Category Archives: Scotland

Living in Scotland, issues and people and places.

R.I.P.

Posted on August 8, 2009 | 1 comment

Last Friday Jim and his brother went fly fishing in the mountains (first time for both, no guide) and were gone over 13 hours. I wondered why they hadn’t called. Turns out even though I gave them quart-sized zipper bags for cell phone, wallet and fishing license, Jim drowned his iPhone.

Two years ago returning from Scotland, Jim’s Razr’s screen went blank and so the next day he went out and bought two new BlackJacks. I made sure our covers were different so he wouldn’t take my phone to work by mistake and lose his work contacts for a day. Hot pink was the choice. Prior to that I had a four year-old Nokia 3650, a hand-me down and the first smart camera phone that Jim purchased to write an app.

When the iPhone came out he ordered it right away. I stuck to the BlackJack and we used his Blackjack on trips for tethering in rural areas (WiFi via cell with large data plan).

Now the first generation iPhone is toast and today we received an iPhone 3G(s) for him in white, and a refurb 3G for me. While awaiting arrival of cases, he’s going to borrow one from a guy at work because he tends to drop, or drown, them. Right now we’re awaiting verification of activation, which according to AT&T “may take some time.” Hopefully our other phones will work until they’re switched over.

Now I have to go from known paradigms into the unknown. I’ve had a MacBook for over two years but the iPhone is daunting to me. So once I learn the basics I’m going to look for some cooking apps that make sense. Will let you know! Off to finish making homemade pizza for dinner. Hope you’re having a great weekend. Cheers, Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Scotland

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Reminiscence

Posted on June 8, 2009 | Leave a comment

It’s ironic that just as I receive photos from my Texas friend who moved to Scotland, I’d love nothing more than being back in Scotland right now.  The irony is that her photos are of her trip back to Texas last week.

Everyone in Scotland must have an electric tea kettle.  I love mine.  At this altitude it takes forever to boil water on the stove and this is quick and easy.  It’s not nearly as fast as ours in the UK, given the difference in volts and whatever that my husband used to scare me about kitchen appliances (there you have to turn everything on and off separately).

We did have a great time there, at least I did traipsing the countryside, literally, with Karen.  We took so many photos, had a lot of tea and scones.  They had terrific water, drinking right from the tap.  Also salmon and their mussels were gorgeous.  Mussel Inn in Glasgow is the place to go for a pail of mussels with your choice of “sauce.”  I prefer just a bit of garlic, white wine, butter, chives in mine.  To cover them with tomato sauce is a sin.  Look it up!

Yesterday we drove the scenic route in a thunderstorm, to Ogden.  We had lunch at pretty much the only restaurant that was open on a Sunday at historic 25th Street.  Jim had wanted to see the Railroad Museum but it was closed.  The Eccles railroad museum was out there, however, so we saw some old trains and pretty cool engines.  Steam, diesel and a jet engine that can pull 735 fully-loaded freight cars through the mountains.  [We also saw the car that carried the Olympic torch in Utah’s 2002 winter games.]

That would be a seven mile-long train.  It’s a near 3,000 foot climb through the mountains from Ogden to California.  It’s just under 3,000 feet up to get to Cheyenne, and Ogden is still a frieight depot.  Wasn’t much of a town, though.  It’s amazing that mid-1800’s trains traversed these mountains carrying mail and other items.

We got home late from our driving excursion so had to take care of the dog et al.  I made my own version of tostadas, cheating all the way.  Note that it’s not the way I normally cook.

corn tortillas (fry or buy already cooked as I did)

rotisserie chicken

tomatoes, shredded lettuce and cheese

vegetarian black beans

1 avocado, large dice, with lime juice to keep from oxidizing

salsa

sour cream

limes

I took the breast meat off the chicken and shredded it.  Topped tortillas with a 1/3″ layer of refried beans and placed them immediately in the oven (I’m guessing 350 for you as I have to adjust for altitude) for 5 minutes then topped with all ingredients, cheese first so it would melt into the beans.    It was good.  Make sure you have everything ready and top with beans and bake at the last minute as the beans will soften the tortilla.  Top with other ingredients immediately.

