The On-Line Buzzletter: August 2018

Friday, August 31, 2018

Spain Blog #66: Sitges: Bacardi Museum Part 5: Mixing our Own Drinks! (and a Recipe)

Rob making his Rum and Coke

In this last blog about the Bacardi museum in Sitges, Spain you'll read about how we learned to mix the rum drink of our choice! It was actually funny, because I (Rob) don't drink, but I did mix one in my own way and it was good. In this blog you'll read about our choice of drink, and our teachable moment where we made our own. And you'll learn what goes into 2 drinks to try them yourself.

Tom making his Mohito

BARTENDER TRAINING- At the end of our Bacardi Museum tour, we wound up at a working bar! Very appropriate ending. It was there that the bartender taught the tour group how to make several drinks, with Bacardi rum of course, and allowed everyone to try them. The bartender made a Mohito, Rum and Coke and a local drink. After tasting the drinks, we were allowed to choose to make either a Mohito or Rum and Coke. The local drink (of which I can't remember the name), was too complicated, so they didn't offer it.

WHAT WE MADE - Tom made a Mohito and I (Rob) made a Rum and Coke. However, since I don't drink, I made it about 2/3rd coke and 1/3rd rum. It was good!

WHAT'S IN A MOHITO? 1/2 of a lime, 2 tsp sugar, 6-8 spearmint leaves, ice. Take all ingredients and crush them with a pestle on the bottom of the glass. Add Bacardi to taste, and soda water. Then garnish with a mint leaf!

WHAT'S IN A RUM AND COKE (well, you can guess 2 ingredients). 1/2 Lime squeezed over ice. Then take the lime and ring the outside rim of the glass, Pour the Bacardi rum for 6 seconds over ice. Take a can of Coca Cola and pour down a spoon into the glass. That prevents it from fizzing! Cut the other 1/2 of the lime in 4 parts and put in the glass.

The drinks we made!

We really enjoyed this tour and recommend it whenever you/re in SITGES!

NEXT: THE FINAL SPAIN TRIP BLOG: A FUN DINNER

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Spain Blog #65: Sitges: Bacardi Museum Part 4: How Rum is Made/Our Funny Taste Test

Testing the Rum in stages

In this fourth blog on our visit to the Bacardi Museum in Sitges, Spain we'll explain how rum is made and the process Bacardi used, and tell you about our funny taste test!

RUM'S THREE INGREDIENTS - We learned that rum is made with sugar, water and yeast.

THE PROCESS - When on the tour, we learned that the mix of the three ingredients are heated. Then, they are filtered through charcoal, which changes their color. Every time they are filtered the mixture gets lighter in color. The first color is golden, and then it gets lighter with each filtration. The final color is a clear liquid. Once at that stage, the mixture is heated again and filtered.

OUR FUNNY TASTE TEST! The docent brought us to a taste test area and set out three glasses before each of the group. Each of them were from different parts of the filtration process.
1) GOLD COLOR - This was from the first stage of filtration and we found it super strong and peppery
2) LIGHT COLOR -This was the second stage of the filtration and we smooth but peppery.
3) CLEAR - This was the final stage of filtration and more peppery.

inside the museum

WHAT WAS FUNNY- We both liked the "light color" or second stage. What's funny is that wasn't the final rum. The final rum, the clear one, and the one we didn't like, was actually the FINAL PRODUCT! It was funny when the docent asked if everyone agreed that the last one, the clear one, was the best one, and we were the only ones who said "No" - not knowing that we didn't pick the final product! Oooops!!!

NEXT: We Mix Our Own Drinks!

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Spain Blog #64: Sitges: Bacardi Museum Part 3: Beach Statue

Statue on the seaside promenade, the Paseo Marítimo at the beach

The founder of Bacardi Rum, Facundo Bacardí Massó helped put Sitges, Spain on the map. Not only is there a Bacardi museum there, but the city also erected a statue in his honor called “Looking into the Future,” on the seaside promenade, the Paseo Marítimo at the beach. Sitges sits on the Mediterranean coast and this statue of two open hands in a circle frames the beach nicely. In this blog you'll learn about the sculpture!

THE ARTIST AND SCULPTURE- The Sitges-inspired sculpture by artist Lorenzo Quinn is entitled “Looking into the Future.” The one-of-a-kind work has a base of solid stone (using stone from Sitges); on top of which is a large steel circle held up by open hands made of bronze and the Bat, the globally recognized symbol of Bacardi, also known symbol of good luck, fortune and family unity. The base has an embedded plaque with a portrait and explanation of the life and vision of Mr. Massó.

