Antibacterial Sanitizer's can weaken muscle contraction

  This was an interesting article that came out the other day on Good Morning America! It seems the ingredient "triclosan", an ingredient found in "anti bacterial" products has been found by scientists to not be so good for you!  Used in antiseptic hand soaps, shaving gel, toothpaste, deodorant and other hygiene products, a new study has found the chemical can weaken muscle contraction including your heart. Here is the article from Good Morning America!  It doesn't sound to good to me!
  Here is what the FDA says about the situation, "FDA Article". They are having study's done of their own to see if there is any truth to it! I myself have always said that we in the USA have used so many antibacterial products that we have killed of good bacterias as well, making us more likely to get sick, when we are exposed to germs and bugs! Sure we should wash our hands and keep a clean house but come on. I have been around people that are afraid to touch a door knob without putting antibacterial sanitizer on their hands! I ate dirt growing up and yes, even stuck a few penny's in my mouth and I turned out just fine, lol!
     Here are a couple articles on the health benefits of "Good Bacteria" and what happens if you kill it off!
A List of Good Bacteria
"What Are good bacteria?"
"Bacteria Keeps the immune system primed to fight infection"

Results of Tomato Stake Trials!

Results of Tomato Stake Trials are In!

 I don't like tomato cages so this year I tested four different tomato stakes, from left to right they were: 

   1) Steel T-posts 2)Wooden Stakes 3)Bamboo Stakes 4)Store bought Plastic coated Stakes

 First, was the Steel T-Post. I liked them the most, they were very sturdy and didn't ever bend over, held up to strong winds and the heavy laden fruit on the plants! They do cost a little but the will last for a very long time. I am sure you could use small pipe or re-bar as well.
 Second, the old fashioned wooden stake. They were sturdy but not quit tall enough, not very costly. They only real problem I see is that you may only get 2 or 3 years out of them do to termites and rot.
 Third, was the Bamboo stakes.These were my second favorite! They were free, remember my neighbor/friend Jason? Well, he found a patch of what we call around here "River Cain", AKA "Bamboo". All we had to go do was cut it and haul it. They were tall enough because we cut them 9 to 10 feet tall, so after putting about 2 feet in the ground, they were just right. They held up to the wind and laden fruit and Bamboo doesn't rot so they should be around for awhile!
 Fourth, were the cheep plastic coated stakes. I really thought these were gonna be the best thing since sliced bread until the all powerful "Derecho Storm" hit and bent them right over to the ground and I mean to the ground! The other 3 did just fine in the storm but the plastic stakes that a buddy talked me into trying bent right over. I will just used them to stake my pepper plants next year, never tomatoes again, lol!
  I know there are other ways to stake tomatoes out there that I didn't try this year.. If you have tried something different and have had success or failure please share with us.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 

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Barn Hop 86

Winterizing Your Lawn Mower!

   As you can tell my lawn mower has seen its better days, lol! I can't even remember how old it is, as a matter of fact I received it used many years ago from my dad. It used to be blue but a couple of years ago, I decided, since all the blue paint had peeled off, that I would paint it, so off to Lowe's we went. 

By the:Redeemed Gardener

  When we got there, I told my daughter, that was 10 years old at the time, "pick out whatever color you want and I will paint my mower that color."   WHOOPS!
  She took her time and was really thinking this over, then handed me Bright Lime Green! Reluctantly I said, "Are you sure about this color?"
  Without blinking an eye she said, "Well daddy, I was gonna get you hot pink but I figured that was to girly!" I looked at her without saying a word, put the Lime green paint in the buggy,  and left, lol! Hay, the bright side is, we had a few lawn mowers stolen in the area this year but mine wasn't!
  Well, must of us in my area of the world are getting ready to put the old lawn mower up for the winter months. But do just wheel it into the out building and expect it to start right up next spring. If you want it to last you for years to come, here are a few helpful hints to help it last longer!

1. Change the oil and filter on your lawn mower. This simple step gives you an opportunity to check the system for any contaminants and ensure that you’ll start the next mowing season off with a supply of fresh oil. Drain the old oil while the engine is still warm in order to get a complete flush and prevent any contaminants from settling back into the mower's oil pan. 
    
