It was a nice day and I wanted to get out of the house, so I took a drive to the orchard. I picked up a five pound bag of galas for mom, a bushel of some sort for Mrs. Chambers to make pies, and a 5 lb bag of ginger golds for myself.
I’m feeling like shit, with a touch of a cold from my allergies, so I swung by the honey stand to pick up some local honey, some honeycomb, and some bee pollen. I went to Bedillion Honey Farms, which is a great little place. I picked up some orange blossom, some buckwheat honey, and one I have never seen before, Japanese Knotweed. I did a little taste test, and the orange blossom and buckwheat are exactly what you would expect (light and fruity on the former, deep and rich and honestly just tastes like farm air on the latter), but the knotweed was something special, and I think I need to eat more to really get a taste on it.
Fuck Donald Trump.
SiubhanDuinne
That is such a Rosh Hashana-ish thing for you to do.
Leto
Avalune and I went on a bike ride today. We did 26 miles. Took a bit over 3 hours. This is the most continual exercise/furthest I’ve ridden since my accident (two years next month). It felt really, really good. I’m tired in a good way, and I can’t wait for us to do it again.
Fuck Trumpov.
WaterGirl
What do you do with bee pollen and honeycomb?
John Cole
@WaterGirl: I sprinkle the bee pollen in tea and I chew the honeycomb like gum.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Leto: I started taking my dogs for walks again, it’s been about 6 months. About half way in, the little one, just laid down and acted like her legs didn’t work anymore. I was concerned and carried her home and she was fine. Today’s walk was shorter.
Yutsano
@SiubhanDuinne:
Charoset. Yes it’s for Passover traditionally but who cares? It’s delicious.
Note: that recipe uses brown sugar but traditional is honey.
WaterGirl
@John Cole: Huh. Interesting! Is bee pollen crunchy?
Does all that help with allergies? I have heard that about local honey.
Ruckus
@WaterGirl:
Are you sure you want to know?
WaterGirl
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Somebody is out of shape?
Old Dan and Little Ann
We moved into our house 10 years ago in May. We’ve talked about planting a tree every year. A 5 foot red maple showed up in a box on our stoop today. It took me less than an hour to dig the hole and plant that sucker in our front yard. The life of a procrastinator. Better late than never.
WaterGirl
@Ruckus: Made me laugh. I was pretty sure it wouldn’t be x-rated.
MobiusKlein
@Leto: I’ve been distant from my exercise routine, and it sucks too. Used to bike to the office 10 KM each way, but not in the last 6 months. Well, and the heart troubles have made it less enticing too, I guess.
On the positive side, I do get to look out the window at my apple tree while working. They are getting red, might be ready for pie soon. No clue which type, but red with thick tough skin. Fun watching all the pollinators come and go to.
Fucktrump.
Juju
I agree. Fuck Donald Trump. I don’t drop the F-bomb that often, but I can’t think of any other expression. I also think everyone should call their senators, especially if you are in a swing state and tell them they should call BS on Trump’s lies about mail in ballots. I’m calling Tillis and Burr tomorrow and ask them to defend my vote. I don’t know if it will do anything, but at least I won’t be sitting here and chewing my nails off. Trump cannot get away with stealing the election.
jonas
Japanese knotweed is an invasive species. The DEC is trying to eradicate it up here in NY.
Steverino
Japanese Knotweed is one of the worst invasive species in North America.
https://slate.com/technology/2019/05/japanese-knotweed-invasive-plants.html
Yutsano
@Leto:
I refuse to use his actual name. Even giving it the Russian honorific is too close. Names convey respect to me, and he has deserved absolutely none from me. I guess you could consider it me shunning him, in a way. I stand by my choices here.
mrmoshpotato
@Leto:
??? Congrats.
Leto
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Haha, I’ve seen a number of videos with pups who’ve said, “Yup, I’m good. Done. I’ll be right here.“ Mine has definitely received more walkies since we’ve both been home.
@MobiusKlein: I stopped going to PT back in late Feb when this was all kicking off and haven’t been back since because 1) no way in hell I’m doing that and 2) I’ve basically received all the benefit I can. Since then, I’ve been slack in the exercise but in the past two weeks have been biking more. The cool down in the weather definitely helped, but also the extra tire in the belly area is bad for me for a few specific reasons beyond the obvious. Also this was a test of sorts and I feel like I passed with flying colors. Didn’t hurt that it was basically all flat and paved. :)
WaterGirl
@Leto:
Yippee!
Chetan Murthy
Fuck trump indeed. And all who ride in him: may they all die of Covid, and those who do not, DIAF. Just die, all of them.
Yesterday I was really, really feeling cabin fever. The lack of going to the gym, the lack of being able to swim. And with my joint problems, biking up-and-down hills is not on the cards. Ugh. Today I spent a half-hour with the TRX harness out front of the house (hanging off the tree in front) and I feel better.
But geez, yesterday if I’d had ’em all trussed-up and pointed feet-first at a woodchipper I’d have pressed the big START button and just put on my sound-deadening earmuffs. And read some blogs. Goddammit. Goddammit.
