Is it just me or does social media seem to have an overabundance of grievance?
Since
the beginning of this year I have endeavored to be a better person.
Not a Mother Theresa - just better. And as a consequence I truthfully
don't have very many grievances. I have opinions; but that's not the
same as full-blown grievance.
As
a public service and in the interest of spreading positivity on the
interweb here are some recent trail camera photos from our woods.
It’s True, Limburger Cheese Contains the Same Bacteria as Feet
Surface-ripened, aged, and famously malodorous Limburger is a 19th-century northern European cheese that was
traditionally layered between slices of dark bread with raw onions and
horseradish (or mustard) and washed down with a frosty beer.
When the sandwich-beer combo came to Green County, Wisconsin, with
Swiss and German immigrants, tavern-goers went for it in such a big way
that it wasn’t until decades later, when saloons closed during
Prohibition, that Limburger sales declined.
America’s lone-remaining Limburger cheese factory is in–you guessed
it–Wisconsin! Chalet Cheese Co-op still makes and distributes more than a
million pounds of the stinky cheese annually, and you can order an
authentic Limburger sandwich at Baumgartner's Cheese Store and Tavern in Monroe.
This recipe is more about method than anything else. And because there are only two ingredients the simplicity of this recipe is the key to its astonishing success.
First, let's talk about the key player. The bird. In my humble opinion it is the chicken thigh that rules the Fried Chicken Realm. Bone-in and skin-on. They are ridiculously inexpensive, plentiful in large family-sized packages and are endowed with the perfect ratio of flesh, skin and fat. Bone-in resists over-cooking and imparts its own essence that is the pathway to real flavor,
To prep you thighs pat them dry with paper towels and place skin side up in your sink. Anoint them liberally with fresh-cracked sea salt.
Next, take your skillet and set it over a cold burner. Place your thighs in the skillet skin side down with no heat at all. More fresh-cracked sea salt on the skinless side facing up. Cover and turn the heat to high for five minutes then reduce to medium low. Resist looking to take a peek.
At the fifteen minute mark remover the lid and rotate your thighs - do not flip - simply rotate them, skin side down, 180 degrees. If you have too much juice, water, moisture simply remove your thighs for a moment and drain and wipe your pan. Return the thighs as they were and carry-on.
At the thirty minute mark flip your thighs. You will note that the fat has rendered and converted the skin into an obnoxiously golden state of crispiness. Turn the heat down and allow to simmer another 15 minutes. This will allow you to assemble your sides and accompaniments.
Two ingredients - chicken thighs and coarsely-ground sea salt.
If
you spend as much time as I do napping in a deer stand or turkey blind one of the
observations made during a hunter’s waking moments is that
deer and turkeys sometimes hang out together. It’s not all the
time; yet, it isn’t a rare occurrence either.
The
proximity of a flock of turkeys to one or more deer doesn’t
scare-off the whitetails and the presence of the deer doesn’t seem to bother the birds. By
all outward appearances they seem to enjoy the company of one
another. What might be the explanation for this curious wildlife behavior
and what seemingly might be a symbiotic relationship?
Wild
turkeys both see in color and their vision is incredibly advanced –
possibly three times greater than that of a human with 20/20 vision.
Since
turkey do not sport external ears their field of view is 270 degrees
and they can detect motion a hundred yards distant. Turkeys move about
in sizeable flocks resulting in dozens of vigilant eyes. Inasmuch as
turkeys will immediately begin to distance themselves from any
movement they conclude is suspicious whitetail deer place their trust
in the instincts of their turkey pals and follow.
Similarly,
it is the sniffer of a whitetail that is incredibly advanced. I’ve
been busted by a deer that winded me long before the animal ever had
an opportunity to detect my presence visually. In a group setting,
if a deer goes on high-alert as a consequence of a whiff of danger the
turkeys place their trust in the instincts of their whitetail pals
and follow.
This photo - one of about a dozen taken over a period of twenty minutes - of a whitetail doe and fawn, accompanied by a wild turkey is likely further evidence of this symbiotic relationship.
So,
if you’re driving down the road some day and you spy a flock of
turkeys keeping company with a doe and her fawns or any collection of
whitetail deer there’s an explanation other than mere coincidence.
Some biologists have concluded that each
species trusts the other’s best sense for their mutually-assured
security.
Recent travel to visit with family found us in Mobile Alabama for a week with an opportunity to become temporary Mobilians and soak-up the history, food and ambiance of this coastal city. A boat ride of the delta estuary provided an opportunity to take-in the waterfront, port facilities and Austal Shipyard up-close and personal. Including this:
The SS United States is one of the most iconic ocean liners in American history. Designed during World War II and launched in the early 1950s, the ship represented American technological prowess and style.
