Radically Retired

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  • Birdseed for Folks

    Birdseed for Folks

    This container of Nut and Seed Brittle weighs in at 0.645 Kg (1.4 lbs) and costs $10.99 CDN ($7.91 USD)

    Besides being a great source of fibre and nutrients, this treat is healthy in another way … the clamshell packaging is almost impossible to break into! I know I could put it in another container, but I decided to reseal it in this one every time.

    The brittle, although quite sweet, is so full of a big variety of seeds (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, flax) and nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios), and coconut, that it’s surprisingly easy to bite into and chew, and one piece always tastes like more.

    Best to leave it locked down like Fort Knox.

  • 2016 – Archaic Openings

    2016 – Archaic Openings

    After a full day at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, we spent the next day touring Mission San Xavier del Bac, AKA “The White Dove of the Desert”, just 10 miles south of downtown Tucson.

    On this visit, I was preoccupied with photographing doors, windows, gates, and arches … any and all openings at both the mission school and this historic church, completed in 1797.

  • Feathered Friends

    Feathered Friends

    Both of my parents were avid “at home” bird watchers, and had many feeders around our yard. They loved to share with us kids, what they learned through this hobby, so I grew up loving and appreciating birds.

    A part of the enjoyment of wintering in South Texas is the new varieties of birds we get to experience there.

    I was fortunate to catch this shot of a Great Kiskadee at one of the many birding locations in the RGV, and was pleased that I also caught a decent reflection.

  • Guiltless Indulgence

    Guiltless Indulgence

    Every once in a while, I have a strong craving for ice cream. It has to be three scoops of a good vanilla, topped with whatever my mood suggests, and no, I don’t feel a drop of guilt when I indulge.

  • 2016 – An Aircraft Extravaganza

    2016 – An Aircraft Extravaganza

    After our day at Tombstone, AZ, our next stop was the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, AZ.

    That’s hubs in my feature photo, anxious to get the visit started.

    My father-in-law was a pilot overseas in WW2, so this place was high on the “must see” list for hubs.

    We arrived around 0930 and stayed until after 1600 hours. The 24 hour clock (aka military time) was used all through my nursing career, and it seemed appropriate for this post.

    In truth, I enjoyed this massive place too. While hubs read every single word on every single sign, I was in my glory snapping pics.

    Here a few of the over 150 photos I took there:

    Aircraft from every branch
    The paint jobs were fun
    Grrr!
    One of my fave paint jobs
    It was cool to get so close
    Hubs read everything
    The bone yard
    Inside a fighter plane
    Measuring?
    Air Force One – This one was used by JFK
    The space hangar was a fave for both of us
    A light lunch at The Flight Grill
  • Easter Eggish

    Easter Eggish

    I’d often heard about the excellent meat offerings at the Ukrainian Co-op in our capital city, Regina, Saskatchewan.

    When I Googled the address, the images that came up were all the incentive I needed to convince hubs to take me there to get some photos.

    All sides of this building are covered with colourful and historical murals.

    My feature photo shows where we parked our truck on arrival. We soon discovered that this was an exit, so we had to walk around to the opposite side to locate the entrance.

    The walk was worth it.

    If you’ve ever seen a hand painted Ukrainian easter egg, you’ll know how I chose the title for this post.

    From Google Images
  • The Necessary “P’s” of French Macarons

    The Necessary “P’s” of French Macarons

    I’ve been making these darlings of the pastry world since 2022.

    For a full year prior to my first attempt, I studied extensively… reading every word possible about technique and trouble shooting. I also viewed more YouTube videos than I can count.

    Since the “learning phase”, I’ve made well over one thousand of these divas of desserts. I’ve finally come to a place where I understand and commit to the necessary “P’s” with each and every bake and I’m happy to say that I’m no longer intimidated.

    Perfect Meringue
    Perfect Macronage
    Perfect Piping Technique
    Perfect and Stable Oven Temperature

    My feature photo is of my most recent bake (a few days ago) The shells are unflavoured and decorated with sanding sugar. The filling is a vanilla bean ganache dam with Saskatoon Berry jam in the centre.

    My favourite thing about these fussy babies is their versatility. Through colour and flavour, I can make countless varieties with one basic recipe!

  • 2016 – The OK was … OK

    2016 – The OK was … OK

    Tombstone, AZ is steeped in history (and more than a bit of kitsch)

    I’m sure we’d have enjoyed our stay a lot more if it hadn’t been so blasted cold outside!

    Typical street folk
    Hubs pretending he’s not cold
    All aboard the stage coach
    Is a gun fight brewing?
    I felt safe with this guy
    Definitely a gun fight in the works
    Dead man’s hand
    Big Nose Kate’s
    Lots of fab neon at the local establishments
    Me and the regulars
    Hubs looks surprised
    At last – the much-anticipated gun fight!

    Despite the weather, we made the best of it and finally found a place to warm up with some Irish Coffee.

    A perfect beverage
    on a cold day!
  • A Lesson in Distance

    A Lesson in Distance

    In the mid to late 1980’s, artistic murals on building walls here in my province, were a new concept.

    In 1989, the town administration of Duck Lake, Saskatchewan had heard of another Canadian town – Chemainus, British Columbia (where a murals project had become quite famous) so a delegation traveled to B.C. to explore the feasibility.

    The resulting Duck Lake historical murals definitely boosted tourism.

    Now, these massive art displays are found on building walls in cities and towns across our entire province.

    I snapped my feature photo in our capital city – Regina, Sask. Sadly, I was too close to catch the ladybug that was on the far right of this colourful mural. I always forget to switch to the .5 (extra wide) lens on my phone in such situations.

    Hopefully, lesson learned this time.

  • Invaders from Planet Earth

    Invaders from Planet Earth

    There are a few places here in our province where Canada Geese have moved in and taken over. One place is the beautiful Wascana Park in our capital city, Regina. Another is a beach at Kenosee lake, a popular summer destination here in the southern part of Saskatchewan.

    Don’t get me wrong – I love everything nature related, including these magnificent birds … I’m just not all that fond of trying to avoid their droppings on the walking paths and beaches.

    Our prairie city seemed to be spared … until recently.

    On a recent walk alongside the river, I was greeted by this squad and they were so bold that they barely moved as I walked by. It was like they were daring me to make a move.

    The only move I dared make was to raise my phone camera to get a couple of shots, and then move along as quickly as possible.

    These big birds can be aggressive, and I wasn’t eager to tangle with their mob.