2/15/2020
(Above: A Master Blend Pepper Patty. Ground beef of the highest quality seasoned with pepper, formed, and then tossed on a ‘ripping hot’ skillet for 2.2 minutes per side. Then, while they sat for 2-3 minutes, I prepared the coffee / butter deglaze. )
Active Summary: After completing today’s early morning regimen, I wrote for about 1 hour, tended to a Master Blend email, and began working on tying in Madre’s workshop to the nearby waterline. Lunch consisted of a garden salad and a delicious Master Blend beef patty. After lunch, I returned to Jacobhouse where I am presently writing some of this entry and tending to Master Blend paperwork while waiting for my bread flour to hydrate.
(7:11 PM Update:) This afternoon, I made bread dough, allowed it to rise whilst helping with cattle work, and then returned to Jacobhouse to split the dough and form it. This was followed by my venturing back outside and, with Padre’s aid, gluing together the pipe that I collected earlier. The final afternoon activities included: performing a herd health check, genetic testing a Wagyner Blue calf, filling in the pipe ditch to Madre’s workshop, testing the valve*, collecting vegetation** for dinner tonight, and putting bread into bake.
TIL: I learned quite a random and amazing fact about wild (Carolina) geraniums today. Ethanol extracted from the plant has been scientifically shown to be effective in treating various types of inflammation, and it even has potential for fighting Hepatitis B. On another positive note, wild geraniums are comprised of 19% crude protein while in a living, flourishing state.
Commentary: It is 7:21 PM as I write this commentary. That means I have already been back in Florida for over 1 week and 1 hour, and I must say, the time has flown by. Part of this, of course, is due to the general flurry of catching up. The other part is because that’s just how time is. One must keep track of their moments, or they are bound to slip through his or her fingers.
In this regard, I have been working on a list today of tasks that I wish to accomplish before starting at UF in autumn. Yes, seeing as it is still Winter, I have quite some time yet, but at the rate my days have been flowing by, I will be there … right now. Temporal shenanigans aside, here is the new task list. Keep in mind that it is a work in progress. I also included a couple token ‘freebies’.
√ | Task |
√ | Vote. |
Send Emails out to a couple of people about the Master Blend half-cow program | |
√ | Catch up with Master Blend order totals / inventory from trip |
Fill out UF’s Online Application for Admission | |
Paint/trim around window at front of Jacobhouse | |
Second garden on hill (to maintain produce… i.e. have one garden growing while the other is producing) | |
Help set up washer/dryer in Madre’s workshop | |
Initiate Community Container and/or Madre’s Office Container****. | |
Master Blend freezer room – seal and install windows, add a counter where the slide open is. Have a small workspace where I can complete school while waiting around. Prepare a parking area. |
Final Note: Tomorrow, I will likely spend the morning writing, finishing up some Master Blend paperwork, possibly working on some form of construction project, and putting at least 20 minutes into setting up garden #2***.
* This test was performed mainly to clear the line of all sediments. I got quite wet, but I was able to go Jacobhouse soon after and take a nice, warm, and full-pressure shower. Full-pressure because the showerhead was not blocked with dirt particles!
** Lambsquarter, arugula, and a little bit of Carolina Geranium as a garnish.
*** This one is to be named the “High Garden”. Only Padre knows what I’m talking about in this regard, but soon others shall know as well.
****Maybe work on enclosing both then go from there. Once the containers are enclosed, they can be air-conditioned. The same goes for the Master Blend freezer room. Air-conditioned will be wanted when Spring and Summer come along.
A week already, much accomplished, but most of all a happy Padre. Glad to have you guys back.