Mostly Plants

New Fermentings

Borealis — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 14:59:34 +0000

Kombucha The cranberry kombucha is all gone. It was lovely, but it tasted so unlike tea that I tended to foget there was caffeine in it. I think next time I will not use black tea for this. Meanwhile, I have a new 3-quart batch of rose hips kombucha that’s looking close to ready! Below the cut, Weinkraut [...]

Stuffed Squash

Borealis — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:30:41 +0000

This is my own kitchen invention, inspired by something that an ex once dreamed up. Time: one hour. Servings: 4 Ingredients: 1 Winter Squash–butternut, acorn, or hubbard 1/2 cup brown rice 1/2 cup wild rice 16 oz corn kernels (canned, frozen, or fresh–your call) 16 oz roasted tomatoes 1 tbsp garam masala, or to taste Garlic (in whatever form), to taste OPTIONAL pinch cayenne pepper Method: Preheat [...]

Mock Trial Not Guilty!

Borealis — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:29:32 +0000

Yesterday was our Final Trial for Public Defender training, and I got a not guilty on all charges! Even though the jury was loaded with public defender staffers, not guilties are not guaranteed–several of my colleagues’ clients got convicted, at least on the trespass (in park after hours) charge. An object lesson learned during the trial: [...]

Kombucha Made of Win

Borealis — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:14:19 +0000

I just made an awesomely win-ful, eye-poppingly tart Cranberry Kombucha. You should too. This is how it goes: Ingredients: 1 bottle store-bought Kombucha, any flavor (buy it at whole foods or your local health-food store). 1 cup sugar (cane, beet, corn, maple, whatever) 4 tea bags (your choice) or equivalent amount of loose tea 1 gallon-size crock pot (or scale [...]

Sandwich Made of Win

Borealis — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:06:46 +0000

Tonight’s problem: Have bits in the kitchen; don’t want to cook anything complicated; don’t want to go to store. Solution: Put bits on sandwich. Details below, along with suggested substitutions. Bits: 1 Uglyripe Tomato 1/2 White Onion 1 bucket mixed weird salad greens 1/2 tub baby bellas 1 link Tofurkey brand Italian Sausage substitute. Consider any German, Italian, or Polish sausage (cooked), [...]

Incorrigible Dicta: the New CPCS Public Defender Blog

Borealis — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:01:17 +0000

Announcing the new Unofficial CPCS Public Defender Blog, Incorrigible Dicta! Dicta was conceived during New Lawyer training this year and carried to term by new lawyers Alejandro Ramos (Springfield DCU) and Andy Cowan (Lowell DCU). The blog will be serving sentences (as well as paragraphs, phrases, and even articles) at http://www.dictablog.net. Dicta is intended to have a [...]

Overheard at the Crag

Borealis — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:23:22 +0000

On a particularly sharp climb at Peter’s Kill Climber:”What’s this red stuff coming out of my knuckles?” Belayer: “That’s personal weakness! You’re forcing it out by climbing!”

Marijuana Policy: MA Residents vote YES on 2!

Borealis — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:15:27 +0000

This November, Massachusetts voters will have the opportunity to vote for a referendum to decriminalize possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana. Voting YES will keep casual users out of jail, save the state millions of dollars, and free up space in the jails. Please allow me to address some common arguments from opponents of [...]

Pro Bono is Antisocial, US Judge Says

Borealis — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:29:23 +0000

From Second Circuit Chief Judge Dennis Jacobs: Pro bono work primarily is an “antisocial” and self-serving activity lawyers use to develop their skills, firms use to recruit and “give solace” to associates, and nonprofits use to further a political agenda, Judge Jacobs argued. In particular, litigation against the government and government officials and impact litigation are attempts [...]

Climbing the Trap Dike

Borealis — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:46:46 +0000

The “Trap Dike” is a lovely little route up Mount Colden, in the Adirondacks, that ranges in quality from dry, blocky scramble to raging waterfall. This is the story of how four intrepid adventurers from the Free Outing Club of Cornell/Ithaca ascended the dike in “slightly runny” conditions. All photos are courtesy of my coadventurer Elaine [...]