WD Daily Chat - Talk about anything You Like

ssorllih · Post by **ssorllih** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 05:07

I have spent too much time with Jose but i can't recall staring down some-one's throat for a view of their tonsils.

el Ducko · Post by **el Ducko** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 00:07

[comment about reflection in porcelain deleted]
[Eeewww!]
[...been a long time, but not long enough yet.]

grasshopper · Post by **grasshopper** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 18:46

I just ordered Stan Marinanski book on making healthy sausages, from amazon. Looks great and more education on using additives. From what I read it will be very interesting.
I had a collagen casing go to mold. I forgot to take it out of the cellophane rapper, at room temperature. All the others are ok at room temperature. I was going to make 5# of cactus jack (kabanosy) when I found it. I do heat with wood and humidifier set at 40%. Just a thought. Happy Birthday CW, 65 yrs young, But you will never catch up to me.

Chuckwagon · Post by **Chuckwagon** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 08:18

Awww.... Mike, you are a gentleman and a scholar! Thank you for the birthday wishes pard.

Quite some time ago, I tried a "jerky shooter" for extruding comminuted meat for "faux" kabinosy. It worked out so well, I kept it up. I shoot it onto drying screens, keeping the mixture drier than usual. With your casing going south, you may wish to try "shootin' some round sausage.

Best Wishes,
Chuckwagon

ssorllih · Post by **ssorllih** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 22:34

The weather has turned cool in Maryland and friday we had a little bit of salmon for supper and a small piece of trim was left raw and I brined that Friday night and smoked it all day Saturday in cold pear wood smoke. Today we ate it for breakfast and now I have orders to make MORE. Not a bad assignment with farm salmon this week at 6 dollars/pound.

ursula · Post by **ursula** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:42

Hi all, Have been under the radar for a few days. Busy time of year for all of us I reckon.
I have been busy making several different types of sausages and flavours of gelato and icecreams ready for Christmas and
a big bash on New Years Eve. Except that i"m having it on the 28th so everyone can come. Which leaves the question - what to do on New Year's Eve?
What do all of you guys do to celebrate the New Year? Or are you all just glad that the silly season is over? Best wishes Ursula

crustyo44 · Post by **crustyo44** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 20:36

Hi,
It might sound silly but we are planning to stay home to rest after having all the kids, grandkids and friends over for Christmas and Boxing Day.
We will need a rest believe me and we like to stay off the roads.
All our kids and friends have similar views.
Cheers,
Jan

Chuckwagon · Post by **Chuckwagon** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 04:29

Ursula my dear,
If you are bored and need practice throwing tomatoes, come with me. This is my time of the year to show off. Two nights ago I played at City Hall (my Christmas piano concert). Last night I played 3 hours for a huge private party (lounge music). I get lots of hugs from ladies at these parties. I`ve played piano lounge music all my life. Oh, the stories I could tell you about people. Yup, people. As soon as they have a little refreshment, the little ol` ladies get sentimental, especially when I play 40`s and 50`s romantic movie theme music. The women like "Dr. Zhivago". The men like, "I`ll Be Seeing You". The younger women like stuff from, "The Phantom Of The Opera", and the younger men, surprisingly like a lot of Country-Western music.
Then, after the second round of refreshment, I start hearing all kinds of stories and comments (from the women) whispered in my ear as I play. Hey, I blush easily!

I am a "teetotaler" myself and need sober concentration to keep my fingers on the right keys.
And the older women? They like Chopin. Oh, they always brag about their, "cousin Alfred" who is a "concert pianist". I get about 5 or 6 "cousin Alfreds" a night. The story is always the same. "Cousin Alfred" plays "by ear" and he can play "anything". After all, he` a "concert pianist" you know! Never had a lesson in his life, but he can sit down and play "anything at all"... because he is a "concert pianist" you know!

Hmmm.... I ask where he is currently playing. The answer if always the same. "Oh, he`s not `currently playing` anywhere.
"Oh, I`m sorry", I say. "I thought you said he was a concert player".
"Oh, he is! He is!"... He`s a concert pianist!
"Well, I`d like to meet him and hear him play", I say encouragingly.
"Oh well, uhh... he`s not currently playing anywhere". (The story is always the same.)
"Is that how he makes his living?", I ask.
"Oh, uhhh... not exactly... He pumps gas down at the Chevron.