2. When storing your lawn mower or any tool that you have with a engine, either drain your fuel tank completely or adding a fuel stabilizer. Since fuel can begin to decompose after being dormant for a month or more, the stabilizer will help protect against carburetor clogs from old fuel. After you add the fuel stabilizer, run the mower engine for about 5 minutes. 
    
3. Now is a great time to tighten all of your mower's nuts and bolts as well as check the belts, filters and safety shields. Repair and treat any chipped or scratched metal surfaces, and apply a very light coat of engine oil to pivot and wear points to prevent rust. Even sharpen the blade!
    
4. Check your mower's operator manual for any other winter storage suggestions, such as checking the battery, if you have one. Then be sure to store your mower in a safe, dry building. If you store your lawn mower outside, cover it with a waterproof tarp.

So just remember as you put your tools up, they will last longer, if you take proper care of them! And then when it gets as old as mine, you can start adding Synthetic oil to the mower every time you put gas in it to keep it from locking up, LOL!

  

"Good habits are hard to acquire but easy to live with. Bad habits are easy to acquire but hard to live with."

Making the Nation Right, But NOT on Election Day?

  I have been watching and listening how people have been acting and conversing, leading up to the 2012 Presidential Election. It pains me to see how Christians can take up for, acted and talk about their party or candidate but they can't even defend their Savior Jesus Christ or His teachings! I am not gonna go into a rampage about this subject. I just want to post what God's Word says to do about turning a nation like the U.S. around and putting it back on track. This is truly the only way it will happen folks!

2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. ¹⁵ Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place" 

   We must also pray for our leaders and not destroy them with our mouth! Why? Because God's Word says that "He sets Kings and deposes them (Daniel 2:21)." Because “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes (Daniel 4:17).” So if we humble ourselves and do as Gods Word says. God says HE will heal our nation, not a politician!! Even though evil men abuse their political power, meaning it for evil, God means it for good, working “all things together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 2:28). Here is the promise but we must do our part first!

2 Chronicles 12:6 "So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “The Lord is righteous.”⁷ Now when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak" 

Here is a good article on "Got Questions", "How should a Christian view Politics?" 

  So if you are a Christian reading this, please do your part! Humble yourself, Pray, Seek God and turn from your wicked ways. He will hear from you and He will heal your lands!! God Bless each of you!


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Things to do, in the Garden, in the fall?

      Well it is getting to be that time of the year where the leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter and for some harvest time! Some of us are starting to plant Fall Crops  and others are closing the garden down for the fall. Which ever your plans for your garden you have, start with a plan. Last week I gave you "10 vegetables to grow in fall" , this week I am compiling a list of other things to do in the fall for you to get started with.
  1)Finish the harvest:You can pick green tomatoes before a frost and they will continue to ripen inside. Pick those that are full size and starting to turn yellow. Wrap each tomato in a piece of newspaper or paper towel. Take a few out at a time and place on a sunny window sill to ripen. Harvest tender crops like peppers, eggplant, and cucumbers before the first frost. Harvest all other above ground crops before a hard freeze. Dig potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, carrots, onions, and other root vegetables before the ground freezes. Pumpkins won’t continue to ripen after picking but you must pick them before a hard freeze and protect them from freezing. 

