Toss that Expensive Foot Cream!

After approximately 5 decades (and several foot doctors) - I have finally learned how to cure abrasions, roughness, painful cracked heels, etc. on my feet.
After a considerable length of time thinking about how much money this would be worth to the one or two people that read my blog - I decided to give the info away for nada! I mean, how much can you make from maybe two semi-avid followers....?

So, here is the miracle treatment: Aloe Vera gel.
Surprise, surprise! Once again we can say "screw you!" to the pharmacist and the drug companies! Instead, we can dole out a couple of bucks ($5.95) to our local Nursery for a live, healthy Aloe Vera plant, slice off a chunk or two and stick it to the problem area.

I feel really stupid for not thinking about trying this stuff before; I have used Aloe Vera for minor burns and abrasions for years - I guess I just didn't have much faith for the bigger things Mother Nature can do.

Here's a display (rather poor photos but - oh well..) of one of my heel cracks and the under the foot abrasion: Not pretty - that's for sure; and it is amazing how much it hurts!


I went to my foot specialist (about to be my ex-specialist) and was told I needed Surgery to remove the nerve that was "causing the pain". But, although the jury is still out, I think it was not the nerve but perhaps the topical stuff. As one of my favorite aunts used to say, "Can I be angry?"
Yes, you flipping right I can!




You can see how this aloe stuff is done; cut off a piece and rub the sticky goo on the affected area. Trust me, in a short time the area will feel better. it is truly amazing! Yes, I know - I am a simple guy..



Anyhow, my feet now feel a hell of a lot better and I will let you all know how everything works out. I promise not to send more gross photos... Well, maybe just a couple.

Aren't we all terrorists?

This picture has been around for awhile but it still stirs my deepest emotions and renews a profound sense of reality.

Got Roots?

Mike, a friend of mine, invented a wonderful device for root propagation - he calls it the "OxyClone".

What it does is provide a very favorable atmosphere to grow roots from plant cuttings or stems - actually does leaves as well. Here he is with a OxyClone 16 and cuttings that have been there for a couple of weeks. "Works pretty well, eh ?" he said with that devilish look in his eyes.

"Jesus!" I stated as he opened the lid containing the cuttings (actually new plants at this stage) with incredible root mass. "Ya think?"

Click on these photos below to see amazing root growth:

It operates on a principle known as Deep Water Culture (DWC) which enjoys increasing popularity in the Hydroponic Gardening community. The principle works extremely well in all sizes of hydro systems but is unique in the OxyCloner.

But before I tell you how it's principle is unique - let me explain a bit about DWC to help you get a grasp on the subject:

Plants in a DWC system are grown with the roots remaining in water throughout the plant's life. The addition of nutrients (fertilizer) and a constant supply of air into the water allows the plant to grow in an unrestricted manner. Here's a video of a simple DWC bucket system to demonstrate the principle:



Basically, the plant's root's are suspended in water and supplied oxygen (usually via an air pump and air-stone) and nutrition 24/7. To grow properly, plants need a decent outside environment; clean, warmish, with plenty of sunshine and CO2. As mentioned, in addition, the plant's root's require a constant supply of moisture, nutrition and oxygen. If done properly, with the proper ratios, the plants in a DWC system will grow at least 2 times faster than the same type plants in soil!

So, what makes the OxyClone unique? Well, as you saw in the Bucket System video, air is supplied via an air-stone by an external, aquarium-type air pump. In the OxyCloner - a submersible pump is installed directly in the rooting area solution and air is pulled in from the outside and distributed, and well circulated in the solution by the submersible pump. It is the combination of the air and constant circulation that makes this system work so well and, essentially, maintenance free.

Check out the video at this u-tube address to see the full operation of the OxyClone.

http://www.youtube.com/user/rwkleinman#p/a/u/2/aZfrWeLXag0

Here's a couple of larger cloning machines Mike Manufactures:




Click on these photo's for a closer view.


So, there you have it. For those of you who are not familiar with Hydroponic Gardening; not only will plants produce faster, the harvests are better and there are also organic nutrients available.




Oh - I mentioned the OxyClone will grow "roots on a leaf"?

Love my Sweet, Sweet Basil...

