That’s why I need to go and investigate. You coming?”
“Just give me a bark if I need to come eat something. Be careful out there.”
New Year’s Eve is here, and with it, an ideal time to wish you and your family a very Happy New Year.
Also, thank you for your support, visits, and comments. Interacting with you has been a year of joy, and I hope you feel the same.
I have family visiting, so I will take a break from tomorrow until Thursday, January 9th. Twiggy and Tempeste will be back on that date, but they will also take a break for now. I will be offline and will miss commenting on your posts. I hope to see you back on the 9th.
This post was written on December 29th, 2015. Since we are facing another New Year’s Eve, I thought it was worth repeating. I hope you enjoy it.
* * *
Top Ten Things Not to Do on New Year’s Eve.
10 On New Year’s Eve, do not try to set a personal record for alcohol consumption. If you do, at best, your evening will close early. At worst, New Year’s Day will represent your personal purgatory, just begging for relief. (Getting off your knees might be the first step to redemption)
9 On New Year’s Eve, do not set resolutions you think would be great to accomplish if you were a superhero. If you do, at best, you will not last a week on your new plan. At worst, you will consider your failure at resolutions to be among one of the many failures for the year. (Now you need to be talked down off the ledge)
8 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your goodwill to humankind feeling leftover from the holidays should be demonstrated by public displays of affection for everyone you meet. If you do, at best, most will try to dodge your advances. At worst, there will be one person who will think you are the new lost love that they have been searching for their whole life. (Now you have someone stalking you for months despite the restraining order)
7 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your stomach deserves to be challenged with copious amounts of strange food. If you do, at best, your later hours will be spent in a degree of discomfort. At worst, your stomach will get even when you least expect it. (Yes, it is two in the morning, and that’s you calling trains into the ceramic microphone)
6 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your off-key singing throughout the year will suddenly get better with the addition of Champaign. If you do, at best, you will still draw the same looks you got for the rest of the year. At worst, you will begin to gather stray cats and dogs who think you are calling them for dinner while singing Auld Lang Sine. (Better find some kibble fast)
5 On New Year’s Eve, do not think your famous green monster punch will be enjoyed by everyone. If you insist everyone try it, at best, your party may end early. At worst, you may be responsible for sending some guests over the edge due to a strong allergy to Everclear and, if not an allergy, certainly a diminished capability for strong drink. (hint: green carpet spots never come up)
4 On New Year’s Eve, do not try to surprise your significant other with a mystery destination that you promise will make the best New Year’s Eve ever. If you do, at best, you may have selected a place that has some negative memories. At worst, you may spend the entire evening lost in a strange neighborhood which will not be the best destination. (It might be the most memorable as the prime reason your significant other is no longer significant and not your other)
3 On New Year’s Eve, do not get all romantic if all year you act as if romance was as welcome as the measles. If you do, at best, you will look ridiculous. At worst, you could cause a significant upset to the person you are ordinarily ambivalent about. (How was that first dose of pepper spray?)
2 On New Year’s Eve, do not think it a good idea to put that lampshade on your head. If you do, at best, some will laugh not with you but at you. At worst, the shade is an antique given to the host by a grandmother just before her demise, and now it is on the floor under your fanny after you slipped on a bottle and fell to the floor. (Oh, though you would like to know, the video on U Tube has gone viral)
1 On New Year’s Eve, do not think you must stay up past a reasonable hour to see in the New Year. If you do, at best, the next day’s activities will be a challenge. At worst, you will throw off your sleep cycle, not to mention nodding off at your mother-in-law’s New Year’s Day family gathering. (The pool of drool on the damask fabric of the antique couch will be your mark forever)
Today, we are cruising the neighborhood to check out the remains of the Christmas decorations. This is a trigger warning that some of these images may be disturbing to those who don’t want to let go of the Christmas spirit. We are catered by Juniper of East Austin. Our entertainment is Home Free.
