It's Time To Cut Loose on Poutine!

Montreal poutine has been featured too many times on Facebook; we can't ignore it any more. Herewith is not only anything you've ever wanted to know about this classic Canadian dish, but also some step-by-step recipes to duplicate it in your own kitchen; there's even a t-shirt you can buy to commemorate your culinary conversion.
So -- have at it, ay?
You can even go to Maamm Bolduc!

Military Commanders

Beware the button pushers

Day Cruisin'

Looking back, it almost seems like science fiction time travel, but when Diana and I were dating this was a popular Saturday outing for us, steaming up the Hudson to West Point on the good ship Alexander Hamilton.   Di would pack a lunch, which we'd enjoy on the West Point grounds, and then we'd share a couple of beers on the return.
I don't know why, but big ships almost always share the same ignominious fate -- neglected, then abandoned, finally salvaged for scrap or sunk. Sometime in the 70s I think, the Hamilton caught fire and sank off its drydock at the Leonardo, NJ Naval weapons station. Her stacks are just visible if you're at sea looking landward.
By the way, the Hamilton was a rather rare side wheeler paddle boat - you can see the portside white skirt cover in this photo.