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Crawdads & Dogs – e110s3

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episode 110 season 3
Crawdads & Dogs

“Crawdads”: are explained as the synonym of the words crawfish and crayfish that is used to mean the aquatic animal that looks like a small lobster and lives in rivers and streams, can also be called crawdaddies…”Search & Rescue SAR Dogs”: a domesticated carnivorous mammal that typically has a long snout, an acute sense of small, non retractable claws and a barking, howling or whining voice – in other words man’s best friend! They also, spring into action assisting humans during difficult times. They track people lost in the wilderness or those lost after a natural disaster. These Search and Rescue or SAR dogs can find Alzheimer’s patients who have wandered away from a care facility.

Todays show falls under the category of “READ” under my show brand EAT|READ|CREATE as I’m sharing two awesome books First Where the Crawdad’s Sing by Delia Owens AND Second: The Search by Nora Roberts

ENJOY THIS EPISODE

Recently I put a request out on my FB page in need of a book to read IMMEDIATELY. Don’t you get this feeling, when you are climbing into bed at night and you’re like UGH I forgot to download a book…or oh MAN I finished my book last night – I don’t feel like TV… this is where I was at sooo – what’s a girl to do but post on Social Media. here’s two books that I’ve read recently and I had to share these with you. Where the crawdad’s Sing was the first suggestion by Elaine, however many of the commented concurred that this was indeed a must read…The second was from one of my go to artists Nora Roberts, a quick easy read but with a twist that seemed like you could figure it out – but NOPE wrong…

Where the Crawdad’s Sing by Delia Owens

  1. Where the Crawdad’s Sing we will review first:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING PHENOMENON
More than 6 million copies sold
A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick
A Business Insider Defining Book of the Decade 

“I can’t even express how much I love this book! I didn’t want this story to end!”–Reese Witherspoon

“Painfully beautiful.”–The New York Times Book Review

Where the Crawdad’s Sing by Delia Owens Book Description:

For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life–until the unthinkable happens.

Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.

What people are saying

There’s quite a mixed bag of comments about this book on Amazon here’s a couple that stand out and have the same feeling I have – out of the more than 65,000 reviews wait that’s what it was when I looked at the time of preparing to read this book, there’s more than 100,000 review now. I’ll stick to the reviews that make this book even a more solid read:

1: Through the eyes of a scientist and the hand of a poet: Refreshing, if not remarkable to come across a work of fiction that sweeps one along from the first paragraph, speaking with the bold, brazen, and gentle voice of the poet, filtered through the keen and meticulous eyes of the scientist and nature-lover.

Owen delights and surprises in equal measure as her coming-of-age tale soars and plummets as briskly as the marsh grasses and the long-legged birds she so loves, celebrating the beauty and brutality of man and nature, interwoven with the intricacies of surviving a dysfunctional family, abandonment, and being cast aside by society.

2:  EXCELLENT didn’t see that ending coming!! Really gripping novel. I read a lot usually five books a week on average. I’m pretty good at guessing the storyline- my family tells me I should write for tv. So when I say I didn’t expect that ending and I couldn’t put the book down, trust me, it’s a great read!!

3:  Fantastic Book
Truly loved this story. The writing itself is a work of art. At the hand of Delia Owens, the marsh and the marsh girl come to life in living colour. The story offers an assortment of loss, determination, integrity, prejudices, love, and heartache, woven together to create Kya’s life.
This is a book I will likely read over again at some point in time.
Give us more, Delia Owens.

