Posted in Animals, Astronomy, Biology, Climate, Health, Medicine, Nature, Palaeontology, Physics, Research, Science, Space, Weather, Zoology, tagged Animals, Astronomy, Biology, Climate, Health, Medicine, Nature, Palaeontology, Physics, Research, science, Space, Weather, Zoology on September 30, 2013| 2 Comments »
While the rest of us were off doing whatever the rest of us do…
Science geeks and nerdlings the world over have been discovering things that make the world an even more awesome place!
Cancer: http://bit.ly/167lkrE
Whispering: http://bit.ly/1biP5Ke
New form of matter: http://bit.ly/18CYkz3
Climate change: http://bbc.in/19P6vax
Mars: http://bit.ly/1bkPA6A
Oxygen: http://bit.ly/1bUtZkO
Jaw & backbone: http://bit.ly/15Dv3HJ
Solar panels: http://bit.ly/167lCyT
Posted in Botany, Nature, Travel, Trees, tagged Awesome Trees, Botany, Bulgaria, Europe, Forests, Nature, Photography, Photos, Travel, Trees on September 25, 2013| 4 Comments »
Posted in Faith, Holidays, Israel, Jews/Judaism, Kosher, Religion, Spirituality, tagged Faith, Holidays, Humor, Israel, Jewish, Jewish Holidays, Jews, Judaism, kosher, Photography, Photos, Religion, Sukkah, Sukkot, Toronto on September 23, 2013| 2 Comments »
Right now, we are in the middle of the Jewish festival of Sukkot. [1]
Just for the person who has to have lunch on the go, my dear friend Steven Burke has come up with his own clever variation of the sukkah-mobile.
Open two car doors, put two 2x4s over the door tops and rest the s’chach on top of the 2x4s!
Voila!
(Image Credit: Steven Burke)
The chochmah and binah demonstrated here is inspirational!
Once again, Necessity is the Mother of Invention!
Bravo, Steven. Yasher Koach!
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[1] As commanded in the Bible (Lev. 23:33-44). Christians may know Sukkot by the name Feast of Tabernacles (KJV), Festival of Tabernacles (NIV), Feast of Booths (NASB), etc.
Posted in My Life, Nature, Travel, Trees, tagged Botany, Nature, North Carolina, Photography, Photos, Tourism, Travel, Trees, Wilmington NC on September 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »
“The World’s Largest Living Christmas Tree,” shown here on a rare snowy day, was a project of James E. L. Wade, Commissioner of Public Works. He thought the enormous oak on Wilmington’s north side, was appropriate particularly because Hilton Park, where it is rooted, was Wilmington’s first playground for children. “Hugh MacRae’s Tide Water Power Company furnished all labor, most of the wiring and 750 light globes for the tree,” reported the Morning Star, Christmas Eve, 1929. “The moss in the tree, if it were carried away, would take three 2-ton trucks to do the work.”
(Image Credit: Louis T. Moore)
Prizes were awarded under the tree for outdoor decorations across town, a contest also instituted by James E. L. Wade. In 1929, judges included Mrs. Walter Sprunt, Mrs. J. B. Cranmer, Mrs. Henry Peschau and Mrs. R. C. Cantwell. In 1930, the giant Hilton Christmas tree was declared “the most beautiful of its kind in the state and nation” by the National Federation of Women’s Clubs.
On January 1, 1933, 5000 people gathered at the tree to hear “a program presented by negro residents of the city.” Participants from Williston High School Glee Club and St. Stephen’s, St. Luke’s and Central Baptist churches mesmerized the crowd; city fathers requested an encore performance the following evening.
In 1935, the city added fireworks shows near the tree and strung 2800 25-watt bulbs across town.
Motorists cruised the city, from Dry Pond to Hilton, during New Year’s celebrations in the early 1930s. Celebrants dragged cowbells and tin cans tied to their rear axles and “let them bump deliciously along the streets,” according to newspaper reports. “At midnight, there was the usual wild outburst. Bells clanged, horns tooted, sirens shrieked, firecrackers roared, pistols barked – so did the dogs.”
After eighty years of Yuletide glowing, the World’s Largest Living Christmas Tree was lit for the last time in 2009. Natural elements and concrete encroachments took their toll.
