The Laughing Wolf – Commentary, Punditry, and More

You’re Invited

This Sunday, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the consecration of the Church to which I belong. There is quite a story behind that consecration that involves the Order behind the nationwide Brother Juniper’s sandwich shops converting en masse to Orthodoxy. Within the local Orthodox community, we are sometimes referred to as the “Converts Church” for that reason. We still get a lot of people wanting to convert, and we welcome all who want to visit.

We will have Vespers tomorrow night at 1700 (5 pm) and they will be online. Our Vicar Bishop, Bishop Clement, will be there at the start and will be leading the Matins and Liturgy on Sunday. Matins will start at 0800 (roughly) and around 0900 Bishop Clement will tonsure a new Reader and two Acolytes to help serve the Altar. The two young men who are becoming Acolytes are excellent choices I think, though the Reader is a little sketchy. That Reader is me.

Now, I note above that times are rough. We tend to operate on Orthodox Time, which means things could start a little early (cough rarely cough) or late. What matters is that the needed things will get done — at some point. Right?

Since most of my readership is not local to Indianapolis, there are two ways to view the services if you are interested. The first is through our website where you will see up at the top a link for livestream at Facebook. Feel free to look around, as there is a lot of interesting things there including some information and tributes to my late Godfather Father Stevan Bauman. For those who don’t do the book of faces, we also now have a YouTube channel where there may be a livestream during the service and the complete service will be posted sometime after the service.

Now, for my non-Orthodox readers, I will be putting on a cassock after being tonsured but that does NOT mean I am a Priest or anywhere close to becoming one. It is a step that can lead someone towards the Deaconate and/or the Priesthood, but it is a very small and early step. It is, however, a chance to grow and learn. I am also glad that the cassock I have been given is not new, but is a hand-me-down. Someone before me wore it in learning and service, and that tradition now comes to me. Given that while things are going to be new to me, I am stepping into an even larger tradition of service that has been in place for a couple of millenia, I find that most appropriate.

So, I hope you will tune in and enjoy the service. I will note that we don’t look like many newer Orthodox Churches; but, that’s because the structure was finished in 1904 as a (Mayflower) congregationalist church. Gorgeous woodwork and I find it beautiful. Hope we can continue to avoid major repairs as you literally can’t get wood of that quality and sizes anymore.

Along with classwork and normal activities of life, this week has seen services everyday but today. It’s why I haven’t been posting much. My journey continues, and I hope you will tune in to this step. May God Bless and Keep you all, now and in the days ahead.

Announcement Coming Friday

This is an insane week in terms of schedule and all that has to get done. I have services at the Church six of seven days. There’s also some things going on right now that I can’t yet share. That said, tune in Friday for an announcement and invitation. I’ll try to get something up this week, though it may only be a quick post on the hamburgers I just did.

I don’t expect to get a lot done this week other than class work and Church. I really hope to get some serious cooking and canning done next week if at all possible. Feel free to hit the tip jar as I want to can spaghetti sauce, chili, and at least two types of soup. Three if I can pull it off. We will see.

Just an FYI, I’ve gone to half-tank alert. When the gas in the car drops to half a tank, I am filling up. Quarter-tank (filling up when I hit 3/4 of a tank) is on the horizon. Please be safe and prepared my friends, and pray. I fear we’ve progressed off the knife edge and onto the razor, and I see a mono-molecular blade possibly ahead.

More on Friday. Meantime, be prepared. Keep your family and friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark. Have Faith.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. If you would like to help me with seminary courses, pilgrimages, and more, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. Thank you.

Winter Decisions

Winter is coming, and there are days I do miss not being on a limited and fixed income. Then again, I’m thankful to be here even if the times since I got hit by lightning have been a touch interesting. Thing is, by God’s grace, I am continuing to recover.

This morning I had to choose between two needful things. On the one hand, I need a meat grinder to handle some essential cooking projects. Having to cut out beans, bean products (including oils, soy, etc), and other things means I really need to avoid most store-bought and/or processed foods. Having a meat grinder would allow me to do a variety of sausages and home-made hot dogs, along with regular ground meat. Very much something I want to do.

On the other hand, winter is coming and I suspect with a vengeance. To deal with parts of that, I needed some new winter gear in the form of clothing and such. Among other things, some of my blankets have been around 40 years and are showing it. Not to mention some of my thermal underwear, winter socks, etc. If the power goes out, or we have to shovel out from the deep, I plan to be warm even without busting out some of the emergency heating gear. Sometimes it is best not to advertise capabilities.

So, since I now have my stipend, I got to make a choice. I went with the clothing and related. It actually came out less than the good meat grinder I want (see the Amazon Wish List) which leaves me a bit to put into some more bulk purchases for canning. Hoping I might can borrow a meat grinder or find a very cheap one for temporary use. Will see. If anyone is feeling very generous I note the egg products, meat grinder, and either generator on the list.

