August
August is to summer what February is to winter. Extreme weather, hopelessness, and anticipation of the next season.
We got about three weeks of un bearable heat and humidity. The only break was a camping trip in the mountains of Virginia.
By the time the heat broke it was time for football. Come thou long expected football.
At the other end is St. Croix come wildcard weekend.
July is for Grilling
Porkchops with white summer corn.
Wings cooked with a Vortex. Best ever on a grill. This is the standard for grilled wings.
Dinner in a pouch. Perfection.
My old standby, Carolina hot dogs.
Rtic Wheels
Man this is a well made set of wheels made by a guy on EBay called cooler*innovations. It fits and functions perfectly. A great Rtic Cooler hack.
An easy install and easy to move.
Rtic Cooler Seat Cushion
Are you kidding me? Hell yes I ordered one. Regular $73, now $40 delivered with snap on hardware.
Now my cooler locks the lid, locks to a secure surface via chain, rolls anywhere with one person, and has all the hacks that make it more efficient and useable. Plus I can sit on it in comfort. Is this a great country or what?
I'm still not paying $25 for the Yeti Cupholder.
Rtic Cooler Hack II
It's not my invention, but it is very clever. A fellow that goes by http://www.ebay.com/usr/cooler*innovations has invented and sells these add on minimal wheels that make a heavy and clumsy Rtic Cooler easily mobile for one person. I have ordered one. $110 shipped.
As you can see, the small cleats set into the foot hollows. It is further secured with a tie down strap.
Once installed it allows the cooler to sit flat.
Simply grab the handle at the opposite end to moved the cooler.
My set should be in mid July, 2017.
Rtic Cooler Hacks and Accessories
I hate a thief. This cooler cost me $199 and it is a clone of the $400 Yeti. The white metal bracket off of Ebay at $8 makes it possible to add a padlock. This cooler will be locked to a chain when not in storage. The contents can be padlocked at either end of the cooler.
I added a bottle opener at each end for my fancy boy friends who insist on craft and imported beers.
The biggest complaint of this cooler has been the latches do not stay in place like the Yeti. Cry me a river. I installed 4 .25 cents washers and it's now just like the Yeti.
The weakest link in the insulation is the drain plug. Not any more. $1.09 and a #4 rubber stopper provided an additional layer of leak protection and insulation by providing a gap between the inside and outside drain.
I decided to go ahead and buy the divider, $14, and the top basket $9 (in route) to give me options when camping and smaller tailgates.
Now I'm set until I can figure out how to install a quality cup holder. Yeti wants $25 for one cup holder!
June Got Away From Me
Warm days.
Wheat harvest from winter.
Annual hot dog chili making.
Back in the water diving.
Always grilling.
My birthday month. 
The potato harvest.
Colorful Bounty
It is comforting to have so many options for soups, stews, and chili. Plus the colors were too beautiful to pass up a photo.
White Trash Revealed
All in One Night, Damn
A state dinner with the President of China.
A missile attack after supper.
Report to the people.
Triple J BBQ
I had to run an errand this afternoon that took me to my hometown of Midland, passing the new BBQ place. I could see the pit was fired up. It was necessary for me to stop, since I know no stranger, and I love all thing BBQ.
Jessie Jones was at the pit cooking a whole hog. He welcomed me like an old friend. We talked BBQ for the next 30 minutes while I breathed in the wonderful aromas.
One never asks a pit master for a peek. The saying goes, "If you're looking, it ain't cooking", so I didn't consider asking for a peek.
His pride took over and he offered a glimpse one he has ascertained my sincere enthusiasm for his craft.
It was magnificent!
Name Change for Origami
The Porta-Bote was dragged out of dry dock after 6 plus years. The boat was filthy and most lettering was dry rotten.
Off came the name, the registration, etc.
What stayed after a good scrubbing was on the transom, "Sit Down-Shut Up".
Let's call her that for now.
Poor Mans Beef
Last night I cooked a lowly beef bottom round in the oven at 325. Rubbed and on a bed of onions and heated covered to 140 internal. It was heavenly. Perfect medium rare and juicy. Great beef flavor without all the fat.
In retrospect I should have browned it in an iron pan with olive oil to start.
Could have done it on the grill, maybe I should have. But it was so good as it was. Leftovers tonight.
My Caribbean
Lots of folks see this picture as a quintessential seaside get away.
Alas, not this man. I prefer moving about on my own like this spot on St. Croix.
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