Jamie Oliver published an "easy peasy" shortcut type of recipe; The History Kitchen published a recipe - I've made it in the past. I dream of getting some champagne yeast to try making it alcoholic.
Personally, I go to the store, find the Fever Tree section, and lift up a box.
We're mostly wine and beer people, but during lockdown, I attended a weekly cocktail class (the price of admission was a donation to the teacher's favorite animal rescue), and she once made a cocktail that was rum with 3 oz pineapple juice, 2 oz orange juice, 1/2 oz lime juice, and 3 oz of ginger beer. We liked it so much (it's good with or without booze) that we decided to keep the ingredients on hand for it forever so I buy ginger beer by the case at Costco. I never thought of making it!
I've made this before by pouring some Alexi Vodka in the remnants of the Strawberry Rhubarb pie tin and swirling it around before I tip it down my gullet!
During Covid we had Zoom cocktail hour with friends in LA each Friday evening. One Friday my wife had made a rhubarb pie, and we decided to use the leftover syrup from the pie filling as an additive in margaritas. I think that was the best cocktail I ever had.
I've always found "rhubarb" to be a weird and backwoods-sounding name, especially for what turns out to be a sour red stalk of celery. So I went looking to see if there were alternative names for the vegetable. I didn't find any, but I did find out that it comes from "Rha Barbarum," or foreign rha (the Latin word for that family of vegetables). I kind of think that would be a cool name for this cocktail, if you'd like to go with something more exotic-sounding name, with a hint of pirate in it.
Hah! It was Linneaus favorite plant! Ben Franklin's friend brought it to America and Ben gave it to a nursery guy he knew. It's been here ever since!...
rhubarb makes an excellent simple syrup additive. You just cut it into smallish pieces - somewhere between "fits in pot" and "runs through strainer" and once you strain the mash out of the simple syrup, you have a great addition to vodka, gin or tequila cocktails.
I've never really tried it with anything from the "brown liquor" family, so not sure it would mesh well with any of those.
Water temps in gulf creeping up. There is a mild low pressure system off of Tampa that is sweeping moisture off that side of the gulf into FL. If it remains stuck it could go from mild to strong. The situation in TX looks unchanged If you can find high ground, go there. A Pacific storm looks to be tracking more north than in the past. I hope it doesn't hook in to hit San Fran, Maybe it will send rain? With our luck, just wind.
Here around Lake Ontario we just got a marine tornado warning. Weather is going to beat us up this aft, promising thunderstorms, wind, hail. After all this heat and smoke now this.
On paul's next run of days off from work I need to go to minor emergency to have this advancing loss of function to three out my four already neurologically compromised extremities assessed. My plan is to ask the attending MD to give me a referral to a decent neurologist since despite my best efforts I do not currently have a primary care doctor of my own.
I need to know what's going on with my central nervous system. This is getting more than a little scarey.
This is the You Tube site for a physical therapist, Dr. Adam.
I don't know his last name.
He posts about Donald Trump's medical condition. Doc Adam has a PhD in his field. He has literally spent his whole adult life observing and treating cases like Donald Trump.
In March 1521 – the same year that saw the launch of the Protestant Reformation – Don Juan Ponce de León established the first European colony in what is now the continental U.S. on the southwest coast of “the Island of Florida, in the Indies of the Ocean Sea,” most likely near today’s Charlotte Harbor. This colony consisted of over 100 men, horses*, cattle, pigs, and other domestic animals, as well as seeds, rootstocks, and implements for farming - the first, documented European livestock, as well as the first European crops and fruits, to be introduced into the continental U.S. The colonists included the first, documented clergy to evangelize Christianity in the continental U.S., as well as Juan Garrido (“Handsome John”), a black soldier who would later fight the Aztecs in Mexico under the command of Hernán Cortés.