I think it is going to be an interesting winter, and possibly even spring. Plan accordingly. Be prepared. Keep your family and friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark or cold.

Canning Brisket/Corned Beef

Recently, I canned a bunch of ground beef. Good way to get stuff out of the freezer and into a shelf-stable situation.

Now, I’ve been reading and hearing a good bit about canning brisket, and in particular making it into corned beef via the canning process. People have been raving about how good it is, so I decided to give it a try. I also opted to do a jar of “smoked” brisket, as I had also heard good things about it.

I got a whole brisket from the restaurant supply store, and started removing the fat as you can see above. Again, fat can be a problem when canning because it can prevent a good seal.

Hard to see, but hopefully tasty and good corned beef brisket

I got good seals and put away a bit. I used the “smoked” brisket as my test jar, and sadly wasn’t that impressed. Thinking it should have had more liquid smoke, but didn’t think much of the texture or taste. Hoping the brisket and the jars I did as corned beef (corning spices added to the jars) taste better. Even if not, have a start on something good I think. Little more low and slow cooking should do the trick in terms of texture.

Think if I do brisket again I will just go with flats instead of a whole brisket. Made for some nice rendering, but seem to get more meat with the flats.

Meantime, I’ve got more food put away for the new dining reality. With luck, plan to get a good bit more tucked away in the next few weeks. As I have noted before, it’s not just going carnivore because of lightning strike issues, it’s all the stuff that goes with it. Most commercially canned products have things in them I’m not supposed to eat. Given how things are going, plan to stay strict as it is paying off. So, I see more canning in my future.

Vote!

Today is the day (should be the only day). Do your civic duty, and your duty to yourself to be a responsible Citizen, and vote. Vote as if your life and your children’s lives count on it, because they do. The world we vote for today is going to be their lives. Think on that, then vote on that basis and/or as your conscience tells you to do so.

Sorry for the lite posting, lots going on, some of which I can’t really share yet. More soon.

Yes, I’ve Noticed…

Seems a number of countries around the world have decided to “suggest” to their citizens/subjects/whatever that they have three days of food and water on hand for “emergencies.” Yes, I do think it interesting.

In several cases, there appear to be storms and such that could do some damage which would make sense for them to be prepared. I can’t find my original post on this topic, but keep in mind that in my system an inconvenience is roughly one minute to three days; an emergency is three days to three weeks; and, a true disaster is something that lasts longer than three weeks. I highly recommend having enough items on hand to last out an emergency at a minimum.

That said, I am finding it interesting that 18 governments have said basically the same thing. Recommended the very same time frame and supplies. Not alarmed at this, but am curious.

Meantime, I know most of my regular readers are prepared for a bit more than that. I think that a very good idea. Anyone wants to hit my tip jar or Amazon Wish List, look at the upper right corner and know it would be very much appreciated. Especially here before November 3.

Pay attention and be prepared. Keep your friends and family close, and your things where you can find them in the dark. Remember, preparedness always pays.

Canning Ground Beef

A while back, I mentioned that I’m having to change some of my preparedness food stocks due to digestive issues from being hit by lightning. For all that I am Blessed to have gotten up again, and have seen some miraculous healing on the cardiac front, my digestive system has some issues. A few weeks ago, after the first major intestinal flare in two or three years sent me to the ER, I decided to go hardcore.

I won’t bore you with all the details, but among other issues is the need to avoid beans and bean products (including oils from beans, like soybeans among others). In fact, avoiding most seed oils has been presented as a good idea, along with avoiding legumes, sugar, grains, and other delights. Given that I was born allergic to almost everything but meat, dairy, chocolate, and potatoes, I’m eating pretty much what I could eat then just minus the potatoes. In short, I’m pretty much on a carnivore diet via eating meat, cheese, mushrooms, and some onion. I do get some peppers on occasion, but have to watch them as they can set things off. To answer a question I was asked recently, spices are not a direct cause, but they can be an aggravating factor.

So, I went hardcore about four (five?) weeks ago. Add in no alcohol to the above too. Week before last met with my doctor after having blood work done. Amazingly good results, and anything that wasn’t where I wanted it was trending towards where I wanted it. My triglycerides were down by half, the digestive system was happy, and we are on a path that could see me off most or all cardiac medicines in a year. Part depends on getting the gym on a regular basis for some intense workouts, and I’m trying to make that happen despite coursework and other demands on my time.

So, I’ve been working to add a lot more meat to my emergency stocks. A couple of months ago, I bought into a bulk deal that got me about 60 pounds of beef for a very reasonable price (less than a formal 1/8 of a cow) from a local farm and butcher. I think you can guess my thoughts on some of the USDA regulations and the processing monopoly (President Trump nuke that nightmare now!). Half the beef was ground beef, all was frozen, and I wanted to explore a shelf-stable option for some of it. So, I tried my hand at canning some of it.

