Raspberry Avalanche!

Our little raspberry patch is cranking-out some big ones!

These were flash-frozen and added to those in the freezer. 

Over two pounds.

Raspberry avalanche! 

September Astronomy

September is reliably host to an astronomical event - the equinox - when days and nights will be approximately equal in length. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the tipping point where the sun will rise later and nightfall arrives sooner.  As things have grown cooler around these parts you don’t have to remind me that autumn is in the air. This is the time of year we chase pheasants, woodcock and whitetails, stack firewood, and roll-out the long sleeve t-shirts and swap-out cargo shorts for long pants.  

Equinox (Latin for equal night) the amount of daylight is nearly equal to the hours of darkness. 

 

Even though the equinox happens at the same moment worldwide the precise time for you depends-upon your time zone. Translation: the equinox will arrive tomorrow at 7:05 PM CDT.  This marks the astronomical arrival of fall.  The meteorological arrival of fall in the Northern Hemisphere was September 1st. This date is based on the consistent temperature cycle and the Gregorian calendar, which divides the year into four three-month seasons.  Meanwhile - south of the equator - spring is about to begin.  If you live on the equator the sun will be positioned directly overhead at high noon.

We live just shy of the 45th parallel (equidistant from the equator and pole) and it has been fascinating to observe the transit of the setting sun as it has moved from its furthest advance to the north to now set in the west.  The sun only rises due east and due west on two days of the year - The spring and fall equinoxes. 

 

For years I dreamed of a bucket-list visit to Stonehenge.  Last spring I ticked-it-off.... 

 

Stonehenge View West

 

Autumn Butterflies

It has occurred to me I haven't seen a Monarch butterfly in a number of days.  The Missus has shared the same.  It could be they've flown the coop for their annual migration south.

Nevertheless, while out for a walk with the Red Rocket just the other day we spotted this butterfly.

The Great Spangled Fritillary, Argynnis cybele, a large, vibrant yellow-orange butterfly recognizable by the black markings on its upperside and striking metallic silver spots on its hindwing underside.

Native to North America it is common in fields and open woodlands, its caterpillars feed almost exclusively on the foliage of violets.  Adults are active from mid-summer into early autumn feeding on nectar-rich autumn blooms like New England Aster.

More photos of this butterfly, and others, if you search under LABELS in the left margin of the blog homepage. 

Duplicitous

Just a reminder. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), remains a masked paramilitary unit that can kill with near absolute legal impunity; non-citizens and citizens alike. There has been no public investigation much less a trial for the agents who murdered two citizens in Minnesota, murders that were filmed. Or for those agents who have killed other citizens and non-citizens in other locations around the country, 

 

ICE agents go about their business without ID using unmarked vehicles without license tags.

 

Some of you readers may find me over-dramatic.  

The Trump boosters among my circle of acquaintances generally support ICE and a few of them bask in the reflected glory of violent apprehensions and an occasional shooting from time-to-time. One of them had the poor taste to post on Face Book that a lesbian with blue hair and a nose ring deserves to die.

 

I don't know about you but that seems dramatic. 

Naturally, we already know the universal truth. 

 

If the Dems were in power and doing the same thing; MAGA heads would be exploding.  

 

Any rational individual doesn't support unidentifiable federal paramilitaries. Why? A rational individual knows there is too much room for abuse whether or not you are a D or an R or an exile like me in between. 

This deviation from the law enforcement norms we've long grown-accustomed-to over decades erodes trust. It is truthfully that simple.

 

Some days the insincerity in the world is more than knee deep. It is duplicitous. 

 

Edit To Add: A shooting earlier today at the Texas capital is the latest by federal immigration agents as the Trump administration intensifies its deportation effort. 

 

It will be interesting to learn the details. Link to the article is paywall free.

 

 https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/us/ice-shooting-austin-texas.html?unlocked_article_code=1.C1E.djE4.jPW8uHJEzVzR&smid=nytcore-ios-share

The Red Rocket

When this girl joined our family three years ago I hadn't any advance knowledge of the variation found within the golden retriever breed.  Our dog was just a pup.  At the first vet visit the doc correctly identified Ruby as a red golden retriever; also called a field trial golden or simply a field golden.

What I've come to learn is that this subset of the golden family is a dog bred for athleticism, endurance with a strong prey instinct and desire to retrieve.  As a previous Labrador retriever household this has been a terrific fit. 

Unlike the larger, fluffier, blockier-built show line goldens our Ruby is leaner, lighter-boned and smaller; weighing-in as a 48 pound female.  She's outfitted with a shorter, denser  double coat with less feathering to collect cockle burs and stickers.  She's also less "golden" and more mahogany-red.  

Our black lab had a narrower skull along with a longer muzzle typical of an English lab; while her niece, our blonde lab, sported a square face; she was a block head.  Ruby exhibits more of the former physical attributes unlike the heavier-boned, broader-headed show goldens.  While they are the exact same breed, they have split into two distinct lines.

None of the foregoing is to suggest that show goldens are couch potatoes and field goldens are hyper; both excel in their intelligence and skill set for which they've been bred.  And they make for terrific family members.  

Meanwhile, at almost three and a half years of age our Red Rocket continues to burn-up the trails...

 

 

Friday Music

We all know who the assholes are; and they have a right to be an asshole.  That's what makes America great. 

This catchy tune speaks volumes and speaks for itself... 

When You Have Tomatoes...

...Make Tomato Pie.

This was dinner a couple of evenings ago.  Served with fresh greens from the garden and a Take And Bake baguette.

 

It's kinda putzy as far as recipes go, but you can perform all the prep in-advance.  Assembly and final bake is the relatively short part of the process

While you should seed your tomatoes; you don't have to bother peeling them.  The two most prolific tomatoes in my raised bed garden repertoire this year include San Marzano and Korean Long - both are high in the flesh department and low in seeds. If at all possible use fresh basil prepared in a chiffonade.    

Tomato Pie

Classic Southern tomato pie, a savory summer pie with seasonal tomatoes and basil topped with a creamy cheese mixture and baked until golden brown in a flaky pie crust shell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prep Time 30 minutes mins Cook Time 55 minutes mins Total Time1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

● 1 9-inch frozen deep dish pie shell
● 3 large ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks about 3 to 4 cups
● I cup chopped onion - caramelized
● ¾ cup good quality mayonnaise I like Duke's
● 2 cups grated cheese - sharp cheddar, Gruyere, mozzarella and Monterey Jack
● Large handful of fresh basil, chopped or thinly sliced (chiffonade) about ¼ cup
● Frank’s hot sauce or Tabasco to taste
● Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400º.
2. Follow package directions to bake pie shell; prick bottom all over of sllghtly thawed shell, bake for 10 to 20 minutes until browned.
3. Meanwhile, place tomatoes in colander and sprinkle with salt. Let drain, tossing several times. Then with paper towels, press down to blot up even more of the liquid.
4. In small bowl, mix together mayonnaise and cheeses until combined well.
5. Turn oven down to 375º .
6. Layer baked pie shell as follows: onions, tomato, basil, salt and pepper, mayonnaise-cheese mixture and spread evenly over the top.
7. Bake in center of oven for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown on top. Cool at least 20 to 30 minutes or longer. Slice and serve, warm or at room temperature.

Notes

● Make sure to drain the tomatoes, extracting as much juice as possible.
● Grate the cheese yourself, it melts better. That said, prepackaged shredded cheese will work, too.
● Serve warm or at room temperature, make sure to let it cool at least 20 minutes or longer.