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BHM Newsletter
September 21, 2005
INSIDE BHM New Issue 
The new (Nov/Dec 2005) issue is excellent. We lead with a marvelous article by David Lee on how to build a four-story tower onto your house. The photos are truly spectacular. Lee is not only a very creative builder, but a very funny writer. He also gives complete information on how to construct his nifty building designs. At my request, Jeff Yago has written an informative article comparing high mileage cars. The cars include hybrids and diesels. He has a good chart comparing 22 of the vehicles and he provides photos of eight of the best cars. My wife wants to get a hybrid, but a diesel may be the best bet when it comes to saving gas. The hybrids and diesels are good looking cars, so I think you'll find the article worth reading. Kelly McCarthy has a good article on preparing for a home evacuation, which is timely in light of Hurricane Katrina, and now Hurricane Rita now bearing down on the Gulf Coast. Massad Ayoob's article is on the M1A SOCOM-16, a descendant of the M14 rifle I fired while in the Army in 1966-69. I've always wanted my own M14 and went out and bought this SOCOM-16 a couple of days ago. It has only a 16-inch barrel, but otherwise is the rifle I remember. This gun kicks less than the old military M14, for reasons I'll let you discover when you read the article. I'm as excited about this rifle as I was when I first bought my Ruger .223 and put a folding stock on it. I haven't even fired it yet, but it looks like a work of art. The issue also has an 8-page article on soups and drinks for winter. It's by Linda Gabris and is has all kinds of nifty hot soups with beautiful accompanying photos. Also included:
The jokes take up two pages and are funny as hell. And of course we have Ask Jackie, my note and editorial (about Katrina and preparedness), and articles on frostbite, hibernation, more. The issue is loaded. And John Silveira's Last Word column, about legalizing marijuana for prisoners, is sure to get us a bunch of cancellations. But I agree with his reasoning. We're willing to take the heat for our views that sometimes run contrary to a portion of the readership. Most how-to magazines would just sidestep the issue. --Dave Two new anthologies AND a special deal for Newsletter subscribers IT'S TRUE! We're finally producing two new print anthologies. The 11th year and the 12th year anthologies go to print next week and should be available to ship by mid- to late-October.
The covers for the new anthologies were taken from issues that are contained within them. The 11th year cover is a painting by John Dean Issue No. 66. The 12th year cover is a photo, from Issue No. 72, of the $1,000 house I built to start this magazine 16 years ago. There will be a full page ad for them on the inside back cover of the November/December issue, which we sent to the printer a few days ago and which will find its way to subscribers' mail boxes by about mid-October. Each anthology will be 360 pages long and will be offered in the magazine and online for $19.95 each or both for $30, a savings of $9.90. We expect that dea will generate demand so great we may not be able to keep up with our goal of next business day shipping. However, newsletter subscribers can be among the first to receive them AND save 10%. That means you can buy one for $17.95 and save $2.00 or both for only $27 and save a total of $12.90!. Just be sure to place your order before the deadline. To get the newsletter discount, go to the order page for either anthology and add one or both to your shopping cart. When you are ready to check out, just type one of the following codes in the Coupon box: If you order only one of the anthologies for $19.95, enter -- NLAN1 and you'll get $2 off your order. If you order both anthologies for $30, enter -- NLAN2 and you'll get $3 off your order. This special offer is valid only for the advance purchase of either A Backwoods Home Anthology - The Eleventh Year or A Backwoods Home Anthology - The Twelfth Year or both. It may not be used for any other purpose, may not be combined with any other coupon, offer, or discount, and will expire Saturday, October 8, 2005. Take me to the Eleventh Year Anthology page. Take me to the Twelfth Year Anthology page. SELF-RELIANCE TIPS HAND AND POWER TOOL SAFETY Tools are such a common part of our lives that it is difficult to remember that they may pose hazards. All tools are manufactured with safety in mind but, tragically, a serious accident often occurs before steps are taken to search out and avoid or eliminate tool-related hazards. In the process of removing or avoiding the hazards, people must learn to recognize the hazards associated with the different types of tools and the safety precautions necessary to prevent those hazards. Although these tips were written specifically for workers, they apply equally to individuals using tools around the homestead. HAND TOOLS Hand tools are non-powered. They include anything from axes to wrenches. The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance. Some examples:
