Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[svk]

I was reeling on Sunday for several hours of mowing Saturday. My allergies are still flared up despite doubling up on allergy meds.

 

[JustJeff]

My tree service buddy, bless his heart, dropped off a load directly on my fire pit. My daughter decided she wants friends over for a fire. I didn't want to block up this wood yet because I want to split the rounds I have already first. So I made a set of forks for my little tractor. A galvanized fence or sign post I had laying around. Weld a piece across to keep times from wobbling about. Bind it on with whatever chain I had. It works brilliantly and carried way more than I expected. Best thing fabricated for the tractor yet. I feel like doc in back to the future when he finds out one of his inventions actually works!

Sent from my CLT-L04 using Tapatalk

 

[H-Ranch]

Had to unload this small load of ash i picked up from the FIL's place with his truck, trailer, and *ahem* wheelbarrow. This is just a portion of what I cut that was down across his trails. Plenty more left for next time.

I had to unload to go pick up this.

And this..

This all came from my new old work new best friend. He bought a house with property this year (and a *nice* barn) and wants to clear some of it. I'll probably get more from him.

Plus I'm going for wood hoarder of the month for June. I may be ahead of a couple of the normal contenders but there is some new blood here making a run for it also. Good luck gentlemen!

 

[Philbert]

I was really scrounging . . .

I mentioned passing by some tree removals in my neighborhood, because I just have no place to put the wood. Then, a few days ago I received a few things to test, and all I had was some really dry, small diameter wood: would not be a fair test, unless I could try them in some larger wood, a few different species, or at least some greener wood as well. Asked around. Even posted a FaceBook 'ask'. Got an offer 2 hours away(!). Watched the news for several days after some really strong winds we had. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Where is all the wood when you just need a little to make cookies?

Finally, tonight while walking the dog, I found some guys removing a tree a few blocks away. They had already loaded their trailer, and were about to leave, but let me grab a few pieces to haul home in my car.

Man, logs don't grow on trees around here. . . .

Philbert

 

[Logger nate]

View attachment 837961View attachment 837962View attachment 837963View attachment 837964View attachment 837965View attachment 837966We had a good fishing trip up to the high country. We all caught about 40-60 trout each fished Stanford Lakes and Chittiden lake not to bad for only 1 day of fishing

Wow! That’s awesome! Beautiful country!

 

[mountainguyed67]

Wow! That’s awesome! Beautiful country!

Most don’t know we have such beauty in California, including Californians.

Pictures from a trip my son and I did two years ago. we spent almost a month backpacking.

 

[Logger nate]

Most don’t know we have such beauty in California, including Californians.

Pictures from a trip my son and I did two years ago. we spent almost a month backpacking.

Yeah I didn’t know. Very nice! That would have been a fun trip! I need to figure out how to do that full time and still be able to pay my bills...

 

[Cowboy254]

Most don’t know we have such beauty in California, including Californians.

Pictures from a trip my son and I did two years ago. we spent almost a month backpacking.

I know! I spent a month skiing in California when I was 18, in the Sierra Nevadas. Lake Tahoe, beautiful area. Met some of the undergraduates of Dartmouth. One of the best times of my life, apart from wedding day, birth of kids, highest batting score etc. I still remember her name.

 

[djg james]

Most don’t know we have such beauty in California, including Californians.

Pictures from a trip my son and I did two years ago. we spent almost a month backpacking.

You make me jealous as the heat and humidity are on the increase here in the St. Louis area.

 

[rarefish383]

You and me brother. Been sick since last week. Thought my cough was just the dust at logging site but you dont get a fever from that. Waiting on my covid test . Feel like I'm hacking up a lung

Sounds like you are sick. I was just 64 year old tired. Back in my early 30’s I stayed up 54 hours straight driving on a fishing trip, fishing all day and night, then driving home. My neighbor said he would drive because I had already been up 24 hours. Turned out he had a suspended DL. I wouldn’t let him drive my truck with my boat on the back, so I did it all. I survived that one, got a good night sleep, and was ready to do it again. Today I’m just starting to feel good again from Monday’s trip.

