New batch of mead!

Of all the things one can brew, I like making mead the best. I've never made a wine that was as good as something that I could buy at the wine shop. Used to be the only good beer you could drink was the stuff that you home brewed. That's not true anymore.

To me, mead stands alone as something you can brew that is heads above anything you can buy. Whenever I have consumed commercial mead before, I found it grossly sweet. Yuck.

Sarah and I made a batch of mead back in 1992, the year we were married. Every year since, we open a bottle on our anniversary. It's a carbonated mead, so it's capped. Every year, it tastes a little different, but always good.

This batch is technically a technically a melomel, in that I've added a fruit/berry of sorts. It is one of the few berries that is indigenous to the area - the so-called oregon grape. It gave the mead a nice rose color. There is a touch of bitterness from the seeds that I left in for a bit. The smell reminds me of oregon grape blossoms. It seems a little thin to me. But, we'll see in a year or two.

Started enjoying the Johnny Apple Mead that I bottled a couple of years ago. It's a cyser that took a long time to mellow. Now it is really good. Maybe too good.

The next batch is going to have yerba mate in it - maybe some other stuff.

Rosauers Clock/Thermometer Out But Not Down...

Talked to Steve, the manager (thanks to Steve, by the way, for the loan of the shopping cart for CARTNE's triumphant comeback video). Steve says that it's a company on the east coast that fixes the sign. Usually, they do it via remote. Steve's bugged them a couple of times to fix it, but so far, no fix. He was going to call them again.

I really like this sign. When I go to work in the cold, dark morning, I like to compare the actual temperature to how cold I feel on the bicycle. There is sometimes little correlation. I've missed it. It seems like a month since it's been out, but with no reliable way to mark the time/days, I don't know. I was worried that this landmark was going to go the way of Compusa.

David Byrne - Last night...

The cellphone camera picture is not so good.

It's clear enough that you can tell there were a lot of bald heads and thinning gray hair, including mine. The Fox Theater looked great. And it was a beautiful show. Dancers, great lighting, awesome music. I always think that when big acts come to our town, they must leave a little surprised that the venue is so classy, and the audience is so into what they're doing and appreciative.

I know David Byrne has been here before and enjoyed Spokane. Some of the band looked a little surprised, though. I mean they got a standing ovation before they even started. By the end of the night, they sure deserved it. It probably helped that The Fox was selling Geritol shots in the lobby.

Here's a video from a bygone era. Last night, they performed this number whilst wearing tutus.

CARTNE is back!

MAC Art Auction last night...

We won this. I just wish our children were a little younger. This would look great in their room. I think this was in the top five of paintings there. I like it a lot.

Distressing scene of a winter struggle...

Another beautiful day at Mt Spokane.

The trails yesterday were well-groomed. Better than me, for sure. We had fog one minute and blue skies the next.

Having a billboard in your backyard has its privileges...

Like free tarps made from old advertisements. Perfectly sized for an RV! Thanks to my nephew Joey (aka Fricken' Jose) for this.

My neighbor looked familiar...

A lot of you might know Speed Fitzhugh. I am lucky enough to have him as a neighbor. A month or so ago, he was a snowblowin' machine. As he maneuvered the machine-for-blowing- snow up the sidewalk, he reminded me of someone. Today, I realized it was Lee van Cleef. Speed is Lee Van Cleef.

Further Discussion on origin of CARTNE Video and some dancing music...

One commenter (commentator? common tater?) thinks that the CARTNE video (CARTNE Industries, El Segundo, CA) was manufactured by firemen at the Browne's Addition Fire Station. Could be. Those guys get bored sometimes.

Well, we went round and round on this, but one thing that came up in the conversation was the heroism, professionalism and dadaism of the firemen at what turns out to be Fire Station 3 (thank you Jacque).

I found this dance music that swept the nation - a techno Green Beret Ballad about the exploits of Spokane Fire Engine 3. No video, so you can iron to it and dance at the same time without losing your pressing focus.

Click on the title above or here to hear.

Strange Video Tape Found in Dumpster Behind Station!

This video tape was found in the dumpster. It must've been sent to the Spokane Fire Department a while back by some salesman. Apparently CARTNE is from El Segundo, CA. I don't know if they are still in business. It seems like a good idea. Has anyone seen any of these around in other cities?

