BHM Newsletter
Volume 7      Number 5

May 21, 2005
 

INSIDE BHM

PLEASE NOTE

If you plan to start using one of the various email screening services you MUST add the following addresses to your "allowed" list in order to continue receiving the BHM Newsletter and related notices (If possible, just set it to accept all mail from backwoodshome.com and backwoodshome.com):

• webmaster@backwoodshome.com
• webmaster@backwoodshome.com
• newsletter@backwoodshome.com
• newsletter@backwoodshome.com

These services require that you respond to an email in a certain way, or visit their web site and type in a certain code, in order to verify the email you sent is not spam. Although this only has to be done once for each address, it becomes time consuming when dozens, hundreds, or thousands of addresses are involved.

We are not able to comply with such requests, which means you will no longer receive the Newsletter. When a Newsletter notice is returned to us, our mail manager assumes the address is no longer valid and removes it from the list. The only exception is when the return notice indicates your mailbox is full. In that case, it waits to see if a second one is returned. If two Newsletter notices in a row are returned, it assumes you have abandoned the mailbox and removes the address.

Please make sure any screening service or email filter used by your ISP or your email program is set to accept, or pass through, mail from the above addresses.

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!

Have you been waiting for a sale to start or complete your collection of BHM print or CD-ROM Anthologies?

Here's your chance.

Just visit the General Store and order any two Print Anthologies, two CD-ROM Anthologies, or two of each, enter the appropriate code and the shopping cart will deduct $12.95, $19.95, or $32.90 from your order. The codes are listed on the Anthologies page.

This offer applies only to, and order must contain any two of our Print Anthologies, any two of our CD-ROM Anthologies, or any two of both kinds of Anthologies, including Backwoods Home Cooking and the Emergency Preparedness and Survival Guide. It may not be combined with any other coupon or offer and may be withdrawn at any time, without notice, so get your order in as soon as possible. Click Here for the Anthologies Page of the General Store.

NEW BOOKS

 
SELF-RELIANCE TIPS

SELECTING AND USING A WALK-BEHIND ROTARY MOWER

SELECTING A ROTARY MOWER

If you are shopping for a walk-behind rotary lawnmower, consider the following factors which may affect mowing operations:

• Who will be using the machine most of the time? Will they tire quickly if they have to push the mower all the while or would a better choice be a self-propelled mower?

• Does the mower have deflectors at the discharge chute that force objects thrown from it to be ejected toward the ground rather than upward in the air?

• Does the mower start easily? Ignition systems have been improved to simplify manual starting of the mower.

• Is it easy to operate? Are controls within easy reach? Is the handle adjustable so others can use the mower without difficulty?

• Do you want to vary the cutting height of the grass during the growing season? Manufacturers use several methods to adjust the cutting height, including wheel levers and bolted wheels. Consider the ease with which you can adjust the cutting height when shopping for a mower.

• Consider your preferences for lawn care. If you don't bag grass clippings as you cut the lawn, then you will likely find the "engine kill" mower quite acceptable. With this machine, the engine will shut down and the rotary blade will stop within three seconds after you release your grip on the operator controls. With this "engine kill" mower, the pull-rope starter must be located within 24 inches of the top handle, or the protective foot shield must surround the entire mower housing.

• If you use a grass catcher to bag lawn clippings, then the mower which features the blade brake clutch should be considered. With this mower, the rotary blade stops within three seconds after you release the operator control bar, but the engine continues to operate. This allows you to empty the grass catcher frequently (the blade being stopped) without having to turn off the engine. When the catcher is returned in place, you simply engage the operator control to resume cutting grass. On these mowers, the starter cord may be found on top of the engine housing.

• Can you do some mower maintenance yourself or is the machine so complex that it must be returned to the mower shop for routine maintenance and repairs?

USING THE WALK-BEHIND ROTARY MOWER

The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these suggestions for the safe use of rotary lawnmowers:

• Fill the fuel tank before starting the engine to cut the lawn. Never refuel the mower when it is running or while the engine is hot.

• Check the lawn for debris (twigs, rocks and other objects) before mowing the lawn. Objects have been struck by the mower blade and thrown out from under the mower, resulting in severe injuries and deaths.

• Don't cut the grass when it's wet. Wet clippings will probably clog the discharge chute, ultimately could jam the rotary blade and shut down the engine. When you need to remove clippings from the chute, the rotary blade must be stopped.

• Wear sturdy shoes with sure-grip soles when using the mower, never sneakers, sandals or with bare feet. Slacks rather than shorts offer better protection for the legs. Never allow young children to operate a power lawnmower.

• Children should not be allowed on or near the lawn when the rotary mower is in use. Push the mower forward, never pull it backward.

• If the lawn slopes, mow across the slope with the walk-behind rotary mower, never up and down. With a riding mower, drive up and down the slope, not across it.

• Don't remove any safety devices on the mower. Remember that the safety features were installed to help protect you against injury. Check safety features often and repair or replace if needed.

• With an electric mower, organize your work so you first cut the area nearest the electrical outlet, then gradually move away. This will minimize chances of your running over the power cord and being electrocuted.