And here’s my Review: This book is like non other. It’s lingered with me for weeks and weeks now, I even tried to convince my 9 yo to give it a read but alas she thought the ‘murder’ at the top of the description was far too much. Little does she know it’s about a girls’ mom leaving when she’s not even 9 and never coming back, it’s about the outrageously kind man who runs the gas station on the marsh, it’s about the intricate details she puts in her paintings, it’s about her love of seagulls, wildflowers, grass’, it’s about when she first booms into womanhood in-front of her best friend, Tate. It’s about a young girl never attending school but finds out she loves to read and write. It’s about friendship on the deepest level, loving and being hurt. And finally it’s about a cat “Sunday Justice” who shows affection with out prejudice, and lays in the sun during court proceedings…

If you want an incredible book to read or listen as an audiobook this is just one that I fell in love with lately. there’s a link in my show notes…

just let that linger for a moment…

The second book I’d like to share with you is The Search by Nora Roberts

A canine Search and Rescue volunteer fights danger and finds love in the Pacific Northwest wilderness in this riveting #1 New York Times bestseller from Nora Roberts.

To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life—a quaint house on an island off Seattle’s coast, a thriving dog-training school and a challenging volunteer job performing Canine Search and Rescue. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare: an encounter with the Red Scarf Killer, who shot and killed Fiona’s cop fiancé and his K-9 partner.

On Orcas Island, Fiona has found the peace and solitude necessary to rebuild her life with her three loyal Labs. But all that changes on the day intensely private wood artist Simon Doyle barrels up her drive with an out-of-control puppy, desperate for her help.

As Fiona embarks on training Jaws, and Simon begins to appreciate both dog and trainer, the past tears back into Fiona’s life. A copycat killer has emerged out of the shadows, a man whose bloodlust has been channeled by a master with one motive: to reclaim the woman who slipped out of his hands…

Here’s what some of the readers have said:

1: Fantastic read! I don’t know how I missed this book before! I loved it! The Search swept me up in a fast moving captivating plot with strong, mature characters. The hero and heroine balance each other perfectly, and the suspenseful plot not only brought them together closer but kept me on edge also. I’d highly recommend The Search by Nora Roberts to any reader who enjoys strong, powerful romantic suspense.

2:  I’m not a huge “dog person” (I like them well enough I’m not a huge “dog person” (I like them well enough, but I’m definitely a “cat person”) and even I have fallen in love with this story & how N.R. incorporated all of the dogs throughout it.
Dogs aside, the plot is fantastic! Love the “murder mystery/thrill” aspect of it and the sexy parts interspersed throughout.

3: Great Book : Loved it, couldnt put it down, the perfect balance of suspence/drama and love story, my favorite kind of read, Nora Roberts is my favorite writer, I love knowing that at the end of the book the characters are going to be happy but I love the drama and mystery end of it as well, Nora always manages to have just enough of both

Reading this book is like slipping into a canine dog class, I recently shared this book with this same Facebook group – those lovers of the dog. As the knowledge that went into the training detail of a canine for search and rescue in the pages of this book was profoundly accurate to the nth degree, Listening to search and rescue dog experts in crime shows sound and give the same feel as Fiona in this book. Fiona is your best friend altho her past is more colourful with the passing of her late husband, her unusually organized and committed to exercise routines. She’s close with her mom and even closer with her step-mom. Oh and the wood carpentry in this book, are pieces we only dream to have in our bedrooms and kitchens. This is must read, a quick read, but again leaves you lingering for more of the romance the knowledge.

…became a women in-front of her only friend Tate … she shouldn’t have checked the mail

What have you read lately, and if you’re read either of these books let me know your thoughts and what you loved about them! Both of these books lingered – which is what I LOVE in a good book, don’t you? It’s letting your imagination soar to new heights learning words that you’ve never heard of before like cicadas, crawdogs, and words like ‘find’ that mean something so fierce when it comes to saving a child and not finding your keys.

