Another flash in the pan

Mr. Beagles has a knack for explaining things in clear and objective manner and his discussion of muzzle loaders is much appreciated.  I'll probably never use that information but I'm glad I understand it a little better; you never know how things are connected and perhaps other things will make more sense in the future.  But I always thought that a "flash in the pan" was from the Gold Rush days in California when guys were panning for gold.  A flash in the pan meant nothing as it was a trick of the light and no bonanza was forthcoming, but the source of that misinformation was probably from an episode of some long forgotten TV show.  Or maybe I misheard.  And if I'm not mistaken, another expression had it's origin in muzzle loaders, or more specifically, muskets: lock, stock, and barrel.

There are still some questions I have about muzzle loaders but I know Uncle Ken finds these diversions in topic vexing; I might as well be yammering about ice cream again for all the pleasure he gains.  But as the temperatures have fallen, ice cream season is over and time to move on to something else.  So, how about pressure cookers?  Either of you guys have any experience with them?  I've read that they are wonderful for quick cooking but I haven't used one myself.  My folks had one but didn't use it very often.  There was a certain mad scientist aspect to it, with that little weight bobbing and hissing with the escaping steam.

Another type of cooking has caught my eye, but uses lower temperatures in a hot water bath and it sounds intriguing: sous vide.  Cooking times are ridiculously long, more than ten hours in some cases, but you can take a really cheap, tough cut of meat and it will melt in your mouth.  And you don't need a metal pot, a plastic tub will do nicely.  The end result looks a little weird so a quick sear of the meat is highly recommended.  Got to get the desirable effect of the Maillard reaction, don'cha know.  I might get one of the gizmos and give it a try.  I like all of the curious processes involved in cooking and baking, what with all the ingredients and how they interact with each other.  The science involved is wonderful and you end up with something good to eat.  A win-win situation, if you ask me.

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Religion has been an oft discussed topic, and it's back in the news.  Pope Francis wants to change a bit of the Lord's Prayer.  He thinks the phrase "and lead us not into temptation" is problematic; God doesn't lead us into temptation, that's Satan's thing.  The proposed change would be something like "don't let us be led into temptation," or words to that effect.  Makes sense to me and seems obvious now, but I wonder if the idea will fly. It's a big change and folks don't like to mess with their traditional prayers.

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"Jam on Gerry's Rock" is another reference that left me in the dark, but, Thank Google, I now know what it is.  A sad ballad, and I even found a performance on YouTube.  Logging is a hell of a way to make a living, but you gotta do what you gotta do.