Tuesday, January 28, 2014

THE OL’BUZZARD’S ROAD KILL



  

I am not an advertiser; and I am skeptical of most advertisements.  I always feel that the best information about products come from other people who have used or experienced them. 

Whenever I run across a product that is exceptionally good I will share it on this blog.   It would be a great service if others did the same. 

Last year I traded my eleven year old pick-up in for a new (2012) Toyota RAV-4.   We can only afford the upkeep on one vehicle and the truck was at the point of costing a bundle and plummeting in trade-in value.   This little RAV-4 is the best vehicle I have ever driven in the snow and ice: all wheels drive independently and adjust to the traction of the other three resulting in great control on bad icy roads.   I only get 25 mpg but that is the trade off for all wheel drive – after 10 mpg in my GMC this is great mileage.   The ground clearance is good and the interior is comfortable (though a little compact) for a man of my size: six foot and two hundred pounds.  I would recommend it.




After a winter and a half of slopping snow and rain and mud onto the floor of the new car and constantly ending up with damp carpet I recently bought the Weather Tech floor liners through Cabela's.  It is a fantastically practical product and is as good as its advertisement.   My only regret is that I didn't buy it last year.  These floor mats fit perfectly and contain all the snow and slop I tend to track into any vehicle.   I would recommend them.



Finally, I could not live without my George Foreman Grill (well maybe that is an exaggeration.)  The grill perfectly cooks any meat within five to seven minutes. It cooks from the top and bottom at the same time searing in the flavors and resulting in evenly cooked meat.  To boot, you can buy chuck steak which is full of marbling (fat) that imparts the really good flavor, and during the cooking process all the fat drains away leaving just flavor.   (I find lean angus meat tough and tasteless like nonfat everything else.)    We also grill vegetables in the George Foreman in about three minutes.  It is easy clean-up provided you buy the one with removable plates.  I would recommend it.



Have some road kill – you’ll like it.

the Ol’Buzzard 

15 comments:

  1. I am tempted by the floor mats. They'd make perfect sense for my car.

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    1. Here's something else to add to the endorsement list: Cabela's. I ordered the floor mats from Cabela's on Tuesday afternoon after referring the S.O. to your post (he hadn't seen it yet) and the two of us kicking the idea around a bit. Less than 48 hours after I placed the order, FedEx was here. And no shipping charges. Amazing.

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  2. I liked the George Foreman grill a lot, it did a heck of a job my only complaint was the cleaning. Get the removable plates and you've solved that problem!

    I'd recommend the Loadhandler (http://www.loadhandler.com/index.php) to anyone who uses a pick up to carry stuff. It works. I cannot say enough about not having to hand unload a pick up. A load of gravel or sand or what you shoveled in from the chicken house, just crank it out.

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    1. Loadhandler sounds great: I have owned a lot of pick-ups but probably won't again - however: never say never.
      O'B

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  3. I swear by Toyotas too. I just traded my 22 year old Tercel in this summer for a new Yaris. Toyotas perform exceptionally well in the winter and snow and that's important in Canada! I'm not surprised to hear you love your RAV-4. They're easy and inexpensive to maintain too.

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    1. Had a Toyota truck in Alaska, but it was too small; unfortunately I traded it for a Big Ford F-350.
      O'B

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  4. OB,
    I inherited Dad's 2002 RAV-4 - 99,000 mile on it - Runs great and doesn't use near the gas as my KIA Spotage. No 4WD. So, if it is bad; I drive Mom in the KIA. George Foreman grills are nice - have a small one for burgers and a GIANT one for steaks - Can do four t-bones at a time....
    Having a heat wave here is Hoosierland -rocketed to 12 outside. Water mains are bursting still - 48 Sunday...

    Bests,
    Come visit my new blog: msgtron.blog.com

    Ron

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  5. Hopefully our vehicles will last a few more years, but I'll keep that Rav-4 in mind next shopping. I also swear by the Geo. Foreman. Sears and cooks both sides at once ... and quickly, too. My only complaint is catching the drippings; or the difficulty cathing ALL the drippings. I bought two of thw very first edition of those grills ol' George put his name on, so maybe they've upgraded that aspect since then. S'great for just me and Ms. Baby, though. 'Preciate the cheesecake in the photo standing next to your Toy too.

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  6. Is that your wife? She's so lovely!!!!!! *waves*

    I love my Jeep Liberty like you love your RAV-4. They're reliable vehicles, great in bad weather, good on gas. We bought ours in 2008 and haven't had a lick of problem. Can't believe it'll be paid off in June. YAY!

    The best thing about living in Alberta is we're allowed to have studded tires. They're the best thing known to man when it comes to icy roads. Everyone should have 'em. So many lives would be saved.

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    1. That's my wife - I am fortunate. We can have studded tires here in Maine. I use to use them but now if the weather is that bad I just stay home.
      O'B

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  7. I'm a Honda girl myself, but wouldn't turn down a new Toyota that's for sure. My Accord has over 100k and I've never done anything to it but oil changes. Oh, brakes and tires, but that's it. I was going to say why do people bother buying American made cars but figured some of your readers might get upset with me so that's just between us.

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    1. Hondas are great. I have often asked myself the same question - I also prefer Japanese bikes over Harley...but that is just me.
      O'B

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COMMENT: Ben Franklin said, "I imagine a man must have a good deal of vanity who believes, and a good deal of boldness who affirms, that all doctrines he holds are true, and all he rejects are false."