Chain Dreams

At the prompting of many people, I’ve finally started in on the idea of selling some of my chain creations, a little at a time.  I don’t have a stock or anything yet, but, right now, I’m doing bi-color stretch bracelets.  The colors used here are the colors of a local high school and a local elementary school.

Bicolor Bracelets

The construction is EPDM rubber and anodized aluminum.  They retail for $7 and wholesale (for fundraisers and whatnot) at $5 each.  Shown are the 6.5in. “small” version.  Medium hasn’t been measured yet, but is close to 7in., and larges are 7.75in.  (Measurements are approximate.)  The EPDM is stretchy and somewhat UV resistant.  I have many different colors I can get, all of which would approximate any colors you’d want.  My materials are from The Ring Lord (http://www.theringlord.com/), a Canadian company that buys U.S.

I have the ability to make many other things.  The items shown below are just a few examples.  At the moment, most things are custom orders and may require a small ordering fee.  If there’s something else you have in mind and have a drawing of it, I can can attempt a consultation and cost estimate for building it.  I do NOT solder, weld, or rivet my links, but I will (for now) effect most repairs for free or “cheap”.

Here are a few other things I’ve done from my DeviantArt web space (http://giricredwolf.deviantart.com/)

Byzantine Earrings

Grape Pendant Choker

Byzantine (weave) Rosary & Full Persian Cross

Again, check out the DeviantArt web space for more.

My e-mail address (spam-bot adjusted here) is blpisani (at) gmail.com.  If you have anything you’d like to discuss, please e-mail me.

Cheers,

Red Wolf

New Recipe: Pizza Soup

I’m sure there’s something like this out there already.  It came to mind while eating pizza for dinner just now.  Here it is.

Ingredients:

• 1 pizza dough bread bowl (see first line in directions)
• 2 beefsteak tomatoes
• 1/4 cup cream or milk
• about 1/4 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella for authenticity)
• “pizza herbs” (basil, oregano, garlic, rosemary, bay leaf, etc.)
• diced toppings to taste (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, etc.)

Directions:

Make your favorite pizza dough recipe, form it into a spherical shape, let it rise, and bake it.  In a food processor, liquify the tomatoes.  Pour tomato puree and pizza herbs into a pot, bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat until the bread ball is done cooking.   Raise the temperature of the soup to just about boiling again and add the “toppings”.  Let simmer until bread is cool enough to cut.  Cut the bowl out of the bread, add the milk or cream to the soup and stir in most of the cheese.  When the soup is hot enough to steam but not hot enough to curdle the milk or cream, pour into the bread bowl and garnish with more cheese and serve.

I don’t know how well this would do.  If there’s anyone willing to test it for me and let me know, I’d appreciate it.  Maybe nix the milk or cream, but that would help the cheese along at the end better…  I dunno.

Cheers,

Giric

Waxing On Chilhowee

I love early morning fishing. I wish I could do it. This entry isn’t so much about catching fish as taking a trip to a lake, throwing stuff in tho the water (and getting most of it back), and my reflections on the thing in general. Oh, and a little bit of good news is at the end.

So, I woke up before the rooster. Y’know, the one that tells the moon to go to bed and the sun to wake up? I woke him up. My alarm started going off at 4:00am, and I finally crawled out of bed at 4:10 or so. Made and ate breakfast, drank coffee, and played around on the computer while I let the coffee take effect. For those that don’t know me, I’m a rather large fellow, and it takes coffee a little while to kick in. When it finally does, I realize time’s getting away from me and the sun will be up by the time I get to the lake.

On the way, I decide I’ll stop at WalMart and get some corn, and I think to look at the gas gauge. Crap. I gotta get gas, or I might not make it to WalMart, much less the lake. So I go through town, get gas, stop at WalMart, get a can of corn (Green Giant Niblets are cheaper than the store brand right now, by the way), some batteries for my new digital scale, and some gum. By the time I got out of the store, it’s official sunrise. Well, rats. I guess I’m not getting to the lake before sunrise.

That’s okay, though, because the light gives me time to reflect on my surroundings, and, even with the radio on, wax poetic in my head on my surroundings. Of course, I’m diving and I’ve neglected any paper, so I can’t write anything down. The thought is not only to write this journal entry, though, but to describe the journey through Maryville, TN, to Chilhowee Lake and the public fishing docks. So, here goes.

