So Long Shane

It's been real partner. I wish you the best on your new adventure in SD. Stick close to Mary and always wear your hat. Peace.

           https://youtu.be/T1Hp1B6jvHA         

Jerky

I don't claim to be much of a cook, but turns out I can make jerky. Having a steady supply of beef, I thought I'd try my hand at drying meat. A few tweaks here and there, but over the last year I think we have making jerky dialed in. 

Paul Casey and I plan to start an open forum discussion group called Chewing the Fat, with coffee and jerky. 

Not having made jerky before, I called my brother for his recipe. I'd like to share it, but it's a family secret. 

5/16" seems to be a good thickness for raw beef. It'll dry down to about an 1/8". I like sirloin and round strips the best.

Then off to our trusty American Harvest dehydrators. During the 12hrs of drying, they put off a nice aroma around the house that I think Fr. Cliff really enjoys.

I'll check them and the ones that are a bit tender we'll keep drying. Generally speaking, 12hrs of marinating and 12hrs of drying will do the trick. 

Ready to serve. The meat is pretty dry when it first comes out. But after sitting in a bag for several days, it softens right up. 

It seems like I have made more friends since I've been jerkying beef. Not sure why. Guess people are just more friendly when you've got dried meat in your pocket. Our Lord said that man cannot live on bread alone. But I think he could live on jerky alone, or a least he'd try. Paul and I are pretty convinced that dried beef and hot coffee can solve the world's problems. Why don't you pull up a chair and let's find out. 

Stop

If we are sinning, stop. If we are not loving God with all our heart, start.

           https://youtu.be/qkooQrqaT9U         

 

Compassion

 When evaluating our moral response to a situation, ask not how you feel, but how they feel.

           https://youtu.be/_aXAOuTP0BM         

Gravity

 Temptation... it's just a part of life like gravity is. But if we resist it, we can run.

           https://youtu.be/WJJy2Rj4EVs         

Already

 Start Lent with the goal of the Resurrection in mind.

           https://youtu.be/s_FsA9u0JRI         

Discipline

Let's discipline ourselves to be better disciples.

           https://youtu.be/7Xn8rydJrVc         

Long Game

Gird the loins of your mind and live soberly this Lent.

           https://youtu.be/JrLb_uPuS3c         

Aim High

Let's keep the bar of faith in Heaven where it needs to be.

           https://youtu.be/DWefQF6Zgho         

Integration

Virtue is when boys become men.

           https://youtu.be/sVV50dPvfGc         

 

Fr. Braidy

Fr. Zane Pekron has been cracking a whip since he was 12 years old. He's gotten pretty handy at it over the years. Come seminary, in an effort to keep himself grounded, he thought he'd try his hand at braiding one. Since then, Zane has become quite the braider, making anything from stock whips, to belts, to alb cinctures.

Zane said his grandpa taught him some simple braids when he was young. Which made taking the next step to more complex systems rather natural. 

His high school algebra finally came in handy. When making a whip or belt to a certain length you need to figure out ahead of time how long to cut the cords.

Paracord is his preferred braiding material. Most of his projects he guts the rope so it'll lay flat. Some, like the overlay of a whip, he leaves fully round.

Flat braids are probably simpler than most. But once you add 14 strands like this one they get complicated in a hurry.

You make up the particular pattern. It might be over 1 under 1 like this one. Zane's trick is to pull tight the strand he is going to weave, cinching up the entire project as he goes. 

I think Garth Brooks would wear this bad boy.

Round braids add a different degree of difficulty. Each time you braid a strand you loop it behind the work and then weave it accordingly. Thus making a rope. 

4 round is a good starting point for a whole lot more. This is the beginning of a lead rope.

A stock whip is the ultimate project. Having some 16 under his belt by now, they are becoming old hat. The long durable handle is characteristic of a stock whip. Bull whips have a shorter handle and usually don't swivel at the base of the whip like a stock whip.   

Get along little doggies!

Nice work brother. I dig seeing guys take on a challenge and begin to master it. You are well on your way. Keep wearing that hat. The People of God like a priest they can relate to. It reminds them of Jesus. 

 

Saltiness

All of us will be salted with fire?

           https://youtu.be/JpgPck3eogc