We'll Meet Again.

Here, for New Year's Eve 2017, is WWII's Vera Lynn —now Dame Vera Lynn and still releasing recordings at 100— singing her hit We'll Meet Again (as reprised by Stanley Kubrick at the conclusion of his 1964 film classic, "Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love").

We'll meet again,

Don't know where, don't know when,

But I know we'll meet again, some sunny day.

Keep smiling through,

Just like you always do,

Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.

And, will you please say hello,

To the folks that I know.

Tell them that I won't be long.

They'll be happy to know that, as you saw me go,

I was singing this song.

We'll meet again,

Don't know where, don't know when,

But I know we'll meet again, some sunny day.

Keep smiling through,

Just like you always do,

Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.

So, will you please say hello

To the folks that I know,

Tell them I won't be long,

They'll be happy to know that as you saw me go,

I was singing this song.

We'll meet again,

Don't know where, don't know when.

But I know we'll meet again, some sunny day.

And, so, to close the year, I wish you appreciation for those loved and lost; felicitations for good health, good luck, and good fermentables; and gratitude for your perusal of this little blog. Next year, Ninkasi willing, may we meet again.

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Pic(k) of the Week: New Year's Poinsettia

For the final Pic(k) of the Week of 2017, no beer. Instead, it's a 'macro' of a house-cut poinsettia, 'filmed' with a 16-millimeter extension tube.

I pronounce the plant as it is spelled: "poin SET tee uh." If you say it otherwise, ignoring that final 'i,' I say you're wrong.

Did you know that you can preserve a poinsettEEa well past the winter holidays? I guessed at that last year, and replanted it outdoors, under a tree, in the spring. Here are tips about that from Gardening Know How:

In spring, return the plant to a sunny area and water well. Cut back all canes (branches) to about 6 inches from the pot’s rim. It may also be a good idea to repot the poinsettia using the same type of soil. While poinsettias can be kept indoors throughout summer, many people choose to move them outdoors in a sunny, but protected, area of the flower garden by sinking the pot into the ground. Either way is fine. After new growth has reached between 6 to 10 inches, pinch out the tips to encourage branching. This can be done once a month until the middle of August. Once nights become longer in fall, bring the poinsettia indoors. From about September through November light becomes crucial in poinsettia plant care. In order to encourage blooming, poinsettia plants require long periods of darkness at night (about 12 hours). Therefore, move the poinsettia to a location where it will not receive any nighttime light or cover it with a box. Allow plenty of light during the day so the plant can absorb enough energy for flowering. Warmer days (65-70 F./18-21 C.) and cooler nights (55-60 F./13-16 C.) are also recommended. Provide semi-cool, humid locations in bright, indirect light with plenty of moisture once blooming occurs.

Mine fared well. But, did you notice that line about the fall? "Bring the poinsettia indoors." I ignored that advice. That's when this happened.

So pretty, but, then, a couple days after that, this happened.



Oh, well. Back to another store-cut poinsettia. Green (red?) thumbs are not my cups of beer.

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Beer Writers: mentors & mentees.

The North American Guild of Beer Writers (NAGBW) is establishing a network of mentors and mentees to "better connect its membership, to enhance communication skills, and to further understanding of the beer industry."

To that end, the NAGBW is looking for veteran beer writers to mentor aspiring writers. And, vice versa: new beer writers looking for advice on covering the industry and pitching their stories.

Vet or newbie? Consider signing up.

About the NAGBW

The North American Guild of Beer Writers is an all-volunteer group of professional beer writers dedicated to elevating the level of the craft as it covers the art of brewing.

We are serious in our purpose, but strive to enjoy ourselves in doing our jobs.

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Merry Christmas, with beer.

Leave a beer out tonight for ol' Saint Nick!

Šventų Kalėdų to all!

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Pic(k) of the Week: 'Easter Island' Christmas

Unlike his Easter Island brethren, this Moai wears a Christmas hat.

As seen in Falls Church, Virginia, on 21 December 2008. Has he since enjoyed the longevity of his grander Rapa Nui kin?

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