In time for Halloween ...

Today, with much joy, I discovered that my ghost pepper plant has borne fruit.  It's small still, and green.  But, if the weather holds, I could harvest a good ghost pepper this year.  What I'd do with it isn't clear, since they're so spicy -- more than 100 times as hot as a jalapeño -- that even if you made a bathtub full of chili with a single ghost pepper, it might still be too hot.  But, for now, I must just hope that this is a problem which I'll have to solve when (if!) the peppers get ripe.  ...  Happy Halloween!!

My favorite beers

I can't even say what exactly my criteria is for this list. Cost plays a factor, but a small one. I'll pay for the good stuff. Availability is important, too -- if I can't get it at the grocery store, I'm not making a special trip for beer. (Might as well be drinking alone?) Really, I mostly need this list as a reminder. Sometimes, my wife is going to the store and asks me what I want. So, here it is, with short comments.

Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Best all-around beer.

Harp
A great everyday beer. It's flavorful and malty but not heavy.

Peroni
A paler, lighter beer that really, really does taste great. A bit on the pricey side, though.

Kalik
This is a very pale beer that is not found at the grocery store (not mine anyway). I had it at the beach this year. I would describe it like this: what if someone took Corona and made it really good.

Samuel Adams Boston Ale / Anheuser Busch American Ale
In a big surprise Anheuser makes the list! Their new American Ale is great and easily on a par with S.A.'s Boston Ale. Anheuser's other attempts at real beer have been weak (Amberbock: bleh.) These are heavier. (These share a spot because they're very alike and the S.A.B.A. is hard to get by itself.)

Dos Equiis Amber
The standard for ambers.

Samuel Adams Scotch Ale
Has some bite to it. Wish I could get this by itself.

Pilsner Urquel
The original pilsner. Worth the money.

Warsteiner
Another great everyday beer. Not too light, not too heavy, just right.

Tecate
A great paler beer, featuring flavor!

So, what did I miss? My tastes change over time and I may return and update this when it happens next. Go for the good stuff!

Banana Yin Yang

God has smiled on me today. Two bananas, practically identical in size and shape, except one is a little ripe and another is a little green. So, I like bananas, big deal. But, my joy comes from the inspiration that I had to photograph these beauties to share with you. Enjoy. (... Much as I did the ripe one shortly after this picture was taken.)


"All things have their opposite. Though, this is relative. No one thing is completely Ripe or completely Green. Each contains the seed of its opposite. The Ripeness and the Greenness should be kept in balance. ... Otherwise, your little sister will cry when she must eat an over ripe, black banana."
(Liberally adapted from wikipedia)