That seemingly crazed, redneck-looking man hugging the large sweet basil plant is me. The Ronald Reagan cap makes me look nuttier and even more rednecky...sorta makes me want to go rogue...

The basil plant was grown in a Deep Water Culture (DWC) Hydroponic gardening system I developed using a standard 5 gallon bucket and a 10" net-basket. Here's a couple of them operating together; one with basil and one with a Gynura plant (the one you saw in the last post when it was smaller).
The green bucket on the left is a kosher pickle bucket I bummed off a local deli. The Orange bucket I purchased at Home Depot. I wanted to see the if there would be any different effects caused by using different colors - otherwise, I would have bummed the 2nd one as well and they both would have been free! Turns out there was a difference: The orange color allowed more light to pass through to the roots and caused some algae growth - so, the dark green or a black bucket is a tad more efficient because there is no algae to feed.

Here is how the system is built: One hole (13/16") is drilled in the lower part of the bucket close to the bottom. This hole will accommodate a 1/2" rubber grommet which will hold a 1/2" plastic elbow. A 1/2" ID flexible, vinyl tube is attached to the elbow; this multipurpose tube serves as a sight glass, nutrient replenishment tube, air delivery tube and a drain hose. An adapter is constructed using a couple of different sized bits of tubing to adapt the multipurpose tube to a standard air pump hose.
Here is what makes it work: The plant is put in the 10" net basket using a non-soil medium - I use either clay pellets (Hydroton) or recycled glass rocks (Growstones) - they both work great. The bucket is filled with nutrient solution and the net basket is placed on top, extending into the bucket. The next step is the key to it's operation and success; the air pump is adapted to the multipurpose tube and pumps air into the nutrient solution 24/7. The constant supply of air provides the roots with more than enough oxygen and causes the plants to grow like wildfire!

Everyone who has seen this system wants one! To make things easier, I put a video on YouTube to explain the construction and use of the system. You can check it out here as well:




I do not heat my little greenhouse and the basil and Gynura will perish in the cold, so I have started two systems inside the house:

Here's a table I made from a gutted-out light fixture with a metal light stand I also manufactured using a very solid, steel metal rod holder and aluminum square tubing from Home Depot - this was the most expensive thing I actually manufactured - the stand at around $100.

Other things you see are the light above on adjustable cords, the double output air pump, and the small ventilation fan. Oh, and also a few insect sticky-traps just in case.

This set-up should provide us with plenty of basil and my wonderful Gynura plant through the Winter months. Oh, also I have a cloning station and a small herb garden in the garage. I will probably show that one in a later post.

By the way; did you know that Webster's definition of rogue is: "A dishonest or worthless person"? So ...... is "Going Rogue" really a good thing?

Gynura Procumbens - Miracle Plant?

One of it's formal names is Gynura Procumbens - more commonly called "Longevity Spinach" or just plain Gynura.

The person who turned-me-on to Gynura is a Type 1 Diabetic who wears the insulin injection pump device; he claims that, since eating the plant's leaves, his insulin requirement has been reduced a considerable amount! Since he now sells the plant, rooted cuttings, cloning equipment, etc., I figured he was just being a typical, good salesman and was trying to sell me his products. Instead of selling however, he offered me several cuttings, along with a sample of his cloning machine, to try to grow the Gynura plant hydroponically - there is no way in hell I could refuse all those freebies! Also, by that time, I was very curious about the plant's properties and if any of the things he told me about it and things I found on the internet soon after our meeting were true.
Looks like there is a great deal of truth to his story, but that is not all: I started munching the leaves (roughly 6 - 7 medium sized a day) about six months ago. It was an easy task, since I was tending to the cuttings and plants in my greenhouse and - since the Gynura plant grows very fast - leaves were soon readily available.
At the time I weighed 220 pounds and basically, mainly because of my obese condition, did not feel very well most of the time. Sometimes I didn't feel like eating that wonderful Dick's Deluxe or McDonald's quarter-pounder with cheese but managed to forge ahead and eat 'em anyhow!

