Archives for the ‘Blog Entries.Local’ Category

Easter: Hope in the Midst of Battle

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 20th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

The Easter Sequence - Victimæ paschali laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;
bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.

"He is not here."

With those words, spoken by the messenger of God, the reality of the Resurrection was revealed to the world. The empty tomb proclaims that death and sin have been conquered. Every time I reflect on the Resurrection, I’m struck by the awe the women at the tomb must have felt that morning — confusion, fear, and overwhelming joy. I also wonder what went through the minds of those who persecuted Him. 

And yet, even in the light of the Resurrection, the Prince of Darkness continues his work in this world. His followers — willing or unwitting — carry out his will by twisting truth, sowing confusion, and offering false promises. Evil is repackaged as good; deception cloaked in virtue. As the enemy works to blur the lines, we see morality mocked and genuine love labeled as hate. Through relentless attacks on our faith, our freedoms, and the sanctity of life, we witness the spiritual battle that still rages.

But today, we celebrate the fulfillment of Our Lord’s promise. On this most glorious day, our fears are vanquished and our hearts are lifted. The Resurrection reminds us that the ultimate war between good and evil has already been won. For three days, it seemed like Satan had triumphed — but three days are nothing compared to eternity. Easter is our strength and our hope. It empowers us to persevere through trials, resist temptation, and stand firm in the face of persecution.

So today, we rejoice. Easter is the fulfillment of Christ’s promise of eternal life. It is the triumph of good over evil. Easter calls us to live with courage, to remain vigilant, and never to surrender to darkness.

Wishing you a blessed and joy-filled Easter. May the light and joy of the Resurrection remain in your heart all year long.

Happy Easter!




Weekend Update #15

Author: From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Apr 19th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

Happy 420 day to all who celebrate! Also, Happy Easter if that is more your jam.

This was a very busy weekend. I don't normally plan 4 outings in a single weekend, but this weekend we did.

I started Saturday morning by getting up early and meeting the Audubon folks at York River State Park. We identified 51 species, which is a nice number for a couple of hours of birding. The 35 minute trip home took 2 hours due to an accident that shut down the highway. In the evening we attended out first Richmond Flying Squirrels game of the year. It was a beautiful night for baseball and they won, which does not happen often when I attend games.

On Sunday, we got up early to go to Bryan Park birding, and specifically to look for the Great Horned Owl that lives there. I've been out birding a couple of hundred times, and somehow I have never seen an owl. That changed this morning. We would have missed out again, but a friendly birder who had seen it earlier told me where to look, and then 15 minutes later when she can down that trail she stopped and showed me exactly which tree to look in. I paid it forward a few minutes when another birder came through looking for the owl. The photo is very bad because I took it at extreme zoom distance, staring back into the sun. The original photo is unrecognizable as an owl, it's just a dark blob, but after playing with the photo sliders in gThumb I at least got it to a point where it is proof that I did see the owl.

An Easter tradition here in RVA is Easter on Parade. The city closes down about six blocks of Monument Ave, which is paved with old brick pavers and features 2 lanes each direction and a very wide, shady and grassy median that serves as sort of a park for the locals. People show up dressed for Easter (some nicely, some outrageously) and the parade is the people watching. People picnic in the median, the people that live on the street have friends over for Easter parties, and there are street vendors and food trucks and it's just a generally fun way to spend the afternoon.

For Easter dinner we had ham, mashed potatoes, honey-balsamic glazed carrots, cranberry sauce, and rosemary and olive oil bread. The carrots were something I had never made before, and they have changed how I think about vegetables. They were that good.

photo collage

It was a crazy week at work, so the links are a little sparse this week.

Elect Disk - A manifesto, or maybe just a rant, about what late stage capitalism is doing to us, along with three things you can do to reclaim some peace.

AI Rant - A fabulous rant about the AI-ization of everything.

Homestar Runner posted a new video. If you are the type that will care, you probably already knew this.