No matter where you come from, the place to go is up US-129 by Chilhowee Lake, from Maryville to the Calderwood Dam. A lot of people would rather ride their motorcycles on the Dragon (US-129 from Chilhowee Lake to Robbinsville, NC. (Note: There are GAZILLIONS of motorcycles on US-129 between Maryville, TN, and Robbinsville, NC, EVERY Saturday in the summer, and there’s a bike rally June 5 & 6 this year.) I really don’t blame the bikers for wanting to ride that strip. It’s challenging even in a beat up Ford pick-up truck, and the scenery is gorgeous. But, I digress.

If you’re coming from Knoxville, Townsend, or other points North of US-411 and US-129, the drive will take you through South Maryville. Not a separate city, but a district with a bit of its own culture. It’s only been in recent years that anyone’s paid a ton of attention to this part of the city and development has increased. First, there’s the “new” WalMart Supercenter, but nearby is the old Princess Motel, which looks shady, but can’t be too bad or they wouldn’t still be in business. Passing William Blount Drive (an homage to the 18th century governor and the high school to which the road leads) leads past “The Big ‘O’” shopping plaza with its biker shop, the well worn 411 Restaurant still in business, the Out of Eden Garden Center out of place on its hillside, and, finally, the last traffic light in the county. There’s a gas station on the left just before the light if you need anything.

Turning left at the light with US-129 begins a nice, curving drive through old farmland that has been slightly developed over the past sixty years and more. You pass houses old and new, and places like the Lazy M Farm. Be sure to note T.C. Grill on the left along the way for a local cheeseburger on your way back to town, unless you stop in Punkin Center, but more on that soon. The road takes you along bouncing hills and large fields. Soon, around a curve, you find a new housing development, but you don’t drive through it long. Around the corner again, and Chilhowee Mountain lies ahead.

Dipping down into a little hollow (that’s pronounced “holler”), you come across the Punkin Center Store, with a big orange pumpkin sign. It’s on the left, selling live bait, cold drinks, and probably some food, but I’ve never bothered to find out (maybe next time). By now you should have started hearing banjos, because around the next bend is the sign for Monroe County. Do not be alarmed, because you’ll only hear them in Monroe County for a little while. They will soon be forgotten when passing TN-72 and the motorcycle shop, general store, barbecue joint, and soon-to-be hotel at Punkin Center. Note Punkin Center Pit’s B-B-Q as a possible place to stop, if T.C. Grill seems too far away. The barbecue there is nice, sauce on the side, and they do it up right.

Upon turning the bend out of Punkin Center you find yourself back in Blount County, and in the presence of louder banjos. (Don’t worry too much about the banjos. You hear them in most counties in East Tennessee.) Then it’s up over a rise, and there, below you on the right, is the Little Tennessee River and Tellico Lake. It’s a beautiful sight, very wide with a few islands as you continue along upstream toward the dam. Passing Tallasee on the left, and the second boat ramp on the right (the one with the helicopter landing pad), you should soon be able to see the Chilhowee Dam, which is a very interesting thing to see when the spillways are open and the generators are running.

Just past that is Chilhowee Lake, almost serene looking. A short drive by and the Foothills Parkway and Happy Valley Rd. are on the left. The public fishing docks are just a head on the right, past the second creek mouth. The view here is absolutely beautiful.

That’s all the flowery stuff I have to say. Beyond that, since the sun was up and it was time to wet a line, I took my cane pole, my spinning rod & reel, the corn, and the tackle box and walked out to the dock. I caught the bottom, leaves, moss, and algae; not one fish. Although, I did see a big ol’ black carp, probably 20-26” long, and a couple of small turtles and a few (or probably the same 2 or 3) bluegills. I heard some plops and saw some ripples, but I couldn’t get anything. I think I need to learn to fly fish.

On that note, I’ve decided to start learning about medieval fishing techniques. Come to find out, fishing with hook and line is ancient. I’ll go more into that later, though.

For now, I’m done. It’s time to go get started on my new job: barristo* at the library.

Cheers,

Red Wolf

* barristo: being mock Italian, I chose to further Italianise and use the masculine form for the title.

Russian Embassy: New Russian Orthodox Church

I don’t have a whole lot to say about this other than it is something to note and think about.  The words that are said in the article I’ll link in a moment mask the actions and thoughts that remain hidden.  It is something to watch and think about, and it made me raise an eyebrow more than once.

New York Times Online Edition

Russian Orthodox Consecrate Parish in Rome

By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO

Published: May 24, 2009

ROME — The Vatican described a solemn ceremony on Sunday for the consecration of the first parish of the Moscow Patriarchate in Rome as a sign of further thawing of relations with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Cheers,

Red Wolf

Christ is risen!

Christ is risen!

