Angus Garden

Rumaging throught the world wide web recently, I happened across this little article from MSNBC (2004) regarding the introduction of the Monster Thickburger to the Hardees Menu. There’s some great quotes in this article,

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6498304/?GT1=5809

The tag line says, “Fast-food giant skips diet craze, concocts fat-filled sandwich.” …like that’s a bad thing.

Here’s another great quote from the article: “In an interview on CNBC, Hardee’s chief executive Andrew Puzder was unapologetic, saying the company’s latest sandwich is “not a burger for tree-huggers.”” – Classic!!!! I like the burgers even more now.

And finally, “Maybe this is a smart strategy because there are still folks out there who care about the taste and size of their sandwich, and less about their weight,” said Jerry McVety, president of the restaurant consulting firm McVety & Associates in Farmington Hills, Mich.”

And history was made.

Phase 3 – Work crews managed to have moderate success repairing the hydration unit that had proven faulty during Phase 2 of Project Reclamation. Much to our surprise, we apparently mis-identified the broken unit as the No. 4 unit, running off of valve 2. The correct numerical identifier should be the No. 3 unit, running off of valve 2.

Most valves in the estate’s hydration system support 4 to 5 units. Thus, it was assumed that this particular unit, being at the end of valve 2’s hydration feeder tube, was the fourth unit. Apparently there are only three units on this feed. We apologize for the mistake and hope that it has not caused any misunderstanding with visitors or with the media.

Regardless, the hydration system is working now, albiet with reduced efficiency. The dispersion head will eventually have to be replaced/repaired but for now it will sufice.

Phase 3 is underway!

Halfway through Project Reclamation and we’ve had mixed results in our endeavours.

Phase 1 – (completed) On Friday evening, lawn crews prepped the estate by clearing off debris and litter. We were able to extract approximately 3 1/2 large bags of pine cones. We also removed a large limb that had fallen from one of the pine trees and was presenting itself as a hinderance to future project stages.

On Saturday morning, the Craftsman was dusted off and wheeled out for a maintenance check. We changed the oil, installed a new air filter and sharpened the mulching blade. Our goal was to get started on actually mowing part of the estate and thus completing Phase One.

As the day unfolded, fortune shined upon us. Or should I say “Phil” – (name changed to protect anonymity) shined upon us. Phil had a leaf sweeper attached to the back of his riding mower. Phil also had a hole in his backyard that needed to be filled. He offered to rid the entire estate of it’s leaves for practically no compensation. We obliged.

After an hour and a half, the estate looked as majestic and regal as it ever had. We extend our gratitude to our friend and neighbor Phil, for his valiant efforts toward helping us complete Phase 1 and launching us straight into Phase 2.

Phase 2 – (completed) Thanks to the help of our neighbor, Phase 1 was completed much sooner than anticipated and we were able to jump right into Phase 2. We dropped the fert without many problems. We came dangerously close to running low on fert but, as it turned out, we had just enough to cover the important areas of the estate.

Shortly after fertilization was complete, Phase 3 was scheduled to begin. Here is where we ran into some trouble. Work crews fired up the sprinkler system only to find a potential catastrophic situation developing. Sprinkler head 4, running off of valve #2, has apparently broken down over the winter and is creating an aquatic nightmare at the point of ground protrudence.

We have yet to determine the severity of the situation but an inspection will be made this weekend to determine what we are dealing with. For now, onlookers are advised to avoid the area and to remain behind the warning tape. Excavation is scheduled for early Saturday morning. Once we know more, we hope to be able to re-access our predicament.

I recently spoke with one of our agents in the field and learned of a startling new occurance within the beef-eating world. This agent spoke of an encounter he had at his local Hardees that, if true, could shake up the Angus community in ways we could only have dreamed about.

When contemplating the variety of meat products available to us, two stand out above all the others. Obviously one of these two is Angus beef. The other would clearly be Pork. Imagine, if you will, a combination of these two glorious meat products into one outrageously delightful treat. Well that’s what we are faced with my friends.

Our operative reports to us that he managed to sucure the latest and greatest offering from his local Hardees venue – the Pulled Pork Thick Burger. And the result was everything he could have wanted in a burger.

The concern here is that this is a limited offering, available only to certain stores on a test-marketing basis. A quick look at the Hardee’s web site shows no mention of this feast of a sandwich. How tragic it would be if the rest of us never have the opportunity to experience such a wonderful creation?

For now we can only ponder the possibilities. Has Hardees finally accomplished the ultimate dream sandwich? If so, we will have witnessed Burger Nirvana.

The word is out, Ronald likes Angus.

According to a CNNmoney article, McDonald’s fast food restraunts has been test-marketing a new Angus buger in 600 of it’s Californina stores.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/07/news/companies/mcdonalds_burger/index.htm?cnn=yes

The article quotes one franchise owner as having said: “The initial reaction has been overwhelmingly positive…”

Well of course, what did they expect?

While we are thrilled that there will be another option for angus, we are skeptical at some of the details of this latest offering.

First, why only a 1/3 pound option? How can any consumer appreciate angus in such diminished amounts?

And B, at only 720 to 860 calories, one can only assume that this version will come up short when compared with the likes of the 1100 to 1200 caloried Monster thick burgers offered by Hardees.

Regardless, we look forward to sampling this burger in the future. Clearly it has taken awhile for Ronald to accept the truth, but we here at Angus Garden are happy to learn that he finally has.

Let there be no doubt about which meat your burgers should be made from.

This weekend will mark the beginning of “Project Reclamation” at the 6$ estate. During the month of March, our team will be going on the offensive against the weeds of wrath that have taken over the estate. Team members will begin prepping the greens for a severe dose of pure fertilizer, to be administered shortly thereafter.

Inpired by the University of Florida’s lawn care presentation from two weeks ago, our efforts to destroy the vile weeds will begin early Saturday morning. By the way, the University of Florida happens to by the NCAA national champions in both football and basketball for the 2006 seasons.

This year the 6$ team has changed it’s strategy, based on what we have learned from the UF seminar. We’ve decided to completely eliminate all phosphorus from our fertilization formula and have chosen a combination of 15-0-15. We’ve also selected a pure, slow release fertilizer as opposed to the more popularly branded weed and feed mixes.

Some of the events that onlookers can look forward to seeing this weekend include: pine cone retreival, extraneous limb removal and mower blade sharpening. There may also be a run to the local dump. Weather permitting, our Sunday guests may be treated to a preliminary lawn mowing, designed to thin out existing weed growth and reduce fall leaf cover.

Look for updates from the 6$ war room as events unfold throughout the month.

Every morning you are there, at your post.
Guiding, directing, showing them the way to safety.
You stand tall amongst the shortest of us.
The children have no fear, for no one would dare challenge you.

You move and the traffic can do nothing but obey.
Your white gloved hands flash like beacons through the fog.
Halt! Proceed! Oh, the majestic discipline!
If I could only show you what you’ve shown me.

And yet, today, there were no flashing gloves.
There was no order, no discipline. The children were in danger.
The traffic flowed without reason.
Where have you gone, crossing guard lady?

Have you abandoned your perch?
Are you off somewhere, seeking brighter horizons? ITT? Welding School?
Perhaps you were injured when you stepped in that pothole.
Come back crossing guard lady. Come back.