In 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟱𝟮𝟭, Ponce de León’s “First Colony” was overrun and destroyed in a dawn attack by native Calusa warriors. As a band of soldiers fought their way to their ships, Ponce was wounded in the thigh by an arrow - possibly poisoned with manchineel (Florida’s “death-apple tree”) sap. After the survivors landed in Havana, Cuba, Ponce died of his wound at the age of 47.
The Calusa were a ferocious maritime society - their name means "Fierce People" - and the reason the Spanish never settled the southern half of the Florida peninsula. Among the last of the Mound Builder culture, they were noted engineers, building vast canals, artificial shell islands, salt pans, and aquatic pens (watercourts) to manage massive fish surpluses. They were also noted traders, using dugout cypress-log canoes to sail to Cuba and the Caribbean, trading fish, furs, and amber.
There's an article about the pain Trump's fuel embargo and sanctions have been causing in Cuba. PAB is open about wanting to grab Cuba and turn it (back) into a client state, like Venezuela. Meanwhile a grandson of Raúl Castro gave an interview to USA Today, wearing pricey gear, and "carrying official documents in a Salvatore Ferragamo bag." He has no official position with government, and the interview is creating some outrage on the island. People are wondering what his game is (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/18/cuba-edges-toward-breakdown-as-power-cuts-and-us-meddling-push-society-to-brink).
So after near 40 years of denying climate change, lying about climate change, obstructing progress on climate change these bitch ass fucking republicans are going to COMPLAIN about climate change???!!!
I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for Ted Cruz. I am not personally responsible for anything he's ever done, but as a Canadian I feel it's the right thing to do.
Stop at Red Lion Inn and have a strawberry daiquiri with real whipped cream when you're done! And the little bowl of crunchy nibbles they give you with it!! Or go through the gardens at Edith Wharton's House, which are free and are the best part. AANNNDDD if you have time, Pleasant and Main in Housatonic, most delightful restaurant in the Berkshires. Lastly, get a lemon ricotta ice cream at Taft Farms, also in Housatonic. Oh I'm jealous.
China closet, landing above the piano: a set of dishes that Prince Edward ate from at Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego a century ago or whenever it was. I'm so curious how it came to be there!
If I were you, then, I'd try to squeeze in Pleasant and Main, even if just to share an app. It's a magical place. And chat with Craig, the owner, if you have a chance. Just a wonderful place.
Not busy yet. The choking Mordor-esque haze seems to be discouraging walk ins. Questions here.
Strawberry and rhubarb are a classic combination. My grandma would have loved you for this.
How do you make ginger beer? The good stuff?
I’m in a panel at Tales of the Cocktail now and he’s teaching me to make it from scratch.
Jamie Oliver published an "easy peasy" shortcut type of recipe; The History Kitchen published a recipe - I've made it in the past. I dream of getting some champagne yeast to try making it alcoholic.
Personally, I go to the store, find the Fever Tree section, and lift up a box.
We're mostly wine and beer people, but during lockdown, I attended a weekly cocktail class (the price of admission was a donation to the teacher's favorite animal rescue), and she once made a cocktail that was rum with 3 oz pineapple juice, 2 oz orange juice, 1/2 oz lime juice, and 3 oz of ginger beer. We liked it so much (it's good with or without booze) that we decided to keep the ingredients on hand for it forever so I buy ginger beer by the case at Costco. I never thought of making it!
Why didn’t Gandalf just summon the giant eagles to fly them into Mordor so Frodo could drop the Ring into Mount Doom from above?
He said, "Fly you fools!" just before he fell. Aragorn goofed.
If he had we'd be asking, "Tolkein who?"
Becuase the Eye of Mordor can pierce ‘cloud, shadow, earth and flesh’.
Antiaircraft orcs?
Do you like any wheat beers?
Also, do you like anything non-alcoholic?
I'm drinking more NA these days.
Thanks.
One does not simply walk into Barad-dûr for a cocktail.
well, maybe YOU don't
A smoke filled bar seems very noir to me.
