Ok, that's a strange title. Here is what it is all about. Everyone has a little pyromaniac in them. I certainly count myself among that crowd. From shooting stick matches with a rubber band and a wooden thread spool to melting six pack tabs into a bucket of water and a couple in between. Hell, I almost burned my house down as a kid.
Do you see the pole leading into the fire and the cup attached to the end? That's a 2 cup stainless steel cup.
When wax heats up and you introduce into the vessel a little water, the results are explosive. The more wax you have, at the maximum temperature, the more the possibilities.
The more water you introduce, the larger the explosion of fire. The distance that you are from the explosion is the key. Hence the name..spittin'.
I can not emphasis it enough. Keep at least a horizontal distance of 6 feet. Do not stand up. Spit your stream of water from a sitting or parallel position.
While you sit by your fire watching the red hot coals, smelling the wood burning and spitting that little stream of water, safely; think of me. Feel the heat and know that nature is all around us both.
Asheville in October is a great place to be. The cool mountain air, the various events to enjoy, friends to visit and the changing leaves make the trip well worth the effort. As has become our custom, I have been judging the AHBA Parade of Homes for the last several years. They are a great group, very professional and always they make for good conversations about homes, music and their community.
This year we were greeted by Mitt Romney and James Taylor. We knew about Mitt, as we arrived, but didn't know that JT was playing there until the next morning. We were very sorry to have missed him.
Here we are at the reception. I lucked out and was placed with the same driver and navigator as last year. Amy enjoyed meeting and talking music and art with both of them. I may have a new project growing mushrooms as a result.
The reception was on a balcony in the Grand Bohemian Hotel in the heart of Biltmore village. Grand is right. This place must have been built for the Biltmore guests overflow. Beautifully rich in texture, color, finish and appointments. Great art gallery just off of the lobby.
Doesn't Amy look great? The hotel restaurant is in the background. As is our custom, we went out looking for music and places more out of the way. We settled on Heiwa Shokudo where the hot sake was half off. Hence one of Amy's quotes that I shared that night; 'I've had just enough to drink that my chopsticks are working perfectly'. The sushi was good and the soup was great. We loved our server who was a young lady from Durham...a Carolina Friends School graduate. She was very good and we loved speaking with her.
We decided against the 'Orange Peel'...but they are always welcoming new talent to the area. I highly recommend that you find out whom is playing where when visiting Asheville!
The judging went faster than we thought due to excellent driving. Some beautiful homes were included this year and the first one just happened to be located right next door to our friends and my clients, whose home on Ward Street I help them sell this year. It was so wierd that we judged right next door. Another indication that they purchased in a really outstanding neighborhood. This is not Joe and Lisa's home. This is the one we judged.
Another home we judged was just a beautiful home with many more features than I could remember. There is more stone and timber in Asheville than you could hope for. Even brand new post, beam and wood peg construction is so beautiful and warm. The chains from the rain gutters reminded me of Sara P Duke Gardens.
We had a fun time at Highland Brewery and we were sure to try the brews that are only available there. The Gaelic Ale, both Cask and Barrel aged were a interesting comparison. As usual, I ordered a flight of their darkest brews. They had an interesting vendor selling various crepes.
Octoberfest was interesting...customes, crowds, a parade, as you can see. They actually ran out of tickets...which was a blessing cause the lines were way to long to make it worth the price. We were still able to sample everything, except the beer including the hottest mustard I have ever tasted; 'Lusty Monk'; Wow.
There is that Monk. I loved that tee shirt.
We had a great time...and I can't wait for next year! Cheers!
I thought this would be a great way to share our common belief in the courage of our Military. This is a letter from my cousin. He was addressing a desire of his own son, David, who wanted to learn more about my Uncle, Lt. Cdr. Paul B. Hesch, my Mother's brother. I hope to visit this ship when next in Charleston, SC. Please do the same...and touch the name of a member of my family who gave his life so that we all could enjoy the life that we have today. Let's give thanks.
'Dear Family, My son, David expressed an interest in
his great-uncle Paul Hesch and asked for the details. As Bob Hesch knows from
his visit to the Yorktown at her historical mooring in Charleston, SC,
Uncle Paul is list on a plaque showing the losses among the ship's crew. Below
is an extract from the historical record of USS Yorktown (CV-10). The two
italic bold entries are the family history insertions. AIR BOSS is the Navy
short title for an aircraft carrier's flight deck
commander. REGARDS, RUSS'
LSO Lt Dick Tripp USS Yorktown (CV-10) with F6F
Ships reunion...
'The fourth Yorktown (CV-10) was laid down
on 1 December 1941 at Newport News, Va., by the Newport News Shipbuilding &
Drydock Co. as Bon Homme Richard; renamed Yorktown on 26 September
1942; launched on 21 January 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt; and
commissioned on 15 April 1943 at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Capt. Joseph J.
