An Exciting Finish....

...but the wrong team won. Ma, Dad, and I went up to UMaine to watch the basketball team play the University of Maryland Baltimore-County. There were lots of LeClairs, McNallys, and Thurstons there to see cousin Sean in action. Sarah met us at the game - we'll be back there in a couple of weeks to see her in action in the theatre. UMaine came into the game in first place after winning a big one last week over BU...UMBC is the last place team in America East. I think the Black Bears had a bit of a letdown and lost by one. It was still a great time and I enjoyed visiting with the relatives for a bit. I think my mom had a really good time:

I think she always enjoys being around her sisters. I'm sure the team will bounce back from this one - and get back to their winning ways.

~MET

Finally Some Afternoons at Home to Reload

After some long days, many meetings, giving and grading exams, and working on negotiations I find myself with a clear calendar for the rest of the week after work. Its great to come home and get the traditional warm welcome from the pets. I didn't have much of a weekend - though I did enjoy the conference in Boston a great deal. View from the hotel room:

I always learn a lot from this particular conference, and also from the fantastic group of teachers from Maine who tend to frequent these meetings. Today I was able to take advantage of the mild January weather and walk with Burt to check on the Sennot Road Creek:

It was not as high as I thought it might be - but the walk was very nice. Owen greeted me with much affection when I got home but seemed a bit put off when we returned from the walk:

This week I want to relax in the afternoons, watch a movie or two with M-S, have my parents out for some dinner on Thursday, fish one day this weekend, and perhaps do something special with my wife on the other day. I'm working for the rest of the week...but it has the feeling of a vacation. Booyah!

~MET

Just Good Stuff

~MET

A Monthly Scran - Scottish - and Some Fishing

The picture above is from 2010's first "Monthly Meal" - A Scottish Scran. The day began with some fishing. I went to Maranacook and it was a beautiful morning. Not a lot of action, though. But - this 12 inch yellow perch:

And this 19 inch pickerel:

Kept me from getting skunked. I put them both back into the lake so they could piss off future fishermen. Most of the afternoon was spent prepping the meal. We started with a VERY good Scottish lentil soup:

The soup could have been the meal all by itself. The main course was "Steak Balmoral" - which has a sauce of scotch, cream, mushrooms, and course mustard. We also had "clapshot" - which is a mix of mashed tatties (potato) and swede (turnip) with some chives. Add some green beans and you've got a great Scottish meal:

For dessert M-S made delicious orange/cranberry scones:

And to top it all off we had "Scotch Toddies":

A simple recipe of honey, scotch, tea, and hot water...that will keep you warm on a cold day. It was a good start to this year's monthly meals, and a good day overall.

~MET

Failure and Success in Freeport

M-S and I went to Freeport specifically to purchase some haggis from the British Goods store for the Scottish meal that I am making for my parents tomorrow. They were out. I'm a little shocked that haggis is such a big seller, but whatever. I'm still doing authentic Scotch food - and we'll make do. We did have a good time doing some light shopping and went back to Brunswick to go to El Camino:
It seems to be a very popular place and the Mexican food was great.

The other success was that while at the British store I got one of their "university scarves." Mine is the official scarf from Trinity College in Ireland:

It looks pretty good with my tweed overcoat. Tomorrow I'll be fishing in the morning and then making the monthly meal in the afternoon.

~MET

Begging for What is Right

I am off to the Maine Legislature today to ask that they consider alternatives to another round of huge cuts during these troubling times. Teaching is our family business - and I hope I can impress upon them that after seven years of cutting we have reached a tipping point. Any cuts now will most definitely mean that students are harmed. Wish me luck - I'm going to need it.
~MET

Thirty-Six Days Until Spring Training!

With all of the Mark McGwire crap swirling around I'm beginning to start getting excited again for baseball. The Nationals have made some decent moves...though they are raiding the old folks home in the process. I'm hoping to get to a couple of games during spring break, but I'll also be watching the beloved Nats with the baseball package online. This could be the year! Don't look now - here comes the team from DC!
~MET

Cold Weather...One Good Fish

A fantastic day on Drews Pond, though we didn't get as much action as last year. The picture above is the only game fish of the day - a 14 inch splake which I will eat tomorrow. I had around 7 flags and also caught a BIG FAT yellow perch. Though it was bitterly cold we all had the correct clothing, and sat in by the shore to stay out of the wind:

Steve (the superintendent in Houlton who owns the camp) also has a warming shack down on the shore:

So when my hands got really wet from checking traps or catching fish I went in there for a few minutes:

One of my favorite things about fishing at Steve's are his dogs. Tess the English Setter:

And Rusty the Irish Setter:

You can see that Rusty has a sock on his back leg to cover a splint. He cut his leg and its still healing. They are both great dogs. They also gave Burt a lot to sniff when I got home:

I love being out on the lake all day and the fact that I had fewer than 10 flags and only caught two fish doesn't really matter.

~MET

When I'm Feeling a Little Overwhelmed...

...a dose of Monty Python always does the trick. Here is a classic scene from The Life of Brian. I'm feeling better already.

~MET

Snow Dog

Ok - this is a lot of snow. The mid-coast was supposed to get the worst of this storm, and we are in Lincoln County. I think we got 16-20 inches - but the drifting made it much worse in spots. Burt's run in the back yard is a good example:
We had to shovel and snowshoe just to get him a place to pee. Once there was a good path cut he was ok:

It still looks funny to see him trying to manage in this much new snow:

This snow was also pretty heavy and in the places it had drifted I had to shovel in depth sections like an archaeologist. It was fun to snowshoe and romp around in it. And - Maine is quite beautiful right now.

~MET

Travel Pond...

...simply because I had to get out there. It was too nice a day not to put a line in the water before the impending blizzard. True - Travel Pond only holds garbage fish, but its close by. Above I am jigging with a spoon and lure. I was out for about 3 hours and had five flags, catching three "fish." Here is one of Thurston traps holding the first catch of the day:

The first flag was actually on my new Jack Trap:

I like the trap, though it did not produce any fish. It was a good day to try out new equipment and my father's new idea. I have been looking for a new way to mark the line after I have sounded the water depth, as I have never been fan of tying knots in the line. The other day I heard about a guy who puts a two-hole button on each line and slides it to the desired spot. I called my dad to get his reaction... 45 minutes later he called me back with a better idea. I give you Tut's Trap Line Rings:

They are just small key rings. (19 cents at Hussey's) After you sound the depth and decide where you want the bait you can quickly put the ring on the line:

It then locks in place:

It worked great - and getting it off the line was a snap. Dad is simply the best fisherman I've ever known for reasons like this. When I wasn't jigging I put a live bait on the stick and set it like so:

I caught three cigar pickerel...no match for the splake, browns, and brookies I would have caught in Houlton, but I'll take it. I was on the ice and I didn't get skunked. A great way to start the new year!

~MET