With the heat dome that's expected this coming week, this should be refreshing.
I fled Minnesota for cleaner air in Iowa...we are in the upside down.
I've made this before by pouring some Alexi Vodka in the remnants of the Strawberry Rhubarb pie tin and swirling it around before I tip it down my gullet!
Your thoughts on the gin buck?
Can you serve the daiquiri with a slice of Beebopareebop Rhubarb Pie?
Mama's little baby loves beebopareebop...
Check the pantry. There’s none left. So, no.
Strawberry daiquiris are my bestie’s favorite, but I think her recipe was frozen strawberries and copious amounts of Bacardi white.
During Covid we had Zoom cocktail hour with friends in LA each Friday evening. One Friday my wife had made a rhubarb pie, and we decided to use the leftover syrup from the pie filling as an additive in margaritas. I think that was the best cocktail I ever had.
I've always found "rhubarb" to be a weird and backwoods-sounding name, especially for what turns out to be a sour red stalk of celery. So I went looking to see if there were alternative names for the vegetable. I didn't find any, but I did find out that it comes from "Rha Barbarum," or foreign rha (the Latin word for that family of vegetables). I kind of think that would be a cool name for this cocktail, if you'd like to go with something more exotic-sounding name, with a hint of pirate in it.
I picked some rhubarb tonight, and while I was picking it, I thought about what you said, about them being sour red celery
it's also known as pie plant. i grow it in my backyard; sadly, the groundhog seems to spend a lot of time there.
Hah! It was Linneaus favorite plant! Ben Franklin's friend brought it to America and Ben gave it to a nursery guy he knew. It's been here ever since!...
I have a question. I have mentioned that I don't drink, but am fascinated by what you do.
If somebody walked into your bar and ordered this, how on earth would you prepare it? Isn't this way too labor-intensive for a busy bar?
I’d merge the strawberry, honey,!and rhubarb syrups into one prebatched bottle. Muddling the strawberries and basil at the same time isn’t a hardship.
Thank you. I have no idea what I will ever do with all the things I learn from you, but it's so interesting.
This is a great question
I was wondering myself about things like ... simmering rhubarb
rhubarb makes an excellent simple syrup additive. You just cut it into smallish pieces - somewhere between "fits in pot" and "runs through strainer" and once you strain the mash out of the simple syrup, you have a great addition to vodka, gin or tequila cocktails.
I've never really tried it with anything from the "brown liquor" family, so not sure it would mesh well with any of those.
They would tell you to GTFO
“The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume.”
This should keep Bibi out of their hair
NYC Mayor Mandani reviews options to arrest Netanyahu over war crimes https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2026/07/18/mandani-netanyahu/6831784428756/
Water temps in gulf creeping up. There is a mild low pressure system off of Tampa that is sweeping moisture off that side of the gulf into FL. If it remains stuck it could go from mild to strong. The situation in TX looks unchanged If you can find high ground, go there. A Pacific storm looks to be tracking more north than in the past. I hope it doesn't hook in to hit San Fran, Maybe it will send rain? With our luck, just wind.
Here around Lake Ontario we just got a marine tornado warning. Weather is going to beat us up this aft, promising thunderstorms, wind, hail. After all this heat and smoke now this.
'What is happening?????' ~Poltergeist
Stay safe, everyone in those areas!
I just got an ad for "Impatient Mental Health Care," located near me. I thought "Dang, and here
I thought I was pretty patient. I wonder who told them?" But I read it again, it said "INpatient.
Ok, whew! But then what ?!
Well, when I had to wait almost a year for a new therapist after my therapist died suddenly I was pretty impatient myself, LMAO!
Wow, that's awful. I've had my therapist for 10 years, and it would be traumatizing to lose her.
"The way she looks at me, then kisses my boyfriend."
https://bsky.app/profile/democratcats.bsky.social/post/3mqwcjzfp6k2z
And then turns her back on you and sits down. You are now apparently the ex.