Some thoughts on what the dramatic decline in longform reading may be doing to us.

That's all for this week. In a world where you can choose to be anything, choose to be kind.



Springtime Pairing: La Historia E-III and Heaven Hill Wheated Bourbon

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 19th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Whew! What a week (and a half) it’s been! The renovation of our screen porch and deck is underway. That means people are now walking around just outside our kitchen door, and the house echoes with the sounds of hammering and construction. But when we finally sit down for dinner in the evening after the crew has packed up, the peacefulness is downright palpable. Despite the current disruption, the upgraded space is sure to be well worth it. The screen porch is being transformed into a three-season room, which will make it much more comfortable for cigar smoking in the cooler months.

Speaking of cool weather, temperatures dropped sharply over the past week. With the porch out of commission and the heaters already put away, I haven't spent much time outside. But by Friday, the warm weather had returned, and according to the 10-day forecast, it looks like it’s here to stay — at least for a while. With construction dominating the backyard, I decided to enjoy a smoke on the front porch, a seldom-used part of our home.

For the evening’s smoke, I chose the E.P. Carrillo La Historia E-III, which has been resting in my humidor since early December. After four months, it was undoubtably more than ready to be enjoyed. I paired it with Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon, a rich counterpart for the cigar.



Right away, the La Historia E-III felt light in the hand — surprisingly so. It had a soft, slightly under-packed feel. The Mexican San Andrés wrapper was rugged, with light chocolate mottling over a darker base. A few folds and wrinkles showed in the box-pressed body, giving it a bit of a rustic look, as if it hadn’t quite filled out the mold during pressing. The cigar measures 6 7/8 x 54, with an Ecuadorian binder and Nicaraguan fillers completing the blend.

As expected, the initial draw was open and airy. While E.P. Carrillo cigars typically perform well, I had some early doubts about this one based on the draw alone.

But those doubts were short-lived. From the first light, robust notes of bitter cocoa and coffee came forward. As the cigar developed, I picked up more dark chocolate and even a bit of espresso bitterness. A touch of mixed nuts joined the profile, adding depth. By the second half, a subtle underlying sweetness lingered at the back of my throat.

To my delight, the draw tightened slightly as the cigar warmed, and smoke production became thick and flavorful. The rich, dark flavor profile made for a full-bodied experience overall.

Despite the good smoke output later on, the cigar inexplicably went out on two occasions and needed to be relit. The burn line was wavy but never to the point that it needed correction.



Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon is made with a mash bill of 52% corn, 35% wheat, and 13% malted barley. The corn, grown in Central Kentucky, is a high-starch variety selected specifically for this release. Bottled at 121 proof and aged for six years, this bourbon promises an exciting experience.

Even on the breezy porch, aromas of vanilla, walnut, oak, and a gentle white fruit sweetness wafted from the glass. A deeper sniff brought the telltale heat of the high proof.

The flavor profile is just as complex — vanilla, oak, nuts, molasses, apple, and pear emerged at different moments while sipping. The finish is sweet and long, with a lingering white pepper tingle on the palate.

The complexity of both the La Historia E-III and the Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon made for an especially rewarding pairing. Each offered deep, evolving flavors and long, satisfying finishes. They complemented each other beautifully, creating a rich and memorable tasting experience.

The smoke lasted an unexpected hour and forty minutes, far exceeding what I’d anticipated from such a featherweight stick. Enjoying the quiet, the sun and a gentle breeze in a short-sleeved shirt is hopefully a sign of more beautiful weather to come.



Good Friday: Limbo

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 18th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
A 3:00 thought for Good Friday.
The ancient greyness shifted suddenly and thinned like mist upon the moors before a wind.

An old, old prophet lifted a shining face and said:

“He will be coming soon. The Son of God is dead; He died this afternoon.”

A murmurous excitement stirred all souls. They wondered if they dreamed

save one old man who seemed not even to have heard.

