Month: February 2014
¡Ay, caramba! Cara Cara CARA !!!
WE ARE officially in mid-season for one of my favorite Venezuelan imports! Discovered at the Hacienda de Cara Cara in Valencia, this cross between the Washington navel and the 
Brazilian Bahia navel is a phenomenal treat.
You don’t like oranges? You’ll love the cara cara, regardless. Slice one up! Go ahead, I dare you ! The carpels tear cleanly off the pericarp and melt in your mouth in a complex explosion evoking notes of cherry, rose petal, orange, and blackberry. Carpels, you ask? 
That’s the flesh of the fruit, also called the segments. The inner core is the pith, and even that didn’t go to waste in the orange I just consumed. This cara cara was $1.25 at Wegmans, and well worth it!
Meiser Tire Pressure Gauge
Pressure Drop Toots & The Maytals
LONG long ago, a son gave to his father the nicest tire pressure gauge one could get from the auto supply store. It was made in the USA, and featured a hose and easy-to-hold brass chuck. But the father didn’t 
bother with tire pressures; he allowed the garage to handle any and all routine maintenance. So, as often happens after the best intentions, the gauge was given back to the son several year later with a rueful excuse and a smile.
I used the gauge for over two decades before something went amiss. It began giving off-readings, telling me a tire was flat when visual inspection clearly showed a healthy sidewall. What to do? Meiser, the manufacturer, apparently had all their domestic market product made in China, sold under the Accugauge label.
I called Meiser, and discovered the gauge had a lifetime warranty. “If I would only mail it in with $3 return postage, they would repair or replace the product.” WHAT? No, sir, I want the gauge repaired. “Fine. Note that you want REPAIR, NOT REPLACE on your contact information.”
“Why don’t you make gauges here anymore”, I asked. The short answer was that their distributor stopped carrying domestic production gauges, so production stopped. I offered to take over sales, accepted the financial impact of a one hundred gauge order, and began selling them on eBay and sportsmen’s forums. The venture, after postage, fees, and promotional samples, does not make any money. But Meiser is very pleased to keep their guys busy, and Meiser’s suppliers can’t but feel the same way. Buyers invariably rave about the quality.
Never has an unfavorable comment been received. A quality gauge and a fair price
Michelin Primacy™ MXM4®
Rolling Rolling Rolling
EVERY DRIVE, long and short, was rumbling thunder. Head-rattling, tension-inducing, muscle-cramping agony. Especially highway miles. I was in sales, a genuine road warrior. 300-400 miles a day was not uncommon. The 1994 850 Turbo I bought from a lawyer in Haddonfield was well-maintained, but he had his mechanic mount a cheap set of tires before the sale. The tires were aggressive, but loud!
After a purchasing decision was made, several months were spent scouring online resources. Lengthy visits to tire stores, exhaustively gleaning every last bit of information regarding tread noise, durability, performance under all driving conditions, price, looks, and country of origin. Tires are classified by their characteristics. Given my wants, I chose a Luxury Performance Touring tire.
The best tire in my speed rating is made by Michelin. The best price? Costco [spend some time becoming familiar with their Road Hazard Warranty, which is excellent & free]. Tirerack is the 
acknowledged go-to resource for online information and comparisons of tires.
Michelin manufactures tires in six states: Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Carolina and South Carolina. In addition, there are three plants in Nova Scotia, Canada and one plant in Queretaro, Mexico. All of the Michelins I’ve purchased have the words MADE IN U.S.A. imprinted on the tire.
When I sold my Volvo, the Primacys were over 60,000 miles old but still had usable tread. I next mounted a set on an ’01 Acura TL, and again enjoyed excellent handing and wear characteristics. We put a set on the Subaru. The car is unstoppable in all weather. When my GMC Sierra pickup needs tires, alas, the Primacy will not be chosen because it is not a truck tire. But I will purchase the Michelin LTX M/S2. From Costco.
LOST NATION • a novel by jeffrey lent
EIGHTEEN Hundred & Thirty Eight was the date. The location, somewhere between New Hampshire and Canada. A very sparsely occupied area with the roughest of living. The inhabitants prefered to be left alone. Both countries thought it their territory.
A man pushes his wagon deep into the wilderness, looking for a place to set up trade. Far from the law, far from questions about his past. The wagon’s load? Two barrels of Jamaica rum, powder, lead, fabric, small housewares, a woman.
Mr. Lent captures the dirt, grease, and hardship as a first hand observer. The depth of his observations will transport the reader back to a time before electricity, automobiles, telephones. You will not notice they are missing. You will live in this world not so long ago when survival depended on your work and your neighbor.