She should check her shoes very carefully each morning.
Perfectly, pricelessly precious.
Today's "Not a Drag Queen" entry ... 𝗖𝗔 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝘅 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀
https://www.joemygod.com/2026/07/ca-pastor-arrested-on-multiple-child-sex-charges/
That mug shot looks like he's been nipping at the sacrificial wine a bit heavily.
I want to line those sick perverts up and blast a few holes in them.
I feel NO mercy for anyone who would do this to a child. None whatsoever.
And blaming it on LGBTQ+ people is just sickening when *they* are the ones who do it.
On paul's next run of days off from work I need to go to minor emergency to have this advancing loss of function to three out my four already neurologically compromised extremities assessed. My plan is to ask the attending MD to give me a referral to a decent neurologist since despite my best efforts I do not currently have a primary care doctor of my own.
I need to know what's going on with my central nervous system. This is getting more than a little scarey.
is there, in fact, a decent neurologist in your area?
There were a few of them in practice hereabouts when I was still wearing scrubs and signing off as KC, *RNCN, RNCR.
*I earned my certification as a neurology RN and certification in rehabilitation. Gawd dammit but I miss my job.
Indeed, seek out a referral for a competent specialist. Best wishes.
This is the You Tube site for a physical therapist, Dr. Adam.
I don't know his last name.
He posts about Donald Trump's medical condition. Doc Adam has a PhD in his field. He has literally spent his whole adult life observing and treating cases like Donald Trump.
https://www.youtube.com/@epistemiccrisis/shorts
Another update. This doctor is great.
My theory: Blaming the Canadians for smoke is softening us up for blaming Greenland for cold this winter and an ensuing invasion.
Nooo! It’s us weakening the precious bodily fluids of your warfighters so we can invade! Kegsbreath is onto us, that’s why he’s testing t levels!
I find your analysis sound.
It might be.
I hope that does not happen.
So, what was going on in July 1521 you ask?
In March 1521 – the same year that saw the launch of the Protestant Reformation – Don Juan Ponce de León established the first European colony in what is now the continental U.S. on the southwest coast of “the Island of Florida, in the Indies of the Ocean Sea,” most likely near today’s Charlotte Harbor. This colony consisted of over 100 men, horses*, cattle, pigs, and other domestic animals, as well as seeds, rootstocks, and implements for farming - the first, documented European livestock, as well as the first European crops and fruits, to be introduced into the continental U.S. The colonists included the first, documented clergy to evangelize Christianity in the continental U.S., as well as Juan Garrido (“Handsome John”), a black soldier who would later fight the Aztecs in Mexico under the command of Hernán Cortés.
In 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟱𝟮𝟭, Ponce de León’s “First Colony” was overrun and destroyed in a dawn attack by native Calusa warriors. As a band of soldiers fought their way to their ships, Ponce was wounded in the thigh by an arrow - possibly poisoned with manchineel (Florida’s “death-apple tree”) sap. After the survivors landed in Havana, Cuba, Ponce died of his wound at the age of 47.
*𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘜.𝘚. 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘰-𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘌𝘹𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 10,00 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳.
Calusa warriors, defending the Homeland since 1521
Eat shit, ICE
The Calusa were a ferocious maritime society - their name means "Fierce People" - and the reason the Spanish never settled the southern half of the Florida peninsula. Among the last of the Mound Builder culture, they were noted engineers, building vast canals, artificial shell islands, salt pans, and aquatic pens (watercourts) to manage massive fish surpluses. They were also noted traders, using dugout cypress-log canoes to sail to Cuba and the Caribbean, trading fish, furs, and amber.
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DioramaCalusa-king-receiving-tribute-from-a-Tequesta-chiefFlorida-Museum-of-Natural-HistoryWikipedia.jpg
And the dawn of the feral hogs in the US.
True. Though the BIG push was the herd of approx. 200-300 pigs that Don Hernando de Soto brought with him on his 1539 Florida expedition.
