V M XX

Returning to the land of the living after a couple of down days. Last time just after posting up I drove across town to K-roget for second and final in the series of shingle shots.

Now I am not going to say it ‘wiped me out’ which is a common end-all phrase in this day and age but it did have me out of sorts. I was intermittently chilled, sometimes I would ache all over and the headaches seemed to pass quickly but the most disturbing thing was the fog in the head and an unacceptable energy level which made engaging in certain activities difficult.

The Good News is better today and more back to normal IF there is such a thing here anymore.

The day of the shot, Ground Zero, I was fine except for the ‘bruised sensation’ at the injection site.

When I got home there was a text message from Rodney that the trap had captured a couple of hogs and he wanted to know if I was interested.

Heck yeah.

By the time I arrived Rodney had dispatched two nice sized pigs AND there were seven (7) little piglets that were of the age that they would not likely survive without their mother. As sad as this sounds to the bleeding hearts out there, there is a glimmer of hope.

Rodney said that feral hogs are ‘communal’ (see the root word ‘communist’ ?) and IF the little ones can find a sounder (pig speak for ‘herd’ or ‘flock’), another sow will take them in, take care and raise them.

The feral pig has learned adaptive behavior in order to survivie and this is but another fine example and illustrates exactly how and why they are going to be a worsening problem.

At any rate, today’s image is the two sows hanging and awaiting the knife.

It wasn’t long before we were joined by Rodney’s daughter, her friend and boy friend. Rodney’s daughter had a field dressing collection of knives (kit) which enabled us to pick up the pace and the extra hands helped as well.

As we progressed, the sound of coyotes could be heard in the distance and Rodney said they were coming in for the remnants and offal. He claimed he heard the little piglets but I think his hearing was slipping a notch.

The following day the ‘reaction’ to the shot was peaking and I struggled to motivate and finish processing the cuts I received. There was a hind leg or ham (rump ?) , a front or shoulder, some bacon which of course was not seasoned and some other cuts which are for all intents and purposes unrecognizable and labels are TOTALLY irrelevant. Except for the ribs.

Last night I boiled two large boney sections that had a lot of meat for a couple of hours while I worked and watched Hidden on dvd.

When I turned in and shut down I checked and tested and proclaimed ‘not ready’. At 3:18 am I awoke and thought while the electric is free, continue the boil which I did until shortly before 5:00 am.

By 7:29 it had cooled to room temp and I was able to handle and check again and when tested it was PERFECT. The remaining meat fell easily from the bone AND there is some fine looking broth or stock if there is a difference I will have to look THAT up and get back to you.

Emma, what’s the difference between broth and stock?

In other news, after months or YEARS, I made a good connection with a social media guru for selling my art over teh information superhighway. He sold a piece last night in the first hour, on the FIRST day He also took a few other items in hopes of selling them on line thru whatever platform IDK.

The Plan is for him to get it set up and running smoothly and then transition operation and maintenance to moi having him available for consultations, questions and problems.

As it was a crappy day yesterday, I took my hybrid training bike in for a new seat and to have the computer righted. I left it there after apologizing for my being out of sorts. They weren’t busy and said I could wait but I could NOT wait. I wanted to get home, lay down and get warm.

So that brings me to today.

I must, must MUST register for classes at CC. If I wait ANY longer the chance of being locked out will be very high for the summer semester.

WHAT ABOUT TRAINING?

Not to worry but thanks for thinking of me.

I MUST get this project started. Training won’t be an issue and I need to start picking up some of this course work. I get two (2) freebies per semester so this will be a goo test to see if I can do it and carry on OR do an about face and abort the Plan.

That’s it Fans.

You are OFFICIALLY current and up-to-date.

I have a LOT or ketchup to do and today I feel up to it and ready and worthy of the task(s) at hand.

WS out.