My Introduction to Mountain Biking

Posted on July 13, 2011 by dracphelan

A few months ago, I purchased a Trek 3500 mountain bike to get more exercise. I’ve been loving it. I’ve learned more about my neighborhood (like the fact that there is a Stetson factory less than 2 miles from me). I’ve gotten to see some beautiful sites, like the pictures of Rowlett Creek Preserve I have taken. And learned more about alternative transportation methods.

After buying a bicycle from a local bike shop (Richardson Bike Mart), I will never buy another one from anywhere else. I found out that I had been buying bikes that were to large for me. That helped me select a bike that fit me and my needs.

I can also recommend getting in contact with local bicycling groups that share your interests. The Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association is a great group for people looking to bicycle while off road.

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Quick Update

Posted on July 12, 2011 by dracphelan

I am in the process of completely redesigning my website and moving it to a wordpress management system.

 

Edit: I’m getting more closer to what I want.

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These Police Officers Really Screwed Up

Posted on May 29, 2011 by dracphelan

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28011349/detail.html

Summary: Police were called because a pickup had run off the road into a persons yard. Three men tried to remove it and then left. The person who called the police thought they were drunk. The police went to the truck owner’s home (around the corner). He refused to let them in and told them to get a warrant. They then broke down his door and shot him. The officer who shot him though he saw a weapon. These officers have been indicted by a grand jury for charges related to this incident (but not murder?!). Now the parent’s of the man, with the help of the ACLU, are sueing the officers.

As some people reading this may know, I have a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice specializing law enforcement procedures and management. These officers really screwed the pooch on this one. The circumstances when a police officer may enter a home without the resident’s permission are very limited (someone’s life is in danger, if they are in what is considered hot pursuit (they were not) or they have a warrant). They did not meet any of these criteria. They could have called in for a warrant and probably had it in 15-30 minutes. Through their reckless actions they caused the death of another person. They are very lucky this was not a person (or persons) with training. They could have very well ended up dead. If I had been on the grand jury, I would have insisted on them being charged with murder.

 

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Making Plans For My Vacation

Posted on May 12, 2011 by dracphelan

I am making plans for my week off (next week). So far, I have the following:

  • Go shoot sporting clays on Sunday
  • Go shoot my rifles one day of the week
  • Friday-Sun of next week, head down to Houston to see some friends

Now the question is, what else do I want to do. I know I will be going for a bike ride, I just need to decide where:

I’m also think of going hiking on this trail near my home, http://www.trinitytrailriders.org/. Unfortunately, This one does not allow bicycles, and I will have to avoid the horse apples. Anybody have suggestions on which trails I should hit? Any suggestions of other activities to do?

 

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Urban Homesteading in the Spring

Posted on February 21, 2011 by dracphelan

It is time for me to get my garden really going for the spring. I already have some great garlic plants growing, and next weekend, with the help from some friends, I will be setting up a new garden bed to increase production. I am planning on planting:

  • Red Chantenay Carrots
  • Jupiter Sweet Bell Peppers
  • Yellow Squash
  • Amish Paste Tomatoes
  • Brandywine Tomatoes
  • Cherokee Purple Tomatoes
  • Green Arrow Shell Peas
  • Burgundy Amaranth
  • An herb garden among the garlic that is already growing
  • Garlic in the new bed to help repel pests

Also, after watching a couple of videos on YouTube, I’ve been inspired to try my hand at making a drip irrigation system. I will need:

  1. A timer
  2. A manifold to divert to the different garden areas (preferably a 3 way manifold)
  3. 8 3/4″ PVC elbows
  4. Enough 3/4″ PVC pipe to go around the beds.
  5. 2 3/4″ T pieces with a 3/4″ female end. Garden hoses will screw into these pieces

To see what inspired me to do this, watch the following 2 videos. I can even use the rain barrel I have on my back deck to run these irrigation systems.

Home Made Square Foot Garden Irrigation

Home Made Drip Irrigation System

With the way food prices have been rising, I will need the vegetables I grow for my urban homestead.