There's an article about the pain Trump's fuel embargo and sanctions have been causing in Cuba. PAB is open about wanting to grab Cuba and turn it (back) into a client state, like Venezuela. Meanwhile a grandson of Raúl Castro gave an interview to USA Today, wearing pricey gear, and "carrying official documents in a Salvatore Ferragamo bag." He has no official position with government, and the interview is creating some outrage on the island. People are wondering what his game is (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/18/cuba-edges-toward-breakdown-as-power-cuts-and-us-meddling-push-society-to-brink).
I'm out for the day. Everyone please take care! Laters.
Relax and have fun. :)
So after near 40 years of denying climate change, lying about climate change, obstructing progress on climate change these bitch ass fucking republicans are going to COMPLAIN about climate change???!!!
Barnyard animals are more intelligent and honest.
The food is TERRIBLE!
And the portions are so small!
"And what's with the ankle deep water when I'm waddling through the lobby of Mar a Lago?"
Nah, they STILL don't want to admit that it's climate change. They just want to blame Canada for not raking their forests.
I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for Ted Cruz. I am not personally responsible for anything he's ever done, but as a Canadian I feel it's the right thing to do.
See? "We must blame them and cause a fuss
Before somebody thinks of blaming us"
Totally cromulent
The Canadian PM already done did that, handily.
Yep, we've seen this film before.
GOP SOP
I thought it was more bitching that canada is not raking their forests correctly?
GMTA!
More solar power.
Simplest answer.
It's inexpensive after the installation.
There are no hazardous spills of sunshine. :)
And with gas prices going up, it pays for itself much much faster.
Yep!
Visiting day at Kiddo's summer camp, we're at the Econo-Lodge in Lee, Mass.
Lodge? Yeah, it's lodging. Econo, not so much.
Softest mattress I've ever slept on, like being in one of those bouncy castles.
Oh well!
Stop at Red Lion Inn and have a strawberry daiquiri with real whipped cream when you're done! And the little bowl of crunchy nibbles they give you with it!! Or go through the gardens at Edith Wharton's House, which are free and are the best part. AANNNDDD if you have time, Pleasant and Main in Housatonic, most delightful restaurant in the Berkshires. Lastly, get a lemon ricotta ice cream at Taft Farms, also in Housatonic. Oh I'm jealous.
And wave to Holly & Paul!
The only one of those I know is the Red Lion Inn.
The place is like a museum for the old lady demographic.
I could spend hours looking at all the weird antique art and stuff in there.
China closet, landing above the piano: a set of dishes that Prince Edward ate from at Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego a century ago or whenever it was. I'm so curious how it came to be there!
If I were you, then, I'd try to squeeze in Pleasant and Main, even if just to share an app. It's a magical place. And chat with Craig, the owner, if you have a chance. Just a wonderful place.
Lol I'm the old lady demographic, though to be fair, I ALWAYS have been!
I love the Red Lion Inn, and did not realize it was for that reason.
One thing I didn't like about visiting my mom was the mattresses were too soft.
OK, I asked her to do something cute for Caturday. This is just one thing. https://substack.com/@tootsstansbury/note/c-296990633
The Cat Radar™ got a ping ...
🥰
She is such a goob.
No, she is adorable!
squeeeee I want to pet that belly. I bet it is soft like bunneh
She lets you pet it! And she has weird fur that is like bunneh!
<3<3<3<3
You have a gorgeous headboard and those bedside lamps are PERFECT!
😄 Thanks!
A distant creak/crinkle has been detected!
Super Stripey Kitty prepares to spring into action...
🇺🇦 https://bsky.app/profile/tendar.bsky.social/post/3mqweaoajq226
Ukrainian drones struck 12 more substations in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, the last 24h.
This makes 83 (!) energy-related targets being hit in this occupied peninsula since the start of this month.
Fair is fair. Russia tried to turn off their energy
AND bombs apartment buildings.