Life lists - 9/26/10

We all have life lists at some point in our lives, right?

Louis L'Amour kept one of all the books (thousands) that he read.
I keep one of the rivers I have done kayaking.
Some times we keep these lists of things we have done, and some times of things we want to do.
During my process of trying to loss some weight (I did), I started cutting back on how often I have a drink of beer.
I have always considered myself a little bit of a beer snob, and with not drinking as often it allows me to be even more selective on what I drink without actually spending any more money.
So I have decided to start a new life list called the ‘Friar Tuck list’.
This is how it works; Friar Tuck’s is a mega store that offers thousands of different types of adult libations.
So what I have decided to do is make a pilgrimage through their entire beer stock (sorry, still refusing to do Anheuser-Busch), one bottle at a time and rate and review each one.
At about 600 different types of beer, doing one to two a week (my limit) I am looking at several years at my new hobby.
One good thing about this new hobby, it is not something I will always have to do alone.
I started this new list Saturday, after unloading brush out at the cabin (and I did not try any mushrooms before deciding).

The first beer I tried was called Hobgoblin by Wychwood out of Oxfordshire England.

It was called a ‘dark English ale’ and came in a one pint, point nine oz bottle.
Although this beer would not be one you would rave about, you could find yourself enjoying a few pints at the pub.
It would not especially be one you would try to hunt down again, but I would not refuse one when offered.











The second beer was from ‘Fullers’, again out of England, founded in 1845 near London.

I have liked just about everything Fullers puts out. Their beers are usually of very good quality and taste, and very smooth.

The ‘1845’ is a strong bottle conditioned beer. And although still of high standard and smooth, I was not to my taste. It wasn’t the fact that it was strong, like a porter or stout, but very, to me, strong on a chocolate taste. Some strong Belgian beers are served with chocolate, but I don’t like the taste in the beer.

I don’t know if they actually have chocolate in it, but that was the taste.

Hope you enjoy my new list and, well. . .

Cheers!

Fundamentally Fungi - 9/25/10

I don’t get to spend much time out at the cabin it seems here lately

















And even less getting to walk around our 100 acre woods (actually 16).
But this past Saturday I did.
After running a load of brush out to our brush pile I spent a little time relaxing and enjoying the woods.
The afternoon clouded in a bit, and it was cool, so I decided to walk back to the big creek that runs through to property.
I also discovered a new rapid on the creek.

And soon fall flowers.

And these guys looking for warmth. . .

And I did not have to venture far before I started noticing all these wonderful (by wonderful, I mean looking, not tasting) mushrooms, in a variety of colors, size and shape.

Last nights one hour painting-"Autumn in the Highlands"

I kinda like it. I didn't use much green, which was one of my goals and I like the colors and mountains.



Day 18, July 30th. Whitby and our last day in Yorkshire.

We started off slow this morning, hanging around Staithes till late.
Daughter and mom headed to the beach, playing in the sand and throwing a ball for a couple of fun loving beach dogs.

I stayed around the cottage for a while, reading. Then walked around town and settled at the tea room for tea and scones with jam and cream. Perfect.

We headed over to Whitby around lunch time for one last day at the beach.
Whitby is an old fishing village dating back to around 600 a.d.

There is a castle in town as well as the ruins of an old abbey.

Today the heritage society was having a pirate’s day for the kids, so while I walked around the ruins, daughter and mom learned how to be pirates.

We then headed over to the beach for a while, passing these colorful changing huts that you can book for the day, giving your family a place to change and keep things while you play in the water.

It was still cool and cloudy, but daughter and I got in the water for a little while anyway.
The waves were the biggest we had yet and I wished I had had my kayak.

After playing, we changed and headed into the town itself.
At the top of the steps are an old whale rib arch and a tall statue.

Daughter found her letter ‘E’ in the compass below the statue and did a rock out version of 'E’s place in the alphabet.

We walked around town for a while and then had to decide on a fish-n-chip shop because the guide book said the best fish-n-chips are to be found in Whitby.
I think we must have chosen the wrong one, because they weren’t all that good.
We did have plenty of company of gulls as we ate along the sea side.

Raising the bar, Part Deux

I sent Michael a couple of questions about the ones in the previous post, and not only did I get answers but also more pictures. Check out the composition and values.
Of these and the earlier ones he says, "Most of these little paintings (6x8 and 8x10) have taken about 1.5- 2 hours apiece. I'm always amazed at how long it takes me to do such a small painting. I'll work and work and step back and think, "It doesn't look like I've done anything!" I suspect I'll get a lot faster as I get more confident with the new medium. The night scape of our small town of Salida was done in the studio. Not sure I'd be too good working in the dark."
And he adds, "Here are a few more current pieces. Man, you'd love the character of all the trees here. It's like living in a bonsai forest."

Enjoy.

Raising the bar. . . .

Good Friend Michael Haynes keeps an eye on my blog every once in a while, and I love that he comments on all my work and always offers some great points for me.

And when I am really lucky he sends me some of his work.
Today he sent me the ones below and says this about them, “I've been working "plein air" here and have been very humbled. Here are a few of the pieces. I'm working in alkyd's. The first time for oils since college more than 30 years ago. Did a horrible piece today but that's part of the learning curve!”
Enjoy, as I always do, and his web site is linked on the left under “favorite local artist”.