Mike Rowe - My Hero

Mike, I have watched you climb into wet, nasty, deplorable conditions to show us what people have chosen to do for work. Whether, you are working on a farm or in a car factory, you have shown us how important every job is. Without people willing to do these necessary jobs, our society would not be what it is today.

Digging for night crawler worms when the tide is out is a thankless job. Who would have ever known about this activity without you bringing attention to it? Cleaning trash out of sewage systems is definitely needed, otherwise, our streets would be flooded with all manor or nastiness. Repairing a floating barrier in Louisiana to control flooding is never more appreciated than when a hurricane is bearing down on the Louisiana coast. I'm still not sure how you dealt with those slimy eels and the mess that was left behind. 

I applaud you for doing what you do. I also totally respect you for showing us that we don't all have to be lawyers, doctors, and investment bankers. There are so many necessary skills that are in short supply, yet, young people are being pushed into rolls that require excessive, and time consuming college training. When people are told they can work and learn at the same time and earn a living from the very beginning, I don't understand why people aren't flocking to those positions in droves. Apprenticeship programs are great for keeping young folks out of debt. 

I am always so proud to hear of young people who choose a life of service. Our first responders don't get enough credit. I have a friend who chose to be a firefighter straight out of high school. He has completed his on-the-job training and has been hired on full time with a great career ahead of him. The choice he made has kept him out of debt and allowed him to start a family without worrying about how he will provide for them.

Thank you for encouraging our youth to consider careers they would not have normally looked into. Each one is necessary. Who can help when our air conditioner is on the fritz? Only an HVAC trained individual can keep my home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. When the hot-water heater pipe breaks and leaks in to the basement, a banker can't fix it. I want to hire someone who is an expert at fixing plumbing problems. Electrical problems are an emergency in my opinion. A trained electrician can do what is needed to prevent possible fires that could destroy homes.

I hope you don't mind, and I ask forgiveness in advance, but I am tagging you and your foundation to help bring attention to the options available to our upcoming youth. I believe you are sincere in your efforts, and I fully support what you do. As I have noted many times on Facebook, I would support your efforts toward a run for the presidency. You might just be one of the most important and likable public figures. There are very few public figures that I openly support, and you are at the top of the list.

For those of you reading this, encourage young folks to consider choosing skilled careers that are quickly going away, yet essential. I encourage you to visit the mikeroweWORKS Foundation page (@mikeroweworks) to discover the possibilities. You might also enjoy reading Mike's articles and listening to his podcasts.

Thank you, Mike, for serving our community and helping our youth discover and learn what it takes to get the work done. What you do helps to solve the problems of skilled labor shortages. Please continue to do what you do best. In the meantime, good luck with your ventures of serving, solving, and learning.

Pecan Pie

Making pecan pie can seem a daunting task. For a first-time pecan pie-maker, every step can be scary. Making sure to that the right ingredient and the right time... After making my first one, I decided that it wasn't that hard. There are many different recipes to choose from. Some folks prefer to see their pecan pies with whole pecans beautifully baked on top. On the other hand, some folks prefer to bake them with chopped pecans. Either way, they are delicious. I will add that pecan pies are easier to slice when the pecans are chopped up a little. There is nothing more aggravating than slicing into a beautiful pecan pie just to have it squish while trying to cut through those beautifully baked whole pecans. I will eat them not matter how squished they get though. It's all about how yummy the pecan pie is!

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine gave me an old fashioned pecan pie recipe that does not include corn syrup like the more modern recipes. It is truly made with the right mixes of actual sugars an other ingredients. This recipe is made with chopped pecans, but can be made either way. I do prefer it with the chopped pecans for protecting the integrity of the slice.

Does it matter what pecans you use? As long as you use fresh pecans, your pie should bake up beautiful and delicious. Pecans have a pretty good shelf life if stored in the refrigerator or freezer. I have used pecans from my freezer many times as I usually have left-overs from other recipes. Always check your pecans for freshness. You can tell by the smell or a little taste. Pecans give off a special odor and flavor as the oils begin to deteriorate. This is called going rancid. Rancid pecans will ruin what ever dish you are making. You might as well throw them out.

In the effort of learning, I have learned how to make a pecan pie and not be afraid of the process. I have also learned of a new place where I can purchase fresh pecans. We recently traveled to my home state of Alabama and shared a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. We just happened to share this with the owners of Bayou Pecan Company in Irvington, AL. The owners, Terry and Kim Landry, are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. Terry has a wonderful pecan orchard that he dedicates the whole year to. While visiting, we listened to the details and yearly process of maintaining the trees and the farm. Taking care to do the right steps at the right time of the year can protect your crop from freezes and other diseases that can affect pecans. Many folks don't consider how a pecan grove has to be protected from critters. Great care is taken to protect as may pecans as possible, after all, critters will eat up your profits. Raccoons and squirrels love pecans as well as rats and most animals that climb trees. 

We had Terry and Kim send some pecans to us in Georgia. They are wonderful! They have different flavors, such as; natural, roasted and salted, chocolate covered, and honey roasted. I can attest that all of these flavors are wonderful. I am especially fond of the honey roasted ones. Bayou Pecan Co. has a Bayou Box that makes a wonderful Christmas or special gift. The Bayou Boxes can be shipped where ever you like.

I would also recommend ordering some of their natural pecans for making pecan pies. You can't go wrong. Fresh pecans from Bayou Pecan Co. in Alabama, are a special treat. Please visit their store and check out all their great options. I know that I will be ordering more from them in the future.

I have learned how to make pecan pie and where to get the best pecans. Hopefully, this solves the problem on where to get fresh pecans. My hat is off to Bayou Pecan Co. for serving their community and providing their delicious pecans. Merry Christmas to each and every one, and enjoy time with family and friends. In the meantime, good luck with your ventures of serving, solving, and learning.