Leto
@Yutsano: I support that choice. Shame them all till they’re wiped out, then shame whatever comes next. But I’ll say his name in the Russian. All my devices correct it to that.
@mrmoshpotato: Thanks :)
James E Powell
Seeing the words local honey reminded me that I am a stan for Brian Fallon and since this is open thread I’m just saying that his latest album Local Honey is worth a listen or three When You’re Ready. There are songs on there that got me through some moments earlier this year.
mrmoshpotato
@Yutsano:
It’s why I call him Dump and a Soviet shitpile mobster conman.
prostratedragon
@Yutsano: Ummm, sounds like a cousin to Waldorf salad. Tasty. In my family we skip the celery/grapes and use pimento.
mrmoshpotato
?I want some burgers and fries ?
Ruckus
@WaterGirl:
I didn’t think so either but in this case, one never knows….
MobiusKlein
@Leto: I should have congratulated you too!
Ruckus
@Yutsano:
When I use his name I don’t capitalize, he’s not worth it. But I also use the phrase shitforbrains. If you don’t want to spell it out shb works but then you have to explain so it’s easier to use shitforbrains and be done with it. Never had anyone question who that is….
prostratedragon
@mrmoshpotato:
Or maybe Fried Neckbones and some home fries?
Benw
Ah that sounds really nice.
Fuck Trump
opiejeanne
@prostratedragon: I made Waldorf salad with apples from one of our trees, grapes, walnuts, and celery. A little lime juice and some mayo, divine. The apple is Akane; we picked it up cheap because the name tag was missing, and only identified it after it produced fruit. The apples are ripe now and very pretty, and we’ve been eating them out of hand
Also, fuck Trump
Kropacetic
What? Like literally? No. Eww.
2liberal
We just had a zoomer with the Maricopa County Recorder, he made a great presentation! (this is Phoenix plus ‘burbs). The sponsoring organization misspelled resisters as resistors (I think) but I like their attitude.
https://www.facebook.com/azresistors/videos/651793595469493
Maricopa has 2.5 million registered voters and is the 5th largest voting unit in the USA
(I am one of those voters)
Arizona mostly votes by mail anyway (80%)
Yutsano
@prostratedragon: If so, charoset is the much older cousin in the family.
Little PA Dutchman
Hey cats and kittens! Long time listener, first time caller here. From the good folks at the Rodale Institute and Mike McGrath of You Bet Your Garden, DO NOT BUY JAPANESE KNOTWEED HONEY!1!1!1. Japanese Knotweed is one of the MOST invasive plants on the East Coast and almost impossible to eradicate1 It’s roots grow 30 feet and the smallest remnant can regenerate the entire plant. The only way to control this monster is with toxic pesticides or pouring a concrete slab over it to build a nice patio large enough to entertain your entire neighborhood. Over and Out fellow Juicers. Duck Trump!
Steeplejack
@prostratedragon:
That seems like a very odd substitution.
prostratedragon
@Yutsano: Oh no doubt. I looked up Waldorf in wikipedia, and not only was it only invented in the late 19th century, but the walnuts were a newer innovation —perhaps from someone who had learned about charoset?
Adam L Silverman
@WaterGirl: Ballon Juice isn’t zoned for an answer to that question. We don’t have a cabaret license.
Adam L Silverman
@Yutsano: It is traditional to serve apples and honey at the Rosh HaShana (Jewish New Year) holiday meal. Charset, which symbolizes the mortar the enslaved Israelites used to put the bricks in place for the Egyptians is served at Passover, which is in the Spring. Rosh HaShana was last Friday night.
prostratedragon
@Steeplejack: Yes, I have no idea why, but it works. Just a light coating of mayo to hold it together. You get the hard crunch of the nuts, the softer, juicier crunch of the apples, and then that mild, peppery, I-don’t-know-what from the pimento. It’s almost all I need for Thanksgiving dinner (and some roux-based macaroni and cheese. and some reason to eat cranberries.).
CaseyL
How lovely, to live within driving distance of orchards and honey stands, and able to go visit them!
I’ve done little but sit on my ass the last month or so. The first 2, maybe 3, months of pandemic I was very good about getting out for long walks semi-regularly; plus working in the art studio. Now I’ve reached some kind of “fuckit” stage, with the extreme angst over the election not helping one bit.
Anti-depressants are strange or I should say, the one I take is. I don’t actively feel “bad” – no pounding head or heart, no quickened pulse, no nausea, none of that flash of ice-water-in-the-veins feeling. Everything is kind of muted, even rage.
But my subconscious still knows, or my body does, because I have a hard time getting up any motivation for more than routine matters.
The weekend road trips to look at houses did break me out of that a fair bit, walking around new-to-me towns… but I haven’t any more planned for any time soon. Maybe I should, just to get out of the rut.
mrmoshpotato
@prostratedragon: Good use of the güiro.
geg6
@prostratedragon:
I love cranberries. I keep a bag of dried cranberries in my office. I put them in yogurt or oatmeal for my breakfast and just munch them like raisins, maybe with some nuts, for an afternoon snack. I put them in salads, too. Love them and they are good for you in many ways. They taste great with honey, too.