You are responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment and for properly using and maintaining tools. Saw blades, knives, or other tools should be directed away from anyone working or loitering in close proximity. Knives and scissors must be sharp. Dull tools can be more hazardous than sharp ones. Appropriate personal protective equipment, e.g., safety goggles, gloves, etc., should be worn due to hazards that may be encountered while using portable power tools and hand tools. Floors shouold be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous hand tools. Around flammable substances, sparks produced by iron and steel hand tools can be a dangerous ignition source. Where this hazard exists, spark-resistant tools made from brass, plastic, aluminum, or wood will provide for safety. POWER TOOL PRECAUTIONS Power tools can be hazardous when improperly used. There are several types of power tools, based on the power source they use: electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic, and powder-actuated. Every user should be trained in the use of all tools - not just power tools. They should understand the potential hazards as well as the safety precautions to prevent those hazards from occurring. The following general precautions should be observed by power tool users:
GUARDS Hazardous moving parts of a power tool need to be safeguarded. For example, belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or moving parts of equipment must be guarded if such parts might be exposed to contact. Guards, as necessary, should be provided to protect the operator and others from the following:
Safety guards must never be removed when a tool is being used. For example, portable circular saws must be equipped with guards. An upper guard must cover the entire blade of the saw. A retractable lower guard must cover the teeth of the saw, except when it makes contact with the work material. The lower guard must automatically return to the covering position when the tool is withdrawn from the work. SAFETY SWITCHES The following hand-held powered tools should be equipped with a control switch that shuts off the tool when released: drills, tappers, fastener drivers, horizontal, vertical and angle grinders with wheels larger than 2 inches in diameter, disc and belt sanders, reciprocating saws, saber saws, and other similar tools. These tools also may be equipped with a lock-on control provided that turnoff can be accomplished by a single motion of the same finger or fingers that turn it on. The following hand-held powered tools may be equipped with a regular "on-off" control switch: platen sanders, disc sanders with discs 2 inches or less in diameter; grinders with wheels 2 inches or less in diameter; routers, planers, laminate trimmers, nibblers, shears, scroll saws and jigsaws with blade shanks <-inch wide or less. Other hand-held powered tools such as circular saws having a blade diameter greater than 2 inches, chain saws, and percussion tools without positive accessory holding means must be equipped with a constant pressure switch that will shut off the power when the pressure is released. ELECTRIC TOOLS Everyone using electric tools must be aware of several dangers; the most serious is the possibility of electrocution. Among the chief hazards of electric-powered tools are burns and slight shocks which can lead to injuries or even heart failure. Under certain conditions, even a small amount of current can result in fibrillation of the heart and eventual death. A shock also can cause the user to fall off a ladder or other elevated work surface.
To protect the user from shock, tools must either have a three-wire cord with ground and be grounded, be double insulated, or be powered by a low-voltage isolation transformer. Three-wire cords contain two current-carrying conductors and a grounding conductor. One end of the grounding conductor connects to the tool's metal housing. The other end is grounded through a prong on the plug. Anytime an adapter is used to accommodate a two-hole receptacle, the adapter wire must be attached to a known ground. The third prong should never be removed from the plug. Double insulation is more convenient. The user and the tools are protected in two ways: by normal insulation on the wires inside, and by a housing that cannot conduct electricity to the operator in the event of a malfunction. These general practices should be followed when using electric tools:
POWERED ABRASIVE WHEEL TOOLS Powered abrasive grinding, cutting, polishing, and wire buffing wheels create special safety problems because they may throw off flying fragments. Before an abrasive wheel is mounted, it should be inspected closely and sound- or ring-tested to be sure that it is free from cracks or defects. To test, wheels should be tapped gently with a light non-metallic instrument. If they sound cracked or dead, they could fly apart in operation and so must not be used. A sound and undamaged wheel will give a clear metallic tone or "ring." To prevent the wheel from cracking, the user should be sure it fits freely on the spindle. The spindle nut must be tightened enough to hold the wheel in place, without distorting the flange. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Care must be taken to assure that the spindle wheel will not exceed the abrasive wheel specifications. Due to the possibility of a wheel disintegrating (exploding) during start-up, the employee should never stand directly in front of the wheel as it accelerates to full operating speed. Portable grinding tools need to be equipped with safety guards to protect workers not only from the moving wheel surface, but also from flying fragments in case of breakage. In addition, when using a powered grinder:
