In lieu of music this morning I bring you food. Specifically, food from any number of vacations we taken both here and abroad.
Google Photo's AI feature feeds me unsolicited gems like this periodically. Short video slide shows assembled from photos archived in the cloud.
Further evidence Google is a force for good.
And pretty good chow if you can get it....
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 USS Drum.
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| Forward Torpedo Tubes |
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| The Helm |
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| Electric Motors |
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| Engine Room |
Fast Facts:
The Drum survived depth charge attacks and serious damage multiple times.
Her crew performed numerous daring attacks in Japanese-controlled waters.
Despite being battle-hardened, no crew member was lost to enemy action during war patrols. She is a Lucky Boat.
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| Galley |
Max Miller is an American YouTuber and cook known for being the creator and host of Tasting History, a culinary and history fusion web-show that recreates ancient or historical recipes and explains the history around them.
Being a crew member aboard a submarine during World War II was one of the most dangerous jobs in the US military with a fatality rate of over 20%. This, and the extremely cramped and uncomfortable quarters, were why the food aboard a US sub was really good. If nothing else, at least you had delicious food to keep you going.
In this episode Max takes a couple pages out of the Official WWII Navy Cookbook to prepare Swiss Steak with Mashed Potatoes. These steaks cook up to be fall-apart tender and delicious, and the mashed potatoes have wonderful flavor, even if the texture is a little different from regular mashed potatoes. According to Max the spuds kind of remind him of the mashed potatoes he'd get as a kid in school, which were also probably made from dehydrated potatoes.
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.
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| Original Place Setting |
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.
Yesterday marked the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings on the Cotentin Peninsula of Northern France. The next step in wresting tyranny from the Axis powers and returning freedom to the people of Europe after years of occupation.
My father landed on Utah Beach as an infantry replacement following the initial invasion. He was a machine gunner in a weapons platoon. He spent more time training for his assignment than fulfilling it. He was wounded in September in the liberation of Belgium. Repatriated to England to recover from his wounds he returned after the surrender of Germany to serve briefly in the Army of Occupation before returning stateside.
Quite the adventure for a 20 year-old man who came of age in the depression years.
Anyway, on our first trip to France we traced his unit's movements In the Bocage of the Norman countryside. Some photos from the beachhead and the first objective; the town of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont....
If you are geographically-inclined you might know that there are four points on the world that are halfway between the geographic poles, the equator, the Prime Meridian and the 180th meridian. They are known as 45x90 points.
Two of the points are situated in the middle of the ocean with the other two found on land. The first point on land is situated in a remote, mountainous region of China adjacent to Mongolia and is quite difficult to visit.
The second point on land is found here in Wisconsin. Yup; we're the center of the world and thus the center of attention. Located just west of Wausau in the middle of a farm field in Poniatowski is the geographic intersection of the 45 north parallel and the 90 west parallel.
If you're passing thru the Wausau area and the weather is favorable you might want to pay a call so you can tic it off your bucket list. Poniatowski is an exceedingly small unincorporated town named after a Polish general.
In recent years everything was updated by volunteers and business contributors. The area was resurveyed, a path constructed, benches placed along with signage and an official geographical marker embedded in concrete.
So if your looking for an excuse for a road trip now you got one. There is no restroom facility.
Clonmacnoise, Ireland
The Feast Day of Saint Patrick has taken-on more significance
for me since we traveled and visited the Old Sod of my ancestors before COVID. Unless you are oblivious it is obvious that the Republic of Ireland is
most assuredly a bastion of the Roman Catholic tradition of the Christian faith. And I suppose more than a few visitors are left with the impression that Ireland is - in some official capacity - a Catholic
country. While Catholics significantly outnumber all other faith traditions in Ireland, there is no
reference to Catholicism in the Irish Constitution. Ireland
is officially a secular state and tolerates all belief systems. Of
course, on my visit not even once did I spy a Lutheran church. But I
digress.
Getting back to the Feast Day the story of Ireland’s Patron Saint persists and you readers
are likely wondering if St. Patrick really did chase the snakes out of Ireland. Or is that tale just a bunch of
blarney?
According to the tale way
back in the fifth century the legendary priest raised his staff and banished
the reptiles into the seas surrounding the Emerald Isle. Save for those in captivity it is true that
Ireland has no snakes. But this current
condition has less to do with religious tradition and more to do with geologic
history and events dating many millennia ago.
Following the retreat of the last glaciers some 15,000 years ago Ireland
was devoid of snakes. Surrounded by icy
waters to this very day snakes cannot swim or find their way there and as a
consequence Ireland remains snake-free.
That’s too bad because if my
recreational DNA test is to be believed I am becoming more Irish with every
passing year. And I have a particular
fondness for snakes. The bigger the better.
Like this dandy five foot long Western
Fox Snake. I also like a good saint when
I see one and St. Patrick wasn’t even Irish.
Patrick was born of aristocratic blood
in Britain probably around the year 390.
The legend says that he was not particularly religious. At age 16 he was kidnapped into slavery was
forced into life as a sheepherder in Ireland.
