Hamburgers

Hands down, my favorite food is a hamburger. I'm pretty sure I could eat one every day and never get tired of it. Of course, it's got to be cooked right. Growing up, Dad made the best hamburgers. The secret he inherited from Grandma was steamed buns. We called them Greasies. 

1 lb package of burger makes nice 1/3 lb patties. 

Only Lungren Brothers grass fattened beef will do. 

Once the patties are pressed and the pan is warm, throw them on. I salt and pepper the down side before they go in and then hit the tops once they're cooking. I like to keep the heat about medium. 

Some people don't like to press them down, thinking they loose all the juices. With these big patties, though, I find it helps them cook even and stay together better. Smash burger, if you will. 

The right buns make a difference too. Hawaiian buns are hard to beat cause they're sweet. But a good ole sesame seed bun will do too. 

Here's the kicker: cook them good on the first side. Then when you flip it, place the buns, bottom down, on top of the patties. 

Then cover the pan. And while the bottom side of the patty cooks it steams the buns. It's often good to turn the temp down to low at this point. 

Pull them off, turn them over, add the cheese...

And enjoy! 

Nothing says God bless America like a freshly cooked, home grown hamburger. I love it. If you ever want to break into my bank account, the answer to  my favorite food security question is always a hamburger! 

Time of Trial

Don't cave to the culture. 

           https://youtu.be/mWkPGgMcbNo         

Servant

Receive the gift, then put it to work.

           https://youtu.be/_BvCWOgmjQA         

 

Already

The Kingdom of God is already present through the Church.

           https://youtu.be/FcRh0nIT7IE         

Second Coming

We'll all know when our Lord returns.

           https://youtu.be/mMXPk6T-Qtk         

Ranch Sorting

My buddy Mike is always calling me with new adventures. Some I take advantage of when time allows, and others I just let pass for one reason or another. Well, this little ranch gig at the Camplex sounded fun. Not sure what we were getting into, but I was game. 

So I grabbed the kids bright and early. Chief was to be my horse of choice. 

Here's the layout. Turns out it not something new. 

Once arrived, all the contestants take time to warm up their horses. 

And of course, stop for the National Anthem. Today being Veterans Day, I was just super reminded of the gift or our freedom and opportunities in America. This did not come by happenstance. People fought to defend it, and they still do today. Thanks be to God for our veterans and their sacrifice. 

Our fellow buddy Luke was able to show up, so I gave him Chief and let the brute Mollie out of her cage. 

You basically start with 10 numbered cattle in a pen. 

As you and your partner enter that side of the corral, they call out a number. Then, starting with that number, you sort the first cow into the next pen, followed by the rest of the cattle numerically. You have 60 seconds to get all 10. If your time runs out, you get scored on how many you got through in 60 seconds. Or if you get a cow out of order you get disqualified. 

We all got three different turns, two with each other and one with a draw. Mollie was a bit like a bull in a china closet. But we had fun. Mike and I had one good run where we got 4 cows sorted in 60 seconds. 

Giddy up. 

Fun time. I'll take advantage of any opportunity I can to get the horses out. This ranch sorting gig was cool. Good to hang with the boys and good to learn some new tricks. Not sure we'll take it up as a pass time, but great opportunity to meet new folks. On to the next one. 

Shed Cleaning

Along with getting some vacation time each year, Holy Mother Church gives her priests one day off a week. I take Friday's off. And whenever I can, I run back home and work on the ranch. 

Today's project was to clean up Grandpa's old shed. For a chore such as this, only the 4010 would do. 

This ole lean-to is probably 50 years old. It was one of the first buildings Grandpa built down in the barnyard. I'm pretty sure some of this manure is original too. I cut him some slack though, he never had a farmhand to speak of. Just a couple old Farmalls and a handful of kids. 

If I was going to get much done with a tractor, I had to remove the muffler and air cleaner stack in order to fit under the roof. Don't tell Dad. 

Farmhands come by their name honestly. 

Couldn't get everything with the bucket though. A pitchfork works good to clean the corners.

I just hauled the manure/straw combo out into Dad's field. He'll till it under next spring. 

For the final pass I went with the ole scoop shovel. Turns out there's a concrete floor under here. 

Let's dance. 

Nothing says fun like a shed full of manure and a pitchfork. Working seems to be how I like to spend my free time. I come by it honestly though. This barnyard was a labor of love for Grandpa. Serves the same purpose for me. One day back home and I'm refreshed and ready for whatever the next week of parish ministry brings my way. Giddy up!

Church in Rome

One, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

           https://youtu.be/LTSqMH0maw8         

Field Trip

Every November the Durham Ranch works their entire heard of Bison. For a solid three days it's all hands on deck. Being the generous folk they are, they welcomed a couple greenhorns like Dave and I to hang around. 

Over the past 57 years these guys have got raising buffalo down to a science. 

The main reason I brought Dave along was so he could get the gates. 

The buffs look healthy. This time of year they are really starting to hair up. 

It's not the only reason I come down, but I do look forward to my annual monster cookie. 

I pretty much just try to stay out of the professionals' way. 

Looking good. Might make a nice Christmas card. 

Giddy up.  

So fun. I enjoy hanging with this outfit. They know how to work hard and have fun. Thanks for letting us come down and be part of the family. Keep up the Good work. 

Birthday Buddies

Once a month at our weekly staff meetings we honor each other's birthday by bringing in a treat. Beings William and I both share November birthdays, it was our turn.  

Today, Nov. 8th is William's birthday. Mine is the 25th.

I didn't know what to bring in honor of William. However, as I left the house yesterday and passed by some nice oatmeal cookies that someone had made us, a light bulb came on. I'd decorate them with something that William enjoys. 

So I picked up some decorating spread at Smiths and headed to the school kitchen. 

Having an affinity for Bigfoot, I drew a Sasquatch on the cookies for him. 

Not bad for an amateur. As long as you make a figure's arms abnormally long, it can be taken as Bigfoot. 

William had an advantage over me, he has a wife. Cassidy had the grand idea of making cowboy hat cupcakes. Simple chocolate cupcake, white frosting, and a Pringle chip with a Rolo candy all dipped in chocolate did the trick. 

They tasted even better than they looked!

Well played. There's something in human nature that likes to celebrate when babies hit the ground. We do it every year for Jesus and we do it annually for ourselves. As much as anything, I think it's an opportunity for us to thank God for the gift of each other. Happy Birthday William!

Judgement

There is the particular judgement at our death and the general judgement at the end of time.

           https://youtu.be/6aXGSh9c-GQ         

Human Humility

Humility is to be human. 

           https://youtu.be/N6tVrYOi9lQ