November 27, 2010
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Unstoppable

Unstoppable is a film I can describe to you in a single sentence and be assured you understand everything you need to know about it. Here goes: There’s a runaway train and Denzel Washington has to stop it. Still, I really enjoyed this one.

Why?

  • I like trains.
  • The industrial landscape shots were excellent.
  • I don’t know much about actors, but Denzel Washington is one I recognize and I’ve seen him in some enjoyable films.
  • The suspense was nail-biting, even though we all know that Stanton didn’t ever explode.

On the anchovy 5-fish rating scale, I give this one 3 tasty salties.

November 26, 2010
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Jog Gone

An underpass has been built at Dufferin and Queen Streets in Toronto, eliminating the Dufferin St. jog, an old planning oversight causing an odd block-long gap in Dufferin St. north of Queen. This significant change will help ease traffic congestion in the area and may well boost re-development west of the tracks. I wrote some comments about the jog and about some memories of the Queen West area over at that other place. Those of you who would like to comment over there on my ramblings will have to register, but then, as I discovered, the free registration comes with a blog. Of course you’re welcome to comment over here too.

November 25, 2010
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They forgot their brains at home…

Banff tourists fined for chasing grizzlies.

Read the article. Human stupidity knows no bounds. The sweeping bit of advice this article highlights is that just because they call it a national park doesn’t mean the wild animals won’t eat you.

November 23, 2010
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Chemnitzer Concertinas

I’ve been reading about chemnitzer concertinas. I’ve never played one of these beautiful instruments. They’re important in the “Push” style of Polish-American polka music which features the concertina, accordion (often playing “bellows-shake”), a pair of trumpets, bass and drums. Here’s Scrubby and the Dynatones from Buffalo NY…

I’ve come across a fantastic website for all things chemnitzer concertina. The site includes a vast sheet music library, articles on concertina history, and even some classified ads, in case you’re in the shopping mood. Prices range from 900 to 12,500 Americanos, + shipping, taxes and insurance.

For those interested in watching some very good concertina videos, check out fleeting days channel on YouTube. This fellow appears to have a fantastic collection of vintage instruments and he has ably adapted all sorts of music to concertina.

November 22, 2010
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Bad Reaction

Someone found my blog by searching “had a bad reaction from eating chanterelles”, and I thought this deserved a comment.

Chanterelles are by all accounts one of the safest edible wild mushrooms. However, some people suffer allergic reactions to all wild mushrooms. My first question is on the identification. Are you sure you’ve picked what you think you’ve picked? Chanterelles are fairly distinctive but there are look-alikes. Be sure. If you’re 100% sure of your identification but you’ve never eaten a particular type of wild mushroom before, cook up a small sample, try it and wait and see if you have any adverse reactions. Better to test your reaction with a small amount than to have a big meal and pay dearly later. Finally, be sure to cook all wild mushrooms very well. I don’t eat any wild mushrooms raw. To start with, I may be able to identify a handful of wild mushrooms but that doesn’t mean I can identify everything those mushrooms have been exposed to. Also, certain mushrooms are safe well cooked but are sickeners raw

November 20, 2010
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Comfort Food

Pea Soup

Tuffy P and I took the dogs out to one of the York Regional Forests this afternoon and we all enjoyed an invigorating hike. Some comfort food was called for. I made pea soup and skillet cornbread.

Here’s how I made the pea soup. I started some dried split peas cooking in a pot with some stock. I added in a couple diced up potatoes and a couple diced carrots. Meanwhile, I chopped up some bacon and started it happening in a fry pan. I added in onions, leeks, celery root, a little bit of savory and a little bit of dried rosemary. I let this cook slowly until the bacon cooked and the onions and leeks were becoming carmelized. Then I added the whole business to the soup pot and let it cook. I noticed that I had a piece of Portuguese sausage in the fridge so I chopped it up and tossed it in. Once the split peas were ready, I added in a couple cups of frozen peas and a big handful of chopped up chives.

We enjoyed this excellent soup with skillet cornbread, still warm from the oven.

Most delicious.

November 20, 2010
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Basketeers

Tuffy P decided to participate in the basketeers program this year, assisting women in new beginnings. I think it’s a great program. Tuffy did up two baskets this year, a bathroom basket and a kitchen basket and we dropped them off today for distribution to women in need. Below are some photos of the baskets at the drop-off point.