Mt Spokane on Sunday

It's been years since I X-Country skied at Mt. Spokane. Even though there hasn't been snow in weeks, the trails were really well-groomed. The sun felt good too. Sorry, I was blinking my eye when I took this picture.

It's called "Dedication." Maybe you've heard of it. Maybe you need to get some.

Behind the station, is a place we call the SUPER C Highway. It is a well-traveled alley for many to purchase beer at the SUPER C and walk home. There is a rest stop along the way. And this is it.

If you open the window, you can hear some interesting conversations. I heard a guy talking about cutting down on the overhead of his business, once. Really. Sometimes, you don't need to open the window, they're that loud. When they get too loud, we ask them to hold it down because the baby is trying to sleep. And they do.

Of course, we don't have a baby at the station. Although that would be a good basis for a sitcom - 16 men and a baby at a fire station. The kid could be raised his entire life in the station. We would hide him when a Colonel Klink-like chief would become suspicious. I'm just spit-ballin' here. Network execs - talk to my agent.

Anyway, you have to admire that these folks are dedicated to what they're doing, and they don't let a little snow get them down.

Spokane Creates City-Wide Bicycle Lanes!

Thanks!

Yesterday, I saw a lot of confused motorists thinking they could squeeze their fat-ass SUVs into these defacto bike lanes. I bet there has since been a run on replacement mirrors. There was a satisfying scraping noise whenever they tried this maneuver. But that didn't deter them in the least.

It's the little things in life!

Walking starting to get old...

Walked for my commute again. When I get back on my bike, it will be less work getting to and from work. How many people get to say that?

Out of curiosity I took the Tiger Trail up the hill this morning. It is very do-able. Thank Gawd for the Ipod, podcasts, and of course, Lee Scratch Perry.

The Sheriff canceled school today (what kind of message does that send the kids?). I guess the sheriff runs the city, the county, the school district, etc. He is waiting for the sidewalks to clear so kids walking to school won't get hit by cars. Lincoln's sidewalks are under about 6 feet of compact graterized snow. Good luck with that.

As long as cars rule in Spokane, the sidewalks will never be clear - because they keep getting buried to make it easier for cars to travel. This forces pedestrians into the street and we have to mix it up with the cars. That's just the way it is - Sheriff. It's not a perfect world. As long as cars slow down, and pedestrians get out of the way when they need to, it should all work out.

I don't think we need a Critical Mass event for pedestrians. Most drivers are very courteous and accommodating to pedestrians. There will be the occasional jerk, but there always is. However, there is something to be said for strength in numbers. Plus it shows drivers that there are better alternatives - maybe.

Sarah had a great idea this morning. What if the Sheriff (as he seems to be running the show) announced that, between certain hours, school children own the streets, and that motorists should plan accordingly. A great solution.

Anyway, here are some pictures of the Tiger Trail in case you are wondering what it's like for your commute:

Cookies

Look, I don't have much of a sweet tooth. I probably eat 5 cookies the whole year, until our neighbor brings us cookies she makes for the Yuletide. Each is a work of art - multilayered with a cornucopia of textures. She is really into whole grains and healthy ingredients (as healthy as a cookie can be I guess). This is her second delivery to our house. Location. Location. Location.

When you eat one of these cookies, you tend to take your time - you know it took her a lot of time to make them.

I've still been walking instead of riding - I think that burns up more calories, so I need these cookies.

A timely Christmas greeting...

As seen in an intersection last night.

Christmas Prophecy Fulfilled!!

When the oncoming shift asked why we put the stuffed penguin onto an icicle, we replied, "So the Spokesman-Review will come take a picture of it."

Just another Christmas Miracle. My Gawd, they are stacking up.

MELE KALIKIMAKA MIRACLE!!

Hey, a Hawaiian warrior helmet:

has formed upon the head of one of our tikis:


There has to be a Hallmark Christmas Special in this somehow. Something involving a volcano and Wilfred Brimley? I'm just spitballin' here.

Walk home yesterday...

Was up all night at work. I think some people were just lonely, and dialing 9-1-1 will always get them a visitor. The walk home was right purdy.