The adventures of a technophile, gentleman forester, aspiring divemaster, and cat fancier.

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This writing prompt took a couple of days to work on. I know what TS’ bio would be titled, “Oy, Fuck”… that’s what she mutters a lot as we tromp through our woodlot. Me, with my daddy-longlegs… I walk over stuff. If she can find a trip-hazard, she will find it. Mind you, her stamina on walks is SIGNIFICANTLY greater than mine. She’s been working out. Me? I’m catching up.

As I read Debra Welton’s books about raising and adding a companion dog to our family, I get the sinking feeling that a dog in our home might have to wait for awhile. Cats? Raising cats makes sense to me. They’re taught to be independent and encouraged to bond to each other. Dogs? Dogs have to be in a pack with a leader — me. Dogs must remain subservient to the human. If I really do end up adopting a young dog, it must be given clear rules. No exceptions. Yes/no answers. Cats… well cats look for loopholes and take my orders under advisement.

Now that we are out of the city and a hell of a lot closer to our new home, I can train to get back into the water. This Fall, I can look into getting my Master Diver certification and resume diving at Five Fathom’s Marine Park. By late August, the water will have warmed up enough for comfortable dives (well at least the first 10-20 feet, anyway [the first thermocline]). Where will I get my training? There’s 1 game in town… so I’ll go with Diver’s Den. And when will I get my Dive Master certification? Ah… that will wait. Once we are moved to our permenant address, I can see what are my training options.

This summer will entail a lot of chainsaw work and brush clearing. TS and I want to plan out our raised garden beds in the back yard… and thin out the trees on the rock outcrop behind our home.

3 MEAT MARKETS IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

…being auditioned as our new supplier {{{click on image for annotations}}}…

Moore’s Meats, Southampton Meat Market, Homestretch Meat Market, Southampton Cheese Market, Premier Portable Buildings, Kilsyth, Chatsworth.

ts’ Latest baking test

{{{Click on image to see annotations}}}

Food-Science Lesson TS shared with me: if one uses white sugar instead of Turbinado, the hydrophillic crystals will take up water from the pastery. So, when they come out of the oven, they are crispy. The next evening (because let’s face it, neither PN nor TS can/should eat 10 pastries at 1 sitting), their surfaces had a syrup coating. TS also used reworked butter crust for that braided creation. Its an unforgiving dough, however, TS wouldn’t waste it. I agree. 🙂

so, what’s going on at the construction site?

…and what nonsense is happening in lion’s head?

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