Pinto Beans and Corn Bread

Let's talk about comfort food. Dried beans were always a staple in my family. Even to this day, one of my favorite meals is Pinto Beans and Corn Bread.

The lowly bean doesn't need much to help it. If you've got a leftover ham bone, great! Or some country ham trimmings and pieces.

• 2 C dried pinto beans
• 2 qt water
• ham bone or country ham trimmings and pieces
• salt and black pepper to taste (be careful if using country ham)

Wash and sort the beans. Cover the beans completely with water and soak overnight.

The next day you will drain the water from the beans. Place the beans in a soup pot or dutch oven. Add the water and ham bone. Make sure that the beans are covered by at least 1 inch. Bring the beans to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook until beans are tender usually 1 1/2  to 2 hours. Check the water level in the beans as they cook. Top off the water as needed. Once cooked, season with salt and pepper.

• 1 egg
• 1 C milk
• 2 C of self-rising cornmeal (or substitute 1 1/2 C plus 6 Tbsp of cornmeal and 2 Tbsp of baking powder)
• 2 Tbsp of vegetable or bacon grease

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. I use a 12" cast iron skillet to cook my cornbread. Add the oil to the skillet and place in the oven to preheat for 5 to 8 minutes. Beat the egg and add the milk. Mix well. Slowly add the self-rising cornmeal until thoroughly incorporated. Remove the skillet from the oven and carefully make sure that the grease completely coats the skillet. Pour the batter into the skillet. Bake for 25 minutes.

Serve the pinto beans and cornbread with butter and your favorite hot sauce. I like Marie Sharps Fiery Hot. You can find it on Amazon.

Own an electronic device or computer? Keep it updated!

Every owner of a device, be it a computer, a cell phone, or any internet connected device, should know how to update that device. Not only do these updates provide new functionality, but they fix known and theoretical weaknesses in your computer that can be exploited! So update to protect yourself and others. This single task will provide you best return on investment for the time spent on anything else you can do to protect yourself.

What follows is an admittedly incomplete list of the type of devices I am talking about.

• Desktop and laptop computers
• Tablets
• Smartphones and smart watches
• Routers
• IoT (Internet of Things) devices - video doorbells, voice-controlled speakers, smart light bulbs, etc.

Many of these devices can be set up to update automatically, but it is always a good idea to check them regularly to make sure they are updating correctly.

Here are a few articles to get you started on your journey to an updated device. They may not be the latest information, but they will at least point you in the right direction.

Windows 10 - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4027667/windows-update-windows-10

Mac OS X - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201541

Linux - https://www.linux.com/learn/linux-101-updating-your-system

iOS - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204204

Android - https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/google-android/update-android-3614890/

Remember that if this is not something you feel comfortable doing on your own, there are many local computer technicians that would be happy to consult with you!

My Two Cents - School Shootings

I guess, like so many others, I need to get this off my chest. Here goes . . .

Banning firearms of a particular style, raising the age to buy a long gun, repealing the second amendment, or other such ideas will not work in this country. Why not? For one reason, there are too many guns, both legally and illegally possessed, in this country for any of these to ever work.

I am one of those "old farts" who remember going to school and walking through the student parking lot. It seemed as if every other pickup had a gun rack in the back window with one or more firearm in it. You could be assured that they were loaded. And no one got shot.

Why?

Because our families raised us differently than it seems most children are being raised today. We were raised to respect our elders. We raised to say "Yes, Ma'am" and "No, Sir". We were raised to treat others as we wished to be treated. We were raised to respect human life. We were raised to understand and apply the four rules of gun safety. All of these beliefs and ideas shaped what we thought of the world and those around us.

Today, I see little of this being taught. I saw this in our schools when I worked as a teacher. I see this in my encounters in public.

Again, why?

I can theorize as well as the next guy as to what the possible contributors might be. The breakdown of the nuclear family and the resulting lack of male role models. The "Me First" mindset that seems to permeate our culture.

So, what do we do about it?

Ultimately, it is going to take our society addressing some of the factors listed above. Then we need to consistently apply the numerous gun laws that we already have on the books.

So what do we do in the interim as these changes slowly make their way through our society? I have one suggestion. It is not new or original. It comes from my time spent in teaching. Train and arm those teachers and administrators who are willing to volunteer for this duty. Just as many teachers feel it is a duty to teach the following generations, many of them feel that same duty to protect their students.

I'm reminded of a quote from Benjamin Franklin, "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" This applies just as well to this situation.

Sausage and Potato Soup

This soup is my version of The Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana. It is simple, quick, and hearty.

• 1 lb of sausage (I prefer Jimmy Dean's Sage sausage or substitute your favorite sausage)
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 4-6 potatoes, chopped
• 4 cans of chicken or vegetable stock
• 1-2 tsp of your favorite hot sauce (I prefer Marie Sharps Fiery Hot Sauce. It's a habanero sauce with a carrot base. Wonderful flavor!)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 qt milk
• 2-3 C kale (I use a package of frozen kale)

In a dutch over or a large soup pot, brown the sausage and drain. Add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the potatoes and stir. Add the stock, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook over low to medium heat until the potatoes are tender. This usually takes 15-20 minutes.

Add the milk and kale. Bring the soup back up to temperature while stirring often. Do not boil.

Serve with garlic bread.

Taco Soup

One of my favorite cool weather meals is soup. I prefer hearty soups and stews.

Taco Soup

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 package taco seasoning mix
• 2 cans of beef or vegetable stock
• 1 (4oz) can diced green chilies
• 1 can stewed tomatoes
• 1 can Ro-tel tomatoes
• 1 can whole kernel corn
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can mild or hot chili beans
• 1 can garbanzo beans
• 1 (1 oz) package ranch dressing mix
• Shredded cheese (topping)
• Sour cream (topping)

In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat, add taco seasoning. Add the remaining ingredients – except for the cheese and sour cream, and cook at a simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes. Serve soup topped with cheese and sour cream along with tortilla chips.

It Begins

Hi, my name is Bear and I'm a high tech redneck. Think of this as my own 12 step program.

I have multiple reasons for starting this blog.

1. Increase my writing skills. They could use some help.
2. Provide myself with a mental vent.We all need one.
3. Allow me to share some the knowledge that I have gathered through my short time on this earth.

Subjects that I will cover will include, but not be limited to: technology, cooking, home brewing, politics, and science fiction and fantasy literature.

I hope you find my musings informative and possibly entertaining.