PNEUMATIC TOOLS Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air and include chippers, drills, hammers, and sanders. There are several dangers encountered in the use of pneumatic tools. The main one is the danger of getting hit by one of the tool's attachments or by some kind of fastener that is being used with the tool. Eye protection and face protection are recommended for anyone working with pneumatic tools. Noise is another hazard. Working with noisy tools such as jackhammers requires proper, effective use of hearing protection. When using pneumatic tools, check to see that they are fastened securely to the hose to prevent them from becoming disconnected. A short wire or positive locking device attaching the air hose to the tool will serve as an added safeguard. A safety clip or retainer must be installed to prevent attachments, such as chisels on a chipping hammer, from being unintentionally shot from the barrel. Screens must be set up to protect those nearby from being struck by flying fragments around chippers, riveting guns, staplers, or air drills. Compressed air guns should never be pointed toward anyone. Users should never "dead-end" it against themselves or anyone else. POWDER-ACTUATED TOOLS Powder-actuated tools operate like a loaded gun and should be treated with the same respect and precautions. In fact, they are so dangerous that they must be operated only by specially trained employees. Safety precautions to remember include the following:
Suitable eye and face protection are essential when using a powder-actuated tool. The muzzle end of the tool must have a protective shield or guard centered perpendicularly on the barrel to confine any flying fragments or particles that might otherwise create a hazard when the tool is fired. The tool must be designed so that it will not fire unless it has this kind of safety device. All powder-actuated tools must be designed for varying powder charges so that the user can select a powder level necessary to do the work without excessive force. If the tool develops a defect during use it should be tagged and taken out of service immediately until it is properly repaired. FASTENERS When using powder-actuated tools to apply fasteners, there are some precautions to consider. Fasteners must not be fired into material that would let them pass through to the other side. The fastener must not be driven into materials like brick or concrete any closer than 3 inches to an edge or corner. In steel, the fastener must not come any closer than one-half inch from a corner or edge. Fasteners must not be driven into very hard or brittle materials which might chip or splatter, or make the fastener ricochet. An alignment guide must be used when shooting a fastener into an existing hole. A fastener must not be driven into a spalled area caused by an unsatisfactory fastening. HYDRAULIC POWER TOOLS The fluid used in hydraulic power tools must be an approved fire-resistant fluid and must retain its operating characteristics at the most extreme temperatures to which it will be exposed. The manufacturer's recommended safe operating pressure for hoses, valves, pipes, filters, and other fittings must not be exceeded. JACKS All jacks - lever and ratchet jacks, screw jacks, and hydraulic jacks - must have a device that stops them from jacking up too high. Also, the manufacturer's load limit must be permanently marked in a prominent place on the jack and should not be exceeded. A jack should never be used to support a lifted load. Once the load has been lifted, it must immediately be blocked up. Use wooden blocking under the base if necessary to make the jack level and secure. If the lift surface is metal, place a 1-inch-thick hardwood block or equivalent between it and the metal jack head to reduce the danger of slippage. To set up a jack, make certain of the following:
Proper maintenance of jacks is essential for safety. All jacks must be inspected before each use and lubricated regularly. If a jack is subjected to an abnormal load or shock, it should be thoroughly examined to make sure it has not been damaged. Hydraulic jacks exposed to freezing temperatures must be filled with an adequate antifreeze liquid. GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS People who use hand and power tools and who are exposed to the hazards of falling, flying, abrasive and splashing objects, or exposed to harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases should always use the particular personal equipment necessary to protect them from the hazard.
