OMG

OMG ( Oh My God ). No wonder the chefs on the Food Network rave about duck fat. This is a six pound duck ( duckling ) that I roasted for dinner tonight. The fat that poured off of this bird is unbelievable. There is a ton of it, and it's all good.

Boats

This is the USS Salem at her slip next to the Fore River Bridge. I haven't boarded her in 5-6 years but it's an interesting tour. It's self-guided, so you can stay as long as you like. She was built here at the end of WWII and has returned in retirement.

This was the scene Saturday morning at Wollaston Beach. I don't know if it was poor navigation or exceptional navigation. On closer inspection, she is moored, and the stern is propped up by a couple of large rocks. I'm thinking engine trouble (out of fuel, maybe ?). I will stroll by this morning to see.

Rabbit and Veal Stew

I am not sure about any number of things but I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in Quincy cooking rabbit and veal at 9:30 in the morning. With our large Asian-American population, maybe I'm only sure about my building ! This is the rabbit cooking away in my cast-iron pot, and below is the veal, resting.

I kind of skimmed "The Joy of Cooking" and figured I couldn't screw this up too much. I bought the only rabbit they had at Stop & Shop and a package of stew veal. I will cut the rabbit off the bone, add some chicken stock and the veal, and simmer with potatoes, onions, and celery. Then I will add some flour to thicken.

History; Today

Today, October 25th, marks the 594th aniversary of the Battle of Agincourt. This was one of the most decisive battles in history, and gained for England the French crown, but their gains were squandered (mostly by Henry's son, Henry VI).

Today is also the 155th anniversary of the Battle of Balaclava, in the Crimea, made famous by the Charge of the Light Brigade (commemorated by Alfred Lord Tennyson). The French commander, Bosquet, commented "It is magnificent, but it is not war".

End of the Weekend

Sailboats moored in the Vineyard Haven harbor. Boats are a lot of work. I could probably handle the dinghy that's tied to the boat in the foreground.

This is one of the two boats operated by the Black Dog. It's the Alabama. They take you out for sunset cruises, etc.

This is about as close as I got to any kind of boat this weekend. The ferry is big and very stable. You barely feel any sensation from the seas.

Martha's Vineyard Again

Our annual golf outing to collect wooden nickels at the Newes From America is underway. We enjoyed more golf and are now headed out to eat, drink, and be merry.

Father/Son Golf on Martha's Vineyard

OK, I am neither a father or a son but I did get invited to go to Martha's Vineyard to play golf and generally hang out. The weather was perfect on Saturday and we played at Farm Neck until we ran out of daylight (we completed 13). It is awesome playing right next to the ocean.

I did not hit my second shot into this water hazard, despite my old tendencies. We were playing Scramble and 2 balls landed on the green so my shot (which was left of target) was not fatal. We had a great time and some people even went out Sunday in the rain and played 9.

Sausage, Spinach, Pasta

One of my favorite "one pot meals" ( Okay; it's a very limited category; I need to do more research ! ). Sweet Italian sausage, cut lengthwise and then into 1 inch pieces. After 2-3 minutes, add 1 large onion, chopped. Add 5-6 cups chicken broth; bring to a boil. Add 1 pound of pasta; broken into thirds ( if it's spaghetti or linguine, for example ). Cook and stir for about 8 minutes, then add 2 10 ounce packages of spinach ( fresh not frozen ! ). Wilt; then stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and 1 cup half-and-half. This seems better the day after; I put it in Tupperware and freeze it to bring it for lunch.

Golf

I am spending 5 days at the TPC Boston (Norton, Mass.) for the Deutsche Bank tournament. Thursday, during the Pro-Am, I got training on the greenside laser. This is the view you get from up in the tower. Some are even better.
The laser is GPS positioned to shoot the ball locations and distances from the hole. It's accurate to the inch !
This info is uplinked to their website and also made available to the TV announcers (If you ever wondered how they knew).

Pet Care and a Grilled Supper

I spent a couple of nights at my friend's house while they were away and had the monumental task of watching their cats ( notice how active this one is at all times ). They are very good cats and were no trouble at all.

I was able to grill my supper, something I really can't do at the condo. I made kielbasa, corn-on-the-cob, and brussels sprouts, all grilled ! I found the recipes online. Everything came out beautifully and I had leftovers for lunch.

Wollaston Beach

A hot Sunday in Quincy. A lot of people already at the beach at 9:30, including this woman who probably would not appreciate being photographed courtesy of the telephoto feature on my camera.

This was at 9:30; when I left, an hour later, someone actually waited for me to pull out so they could take my space.

The 99

I am not normally a fan of photos taken from a cellphone, but, since I have a brand-new Blackberry Curve, I have given in. This is my regular hangout on Sunday afternoons. I was showing my friend how the camera worked and decided to keep this one. The bar is not usually crowded; I think The 99 wants it that way (it's a restaurant, not a bar).

Pizza !

Homemade pizza ! Of course I cheat and buy frozen dough, but what the heck. A little sauce, a little cheese, and some crumbled sausage.