Photo By" The Redeemed Gardener

  2)Clean up the vegetable garden: This is the dirt, not so fun part but it needs to be done. Must everything can go in those "Dirt Cheap Compost Bin's", and the rest you can burn on the garden if you would want to!  Cover exposed soil with a layer of compost, straw, leaves or other material, especially in areas that don’t get much snow or plant a "cover crop". Also put away your cages and stakes for next year as well.
  3)Soil test and amend your soil: Fall is a great time to have your soil tested and make adjustments to soil pH or amend nutrient imbalances. Get the soil tested as early as possible, you’ll generally get results back from the lab faster than in the spring but leave time before the soil freezes to add amendments. 
  4)Make garden plans for next year: Perennial plants are mature, so make decisions on whether the garden is too crowded or whether it needs more plants or some changes made. It’s a good time to make some notes about annuals and vegetables that grew well or didn’t do well so you won’t repeat mistakes in the spring. Find those plant tags you stuck in beside plants and write down variety names you want to remember. You’ll be surprised what you forget over the winter or at least I forget a lot, lol! Take some pictures of the mature garden to remind you what it looks like as you drool over plant catalogs in the winter. 
  5)Divide those perennials: "Dividing Plants are free" and a fun gift for family and friends! So get the shovel out and divide some of your perennials!
  6)Fix the lawn:Fall is the perfect time to fertilize the lawn and to repair or replace the grass. Fall fertilization allows for good root growth, and gets the grass off to a good start in the spring. Chopping the leaves that fall on your lawn with a mower and letting them remain on the lawn is another way of returning valuable nutrients back to the soil.

Photo by: The Redeemed

 7)Plant:  Fall is the best time to plant your new additions like trees, shrubs, fruit trees, bulbs, garlic and even your perennials that you have divided!
 8)Start laying out a winter Bible devotional plan!
 9)Tools:   If you decide to fall garden, so to continue to have fresh veggies later on then happy gardening to you! But if you are do for the season like must people are, don't forget this last and most forgotten task that must people do forget. I have been guilty myself!
  Clean those shovels, sharpen those blades and chains, fix those handles, hose down your mower and other equipment and don't forget the underneath side of everything, store everything in its proper place and easy to find for next year, and something to help keep away some of the headache for next year is "PUT STABILIZER IN YOUR GAS" or drain it, lol! I have fussed at myself many time for not doing so, as I yank my shoulder off trying to get something started. You have been there or you wouldn't be laughing right know!
  Well here is a few Ideas, leave your other ideas at the bottom and if you have a blog and a great fall helpful idea, Please feel free to leave a link back for use!

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10 Vegetables to Grow in the Fall

   Some people have asked, "What can I grow in the fall to winter months in my garden?"  Well here are 10 very easy to grow veggies that you can enjoy in the cool season and sometimes into the first snow! As you plant and grow please let me know how your crops are doing! I trust everyone has had a great growing season so fare?

	By: The Redeemed Gardener Broccoli - Broccoli seedlings should be planted 10 weeks before the first frost date in your area. This means planting them during the last hot summer days so it's important to mulch around them to help keep the ground cool and moist. Feed the plants 3 weeks after transplanting into the garden. Use a low nitrogen fertilizer. 70 days to maturity.
	Brussels Sprouts – Brussels sprouts are ideal for fall gardens because they really taste best when allowed to mature in cool weather. In my mid-South garden, summer comes too quickly to grow them in the spring garden. Set the plants out in mid-summer. It will take about 3 months before the sprouts appear. They are ready for harvest when they are firm and green. 90 days to maturity.
	Cabbage – Plant seedlings 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. If the heat of summer is still intense when it's time to plant in your area, give the young plants protection from sun. Cabbages are heavy feeders that require fertile soil rich in organic matter and consistent moisture. 70 days to maturity.
	Cauliflower - Plant seedlings 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. Cauliflower can be tricky to grow. Rich soil and consistent watering are the keys. Fluctuations in temperature, moisture and nutrients can cause the plant to "button" or produce small, undersized heads. Blanch the heads by tying the outer leaves together over the heads when they are about 2 to 3 inches across. This keeps them from turning green and becoming bitter. 60 days to maturity.
	Kohlrabi - Kohlrabi is a member of cabbage family, but it looks and tastes similar to a turnip. The bulbous edible portion grows just above the soil line. Shade young plants from summer sun. 40 to 60 days to maturity depending on variety.
	Lettuce – Sow seeds in late summer. Provide the seedlings with consistent moisture and shade from the afternoon sun. 45 to 60 days to harvest depending on type and variety.
	Mustard Greens – Sow seeds 6 weeks before the first frost. Seeds will germinate in soil that is 45 to 85 degrees F. Keep the soil consistently moist to encourage rapid growth and tender greens. 45 days to maturity.
	Radish – Sow seeds for radishes 4 weeks before the first frost. Winter varieties such as China Rose, mature slower, grow larger and store longer. They should be sown about 6 weeks before the first frost. Sow the seeds evenly so you don't have to thin them. No feeding necessary, but soil should be fertile and well drained. They are quick to mature so check them regularly. They are ready to harvest as soon as they are of edible size. 25 to 50 days to maturity depending on variety.
	Rutabaga – Sow seeds 12 weeks before the first frost. In regions where summer is long and hot, wait to sow seeds until night time temperatures are consistently around 50 to 60 degrees F. Rutabagas are a cross between cabbage and turnip. Although they are suitable for early spring gardens, they seem to have the best flavor when grown in fall. Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent roots from forking. 90 days to maturity.
	Spinach – Sow seeds 5 weeks before first frost date. The short days and cool, moist weather of fall is even better for spinach than spring. An established spinach crop will last well into winter and can survive temperatures down into the 20s. Spinach prefers very fertile soil to encourage rapid growth and tender leaves. 45 days to maturity.  "Don’t say, “How could God forgive me for that!” (whatever that is). Don’t think that God’s forgiveness is a begrudging forgiveness and with that thought deny some of God’s glorious love. And don’t think that God’s promises are only for other people. If this is how you are thinking, you must realize that your own sins, no matter how big, are not bigger than God’s pleasure in forgiveness."  Edward T. Welch Linked with: Blog Carnival Country Garden Showcase Barn Hop 80

