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mermaidcamp

Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water

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Plimouth Grist Mill

June 9, 2013 — 2 Comments

One of the most fascinating displays maintained by Plimouth Plantation is the grist mill.  A recent  acquisition, the mill grinds corn to show visitors how water powered mills made life possible in the colonies. Because the space is intimate the employees can be very helpful and informative.  I learned a lot from my brief visit, and was given some good references to lean more. They employees are very well trained and seem to enjoy working with the visiting public.

Slow Food in Tucson

June 5, 2013 — 6 Comments

The Slow Food movement is a worldwide pushback to fast food.  We all know, more or less, what is intended by the phrase fast food, but only after some examination does the core meaning of Slow Food emerge.  As a food hippie from the 1960’s when health food and coops and gardening were a reaction to the available sources and quality of nutrition, I do not need coaching in this matter.  In fact, I eat more convenience foods now than ever because I purchase a bit of fake meat from time to time. I am sometimes now a lazy food hippie at Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle.  My core belief is that we need no packaged or processed foods in our lives unless we do that processing ourselves.  Slow Food is out to change the conditions of farming, eating, and distributing food.  I applaud the whole thing.  They (we) are making strides.

This movement started in Turin, Italy and has fortunately spread as a philosophy and an organization.  I joined this year and my first impression is really good.  We attended tasting held by the Slow Food Southern AZ chapter at Lodge on the Desert.  The event was inspirational and very reasonably priced.  I, for one, loved having the posole deconstructed so I could have it without the pork.  Ryan Clark was one of many chefs showing off their talents for a happy crowd.

Chiltepin, Mother of All Chiles

June 3, 2013 — 4 Comments

Here in the Sonoran Desert the precious chile tepin grows wild.  It has a distinctive flashy flavor that is desired by many on both sides of the border.  It is said to be the mother of all cultivated chiles.  I have recently replanted some in my garden after loosing some old ones in frosts.  They can live for many years when protected in the winter.  This promotional video from Sonora has chosen to use South American Inca pipe flute music, which has nothing to do with Sonora…but the chile is an emblem of life in desert conditions.  Our natural chile forrest south of town in Tucson is still the largest in the US.

All Souls Tradition in Tucson

June 1, 2013 — 3 Comments


The All Souls Procession each year in Tucson is a community event that takes mass coordination and will now cost more.  Our new trolley system will complicate the planning and add to the expense.  The volunteer organizers work all year to make it better all the time.  In November another new and amazing, creative expression of this tradition will take place downtown.

Tucson’s Iron Chef Goes Hog Wild

June 1, 2013

Tucson’s own Iron Chef, Ryan Clark of the Lodge on the Desert ,is committed to sustainability and creativity.  He butchers and cures the meat served at his restaurant.  This very special Berkshire pig has been served recently to guests.  This attention to detail is one reason his cuisine reigns supreme in Tucson.  July 7 he will face a challenger in the cook off competition.  If the secret ingredient is a whole pig, this chef is ready.

Wampanoag History

May 28, 2013

My visit to Cape Cod and Plymouth to uncover the history of my ancestors was an adventure and a surprise. When I learned that the Wampanoag tribe had lost almost 200 years of the data, graves, and details of the history of their people I was confused and upset.  Next I visited the museum complex at Plimouth Plantation where the culture and historical way of life of the Wampanoag tribe is demonstrated.  It is an attempt to redress and correct some misinformation that has been passed down for a long time.  The young people who work there enjoy their jobs teaching people about their ancestors.

Iron Chef Competition Heats Up in Tucson

May 27, 2013

I had the pleasure of spending some time yesterday with Tucson’s Iron Chef, Ryan Clark. His kitchen at Lodge on the Desert pumps out cuisine that is much adored by my highly evolved and somehow still carnivorous partner Bob and me. We are farmers in our own tiny right and both enjoy dining, although we eat at home or carry out from home 98% of the time.  We go to Lodge on the Desert for our special occasion and holiday meals, when we feel particularly festive.

Recently we attended a Slow Food tasting set up for 250 guests to try local wine beer and food.  It was fun for us and did expose us to new places we have tried since the event.  Now Chef Clark is preparing to host twice as many tasters to Lodge on the Desert this Thursday as part of the Iron Chef competition for this year.  The challengers will bring samples and vie for the chance to try to take the title from Chef Clark in July.  The chef with the most votes from the public will be the challenger, so there is a lot at stake.  Stella Artois is the sponsor, so the blonde Belgian beer will flow freely.  The challengers are not too shabby, and chef Ryan exceeds all expectations as a host in my experience.  This $5 tasting will be a happy hour of outstanding opportunities for those who want to find out what is happening in the kitchens of Tucson chefs.

Bird Houses

May 24, 2013 — 4 Comments

Have you ever thought about all the different ways birds design?  What do birds look for in a piece of real estate?  There must be a very wide variety of tastes.  For an exhibit at the Tucson Botanical Garden artists have designed bird spaces from all kinds of materials.  They are for sale.  Birds have so many choices from rustic to modern.  I love all of them, so it is good that I am not a bird.

Gloria and the Virgin of Guadalupe

May 23, 2013 — 2 Comments

I met Gloria on the flight from Chicago to Tucson recently.  I enjoyed her company and invited her to call me.  She is visiting her son who works at the U of A during the week.  She told me she was Catholic and that as a child she walked to mass by herself.  She is now fed up with Vatican politics, and wants the Latin liturgy to return.  I took her yesterday to see Ted DeGrazia’s chapel to the Virgin of Guadalupe.  She had never seen milagros on altars before.  Since I would not be caught dead or alive without some milagros on me, I gave her a tiny jet key from Venezuela to unlock her future. I have more at home, and she had no offering with her.  I explained that our Virgin is pre Christian and that is all right.  She is both Catholic and pre Christian, and we see no conflict with that. She had a good time with this altar and milagro business.  She also enjoyed the art gallery. I always love to go up there, and am happy I had the chance to share it with someone who really found new meaning in an old practice through an ancient design left behind by a great artist.

East Greenwich Preservation Society

May 7, 2013 — 1 Comment

Marion Helwig is president and probably the  hardest worker at the Preservation Society.  I went to learn about my ancestors, and she was loaded with data.  She has the old graves collected in a book with maps.  She goes around asking for donations that are documented with dates and some information from anyone who will give.  She is a busy bee.  I was so lucky to find her on the job and ready to take me on a tour of the jail.  I really appreciate Marion, preserving the history of the town.  I want to return to East Greenwich to do some more exploring and research.  Now I now exactly where to start.  She knows all there is to know, and if not, can direct me.