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Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Brush Hog ~ Apple Pie Pork Chops ~ National Mint Julep Day

  


Good 49º clear morning. 
 
 
Yesterday we stayed clear and topped at 94º.
 
 
Picture of the Day...have you ever been here to see this?
 

 
Interesting about brush hogging.........
 

 

A bush hog or "brush hog" is a type of rotary mower. Typically these mowers attach to the back of a farm tractor using the three-point hitch and are driven via the power take-off (PTO). It has blades that are not rigidly attached to the drive like a lawnmower blade, but are on hinges so if the blade hits a rock or stump, it bounces backward and inward, and then centrifugal force makes it go outwards again.

 

The rotary blades are not sharpened in the same way as a conventional mower blade. They are usually quite dull so they whack through dense plant growth, whereas a sharp blade often gets stuck or slowed. The blades are very heavy, up to an inch thick, so the centrifugal force pulling out is stronger than the forces of the vegetation bouncing in. They are made of heat treated high carbon steel that can withstand strikes with hard objects such as rocks and stones.

Types of brush hog

Two archetypes of this type of mower are the Bush Hog which is made by Bush Hog, Inc. of Selma, Alabama and the Flex-Wing by RhinoAg of Gibson City, Illinois. The formal name for this type of implement is a rotary cutter or rotary mower, although it differs from mowers in that it does not cut with a sharp blade, but rather severs with an intentionally very dull wedge-like blade.

Several other manufacturers make these types of mowers including:

  • Bush-Whacker
  • DR Power Equipment
  • Hardee By EVH Manufacturing Co.
  • King Kutter
  • Land Pride
  • RhinoAg[
  • Woods Equipment
  •  


There are two types of attachment for a rotary mower, either using the three-point hitch or via a draw bar. The height of the cut on models attached on the three-point hitch is adjusted using the hitch control lever. This adjusts the height of the front of mower. For more radical height adjustment the rear wheel can also be adjusted. Typically the mowers in this category range from 3.3 to 22 feet mowing widths.

 

A rotary mower that applies chemical while cutting was patented by Tom Burch of Boone, N.C. and was later sold to Diamond Mowers Inc. of Sioux Falls, S.D. under the name Wet Blade.

 

On draw bar models the height of the cut is determined using hydraulic rams on the mower itself; this requires remote hydraulics on the tractor. These mowers in this category range from 3.3 to 22 feet mowing width. Draw bar mowers which are able to mow larger widths up to 20 feet  are available. These are multi-spindle and hinged so that the side wings can move over varied terrain. Also these wings can be folded up into a vertical position to reduce width for transport on roadways.

Safety

The blades on a rotary cutter can have top speeds of over 150 miles per hour. Therefore the kinetic energy enables the blades to cut through saplings and small trees up to several inches/centimeters in diameter. Consequently, these mowers can be very dangerous and contact with the blades would cause severe bodily injury or death.

 

These cutters also pose a thrown object hazard. Objects such as rocks, stones and roadside debris can be thrown in excess of 300 feet.

Sizing

Larger rotary cutters require more powerful tractors to effectively operate. Tractor dealers can recommend the right size brush hog for any of their tractors, or tractor and brush hog sizing charts are available on the Internet. Calculators used to estimate the time required to mow different size areas with different size cutters are also available and can be used to help decide which brush hog is the best investment for different situations.

 
 
From Mr. Food
 

Apples and pork chops are a classic combination that taste great, so of course we had to come up with a recipe that featured this duo. Our Apple Pie Pork Chops are full of flavor!
 
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 (1-inch) pork loin chops (about 3 pounds total) (see Note)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 (21-ounce) container apple pie filling
  • 1/2 cup water

 

  1. In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, and pepper; mix well.
     
  2. Dip pork chops in flour mixture, coating completely.
     
  3. In a large deep skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chops and brown 4 to 5 minutes per side. Stir in pie filling and water. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until no pink remains in chops.
     
  4. Serve with sauce spooned over the top.
 
***To get nice, thick pork chops, ask your butcher or the meat cutter at the grocery store to cut them fresh for you.
 
 
 
Historically this date.........
1806 – Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickinson in a duel after Dickinson had accused Jackson's wife of bigamy.

1842 – John Francis attempts to murder Queen Victoria as she drives down Constitution Hill, London with Prince Albert.