And Moses, standing, hushed them all to ask if any had a welcome song prepared.

If not, would David take the task?

And if they cared could not the three young children sing the Benedicite,

the canticle of praise they made when God kept them from perishing in the fiery blaze?

A breath of spring surprised them, stilling Moses’ words.

No one could speak, remembering the first fresh flowers, the little singing birds.

Still others thought of fields new ploughed or apple trees all blossom-boughed.

Or some, the way a dried bed fills with water laughing down green hills.

The fisherfolk dreamed of the foam on bright blue seas.

The one old man who had not stirred remembered home.

And there He was, splendid as the morning sun and fair as only God is fair.

And they, confused with joy, knelt to adore

Seeing that He wore five crimson stars He never had before.

No canticle at all was sung. None toned a psalm, or raised a greeting song,

A silent man alone of all that throng found tongue — not any other.

Close to His heart when the embrace was done, old Joseph said,

“How is Your Mother, How is Your Mother, Son?”
-- Sister Mary Ada

I know I share this every year on Good Friday. I find the reflection very moving and it hits me right in the feels every time.




The Algonquin Cocktail

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 14th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
There was some leftover pineapple juice in the house this weekend from making a pork tenderloin marinade. Since it’s not a juice I’d normally drink on its own, I wondered if it could find a place in our Sunday afternoon cocktails.

Most classic cocktails that feature pineapple juice lean toward rum or tequila — piña coladas, margaritas, mojitos, and the like. But the Algonquin stands apart as a whiskey-based drink. Named after the Algonquin Hotel in New York City, this three-ingredient cocktail is built around rye whiskey.
The Algonquin
  • 1 1/2 oz Rye Whiskey
  • 3/4 oz Dry Vermouth
  • 3/4 oz Pineapple Juice
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.



For our version, I used Bulleit 12-Year Rye (the Algonquin Hotel uses WhistlePig Rye according to their website). The aroma from the glass was pineapple-forward, as expected. On the palate, the rye’s spice cut through, but pineapple remained the dominant note. The drink was slightly bitter, light in body, and overall, quite refreshing.

I enjoyed the Algonquin, though I felt it was missing a little something for my taste. As I sipped, I couldn’t help but wonder if a dash of orange bitters might brighten things up. While the classic recipe sticks to just three ingredients, further digging revealed variations that include orange or Peychaud’s bitters, lime juice, or even a touch of simple syrup.

It’s certainly a cocktail worth experimenting with further.

Cheers!



Best Day Kolsch

Author: From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Apr 13th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

We were out on a date night a couple of weekends ago and the club had the Best Day Kolsch, so I got one. It's very drinkable, living at the low end of the acceptable IBU range for a Kolsch. It's a good starter NA beer for someone who typically drinks mass market lagers. Personally, I'd prefer just a bit more of a hop forward character, but there absolutely nothing wrong with the beer. I will order it again.



Six Weeks In: Patience, Pain, and the Promise of Healing

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 13th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
I wasn’t sure when — or if — I’d write another post-op update. But early Sunday morning, with a cup of coffee and my laptop in front of me, I found I had nothing else to write about. So here we are.

It’s hard to believe it’s been a little over six weeks since my back surgery and lumbar fusion. I wasn’t certain I’d share another update, but as this recovery journey continues — slowly but surely — I find myself needing frequent reminders to be patient, stay mindful, and not rush the process. Writing it all down helps reinforce that intention.

The pain that plagued me for over a year is, thankfully, mostly gone. But it’s been traded for new, unfamiliar aches. Some days, the new pain rivals the old; other days, I’m surprisingly (though relatively) pain-free. These ups and downs bring alternating moments of joy and frustration.

At the five-week-and-two-day mark (yes, I’m counting), I saw the surgeon and had x-rays taken. He walked in smiling and said everything looked great and that healing was progressing normally. When I mentioned the new leg and back pains, he explained that it was typical. They had to “manipulate” muscles and nerves to do what needed to be done. That, along with gradually increasing leg activity after months of minimal use, was likely the cause.