Also I wanted to give you an update, since I posted this request on my Facebook I’ve received an abundance of books to add to my reading list and will no doubt devour these and of course keep you posted as I make my way through. You can check out this full list here on my blog if you feel so inclined. AND if you’ve read/listened to any of these drop me a note and let me know…

And inclosing I interviewed Liam Callanan (part 1 and part 2) a humbly famous author of a book a fell in love with the main character of, Paris by the Book, and in this show, I was going to do a giveaway with my copy to one listener/follower, however Liam graciously offered to send a hardcover to replace my giveaway and a another softcover to add to the pile…SO I thought I’d add the names of all the people who contributed to this amazing list on FB and do the giveaway this way – which I did and the two winners Jessica (my BF in grade 8) and Amanda a friend through a friend – won these two books and they were thrilled and surprised to be put into this draw…

Until next time, if you’re read a good book that lingered, please send it my way I’d love to read it and share your comment!

Promo Clip

Eerie & Absurd Podcast – give it a listen Website @ EERIE & ABSURD Instagram @ Eerie & Absurd

Follow Me:

Website @ ValerieMoss.ca

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Facebook @VSMoss

YouTube @ValerieJMoss

Pinterest @VJMoss

The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

Stay Tuned for the next season, season 3 on Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss from Studio 17

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Glencairn: Whiskey | Bourbon | Scotch – e109

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episode 109 season 3
Glencairns

Whiskey Tastings:

  • Why whiskey or is it burban?
  • What did you learn about Bourbon scotch & whiskey
  • Where do these originate?
  • Why did you choose the ones we’re trying today?
  • Why the order?
  • Price point?
  • Describe the glasses – shape
  • Water?

First time my hubby takes a spot on my microphone..todays show is about Bourbon, Scotch and Whiskey or whisky? I’d like to Welcome my husband Jeff to the show, you’ve heard his name over the course of the last 99 shows here and there. He listens to the show sometimes and gives me feedback on the episodes where I’ve recorded him and some of our intimate discussions…but todays show is different today we are doing a tasting episode. A few burbans, and scotches to wetted our pallets – enjoy the episode. This episode was originally recorded later in 2019…

Well our first interview together now you finally know what my husband sounds like and  thanks for joining us on our first whisky tasting – it was very enjoyable to learn and try these out…not sure they are for me but I’m always up for trying something new. If you’ve gone down this bourbon rat hole, let me know what you’ve tried and enjoyed. I’m thinking there will be more experimentation in the future with my hubby.  If you have any questions about whiskeys please check out the show links to everything we’ve discussed today and drop a comment or question and we will get back to you 🙂 

Some cool things to check out…happy tasting!

I’d like to Welcome my husband Jeff to the show, you’ve heard his name over the course of the last 99 shows here and there. He listens to the show sometimes and gives me feedback on the episodes where I’ve recorded him and some of our intimate discussions…but todays show is different today we are doing a tasting episode. A few burbans, and scotches to wetted our pallets – enjoy the episode. This episode was originally recorded later in 2019…

Break One

Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt scotch a product of multiple single malt scones – in this case of Money should it’s from their 2 neighbouring speyside distilleries includes whisky from Kinivie, Balvenie and Glenfiddich, this particular distillery has been opened since 1990.

Break Two

Mash is made from grain 

Scott whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least 3 years to All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three years. Any age statement on a bottle of Scotch whisky, expressed in numerical form, must reflect the age of the youngest whisky used to produce that product. A whisky with an age statement is known as guaranteed-age whisky. These barrels are USED

Break Three:

These barrels for example Jack Daniels cost roughly $160 these are the original JD barrels they used to age their whisky – for $300-$600 you can find quality barrels that are not sanded or polished as they are used for function and storage. They can only be used once when making the Jack Daniels batches- then they are sold to hot sauce makers, beer brewers and Scotch whiskey distillers who will reuse them…In Kentucky you can only use the barrel once, Burbon has to be in a brand new barrel – scotch cannot be used in the brand new barrel…

Break 4

Glencairn – spell it – these glasses are the coolest scotch, bourbon and whiskey tasting nipping glasses. A Glencairn is a tombstone erected on the highest mountain peaks to mark the grave sights and honour fallen Scottish warriors. The glass was designed with aid of master blenders from five of the largest whisky companies in Scotland – in 2001. Specifically for ‘nosing’ the whisky sample. The glass itself is small just holds 6 ounces when plumb full but typically should only hold 1.75 ounces. Guess what this glass on the Queen’s award for Innovation in 2006.