There wasn’t any left for a photo, sorry.  Hope it’s the same in your home!  Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Recipe Ideas, Scotland, Travel

Scotland Forever

Posted on April 3, 2009 | 1 comment

Our place boasts a limited edition print of the golf course at Muirland, Scotland. Also a picture of the Turnberry Hotel on the Ayrshire Coast of Scotland. We never got to Ayr. Home of Rabbie Burns and Brig-o-Doon.

We spent over two months in Scotland and divided time for ten days in London. While in Glasgow I had the pleasure of a Texas girlfriend and we toured Scotland two-three times a week. I learned so much about the people and the culture.

My techie husband made sure that I had a MacBook and Skype before going to Scotland and both were life savers. Our friends and I just spent nearly an hour catching up by phone (by mutual Skype) and it was great to hear their voices and what they’re up to these days in this crazy world.

It was great to talk to you, Karen and Jack! We miss you. Send us your itinerary and we’ll see if we can work something out to see you stateside. I’ll get that recipe to you as well.

I think Scotland needs to become its own country again. Without bloodshed, only signing a piece of paper agreed to by Scotland and England. My only worry is the means to do for itself, by itself. But I’ve no knowledge of the Scottish economy, only of the people and their will to be free. After all, England has to want Scotland really bad to try to take it time and time again.

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral

Welcome to the land of St. Mungo. Let Glasgow Flourish. Remember the tree, the bird, the fish and the bell. And the gold ring, of course. Long stories, enough for today. Best wishes, Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Friend Alert, Scotland, Travel

Friends: Scotland

Posted on January 13, 2009 | Leave a comment
Scots

Scots

When Jim was sent to Scotland it was an adventure for both of us. Our work friends from Texas live there and luckily Karen and I developed a routine where we went out twice a week for day-trips and we tried to get together on the weekend as well. We saw so much history and learned a great deal about the strength, resilience and determination of the Scots.

I’d like to thank Karen for helping to make our lives in Scotland full and interesting. Thanks to Jack as well. We miss you and only hope to see you soon in Scotland or on the continent. Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Scotland

Practice

Posted on November 17, 2008 | 2 comments

The police department has a facility nearby.  With the air conditions the way they are today, I’m hearing the trains come in and drums.  They’re practicing.

Hopefully it’s for a parade, not a funeral.  They practice the bagpipes there also, which always makes me think of a celebration of some sort, but hopefully not a funeral march.

At our flat in Scotland last year, we often heard the pipes, on the street.  Imagine that in Texas!  I miss the sounds.  Jim and I get one CD a year (normally downloaded but we were at Borders) and I got Loreena McKennitt’s “A Midwinter Night’s Dream” that I haven’t really listened to as yet.

I love the Celtic sounds, and this includes The Holly and the Ivy, and Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle (bring the torch, Jeannette, Isabella…) and since we don’t get a tree, having music in the house will bring joy in the holiday season.

Enya also has a holiday CD out.  I think I’ll put together a holiday iTunes selection for Jim to listen to en route to and from work.  No Celtic, no drums.  He prefers Marty Robbins.

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Posted in Editorial, Scotland

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Thistles

Posted on October 20, 2008 | Leave a comment

In England, there is the Order of the Garter, and I believe the Prince of Wales heads this elite group. In Scotland it’s the Order of the Thistle and we saw its place in Edinburgh.

The Scottish thistle, or cotton thistle, has a beautiful flower that is usually purple. Legend has it that when Sir William Wallace (“Braveheart”) lost his father in battle as a boy, the girl he later married gave him a thistle at the grave site. It became the national flower of Scotland.

Relatives in the thistle family include many, like the artichoke, cardoons, sunflowers, safflower, Jerusalem artichoke, chamomile, calendula (marigold) and dahlias.

I think of Scotland often, especially when friend Karen sends photos of places we visited together and those that, to date, I’ve missed.

I do look forward to going back, but Jim and I have more travels to do. Thanks for sticking with me. I appreciate all readers and comments.