It is held that it was during this time that he found God and became a
believer.
As the story goes he
began hearing voices and the voices instructed him to flee. Which he did.
Patrick eventually found his way back to Britain and his family. Alas, the voices returned commanding him to
return to Ireland. He was ordained a
priest, went back to Ireland and spent the balance of a rather difficult life
converting the pagan Celts to Christianity.
He died on March 17, 461 and was promptly forgotten.
Nevertheless, over many years faithful
conviction and belief in the story of Patrick grew. And he grew ever larger after his death than
he did in real life. Hundreds of years
after the fact he was honored as Ireland’s patron saint.
So
on March 17th we gather to pay homage to this saint who - ostensibly - banished
the snakes from Ireland. It is said that
on this one day of the year everyone is Irish.
Since I have real Irish blood coursing
through my veins I intend to raise a glass of Guinness and toast my ancestors
and Saint Patrick. I will ignore the
part about the sketchy British and Western European connection.
Speaking
of Guinness - according to the Guinness people somewhere around 5.5 million
pints of Guinness stout are consumed world-wide each and every day. On St. Patrick’s Day this will grow to 13 million pints.
Drink responsibly
people.
Sláinte!
Very well researched. I’ve read most of the author's books and enjoyed them all. This book methodically takes you through all the events leading to the start of the Civil War with personal thoughts and accounts of key individuals. Amazing story that provides insight into the beginnings of the bloodiest and most deadly fight ever.
Earlier this year when we were on family vacation in the United Kingdom we scored tickets to see Van Morrison at Royal Albert Hall in London.
This was one of the songs in the play list that evening.
Composed by my favorite Irish singer-songwriter this was the title song of his 1995 album of the same name. It's one of the most popular tunes of his later material.
It peaked at number 65 in the UK when release and later reached the number 12 spot on the US Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales Chart. Who knew there was such a chart?
Days Like This.....
Today is Independence Day - a day to celebrate the birth
of this great nation of ours. Casting-aside the yoke of British oppression it is on
this day that we recognize and celebrate the Declaration of Independence of the
United States on July 4, 1776.
To be absolutely clear, the Congress had voted to declare independence
two days earlier - on July 2 - but it was not formally declared until July 4.
Take a few moments from your celebration today to go to this link and take a handful of short quizzes. Test
your knowledge of the Constitution by measuring your Constitution I.Q. You can also find out which of the Founding Fathers you are most like and which one you would likely vote for.
In case you are wondering I not only aced the ten question Constitution Quiz - I am also most like James Madison and
would likely vote for Benjamin Franklin. But I digress.
Ordinarily I would say something snarky about British royalty today but I am going to demure. Recent SCOTUS action notwithstanding I'm tickled that we don't have a present or future president with the absolute powers of a monarch.
Nevertheless, coming off of a charming family vacation in the United Kingdom I have a new found appreciation and fondness for the the people that live there. And all of the pomp and circumstance that comes with British royalty is sorta quaint.
So while this has nothing to do with our national birthday celebration today; here's a short video clip from Buckingham Palace of the procession leading-up to the changing of the guard.
Everybody likes the precision drill of a marching band.....
We returned from almost three weeks of family vacation in the UK last week.
While there, a visit to Stonehenge was in order.
No Druids were involved as this is both a Neolithic religious and astronomical site.
Happy Solstice, people!
When you live half-way between the equator and the North Pole your growing season is short. Add to this a family vacation that takes you out of county for almost three weeks and whatever you have growing has to fend for itself.
Hence, the garden is a mess. The sweet potato planting has failed. The critters ate all the pea vines. Weeds are thriving. Only the leeks have thrived. I'll till the mess under and start over. There is time.
The flower gardens are overgrown with grasses; nevertheless, Jill's iris have burst thru the mayhem with all their glory.
Thank God; I thought they'd be done by the time we returned.
Peonies are doing nicely too.
Check these out....
Back from a family vacation to the UK so there is this.
Drums and pipes and tribalism.
Clanadonia performing Hamsterheid.....
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| Kilfenora - Ireland |
The Feast Day of Saint Patrick has taken-on more significance
for me since we traveled and visited the Old Sod of my ancestors November, 2019. Unless you are oblivious it is obvious that the Republic of Ireland is
most assuredly a bastion of the Roman Catholic tradition of the Christian faith. And I suppose more than a few visitors are left with the impression that Ireland is - in some official capacity - a Catholic
country. While Catholics significantly outnumber all other faith traditions in Ireland, there is no
reference to Catholicism in the Irish Constitution. Ireland
is officially a secular state and tolerates all belief systems. Of
course, on my visit not even once did I spy a Lutheran church. But I
digress.
Getting back to the Feast Day the story of Ireland’s Patron Saint persists and you readers
are likely wondering if St. Patrick really did chase the snakes out of Ireland. Or is that tale just a bunch of
blarney?
According to the tale way
back in the fifth century the legendary priest raised his staff and banished
the reptiles into the seas surrounding the Emerald Isle. Save for those in captivity it is true that
Ireland has no snakes. But this current
condition has less to do with religious tradition and more to do with geologic
history and events dating many millennia ago.