Get the test and take care. We had to get the test after my daughter tested positive at work. We knew we never got close to her, but she was worried she would give it to me. Everyone at home tested negative.

 

[rarefish383]

Whistle pig, wood chuck AKA ground hog is very good eatting. They are vegertarians ya know. Just remember when you clean them to remove the glands under the forearms.

I have a 22 hornet set up to shoot reduced loads for squirrels and such. speeds range from 1500 FPS 22LR area and 1800 FPS 22 mag speed area.
The 220 swift is fine for removing them from Soy Bean fields at any range over 25 yards too.

Groundhogs have musk glands in their armpits. YOU MUST REMOVE THESE IF YOU DON’T WANT TO THROW UP FROM THE STINK OF BRAISED MUSK GLANDS AS THEY BOIL AWAY!

Braised Groundhog Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (5 to 6 pound) groundhog, cut into 6 serving pieces
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 3/4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 3/4 stick unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon size pieces
• 2 1/2 cups dry white wine
• 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup whole grain mustard

Directions

1. Rinse the groundhog pieces, remove any fat, and cut out the glands underneath the front legs and armpits, then pat the meat dry. Season with 1 tablespoon Kosher salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
2. Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet, then brown the meat, in batches. This will take about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer the meat to a medium heavy pot. Reserve the skillet.
3. Add the broth to the pot.
4. Pour off any fat from skillet, then add the onions, garlic, thyme, and 3 tablespoons butter and cook over medium heat, stirring and scraping up any brown bits, until onions are softened. This will take about 5 minutes.
5. 
   
6. Add the wine and boil until the liquid is reduced by half. This will take about 8 minutes.
7. Pour the mixture over the groundhog. Cover the pot and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Braise the groundhog until it is very tender. This will take 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
8. Transfer the groundhog to a serving dish and keep warm.
9. Bring the liquid in the pot to a boil and reduce it to about 3 cups. This will take about 10 minutes. Whisk in the mustards. Remove the pan from the heat and add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter, swirling the pot until incorporated. Season sauce with salt and pepper and pour over the groundhog.

Yes the other critters have to eat too. But don't give them whistle pig, fine fare for any human.

Give them Coyotes to fill their belly on.

Al

I have friends always after me to dispatch ground hogs for them, my MIL has one camped out under her steps. I just don’t like to shoot things I don’t eat, so the recipe makes it tempting. It’s just when I was younger, my buddy saw a baby hog running along a foundation and we stopped and caught it. Made a great pet. It would lay on the dash of his truck and sleep. When it got bigger his grand parents would come over every night and give it a Nutty Buddy ice cream cone. It would sit up and eat the cone just like a kid, but didn’t make a mess. I know they ruin everything they get near, so I don’t mind others picking them off, I just tolerate them, but my dogs keep them out of my yard, so not much to tolerate.

 

[rarefish383]

You make me jealous as the heat and humidity are on the increase here in the St. Louis area.

I did a 10 day hike with my son at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico 10 years ago. We were out there the week of the Fourth of July. Our treck was 85 miles, not including the four mountains we climbed. Temps were in the 90’s with no humidity. I guess for what you might call a canned hike, it was a blast. Had to pack all our food, purify all our water from streams. The highest mountain we climbed was a little over 12,000 feet. Back home in MD, it was hitting 100 degrees with 85 percent humidity. Mule Deer every where, Elk, didn’t see any Bear or Rattlers. Waite Phillips of Phillips Petroleum donated Philmont to the Scouts for the good deeds they performed. Now it looks like the old saying, “No good deed goes unpunished”, may be true. I hope the Scouts can survive the turmoil?