Homemade Fried Rice

This is not the best fried rice I've ever had; I think the fried rice at Great Chow is better. But it's close. And homemade ! I cooked some Uncle Ben's and put it in the 'fridge. The next night, a little canola oil, some diced ham, a little onion, a handful of frozen peas and carrots, and there you have it ! Made in my brand-new (yard sale) aluminum wok.

Beautiful start to the day

The park ranger lady was cleaning up trash at Wollaston Beach. She agreed with me that it's pretty amazing that there's trash on the ground 10 feet from either of the 2 barrels near this bench. I guess it's the product of poor upbringing (yes, Mom, that's a compliment !).

The bumper stickers say "I'd rather be fishing". This looks to me like it could be improved by a portable fold-up canvas chair, but what do I know about fishing ? I love to sit in the boat, and I would hang out here with a cooler, but my favorite fish has already been caught and cleaned.

I was talking to a guy who was walking the beach at the end of Squantum Point. He walks every morning with his dog and picks up the broken glass that the kids leave behind. The dog always finds something to play with (a crushed piece of PVC pipe this time). He says it's easier than playing with the dog himself !

Quincy Center Project

This is where Alba's Trattoria and The Holy Ground were. I'm hoping this is the beginning of the one billion dollar Quincy Center development project and not just another guy coming in to make a quick buck (like the owner of Alba's did; he opened the place knowing it was going to be razed when the project began, then, unbelievably, moved down the street where his new building will also be razed).

May 31, 2009

I imagine it's awfully tough to get off of this boat and onto the dock. Ha ha, even a landlubber like myself knows this is low tide (note that the boat is aground).

Sometime I want to try kayaking. The ocean was as calm as a millpond this morning.

Memorial Day

This is the site of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home near Wollaston Beach. It was a farm and home for Civil War veterans. It closed in 1931. It is very quiet and peaceful here. Furnace Brook is in the background.

I went over to Moswetuset and found this flower in the middle of the wood. If I knew more about flowers I would tell you what it was. Maybe a daffodil ?

Old House

My friend's former home (divorce, etc.). This was the office and showroom of the Quincy Lumber Company (?). Every floor in every room is finished with a different wood. It was pretty cool to see.

Cemetery Statuary

I went to Mt. Wollaston Cemetery this morning. I ran into a guy with a tripod, photographing this statue of an elk (raised by the Quincy Elks). I said "it's nice to know I'm not the only crazy person taking pictures in a cemetery". He laughed (a sure sign of dementia !); I laughed back (an even surer sign of dementia !).

Now we are looking at an impressive piece of masonry. Was he famous ? Or did his family have a lot of money to spend ? What will mine look like ? I have already requested burial in a dumpster, but I don't think my family will comply.

This is a particularly sad story, if you enlarge the photo. Five children. One made it to the age of eight, and he drowned (last name at the bottom). I have never been a parent, but I can't imagine 5 more kids would erase those kind of memories. I guess it really illustrates the differences between the 1850s-60s and today, with our doctors and hospitals.

50 Birthday Beers, part 5 (done !)

Peak Organic Beer and Czechwar Premium Czech Lager

Franziskaner Weissbier and Wachusett IPA

Lakefront Cherry Lager and Avery Karma Ale

Victory Sunrise Weissbier and SkullSplitter Orkney Ale

Dogfish Head and Bavik Belgian

As I have said, I should have kept notes. There were too many varieties to keep it all straight in my head. 50 of these unusual beers, ales, and stouts are too much to expect every year, so I don't think I'll be doing this again for a while ( maybe 60th ? ).

Public Library

The Thomas Crane Library in Quincy is the second-largest public library in the state. The money to build the first (oldest) section was donated by Crane. The design was by H. H. Richardson, who I believe did Trinity Church in Copley Square. Crane, for some reason, never visited his library.

50 Beers, Part 4

More from the 50 birthday beers I received as a present . . .

Pranqster Belgian Golden Ale and Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout

Victory Prima Pils and Mackeson's Triple Stout

Anchor Porter and Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale and Stone Pale Ale

New Orleans Dixie Beer and Warsteiner Premium Verum

Lasagna

Another batch of lasagna. Now I have leftovers for lunch ! This one contains ground sausage; usually I use hamburger.

New Music

One of my loyal readers has requested new music; I have complied. If you wait (patiently !) you will be treated to the sound of Salt n Pepa's "Shoop". It's Ellen Degeneres' favorite song; that's good enough for me.

Panera Bread Lunch

Since I forgot to bring lunch today, we were forced to go to Panera Bread. This is Asiago Roast Beef, a bowl of Clam Chowder, and a pickle.

50 Beers, Part 3

More from the 50th celebration. I wish I had kept notes ! Most were what I would call "acquired taste" beers and ales. Not the normal American pilseners.

Victory Golden Monkey and HeBrew Messiah Bold

Reading Premium Beer and Ballast Point Big Eye IPA

Kustritzer Schwarzbier and Veltins Pilsener

Bellhaven Scottish Draught Ale and Boddington's Pub Ale

Tetley's Draught English Ale and River Horse Brewer's Reserve