Posted in Activities, gardening, preparedness, Urban Homestead | Comments Off

Plan’s for the next year

Posted on December 6, 2010 by dracphelan

It is coming up on a new year and I need to plan on some activities and goals for the new year.

  1. Pay off (at a minimum) my credit card and Dell accounts. This should be very doable.
  2. Create at least 2 new vegetable beds. This is a necessity if I actually want to be successful as a vegetable gardener. My current bed just gets to much shade. I’m thinking one large one on the other side of the back yard and a small one in the front.
  3. Get involved in some activities that will hopefully get me more active with more people. I’ve already started this with the SCA archery. But, it seems a little slow taking off.
  4. It is the 100th anniversary of the m1911. I want to pick up a short slide 1911 with decent sights and a chrome/stainless finish. I want it to be pretty.
  5. I need to either rent storage space or buy a storage shed. The storage shed would pay for itself in a year. However, I’m not sure where I would put the storage shed. With the archery range, firepit, pond and garden beds, space is getting a bit tight.
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VAT Tax Is Coming

Posted on August 11, 2010 by dracphelan

Beware the VAT: Why the consumption tax is coming – (Summary of article) A brief interview with a Congressman who has been right more often than wrong on what will happen in congress as far as taxes go. It then explains that, at the federal government’s current spending levels, they have no choice but to pass it. Income tax increases would not provide enough new tax income to keep the people who buy US Treasury bonds happy.

When the VAT comes, there are ways to get around it. Here are a few:

  1. Buy used items from individuals.
  2. Buy from as close to the source as you can. When buying produce, go to farmer’s markets or other locations where the growers are.
  3. Make it yourself. If you can make something yourself, do so.
  4. If something is not working, don’t replace it, get it fixed.

In my opinion, a VAT would be a staggering blow to the US economy. But, I also think it might lead to better spending habits.

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A Couple of Things

Posted on August 7, 2010 by dracphelan

Ann Coulter to headline Homocon party for gay conservatives next month in New York City

I’m including this as a way of making a point. A person’s race, gender, religion and sexual orientation do not determine their political ideology. The GOProud group actually believes in smaller government and less taxes. I wish they were in charge of the GOP.

Your Choice: Thomas Jefferson or the Status Quo

I like this one because of the idea behind it. It boils down to, if you do not like how powerful the federal government has become, do something about it. Don’t just write an e-mail to your congressman or senator. Resist the encroachment of the federal government in ever peaceful way you can.

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Ordered my seeds for fall

Posted on July 28, 2010 by dracphelan

I just ordered my seeds for fall planting:

  • Broccoli (start seeds as soon as I get them and plant in September)
  • Different varieties of lettuce and spinach (plant in mid-August for fall salads)
  • Carrots (plant September 5th-10th)
  • Garlic (plant in September for spring harvest)
  • Onions (same as garlic)

The above information came from Survival Podcast #484.

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My Enchiladas

Posted on July 17, 2010 by dracphelan

Enchiladas

Once again, I am making my version of enchiladas. Part of the purpose of this recipe is to use as many storable or home grown items as possible.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large can or 3 small cans of canned chicken
  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • Queso Fresco (a crumbly white mexican cheese)
  • Paprika and Italian herd seasoning
  • salt
  • Corn tortillas
  • 2 cans of enchilada sauce (I buy the cheap stuff)
  • Shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Chop up and sautee the onion and garlic
  3. Drain the chicken and shred it (this should be easy)
  4. Crumble the queso fresco into a bowl
  5. Stir in the chicken, onions and garlic
  6. Season to taste with the paprika, italian herd mix and salt
  7. Spoon mixture into tortillas, rolling up each one and placing it ends side down in a 13″x9″ baking dish
  8. Once you have filled up the pan, cover the enchiladas with the enchilada sauce then cover them with the shredded cheddar cheese.
  9. Bake for 30-45 minutes. The cheddar cheese should be fully melted an bubbly.
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