Archives for the ‘Blog Entries.Local’ Category

Five O’Clock Friday: Healthy Drinking

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 15th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
It's the weekend, take care of yourself.



And lest you forget, wine is a fruit.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Five O’Clock Friday: Healthy Drinking

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 15th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
It's the weekend, take care of yourself.



And lest you forget, wine is a fruit.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

The Eternal Battle: Otranto and the War on Christianity

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 14th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Today, August 14, we commemorate the Feast Day of the Martyrs of Otranto. These faithful Christians were victims of a brutal conquest during the Ottoman invasion of the Italian city of Otranto in 1480. After a two-week siege, the city fell on August 11 to the muslim oppressors. What followed was a horrifying massacre: all men over the age of 50 were executed, and women and children under 15 were taken into slavery.

The leader of the invading force, Pasha Ahmed, summoned over 800 surviving Christian men and demanded that they convert to Islam or face death. These men, firm in their faith, refused to renounce Christ.

One among them stepped forward and delivered words that echo through the centuries:
My brothers, until today we have fought in defense of our country, to save our lives, and for our lords; now it is time that we fight to save our souls for our Lord, so that having died on the cross for us, it is good that we should die for him, standing firm and constant in the faith, and with this earthly death we shall win eternal life and the glory of martyrs.
Angered by their defiance, Pasha Ahmed ordered their execution. On August 14, 1480, the 800 were taken to a nearby hill and beheaded while their families and fellow townspeople were forced to watch. Tradition holds that the body of the first to die, Antonio Primaldo, miraculously remained standing until all the others had been martyred.

With Otranto devastated and its population decimated, the Ottoman forces turned their sights toward Rome. The barbaric muslim conquest of Italy would ultimately fail following the death of Sultan Mehmet II which left the invading forces in disarray. 

A year later, in October 1481, the remains of the martyrs were found to be incorrupt and were transferred to the Otranto Cathedral. Pope Clement XIV beatified them on December 14, 1771. Centuries later, on May 12, 2013, Pope Francis canonized them as saints, honoring their steadfast faith and ultimate sacrifice.

Martyrs of Otranto, Ora pro nobis!

Relics of the Otranto Martyrs


The war against Christianity is not confined to history. Though the weapons may change, the threats remain — from violent extremism abroad to ideological hostility at home. As we remember the courage and faith of the Martyrs of Otranto, let us pray for the strength to stand firm in our own trials, no matter their form.


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

The Eternal Battle: Otranto and the War on Christianity

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 14th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Today, August 14, we commemorate the Feast Day of the Martyrs of Otranto. These faithful Christians were victims of a brutal conquest during the Ottoman invasion of the Italian city of Otranto in 1480. After a two-week siege, the city fell on August 11 to the muslim oppressors. What followed was a horrifying massacre: all men over the age of 50 were executed, and women and children under 15 were taken into slavery.

The leader of the invading force, Pasha Ahmed, summoned over 800 surviving Christian men and demanded that they convert to Islam or face death. These men, firm in their faith, refused to renounce Christ.

One among them stepped forward and delivered words that echo through the centuries:
My brothers, until today we have fought in defense of our country, to save our lives, and for our lords; now it is time that we fight to save our souls for our Lord, so that having died on the cross for us, it is good that we should die for him, standing firm and constant in the faith, and with this earthly death we shall win eternal life and the glory of martyrs.
Angered by their defiance, Pasha Ahmed ordered their execution. On August 14, 1480, the 800 were taken to a nearby hill and beheaded while their families and fellow townspeople were forced to watch. Tradition holds that the body of the first to die, Antonio Primaldo, miraculously remained standing until all the others had been martyred.

With Otranto devastated and its population decimated, the Ottoman forces turned their sights toward Rome. The barbaric muslim conquest of Italy would ultimately fail following the death of Sultan Mehmet II which left the invading forces in disarray. 

A year later, in October 1481, the remains of the martyrs were found to be incorrupt and were transferred to the Otranto Cathedral. Pope Clement XIV beatified them on December 14, 1771. Centuries later, on May 12, 2013, Pope Francis canonized them as saints, honoring their steadfast faith and ultimate sacrifice.

Martyrs of Otranto, Ora pro nobis!

Relics of the Otranto Martyrs


The war against Christianity is not confined to history. Though the weapons may change, the threats remain — from violent extremism abroad to ideological hostility at home. As we remember the courage and faith of the Martyrs of Otranto, let us pray for the strength to stand firm in our own trials, no matter their form.


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

From Back Surgery to Back on the Range

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 12th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
It had been far too long since I’d made it to the range. After 18 months of battling back issues and recovering from surgery, I’d occasionally wondered if it was time to drop “shooting sports” from this blog’s tagline. But I held on to hope — and this week, that hope paid off with a long-awaited trip to the range.

In addition to the simple joy of shooting again, I’d been itching to revisit my old SIG Sauer P226. That pistol had served me well in many USPSA and IDPA matches before I moved on to the striker-fired P320. A couple of weeks ago, I started dry-firing the P226 and decided it needed an upgrade. I swapped the stock sights for the same Dawson Precision setup I use on my P320s, installing them just last week in anticipation of this trip.