He reminded me that it could take at least three months before I notice significant and sustained improvement — and that full recovery could take six months or more. I knew that going in, but now that I’m in it, three months feels like a long time. So yes, patience continues to be the theme of the season.

I got to see the hardware now holding me together—screws, rods, and a spacer between the vertebrae. I was amazed at how deep the screws run into the bone, stopping just short of the other side. Considering the ratio of bone to titanium, it’s surprising the vertebrae don’t split like wood. Thankfully, my bones are healthy — even if they were out of place. Pointing to the x-ray, the surgeon noted signs of “early vertebral disc space fusion healing.” That was reassuring to hear, though I had no idea what I was actually looking at.

It’s frustrating to rely on my wife for so many simple tasks, though I’m immensely grateful she’s both able and willing to help. I never realized how often I drop things—until I couldn’t pick them up. And during the rare moments when pain is minimal, I have to remind myself not to break the rules by bending or lifting. Thankfully, Colleen is very alert and keeps a close eye on me to prevent any careless movements.

Normal, everyday activities like tending to my indoor light garden have become a team effort. Colleen hands me the plants I want to work with, helps with daily watering, and manages the tasks I can’t do myself. I often find myself staring out the living room windows, yearning to get back to yard work and the projects that will likely have to wait until next year.

As the weather warms, our daily walks have become a cornerstone of my recovery—both physically and mentally. Until I’m cleared for physical therapy, walking (including stairs) as much as I can tolerate is the best prescription the surgeon can offer. The distance increases a bit each day, though I remain purposefully cautious not to push too hard.

At this point, the pain is very cyclical — coming and going without a clear pattern. Trying to sleep often brings out the worst of it. That’s frustrating, as I’ve always believed that it’s during sleep that the body heals. Still, even that’s improving; sleep is becoming less sporadic. Some mornings, I even wake up and almost pop out of bed without a second thought—though that’s when I have to be the most careful. Morning stiffness and pain are still present, but the intensity is noticeably decreasing.

Lately, there are times, usually in the afternoon and evening, when I can almost forget the pain. Those relatively pain-free moments still feel surreal, and I relish them.

Being able to drive a little has helped. I can run errands, and we occasionally go out for a meal. Strangely enough, my car’s driver seat might be the most comfortable chair I use. I know I won’t be hitting the range anytime soon, but I’ve been enjoying the occasional cigar and drink — with a bit more moderation than usual, balancing the healing process with the joys of life.

Small things — like a trip to the store with my dear wife to carry the bags, or getting a haircut — add welcome variety to the monotony of healing. I even made a visit to the cigar lounge recently. And to my great joy, I’ve been able to attend Sunday Mass the past few weeks. I’m still limited in my ability to kneel, bow, or genuflect, but even with those restrictions, it’s been a meaningful and welcome return.

My next check-in with the surgeon is in five weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing more bone growth on the x-rays. I also hope to report a decrease in pain and discomfort — and, per the doctor’s orders, a significant increase in my daily walking distance. I’m very much looking forward to being cleared for physical therapy so I can start regaining lost strength.

I take it as a good sign that some of my biggest frustrations lately have been with the weather, not with pain. I am anxious for Spring to arrive, and stay. I'm tired of cold weather! We’re in the middle of having our deck and screen porch renovated, which means the protected porch is unavailable. Cool, rainy days hinder my ability to enjoy a cigar or simply be outside.

Despite the limitations, the aches of healing, and the occasional bout of boredom, I remain very optimistic about the future. Progress is being made. Even with the ups and downs, the overall trajectory is upward. A friend recently told me, “The day will come when you wonder when the pain stopped.” That resonated deeply, and I remind myself of it often.

