 |
| © June '12 photo by smck |
 |
| © June '12 photo by smck |
- and there in the old discarded pot behind and below the Lilly a wee froggy awaits the visiting pollinators
Calla Lilly
Hits - Update
Sweden gave me a click today 4th July '12 - yeah!!!
(I know this blog is small time stuff - big blogs get as many hits per minute as I've gotten in 4 months - but this going around the world to other countries gives me a thrill)
See How He Looks
 | ||
| © August @ '92 photo by smck |
THAT’S
ME
Idle moments while I
replay
tapes of memory in
my mind
clear rivulet wash
on sand
bright
flash of winging bird
eyes in love and supplication
quest in mine
ahh – early child almost
a stranger
peering down the imagined
reaches of the future
See
how
he
looks!
69
sometimes when i dream too
much of yore i see myself looking forward at me
© smck
© smck
I wrote this little poem long years ago - perhaps when this photo was taken - and meant it for myself, no photograph for reference, but then when I found this picture in our old box of family photos the poem seemed to leap up into my mind as the homage to my younger son - coming back from the beach above L'Archeveque and onto the grassy interval behind my friends fishing shack where we staying for a few precious weeks. smck
Lobster Season Is Through For The Year
 |
| © July '10 photo by smck |
Sound of Rock Upon Rock
 | |||
| © September '08 photo by smck |
This was taken the same day I snapped the opening banner of the blog. Even now I can hear the sound of rock upon rock, being washed up then back by the waves and tide - and feel the mist of scattered light rain that threatened to deluge at any moment. Above me on the eroding cliffs of Collin's old field one can stand and look out at the sea no different than when the long gone house and barn were being built in the 1800s. Bleak and drear this day, bright and filling another and fulfilling that Gaelic desire to have solitude and quiet around you like a shelter against the burly of the world.
Tu Es Mon Compagnon de Voyage!
 |
| © August '09 photo by ctmck
I think it much better that, as we all go along together, that every man paddle his own
canoe
Character of 'The Indian' in The Settlers in Canada by Captain Marryat (1844)
Tu es mon compagnon de voyage!
Je veux mourir dans mon canot Sur le tombeau, près du rivage, Vous renverserez mon canot When I must leave the great river O bury me close to its wave And let my canoe and my paddle Be the only mark over my grave
From 'Mon Canoe d'écorce' ('My Bark Canoe')
translated by Frank Oliver Call
August is laughing across the sky
Laughing while paddle, canoe and I, Drift, drift, Where the hills uplift On either side of the current swift. Be strong, O paddle! Be brave, canoe! The reckless waves you must plunge into. Reel, reel. On your trembling keel, But never a fear my craft will feel. E. Pauline Johnson |
Calm Day on the Bay
 |
| © August '10 photo by smck
Looking eastward across St. Peters Bay toward Battery Park and Grand Greve, the sea is tranquil in the early morning light.
|
HITS - Around The World
United States
Canada
France
Germany
Russia
Ukraine
Latvia
Latvia
United Kingdom
Ireland
Sweden
Sweden
Peru
Brazil
Ecuador
Malaysia
Japan
Australia
Jamaica
China
Indonesia
China
Indonesia
United States accounts for the most
'hits' followed by Canada, Russia, United Kingdom, France and Germany
in that order.
This is probably not of as much interest to you as it is to me. But it just seems great that such a small blog has spread around the world without benefit of controversy, scandal, or salacious content.
So come on Easter Island and give me a click for the Pacific !!
What Is A Weed?
 | |
| © August '10 photo by smck |
False dandelions
Dandelions are so similar to catsears (Hypochoeris) that
catsears are also known as "false dandelions." Both plants carry similar
flowers which form into windborne seeds. However, catsear's flowering
stems are forked and solid, whereas dandelions possess unforked stems
that are hollow. Both plants have a rosette of leaves and a central
taproot. However, the leaves of dandelions are jagged in appearance,
whereas those of catsear are more lobe-shaped and hairy. Other plants
with similar flowers include hawkweeds (Hieracium) and hawksbeards (Crepis). These are both readily distinguished by their branched flowering stems.
I have no idea what the local name is for this plant but I erroneously took it for a dandelion - however the 'forked flowering stems' puts it into one of the above Catsears, Hawkweeds, or Hawkbeards. (if you know for certain leave a comment and I will repost - with appropriate credit).
The title "What is a Weed" was really directed to dandelions which I (unlike most) like and encourage in my lawn - hence to me not a weed, which basically means an unwanted plant.
Dandelions are thought to have evolved about thirty million years ago in Eurasia. They have been used by humans for food and as a herb for much of recorded history. They were introduced to North America by early European immigrants. All parts of the dandelion has been used for food and drink - some caution is advised on the pollen however as some individuals are sensitive to it.