("Jocko") Clark in command. Yorktown remained
in the Norfolk area until 21 May 1943 at which time she got underway for
shakedown ... ... ... She transited the Panama Canal on 11 July and
departed Balboa on the 12th. It is very likely that Uncle Ray Hesch, a
Navy employee and diver in the canal zone saw this transit of his brother's
ship. The warship arrived in Pearl Harbor on 24 July 1943 and began a
month of exercises in the Hawaiian Islands. On 22 August, she stood out of Pearl
Harbor, bound for her first combat of the war. ... ...
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/carriers/histories/cv10-yorktown/cv10-yorktown.html ... ... arrived back in Eniwetok on 31 October 1944. She departed the
lagoon on 1 November and arrived at Ulithi on the 3d. There, she reported for
duty with TG 38.4. That task group left Ulithi on 6 November, and
Yorktown departed with it.
On 7 November,
the aircraft carrier changed operational control to TG 38.1 and, for the next
two weeks, launched air strikes on targets in the Philippines in support of the
Leyte invasion. Detached from the task force on 23 November, Yorktown
arrived back in Ulithi on the 24th. She remained there until 10 December at
which time she put to sea to rejoin TF 38. She rendezvoused with the other
carriers on 13 December and began launching air strikes on targets on the island
of Luzon in preparation for the invasion of that island scheduled for the second
week in January 1945. While preparing for a pre-dawn launch on December
15, LtCdr Paul B Hesch, Flight Deck Commander slipped on an oil slick and died
instantly when he fell through a propeller. He was buried at sea later that
day. On December 17, the task force began its retirement from the Luzon
strikes. During that retirement, TF 38 steamed through the center of the famous
typhoon of December 1944. That storm sank three destroyers, USS Spence
(DD-512), USS Hull (DD-350), and USS Monaghan (DD-354), and
Yorktown participated in some of the rescue operations for the survivors
of those three destroyers. She did not finally clear the vicinity of Luzon until
the 23d. The warship arrived back in Ulithi on 24 December.'
What did your Uncle do in the War?
'The aircraft carrier fueled and provisioned at
Ulithi until 30 December 1944 at which time she returned to sea to join TF 38 on
strikes at targets in the Philippines in support of the landings at Lingayen.
The carriers opened the show on 3 January 1945 with raids on airfields on the
island of Formosa. ... ... ... On 8 and 9 August 1945, the carrier
launched her planes at northern Honshu and southern Hokkaido. On the 10th, she
sent them back to Tokyo. The 11th and 12th brought another fueling retirement
and a typhoon evasion, but, on the 13th, her aircraft hit Tokyo for the last
time. On the 14th, she retired to fuel destroyers again; and, on the 15th, Japan
agreed to capitulate so that all strikes planned for that day were canceled....'
Just a short note and photos of the progress we have seen on our new office. Started in May, 2012 and located on NC Highway 751 just south of NC highway 54.
Fun to see the roof and walls take shape.
Not quite yet. It will have mostly glass in the front.
Is this a coffee bar or a Real Estate office?
How about a space where community comes together to discuss the issues that affect us all!
Finally, we can identify the front door.
Where's the beef...er...brick?
Speaking of brick; How much brick will be inside?
It's got to be purple insulation...Go Riverside Pirates. Watch out Falcons...it's a Pirate raid!
I know you're workin'...but can't you keep out of the photos?
A big thanks to the hard working people who are making this place look so good!
We have brick!
And it's everywhere. The exterior is completed. Or is it? Lot, windows, sidewalk and interior floors...
Ok, the windows are in and the building has been released for the interior contractor.
Can't wait to show you the new digs. Think Durham tobacco warehouse meets .com.
Look for the invite in December 2012!
live well,
Pat
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Not Durham...A short trip north...WNY
Just a short trip north to visit family and friends. Wish we had more time and could stay longer.
Saturday afternoon...The sunset looks like it is eating up I-85 south.
Our Uncle Gary (hammer). Super guy who has the gift of being able to sleep anywhere. Love his kids and grandkids!
Amy's classmates sending out best wishes to a good friend who has just lost her partner. You are wonderful and we love you Jen.
We will all miss your Craig-o.
Hussies...always showing leg.
I know a great place to eat in Frewsburg, NY. Not only is the food great but it is imaginative... and the chef plays the piano in between customers!
What do you mean you don't want your photo taken? You are a receptionist at a world famous brewery! Southern Tier Brewing Company
The variety is truly amazing. Pumking was surprising good. Milk Stout was fabulous!
8/24/2012 - 12 flavors on tape at Triangle Wine Co in Morrisville, NC
Nice wall board in the lobby...reminded me of the BIG doors into the bar at Fullsteam Brewery.