My back will heal — eventually — and I’ll once again enjoy many of my favorite activities. And we’ll finally be able to get this retirement phase of life into full swing.

Patience.

Cheers!




Where the Boys Are

Author: From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Apr 12th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

We listened to the Decoder Ring podcast while driving yesterday morning. The subject was the history of Spring Break. I did not realize a 1960 movie featuring George Hamilton is the origin story for the college migration South every Spring.

So of course we had to watch it last night.

It's not a bad flick for its time. It handles issues like college drinking, sex, and even rape more frankly than I would have expected for a movie of its time. Being very early in the 60s, the girls aren't looking for just a good time on the beach, the are looking for husbands. But with wall to wall kids on the beach, lots of drinking, and for some reason a jazz band playing on the beach, I can see how it sells the idea of a week of fun in the sun.

I never did the crazy week at Daytona in the 80s. We went to FL. my senior year, but we stayed in sleepy Longboat Key at a friend's parents condo, and we brought our girlfriends. It was record cold that week in FL. and our beach time was limited to walks on the beach while wearing hoodies.



Weekend Update #14

Author: From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Apr 12th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

I woke up early this morning and wrote three blog posts on my phone while laying in bed.

8 Days without Facebook
The title should be self-explanatory.

Careless People
Review of the insiders look at Facebook that Zuck tried to suppress.

Where the Boys Are
Did you know the whole college students on Spring Break trope comes from a 1960 movie with George Hamilton?

Earlier in the week I wrote about Facebook Killing my Marriage and I posted about our walk through a famous local cemetery last weekend.

That's a damn productive week of blogging. I don't think I need send more of my words your way this week. We can move onto the links.

This article about a US college student in London accidentally ending up on a private charter boat filled with fans of a lower level soccer club heading to a match is charming. They made the team a new fan for life.

Bill Hunt talks about the need to build more smaller online services as an antidote to the mega sites.

It's a slick static site generator, written in bash. I do not need to replatform my website. I do not need to replatform my website. I do not need to replatform my website.

That's all for this week. In a world where you can choose to be anything, choose to be kind.



Books: Careless People by Sarah Wynn Williams

Author: From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Apr 12th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

I had never heard of this book before Facebook's attempts to stop its publication put it on my radar. Zuck, may I introduce you to Barbra Streisand?

Sarah was hired very early to lead, really start, Facebook's attempts to develop relationships with world leaders. She spent a year convincing Facebook that it needed a public policy program, and she joined as an idealistic young woman that saw Facebook's potential to change the world for the better.

The book covers her nine years at Facebook and her descent into disillusionment as she comes to realize Zuck and the rest of Facebook don't give a shit about anything beyond maximizing revenue and their personal wealth, and if they have to burn the world to the ground in the process, that's fine.

We also learn that Sheryl Sandberg is full of shit in her bestseller Lean In, and that women were routinely sexually harassed at Facebook. Sarah was literally answering emails while giving birth because that was the expectation at Facebook. Women can have it all at Facebook, which means the nanny raises your kids while you work insane hours destroying the world.

Not surprisingly, Facebook was willing to give China a back door to track every Chinese user to get access to the country; they knew they were enabling genocide in Myanmar, and Facebook employees were embedded in the Trump 2016 campaign. They knew what Trump was doing, and they were actively helping. They thought (and still think) it was a great model for the future due to the amount that the Trump campaign spent on ads. Getting politicians to base their campaigns on Facebook meant that those same politicians were less likely to regulate Facebook. It wasn't a happy accident. Facebook had a sales team of 60 selling the idea to elected officials worldwide. Facebook executives barely use the site themselves, and they don't let their children use the site or any social media.

In other words, Facebook is evil. But you already knew that.

I will say that the undercurrent of "If Facebook would have just listened to me..." running throughout the book gets a little annoying towards the end. Sarah may have been fighting internally against Facebook's worst impulses, but ultimately, she never quit. She was fired.