Coole Oysters

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5491622057/" title="morans0 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="morans0" height="323" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5491622057_041894080e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Moran's Oyster Cottage was a splendid place to eat lunch after a walk in Coole Park. Lady Gregory, owner of Coole 100 years ago, was often host to William Butler Yeats and his circle, and he wrote a book of poems called "The Wild Swans at Coole." (More about Coole elsewhere, later).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5492216348/" title="morans00 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="morans00" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5492216348_05035df6fc.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><br />The peat fire was warm, and the oysters so fresh that the Moran family member who opened ours showed us a little sea worm still alive inside one. (I shuddered. A lot.) Other family members have won national and international competitions to see who can open 30 oysters the fastest without damaging them.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5491622693/" title="morans0-1 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="morans0-1" height="375" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5491622693_6ced91e847.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5492215156/" title="morans1 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="morans1" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5091/5492215156_99b441dab2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />They were DELICIOUS!<br /><br />After lunch, we watched the swans on the water in front of the restaurant. Yeats saw nine and fifty on Coole Lake, where we saw none at all, so they must have come down here for the day.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5492215656/" title="morans4 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="morans4" height="356" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5492215656_1e367b07f3.jpg" width="500" /></a>

Coole Oysters

Moran's Oyster Cottage was a splendid place to eat lunch after a walk in Coole Park. Lady Gregory, owner of Coole 100 years ago, was oft...

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B&B Breakfast Time in Ireland

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5489708223/" title="KillybgBkfst by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="KillybgBkfst" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5489708223_df5fb9541e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />A full Irish breakfast is mostly meat. In the tiny fishing village of Killybegs we were offered a choice of potato waffles with tomato and poached egg instead of the Full Irish. Very nice! In Dublin this morning I had the full Irish breakfast but didn't eat it all. The blood pudding was really too strange for my taste. What really impressed me though was the silver on the sideboard.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5489707237/" title="DublinB&B by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="DublinB&B" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5489707237_c1da452ab9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />For the really good parts of the trip, including a visit to the Giant's Causeway and several fantastic Dublin museums, I'll be posting on my other blog.

B&B Breakfast Time in Ireland

A full Irish breakfast is mostly meat. In the tiny fishing village of Killybegs we were offered a choice of potato waffles with tomato and p...

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Galway Ireland, Markets

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5479420900/" title="moycullen1 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="moycullen1" height="428" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/5479420900_e3d13f71bc_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday we visited the market in a very small town, Moycullen, a few miles from Galway where Arny and Tracy live. Irish potatoes, turnips, carrots, farmhouse cheese, honey, and a few other items are available now, though it's pretty bleak weather for farming. These are not farmers markets -- most of the fruit, vegetables, and other products are imported and are clearly so labeled.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5479421308/" title="moycullen2 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="moycullen2" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5479421308_eb3dc6b3e5_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The crepe maker used a big round griddle and a roller to make thin French-style crepes filled with a variety of choices including nutella.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5479421384/" title="moycullen3 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="moycullen3" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5479421384_464f63c1e0_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Real Irish turnips.<br /><br />The following photos are of the Galway market where we shopped this morning. Same sort of thing: many resellers of local and international foods, clothing, pottery, and many market goods.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5478820301/" title="galwaymkt1 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="galwaymkt1" height="394" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/5478820301_6ce97a26ba_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5478820371/" title="galwaymkt2 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="galwaymkt2" height="394" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5478820371_7d8c23f262.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />In the foreground, a donut seller. Second stall: a bagel seller whose bagels Tracy loves -- you can just make out Tracy buying bagels. I reminded her that her mother once said "they shouldn't have fruit," but she did buy some with raisins. We enjoyed them for lunch.<br /><br />The fish stall included a wide variety of fish and lots of local oysters that mainly come from a bit south of here, a town we passed on our way from Shannon Airport yesterday.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5478820509/" title="galwaymkt4 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="galwaymkt4" height="428" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5478820509_91d8447ee8_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br />Next: carrots and parsnips with bits of the Old Sod clinging to them.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/5479421154/" title="galwaymkt3 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="galwaymkt3" height="356" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5479421154_16a395d4e7.jpg" width="500" /></a>

Galway Ireland, Markets

Yesterday we visited the market in a very small town, Moycullen, a few miles from Galway where Arny and Tracy live. Irish potatoes, turnips,...

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Ireland

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3z3mu61JZMRTarmjXtdJsUO1ASOHr8-WTDqRnqhHO-Q5z9AObZX_ZhMoKtSyBnASUBjpZUKt6XLkCdYTfCD4STxgveos9uv6lJx7InIrqZdWB1J3SrqDjAMNwvNqO65GAUkWHrlwdpFiV/s1600/airlinemeal.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577687303225869730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3z3mu61JZMRTarmjXtdJsUO1ASOHr8-WTDqRnqhHO-Q5z9AObZX_ZhMoKtSyBnASUBjpZUKt6XLkCdYTfCD4STxgveos9uv6lJx7InIrqZdWB1J3SrqDjAMNwvNqO65GAUkWHrlwdpFiV/s400/airlinemeal.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a>Here's something we haven't seen in a while: a hot airline meal from a still-functioning airplane kitchen. Just the same as the meals in the past when you saw them on every flight. Strange puree (potato? applesauce? a mixture?) and orangish gravy over a small slice of rubbery chicken breast, off-green beans (canned?), salad, small cello-covered brownie, cheese, crackers. But Delta did include it in the price of the ticket. Since they woke me up to give it to me, I ate some of it. Then we were wakened again by a woman whose mother couldn't wake up -- we heard increasingly urgent and loud calls, "Mom, Mom, Help, Help." No doctor responded to the subsequent call, but the stewardess nobly gave the woman oxygen and got her to wake up and the drama was over. Then we were wakened an hour later for breakfast and landing at Shannon airport. Not much sleep.<br /><br />Ireland looks beautiful and green, with strange slanting winter sunlight. We walked along Galway Bay in a very stiff wind. I hope to post much more beautiful photos than this!