The genesis for this ship began in the 1930s with naval architect William Francis Gibbs. He envisioned a fast, fireproof, and militarily convertible ocean liner that would showcase American maritime innovation. During World War II, seventy percent of all naval vessels were built to Gibbs and Cox designs. This included everything from Liberty ships, to destroyers, escort carriers and amphibious assault vessels. This contribution to the war effort strengthened his reputation and bolstered support for his ambitious passenger liner.
In 1950, the U.S. government—through the Maritime Commission—partnered with United States Lines to co-finance the construction of the ship with the understanding that it could be used as a troop carrier in wartime. The government contributed $50 million and the United States Lines contributed $28 million; adjusted for inflation - $928 million in today's dollars. Construction began at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Virginia. The ship featured extensive use of aluminum and fireproof materials making her both lightweight and safe. She was designed to carry almost 2,000 passengers in luxury and over 15,000 troops in an emergency.
The SS United States was launched on June 23, 1951, and entered service on July 3, 1952. Her maiden voyage was a stunning success; shattering the transatlantic speed record crossing the Atlantic in 3 days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes—earning the coveted Blue Riband. Her return voyage was even faster.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she was considered the epitome of American luxury and efficiency at sea. She hosted presidents, celebrities, business magnates, and immigrants. Notable passengers included Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Salvador Dalí, Marilyn Monroe, and Marlon Brando. Her speed, safety, and understated elegance set her apart from rivals.
Original Place Setting
With the arrival of commercial jet travel in the late 1950s and early 1960s demand for transatlantic sea travel declined. By the late 1960s, operating costs became unsustainable and the the SS United States was withdrawn from service in November 1969 after just 17 years in operation.
Following decommissioning the ship was laid up in Virginia and later moved to Norfolk. Over time her furnishings and fittings were sold off. Multiple attempts to repurpose or redevelop the vessel occurred over the next few decades, including proposals for use as a hotel, museum, or cruise ship. None succeeded.
In 1996 she was towed to Pier 82 in Philadelphia where she would remain for nearly three decades. Although neglected her hull and superstructure remained intact thanks to her robust construction.
In 2011, the SS United States Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, purchased the ship to prevent her from being scrapped. With the help of a $5.8 million donation from philanthropist H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest, the group maintained the ship while seeking a permanent home and redevelopment plan.
Over the next decade several high-profile plans came and went including a luxury hotel conversion and a floating museum complex. Despite public support and creative proposals no financially viable solution materialized. By 2024, with mounting maintenance costs and no berth in Philadelphia, the Conservancy was forced to vacate.
Earlier this year the SS United States was towed to Mobile, Alabama, for additional environmental remediation. Okaloosa County, Florida, had purchased the ship with the intent of sinking her offshore as the world's largest artificial reef. This plan envisioned a new life for the ship as a haven for marine life and divers.
Nevertheless, preservationists launched a legal and public relations campaign to stop the plan. The New York Coalition, including investors and historic preservationists, sought to bring the ship to New York Harbor as a floating museum, hotel, and event space. Lawsuits were filed under the National Historic Preservation Act and appeals were made to political figures to intervene.
As of the publication of this post the ship's fate remains uncertain. Environmental cleanup is ongoing with a scuttling date projected for late 2025 unless legal efforts succeed in halting the plan.
Whatever the outcome SS United States leaves a legacy of accomplishment. She is a symbol of American postwar confidence, innovation, and elegance. She still holds the transatlantic speed record and remains a touchstone of maritime history through her design innovations, cultural impact and the passionate efforts of those determined to preserve her memory.
Fast Facts:
Length: 990 feet (301.8 m) - necessary to transit the Panama Canal
Beam (width): 101 feet (30.8 m)
Tonnage: ~53,330 gross tons
Top speed: Over 38 knots (44 mph / 70 km/h) – still the fastest ocean liner ever built
As the days have grown longer the hormonal levels of whitetail deer began to change.
Fawns
are born, antler growth commences as testosterone levels increase for the boy deer and for all of the
whitetails the gray winter coat with its thick guard hairs is shed and the ruddy red heat-reflecting summer coat is revealed.
The process is complete now and you cannot miss the deer highlighted against the lush green clover and alfalfa of the local farm fields.
These
daylight-influenced hormone levels occur twice a year to trigger the
spring molt and after only three months, is supplemented by the regrowth
of the extra layer of longer, stiffer, hollow hair over the softer hair
closer to the skin.
Last weekend we spent an evening out with the Garza brothers for another fine performance at the Door Community Auditorium at Gibraltar High School.
It's difficult indeed to pigeonhole this group into a specific music genre. If I had to describe it their style is a high energy fusion of Rock & roll, Texas blues and swing, funky soul, country and Tejano. Stylistically, you might catch a whiff of Santana or the Bo Deans. Our performance included an extended bluesy-funky cover of the Spencer Davis Group's I'm a Man. Good stuff.
Anyway, if you live here on the Peninsula or plan to visit you might want to check into tickets for a specific performance or two of the seasonal lineup offered by the Door Community Auditorium.
Live video was not allowed for this performance but there is always YouTube to come to the rescue.
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