REDBREAST Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey - 12
 |
| © June '12 photo by sm |
No peat and fire here - just deep smoothness - so if you don't particularly want to try another fiery draught then read on and take heart that yes there are smooth Gaelic unblended whiskeys that are utterly delightful. And I must note here that smooth does not imply bland - not at all. This is a great easy to sip whiskey, yet there is still a depth and complexity of background flavors as in the best of Scotch single malts. I just finished at least two or three fingers of Redbreast, which is my third sampling in as many nights. Once again it was so pleasant to drink that I quickly lost track of all the great things about it that I was going to put to paper for this posting - so for the time being let me borrow a few quotes from other devotees.
"Scotland and Kentucky get the glory, but Ireland is no slouch when it comes to crafting fine, sippable whiskey. For potent proof, try an unblended whiskey like the oh-so-smooth Redbreast 12 Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey ($45). Like single-malt Scotch, this Irish whiskey is aged — 12 years, in this case — in a single batch, not blended. But that's where the similarities with smoky Scotch end, because the flavor leans much closer to caramely bourbon" - YUMSUGAR blog
"Single Pot Still Whiskey:
It is unique to Ireland in general
and to the Midleton Distillery, Co Cork, in particular, and is regarded
as the quintessential style of Irish whiskey. Made from a mash of malted
and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in traditional copper pot
stills. Pot Still whiskeys are characterized by full, complex flavors
and a wonderful creamy mouthfeel." - WEINQUELLE .com
- "Color Amber lager
- Nose Ethanol, vanilla, maple sugar
- Body Mildly syrupy
- Palate Scotch followed by a wonderful praline, vanilla, maple syrup, gingerbread cookies
- Finish Sweet, maple syrup, vanilla, bug spray
This is my favorite Irish whiskey. It has a Scotch-like complexity followed by a wonderful maple syrup-like sweetness. Not cloying like a bourbon, but sweet like a gingerbread cookie. A great dessert whiskey. Highly Recommended! 95" MISTERBORK on FORPEATSAKE.com
I'm not sure where the 'bug spray' came from in this last one but everyone has there take, eh? All in all a really fine (and award winning) poteen - which Himself would give at least an 89.
Fall Maple
 |
| © September '08 photo by smck |
When every thing is green and brown, red draws the eye - like this maple on the old MacKay property.
Neither Out Far Nor In Deep
 |
| © August '10 photo by smck |
Neither Out Far Nor In Deep
The people along the sand
All turn and look one way.
They turn their back on the land.
They look at the sea all day.
As long as it takes to pass
A ship keeps raising its hull;
The wetter ground like glass
Reflects a standing gull
The land may vary more;
But wherever the truth may be--
The water comes ashore,
And the people look at the sea.
They cannot look out far.
They cannot look in deep.
But when was that ever a bar
To any watch they keep?
All turn and look one way.
They turn their back on the land.
They look at the sea all day.
As long as it takes to pass
A ship keeps raising its hull;
The wetter ground like glass
Reflects a standing gull
The land may vary more;
But wherever the truth may be--
The water comes ashore,
And the people look at the sea.
They cannot look out far.
They cannot look in deep.
But when was that ever a bar
To any watch they keep?
Robert Frost
this poem first appeared in the Yale Review in the year of my birth
...poem presents a notion common to Frost's poetry:
a “recognition of the essential limitations of man, without denial or
protest or rhetoric or palliation."
NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH - ✯✯✯✯✯
A great read - definitely five stars - ✯✯✯✯✯
Recently Emily White, an intern at NPR All Songs Considered, and GM of what appears to be her college radio station, wrote a post on the NPR blog in which she acknowledged that while she had 11,000 songs in her music library, she’s only paid for 15 CDs in her life. Our intention is not to embarrass or shame her. We believe young people like Emily White who are fully engaged in the music scene are the artist’s biggest allies. We also believe–for reasons we’ll get into–that she has been been badly misinformed by the Free Culture movement. We only ask the opportunity to present a countervailing viewpoint.
Recently Emily White, an intern at NPR All Songs Considered, and GM of what appears to be her college radio station, wrote a post on the NPR blog in which she acknowledged that while she had 11,000 songs in her music library, she’s only paid for 15 CDs in her life. Our intention is not to embarrass or shame her. We believe young people like Emily White who are fully engaged in the music scene are the artist’s biggest allies. We also believe–for reasons we’ll get into–that she has been been badly misinformed by the Free Culture movement. We only ask the opportunity to present a countervailing viewpoint.
Emily:
My intention here is not to shame you or embarrass you. I believe you
are already on the side of musicians and artists and you are just
grappling with how to do the right thing. I applaud your courage in
admitting you do not pay for music, and that you do not want to but you
are grappling with the moral implications. I just think that you have
been presented with some false choices by what sounds a lot like what we
hear from the “Free Culture” adherents.