Ireland

Here's something we haven't seen in a while: a hot airline meal from a still-functioning airplane kitchen. Just the same as the meal...

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The Empty Tureen

"Murder by Death" is a fantastic spoof of detective fiction, especially the detective movie and the country house genre. We watched it last night through the brand-new amazon.com streaming video offering. (See "<a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/02/amazon-adds-streaming-video-to-prime-subscriptions-in-a-bid-to-rival-netflix-hulu-.html">Amazon adds streaming video to Prime subscriptions in a bid to rival Netflix, Hulu</a>" for details on the new service.)<br /><br />In "Murder by Death" Peter Sellers sends up Charlie Chan (made me laugh out loud over and over). Elsa Lanchester parodies Miss Marple. Peter Falk plays an amalgam of Humphry Bogart roles, especially Sam Spade, making you realize where Colombo got some of his mannerisms. David Niven and Maggie Smith play the Charlstons, Dick and Dora, who have a dog just like Asta in "The Thin Man." Truman Capote is the madman who invites them all to his strange mansion, reached via a bridge that's falling down, etc. I loved every minute.<br /><br />Now what do you do to parody the constant use of food in murder mysteries? Well, the blind butler, played by Alec Guinness, hires a new maid, who is deaf and dumb. No communication. No dinner. She sits idly in the kitchen while he gives her instructions that she doesn't hear. He brings in an empty tureen and pantomimes serving soup. Perfect!<br /><br />Great movie. Great idea from amazon.com.

The Empty Tureen

"Murder by Death" is a fantastic spoof of detective fiction, especially the detective movie and the country house genre. We watche...

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I still don't want to read them

A few days ago I read an <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/03/the-moral-crusade-against-foodies/8370/">article by B. R. Myers</a> in the current <i>Atlantic</i>, and commented that I wouldn't want to read several of the authors whose work he cited (<a href="http://regional-food.blogspot.com/2011/02/food-books-im-not-going-to-read.html">Food Books I'm Not Going to Read</a>). Now another <span style="font-style: italic;">Atlantic</span> writer, <span class="il">Nicolette</span> Hahn Niman, a proponent of the food movement, has written an answer:<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2011/02/defending-foodies-a-rancher-takes-a-bite-out-of-br-myers/71416/" title="Defending 'Foodies': A Rancher Takes a Bite out of B. R. Myers"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Defending 'Foodies': A Rancher Takes a Bite out of B. R. Myers</a>. She's quite upset about the broad-brush condemnation of "foodies" as self-indulgent, cruel, and out-of-touch. I have no doubt that there is a larger food-reform movement that supports more responsible agriculture and more healthful food choices. But I think she missed the point that there's a fringe of writers whose position has become so extreme. (And if I remember correctly some of her writing in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Atlantic</span> is sometimes a bit extreme itself, as writing goes.)<br /><br />I take her point as stated here:<br /><blockquote>"Myers utterly fails to establish any connection between the statements and behaviors he cites and the broad food movement sweeping this country. In fact, there isn't one. None of us who care about food system reform and healthful, ethical eating would defend such excesses, and we certainly are not inspired by them. Fundamental to today's American food movement is holistic thinking and respect—knowing where your food comes from, understanding its history before reaching your plate, and savoring it with family and friends."</blockquote>Of course Myers' examples of extreme self-indulgence and elitism don't reflect on everyone who proposes changes to the overall picture of American food production, delivery, and consumption. But I think her defense of foodies is just as extreme as Myers' attack, and just as misplaced. For example she cites a writer who says: "growing one's own food is not drudgery at all." Gosh, what a put-down of farmers. Maybe if what you grow is one incredibly productive little cherry tomato plant... never mind.<br /><br />And I'm still not going to read those new books -- I think Myers has a good point there.

I still don't want to read them

A few days ago I read an article by B. R. Myers in the current Atlantic , and commented that I wouldn't want to read several of the aut...

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Good Luck, David

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SsT8QGYLjMcnQHmLSiANFvQBW5gzp0hokvejznkLAi9T6f3Kn5Ywhz5FYCJ2cVa0oEHus2V4jvOG1dk9Q3Nvc1_5QdxFWjZc45KAXAywCkeo0UCruysLhfneO1ncOBSCRyDd9-eiuMUp/s1600/davidparty5058.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575238538257348370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SsT8QGYLjMcnQHmLSiANFvQBW5gzp0hokvejznkLAi9T6f3Kn5Ywhz5FYCJ2cVa0oEHus2V4jvOG1dk9Q3Nvc1_5QdxFWjZc45KAXAywCkeo0UCruysLhfneO1ncOBSCRyDd9-eiuMUp/s400/davidparty5058.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br />Len's student has completed his thesis, and he defended it today. As we've done for every student who finished his degree, we had a congratulatory party with a cake to celebrate David's next endeavor: a job at Google. He will start there after the end of the semester. As you can see, I'm not the world's slickest cake decorator, but I tried to pick up on the Google theme colors.

Good Luck, David

Len's student has completed his thesis, and he defended it today. As we've done for every student who finished his degree, we had a ...

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