NEW YEARS EVE TASTING MENU
PAO DE QUEIJO – Brazilian cheese bread
CURED HAMACHI TARTARE – Maine uni, finger lime, colatura vinaigrette, serrano
CRISPY POTATO & OSSETRA CAVIAR – crab gribiche, chervil
SPINACH & CATUPIRY CHEESE AGNOLOTTI – pecorino fonduta, confit peppercorns, chives odd white truffle
SEARED SCALLOP – toasted fregola, oyster cream, seaweed oil
SEA BASS “MOQUECA” – crispy rice, coconut broth, dende oil
ROSEWOOD WAGYU NY STRIP – hen of the woods mushrooms,
black garlic vinaigrette, watercress, odd black truffle
BRIGADERIO – dark chocolate cremeux, hazelnut praline,
chocolate crunchies
Back to our old bus – Let’s go.
Poor little fella.
Goodness. Looks like a mass deflation.
I have no idea what this is supposed to be.
Another view gives no new ideas on what this is supposed to say.
Whoops, an overserved Reindeer.
That Reindeer should have partnered with the overserved Santa.
Or maybe we should all go to a meeting together.
We know pops. You’re just tired.
Speaking to tired. Wake this one in the morning.
I hope you had at least one laugh on the tour. Now, it is time to enjoy the food and entertainment.
The coffee machine has decided to take some time off for the holidays, which finishes my year perfectly. Since AI is new to me, there was no way to negotiate any other outcome. This morning’s coffee is being made in a French Press. We are in the four-minute waiting period, which seems like four hours. Finally, the press is ready. A slow, steady pressure is applied, and the grounds are squeezed to one-quarter their size. The Costa Rican coffee aroma hits the nose, and the first sip brings back the memory of the clock.
The clock is set for December 29, 1924. The location is Hollywood, California, and the time is two hours. A pull of the plunger and we find ourselves at Grumman’s Chinese Theater. We are here in time to see the premiere of the silent movie Peter Pan.
The adventure film Peter Pan, directed by Herbert Brenon and starring Betty Bronson in the title role, was released by Paramount Pictures (at the time, Famous Players–Lasky). The film was an adaptation of the J. M. Barrie play Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, which had premiered almost 20 years earlier (on December 27, 1904) and which Barrie novelized in 1911 in the book Peter and Wendy.
After the movie, our alarm goes off, and we find ourselves on the couch with a tub of popcorn. A text from Linda Hill comes in. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “my year.” Use “my year” as the theme of your post. Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
“Well, that was a trip. Whatever happened to that silent movie?”
“After being considered lost, the film footage would be rediscovered at the Eastman School of Music in the 1950s and restored. In 2000, the Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry.”
“I would like to see that movie.”
“I know you can buy it on DVD from Amazon.”
“Oh. I was more or less thinking of free viewing.”
Believing that books save lives, international best-selling author James Patterson is taking the reins for dozens of American booksellers this year and giving their employees a $500 holiday bonus.
To protect the beloved industry and its bottom line, Patterson’s donations totaled $300,000 this holiday season and were divided between 600 bookshop workers.
According to the American Booksellers Association (ABA), workers either submitted an application for the bonus or were nominated by their colleagues, friends, or perhaps even an author.
“Booksellers save lives. Period,” Patterson said in a statement to ABC News. “I’m happy to be able to acknowledge them and all their hard work this holiday season.”
People Magazine reports that Alabama’s Thank You Books, Iowa’s The Nook, and San Francisco’s City Lights Books are just some locations that have witnessed Patterson’s gifts.
“We appreciate Mr. Patterson’s financial generosity as well as his generosity of spirit. We all continue to be awed by, and grateful for, Mr. Patterson’s continuing support of independent booksellers,” Allison Hill, CEO of the ABA, also said in a statement.
“It means everything to have him recognize and reward booksellers’ valuable role in the industry.”
This is just one of many large donations offered by Patterson to bookstores, totaling over $1.5 million of personal wealth over the last 20 years. This included a $500,000 donation during the opening salvos of the COVID-19 pandemic when enforced lockdowns and business closures threatened small businesses in many states.
“The White House is concerned about saving the airline industry and big businesses — I get that. But I’m concerned about the survival of independent bookstores, which are at the heart of main streets across the country,” Patterson said in a statement at the time.
“I believe that books are essential. They make us kinder, more empathetic human beings. And they can take us away momentarily from feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and scared.”
The good news in this story is that an author who has significantly benefitted from bookstore employees is willing to give back in recognition of those benefits. Today’s JohnKu talks about payback. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