Perhaps we’ll talk Thanksgiving recipes next? For anyone who wants to buck tradition. Troublemakers all, we’ll be. Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Education, Scotland

Features

Posted on August 28, 2008 | Leave a comment

First I was featured in Editorials, and when I asked for that to stop I’m now on Writers. I’m filing this under Scotland. Perhaps I’ll be featured on that next. The photo is of Glasgow Cathedral, an early and perhaps best photo I took in our months there.

Permit me to tell you a highly distilled version of the story. St. Mungo came to Glasgow from Ireland in the 5th century. That was not his name. The Scot King gave his Queen a gold ring. She bestowed it upon a member of the King’s army. While everyone was sleeping the King took the ring off the soldier’s finger and threw it into the Firth (river) of Clyde.

Upon returning to his castle the King demanded the Queen present him with the ring he gave to her else be killed. She confessed and gave penance to St. Mungo.

He asked one of his priests to go to the Firth of Clyde and fish. The first fish he caught, he brought back to St. Mungo. It had the gold ring in it’s jaw. The Queen returned the ring to the King and her life was spared.

To this day this is the logo and motto of Glasgow. The fish, the tree (of life), the bird and the ring. For the life of me I don’t remember the bird but (help me Karen) the motto is Let Glasgow Flourish. I loved our time there. It is a “working man’s” city with lovely architecture and we were steps from the main square. Trains to everywhere, a traveler’s (not a tourist’s) paradise. Plus we had great guides, thanks Karen and Jack.

http://www.scotland-guide.co.uk/ALL_AREAS_IN_SCOTLAND/Glasgow/City/St_Mungo_and_the_Glasgow_coat_of_arms/St_Mungo_Articles.htm

St. Mungo's Cathedral

St. Mungo

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Posted in Scotland

The Scots

Posted on August 23, 2008 | 2 comments

You won’t believe this, but I made it and have witnesses.

A half-side of salmon, skinned and boned. I covered it with scallop mousse and then zucchini half-rounds to look like fish scales. Cousin Steve manned the deep fryer pot and came up with fried parsley for garnish.

Oh, man, it’s so great to be out of French cooking-land! Ironically I got a catering job out of that cooking school dinner/brunch that paid a good portion of my tuition!

My Aunt Joan, godmother, loved the results and efforts, God rest her soul. I will remember it fondly for her. I thank the rest of the family for putting up with my pretenses. No, Kevin, that’s not prehensile. That’s my brother and I have to do this stuff so he’ll read my blog.

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Posted in Editorial, Recipe Ideas, Scotland

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More than Mussels and Salmon

Posted on August 12, 2008 | 2 comments

The Fisherman’s Sweater

The scratchiness reminds me
of a sweater I once had
A cardigan of Arran wool
from my mother’s hands

She knitted it with love
every popcorn stitch
the fisherman’s ropes
filled every inch

It was another thing
that set me apart
not something a kid wants
right from the start

I wore it for warmth
it served its purpose
then on to my sister
then to service

Her daughters
so for twenty-five years
I’ve asked for new
fisherman’s gear

And Mom has said rightly
That the first one was itchy
I was a kid and
as such I richly

Deserved nothing
there’s a new cardigan
but no-one to hug, save
the knitter in Oban

DAC
May 4, 2007

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Posted in Scotland

Beijing Bans Saltire

Posted on August 5, 2008 | 1 comment

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7541642.stm

It appears that powers that be that rule the Olympics, in an effort to ban Tibet from displaying its flag, have also prohibited other countries from the same.

I refer to Scotland, which is not my home (was for three months) and banning of the saltire, the flag of St. Andrew. Hey, this storm/non-storm so far got me up and I started reading so may as well make trouble.

Have you seen Braveheart? Rob Roy? The Scots have set themselves on a course for independence, have their own parliament and are on their way. Allowing a winning athlete to hold up his/her Scottish flag is an act of independence. It should be cherished, not banned.

Haggis, Scotch eggs (?), streaky bacon, and tons of pudding later, we need American Scots to rally ’round the flag with Glaswegians, those from Edinburgh and Aberdeen…

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Posted in Editorial, Scotland

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