 

[SS396driver]

Sounds like you are sick. I was just 64 year old tired. Back in my early 30’s I stayed up 54 hours straight driving on a fishing trip, fishing all day and night, then driving home. My neighbor said he would drive because I had already been up 24 hours. Turned out he had a suspended DL. I wouldn’t let him drive my truck with my boat on the back, so I did it all. I survived that one, got a good night sleep, and was ready to do it again. Today I’m just starting to feel good again from Monday’s trip.

Get the test and take care. We had to get the test after my daughter tested positive at work. We knew we never got close to her, but she was worried she would give it to me. Everyone at home tested negative.

Still waiting on the test results called this morning still pending . Have to call back after 1pm . They are swamped right now because we just went into phase 3 . And in order for people to go back to work they need the test .

 

[MustangMike]

I am very disappointed to have learned that my favorite beer, Sam Adams Cream Stout has been discontinued!

I guess dark beers are just not popular, but this one had a unique nutty taste that I liked quite a bit.

I will miss it. Just drinking the regular Sam Adams and the Yuengling Black and Tan now.

 

[djg james]

I am very disappointed to have learned that my favorite beer, Sam Adams Cream Stout has been discontinued!

I guess dark beers are just not popular, but this one had a unique nutty taste that I liked quite a bit.

I will miss it. Just drinking the regular Sam Adams and the Yuengling Black and Tan now.

My favorite was Kraftig, a St. Louis brew by one of the Busch relatives, I believe. Sadly, it went under due to all the micro brewery competition.

 

[svk]

I am very disappointed to have learned that my favorite beer, Sam Adams Cream Stout has been discontinued!

I guess dark beers are just not popular, but this one had a unique nutty taste that I liked quite a bit.

I will miss it. Just drinking the regular Sam Adams and the Yuengling Black and Tan now.

That is too bad.

I do not get it, people buy up all of the ****** tasting IPA's but ignore all of the darker beers that actually have real taste.....Slap an IPA label on it and people will buy it. Bitter is not a desirable taste!! Pour that stuff down the drain LOL

 

[SS396driver]

I am very disappointed to have learned that my favorite beer, Sam Adams Cream Stout has been discontinued!

I guess dark beers are just not popular, but this one had a unique nutty taste that I liked quite a bit.

I will miss it. Just drinking the regular Sam Adams and the Yuengling Black and Tan now.

Everyone wants IPA's . I like this stout

 

[mountainguyed67]

You make me jealous as the heat and humidity are on the increase here in the St. Louis area.

Yes, very nice up there during the day. Cool or even cold at night. We had a night just below Forester Pass at 29 degrees, in late August. It was probably over 100 degrees daytime down here in the Central Valley. 70 ish overnight. The previous nights were nicer though. I love it up there.

 

[rarefish383]

You make me jealous as the heat and humidity are on the increase here in the St. Louis area.

I did a 10 day hike with my son at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico 10 years ago. We were out there the week of the Fourth of July. Our treck was 85 miles, not including the four mountains we climbed. Temps were in the 90’s with no humidity. I guess for what you might call a canned hike, it was a blast. Had to pack all our food, purify all our water from streams. The highest mountain we climbed was a little over 12,000 feet. Back home in MD, it was hitting 100 degrees with 85 percent humidity. Mule Deer every where, Elk, didn’t see any Bear or Rattlers.

 

[sean donato]

I have friends always after me to dispatch ground hogs for them, my MIL has one camped out under her steps. I just don’t like to shoot things I don’t eat, so the recipe makes it tempting. It’s just when I was younger, my buddy saw a baby hog running along a foundation and we stopped and caught it. Made a great pet. It would lay on the dash of his truck and sleep. When it got bigger his grand parents would come over every night and give it a Nutty Buddy ice cream cone. It would sit up and eat the cone just like a kid, but didn’t make a mess. I know they ruin everything they get near, so I don’t mind others picking them off, I just tolerate them, but my dogs keep them out of my yard, so not much to tolerate.

If they are off in the woods, or at my but hole neighbors they are safe. But they like to dig close to my drain filed, so they gots to go.