Hops Harvest 2015

It is widely believed that Jack did not climb a bean stalk.
It was a hops vine.

It grows right to the sky,
or at least to the top of the house.

Beautiful, no?
The vine really likes the protected southern exposure
with the reflected light from the white house.
Yes, that's right, the farmer lives in the White House
(Just like Jimmy Carter).

Lovely green flowers!

And quite aromatic.

This is the view from the Hops room.
It's near the Oval Office.

The window is a good vantage point for hops inspection.

There is much to inspect.

The hops farmer prepares for the harvest.

He must climb to the top of the vine
and carefully, lovingly remove each fragile flower.

It's exacting and dangerous work.

But wait!
Perhaps there is another way!

Maybe if the vine is unwound and pulled down...

And it doesn't get stuck on the slipshod connector
that was used to extend the pole...

Instead of bringing the farmer to the vine,
perhaps the vine can be brought to the farmer.
Those flowers are tougher than they look.

Once removed, the vine can be used
to complete the floral adornment of the entryway.
Eat your heart out, Barack.

Alternatively, the vine can be moved to the picking station.

Protein supplement optional.

The vine, half processed.
Note that the farmer was also
not fully processed at this point.

The completed harvest, ready for drying.

Now all these hops can be processed into pills that relieve pain.  Really...hops can be made into a natural pain reliever.

Unlikely.  I think these hops will be used to create beverages that relieve pain in a more traditional way.  Perhaps you have relieved pain in this manner.

Remember to thank your hops farmer.

American Hop-pick.

I'm in a Lumberyard and I'm OK

While traveling in Arizona,
I followed my custom and ordered a local brew.
The fine fluid was delivered in this unique glass,
and a quest was born.

We followed the directive on the glass to Flagstaff.
I understand you can get your kicks on Route 66.

And so can your car,
when it gets enclosed in an inclosure.

We found it!
(Not a really difficult quest,
and we were passing right near Flagstaff anyway.)

Yes, they've done a few improvements,
but the building was once part of a lumberyard.

Makes sense that there would be exposed timbers
in the lumberyard building.

The property has other attractive components as well.

It's really great.
You sit down and people bring you tasty consumables.

They have provided these handy beer-holders for you
while you wait to sit.
We were told that they don't serve in their signature glasses
because they tend to disappear.

Equally as good are the 5-minute specials
corresponding to the events in the televised football game.
We watched the home team, Arizona Cardinals, lose while we were there.
The result was secondary to the specials.

Lots of people were having a good time.
I was there to raise the average age.

If the game doesn't hold your interest,
you can gaze out the window and  up at the 12,000+ feet summit
of nearby Humphrey's Peak

And if that doesn't do it for you,
there are other things to look at...and perhaps visit.

The Biermeister

Prior to any activity, one must ponder the meaning of beer.

Enough of that....on with the brew!

Workin' on the setup.

He has skilled help now.

Fueling the boil.

FOCUS ON THE TASK!

I SAID, "FOCUS!"

Any Witch would be proud of this cauldron.

"Hey, if you guys need any help, just let me know."

Premature comparisons.

Ready!

Set!

Hop!

"Like I said, it's time for a beer!"

Progress.

Cooling coils.  Chillin'.

Alternate uses for chilling coils.
Things may be getting out of hand.

"Oh, just give me a minute."

"OK, let's try again!"

"Nevermind!"

Maybe past.

Later, that same evening...

Much later.

Showin' our class.

Another satisfied and scary customer.