I’ll admit I was a bit apprehensive setting up at the range. Physical therapy has rebuilt muscles that were long neglected, but they haven’t been stress-tested much. I hadn’t fired a shot in 18 months, and aside from 30 rounds in 2023, the P226 hadn’t left the safe since mid-2017. Would I still remember the nuances of a double-action/single-action trigger?

I kept all my shooting at the 7-yard line — partly for focus, partly because I wanted my brass landing in one general area to avoid excessive bending when picking it up later. The first shot felt good. It took a bit to reacquaint myself with the long, smooth double-action pull and the short single-action follow-ups. There were a few fliers, but overall, the groups looked solid. The new sights seemed well-installed, and while the trigger feel was different, the sight picture was comfortingly familiar.




The first 15 rounds grouped nicely, most of them fired in pairs after drawing from the holster. I’d planned to stick with draw-and-shoot drills, but couldn’t resist trying some strong-hand-only shots as I finished up the last magazine. From 7 yards, I hit the head area every time — a pleasant surprise after so long away.

After 100 rounds, I called it a day. The brass pickup went smoothly enough, despite some stiffness in my back. I might have been nervous on the way there, but I drove home with a grin on my face.

I’m not sure yet when I’ll be ready for a match, but it feels like the long shooting drought may finally be breaking.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

From Back Surgery to Back on the Range

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 12th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
It had been far too long since I’d made it to the range. After 18 months of battling back issues and recovering from surgery, I’d occasionally wondered if it was time to drop “shooting sports” from this blog’s tagline. But I held on to hope — and this week, that hope paid off with a long-awaited trip to the range.

In addition to the simple joy of shooting again, I’d been itching to revisit my old SIG Sauer P226. That pistol had served me well in many USPSA and IDPA matches before I moved on to the striker-fired P320. A couple of weeks ago, I started dry-firing the P226 and decided it needed an upgrade. I swapped the stock sights for the same Dawson Precision setup I use on my P320s, installing them just last week in anticipation of this trip.



I’ll admit I was a bit apprehensive setting up at the range. Physical therapy has rebuilt muscles that were long neglected, but they haven’t been stress-tested much. I hadn’t fired a shot in 18 months, and aside from 30 rounds in 2023, the P226 hadn’t left the safe since mid-2017. Would I still remember the nuances of a double-action/single-action trigger?

I kept all my shooting at the 7-yard line — partly for focus, partly because I wanted my brass landing in one general area to avoid excessive bending when picking it up later. The first shot felt good. It took a bit to reacquaint myself with the long, smooth double-action pull and the short single-action follow-ups. There were a few fliers, but overall, the groups looked solid. The new sights seemed well-installed, and while the trigger feel was different, the sight picture was comfortingly familiar.




The first 15 rounds grouped nicely, most of them fired in pairs after drawing from the holster. I’d planned to stick with draw-and-shoot drills, but couldn’t resist trying some strong-hand-only shots as I finished up the last magazine. From 7 yards, I hit the head area every time — a pleasant surprise after so long away.

After 100 rounds, I called it a day. The brass pickup went smoothly enough, despite some stiffness in my back. I might have been nervous on the way there, but I drove home with a grin on my face.

I’m not sure yet when I’ll be ready for a match, but it feels like the long shooting drought may finally be breaking.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

An Evening with Powstanie’s Catastrophic Failure and Bénédictine D.O.M.

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 11th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
With dinner finished and the after-dinner walk complete, it was time to settle onto the screened porch for a smoke. I had picked up a few Powstanie Catastrophic Failure cigars seven weeks ago during a shopping spree at my local cigar lounge. This evening, they were calling my name. I poured myself a small glass of Bénédictine D.O.M. Liqueur to accompany the cigar.

Released by Powstanie in late 2024, the Catastrophic Failure had somehow slipped past me, despite how fond I am of their smokes. This was my first time lighting one up. The 5 1/2 x 52 box-pressed cigar features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, double binders from Mexico and Pennsylvania, and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

The oily Sumatra wrapper is lightly mottled, nearly seamless, and smoothly rolled. It’s firm to the touch, but draws effortlessly. Upon lighting, it produces large clouds of dense, flavorful smoke. The burn remained even throughout the entire experience.



Opening notes of cedar, coffee, caramel, and baking spices set the tone. As the cigar progressed, I noticed a gentle increase in pepper and the emergence of an earthy, sweet base. Further along, a toasted bread and butter quality developed, all while the coffee and spice flavors continued to provide structure and depth — breakfast in a leaf, perhaps?



I was enjoying the cigar so much, I nearly forgot about the B&B sitting beside me. Bénédictine D.O.M. Liqueur is a pre-mixed blend of about 60% Bénédictine herbal liqueur and 40% French brandy, aged in small oak barrels to marry the flavors. I often enjoy it as a digestif after a good meal, particularly at a nice restaurant.