I had the sincere pleasure of visiting this magnificent oak tree several times together with my beloved CBW and, once on New Years Eve, with CBW and our children (her son and my kiddie-winkers). Rest assured, the countdown to midnight was followed shortly thereafter by a hearty stew of kosher hot dogs and black eyed peas. After all, The South IS The South!
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The above text (aside from my personal not at the end) is from the ‘Wilmington Outskirts’ section of Wilmington Through the Lens of Louis T. Moore by Susan Taylor Block. Published by the Historical Society of the Lower Cape Fear and New Hanover County Public Library. Mr. Moore’s panoramic photographs of Wilmington, North Carolina and surrounding areas document history; preserve what is lost in terms of people, architecture, and landscapes; and create a mood. Just as his camera was considered hi-tech during the 1920s in Wilmington, we think Louis T. Moore would smile if he knew his photographs were appearing in cyberspace.
Posted in Botany, Nature, Photography, Photos, Trees, tagged Botany, Mexico, Nature, Oaxaca, Photography, Photos, The Tule Tree, Tourism, Trees on September 17, 2013| 5 Comments »
El Árbol del Tule (“The Tule Tree”) is an especially large Montezuma cypress (Taxodium mucronatum) near the city of Oaxaca, Mexico.
This tree has the largest trunk girth at 190 feet (58 m) and trunk diameter at 37 feet (11.3 m). The Tule tree is so thick that people say you don’t hug this tree, it hugs you instead!
(Image credit: jubilohaku)
For a while, detractors argued that it was actually three trees masquerading as one – however, careful DNA analysis confirmed that it is indeed one magnificent tree.
(Image credit: Gengiskanhg)
In 1994, the tree (and Mexican pride) were in jeopardy: the leaves were sickly yellow and there were dead branches everywhere- the tree appeared to be dying. When tree “doctors” were called in, they diagnosed the problem as dying of thirst. The prescription? Give it water. Sure enough, the tree soon recovered after a careful watering program was followed.
(Image credit: jvcluis)
Amazing. And… awesome!
Posted in My Life, Nature, Photography, Photos, Travel, Trees, tagged Botany, CA, California, Monterey, Nature, Photography, Photos, Tourism, Travel, Trees on September 16, 2013| 2 Comments »
I had the pleasure of seeing this tree in 1985 when going down the coast road from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
(Credit: commons.wikipedia.org)
Buffeted by the cold Pacific Ocean wind, the scraggly Lone Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) in Pebble Beach, Monterey Peninsula, California, isn’t a particularly large tree.
It makes up for its small size, however, with its iconic status as a stunningly beautiful tree in splendid isolation, framed by an even more beautiful background of the Pacific Ocean.
It’s not the biggest tree in the world. It’s not the most beautiful.
But it is… awesome!
Posted in Cooking, Entertaining, Food, Kosher, My Life, Recipes, tagged cooking, Dining, Entertaining, Fish, Food, Food & Drink, Gravlax, LCBO Recipes, Recipes, Salmon on September 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »
You’ve got to love a dish that requires two days to prepare!
These lovely open-face sandwiches can be served on a variety of breads, but a sourdough rye or rye crisp bring the flavours to life. If you wish to some of the salmon for later, it will keep, scared of the curing mixture, tightly covered and refrigerated for 2 weeks.
GRAVLAX
3 tbsp (45 mL) sugar
2 tbsp (30 mL) fine sea salt
1 tbsp (15 mL) cracked coriander seed
1 tsp (5 mL) cracked black pepper
1 tsp (5 mL) crushed pink peppercorns
1¼ lbs (625 g) centre-cut salmon fillet, pin bones removed
1 cup (250 mL) chopped dill
DILL CAPER SLATHER
½ cup (125 mL) mayonaise
½ cup (125 mL) spreadable cream cheese
1 tsp (5 mL) whole-grain mustard
⅓ cup (80 mL) chopped dill
½ tsp (2 mL) finely grated lemon zest
2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped capers
2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped dill pickle
8 rye crisps or slices sourdough rye
½ red onion, thinly sliced
Additional dill for garnish
1. For the gravlax, combine sugar, salt, coriander seed, black and pink peppercorns in a smal bowl and set aside. Rinse salmon and pat dry.