I started playing in Country Club lounges before I was of legal age to go into them. (My parents had to sign a "waiver"). Back then, teens could play in establishments providing the "house" agreed not to serve him alcohol and his parents gave permission. So, I played my first gig at age 14. I learned first-hand that some people with "affluenza", seem to think quite a bit of themselves and start judging others. I tried not to make judgments, and learned much about human nature from those early days. As I got older, I played only three nights a week so I could study. I went back to college three times and the piano paid the tuition. At age twenty-three, I went on "the circuit" for a large piano corporation. The money was phenomenal, but the hours were limited. But it was concert work and I had worked for it. Then one night after a "performance", a guy came up from the audience. I shook his hand and he asked if he could play the grand piano. He sat down and his fingers just "smoked" that piano. Just before it burst into flames, I remember thinking that I`d just like to go back home, lock myself in, and practice for a hundred more years. I finally recognized the man and told him I had all of his record albums. I learned a great lesson that night. No matter how "great" a person thinks he is... there`s always someone who can come along and blow him out of the water! Now I am an old man and my best piano years are behind me. There are lots of memories. But shucks, there are still some great times ahead too. So, gather up a bunch of really, really, ripe tomatoes and come with me to my New Year`s performance. You can sit on the front row and toss tomatoes at the guy who looks like he ate too many sausages!

Best Wishes And Season`s Greetings,
Chuckwagon

Post by **redzed** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 07:38

Quite the story CW. Thanks for sharing. I have done many things in life, had many successes (and a fair share of failures), but the one thing that I really regret not being able to do, was to play a musical instrument. Consider yourself lucky to have this gift in your repertoire of talents.

Chuckwagon · Post by **Chuckwagon** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 10:12

Thanks Chris. I was once lucky enough to visit your beautiful Vancouver Island and spend a little time there. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Of course I saw the magnificent Butchart flower gardens. All of the scenery in Canada will take your breath away.

ursula · Post by **ursula** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 10:14

hey Chuck,
Just read your enticing invitation, but alas, My 60 tomato plants have failed to produce any tomatoes that will achieve the level of ripeness required for satisfying propulsion. Woe is me>January is a better month for tomatoes. But I'll be there in spirit, with my spiritual tomatoes in a virtual plane of toss.
Hmm, don't know if that makes sense...
Does it have to?
Ursula

grasshopper · Post by **grasshopper** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 17:44

Chuck who was the man who played the piano. Joni will get her Russell Cook hammer dulcimer right after Christmas. It is on it's way. Her fingers are not for the piano anymore. A house without music is not a good thing around here. Mama not happy ain't nobody happy. I want to thank everybody on this site for the education I have received in making me a better sausage maker, humbly said. Wish all a Merry Christmas and a great New year. Mike

Chuckwagon · Post by **Chuckwagon** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 06:35

Mike, that guy was Ralph Wolfe. He was the top organist in the country back then and he played the "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ. Wolfe was phenomenal. Someone once asked him if he did anything special to take care of his hands. He said, "Why sure, yes I do... I wash them!".
I was paid to play and promote the Wurlitzer grand piano. Before each performance, I took 4 or 5 loose piano strings and taped them beneath the keyboard (up, under, and out of the way). Later, in the performance if I happened to make a mistake, I would stand up and act very upset while I reached under the keyboard and "ripped out" a bunch of piano strings! I would look at them in disgust, then slam them down to the floor. Then I would play the "correct note" and smile at the audience. They went nuts! Absolutely crazy. Great times and never got hit with a single tomato. Tell Joni to get busy with that dulcimer and practice! And no breakin' any strings!

Ursula wrote:
Hmm, don't know if that makes sense... Does it have to?
You're in Hyde Park dear! Nothing in here make sense!

Best Wishes,
Chuckwagon

ursula · Post by **ursula** » Mon Dec 31, 2012 09:54

We get to have our new year before all you guys, so I'll take this time to wish everyone a happy new year and a safe entry into 2013.
Looking forward to lots of fun times in the new year.
warm wishes Ursula

Chuckwagon · Post by **Chuckwagon** » Mon Dec 31, 2012 10:17

Ursula, how did your party turn out? What did you do for fun? How many folks came? Did you serve any sausage hors d'oeuvres? Did you act up? Were the police called in?

We'd also like to know how that new smoker is working. Inquiring minds want to... oh, heck, we're just being snoopy people!

Happy New Year!
Chuckwagon

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