Tempus Fugit

Latin (tem-pu̇s-ˈfü-git): Time Flies

Category: Grab Bag

Stuff about stuff

  • Rullupylsa in the Raw

    The making of an Icelandic Tradition

    Back on December 8th we re-vitalized an Icelandic tradition that has been in our family for as long as I can remember. My Ama made it, then my Mom, made it and somewhere along the line I started making it. For a few years we sort of dropped the ball for one reason or another, mainly because we lost our connection to a good source of Lamb flanks. But this year, we’ve re-instituted the tradition with a little help from Thor’s Meats and Groceries in Selkirk, Manitoba, a great source for boned lamb flank. FYI, boned flank saves a ton of work. Anyway with the main ingredient secured, we began the 6-8 day process, prepping the meat as shown in the photo.  They turned out fabulously and we’ve enjoyed it several time this season with friends and family. We’ve even managed to share it around the country by sending some to my sister and brother-in-law in Victoria, and cousins in Toronto. If you’re thinking of giving it a try, here is the recipe.

  • You know it’s going to be a bad day when …

    Other hilarious images over here.

  • Warmer days

    With -15 and snow this morning it looks like FOG cycling is done for the year. We saw this load of bikes in Yellowstone earlier in the year. Don’t let the sunshine fool you, it was June and +6 during the day with sub-zero over night.

  • And then there were five

    Today’s FOG ride started out and a very balmy -3°C and virtually no wind. The flags on the Legion were just hanging straight down. As I pulled into the parking lot at 9:50am I was greeted by one rider, Dave. As I got my gear together and we chatted, we wondered where everbody was? The temperatures have been in this zone before, and there has been a decent turnout. Before long were joined by Tom and then shortly after Roland pulls in. Great, there are four of us, and it will make for a good ride. It’s a little after 10 and Juergen rolls into to the lot. We decide to wait for him and by 10:15, we’re off.

    The ride to Lockport was a little brisk as all the blood was re-directed to the legs and away from fingers and feet, but after that it was a pleasant ride. We crossed over on 44 and out to 206 and up into Birds Hill Park. A very civilized cruise up 206 with Dave pulling all the way and nobody breaking out of the paceline for a little sprint to the top.

    We skipped the lap aroung the Park, and were cautious of a little snow and ice on the shoulders, and headed back on Hwy 59 to Prichard Farm Road for a brisk 36-37Kph run up to Henderson and then back to the Legion for 63km ride.

    The five of us a laying claim to the “Hard Men of the North” title for the remainder of the year (and perhaps longer) as this may well be the last ride of 2009 with snow forecast later in the week.

    If you’re wondering where Dave is in the photos, he rode home after leaving us at the legion, and of course the camera guy is rarely in the picture.

  • Sandilands trip

    On Monday Eric and I went out to Sandilands Provincial Park to do a little mountain biking. We had a great trip out discussing all sorts of things while driving through all kinds of weather including some snow and rain. Upon arrival, it was cloudy and cool, and we set out on one of the cross country ski trails. It turns out that these trails have been chewed up by ATVs and as the Park name implies the area is quite sandy. This made for some really tough riding.

    After a short outing we decided to drive over to another part of the trail system to see if we could find some better trails. Eric remembered that once upon a time there were some really nice single track trails, but we never did locate them. The second bit of riding was better, and there were a couple of water hazards like this one. One rather large puddle Eric road through and I heard him say “keep to the left”. After almost going down in the small lake as I rode across I later found out he said “got my shoes wet”. Turns out the puddle was a little deeper that anticipated. All in all a good trip, but I think we’ll be trying some other trails before coming back here again.

  • Early Snowfall

    This was the scene in our driveway at about 10am. We'd just stepped out side to try and photograph a beautiful rainbow, but it faded very rapidly. In the one shot I got off, it's barely visible. This was the first time I'd seen a rainbow where there hadn't been any rain, or snow for that matter, for some time and it was a generally clear sky. But, as you can see, there was snow on the ground from Friday afternoon, and over night into Saturday. I skipped the FOG ride. I don't mind cold, but cold & wet is just a little too much. Perhaps there will be a ride on the holiday Monday, but I think Eric & I will be heading out to Sandilands for a little mountain biking instead. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I know I've got lots to be thankful for.

  • OPP on the Water

    For the last week the OPP have been at Smith Camps just down from our cottage and seem to be conducting some training exercises for the marine unit. All weekend 5 or 6 boats like this one have been cruising around the bay and going in an out from Smiths on quite a regular basis. While we were out in the kayaks once, we didn’t get “pulled over”, but I’d be sure I had all the regulation gear on board because I think they are just itching to practice on somebody.

  • Talk like a Pirate Day – Arrr, shiver me timbers!

    ’tis be hilarious! I noticed speak Like A scurvy pirate Day a few years ago, but they have really taken it to a new level.

    HOW TO: Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day

    Saturday, September 19th is the date of a rather unique holiday made possible largely by the internets. Pirate enthusiasts around the globe will be celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day in various ways, but the unifying theme is to shiver up your timbers and adopt some pirate language, me hearties!

  • At the End of the Day

    Nothing beats sitting on the dock looking out over the water at the wonderous creation.

  • open windows

    Apparently all these windows are computer controlled to regulate the building temperature. I think I’ll sit here and wait for them to close.