2. Select a glass baking dish large enough to hold salmon and line with plastic wrap. Lay half of dill on wrap. Sprinkle flesh side of salmon with half of the sugar mixture and place flesh down on top of dill. Sprinkle skin-side of salmon with remaining sugar mixture and top with remaining dill. Enclose salmon snugly in wrap, cover and refrigerate for 24 hours. Turn salmon over, and continue to cure in refrigerator for an additional 12 – 24 hours (the longer the cure, the drier the flesh becomes).
3. Meanwhile, prepare the dill-caper slather. Whisk together mayonnaise and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Stir in mustard, dill, lemon zest, capers and pickle. Refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days, to allow flavours to develop.
4. To serve, unwrap salmon and discard liquid. Scrape curing mixture and dill from salmon and thinly slice. Spread slather on crisps or bread, top each with 4 – 5 pieces salmon; garnish with red onion and additional dill.
Makes 8
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From the Autumn 2013 20th Anniversary edition of the LCBO’s Food & Drink magazine.
Posted in Botany, Japan - Japanese, Photography, Photos, Travel, Trees, tagged Ashikaga, Botany, Flowers, Japan, Nature, Photography, Photos, Tochigi, Tourism, Travel, Trees, Wisteria on September 11, 2013| 11 Comments »
Back to Japan for a ‘knock you off your socks’ tree.
In the Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi, Japan sits an incredibly gorgeous wisteria tree that’s often referred to as the most beautiful in the whole world.
(Image Credit: Flickr: 66433743@N00)
The largest and oldest in Japan, the tree is the main attraction at the flower park as visitors flock to see it in full bloom.
(Image Credit: Brian Young)
Dating back to approximately 1870, the 143-year-old tree has branches that are supported by beams, which creates a a stunning flower umbrella.
(Image Credit: Takahiro Urano)
Best time to visit the park to see all of the park’s beautiful wisteria trees? Mid-April to mid-May. Of course, if you can’t make it, you can take a virtual tour of the park courtesy of photographer Ralph Mirebs.
For more photos of this incredible tree, to go MyModernMet.
Posted in Cooking, Fashion, Food, Health, Kosher, Recipes, Style, tagged Baking, Banana Cake, cooking, Fashion, Food, Health, Healthy Food, kosher, Recipes, Style on September 10, 2013| 2 Comments »
This from my dear friend and colleague, R’ Michael Skobac.
“I made this simple Banana Cake and had it to break the fast yesterday and again tonight.
My wife and I give it rave reviews. Easy, healthy, ’nuff said. Njoy!”
Ingredients:
3 Ripe Mashed Bananas
1/3 cup Apple Sauce
1/4 cup Almond Milk
2 cups Quick Oats
1/2 cup raisins
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Method:
Mix well, bake @ 350 for 20 minutes.
(We had it after it chilled in the fridge).
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
No flour. No eggs. No sugar. Just lots of moist gooey goodness!! Try it!
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If you like this recipe, try R’ Michael Skobac’s Healthy Challah for Dummies!
Posted in Botany, Canada, Nature, Photography, Photos, Thoughts, Travel, Trees, tagged Botany, Canada, Comfort Maple, Nature, Ontario, Pelham, Photography, Photos, Tourism, Travel, Trees on September 9, 2013| 3 Comments »
This glorious tree is practically in my backyard. A mere 15 minute drive from my house.
(Image Credit: Trevor D. Jones)
The Comfort Maple is Pelham, Ontario’s most famous landmark and worth a visit at any time of year. The tree is believed to be the oldest Sugar Maple in Canada at approximately 400 years old!
The Comfort Maple was huge way back when Robert Comfort acquired the property in North Pelham almost 200 years ago (1816). When the family farm was sold in 1946, Earl Comfort and his sister Edna retained the land surrounding the tree.
(Image Credit: Captured in Raw Photography by Tony Ritossa)
Edna believed that the tree marked an Indian burial ground, and that it was visited regularly in pioneer times by groups of First Nations people. This theory is supported by the Indian artifacts found by farmers in and around North Pelham.
koshersamurai 