 
 
1859 – Westminster's Big Ben rang for the first time in London.

 
 
1883 – In New York City, a rumor that the Brooklyn Bridge is going to collapse causes a stampede that crushes twelve people.

 
 
1899 – Female Old West outlaw Pearl Hart robs a stage coach 30 miles southeast of Globe, Arizona.

 
 
1922 – In Washington, D.C. the Lincoln Memorial is dedicated.

 
 
1958 – Memorial Day: the remains of two unidentified American servicemen, killed in action during World War II and the Korean War respectively, are buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery

 
1998 – A magnitude 6.6 earthquake hits northern Afghanistan, killing up to 5,000.

 
 
2005– American student Natalee Holloway disappears while on a high school graduation trip to Aruba, and caused a media sensation in the United States.

 
 
2013 – Nigeria passes a law banning same-sex
marriage.
 
 
And births this date include....
1927 – Clint Walker, American actor (d. 2018)
... he sure WAS a hunk!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33ucrsFevjn8ELD7spGvzl6r_InrwJf3wQbPrJg0YO7mzFdkuVn9zkW8olBTCGWo0f03jHHYVz27vpVO45EwOQpVaRDihQGDo6f5mQZt04HpFUi4pgelyI2fGzsfvAxDlHZVdgGNGWj4/s1600/clint1MA29009474-0011.jpg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1936 – Keir Dullea, American actor
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ5vk3ft_oyC8NVug0BSlRAqDsnJLQZ20_fSmFPEhGcrJ_A1qAB1W66H0FMbX8D9e54j_mWxxS5WJVp_6VA6hYPD74Ffu8AG3nG0NEPq4KrQlZHiMNmrLcTmp22CcN-cmEDTJbj-8wS0/s1600/keir1MA29009474-0013.jpg
 
 

1936 – Ruta Lee, Canadian actress
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGPP1WwNRJ201_sQbgfgJGzTzIuI89DHsc1SrgPwDtD1OnpHe3LQ06T_cZEXCJ8n6qHCx4tTBbzaYNSl_wt2wWAQGFChn9fbAOMVQcIfiwbIdH3sn05DDHEdMW6eXdUToTV3tKBQGrgc/s1600/ruta1MA29009474-0015.jpghttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VCRs_Tzmbr_h5U9Ib6Yb6Lzx5eC8CfCHYNjKLMD7UvoxDk9Fe78j-wgi3HGnKO_EuZwN53q-72jdRS8g2FORyVrPpMGvoiSzQqWGyUu0ocjjyB4ea0KKKzEazo8f2oyH6tFJwRGrOsA/s1600/Ruta+Lee+2011MA29009474-0016.jpg
 
 


1944 – Meredith MacRae, American actress (d. 2000)
.... sad sad sad .... brain cancer.
 
 
1958 – Michael Lopez-Alegria, astronaut
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEkqxfJAr_H1urfFxvEzRRxuAbxZjDWBBx5YE-7G3eaavipIU6qxdUHlDYK8aE57XZs6idtIN0VqtGx5RtYL_mzQ2_akNe7dO8xeTXh1PqdSaWj5IT2d-muN0mwl3kce8WVGEjyfKnP8/s1600/michaelMA29009474-0018.jpg
 
 

1964 – Wynonna Judd, American country singer
 
 
 
All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Tuesday. Ciao.
xo Sue Mom Bobo

National Mint Julep Day on May 30th each year sets up a refreshing toast to summer. Each year, people around the country gather for a glass of mint julep! This refreshing southern classic is a traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby.
A classic mint julep is made with a mint leaf, bourbon, sugar, and water. In the Southern states, where mint julep is more associated with the cuisine, spearmint is the mint of choice. Preparation of the drink may vary from one bartender to another.
  • Some believe the mint julep originated in the southern United States sometime during the 18th century.
  • The term “julep” is generally defined as a sweet drink, particularly one used as a vehicle for medicine.
  • During the 19th century, Americans also enjoyed a gin-based julep.
  • Each year, Churchill Downs serves almost 120,000 mint juleps over the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.
  • May 2008 – Churchill Downs unveiled the world’s largest mint julep glass (6-foot  tall).

HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy a mint julep on this nice spring day!

 

Here is a recipe....
 

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