We took in a 1-gallon freezer bag full of hop cones last week, which weighed about 10 ounces. Two ounces were given to my friend Sandy to make (a) hop tea, which is used to make (b) hop bread.

The remainder from the bountiful harvest went into the freezer to await a batch of beer. It didn’t take long.

One batch is now sitting in the basement cooling off and awaiting yeast. This will be the Pearl Street Brewing Company’s “Hop Harvest Ale” and I’ll probably use this photo for the label. (although I do have a nice picture of a spider on the hop vine. Maybe we should try an Arachnid Ale?)

The Hop Harvest Ale is a variation on our Heseltine Cream Ale, with remaining 8 ounces of homegrown hops added at the 60-, 45-, 30- and 15-minute marks during the wort preparation.

Next up (ingredients are on hand) is a holiday ale – I want to give plenty of time for aging, as we usually finish the second case just as the beer is really coming into its own.

More photos from the Pearl Street Brewing Company.

038 Pool at Wood Island Park 07xx1956

Originally uploaded by Paul-W

Just one of the odd things you discover when looking at the statistics for views in Flickr. Why would THIS photo be “hit” 38 times yesterday? That’s an awful lot for my photos… a frequency usually reserved for a beautiful woman in a blue tankini.

R.C. Pittenger in WWII

by R.C. Pittenger

World War II was like no other the world has ever seen or, we hope, ever will see again. This record is from my memory or knowledge of events which preceded it; there may be inaccuracies, for it happened long ago. To understand my experience of WWII, I think it will help if I recall the setting which led to the conflict as I saw it…

download the PDF version: RCP WWII memoir (1.4 MB)

We made the New York Times Review of Books yesterday! Not for Paul’s gripping blog posts, but to illustrate a journal entry from local-boy-made-good, H.D. Thoreau. Personally my favorite book in the Thoreau universe is Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D.B. Johnson, but then again, the illustrator didn’t use one of my lady slipper photos.

Cameron Diamondbacks Nationals 06132009 028-7×10

Originally uploaded by Paul-W

Today was the first game of the Diamondbacks-Nationals best-2-out-of-3 playoff series in the Mlrose Bbe Ruth League. Cam’s Diamondbacks took a 2 run lead in the top of the first, but the Nationals quickly loaded the bases in the bottom of the first, mostly on walks. Somewhat surprisingly, the starting pitcher was quickly pulled and the coach brought Cam in from left field to pitch. Five solid innings later, the Diamondbacks had a 9-6 lead and Cam was sent back out to left field. The Diamondbacks ended up losing about 13-9, though. Game 2 on Monday at 8, part of a playoff double-header for us as both Duncan and Cameron have games.

Duncan ran the Hornet Hustle 5K Race this morning in about a 25 minute time (still waiting the official word). He was on track for a faster time (~23′ ?) but became ill going up the last hill. Kindly observers gave him water to wash out his mouth and he rested a couple minutes before continuing. Probably a combination of the warm weather, hilly course and the cheese omlette he ate for breakfast. (He says he could have pieced it back together again on the street.)

Regardless, he had a strong finish and still did very well.

Rainow – Melrose Massachusetts 053109 006-300, originally uploaded by Paul-W.

Day starts out with bright sunshine (baseball game #1, 9:00 am).
By baseball game #2 (1:00 pm) the clouds appear, to the relief of the fans in the stands.
Paul starts the grill (leg-o-lamb with herbs, garlic and lemon) and the heavens open up.
Then the sun returns, bringing this rainbow.

The lamb smells yummy.

Generally Miller will socialize with other dogs for five minutes, then head off to search for furry rodents. Over Memorial Day weekend he seemed to bond with Luke, the yellow lab following behind him in this picture. They spent quite a while running together, although Miller would generally fall back when Luke ran into the muddy water. You can take this togetherness thing only so far!

Melrose-Saugus Middle School Track Meet 049-8×8

In Duncan’s first Middle School track meet he finished second to teammate Will C. in the mile race… by about 1 second. Duncan’s time in the mile was 6:22 – pretty good for a first time! He also competed in the High Jump and 4 x 100 Relay Race. A fun time was had by all!