Bondhus Balldrivers

I have been using them for years, and now I bought my very first Gold Plated set. I'm all excited!

Skin Care Products, Made in America....

Preface to FTC, FCC, or whoever the hell else cares--I bought and paid for these products myself--more than once, thank you very much.....

I'm always searching for the least-chemical, healthiest stuff for my face and body that actually works.  I've recently found a place, in the USA, that fits the bill.  Plus they are sustainable beekeepers, which I think is pretty nice.

Meadowlake Farm, has honey-based  and other organic skin care products.  I got their Flawless face cream, their face wash, a couple bars of soap.  Later I tried some of their honey salve with hive isolates as well as their face cream with hive isolates.  I've also got some of their jewelweed soap and salve in wait for when I wander through the poison ivy again. 

While the soap is soap, the rest of their products that I've tried have been fantastic.  No breakouts, better looking skin, everything you want in a product.  I have a friend with rosacea who tried their products (Flawless and Cream with Hive Isolates as well as their toner and face wash) and can now go without heavy foundation to cover the redness.  Truly good stuff.  While face stuff is pretty personal, I've got a sample of two whole people who are wickedly happy with their products.  They seem pretty pricey, but you get a pretty huge jar of stuff (I usually have littler jars that I put stuff in so I don't contaminate the big jar.

Just my opinion, and it's nice to find something that works for me.

I know this is a bit more girly than some other posts on here, but Og, the blog-starter, said he didn't mind my adding a bit of the feminine to the mix.

CAPPS uniform shoes

I have just purchased these Capps Uniform shoes.

I tend to wear plain oxfords and these are properly sewn together, welted construction with a real Goodyear welt.

The quality of the shoes is good, I've just gotten them tonight nad worn them around a bit to get a feel for them. These will have to be broken in, like leather shoes used to, but I expect they will feel like a second skin once I do. I will comment as they wear in and we'll see how they last long term. It was nice to pick up the insole and see the nails holding the heel on, like the old days.

Magpul products

I have not yet used these products, but when I was handed a magazine to test that was proudly marked "Made in America" and all the people I know who are AR shooters swear by them, I must post: Made in America: Magpul. Unlike a lot of other products of it's type, they're made in America and reasonably priced. Buy some before everyone figures it out!!

About time

Who knew that Menards had a patriotic streak?

Now if only they'll source the other 2,000,000 other product that they sell from manufacturers in the US.

Lisle tools

Lisle tools makes most of the good quality hand tools that are sold point of purchase in auto parts stores. The Lisle 3/8" drive metric allen set in my toolbox may be my most versatile tool. I'm damned if I know what I'd do without it. And thanks to Partner, I find they're still an American company, going strong.

Anderson's Winery, Valparaiso, Indiana

Og coordinated a trip to Anderson's Winery in Valparaiso, Indiana this last weekend with Brigid, myself, Mr. B/Himself, the Ogwife, and the Oglet.  Not only do they have locally made wines, they also create various soda pops--green apple, blue raspberry, apple, grape, and their own root beer (which the Oglet tried and liked, not being old enough for the wine).  They have been in place for about 50 years and specialize in "light, fruity wines produced by fruit and grapes grown in the Midwest region".  We came home with several bottles including their Red Raspberry, Strawberry, Rhubarb (a favorite of the Ogwife), Cherry, and their Vineyard Blue grape.  Being root beer aficionados (and on the advice of the the Oglet), Himself and I also brought home a couple of bottles of root beer to do a side-by-side comparison with Point Root Beer (Stevens Point, WI) and Sprecher's (Milwaukee), our present favorites.

You can belly up to their bar for a wine tasting that they will tailor to the preferences of the tastees.  They also have a small refrigerator filled with Fair Oaks Farm cheeses and make their own fudge onsite.  If you are in the Chicago-land area, it's worth a side trip being not-that-far south of Indiana Dunes State Park to make a nice day trip.  I'm not sure you can order online, but you can give them a call and see.