Halloween: Minnesota Pig Farm Murders

With Halloween happening in the next few days, I wanted to share this true, but graphic, story about a murder from the past on a pig farm in Minnesota. In the article, Alexandra Floersch writes a review on the book listed below, and connects the story to her memories of a legendary story in northern Minnesota.

http://alexandrafloersch.areavoices.com/paranormal-series-part-3-the-haunted-memories-of-a-gruesome-pig-farm-murder/

Hog Farm

Murderer Nels Holong

Brainerd Lakes Area Live Music: Oct. 29th-Nov. 4th, 2015

For week of Oct. 29-Nov. 4; bands perform from 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.


BRAINERD

Coco Moon
601 Laurel St.

Bluegrass, first, third and fifth Friday of the month

Eagles Club

124 Front St.

Artison, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Friday; $5 for all dances for non-Eagle members.

Last Turn Saloon

215 S. Eighth St.

Kayla Jackson, Saturday

Liquor Pigz

718 Laurel St.

Karaoke, 10 p.m. every Wednesday

Jam session/open mic, 9 p.m. every Sunday

Shep's on Sixth

315 S. Sixth St.

DJ, every Friday-Saturday in Elbow Room

St. Mathias Bar and Grill

4640 County Road 121

Sound Trax DJ, Saturday


BREEZY POINT

Commander Bar

30279 Airport Road

Audio Circus, 9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday

JJ's Pub

Downstairs of the Commander

Lee Bone, Saturday

CROSBY

The Bridge Tavern

26929 Highway 6

Live music every Friday; Classic Country Dinner Theater, 4-8 p.m. Sunday

Full Moon and Halloween Rant: Trucks Celebrating Halloween

Photos courtesy of thelope.com

Halloween is the dentist's favorite holiday.   I like it way better than Christmas (which isn't saying much), and this year our son is all amped up about going out trick or treating.   In the schools this week, many teachers have been busy talking about how crazy the students get during a full moon and also the way Halloween can make even the calmest children crazy with excitement and sugar.

When I was in grade school, I would always look forward to filling multiple empty pillow cases with candy, and walking around my hometown with my friends.  As I got older and into my teen years, it became a time to pull pranks on people and it usually involved toilet papering their house or yard, egging cars and other annoying adolescent pranks.


So, I find myself wondering what Halloween has become in this day in age.  We live in the age of social media, crazy consumerism, and cameras monitoring our every move.   Is Halloween a time to give out candy and spend more money as a consumer?  Or is it a time to turn out the lights in our houses, and avoid the plagues of candy greedy little kids?


I will take part in the Halloween festivities for the sake of my young kid.  I am lucky to be home every night, and I am thankful for the truckers sacrificing home time to deliver all the candy that will be consumed this week.

 My son's excitement about Halloween and other holidays is contagious, and I would be a fool to ignore all of the joy his excitement has brought our family. 
Have a safe and fun Halloween!

BUILDING A SHIPPING PALLET DEER HUNTING BLIND –PART 1 and PART 2

Part 1
Deer hunting season starts the first weekend in November up in my neck of the woods: the northern part of Minnesota.  Hopefully, the wolves haven't eaten all the fawns and adult deer, yet.   I am a fan of cheap deer blinds and building plenty of them to keep hunting comfortable, and I am impressed with the youtube video I posted above.  The video's author states the blind was only about $50, but I have a bunch of leftover rolled rubber roofing my father in law salvaged, so I am going to be able to build this for much less.  Check out the video if you are interested in making your own pallet deer blind for the upcoming season.  This blind will work well in many different types of climates, and the hunters who sit in their stands the longest usually end up with the biggest bucks.  Good luck hunting and stay safe out there during the upcoming season.


Part 2

Evan's Polishing - Teaser

Instructions:
PLEASE DO THIS OUTDOORS or in WELL VENTILATED AREA!!!

Pour approx 1-1.5 quarts of mineral spirits in pot and place on low heat. Break the approx 10" brick in half and place both pieces in pot. Stir continuously till brick has melted and stir stick has no lumps showing on end. (keep lid handy in case of flare up) I have not had this happen but if you use a flammable thinner it could happen. Adjust heat accordingly so that solution doesn't boil over. Allow to cool overnight. You will notice the thinner/spirits has come to top. Add a bit of ammonia till it gets to your desired consistency. The ammonia will possibly turn the polish into a paste in which case you may want to add more thinner. Experimenting with amounts of each ingredient will allow you to make the polish to your liking and ease of use. I like to use the blue brick and make it into a fairly thick paste that I even use on oxidized paint, aluminum and stainless steel. The green brick is a good one to start with if you are polishing fairly tarnished aluminum and finish with a white or blue polish. If you have badly tarnished aluminum and want a more course polish, omit the ammonia. You will have to shake well before using. Rub on with terry cloth rag till a black sludge appears. Of course, the more you rub, the better the finish. I then use another rag dampened with thinner to clean up the sludge then a dry clean rag to polish to a mirror finish. You can dilute the polish till it is as thin as the store bought stuff but experimenting is the key. Another trick to use if you are lazy is to get a cheap carb cleaner spray ( Walmart under $1) and spray the aluminum sludge off. It dries quickly and then use clean dry rag to buff to high shine.
CAUTION please when making this polish. Probably not a good idea to breathe vapors or make indoors. Should wear gloves when making and using this stuff. Your wife may also want to beat you for using her pot as she will never want it when you are done with it. Although this is safe to make if care is taken, I take no responsibility for any accidents, spills,fires, divorces, etc.
You will never buy the store bought stuff again!