Jeffrey Lent was born in Vermont and grew up there and in western New York State, on dairy farms powered mainly by draft horses. He lived for many years in North Carolina, an enriching and formative experience. Lent currently resides with his wife and two daughters in central Vermont. – Grove Atlantic
Rosa Blanca – Cuban Diner in heart of former Philadelphia Financial District
ˈkuβa ˈliβɾe
IN THE mid-50s, men still wore suspenders. One man with vision, thinking belt sales would eventually far exceed those of suspenders, had just sold his suspenders company and was walking along Chestnut Street near 8th, thinking. He was in the heart of Philadelphia’s vibrant Financial District, and he had a pocket full of money.
He’s offered a business deal in a chance encounter with an acquaintance, the purchase of a cable company in Tupelo, Mississippi. Knowing nothing about cable TV, he nevertheless purchased the company. His name is Ralph Roberts and his company became Comcast.
The Financial District is long gone, along with it’s NewYork-style diners. Change comes to everything, however. Renaissance is striking even this area of Philly. We are graced with a new eatery which makes an authentic Cubano Sandwich for nine bucks [comes with plantain chips]. Clean and shiny, visiting Rosa Blanca @ 707 Chestnut will be a pleasant and memorable experience.
Something a little more hearty? Try the Masitas de Puerco, a bowl of fried pork shoulder and other very tasty stuff. The side salad is strongly recommended. Fantastic blending of flavors!
Desert? How about a fruity shake? Morir Sonando Batido is an Orange-Vanilla smoothie well worth five bucks.
It will be very east to over-order in this place. On a date? Stick with one entry and one sandwich and share. You may still need a take-away box.
SF12-BB • Box of 12 SureFire 123A Lithium Batteries
In honor of President’s Day,
Surefire offers free ground shipping this weekend.
Remember the American Toolbox post about a great headlamp? The batteries that it uses, the CR123, can be bought this weekend direct from the manufacturer with free shipping. A great value just made better! 10-year shelf-life. Made in U.S.A.
18″ Arctic Blast Aluminum Snow Shovel
την σκαφην σκαφην λεγοντας
IN 1925, a builder constructed a row of attached brick homes on farmland outside Philadelphia, across from a new high school. In time, sidewalks were added. Travel forward to the year 2014. I am standing on the same sidewalk, in front of my home, contemplating the approaching nor’easter. 10″ of snow is due to begin falling at midnight. My neighbor’s shovel, borrowed by me since time immemorial, was stolen off his front porch a week ago. A hanging crime in these parts.
With reluctance, I visit the big box home center, expecting end-of-season flimsy imported garbage. And what greets me at the door? Giant boxes stuffed with excellent domestic-production snow shovels!
Selected was a mid-level product, suitable for home owners and perhaps even contractors. 18″ wide, all aluminum, heavy-duty riveted steel wear strip. Roomy handle for gloved hands. About $20 at The Home Depot.
Mid-Century Revere Ware
Soup’s On!
WHAT American kitchen has not been graced by the 3 quart Revere Ware pot with lid? Everyone I’ve spoken with remembers at least one of these iconic copper-bottomed pots, pans, or skillets on the stove top every dinner, usually the 3 quart pot. The perfect size for soup, mashed potatoes, boiled or steamed vegetables & eggs, even popcorn!
It is no wonder so many people bought Revere cookware. In 1929, Revere Copper and Brass Corporation was the largest copper manufacturer in the US. Before teflon, Revere Ware would have been your first serious set of cookware. First pot you’d buy when starting out on your own. A gift or purchase that was meant to last from one generation to the next.
Although the company has long since been sold, broken up, bankrupted, and humiliated upon the machines of corporate profits, good deals in sturdy, second-hand Revere Ware persist to this day. My most recent Revere acquisitions were rescued from a house clean-out. Saved from the Dumpster®, these will be stored among the basement joists until a friend or relative starts their first house-keeping.
Bitterroot leather guitar strap
NOTHING adopts a personality of owner as nicely as decent leather wear. Your first thought is a pair of shoes or a belt, perhaps. But today we’re talking about a guitar strap from Bitterroot Guitars!
Yep, who would have thought! Usually one purchases a padded nylon fake-embroidered strap to go with their new guitar. What else does the music store stock, anyway? It’s all economics, and Jake the Snake doesn’t want to tie up his crisp Yankee dollars on a display rack.
After playing my new acoustic for a few months, it became clear a guitar strap was necessary to keep up with my bluegrass buddies. I wanted leather. I wanted USA production. A
little post-internet investigation turned up a great online seller, Bitterroot Guitars.
The strap was promptly delivered, smelling tannery-fresh! Perfect execution! At the time of purchase, the year 2013, the cost was about $17 delivered. Bargain to boot!
American Toolbox 