I bet his lung smelled fresh

I don't believe this news story that just came out of Russia, but I want it to be true. There are just too many things wrong with it, though. At first glance, and even more so after repeated viewings of the photo and video, the "tree" looks more like a bit of a branch than a seedling. There are no roots visible, but I suppose those could have already been severed by the doctor. What of photosynthesis, though? It's not possible, is it, for a regular fir tree to grow in such an environment, totally dark, so constrained.

On the other hand, maybe it's not a normal fir tree. Unfortunately, it's probably a hoax.

A dark horse

Ethiopian Harrar Horse coffee is rather good. It does have a very complex aroma while grinding and brewing. Fruity, with a bit of funk. The scents do not lead one to expect such a mild flavour. That's not to say it's flavourless. It has a very pleasant taste, just not one so bold as its aroma. It is very smooth, and very easy to drink. It finishes nicely.

Ethiopian Harrar Horse

I was buying coffee this evening, and while perusing Boston Stoker's selection I spotted what I first thought to be something called 'Ethiopian Horror Horse.' I thought it was an interesting name to give a coffee, and it spoke of a wild, dark bean that cannot be tamed and must be brewed while wearing a wide brimmed hat and drunk while holding on tight to the mane. I also thought that I'd misread the label. I had. It is, in fact, 'Ethiopian Harrar Horse,' which also sounded interesting. I bought a small bag of it, and looked it up when I got home. It's said to have a very fruity aroma and flavour, and a bit of a zing without too much acidity. They say it has a dry finish like certain wines. One man, however, said that while the smell of it while roasting, grinding and brewing is incredible, the flavour in the cup is unremarkable. He said that he would give it another try, though. I look forward to trying it.

Scotch, neat

Just sipping a bit of Johnny Walker Red. I noticed a few weeks ago that it's the scotch they drink at the end of Dial M For Murder. It's pretty good.

A salty tang

My batch of sauerkraut is now three days old. Yesterday it was still just a container of salty cabbage soaking in its own juices. Today it has a distinctly sour flavour and aroma. Small bubbles appear on the surface. It looks like it is beginning to ferment nicely.

Movies about wine

Movies about wine make me want to drink wine. I just watched Bottle Shock, a movie based on the true story of a Napa Valley vineyard that won a blind taste test in France in 1976. I'd been planning to have a couple of scotch and sodas before and with dinner, but every few minutes, there on the screen, someone was drinking a glass of wine. So I opened up a bottle. I would have preferred a merlot, and that might have gone better with the seitan roast I'm having for dinner, but the chardonnay I had chilled in the fridge is very good nonetheless.

Sourdough with whey

The yeast in the sourdough starter seems to love the whey I used to make the sponge. It's nice and bubbly, rising up in the bowl, and it's giving off a nice aroma.