when reading this article about literacy
i was saddened by it
yet i was struck by an typo
not meant to be ironic
that perhaps unknowingly proved the point.
“literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.”
― kofi annan
Jul2
Author Archives: beth
Jul1
beaver tails.
Beaver Tails
(no rodents were harmed in the making of this treat)
Some people might be horrified at the idea of eating the tail of a semi-aquatic rodent. But the sweet beaver tails that Canadians feast upon aren’t taken from beavers. Instead, they are big paddles of whole-wheat dough, fried to golden crispness. The final product is often doused in toppings such as cinnamon-sugar, chocolate, whipped cream, and maple butter.
While their name has become shorthand for a big, wheat doughnut, most come from one place: the BeaverTails chain of pastry shops. For the last 40 years, the Ontario-founded company has been slinging beaver tails, or queues de castor, at outlets across Canada. Flavors range from savory (garlic cheese, anyone?) to sweet (apple cinnamon). Fan favorites are the Killalou Sunrise, topped with cinnamon-sugar and lemon, or the Triple Trip, which boasts chocolate hazelnut spread, peanut butter, and Reese’s Pieces. In eastern Canada, they’re often a winter treat, perfect for after skating.
As the tails have slowly spread around the world, from Dubai to Dollywood, their indulgent taste and evocative name has made them an iconic part of Canada’s cuisine.
happy canada day to our sweet neighbors to the north!
—
credits: atlas obscura/gastro obscura/taste montreal
Jun30
pie for breakfast.
used the berries we picked
to make a strawberry pie for breakfast
what a fine way to begin a day.
“to whoever invented fantasy, redwood trees, and pie for breakfast; well done.”
-dr sun wolf
Jun29
reach.
“we sit in the mud… and reach for the stars.”
-ivan turgenev
—
photo credit: pinterest vintage
Jun28
coffee talk.
nothing like waking up early
sipping a warm cup of strong coffee
chewing on something that seems like a berry
your brain catching up
and wondering
why there is a berry in your cup
because you don’t normally
add berries to your coffee
and you spit it out
only to discover
that it was really a random giant ant not a berry
who climbed into your cup
in the time it took you to walk out of the room and back
and you have unwittingly shared your coffee with him
and he, with you.
—
“it is not enough to be busy. so are the ants. the question is: what are we busy about?”
-henry david thoreau
Jun27
the papermaker.
i have always had a great love of paper
especially handmade
each piece unique
the feel, the smell, the beauty,
the unlimited opportunities
to decorate it, to write and draw and paint upon it,
to fold it, to cut it, to wrap with it, to read from it, to create with it.
the short film below is a glimpse into the life of an artisan
who is also passionate about paper.
—
“The Papermaker“ is a short documentary about one of the last handcrafting papermakers in Europe and his great love for paper. Gangolf Ulbricht makes unique tree- free papers by hand. For international artists, conservators, photographers, printers and many more. He learned his uniqe craft in Germany, Japan, France and England. In this short film we see him producing his fine paper in his basement studio in the Arthouse Bethanien in Berlin-Kreuzberg. He talks about his love and dedication for this craft – and it ́s future. Gangolf has worked for a number of known artists like: Jenny Holzer, Louise Bourgeois, Guenther Uecker, Jonathan Meese, Damien Hirst, Christiane Baumgartner, Matthias Weischer and many more.
https://uncrate.com/video/the-papermaker/
—
“fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”
-william wordsworth
—
credits:
Directed by DANIEL EGENOLF
Director of Photography LINE KÜHL
Edited by BORIS SEEWALD
Music by RALF HILDENBEUTEL
Sounddesign by ALEXANDER HEINZE
Produced by kingsandkongs.de
Jun26
strawberry fields forever.
today
picking in the fields
tasting along the way
tomorrow
the pie.
—
“strawberry fields is anywhere you want to go.”
-john lennon
Jun25
wisdom and kindness.
what a lovely afternoon spent
with a family whose three daughters
each of us have taught and loved in our turn over the years
as they gave thanks to all of their teachers
by cooking and serving us an amazing brunch
at a beautiful table
complete with many homemade delights
main courses, sweets, desserts, coffee, and fruit prosecos
dad and daughters prepare our meal
while mom finalizes the drinks and details in the dining room
—
such an amazing and generous gesture
as their last daughter leaves the familiar comfort
of our elementary school
and moves on to her next chapter
in the middle school division
along with her lovely family
who we will miss
and who have taught their daughters
the wisdom of gratitude and kindness.
—
“what wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?”
-jean-jacques rousseau
Jun24
other worlds.
while watching the little league game
i caught a glimmer of shiny blue movement
out of the corner of my eye
and suddenly there appeared
a shimmery mermaid
all scales and tails
coming from far away
skipping onto the field
staying safe in the background
to see just what
this other world was all about
and in an instant
she was skipping off again
returning to the safe world she knew
in the great bathtub sea. 
“it’s fun to peek into other people’s worlds
and see how they go about doing things.”
-norah jones
Jun23
banned.
when visiting the detroit public library
m is shocked to find that books
have been banned in the past
and learns a huge lesson.
—
“censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.”
-laurie halse anderson, Speak
I didn't have my glasses on.... 