Break 5

We’ve all heard the word proof before when describing alcohol or moonshine even. The term proof dates back to the 16th century in England or 1848 in the USA – when spirits were taxed at different rates depending on their alcohol content and proof was on a score of 0 – 200. Originating in England proof was equal to 1.82 times the alcohol by volume ABV or generally twice. 100 proof would be to the equivalent in today measurement at approx 57% Alcohol by Volume or ABV. So if 100 was the middle anything above this when tested in a burn or no burn test which was based on alcohol igniting was said to be above proof.

Break 6

Whiskey or Whisky

– the word whisky is the spirit or alcohol that is used as the base this word actually just means water of life in Gaelic.  The spelling tells you the location it originated from whiskey is for Ireland and whisky without the e is used in all other whisky producing regions. Scots, Canada and Japan to not use the ‘e’. So the top 9 are Irish Whiskey (e) Scotch Whisky (no e) Japanese Canadian, Burbon Whiskey (American), Tennessee (American)Whiskey Rye Whiskey (American) and then blended whiskey – made for cocktails

Break 7

When you smell whisky with your mouth open the alcohol in the whisky doesn’t burn your nose…and you can smell the floral ness of it

Break 8

Jeff’s so accurate in his details, the level of smokiness is of a whisky is determined by the time the barley grain is exposed to the pungent peat smoke during drying. Damp malt is usually dried for approximately 30 hours. Others dries its malt over peat fire for about 18 of these 30 hours, some only use only unpeated fire. Scotland has large peat bogs wich grow approx 1mm a year. – so a 3 meter peat bog takes 3000 years to grow!

Break 9

Okay so here’s a bit of a breakdown, alcohol vs sugar…the spirit should not have any sugar in it like gin, vodka, whiskey  – unless you add mix of course. White wine is approx 3 grams per 5 ounces and and beer is approx 5 grams/12 ounce. For wine, just to clarify this comment, also Alcohol levels in wine are directly correlated with the amount of sugar that’s developed in the grapes at harvest time: the higher the sugar levels, the higher the potential alcohol. This doesn’t mean higher alcohol wines are sweeter, though sometimes this is the case.

Break 10

There are 5 regions in Scotland where whisky without the e remember comes from Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and speyside

Break 11

Markers mark does indeed come from Loretto, Kentucky, USA by Beam Suntory originally called th eBurks Distillery and production began in 1954 so not quite hundred of years old but definitely getting up there. It had a slogan of “ it Tastes expensive…and it is”

Also one of the most unusual qualities about markers mark is that no rye is used as part of the math over 70% is corn and it’s aged for about 6 years.

Break 12

Makers Mark fires each barerel for a customary number 3 char in just 40 seconds – new American white oak is seasoned outdoors for nine months, including the summer before the firing takes place. Also all barrels are rotated by hand in their warhorse ensure proper exposure to different temperatures first with a minimum of 3 hot Kentucky summers on the top of the rack house.

Break 13:

Yes aficionados of bourbon and corn whisky (at least 51% corn) say it’s sweeter and more robust in 

Whisky room – try all sorts of options here with different woods they use to smoke the glasses and different types of bitters, mixes etc. something fun to maybe try with friends…

A bit of a re-cap – we tasted Monkey shoulder $60/bottle Blended Malt Scotch – Genfiddich 18 year  Scotch $130/bottle – GlenFarclas  single malt scotch 21 year about $150/bottle   – makers Mark  Burbon $50/ bottle.

Well our first interview together now you finally know what my husband sounds like and  thanks for joining us on our first whisky tasting – it was very enjoyable to learn and try these out…not sure they are for me but I’m always up for trying something new. If you’ve gone down this bourbon rat hole, let me know what you’ve tried and enjoyed. I’m thinking there will be more experimentation in the future with my hubby.  If you have any questions about whiskeys please check out the show links to everything we’ve discussed today and drop a comment or question and we will get back to you 🙂 

Links:

Glencairn Whisky Glass – Even the queen voted for this innovation!