Now, six months later, I weigh 170 pounds naked (I guess there is part of that you don't really need to know) and I feel great! So, what happened? I have to say that I really don't know; all I did was start eating a few leaves and a couple of weeks later my wife mentioned that I looked like I was losing weight. "You talking to me?" I asked. But, at the same time, I did notice that my pants were not as tight and felt better than normal - sort of what a young buck may feel during mating season..
By the way, why is it so hard to find "stretch-waist" jeans for men? Doesn't seem fair... but, screw it, I don't need them anymore anyhow! I went from a very tight 40 to a rather loose 36 and expect to reduce to a 34 waist before long. What a rush this is to me - I haven't weighed 170 since I was in my very early 30's!!

My neighbor is a Type 2 Diabetic and I told him about the plant and it's owner's claims. I had several plants by then and gave a couple to him. A couple of weeks later he, very excitedly told me that his blood sugar got so low that he had to quit taking the pill! That has been about two months ago and he is still off the pill. My wife is eating the leaves as well - I call it bush-munching - and is also losing weight.

So, I think what Mike from Green Harmony - the Gynura guru - told me was true and I also think that the plant has either changed my metabolism, cut my cravings (it has) or both. It has, in fact, made me a lot more regular! From two number 2's a day to 3 or 4, I would say that's considerably more regular, especially for an old guy...

I don't claim that this herb will do anything for you - I know very little about herbs in general, antioxidants, vitamins, nutrients and micro-nutrients, etc. (Sadly, I've always expended more effort towards fixing my Chevy than learning that herbal stuff!) but I truly believe it has helped me lose weight and feel better so - even if it is a "sugar-pill" and it's all in my mind - I just don't give a hoot; I'm gonna continue growing and munchin' the Gynura bush!

Fast Food Prevails!

Most fast food is not super-good for us, but it's cheap, provides a certain degree of nourishment and down-right delicious!

For example, a burger provides nourishment because it contains an abundance of nutrients; leaning more heavily toward the starch/fat end of the spectrum. But despite the high fat and carb content, it still is quite nourishing and, let's face it, tastes pretty darned good! Reduce the fat content and the taste is also reduced - dramatically! Can you even imagine removing that delicious greasy-fat from a Jack-in-the-box 2 for $.99 deep-fried taco? How about that Jack's Ultimate grease-dripping Cheese Burger? Micky D's Quarter-pounder with cheese? No way dude! By the way, Micky D's cooks-up the best french -fries and Jack produces the best curly-fries.

Despite the present hard times; a weak economy coupled with a lousy job market caused, in part, by an abundant supply of crappy, special-interest politicians, the fast food business will most likely remain a success.
Of course, the main reason it will remain a success is that most fast food tastes GREAT!
My favorite is a Dick's Deluxe burger coupled with a REAL strawberry ice cream shake. Can't handle Dick's fries though, real, hand-cut potatoes but much too limp and greasy for my taste. I believe, after having a little fry-cook experience, that the oil temp is probably too low for erect, sturdy, less greasy fries. We lovingly refer to them as "Limp Dick's fries".

But since I mentioned Dick's Drive-in Restaurant, and they are local establishments - let's use Dick's as a prime example of success; I borrow the following brief history from Wikipedia:

"Founders Dick Spady, H. Warren Ghormley, and Dr. B. O. A. Thomas opened the first Dick's in 1954 in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood, on N.E. 45th Street close to the University of Washington. In 1955, a second Dick's was opened in Seattle's Capitol Hill district. This was followed by a third in 1960 in the Ballard neighborhood, a 4th in 1963 in Lake City, a fifth in Queen Anne in 1974. In September 2010, it was announced that Dick's was planning on opening a new sixth location in Seattle and that an online poll on their website would determine the new location. After a few weeks of polling, North Seattle won the right for a new Dick's Drive-In. On October 15, 2010, Dick's officials announced the new location to be in Edmonds on the corner of Hwy 99 and 220th St. All but the Queen Anne location are without customer seating. The Queen Anne location has indoor tables and no drive-in. The restaurants only accept cash; there are no ways to use electronic forms of payment.

The simple menu has changed little over time. It features fast-food staples such as hand-cut french fries, and individually made milkshakes. Dick's is particularly well known for the "Dick's Special," which includes lettuce, mayonnaise, and chopped pickles; and the "Dick's Deluxe," a quarter-pound version of the Special, with cheese. These burgers were added in 1971. Cashiers do not accept variations on the burger's preparation, or omissions such as asking for the burger without lettuce, but will serve the Deluxe without cheese.