"The Journey" by Robert Brunell

  My wife found this story years ago, and before I published it I wanted to explain a couple of things. When I first read the story, it really made me madder than a wet hen. Because I saw a lot of myself, at that, time in this story. I saw a lot of the people that I was around the same way and well I got mad, okay, lol! So I post this with caution in hope that you will read the whole thing and just take it all as a teaching of where we can slip as the body of Christ if we are not cautious and do as God tells us in 1 John 4:1-6 and "test everything". It is a lengthy read and must of you probably wont read it but for you that do, I promise you will be blessed! Or maybe mad like I was but God taught me a lot from this! This isn't an "Escape from our Savior Jesus Christ". God Bless you all!
Numbers 22:24 "Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side."

"Escape from Christendom"

"The Journey"  by Robert Burnell, 1980

In my dream I see the lone figure of a man following a road.

As the sun sets beneath the hills, a city comes into view. Nearing it, the traveler sees what appears to be a large group of churches. Spires and crosses pierce the skyline. His pace quickens. Is this his destination? He passes an imposing structure, a neon sign flashing “Cathedral of the Future.” Farther on a floodlit stadium supports a billboard boasting that fifty thousand people crowd into evangelistic meetings there three nights a week. Beyond this, modest “New Testament” chapels and Hebrew Christian synagogues cluster together on the street front.

“Is this the City of God?” I hear the traveler ask a woman at the information booth in the central square.

“No this is Christian City, “she replies.

“But I thought this road led to the City of God!” He exclaims with great disappointment.

“That’s what we all thought when we arrived,” she answers, her tone sympathetic.

“This road continues up the mountain, doesn’t it?” He asks.

“I wouldn’t know, really,” she answers blankly.

I watched the man turn away from her and trudge on up the mountain in the gathering darkness. Reaching the top, he starts out into the blackness; it looks as though there is nothing, absolutely nothing, beyond. With a shudder he retraces his steps into Christian City an takes a room at a hotel.

Strangely unrefreshed, at dawn he arises and follows the road up the mountain again; in the brightening light of the sun he discovers that what seemed like a void the night before is actually a desert–dry, hot, rolling sand as far as the eye can see. The road narrows to a path which rises over a dune and disappears. “Can this trail lead to the City of God?” He wonders aloud. It appears to be quite deserted and rarely traveled.

Indecision slowing his steps, he again returns to Christian City and has lunch in a Christian restaurant. Over the music of a gospel record, I hear him ask a man at the next table, “That path up the mountain, where the desert begins, does it lead to the City of God?”

“Don’t be a fool!” his neighbor replies quickly. “Everyone who has ever taken that path has been lost… Swallowed up by the desert! If you want God, there are plenty of good churches in this town. You should pick one and settle down.”