It’s been too long since I updated the blog. We’ve decided to get away from our craptastic neighbors we have and to also get closer to to the kids’ school. Our house will be listed the 2nd of October and we’ve still got a lot of crap to get cleared out of the house as well as painting and other cosmetic things to do.

The air show in Lincoln is looking like it’s gonna be great entertainment. The show starts tomorrow, Saturday, but there’s already been a lot of activity over our neighborhood. We’ve seen the stealth bomber, the blue angels, and some other bombers and smaller aircraft.

I’ve also decided to start up another website a few weeks ago. About three years ago I thought about starting a Nebraska outdoors website that focused on activities other than hunting and fishing. I didn’t plan on starting it up until next year sometime. The closing of the forums over at the NGPC website kinda pushed me into starting it much sooner. So if you’re interested in what Nebraska has to offer for outdoor recreation and you’re specifically interested in what’s out there other than hunting and fishing then go to Explore-Nebraska.com!!

I need to get back to consistent updates on this blog. I’ve got plenty to post. We made a trip up to Norfolk (pronounced nor-fork), Nebraska a couple weeks ago so Jenny and the kids could see a drive-in movie. My computer is out of commission so I have to use Jenny’s PC and laptop until I can get the power supply replaced in mine, etc, etc, etc. We’ll be out of town this weekend but I’ll post updates next week.

I didn’t wake up planning to brew today. I can thank a blah day at work for my decision to brew. When I got home shortly after noon I realized I needed a few things for brewing, such as some cleaner, some aquarium air tubing, an aeration stone, a one micron in-line filter for the tubing, and a nylon grain bag. I started my shopping amonst the wal-martians. I ended up complaining to a manager about the consistent crappy service in the pet products area (I always have to wait for assistance, and today I waited over 20 minutes and never got help…ugh). Thankfully there was a Petsmart nearby so I could get the tubing and aeration stone.

Read the rest of this entry »

Today I went to my local homebrewing shop and threw down some Hamilton’s on some brewing supplies. I got six pounds of dry malt extract, some crystal malt, six-row malt, oatmeal, chocolate malt, roasted barley, irish moss, fuggles hops, and some Wyeast 1084 irish ale yeast. I forgot to get a grain bag though.

Read the rest of this entry »

Nathan and I have a summer tradition of getting late night photography sessions in. It started a couple years ago while school was out. I didn’t even have it in mind as his school year was winding down. Then the other day he asked me if we could go out and take some night photos after his school year was complete. I was happy that he asked me that. I love doing those things. I suspect that he just loves being with me and hanging out and getting some father/son time in more than he loves night photography.

Anyway, we headed out to Pawnee Lake to get some photos. As we got out of my truck he said to me “That will be a good picture dad! The lake will look nice with the clouds in the background like that!” So I took the photo as he wanted it taken. Here it is…

Last fall our lawn was overrun by grubs. It really put a number on the lawn. It’s thinned out badly and looks pretty white-trashy. Fortunately I work with a guy that wrote his phD paper on grass. He’s a grass brainiac. I’ve been following his lawn advice for years and will continue to do so. He said I could put down the pimptown Bayer grub killin’ stuff right now as it’s supposed to last all season long. Most other grub applications you’re supposed to wait until mid to late June to apply it. He also told me I should try this stuff (can’t remember what he said it was called) that is pelletized sewage. He said it’s el primo fertilizer and will provide nitrogen over a longer period than typical fertilizers and that it would also provide a good amount of iron.

Yesterday I put down quite a bit of rye grass seed. About ten days ago I put down some bluegrass seed. It’s supposed to rain all weekend so it’ll do my overseeding real good! I hope to see that rye grass seed coming up some time late next week.

I’m slacking on my blog post entries. I’ve been swamped at work since early February and then when I get home I’m lazy and don’t want much other than to decompress by vegging out watching TV or harrassing the kids. Once I get through my busy season at work I’ll post more here. Jenny could be better at posting blog entries too….I should get on her case about that.

Yes! There’s my first brew in the making….it was the beginning of a process that will result in some very tasty Blueberry Wheat beer!! I decided to give homebrewing a shot as it looks like a fun and addicting hobby and I’d rather make my own tasty brews (unless I end up making them tasting crappy). I picked up a starter kit from Kirk’s Do-it-yourself Brew & Gifts. Kirk hooked me up….he even fielded a phone call from me today as I was in the middle of boiling the wort. Great service!

Read the rest of this entry »