Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967

I have not... I have, however, experienced the pathogenic fungus Mycosarcoma maydis, or "corn smut." Supposedly edible; even considered a delicacy in Mexico. Well, they're welcome to mine! That stuff is UGLY!!

Good Lord! And he ain't even running! Hm. Reckon he's had a relapse and progression from "hair sniffing."

Who dat...?

About… oh… twenty-five years ago or so I got an idea that it might be kinda fun to grow some “Indian Corn” for fall decorations. A good project to get my kid involved in, along with our annual pumpkin project – usually over a hundred plants. I did some basic research at the library, sent for some seed catalogs (the ‘net wasn’t what it is now), then had an inspiration. Years earlier I had been sent to Omaha on business trips a few times, and I was impressed to see that there were actually fields of corn inside the city limits. These folk were into corn! So, as that memory manifested itself into a meager thought bubble, I got on the phone. I called the University of Nebraska (Lincoln campus?), and told the nice lady who answered the phone that I wished to talk with someone in their Ag department who knew corn. In short order, I was transferred to some professor who was an acknowledged “corn expert.” I explained that I was looking for information on “Indian Corn” for a kid project; he made the observation that it was kind of late in the season (late May – early June, as I recall). I told him that we had plenty of space, very rich soil, a good well, access to lots of composted cow manure, and average summertime temperatures in the area were well over 100°. “Well by golly, THAT oughtta do it!” he proclaimed. “Gimme your address and I’ll send you a bunch of seed!” I did, and he did, and the “crop” was gorgeous! Everyone we knew got plenty of decorative corn that year. You could eat it - popped, or dried and ground into corn meal, but steamed or boiled was pretty blah. That said, my buddy and next-door neighbor worked for the Fresno State ag department – which was well-known for their annual crop of really delicious sweet corn, appropriately enough a variety called “Sweetie.” And Kurt was more than happy to bring me a big ol’ bag of seed! So, for a few years I would plant sixteen to twenty rows – plant four, wait a week or more then plant four more, and enjoy an extended harvest. And of course, everyone got corn and the freezer got stocked. [link below] That stuff was SO good! It was sooo sweet that you could literally yank an ear off the stalk, husk it, and eat it raw. Makes my mouth water just remembering it. Well, we lost Kurt a few years ago. But the seed is available and not all that expensive. The Kid and I have already decided we’re planting corn again this year – albeit in our now smaller back yards. SWEETIE Plant to harvest 82 days. Sweetie is two and one-half times as sweet as ordinary yellow corn - even sweeter than the Xtra Sweet varieties. Ears are 6-1/2 to 7 inches long with 14 to 18 rows of crisp tender kernels that retain their flavor long after picking. The 6 to 7 foot stalks have few suckers and are tolerant to rust. Easy to snap from stalks.

Mary Ann likes "Curmudgeonette..."

Actually, not all that bad, from what I've seen here 'bouts. I would have expected much, much worse!

"Trashed out" seems kinda harsh. That said, the Kid has plenty of other holsters that are either tooled or otherwise "unadorned." But his intent with these was specifically for "B Western:" B-Western/Lady B-Western Category B-Western shooting category carries rules and guidelines for both costuming/leather and firearm usage.... Leather Rules: - Buscadero holster rigs or drop holster rigs are required. All revolvers must be carried below the top of the gun belt. - All belt and holster rigs must be embellished (fancy stitching, Conchos, spots, or tooling). "The Kid" as a kid Plain Holsters

Um... I think "Curmudgeonette" has a classier ring to it.

Aw, shux... they were kinda popular just a mere forty-seven years ago.

I think I wore out multiple copies of his Self Portrait album.

...Bob, that is... Not wanting to corrupt Pat's "Helpful hint for musicians" thread ~ how many of y'all knew that Bob is accredited for having done what is recognized as the first "music video?" That would have been Subterranean Homesick Blues, 1965. I remember seeing this instead of a cartoon at the movie theater. Can't recall the movie, but I do recall wondering "What is this? And who the heck is this weird dude!?"

That was fun.

Back about ought six, when he was fourteen years old, Sassparilla Kid announced one day that he'd sure like to have a buscadero belt and holster rig like Rex O'Herlihan's in Rustler's Rhapsody. "Well, Kid, if you want such a thing, you're gonna have to make it yerself, 'cuz your old man surely ain't gonna buy it for ya!" He did. Didn't turn out half bad, and served him well for years. I came across the gunbelt a few days ago, and realized that it's due for some maintenance - fresh dye, and polishing, then got to thinking - would it be an improvement to add something to the expanse of leather above the holsters? Digging about in the leatherworking kit (I'm a leatherworking merit badge counselor), I came across a bunch of replica 1881 silver dollar conchos (the buckle holds an actual 1879 dollar). And had a thought - would they work, maybe? So... whaddaya think? Add one per side? Two? Or leave it alone? I just set 'em on the leather for the pictures.... Without One per side Two per side Two per side

TBF* Avenger. Dad was an eighteen-year old kid riding backward in the turret, flying off Ranger CV-4. *TBF Avenger was a Grumman plane; TBM Avenger was essentially the same plane built by General Motors.

"Super Duper" was a character in a Homer Price (of donut machine fame) story.... 🌝

The OV-10 has amazing landing gear... it's like a flying Citroën 2CV~!!

Hell, they'd prob'ly toss yer a$$ overboard~!!

I think I'd be avoiding Delta, and especially SFO: Article Some people are just plain nuts. And I would think that some dude flight attendant could use a good slapping.

Blinker fluid needs changin'....

Some fifty years ago I saw a bumper sticker that said: "Ban Trap Shooting - Save the Endangered Clay Pigeon!"

Speaking of P-39's... I worked with a fella whose dad (whom I met once) had flown P-39's during the war - he eventually retired from the reserves as a Lt Col. His civilian "profession?" He was a dairyman! He even had a picture of Elsie the Cow painted on his plane. After the war, I was told that he considered buying a then-cheap surplus plane, but decided that it would be more prudent to buy two cows for the same price. He wore a "Caterpillar Clob pin," having successfully bailed out of a '39 in training when the engine "lunched." When he made it to the Pacific, he actually bagged a Zero! He said that he popped out of a cloud "and there he was!" When the Japanese pilot was fished out of the drink he said that he never knew what hit him. A painting was commissioned to commerate the event; I snapped a picture of it hanging on my buddy's office wall.