Really nice performance space out back of Southern Tier. They were continuing their expansion while we were there.
Chautauqua Lake at sunset...
You look good out there. Don't fall in!
After water aerobics with my sisters at Camp Chautauqua, we went to breakfast at Stedman Corners Coffee. Lucky for us, my great niece Katelyn was there! Look out Denison, here she comes!
Hi Mary. Don't mind me, just keep visiting with our sister Lora. Looking good Katelyn!
Traveled with Amy's Dad, Phil Griffin, to Cherry Creek, NY. He played a gig at the Gazebo. This is Amy's cousin Greg, quite the player and singer. She comes from a line of musicians.
There's Phil, Slim and drummer and Greg and Mark, 2 of Slim's 5 boys...all players.
Lookin' good Dad!
Dad's always looking to keep busy. I told him this bench might sell better in NSCAR country. The turn signals blink.
...but where is the license plate?
Who wants to buy it?
Great visit, a lot of laughs and cries this trip. Long travels with great family and friends.
Be well,
Pat
Thursday, August 23, 2012
A north durham dinner...
This last Sunday was a raining day that cleared to a beautiful sunset. We took a drive to North Durham, Bahama to be exact, to experience a 5 course meal at a goat farm. Elodie Farms is located at what was once the home of S. T. Mangum; one of three families whose names were used to turn Balltown and then Honkydory into today's Bahama. Named for (Ba)ll, (Ha)rris and (Ma)ngum families, who were the prominent area landholders, Bahama is a nice little place surrounded by beautiful land.
As you walk to the front door.
We arrived early, and being the first to arrive, we left and discovered a section of Camp Butner nearby that I hadn't seen before. After exploring a piece of weaponry on display at one of the many entry points, we headed back and began exploring the house and property.
Our first visit was with Heidi who directed us to our table and told us that she did get the email stating Amy's aversion to Shrimp...We next stopped at the kitchen to see Amy Tornquist of Watts Grocery and Sage and Swift, her husband and their friends the Howell's of Nanas hard at work. Apparently Nanas was in the house the previous month and they traded sous chef duties with each other...so this month and last month they had 2 great sets of chefs cooking for you!
Sky colored front porch ceiling.
Thanks again. What are we in for?
We've done this before...and hope to again.
We have known Amy for many years and think her cooking is only second to her friendly way. A visit to Watts Grocery should definitely be on your list...whatever list you're keeping.
The house is beautiful and sits on 21 acres. Built in 1910, it retains well kept original features. The owner and our host, David Artigues, lives upstairs with his 2 sons and they work the goat farm and homestead goat cheese making facility.
The house and front porch were prepared with tables for 2 to 8. There were rocking chairs overlooking the goat pastures and a swing on the porch.
Choose your weapon!
Friendly chicken cleanin' the yard.
The grounds are so well kept, beautiful and equipped with a variety of chickens. We gathered on the front yard for an intro, ground rules and a review of the menu. Amy couldn't think of anything in the menu that originated outside of North Carolina and with most ingredients coming from a 3 county area. I will leave the menu for your own visit...but it was great. Amy's shrimp replacement was a wonderfully prepared pouched egg over succotash.
See the cheese house in the far ground.
We took their advise and came prepared with our own libation and a take home dish for the left overs. The photos just can't convey the relaxing and wonderful experience this was.
Best of all, I think Amy agreed.
Welcome. This is the theme of my entries. We love our town and I will share what I experience. I'll include a couple links that will help you find what I find and then I'll share how much fun I had or what opinions I have formed.
Here goes...Remember to check next year right after Memorial Day for the date of the 'Bull City Chili Challenge'. It is a great time and an opportunity to meet new people who really (did I say really?) do love chili. This year it was held on Saturday, 6/16/2012. You can buy a sampling kit and the proceeds go to support further development of Durham Central Park, a beautiful and functional gathering place in downtown Durham.
This is a photo from one of their fundraisers...Meals from the Market.
I've been lucky enough to be a judge and hope to again. The process is very interesting as there are 'certified' judges and free style judges. Although you might think me certified in one manner or another, I am an untrained free style judge. One spoonful each and a new spoon each time. Aroma, appearance, taste, after taste, consistency. Number each entry 1-10. Snacks, crackers, soda, beer and water is available to help you cleanse in between samples.
There are samples of chili and salsa. There are free style, junior and restaurant entries for both the chili and the salsa. I can say that many more free style entries (like 8 out of 10) were better than any of the restaurant entries.
Better, what does that mean? Come on down next year and see for yourselves. A special thanks for my friend Julie who met me and watched the grandkids while I judged. I was flying solo with them for the weekend…so look for that entry soon. Thanks Julie, I hope you enjoyed them just as much as I do.
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