Dirty jobs How to Polish Aluminum by a Master Detailer - Aluminum Polish...

Brainerd Lakes Area Live Music: Oct. 22-28

It has been a beautiful fall in the BLA, and now is a great time to get out of the house and relax to some live music.  Despite the nice weather, winter is looming and with Minnesota winters comes the dreaded cabin fever.

I would recommend checking  out Coco Moon's live music.  It is a great little coffee shop in downtown Brainerd.


Via the Brainerd Dispatch:'
For the week of Oct. 22-28; bands perform from 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.

 AITKIN


Barnacles Resort

36569 State Highway 18

2 Mile Final, Saturday

BRAINERD

Coco Moon

601 Laurel St.

Bluegrass, first, third and fifth Friday of the month

Eagles Club

124 Front St.

Cuyuna Rhythm, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Friday; $5 for all dances for non-Eagle members.

Last Turn Saloon

215 S. Eighth St.

Kayla Jackson, Oct. 31

Liquor Pigz

718 Laurel St.

Karaoke, 10 p.m. every Wednesday

Jam session/open mic, 9 p.m. every Sunday

Shep's on Sixth

315 S. Sixth St.

DJ, every Friday-Saturday in Elbow Room


St. Mathias Bar and Grill

4640 County Road 121

Old School, Saturday

BREEZY POINT

Commander Bar

30279 Airport Road

Southbound, 9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday

JJ's Pub

Downstairs of the Commander

Trinity Jaymes, Saturday

CROSBY

The Bridge Tavern

26929 Highway 6

Live music every Friday; Classic Country Dinner Theater, 4-8 p.m. Sunday

CROSSLAKE

Moonlight Bay Family Restaurant

37627 County Road 66

DJ JP and DJ Chad, every Friday-Saturday

MERRIFIELD

Harpo's

2156 County Road 3

Junkyard Engineers, Saturday

NISSWA

American Legion

25807 Main St.

Stool Pigeons, 6-10 p.m.

Mike Rowe Explains The Skills Gap In USA Education System

Over the last 8 years of shooting Discovery Channels Hit show, Dirty Jobs, Mike Rowe became increasingly concerned over the skills gap in the United States. 
Each year millions of skilled trade jobs go unfilled as our country continues to push a traditional 4 year degree.
In an effort to change the tide, he created the Mike Rowe Works Foundation and now Profoundly Disconnected.
Listen as Mike explains the growing skills gap and the need for skilled workers in the United States.
On Labor Day of 2008, fans of Dirty Jobs built mikeroweWORKS, a trade resource center and non-profit foundation designed to reinvigorate the Skilled Trades. Profoundly Disconnected is the next phase of that effort. My goal here is to challenge the absurd belief that an expensive four-year education is the best path for the most people, and confront the outdated stereotypes that continue to drive kids and parents away from a whole list of worthwhile careers. Many of the best opportunities that exist today require a skill, not a diploma. The purpose of this site is to promote that simple truth. And maybe have a few laughs.
Mike Rowe once gave a TED Talk on the Changing Face of the Modern-Day Proletariat, and in May 2011, he testified before the U.S. SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE about the importance of changing perceptions and stereotypes around blue-collar work. Currently, Mike and Caterpillar are working together to launch PROFOUNDLY DISCONNECTED, a new initiative focused on technical recruitment.www.MikeRoweWorks.com 
www.ProfoundlyDisconnected.com

Kiegan Nelson - Rolling CB Interview™ Kickin' It Old School

During the Super Rigs truck show in Selma, Texas Kiegan Nelson grabs a flatbed load for Iowa. He's running Rollin' Transport's truck called "Kickin' It Old Skool" It's a 1985 Peterbilt 359 / Caterpillar 3406E / 550hp / 18 speed / 290 wheelbase / 3.36 rears.




This 1985 Peterbilt is driven by a 22 year old that started trucking when he was 18.  This is a good example of a driver doing what they love in a beautiful old school Peterbilt.  I like that it has a retro double eagle sleeper which really sets this ride apart from the competition.  Enjoy this video and the interview!