• Read the owner's manual to become familiar with the workings of the machine. Keep the manual in a safe place so it will be handy when you need it the next time.

• Check the manual for hints on performing routine maintenance, checking engine oil levels and fluid in powered wheel drives, and performing maintenance when the mower is stored during the off-season.

OLDER WALK-BEHIND ROTARY MOWERS

If you cut grass with a pre-standard rotary mower, use extreme caution. Remember that the machine does not have the safety features of the new equipment, and that the problems that prompted the federal standard in the first place will still be found on your machine. For example,

• If clippings jam the discharge chute, first shut off the engine. The blade must come to a complete stop before you attempt to clear the jam. If you try to clear the chute while the blade rotates, your fingers could be amputated.

• Push the mower forward, never pull it backward.

• If you want to adjust the cutting height on any machine, do so before starting the engine. The blade should always be stationary.

• Shut down the engine if you leave the operator position for any reason. If you wish to disable the mower so no one can use it, simply remove the ignition wire from the spark plug or remove the spark plug.

 
RECIPES

BARTLETT PEAR AND PROSCIUTTO BRUSCHETTA

32 crusty French baguette slices
2 medium ripe Bartlett pears, cored and chopped
1/4 cup minced red onion
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
2/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/3 cup butter (no substitutions)
32 small strips prosciutto

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a small bowl, stir together pears, onion, olive oil, vinegar and thyme. Let stand for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to marinate.

In a small bowl, stir together blue cheese and butter until smooth.

To prepare bruschetta, spread about 1/2 tablespoon of the blue cheese mixture on each toasted baguette slice.

Top with prosciutto and a small spoonful of the pear mixture.

Serve immediately.

STEAK ALLA PIZZIAOLA

3 tablespoon oil
6 pounds strip sirloin cut into 6-ounce pieces
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 pound crushed tomatoes
3 potatoes, quartered
2 onions, diced
2 green peppers, cored, seeded, and sliced lengthwise into 1/2-inch pieces
2 teaspoons oregano
1/8 teaspoon red hot pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Season beef on both sides with salt and pepper. Saute beef until browned. Flip over and brown other side.

Transfer steak to oven-proof dish. Add crushed tomatoes, potatoes, onions, peppers, oregano and red hot pepper flakes. Braise in oven, uncovered, for about 1 hour or until beef is tender. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, if needed.

PEARS SABAYON

4 egg yolks
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Dash salt
1/4 cup sherry
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 (28-ounce) can pears, drained and chilled

In the top of a double boiler or in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, beat egg yolks with sugar, salt, and sherry. Beat until smooth. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until sauce thickens, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

In the bowl of a mixer, whip cream until it holds peaks. When sauce has cooled completely, gently fold in whipped cream.

Serve over chilled, drained pears for a quick and easy cool dessert.

 
HUMOR

HEADLINES YOU HAVE TO LOVE

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over

Teacher Strikes Idle Kids

Miners Refuse to Work after Death

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

War Dims Hope for Peace

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures

Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks

Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors

A few minutes before the services started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews and talking. Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church. Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from the evil incarnate.

Soon the church was empty except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew without moving, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence. So Satan walked up to the man and said, "Do you know who I am?"

The man replied, "yup, sure do."

"Aren't you afraid of me?", Satan asked.

"Nope, sure ain't", said the man.

"Don't you realize I can kill you with one word?", Satan asked.

"Don't doubt it for a minute," returned the old man, in an even tone.

"Did you know I can cause you profound, horrifying AGONY for ALL eternity?", persisted Satan.

"Yep," was the calm reply.

"And you're still not afraid?" asked Satan.

"Nope" said the old man.

More than a little perturbed, Satan asked, "why aren't you afraid of me?"

The man calmly replied, "been married to your sister for 48 years."

At a nursing home in Miami a group of Seniors were sitting around talking about all their ailments

"My arms have gotten so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee," said one.

"Yes, I know," said another. "My cataracts are so bad I can't even see my coffee."

"I couldn't even punch out the card at election time, my hands are so crippled," volunteered a third.

"I can't turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said a fourth, to which several nodded weakly in agreement.

"My blood pressure pills make me so dizzy!" exclaimed another.

The others nodded.

"Well, count your blessings," said one woman cheerfully, "and thank God we can all still drive."
 

OTHER STUFF

Did a friend or relative tell you about this newsletter? The Backwoods Home Magazine newsletter is free and all you need is an email address so we can let you know when each issue is published and where it can be found. Even better, we sometimes have special offers and discounts that are available only to BHM Newsletter subscribers. Your email address will never be sold, rented, loaned, given, or otherwise provided to any third party.

Just visit the BHM web site at www.backwoodshome.com and click on "Newsletter" in the navigation menu on the left side of any web page.

Contact Info:

Editor/Letters - Dave Duffy, editor@backwoodshome.com

Advertising Manager - Evelyn Leach, evelyn@backwoodshome.com
Web Site - Oliver Del Signore, webmaster@backwoodshome.com