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The Fixer archives

to fridge or to not fridge

There are some foods that absolutely need refrigeration, and some that are better off stored outside of your fridge.

Do not refrigerate (unless cut):

Potatoes: Refrigeration makes the starches in potatoes turn to sugar – which is not a good thing, as it changes the flavor and makes the skin darken.

Onions: Separate them from the potatoes (they don’t play well together – potatoes can make onions rot) and store them where there is plenty of air circulation (no sealed bags or containers)

Garlic: Like onions, they prefer air circulation.

Tomatoes: Store them on the counter – they will […]

dam this morning

As you know, I’ve been paying attention the the river outside my front window. This morning a log caught on the bridge support downstream. Knowing this could rather rapidly escalate into a major dam, backup and flood for us lowlanders, I called the highway department.

They were out within hours. I expected response, but was quite pleasantly surprised by its rapidity.

Chatting with the crew chief, we discover the essence to them: A dam on the support exerts tremendous pressure and could take the bridge down. Replacement cost could be $1.500,000… a bit of a budget breaker for […]

baking soda is impressively versatile

Baking Soda: A Must Have Item Baking Soda: Stock Up For All of Your Hygienic Needs

There are countless uses for baking soda, and I could never possibly list them all. I doubt there is any off-the-shelf substance that is cheaper or more versatile, and lately there’s been an explosion of “do it yourself” recipes and concoctions on the internet. It’s been used for dealing with rashes, bug bites, cleaning dishes, cleaning clothes, heartburn and lord knows what else. Today I’m going to focus on a particularly useful niche. Personal Hygiene.

Almost everything listed […]

Bitterroot flooding this week

FLOOD WARNING Warning Issue Date: 845 AM MDT SUN MAY 25 2014 Warning Expiration: 130 PM MST MON MAY 26 2014

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLOOD WARNING FOR THE BITTERROOT RIVER NEAR MISSOULA… IN NORTHERN RAVALLI COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL MONTANA AND SOUTHERN MISSOULA COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL MONTANA…

* UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

* AT 7:45 AM SUNDAY THE STAGE WAS 10.8 FEET. MINOR FLOOD STAGE IS 11.0 FEET.

* THE FORECAST IS THE RIVER WILL RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BY TONIGHT AND CONTINUE TO RISE TO NEAR 12.4 FEET BY EARLY […]

national weather service warning

Here is the text of this afternoon’s warning bulletin. I separated it into paragraphs to facilitate reading, but didn’t bother translating the all caps “shouting”.

Event: Hydrologic Outlook Alert:

…RIVERS AND STREAMS ON THE RISE LATER THIS WEEK AND WEEKEND…

TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARM THE REST OF THE WEEK WITH READINGS ON THURSDAY IN THE UPPER 70S TO LOWER 80S. THESE WARM TEMPERATURES WILL START TO ACCELERATE SNOWMELT FROM THE MUCH ABOVE NORMAL SNOWPACK IN THE MOUNTAINS.

THIS SNOW MELT WILL CAUSE SMALL STREAM LEVELS TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY. THE INCREASED FLOW IN THE SMALL STREAMS WILL […]

reloading room

I’m still working on the real reloading bench, shelves and such, but an upcoming match is arriving faster than my woodworking is finishing. My temporary setup was a pleasure to use – the view out the window is fantastic… but I am, of course, intensely focused on my work. 😉

Since I was working on the short-range (200-300-yard) ammo when I finally got the electronic scale set up, I was slightly less sensitive to the last flake of accuracy. I tested a dozen or two powder charges from the Lyman on my balance beam, then decided to set it […]

simplify

72 Ideas That Will Simplify Your Life Every once in awhile, I come across something that is perfect just the way it is. It could be a list, a concept, or simply an essay on a topic that brings understanding and meaning to life.

Today’s article needs no adornment. Is is a list of ideas that you can embrace to simplify your life and heaven knows, I raise my hand and say “yes, that is something I need and want to do”. As you read through these, keep in mind that a simple life means something different for every […]

reloading begins

Seven tubs of filler, two gallons of primer, one gallon paint, new flooring, wiring, benches and shelves are under construction in the shop … getting close to moved in.

But some things won’t wait. The High Power Rifle season is upon us. Our first trip to the Nampa Rod and Gun Club matches is next weekend. I had to fill in my match ammo supply.

So the temporary bench got set up and functioning for reloading … here processing the last of my 80-grain Sierra HPBT match bullets.

[…]

Radio Field Day June 27-29

Field Day is an annual amateur radio event involving radio operators, clubs and groups nation-wide. They set up stations in the field no sooner than Friday morning, then begin practicing communications from “emergency conditions” to as many stations in the USofA as possible.

The Bitterroot Amateur Radio Club (BARC) has been doing this along with the national amateur radio community for decades. This year, our main setup will be at the Darby Loggers Day site.

Much more than the contesting aspect of the event, this year we will be focusing more on introducing radio to the people of […]

emergency communications

Emergency Communications When TSHTF

Filed under Emergency Communication Posted by: Rob Richardson

As I learned from working in the areas ravaged by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and several others, cell phones and land-line telephones are basically useless. It became obvious very quickly that I could not call home from most areas due to the telephone lines and cell towers being “down” or busy. Fortunately, I was prepared by having a 2-meter, a 10-meter (both now replaced with a HF/VHF/UHF all band radio), a Citizens Band (CB) radio, and a Uniden Bearcat Scanner which all were mounted in my truck! […]