Sprouts is selling strawberries for $0.97/pound right now. This is what $6 of strawberries + $5 of sugar + $3 of pectin, and several hours of my time yielded tonight.

12 half-pint jars and 3 3/4-pint jars. It took me two batches. The last batch has 1/4 tsp of fresh ground black pepper. I’m curious to taste that one. Jars of homemade jelly generally sell for $5 each, so we have about $75 worth of jelly, for about $15 in materials and a few hours of time.

I’ve always wondered why liberals have so much hate for conservatives.  They don’t just hate conservative ideas, they hate the person. I read a great article by Dennis Prager today that really summed things up nicely. The highlights are listed below, but I recommend you go read the article for yourself to get a little more depth.

From Karl Marx to today, the Left has always hated people on the Right, not merely differed or been angry with them.

The question is: why?

Here are three possible answers.

First, the left thinks the right is evil.

. . .

Second, when you don’t confront real evil, you hate those who do.

. . .

Third, the left’s utopian vision is prevented only by the right.

received via email:

You know the honeymoon is over when the comedians start.

The liberals are asking us to give Obama time. We agree . . . and think 25 to life would be appropriate.
–Jay Leno

America needs Obama-care like Nancy Pelosi needs a Halloween mask.
–Jay Leno

Q: Have you heard about McDonald’s’ new Obama Value Meal?
A: Order anything you like and the guy behind you has to pay for it.
–Conan O’Brien

Q: What does Barack Obama call lunch with a convicted felon?
A: A fund raiser.
–Jay Leno

Q: What’s the difference between Obama’s cabinet and a penitentiary?
A: One is filled with tax evaders, blackmailers, and threats to society. The other is for housing prisoners.
–David Letterman

Q: If Nancy Pelosi and Obama were on a boat in the middle of the ocean and it started to sink, who would be saved?
A: America !
–Jimmy Fallon

Q: What’s the difference between Obama and his dog, Bo?
A: Bo has papers.
–Jimmy Kimmel

Q: What was the most positive result of the “Cash for Clunkers” program?
A: It took 95% of the Obama bumper stickers off the road.
–David Letterman

Most of my weekend was spent cleaning out the garage.  We can probably park Amber’s car in there again now.  I did a lot of organizing this time, which is time consuming and somewhat stressful for me.  Going through everything just reminds me of projects and things I want to get done.  I just don’t have enough time!  I did add some more shelves to my workbench today.  Now, for the first time, I can see all my nails and wood screws without having to dig through boxes.  I installed a piece of all-thread in the middle to cut down on droop.

Here it is all loaded up.  Hey look, I even have room for more screws!

This is a picture of a little panel board I built when I lived in a rental house.  It gives me two 20A 120V circuits so I can run lights, fans, and tools all at the same time.  It also has 220V outlets for the compressor and a welder that I no longer have.  When I move, I just unplug it from the wall and I have it at the next place I live.  This is one of the most useful things I own! Read the rest of this entry »

My cantaloupes are ripening, and this is my favorite thing about having a garden.  They are great.  This picture is of the biggest fruit I’ve seen.  You might think it is difficult to eat this much cantaloupe for a family of three, but we take care of business.  Bryson gets pretty testy when he sees me or Amber eating it.  He constantly tells us not to eat it all!