I must disagree with the underlying premise of what you have written.
Fairly compensating musicians is not a problem that is up to
governments and large corporations to solve. It is not up to them to
make it “convenient” so you don’t behave unethically. (Besides–is it
really that inconvenient to download a song from iTunes into your
iPhone? Is it that hard to type in your password? I think millions would
disagree.)
Rather, fairness for musicians is a problem that requires each of us
to individually look at our own actions, values and choices and try to
anticipate the consequences of our choices. I would suggest to you that,
like so many other policies in our society, it is up to us individually
to put pressure on our governments and private corporations to act
ethically and fairly when it comes to artists rights. Not the other way
around. We cannot wait for these entities to act in the myriad little
transactions that make up an ethical life. I’d suggest to you that, as a
21-year old adult who wants to work in the music business, it is
especially important for you to come to grips with these very personal
ethical issues.
I’ve been teaching college students about the economics of the music
business at the University of Georgia for the last two years.
Unfortunately for artists, most of them share your attitude about
purchasing music. There is a disconnect between their personal behavior
and a greater social injustice that is occurring. You seem to have
internalized that ripping 11,000 tracks in your iPod compared to your
purchase of 15 CDs in your lifetime feels pretty disproportionate. You
also seem to recognize that you are not just ripping off the record
labels but you are directly ripping off the artist and songwriters whose
music you “don’t buy”. It doesn’t really matter that you didn’t take
these tracks from a file-sharing site. That may seem like a neat dodge,
but I’d suggest to you that from the artist’s point of view, it’s kind
of irrelevant.
REDBREAST Irish Whiskey
Coming soon to this post - Review of REDBREAST Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (note the 'e') from Middleton Distillery.
No peat and fire here - just deep smoothness - so if you are a beginner and don't want another fiery draught then read the forth coming review and take heart that yes there are sensible Gaelic brews for the uninitiated that are utterly delightful.
The Millionare’s Club list documents spirits brands that sell over a million cases per year. 181 brands made the cut based on sales for 2011. New to the list is Glenfiddich, the only single malt Scotch whisky to sell over a million cases. Vodka and whiskey are the two biggest categories on the list, followed by rum in third place.
No peat and fire here - just deep smoothness - so if you are a beginner and don't want another fiery draught then read the forth coming review and take heart that yes there are sensible Gaelic brews for the uninitiated that are utterly delightful.
The Millionare’s Club list documents spirits brands that sell over a million cases per year. 181 brands made the cut based on sales for 2011. New to the list is Glenfiddich, the only single malt Scotch whisky to sell over a million cases. Vodka and whiskey are the two biggest categories on the list, followed by rum in third place.
The Black River Ferry
 | ||
|
 | ||
|
Yeah!!
This scene follows some 15 to 20 minutes in real time from "Where In Grand River" 26 April 2012 [which shows her mother and sister]
Mallow Flower
 |
| © July '11 photo by smck |
Methane?
 |
| © August '10 photo by smck |
 |
| © August '10 photo by smck |
 |
| © August '10 photo by smck |
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
Originally posted as a page (see right side bar) in March '12 but posted here to see how I like it as part of the main show.
Glenfiddich is one of the worlds most
popular single malt Scotch Whiskys but early on in my hobby I read that
The Glenlivet is a much better drink and usually somewhat less
expensive. (Although now The Glenlivet is the best selling brand in the
U.S.). So what is a good Scot to do eh? Well I have yet to drink a
Glenfiddich not because I have any inkling that it's terrible but simply
because I like The Glenlivet and there are so many good to great
unsampled Scotch Single Malts of more distinct character available in a
price range that I can handle (even if I do think they are overpriced).
In my mind The Glenlivet is a good single malt to start out with if
you're new to the game - enough bite and flavor to let you know that
singles are serious whiskys but mild enough in the way of single malts
to avoid putting you off the game before it has even begun. I like The
Glenlivet and usually replace the bottle when it is depleted. In the
photograph you will see my personal stemless goblet for my sipping
pleasure. (you can buy expensive stemmed
ware that will work no better - in fact I like my stemless goblet best
because my hand warms the whisky slightly, enhancing the smell and the
taste AND because I got 11 of them at a jumble sale for fifty cents
apiece.) Always use a curved glass to concentrate the aroma for your nose - shot glasses are for tossing back cheap grain whiskey.
The
Glenlivet 12 year old,
40% Alc/Vol
Michael
Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch comments:
House
Style - Malty,
creamy, fruity, after dinner
COLOUR
- Pale Gold
NOSE
- Remarkably flowery, clean and soft.
BODY
- Light to Medium. Firm, smooth.