RECIPES Polish Sauerkraut Soup Recipe 2 pounds smoked pork shanks
Cook meat in water until well done. Add onion, sauerkraut juice and sugar. Beat egg, add flour, milk and cream. Add to soup and bring to a boil. Serve with potato dumplings. Pierogi Recipes for dough and fillings are for 12 servings Dough: 4 eggs
Mound flour on kneading board and make hole in center. Drop eggs into hole and cut into flour with a knife. Add salt and water and knead until firm. Let rest for 10 minutes covered with a warm bowl. Divide dough in halves and roll thin. Assembling Cut circles with a large biscuit cutter. Place a small mound of filling (see below) a little to one side on each round of dough. Moisten edge with a little water, fold over and press edges firmly together. Be sure they are well sealed to prevent the filling from running out. Cooking Drop the pierogi into salted boiling water. Cook gently for 3 to 5 minutes. Lift out of water carefully with a perforated spoon. Serve as is or fry in butter on medium-low heat until golden brown. Notes: The dough has a tendency to dry while you are working. A dry dough will not seal completely. Try rolling out a large circle of dough, placing small mounds of filling on one side, far enough apart to allow for cutting, and folding the dough over the mounds of filling. Then cut with a small biscuit cutter and seal firmly. Never crowd or pile pierogi. The uncooked will stick and the cooked will lose shape and lightness. Unused pierogi can be frozen after boiling and keep well. Fillings: Beef Filling 3 large onions, sliced
Sauté onion in margarine. Stir in meat and rice. Dissolve bouillon in hot water. Add to meat mixture with parsley and salt & pepper to taste. Cabbage Filling 1 head cabbage, shredded
Parboil cabbage in boiling water for ten to fifteen minutes. Rinse, drain, cool, and thoroughly wring moisture from cabbage and sauerkraut; set aside. The drier the cabbage and sauerkraut the less time required to complete cooking. Sauté onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons butter. Add cabbage and sauerkraut and remainder of butter; cook for approximately one half hour or until cabbage is soft and mixture is "reasonably" dry. It is important that the mixture not be too moist in order to prevent wetting dough during the filling process. Wet dough will cause pierogi to break open during cooking! Allow mixture to stand in refrigerator (in covered bowl) for twenty four hours prior to filling pierogi dough. Cheese Filling 3 cups cottage or farmers cheese
Cream eggs and butter together. Add other ingredients and mix well. Note: If using cottage cheese, use only the egg yolks. Potato Filling 2 pounds potatoes
Cook potatoes till tender, drain well. Add butter, salt and pepper, onion and mash. When mixture is cool it is ready to use. Note: You may wish to combine cheese, or sauerkraut with potatoes; if so, it is best to combine 2/3 mashed potatoes to 1/3 other ingredients. Savoury Sausage and Sauerkraut 2 tablespoons butter
Melt butter in saucepan. Add onion and green pepper and cook until tender. Add apple, brown sugar, caraway seeds, potatoes, and sauerkrautand mix well. Place sausage on top of sauerkraut mixture, cover, and cook over medium-low heat for 40 minutes. Apples in Red Wine 8 Apples, cored
Place apples in a buttered casserole or baking dish. Fill each with jam. Blend sugar and mace and stir in wine and vanilla. Pour over apples and cover. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 1 hour. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours before serving. HUMOR Thanks to David from airmail.net for sharing this one How Smart Is Your Right Foot? This is so funny that it will boggle your mind and you will keep trying it to see if you can outsmart your foot, but you can't. While sitting at desk or table, lift your right foot off the floor and rotate your ankle to make clockwise circles. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction. And there's nothing you can do about it! Heavenly Reward After his death, Osama bin Laden went to - not heaven, but to a holding area. There he was greeted by George Washington, who proceeded to slap him across the face and yell at him, "How dare you try to destroy the nation I helped conceive!" Patrick Henry approached and punched Osama in the nose and shouted, "You wanted to end our liberties but you failed." James Madison entered, kicked Osama in the gut and said, "This is why I allowed our government to provide for the common defense!" Thomas Jefferson came in and proceeded to beat Osama many times with a long cane and said, "It was evil men like you that provided me the inspiration to pen the Declaration of Independence!". These beatings and thrashings continued as John Rudolph, James Monroe and 66 other early Americans came in and unleashed their anger on the Muslim terrorist leader. As Osama lay bleeding and writhing in unbearable pain an Angel appeared. Bin Laden wept in pain and said to the Angel, "This is not what you promised me." The Angel replied, "I told you that if you followed through with your plans there would be 72 Virginians waiting for you in heaven. What did you think I said?"
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
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