B&B is smooth, fruity, and herbal, with a pleasant honey sweetness. It’s light yet flavorful, leaving a lingering blend of mild bitterness and sweet fruit on the tongue.

The lingering honey and herbal notes of the Bénédictine D.O.M. paired beautifully with the pepper, earth, and roasted flavors of the cigar. While I was already enjoying the Catastrophic Failure on its own, the liqueur elevated the experience, adding another layer of complexity and enjoyment.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

An Evening with Powstanie’s Catastrophic Failure and Bénédictine D.O.M.

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 11th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
With dinner finished and the after-dinner walk complete, it was time to settle onto the screened porch for a smoke. I had picked up a few Powstanie Catastrophic Failure cigars seven weeks ago during a shopping spree at my local cigar lounge. This evening, they were calling my name. I poured myself a small glass of Bénédictine D.O.M. Liqueur to accompany the cigar.

Released by Powstanie in late 2024, the Catastrophic Failure had somehow slipped past me, despite how fond I am of their smokes. This was my first time lighting one up. The 5 1/2 x 52 box-pressed cigar features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, double binders from Mexico and Pennsylvania, and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

The oily Sumatra wrapper is lightly mottled, nearly seamless, and smoothly rolled. It’s firm to the touch, but draws effortlessly. Upon lighting, it produces large clouds of dense, flavorful smoke. The burn remained even throughout the entire experience.



Opening notes of cedar, coffee, caramel, and baking spices set the tone. As the cigar progressed, I noticed a gentle increase in pepper and the emergence of an earthy, sweet base. Further along, a toasted bread and butter quality developed, all while the coffee and spice flavors continued to provide structure and depth — breakfast in a leaf, perhaps?



I was enjoying the cigar so much, I nearly forgot about the B&B sitting beside me. Bénédictine D.O.M. Liqueur is a pre-mixed blend of about 60% Bénédictine herbal liqueur and 40% French brandy, aged in small oak barrels to marry the flavors. I often enjoy it as a digestif after a good meal, particularly at a nice restaurant.

B&B is smooth, fruity, and herbal, with a pleasant honey sweetness. It’s light yet flavorful, leaving a lingering blend of mild bitterness and sweet fruit on the tongue.

The lingering honey and herbal notes of the Bénédictine D.O.M. paired beautifully with the pepper, earth, and roasted flavors of the cigar. While I was already enjoying the Catastrophic Failure on its own, the liqueur elevated the experience, adding another layer of complexity and enjoyment.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Weekend Update #26

Author: From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Aug 9th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

Yesterday was the anniversary of Richard Nixon's resignation from the presidency. Just pointing that out. No additional commentary should be necessary.

I had a pretty great weekend. Yesterday we were out doing all the usual weekend errands, then had dinner at our favorite local joint, and did the Netflix and chill thing last night. Do people still say Netflix and chill? Anyway, we watched Always Be My Maybe, a better than average Rom-com with a hilarious 10-minute cameo from Keanu Reeves. Today we went to the Carytown Watermelon Festival, which is a thing here in RVA. I had some fabulous watermelon basil ice cream. I did not expect basil to work so well in ice cream, but as I said earlier, it was fabulous. My wife had watermelon pina colada ice cream, which was also quite good. We also each had a cup of straight watermelon. That was our lunch today. After making a lap of 100+ vendors lining the streets and checking out a few of the bands playing on the 5 stages it was getting hot and very crowded. So we headed to our local brewery and sat outside on their covered patio day drinking and reading. I did burgers and fries for dinner.

Like I said, it was a pretty great weekend.

photos

I switched my primary browser from Firefox to Chromium running the Duck Duck Go extension for privacy a couple of weeks ago, and I switched my note taking app from Zim Wiki to Standard Notes. In the process, my save a link for this email workflow got all screwed up. So even though I have not written one of these for a couple of weeks, I've only got a couple of links. Those of you on the paid plan can request a refund at whatpaidplan@odonnellweb.com.

Cory Doctorow wrote a really great post about how enshittification is a systemic problem. I may feel better not using Facebook, but individual action is not going to fix that problem.

Brilliant Crank makes the maybe encouraging point the history is cyclical. The US went through this sort of malaise in the 70s, and that downturn is what gave us MTV, punk, hip-hop, Silicon Valley, and the personal computer revolution. Another revolution is brewing. You can see hints of it in the push back against hustle culture, corporate owned social media, and algorithmic content via the Indieweb, newsletters, and the growing interest in disconnecting from surveillance capitalism. It's just simmering under the surface today, but so was the PC revolution and punk rock in 1977. Things get good, then they get bad, then they get good again. It's just how things work.

I'll be at Drupal GovCon on Thursday and the first half of Friday this week. Maybe sure you say hello if you will also be there.

And that is it for this week. Remember, in a world where you can choose to be anything, you can choose to be kind.


Five O’Clock Friday: Cigar Smoking

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 8th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

There's a lot of truth in this.


Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

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