Whiskey or Whisky – Where is it from?

Scotch Whisky Regions: Where and their specific names.

Top 9 Whiskey you need to know – these are the must try

Scotch Whiskey – What is this?

Smoke Whisky – significance of Peat Moss

Promo Clip

Eerie & Absurd Podcast – give it a listen Website @ EERIE & ABSURD Instagram @ Eerie & Absurd

Follow Me:

Website @ ValerieMoss.ca

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Facebook @VSMoss

YouTube @ValerieJMoss

Pinterest @VJMoss

The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

Stay Tuned for the next season, season 3 on Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss from Studio 17

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Studio 17, behind the scenes tour – e108

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episode 108 season 3
Studio 17 Tour

Hey Everyone, it’s Valerie here – Todays show Studio 17 –  was originally published on my YouTube site and a fun little project I wrote, produced and directed. It’s a tour of my studio with some subtle humour and over exaggerated descriptions of the space.. I wanted to make it sound like you were walking into an architectural feat – but alas this is my space, where I write, learn and grow as podcaster, audiobook narrator, host and dabble in my own videography. This is the space I transform my stories and publish them for all of you – so without further adieu, here’s studio 17 and your audio tour  – to see the full video, please check out the link in the show notes.

  • Welcome to Studio 17…located in Calgary, Alberta Canada in this glorious space where the works of Valerie Moss and many guests have performed their conversations, story telling in both audio and video productions…this is the place where Valerie has accomplished more than 100 podcast episodes and over 30 audiobook productions for audible, along with hours of video clips – all composed right here in this 100 square foot space.
  • Designed in 2019 with love.. as it began like most projects with a board on Pinterest to include a pallet of colours (greens, purples and greys), a feeling and mood and a collection of items like antique, wrought iron, spindles, angles and prettiness to make this space complete…it was a success.
  • Draping these walls of marshmallow purple are elements of her daughters former crib. One the East wall, hangs the bottom plate of the crib with 13 rungs measuring 2” high x a staggering 22” wide…this forefront quilt adorning this piece of a small Childs bed was hand crafted in 2011 by Valerie’s mother… the front of this quilt showing-casing over 288 2” squares appliquéd onto this neutral background..sandwiched in cotton. Below this, festoons a remarkable quilt showcasing dupioni silks imported from India, the hand stitching is worth bragging about consisting of more than 1000 French knots tied in silk floss, the flowers and butterflies glisten off this quilt top just begging for your attention…this EAST wall provides colour and beauty and has an uncanny ability to absorb sound making this side of the room perfect for recording audioworx.
  • As we move through the room with it’s exaggerated white frames and glistening stainless steel knobs, Kurt silver hinges on the two secret doors holding all sorts of miscellaneous items  …we find the south wall, this small section with the quaintest of features exhibiting a $3.00 rake found at a local garage sale…no longer wanted by it’s previous owners. Valerie and her love of DIY projects took this pine rake and with paint that has been historically stored in her undercroft at studio seventeen – provided this rake with the love an attention it so needed, coloured it with fresh creams, and neutral tones giving it the uplift it always desired and a warm clean space right here in this pocket sized spot. This pole with a cross bar toothed end is holding a bouquet of dried lavender from the fields of a local garden centre along with a miniature hand crafted heart made out of black felted wool.
  • The centre of the ceiling is enraptured by this glorious 3 bulb chandelier purchased from a back alley exchange with a 40 something women through the world renowned Kijiji site and installed into this custom location by Valerie’s groom. This painted rod iron focal point completes the top of this space, casting striations across the milky egg shell coloured highest permissible level.