Mike Rowe and Not Afraid to Work

I have been a fan of Mike Rowe ever since I watched the first episode of Dirty Jobs.  But my recent renewed interest is in his philosophy concerning work.  Rowe has started a nonprofit aimed at encouraging youth to look into other options other than college.  He isn't against a college education, in fact Mike Rowe is a college graduate. Read more about him: Mike Rowe Bio.  But on his site, MIKE ROWE WORKS, he has videos and tons of information on alternative paths to finding your dream job.  He also highlight in demand jobs that aren't being filled due to a lack of skilled workers.

Today, I found a cool site he promotes called Not Afraid to Work.   I have been cutting firewood lately and may have to submit a photo, and you should too!


From the site:

You’re up before dawn, sleeves rolled up and not afraid to get your hands dirty and work. You don’t punch out and you rely on hard-working people, equipment and products to help you get the job done.

And now we want to reward and honor your hard work with the NotAfraidToWork photo contest.

Brainerd Lakes Area Live Music: October 8-14, 2015

Live Music - Oct. 8

For week of Oct. 8-14; bands perform from 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.


BRAINERD


Coco Moon


601 Laurel St.


Bluegrass, first, third and fifth Friday of the month

Eagles Club

124 Front St.

Church of Cash, a Johnny Cash Tribute Band, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Friday; $5 for all dances for non-Eagle members.

Liquor Pigz

718 Laurel St.

Karaoke, 10 p.m. every Wednesday

Jam session/open mic, 9 p.m. every Sunday

Shep's on Sixth

315 S. Sixth St.

DJ, every Friday-Saturday in Elbow Room

St. Mathias Bar and Grill

4640 County Road 121

Big T, karaoke, Saturday

BREEZY POINT

Commander Bar


30279 Airport Road

Blackout, 9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday

CROSBY

The Bridge Tavern

26929 Highway 6

Live music every Friday; Classic Country Dinner Theater, 4-8 p.m. Sunday

CROSSLAKE

Moonlight Bay Family Restaurant

37627 County Road 66

DJ JP and DJ Chad, every Friday-Saturday

MERRIFIELD

Harpo's

2156 County Road 3

YNOTT, Saturday

NISSWA

American Legion

25807 Main St.

Old Glory, 7-10 p.m. Friday

Old Barber Shop Pictures

Barber shop and pool hall, Oklee Minnesota, 1912

These pictures are reminders for me to go to the barber shop and get my hairs cut.  I also like the way the first two photos take me back in time, as I have been waxing nostalgic as of late.

When I was an innocent blue eyed blond haired boy, my mother would take me to the barber shop to trim my page boy haircut.  I was tow headed and a little nervous about going to the barber shop.  But the barber was a friendly sheep farmer, and he would put a plywood board across the arms of the barber chair so I could sit up higher.  It wouldn't take him long to cut my hair and vacuum the cape off, and then he would drip a few drops of Vitalis onto his hand, slap them together, and give my freshly cut hair a good rub down with the hair tonic. Seeing these old barber shops make me think of my time visiting the local barber shop.

Iowa, 1912

Frenchy'

Glassy SToNeY Sunday by E. Wilke: Suring Lake Superior Video

Video courtesy of E Wilke.
He is getting some great rides on Lake Superior on this fine fall
day in Minnesota. Watching this video makes me want to get out my SUP and make the drive
to the North Shore.  The water on Lake Superior never gets very warm, and the best season for surfing is winter.   Winters in Minnesota mean cold winds, and even colder water.

It looks like a great day of riding on Mother Superior.  Wish I could have been there to try and catch a few  waves!   W Wilke does a great job at updating his Youtube account and providing excellent videos of surfing the North Shore of Minnesota!

For Arkansas couple, rig is home | NWADG

For Arkansas couple, rig is home | NWADG

Truck driver Toni Chandler, left, and her husband Les Paugh Jr. now live out of her CalArk trucking company truck. Chandler drives and her husband just rides along.





Affixed to a center console panel, just above the CB radio in the cab of Toni Chandler's 18-wheeler, is a magnet bearing the slogan, "Truck Sweet Truck."

Weekly Trucking Vlog #32

Palerider is an owner operator and I've been following his video logs because he does a good job explaining the demands of being a driver.  He also has a great attitude and his film skills keep getting better. Enjoy watching Palerider television, and the classic Western music that accompanies the clips.

Semi Trucks Hauling Boats

Hauling boats in the Great Lakes Area

http://www.yachtworld.com/greatlakesmarine/greatlakesmarine_1.html

Hauling Ships in Alaska

Mid-roof Freightliner hauling a large barge up in the Last Frontier.

These photos are from a company named http://www.stellarboattransport.com/

KW hauling a cool little sailboat

A red Peterbilt hauling a boat with all types of trailer rigging.  This picture is from http://www.cmtboattransport.com/contactCMTBoats.html.

Sailboat making the overland voyage fro FL to CA.