Thank you

I saw a bumper sticker that read "If you can read this, Thank a Teacher.  If it is in English, Thank a Veteran."

I am by nature a lover not a fighter, and I am not a warmonger by any means, but I do believe in having a military.  I have no problem paying taxes so that we can support the men and women who serve our country.  I don't know the politics behind our conflicts, and I don't need to know as long as they are to protect this country.  I want to feel safe at night, and really do not have to know who or what is keeping me safe.  If you disagree with this, thank a veteran for the freedom to disagree.

The men and women who make the choice to serve our country are Heroes in my book.  I made the choice not to serve, and I am thankful for those who have taken up my slack and have served, and are serving on my behalf.  To those who have family members in the military and sacrifice their time for our country I say "Thank you".  This is an often overlooked area of the military...the military wives and families, their sacrifice is immeasurable.  And, they do it every day.

We should feel fortunate everyday that we wake up and are able to experience the Freedoms that we are used to.  We take it for granted that people have paid the ultimate sacrifice throughout the history of this country.  So, take the time today and Thank a Veteran,  know why you are thanking them... Your Freedom, not just freedom...but Freedoms.    The next time you see someone in uniform let them know that you are proud of them and thank them for their service.

If you are reading this and you are serving, or have served in the military... Thank You. 

Day One

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.  If everything goes as planned I will, in 28 days, drink my first beer created by me.  That is a long time to wait in this instant gratification world that we live in.  Drive-thru this, instant that, zap it, micro-wave it, give it to me yesterday.  I can't stand to wait, I have to have it now.

It's killing me that water takes so long to boil.  Do you know how long it takes to boil 4 gallons of water?  I don't, but I am starting to understand.  Yes, that is just the initial boil to get the water boiling, then it takes a full hour to boil the "wort" or un-fermented beer.  I have some time to kill.  Time to check the pot again.

The malt pouch and the first of the hops have been added.  Now just more time, more waiting, all the while thinking that I might screw something up and destroy all of this time that I am putting into this little bottled bundle of joy.  Just checked and I am half-way through my boil.

Fast forward a little and I have chilled the wort and I transferred it into the fermentation tank.  Now the real waiting comes.  In two weeks I will check the specific gravity of my beer to see if fermentation is done.  If it is, then I will get to transfer it to the priming tank and we will go for bottle.

I was a little worried about the mess of brewing, but the smell was more of a concern.  Thought the wife would freak out and kick me to the curb.  The hops smell great and the house smells better than cooking bacon, I know I love bacon to.  Man do those hops smell good.  Hey, this aint Bud Light.  This process did take a little longer than I expected, but now I know what I am in for the next brew cycle.