Following the retreat of the last glaciers some 15,000 years ago Ireland
was devoid of snakes. Surrounded by icy
waters to this very day snakes cannot swim or find their way there and as a
consequence Ireland remains snake-free.
That’s too bad because if my
recreational DNA test is to be believed I am becoming more Irish with every
passing year. And I have a particular
fondness for snakes. The bigger the better.
Like this dandy five foot long Western
Fox Snake. I also like a good saint when
I see one and St. Patrick wasn’t even Irish.
Patrick was born of aristocratic blood
in Britain probably around the year 390.
The legend says that he was not particularly religious. At age 16 he was kidnapped into slavery was
forced into life as a sheepherder in Ireland.
It is held that it was during this time that he found God and became a
believer.
As the story goes he
began hearing voices and the voices instructed him to flee. Which he did.
Patrick eventually found his way back to Britain and his family. Alas, the voices returned commanding him to
return to Ireland. He was ordained a
priest, went back to Ireland and spent the balance of a rather difficult life
converting the pagan Celts to Christianity.
He died on March 17, 461 and was promptly forgotten.
Nevertheless, over many years faithful
conviction and belief in the story of Patrick grew. And he grew ever larger after his death than
he did in real life. Hundreds of years
after the fact he was honored as Ireland’s patron saint.
So
on March 17th we gather to pay homage to this saint who - ostensibly - banished
the snakes from Ireland. It is said that
on this one day of the year everyone is Irish.
Since I have real Irish blood coursing
through my veins I intend to raise a glass of Guinness and toast my ancestors
and Saint Patrick. I will ignore the
part about the sketchy British and Western European connection.
Speaking
of Guinness - according to the Guinness people somewhere around 5.5 million
pints of Guinness stout are consumed world-wide each and every day. On St. Patrick’s Day this will grow to 13 million pints.
Drink responsibly
people.
Sláinte!
This is one of my personal Top Ten Tunes. And this video is the first published on the
blog to launch some of the oddball music that finds its way here every Friday.
Originally released on The Moody
Blues 1967 album Days of Future Passed - a concept album chronicling a typical
day – this song was subsequently released as a single in 1968.
According to an interview with Justin Hayward, he composed this tune while sitting in the middle of a field near
his home in England on a beautiful spring afternoon. He claims that he had his
acoustic guitar in hand and the song just came to him. The song features
Hayward on lead vocals and acoustic guitar. The backing melody comes from the
mellotron, which was played by Mike Pinder. There is also a short flute solo at
the end played by Ray Thomas.
Fun Fact: The jeans worn by Ray Thomas in this video are identical to jeans I wore in 1969. Tie-dyed with black spattered ink accents. High style. Traveling in Germany that summer my trousers would periodically draw the gaze of the locals and hushed comments like: Das Hosen! Good taste, Ray. But I might have beat you to it.
Tuesday Afternoon.....
Most of you readers know that I am a consummate sucker for cemeteries. The older the better. I just love walking around imagining the lives of those interred or entombed underfoot or around me. While traveling last month through the low country of Charleston, Beaufort and Savannah I scratched my cemetery itch on several occasions. A walk through Bonaventure Cemetery included something special.
Taphophobia - the fear of being buried alive as a consequence of being incorrectly pronounced dead.
This was a thing back in the 19th century. The horror of burial alive was rampant in port cities like Savannah, Georgia who had the plague of yellow fever epidemics visited-upon them. The comas of the stricken could be so deep that the sick were sometimes mistaken for dead. Ghoulish tales written by contemporary author Edgar Allan Poe put nobody's mind at ease.
Naturally, entrepreneurs and inventors capitalized on this and produced any number of gizmos to facilitate the resurrection of those buried before actually dead. Many of these solutions involved some sort of alarm that could be triggered by the entombed to alert cemetery staff of their need for rescue.
At Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah there is one such device that is present at the grave of Charles F. Mills.
Mills was a prominent and wealth Savannah businessman operating a steamship line on the Savannah River and served as president of the Marine Bank of Georgia. He was buried in Bonaventure Cemetery on April 11, 1876 at age 74. The vault is below this magnificent monument and his grave bell sits atop a pipe rising several inches from the ground immediately to the left of Mill's tomb.
The bell was connected to one of more strings or wires tied to the occupant's fingers or toes. If the deceased woke, his movements would ring the bell and sound the alarm. Cemetery staff could then pump fresh air into the pipe until the occupant was disinterred and rescued.
Naturally, by the time the 20th century rolled-around the widespread practice of embalming obviated the need for grave bells. Nevertheless, these were a common sight at the graves of Bonaventure's wealthy occupants. Most of them were later salvaged as scrap for wartime use during the first world war. Because Mill's bell was cast in bronze it persists to modern time as the last intact grave bell at Bonaventure.
True story.
From our travels to the low country last month we found ourselves midway thru the trip in Beaufort, SC.
Our VRBO - Craftsman Bungalow
Watching the sun come-up from another porch
Bird calls here are different this time of year
Dolphins
Beaufort historic district from the water
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