For my first time canning ground beef, it didn’t go too bad. I got some very good advice from a friend (who is a certified food preservation expert) and went at it. I par-cooked the ground beef and tried to get rid of as much fat as I could. In a true survival situation, getting enough fat is the big problem. Eating six large moths as I was taught really wasn’t that appealing. Yet, fat in canning can have a negative effect on the sealing. I actually ended up with more fat than I expected, and plan to do things a bit different next time.

Some of the ground beef I thawed was made into hamburgers, par cooked, and frozen.

Yes, I used boiling water as dry canning isn’t the way to go no matter how many rebel canning videos you watch. May switch it for homemade beef stock next time. Besides, the “water” ends up filled with nutrients, including fat, and can be used to add to your water/liquid requirements for the day. It is a very useful way to augment your water supplies. Neat watching the jars continue to boil even after coming out of the pressure canner.

And, as you can see here, more fat in there than I intended. Next time, plan to do the separation differently so as to reduce the fat in the jars while adding to the fat I can render/refine into beef tallow. Yes, I have started rendering my own beef tallow to go with the bacon drippings and other delights.

Yep, there was some fat in there. Just glad things sealed well.

Number of lessons learned, and plan to kick things up a notch next go round. Plan to do some ground beef with homemade taco seasoning, some with homemade chili seasoning, etc. Really want to can some of my good chili, and in reviewing what the big book of Ball has to say seems doable. Also, plan to can soups and some broth here soon. More on that when it happens.

Next up, my adventures canning some beef brisket. Nice thing was, not only got canned meat, but some really good tallow and beef consomme out of it.

UDATE I: Welcome Instapundit Readers! As always, please feel free to look around, join in a conversation (rational discourse appreciated), and check out some of the other topics and posts. Scroll down as there are smaller posts between the larger ones. You might enjoy some thoughts on securing European nukes, some discussion on the FlyDubai incident, or browsing through some of my pilgrimage and theological posts. Or perhaps reading about the untold story behind Hogan’s Heroes. Or, if interested in Preparedness, start here and work your way forward. Grab a drink and a snack, and be welcome.

Into The Light: Walter Koenig

The original cast of Star Trek is now down to two living members. Word went out today that Walter Koenig passed away at 90.

I actually met him years back when a group of us who worked LibertyCon were asked to come in and be personal security/help to some of the original cast (and others) at a media con/event. Walter didn’t want security, so I told him I would stand at a discrete distance and unless something happened not get in the way. He genuinely liked and appreciated his fans, and disliked anything and anyone who got in the way of that as he saw it. With keeping my distance and helping out a small bit once or twice, we got along tolerably well.

I think he was a bit surprised when in the Green Room some of the other cast members knew me (courtesy of Mr. James Doohan) and we began chatting. The fact that I was a fan from the 60s, and known, seemed to smooth over any remaining rough edges.

He was different. Can’t pin it down more than that, but he was different. Part is that he was much quieter than, say, George or Nichelle. Then again, most people were/are less ebullient and gregarious than George or Nichelle (RIP). He struck me as a quiet man, who while friendly and talkative with fans, was just as happy not to talk. Never met him again, but got the impression he really LOVED playing Bester in Babylon 5, as it was a type of character and side of him he almost never got to play.

As for his not wanting security, found out later from something he wrote (autobiography?) that it stemmed from a con where someone had sent in multiple threats that they were going to come down there and kill him. Specifically him. The con put security on him and apparently set condition Red which messed up his time with the fans. To the point of sweeping him up and out when the person making the threats said he was nearby. Ever since then, cons gave him security despite his asking strongly (and apparently pointedly) they not do so. Hard to blame the man for being grumpy about it.

Between some personal experience and some reading, he faced tragedy more than once in his life. Despite that, he pressed on and continued to enjoy meeting his fans. I’ve said a prayer or two for his soul, and for those he leaves behind — especially his family who were by his side when he passed. Please do the same.

Remembering Bill, And His Brothers

This day, in 1983, the Marine barracks in Beirut were hit by two truck bombs. I’ve been remiss in writing Bill, and sadly haven’t been in touch with his family for far too long. I wrote to him in February, trying to catch up a bit.

Absent Companions: LCpl Bill J. Stelpflug, Beirut, 1983. Godspeed.

Godspeed also to all his Brothers in Arms who died that day. Remember them.

Whew!

There is more to come, but right now I’m behind on classwork and things here at home. Last week, pretty much every hour was spent on Church work given the extra services and such. This week, trying to get caught up on everything that didn’t get done last week (or the week before, or the week before). I have gotten do so some cooking, canning, and freezing, and will be sharing more on that soon. Meantime, a few pictures for you.