  • Below the origin of light the focal point of this atelier, is the foundation of the creative space. Valerie wanted the studio to have a rotund piece and this ornate table filled this vision stupendously…with the elegant gold, all colours mixed together equalling the colour of white, the four legs of this table sweeping out so elegantly finishing in claw feet with the surest poise. The legs on this table have miles of engraved lines and hundreds of intricacies carved into the apron. The charm radiating from the heart of this wooden piece is felt by all who pass over the threshold. This table was purchased through that previously stated online merchant exchange platform of Kijiji where Valerie got to know this women and her story of 7 children and her love of furniture at a very personal level…and had to buy this piece, this was the start, the focus, the mood.
  • As we move to the south wall of this stupendous space we catch our breath on this colourful wall of texture and beauty. Starting with the nine wooden frames…these frames were hand crafted by Valerie. She spent one sunny afternoon taking an old set of wooden lawn furniture purchased years ago from the infamous COSTCO store. Her family used and kept in in her backyard for 15 years of seasons, gathering of family and friends and weathering these Swiss inspired Adirondack chairs with attached coffee tables –  just to the perfect shade of pearl grey. Spending 360 minutes in the south facing yard in the heart of the spring knocking these chairs apart with hammers and mallets branded by Stanley. Securing these boards with miscellaneous galvanized screws to create this wall of chassis. Years ago on a trip south of Canada into the incredible state of Montana, USA Valerie encountered this log cabin quilt in traditional cotton fabrics, buried in an antique store and she knew she had to bring it back to Canada. Containing an treasury of colours contrasting to the marshmallow purple walls she begun cutting this quilt up just ‘so’ to fit into these 8 frames with this exact vision in mind…this wall makes the perfect sound absorbing platform to record her latest episode of her well over 100 episodes of her podcast, Valerie’s Variety Podcast…and her next audio production adding to the over 30 titles to date. The last lonely frame is used here and there to complete sound absorption and in photos when desired.
  • When we turn to the last wall, facing westward to the rocky mountains beyond the borders of the studio –  subsumed in two mirroring components of said daughters past crib, these sweeping frames facing each other brings a sense of partnership to this vertical space. Again providing the quietness needed to absorb sound and allow the voice only to encapsulate the room. Corresponding to the easterly wall, this side offers colours of onyx, creamy coffee brown as well as shades of cranberries and eggplant. These quilts are made with love by astounding quilter hands throughout the years. This unique wrought iron key holds the signature silhouette to enter into Studio 17 at your leisure, it’s coveted from those that have come before to share their story in an Interview or in print for Valerie to broadcast to the world through video and audio productions.  
  • The impedimenta that Valerie is using is all collected with a central purpose of good sound, good video and exceptional research and development for every plug, screen and user interface application like GarageBand and audacity along with many available files of free music, loops and visual aids to make the process as advanced as possible.
  • Concluding this tour, when you have a chance to visit Valerie’s webpage, audio productions and her works in the theme of EAT READ CREATE just know that she adores what she does in this extraordinary space with natural light in the day and the view of magical stars at night. In the incredible window – as this last wall facing north is in it’s entirety glass…Also around the atelier you will find one single Queen Anne’s antique chair, miniature Bird cage, steel baskets, an ironing board she pulled from a dilapidated barn covered in years of storage – regained to this beautiful shade of pewter grey – all of these pieces found and placed with purpose and love for things that make Valerie’s heart swell…the space holds hours of writing, planning, and stories waiting to be shared. 
  • This video was written and produced by Valerie Moss, editing by London Moss and the music and video production by Valerie Moss…This story about Studio 17 is available in both video and audio. Visit ValerieMoss.ca for all the links to her podcast, audio productions and videos…

This is fun video written & produced by me, Valerie Moss, showing casing my small studio in an over-exaggerated way. Narration is completed in this space to go alon with the photography and videography. This Video highlights my space, sound absorption, my equipment and so many of my artistic finds to make STUDIO 17 complete.

Enjoy!

The Education of Hoot: A Spiritual Journey