Dragonflies & damselflies things

On Sunday, I went up to St. John's Abbey with my friend Laurel to attend a seminar and field work on dragonflies and damselflies. It was really good. Kurt Mead, the Odonata Survey Project, i.e. dragonfly & damselfly project gave a really good introduction to these invertebrates. We had some classroom work and then we went out onto the field and swung our nets to catch damselflies and dragonflies. When we returned home, we went online and ordered a net and other things so we can do more surveying. In fact, we will be surveying the rest of this month and into next month until the frost comes. The coolest name for a dragonfly - Stygian Shadow Dragonfly. It sounds like the name of a superhero.

Things Shakespeare

Sunday was a magnificent day. I went to Powderhorn Park and enjoyed a production of "A Midsummer's Night Dream" by Shakespeare. They had it in two locations about 50 yards apart. It was a great setting outside in a small grove near the lake. Perfect. The weather cooperated. The acting was fun. And like I said the setting was perfect.

Afterwards, I went to my son's home and ate pork chops and corn on the cob with them. As an after dinner treat, we watched two more episodes of 'Pacific', only one more to go. Watching it of course, is nothing like what those men had to endure. But it was a brutal, hard fought war against a very tough enemy. I bought one of the books the series is based on, "With the Old Breed" by Eugene Sledge. I am looking forward to reading it soon.

Age of Kali

The Age of Kali: Indian Travels and Encounters by William Dalrymple

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another W. Dalrymple travel book and another great read. India comes alive and I know I wanted to go right straight away and visit it and see all the things he was writing about. A fantastic read.

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In Xanadu

In Xanadu: A Quest by William Dalrymple

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


One of the best books I have read recently. I love to read anything by William Dalrymple. He is a fantastic writer. He mixes historical facts, narratives from ancient writers, his own views, and misadventures all with Scottish wit, charm, and fun.

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Far Bright Star

Far Bright Star by Robert Olmstead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Good read. Novel about the U.S. Army expedition to capture Pancho Villa in 1916.

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Scotch things Happy Gnome

Tasting at the Happy Gnome was very fun and what a deal. 11 whiskies for $11.54. Here is the line-up Scottish Leader (the weak sister of the group), Bunnahabhain 18, Bunnahabhain 12, Bunnahabhain 25, Tobermory 10, Ledaig 10, Black Bottle, Deanston 12, Deanston 30, Tobermory 15, and Drumgray Highland Cream Liquor. The best of the evening were Bunnahabhain 18 and 25, Deanston 30, Tobermory 15, and the Ledaig 10. This was a good tasting. The date of the tasting was 25 February.

Scotch things February

Merlin's Rest first Thursday of the Month and Eileen and I host the Scotch whisky tasting. On the menu is Macallan 12, The Glenlivet 12, Glenfiddich 12, and Balvenie doublewood 12.
These are found in most bars, at least the first three. Old classics and some of the most popular single malts. Some people scoffed at the selection, however, they are classics for a reason. All of them are well made, tasty, wonderful nose, and well balanced.