Up Date

Just about ready to make cider. I got the outlet pipe, hopper and push stick done for the Whiz bang apple grinder as seen in the top photo, and in the bottom photo, the pressure plate for the press. I'm going to order a bag for the press from Lehman's rather than using cheesecloth to line the basket. 

If you're not familiar with Lehman's, you're missing out. They're located in the heart of Amish country in Kidron, Ohio and that's who they cater to, along with other folks who are still using the older technologies. They've got everything you need to live off the grid or preserve food or prep for the coming apocalypse. Some of their products are a little expensive but if you need it, they've probably got it. If you're ever over that way, it's a stop worth making just to browse the store, especially if you're a do-it-yourselfer/tinkerer like I am. The Missus and I were over that way a few years back and went to the store. We also went to Warther Carving in nearby Dover - another must visit place. Mooney Warther was a genius and a craftsman with no equal. If you can't get there in person, check out the link to the Warther Museum. Absolutely incredible.

In the education news, Tony Bennett was in the NWI Times on Sunday again. It's nice to see the poster boy for education reform blow up on the front page. Especially when, as far as I'm concerned at least, his reforms were going down the wrong path. The weekend Wall Street Journal had a feature on M. Night  Shyamalan. For those of you who aren't familiar with that name, like myself, he's a filmmaker that just wrote a soon to be published book on education reform. According to the WSJ: 

"Over the course of his research, Mr. Shyamalan found data debunking many long-held theories. For example, he found no evidence that teachers who had gone through masters programs improved students' performance; nor did he find  any confirmation that class size really mattered. What he did discover is plenty of evidence that, in the absence of all-star teachers, schools were most effective when they put in place strict, repetitive classroom regimens."

Mr. Shyamalan's book I Got Schooled  should be a good read. I'll have to dig up a copy when it comes out.

And on a related reading note, one of the tree trimming superheroes the other day mentioned the drummer from Rush, Neil Peart, and his riding a motorcycle and bicycle from here to Hell and back and writing about the journeys. I did the Google search and his web site has several books available and other info that looks pretty interesting. If you're into adventure traveling - something like a bicycle trip across Africa - you might want to check him out. I plan searching out a couple of the books. Doing pretty well on my book reading this year, by the way. I've gone through 40 so far, making my goal of fifty for the year well within reach. 

Last but certainly not least, Happy Birthday to the Missus - 29 again for the 34th time.