For several years Dick's has promoted benefits offered to employees such as 401K, medical coverage, and a college tuition scholarship."

End of history.

I would like to mention here, perhaps adding to the history of Dick's Restaurant, that Dick's serves a wide range of customers, ranging from the poorest among us (that would probably include me) to one of the richest people in the world - Bill Gates, Jr. At least that is what is reputed to be true.

Also, over the past 30 years that I have visited Dick's for an occasional "Dick's deluxe and a strawberry shake", I have noticed they obviously do not discriminate in either clientele or employment opportunities.

So, in very deep recession, despite pending competition from four (4) other major fast food establishments in very close proximity - a new, modern Dick's drive-in Restaurant is being built. New people are hired, trained, etc. Rather telling, I would say, about the popularity of fast food even in the most troubled times.

I recently discovered (quite by accident) a diet that works well for me and that I know will stay with me. Six months ago I weighed 220 pounds - today I weigh 175. Pretty easy math on that one.... But that's another story. The point for this post is that, part of the "diet" concerns drastically reducing the consumption of what we refer to as fast or "junk" foods. But, I said
"reducing" not eliminating. So, here's a couple of photos of my favorites - "Dick's Deluxe"; two pure beef patties, one slice of cheese, a generous glob of mayo mixed with lettuce and pickles and a pure white bun and a real ice cream strawberry shake - yummy to the power of 10 !! Click on that Dick's Deluxe photo on the left - can't you almost taste the goodness!
By the way, if you want ketchup or onions, it will cost you 5 cents a small cup - darned good way to cut waste!

So here's the wrap: I have been told that the owners of the business are conservative and I don't doubt that - but these folks are true conservatives - unlike the group in congress and the senate making the most feeble attempt running our great country via special interest groups. I'm talking about so-called conservative democrats too. These Dick's partners may even realize that Reagan was actually a lousy president and maybe republicans shouldn't continuously use him as a pattern.
True conservatives know how to run a business effectively, these guys obviously have that know-how and truly know and practice the bottom line: Businesses are made most effective by how it's employees handle the product and conduct themselves. A happy worker is more than pleased to do a better than average job and they are made happy by being treated fairly. I am sure that the employees of Dick's drive-in restaurants feel like part of a family by the way they are treated - fair wages, excellent benefits, a chance for promotions and higher education - I wonder if I am too old for an interview?

Indicators of stupidity

Marks of Stupidity.

We've all seen them - these actions/statements that are a true sign of stupidity; here are a few:

1. One who expresses they "just can't wait" until the next Nicolas Cage movie or Sarah Palin book.

2. Paying $5.00 plus for a pack of cigarettes.

3. People who still smoke - despite the price and health risk.

4. Folks who obviously feel it is their right not to use turn signals.

5. Believing Dick Cheney's book is non-fiction.

6. Thinking torture is a good thing.

7. Believing Water-boarding is code for "Dude - let's go surfing!"

8. Paying $4.00 plus for a cup of coffee (Seattle people will pay anything...).

9. Thinking veggie pizza is good for you.

10. Going on hiking expeditions in Iran (or anywhere in the Middle East).

11. Choosing Sarah Palin as a running mate.

12. John McCain's contribution to American politics; Joe the plumber and Sarah Palin. Thanks John - yeah, thanks a lot.

13. Saying "Why should we demonize (tax} the people who have already achieved the American Dream?" (Chris Christie)

14. "What's wrong with porking-out?" (Chris Christie?)

15. Saying "The poor is getting richer faster than the rich." (Rand Paul)

16. Voting for either of the above 3...

17. Religions are cults ..... except for mine, of course...

18. The Pope dresses like a flamer ... even though he promotes discrimination against them.

19. Religion does not instill discrimination?

20. "Hey - I see Jesus in my tortilla!"

21. Ann Coulter saying someone else is "unfair"...

Does religion discriminate?

Religious advice, political persuasion, discrimination ..... or all-of-the-above?










This sign is posted in front of a church in my neighborhood.

It makes me sad.