Episode 242 Susan's Shire: The Joy of Handmade Gifts

Whether or not you’ve heard, Albuquerque, New Mexico is one of the foodie centers in the U.S., and we can attest to that fact after our visit. You may think the balloon festival is the big draw, but really, you need to stay for the vittles. Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm sits on 25 acres in the historic city of Albuquerque, and encapsulates the concept of sustainable ecotourism in the lovely Santa Fe Style of architecture. This working organic farm includes beaut...

17 Feb 202026min

We often talk about animals, and we talk about food, but very rarely do we actually discuss the middle part – how one turns into the other. Before you run screaming in a panic, don’t worry, we’re not going to discuss the nitty gritty in detail here, either. We are, however, going to bring you a conversation with one of the rock stars in the world of butchery. Camas Davis is a magazine editor, outside-the-box thinker, leader, speaker and author of the memoir, “Killing It,” i...

10 Feb 202051min

All of us can get focused on our preconceptions as representative of the whole, and since Scotland has some serious personality and history behind it, that country has generated its fair share of stereotypes. That’s applicable to geography, history, personality and the like. Think of how quickly our mental picture encapsulates our preconceived ideas of all things Scotland, and its amazing exports. Entertainers and actors like Sean Connery, Gerard Butler, Rose Leslie, Ewan McGreg...

3 Feb 202038min

“Squirrel!” If you’ve seen Disney’s animated film, “Up,” then you realize the world of meaning behind what seems like a simple noun. It’s that tendency to get distracted by something that looks or smells or tastes so fascinating that you immediately stop mid-sentence and go screaming off down the rabbit hole in a different mental direction. And your dear host has that characteristic in spades, because nearly everything seems to be interesting. Yes, that ma...

28 Jan 202049min

We’re continuing the adventures in Colorado agriculture science with the USDA’s ARS, NAGP*. Confused? Don’t be. Dr. Phil Purdy, Physiologist extraordinaire, decodes any confusion that the acronyms might cause into something practical and meaningful with on-the-ground common sense in the field of assisted reproductive technology and fertility studies. Part of his job is to collect germplasm on small animals and large. Cow, sheep, pig, chicken, mammal, bird, fish, ...

20 Jan 202035min

Eggs and sperm and seeds and hair They’ll take ‘em all, collect with care They might be used when earth goes south Or critters die from hoof and mouth Or climate change or scary bugs Cuz not all things respond to drugs A backup place is just plain smart For when we need to hit restart But even if it’s just for breeding And better stock is what you’re needing Corrective genes are ready now If nature tweaks your Holstein cow. In fact, the Penn State guys were here (and not for Colorado beer) Th...

13 Jan 202040min

It’s that time of year again – off to Colorado for the annual National Western Stock Show. Every January, the streets of downtown Denver ring with the shouts of cowboys and cowgirls, the jangle of harnesses, the creak of wagons, the roar of classic tractors, and the clop, clop, clop of both shod and unshod hooves. There are usually some excited kids yelling, “Look at the llamas, Mom!” in there, too, and the whole thing is followed up by some very busy street sweepers. &nbsp...

6 Jan 202018min

I've got me a hankerin’ that may be irrational I'm wanting to go back again to the National Western that is, and we've been there now twice But two times it seems aren't enough to suffice. There's cowboys and cowgirls and rodeo riders The food court last year had these great little sliders The animal auctions are quite a big deal In nationwide coverage they’re traded with zeal The two-hitch-jump sled pulling sure was amazing But some people there spent the whole time just grazing With llamas ...

30 Dec 201934min