PALATE
- Flowery, peachy, notes of vanilla. A delicate balance.
FINISH
- Restrained, long and gently warming
Score 85
Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch rates Glenfiddich 12 from 77 to 82 (on a scale of 1 to 100)
and The Glenlivet 12 from 83-85 so they are quite comparable in ranking
really. And just like wine, a given variety of whisky can vary a lot
from year to year, so don't worry too much about a small variation in
rank between two or more different brands. I'm sure that if I had tried
the Glenfiddich first, it would now be The Glenlivet that would be
untasted (but you have to love the capital T in The Glenlivet, eh?)
My take - a very good malt for both the newcomer to single malts and for the serious collector. A smooth well flavored drink that does not take your breath away, it can readily be shared with one and all. And the price is decent.
And tonight, 07 June 2012, about 1030 pm in eastern North America I am enjoying the last of my bottle of Glenlivet 12 and perusing my comments on same. Right on, I'd say, at least for me - and yes I will replace this soon. Try your own and enjoy.
My take - a very good malt for both the newcomer to single malts and for the serious collector. A smooth well flavored drink that does not take your breath away, it can readily be shared with one and all. And the price is decent.
And tonight, 07 June 2012, about 1030 pm in eastern North America I am enjoying the last of my bottle of Glenlivet 12 and perusing my comments on same. Right on, I'd say, at least for me - and yes I will replace this soon. Try your own and enjoy.
After Glow
 | |
| © August '10 photo by smck |
afterglow
After sunset – and
before the night -
when red tinged purple
fills the dome of sky,
one can trace the
imperceptible change of light
from the faded golden
promise of sun on high
to the east where the
black creeps in.
But not to signify the
end.
Change it is that draws
our eye from that mystic silhouette,
where all somber ochered
hues have reached blackened fingers
against the grieving
evening – ahh! sad nostalgia is that color, wet.
For night too signifies
the friend
that gave us the diamond
brilliance of black velvet
strewn with baubles of
stars
and then the
moon.
69
written about the tenth
grade while I looked from ‘the sands’ out across Cameron’s
farm toward the North East river at sunset – perhaps 1950, 51. –
and I still like it
Spruce Burl
 |
| © August '10 photo by smck |
Photographed on the St. Peter's Walking Trail
Picking Dessert
 | ||
| © August '11 photo by smck
Around dusk with the mosquitoes gathering around the unwary, my plucky little granddaughter goes up on blueberry hill behind the house to get blueberries for dessert with her supper - hood around her head to keep the wee beasties away.
|
Hits
This past week I had the following hits:
(I enjoy seeing how many countries are viewing - and if you enjoy viewing the blog please pass it on to a friend)
United States 151
|
Canada 49
|
France 11
|
Russia 8
|
United Kingdom 5
|
Brazil 1
|
Germany 1
|
Ireland 1
|
Malaysia 1
|
Peru 1
The above was pulled from the blog host's own accounting - but I have also seen:
India
Ukraine
Jamaica
Today, 21 June '12, update on countries viewing blog - add"
Ecuador
Japan
|
Walk-Through Light Exibition
 |
| © June '12 photo by smck |
 |
| © June '12 photo by smck |
Inukshuk
 |
| © August '09 photo by smck |
[Received one welcome comment from Shamik which gave me the Inuit name for Mr. Stone Man and the link I quote below - so I have now retitled this posting more informatively. Thanks]
'The mysterious stone figures known as inuksuit can be found throughout the circumpolar world. Inukshuk, the singular of inuksuit, means "in the likeness of a human" in the Inuit language. They are monuments made of unworked stones that are used by the Inuit for communication and survival. The traditional meaning of the inukshuk is "Someone was here" or "You are on the right path." - an excerpt from - http://www.inukshukgallery.com/inukshuk.html
Thig a Ris
 |
| © August '09 photo by smck |
 |
| © August '09 photo by smck |
Near the end of the East Side road where it turns to become the back road to L'Archeveque this well maintained country house has a lovely open view toward the mouth of the river and Red Head. I stopped one day and asked about the sign because the word 'Mointeach' (pronounced as mon-yuck) had caught my eye. But now, for the life-of-me I can't remember what they told me about the meaning of the sign, other than confirming that indeed the word Mointeach was Gaelic for peat - sorry.
This summer perhaps I will find out for sure and update this posting to explain the words Thig a Ris. (if you happen to know the meaning please comment so I can update)Well decided to google Thig a Ris this a.m.and found it to mean "Come Again" - and a lovely Gaelic invitational good-bye it is now you see.
Lichen
 |
| © August '09 photo by smck |
Hiker's Beach
 |
| © August '09 photo by smck |
Basque Island
 |
| © August '09 photo by smck |
The Mist, The Interval, The Sea
 |
| © August '11 photo by smck |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)