Jay
@Little PA Dutchman:
nobody plants Japanese Knotweed for the bees.
bee’s don’t know that Japanese Knotweed is an invasive species, just that a certain times of the year, it’s the dominant flower around,
Therefore, the honey they produce is Japanese Knot weed honey, just like at other times of the year, it’s rosemary, orange blossom, clover, lavender,
Jay
@CaseyL:
you are supposed to do, at least “one good, centering thing” a day.
Even if it’s just 5 minutes, wholly focused on clouds scudding across the sky, or the faint shadings of a flower, or dog interactions in a dog park.
Adam L Silverman
@Leto: Well done!
OT: I sent you an email to the address you use to comment here.
Steeplejack
@CaseyL:
What is the author and/or title of the jaguar trilogy you mentioned in the earlier thread?
cain
I joined a fall CSA and will be looking forward to fresh produce. My own garden produced no tomatoes despite several plants because it got some kind of sickness. But I should get some nice squash soon. I am thinking of raising bees next year.. bee pollen, honeycombs, and honey! It’ll be fun I think!
Also, Fuck Trump.
prostratedragon
@geg6: I use homemade, whole-berry sauce in whole plain yogurt after the holiday. Never tried them on oatmeal but, well, why not? They’re similar enough to raisins but with a more interesting taste imo.
Achrachno
@Little PA Dutchman: I’m hazy on how buying knotweed honey is a bad thing. Doing so does not spread the knotweed, unless a market encourages people to grow fields of it rather than just relying on weedy roadside populations. Is that happening? The bees are busy pollinating anyway, right? Or, are beekeepers protecting knotweed stands from eradication efforts? That seems unlikely to me.
prostratedragon
@mrmoshpotato:
More, and also with plenty of cowbell and woodblock, though for my money a good mindfulness exercise is following all the cymbals. Or just relax and let it wash over you.
frosty
@Leto: Congrats! I started biking regularly in August and today my wife said she thought my belly had shrunk!
I hope you can keep it up. It’s good exercise, it’s fun, and it’s scenic too.
PS Bike shorts. I held off because they’re dorky but gave in after the pain of two 15 mile rides. Damn if they don’t work!
PPS. Helmet. I’ve been doing a group ride and one of our party had a spill right in front of me last night. Front tire slid out (probably from hitting a walnut) and he hit the ground so fast there was no way to break a fall. I’m not going to be a slacker any more.
Benw
@Kropacetic: lol like no, metaphorically.
prostratedragon
Poncho Sanchez was in percussion on that one, and the leader on this one:
Leto
@frosty: bike shorts: nope, def have to have those now. My sit bones were re-arranged so def have to have them.
Helmet: I’m 50/50 on that. My gravel bike/road bike I’ll wear it because I’m usually going faster and there’s the gravel part… but the bike I had today (Brompton) I usually don’t wear one. I lived in Europe too long where none of them do unless they’re doing road racing stuff.
Hey, I saw you’re a PA person too. Anywhere near the Philly area? (You don’t have to answer if you don’t want, not trying to geo-locate you or anything. Just thinking about riding stuff) I was a regular rider for a long time before the accident, but it was one of the first things I tried to do when I felt comfortable enough to try. I think it was about
8 monthsafter the accident. *edit it was longer than that but I can’t remember atm.SectionH
Maybe it is going “fuckem” since last Friday, but I got back in the pool in our condo Monday for the first time in more than a year (so my slouchy wasn’t All Covid, but it was mostly). I only managed a few laps, but it was wonderful.
Yeah, our pool’s mostly been open all the time, and it gets inspected assiduously by the city for adequate chemical levels. There were a couple of weeks it got closed, I think more because people were cheating and sneaking their friends/distant relatives in, and hanging out so no one else could use the pool. But our mgmt guys doubled down, and it got reopened pretty fast. And people aren’t cheating anymore.
CaseyL
@Steeplejack: An absolutely wonderful Canadian writer, Phylllis Gottlieb, more known there for her poetry.
The trilogy, which I HIGHLY recommend is:
a Judgment of Dragons
Emperor, Pentacle, Sword
Kingdom of the Cats
Steeplejack (phone)
@CaseyL:
Thanks.
Steppy
@Achrachno: We in the beekeeping community are well aware that knotweed is horribly invasive. We do not encourage propagation nor do we oppose eradication. Honey bees do find it to be a plentiful nectar source and it does make interesting honey.
My local club is very active in promoting the planting of native plants for honey bees and other pollinators and I would suspect that many local beekeeping organizations have the same attitude.
Emily B.
Forget knotweed honey—the plant itself is edible. Sauteed with some butter and lemon, it’s not bad. There are worse ways to eradicate an invasive. https://www.ediblewildfood.com/japanese-knotweed.aspx@Little PA Dutchman: