Rev. Erudite Redneck, B.S., B.S., M.A., M.Div.

Just the kind of stuff I'm writing almost every day! LOL.

Speaking of, you need to read my blog for the latest report from my turf. *mourning*
 

That first entry spoke of a dog killing geese and ducks, etc.

Which reminded me that you seemed to be inquisitive about a honey-brine for poultry that I mentioned a while back, but I never got around to responsing to because I was crazy busy.

So here goes:

1 Gallon water
1 cup salt
2Tbsp Tender Quick
1 Cup honey
3 Bay leaves
¼ tsp. ground cloves
½ tsp. pickling spice

Mix together and boil.

Cool to room temperature.

Brine ducks 2-3 hours.

Roast.
 

Thanks. I've used a brine. ...
 

Dang it. I mean I've never used a brine. ... Got a brine for chicken??
 

This brine & cooking recipe is for turkey, but I'm sure it would work great for chicken. (The Husband used it for the Thanksgiving turkey, and we ended up with the very best turkey I've ever eaten in my life -- just don't tell my Mom.)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_8389,00.html
 

"First-grader, armed to the tooth, still suspended."

Times change don't they. In the fifth grade at my little consolidated country school we had a 4-H Demostration Project competition. That is where you give a little speech while demonstrationg how to do something useful. I chose how to clean my rifle, as did four other boys. That afternoon, while our parents were at the consecutive PTA meeting we all went out to the big ditch across the road from the school and shot at tin cans until they were through.
Times change don't they.
 

Back in the '80's, when I was in High school, there was hardly a pick-up truck in the school parking lot that didn't have a well-stocked gun rack in the back window. I just bet you lots of them were loaded, too!

My brother refurbished at least one shotgun in metal shop, and got graded on the project. In fact, he wasn't the only one. The only thing the metal shop teacher insisted on is that the guns be locked in his office when the kids were not activly working on them.

I think everyone I knew carried a pocket knife in school, and some of those "pocket knives" were 4"+ lock blades.

And it was almost impossible to get a child disciplined at all for fighting. I got hit or kicked or shoved down the stairs almost every day, until I started training in karate.

The times, they do change. But I gotta say I DO like my kids attending an orderly school. They learn so much more when they don't just go there to get the crap kicked out of them. :-)
 

Teresa, I was sort of a bully in grade school, or so some thought, but I never whupped on or kicked anybody. I hated those punks who did.

Kids had guns in their gun racks in the parking lot, including myself once in awhile.

And all the boys carried knives, and some of the girls. Carrying a pocketknife is a life habit. I was reminded of how often I use mine on my last trip to Boulder; I remembered to leave it home rather than surrender it to the TSA at the airport -- and reached for it numerous times over the four-day weekend.

Funny how you get used to stuff -- kinda like that frog that doesn't notice the water in the pit he's sitting in is getting hot until it's too late.

I remember being appalled and totally put out the first time I had to hand over my pocketknife to get in somewhere. It was to get into a courtroom in the federal courthouse in Dallas, for some proceeding I was covering. I'd harsdly ever even seen a walk-through metal detector, let alone had someone make me surrender my knie. They were way jittery because not long before some wacko had killed some judges in next-door Tarrant County in a courthouse in Fort Worth.
 

ER,

When I REALLY realized that the times had changed was when I saw a Bush/Cheney bumpersticker on a Volkswagon Bug.

I can't tell you the weird feeling that was. Weirder even than giving up the life-long habit of carrying a pocketknife (forgot to take it out of my pocket too many times when entereing the kid's school...only to discover it too late.)

:)

Anyway, I DO think that the school rules lead to a much better school environment. From what I can tell there is very little violence in my kid's school, and little or no sexual violence, which used to be just laughed off in the school I went to as "boys will be boys".
 

Re, "Bush/Cheney bumpersticker on a Volkswagon Bug."

That just ain't right. :-)
 

ER
Rgarding the Bush/Cheney bumpersticker on a bug; I know. It AIN'T right.

that one kept coming back on me for a few days, and I'd just shake my haed and mutter "The world's done gone pure crazy."
 

My city is also a Character First city, with a focus each month. At the start of the City Commissioners' meeting we watch a video describing these positive character traits and what they mean as implemented in our daily lives. (This is after the prayer led by a community minister and the Pledge of Allegiance.)

This month's Character Trait for Character First cities is:

DEFERENCE vs. RUDENESS

XXXX is proud to be a member of the International Association of Character Cities.
It is important to increase awareness of the importance of good character in XXXXX
homes, workplaces and community groups.

In many cultures, eating together symbolizes shared experience and interests. A
person’s manners and the ceremony surrounding the meal communicate goodwill and
show a willingness to understand others and build good relationships.

Think Community
Life is a shared experience. You share your home with family members. You share
our community with neighbors. And you share your workplace with colleagues.
Whether individuals meet for conversation or for business negotiations, they show their
esteem for others by holding a constructive conversation and by helping others benefit
from the experience. Thus your habits and mannerisms affect how you get along with
others and what contributions you make to your community.

Identify Responsibility
At the table, a person’s relative position indicates his or her role and responsibility. As
a host or hostess, you seek to make your guests comfortable. As a guest, you receive what the host or hostess has prepared.

Showing deference means doing what will most benefit the other person, not simply
complying with someone’s whims. Know what lies within your responsibility. Then,
identify which principles of good character apply to the situation.

In daily life, your responsibilities to others will differ with each relationship. You have a
responsibility to serve customers when they come to your business. You also have a
responsibility to help your children do their homework.

Exercise Freedom
Freedom is the ability to fulfill your responsibilities. Thus, freedom ceases to be
freedom when it oppresses or insults another person.

Whatever you need to do, communicate respect to others. You might avoid chatting
with a coworker so that he or she can finish a project. Other times you might turn down
your radio so that you do not distract others from their responsibilities.

A butter knife is curved inward to signify good will toward others. In the same way,
deference allows you to honor others and communicate genuine goodwill.

Excerpt from current issue of Character First: Source: Character Bulletin Series 3, No. 46.
 

Good Lord! Is there a picture of a '50s housewife meeting her husband at the door after work with a martini?

Re, "Freedom is the ability to fulfill your responsibilities." Man, that's right out of a civics textbook, circa 1957.

Or am I too cynical?
 

No, you aren't. You really should have to sit through some of these videos so you could appreciate the FULL impact of the program.