For those who don’t know that the Orthodox churches celebrate Pascha (Easter) on a different date (usually) than the Catholic and Protestant churches, the timing of this post may seem a little strange.  The simple reason for the different date is that when the calendar was reformed from Julian to Gregorian, many Orthodox held to the Julian calendar and wouldn’t budge.  To keep the Church from splitting entirely, the bishops decided that each jurisdiction (or even each diocese) could choose to use the Julian calendar or the Gregorian calendar, but, by golly, they were going to celebrate at least ONE Feast Day together, and it would be the Feast of Feasts, the Great and Holy Pascha of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the West known as Easter.  Thus, the Revised Julian Calendar that matches up with the rest of the world except for Lent and Easter.  So, that’s the history lesson, now on to what I have to say about it.

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’”  Mark 16:15 (NKJV)
This is part of the passage known as “The Great Commission”, Christ’s last commandment in the Gospel of Mark.  At the Paschal service, in most parishes after midnight and before the Divine Liturgy, this gospel is proclaimed in two sentences in many different languages.  In English, it is, “Christ is risen!  Indeed, He is risen!”  Last night/this morning I was looked at funny once or twice because I shouted every language I could attempt at the top of my lungs.  Well, when I managed to hear the priest say it over the choir.  Not a complaint, merely a comment.  But, my thought was, why shouldn’t I shout it at the top of my lungs?  Why shouldn’t I make the windows rattle?  Why shouldn’t the doors of the church be blown open by the shouts of the people?  This is the best news ever!  Christ is risen!

Christ is risen, and Life has returned to the world!
Christ is risen, and Paradise is restored!
Christ is risen, and Hope has been renewed!
Christ is risen, and the Heavens and the Earth quake for joy!
Christ is risen, and everything that matters has been given to us, by God, in his great mercy and lovingkindness!

Christ is risen!  Let us shout and proclaim the Good News to all the world that Christ is risen, death has been destroyed, and the gates of hell have been crushed under the weight of the holy and life-giving cross!  Christ is risen!

In Germany cry:  Christus ist auferstanden!
In Greece:  Χριστός ἀνέστη!
To the Russians:  Христос воскрес!
To the Irish:  Tá Críost éirithe!
For the Welsh:  Atgyfododd Crist!
For the Armenians:  Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց՜
In Filipino:  Si Cristo ay nabuhay!
In Hawai’ian:  Ua ala hou ´o kristo!
In Japan:  ハリストス復活！
In Korea: 그리스도께서 부활하셨네!
To the Navajo:  Christ daaztsáádéé’ náádiidzáá!
To the Cherokee:  ᏤᏌ ᏙᎴᎯᏌᎾᎯ
For the Chinese:  基督復活了
For the Georgians:  ქრისტე აღსდგა!
In Spanish:  ¡Cristo ha resucitado!
In Arabic:  المسيح قام!

(All are taken from the WikiPedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschal_greeting.  Except Cherokee, from Paschal Polyglotta:  http://srbigham.com/en/)

Every year, the priest, in lieu of his own sermon, reads a translation of the Pascha Homily of St. John Chrysostom.  The following translation is from the WikiPedia article on the Homily.  When it is read, it is Greek tradition (and the tradition of the OCA parish I’m a memeber of) for the congregation to shout “Embittered!” when it is said in the Homily.  I leave you with this text to think on.  Anything I have said in this missive is as nothing compared to the power of these words.

If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let them enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.

If anyone is a grateful servant, let them, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.

If anyone has wearied themselves in fasting, let them now receive recompense.

If anyone has labored from the first hour, let them today receive the just reward.

If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let them feast.

If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let them have no misgivings; for they shall suffer no loss.

If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let them draw near without hesitation.

If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let them not fear on account of tardiness.

For the Master is gracious and receives the last even as the first; he gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first.

He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first; to the one he gives, and to the other he is gracious.

He both honors the work and praises the intention.

Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward.

O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy!

O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day!

You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today!

The table is rich-laden; feast royally, all of you!

The calf is fatted; let no one go forth hungry!

Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let all receive the riches of goodness.

Let no one lament their poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn their transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Saviour’s death has set us free.

He that was taken by death has annihilated it!

He descended into Hades and took Hades captive!

He embittered it when it tasted his flesh! And anticipating this Isaiah exclaimed: “Hades was embittered when it encountered thee in the lower regions“.

It was embittered, for it was abolished!

It was embittered, for it was mocked!

It was embittered, for it was purged!

It was embittered, for it was despoiled!

It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!

It took a body and came upon God!

It took earth and encountered heaven!

It took what it saw but crumbled before what it had not seen!

O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, and life reigns!

Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that slept.

To him be glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen.

Christ is risen!

Red Wolf