Hard Cider Update.

The cider I started in September is ready and it tastes... kinda like a dry white wine. I must admit, that I don't know what a hard cider is supposed to taste like, but I enjoyed my glass.

I was surprised at how much sediment settled out. Also, I now regret going through all trouble of processing all those apples to only make one gallon. However, I think it's not bad for a first attempt at homebrewing.

(Apples on Sale + Brewers Yeast) x Time = Cider?


The hardware store across the street had apples on sale for ten cents each, so I decided to try my hand at fermenting a one gallon batch of cider.

I'm using a ale yeast that they recommended at the brew supply store down the road, "Saison II Ale Yeast". 

I'm told it should take three weeks to ferment... I hope it tastes good.

Zone 5b Fig Tree, Year 2

Two year old Chicago Fig.

It's now well into year two for the little Chicago Hardy Fig Tree I planted in my backyard last spring, and it seems to be quite healthy despite dying back almost to the ground during the winter.

I am located on the border of USDA zones 5b and 6a, much north of where figs are usually grown. I was a little worried that this variety of fig wouldn't be as hardy as it's name suggested, but those fears seem to be unfounded. However, I cannot evaluate the claims that the roots can survive down to minus 30 Fahrenheit, my climate just doesn't get that cold. 

The top of the trunk received frost damage during the winter, so I cut it back to a foot tall and it's sent out lots of growth over the summer. I suspect the protection I gave it over the winter wasn't enough to fully insulate it from the weather (I separated a bale of hay and wrapped it aound the trunk).

I know some gardeners around here that say they bury theirs in a trench and others who say they don't protect them at all and let them grow back every year. After seeing how well this one has rebounded, I suspect the later strategy might be a viable option. Still, this fall I plan on protecting it again, but with more mass to insulate it.

I did get one fig develop towards the end of June. Then, I left it to ripen on the tree while I left on vacation for a week, expecting to be able to harvest it on my return...

Yeah, that was a bad idea. I don't know what ate it while I was gone, but I'm sure it enjoyed eating a fresh ripe fig. Still, I might just get a harvest from it sometime in the fall, before the first harvest.

Milano Calibro 9 (1972)

Ugo Piazza (Gastone Moschin) is a career criminal released onto the streets of Milan after spending three years in an Italian prison. He wants give up crime and run off somewhere quiet with his stripper former girlfriend, but he's got a little problem to clear up first; everyone in Milan believes that Ugo stole and hid $300,000 from a local crime lord called The Americano (Lionel Stander). With the Americano's hired thug, a greasy psychopath named Rocco (Mario Adorf) whose favorite method of murder seems to be high explovies, and the largely ineffectual police both harassing him at his every move, how will Ugo stay alive and out of prison long enough to enjoy his retirement from crime?

Milano Calibro 9 is the first installment of director Fernando Di Leo's Milieu Trilogy, with the other two being La Mala Ordina (1972) and Il Boss (1973), both of with I want to see after watching the first installment. With both a blood soaked intro and finale, this film is quite a ride, I recommend it!

Also known as Caliber 9

Spring Gardening Update, 2015

 The sage I planted last year is in bloom with pretty purple flowers. I've spent much of the last month planting: lettuce, radishes, spinach, dill, cilantro, massve amounts of chillies, and equally massive amounts of tomatoes, zuzucchini, melons, an squash. With luck, it'll be all-I-can-eat salsa in my kitchen this summer. 

Five Kung Fu Daredevil Heroes (1977)

Following the assassination of Manchu official, a top diplomat is sent to a stronghold along the Chinese-Russian border to negotiate for a supply of arms. Guarding the stronghold is the bearded (and treacherous) Captain Koo. Together with his aid, who wears an unconvincing grey wig,  Koo manipulates the situation with the Russians to his own benefit.  A group of 5 Anti-Manchu rebels team up to destroy the fortress and battle Captain Koo.

The audio and video are both poor quality, but are watchable. The film opens with plenty of action and slows down towards the middle of the story, but the big fight at the end is a lot of fun to watch (as is usual for this type of film).

Not to be confused with the 5 Venoms film of a similar name,  Shaolin Daredevils (1979).

imdb