MEANING OF THE CIRCLE AND THE HANDS - The circle symbolises the global dimensions of the brand and the company. The open hands reaching for the sky symbolise letting dreams take flight, with the confidence to succeed.

Replica of the Circle of Hands in the museum

AT THE UNVEILING - His great-great grandson Facundo Bacardi, the Bacardi chairman, joined Sitges Mayor Jordi Baijet to honour his memory with the unveiling of a statue celebrating his life, success, and connections to Sitges.

NEXT: HOW RUM IS MADE and our Funny Taste Test!

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Spain Blog #63: Sitges: Bacardi Museum Part 2: Bat Symbol

When we were on vacation in Sitges, Spain, we visited the Casa Bacardi, the museum that honors the founder of the rum (he was born in Sitges). In today's blog we'll explain how the bat became the symbol associated with Bacardi Rum. The bat has 2 meanings! Of course,I (Rob) thought it was cool because I'm a fan of the superhero Batman. :)

The Bacardi Bat Symbol changed over time

THE STORY -
When the founder of Bacardi Rum, Facundo Bacardí Massó and his wife Amalia Moreau moved back to Sitges from Cuba and started the rum making business they needed a symbol for the brand.

WHERE THE BAT CAME FROM - Mrs. Bacardi Masso spotted bats in the distillery one day and suggested it became the brands symbol. There were many bats that were scared away with a buzz. The fruit bats were attracted to the smell of the molasses.

SECOND REASON FOR THE BAT - The bat figure was fundamental for Bacardi’s brand recognition since back then most people in Cuba couldn’t read or write.

Of course, the bat symbol changed over time,but it's still a bat. In the museum, there's a wall with all of the different depictions over time.

NEXT: THE BACARDI BEACH STATUE

Monday, August 27, 2018

Spain Blog #62: Sitges: Bacardi Museum Part 1: the History

Casa Bacardi

In today's blog we'll take you to the Bacardi factory/museum in Sitges, Spain which was a true highlight of the Mediterranean town. In this blog we'll explain the history of the company... that started in Sitges,Spain and moved to Cuba and came back!

A Sugar Cane Press

ABOUT THE MUSEUM: Sitges is home to the Casa Bacardi, a museum that tells about the Heritage of the brand and the process. At the museum there is a lounge bar for Bacardi’s products tasting, a terrace and a bartender school. The museum is only open on certain days and you have to reserve tickets at least a day ahead of time (the tours take a limited number of people, I think up to 20, and fill up fast).

FAST FACT: Bacardi is the largest spirits brand in the world that is private and family owned.

HOW DID BACARDI RUM COME TO BE? Bacardi rum was founded 1862 in Santiago de Cuba as a rum distillery and today it owns over 200 brands and labels.

A still in the museum

In 1814, the founder of Bacardi Rum, Facundo Bacardí Massó was born in Sitges. His father was a bricklayer. At 16, he and his brother moved to Cuba in 1803. There, in 1844, he married Amalia Moreau, a wealthy French woman, opened his own mercantile shop and had 6 children.

In 1852, his family returned to Sitges, Spain because Cuba was hit by an earthquake and a cholera epidemic followed it.

THE RUM BUSINESS BEGINS - His mercantile business went bankrupt and Bacardi started attempting distilling rum in 1852. Rum was considered to be a cheap, low quality drink, and Bacardi developed a unique process with a type of yeast for fermentation, then filtering through charcoal and aging in white oak barrels, which made the final product transparent and fine, being the first white colored rum in the world.

ROB HELPS ON THE TOUR WITH SUGAR CANE- During the tour, the docent brought us to a wooden press with two crank handles and asked for volunteers. Rob stepped up and helped with the press to squeeze the juice out of a stick of sugar cane, which is used in the making of rum.

Rum on the museum wall!

For the website:
https://www3.bacardi.com/casa-bacardi-sitges

NEXT: THE BACARDI BAT SYMBOL!

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Idiot of the Week: Rudy Giuliani After He Declares ‘Truth Isn’t Truth’

This week's idiot is (no surprise) Rudy Giuliani. He's been a contender for this award for a long, long time, but this one tops them all. Rudy Giuliani’s stunning declaration on NBC Sunday that “truth isn’t truth” as he discussed his fears about special counsel Robert Mueller interviewing President Donald Trump galvanized a furious army of critics on Twitter. See below and SEE the Video clip:
Giuliani was warned about the fallout a statement like that could cause. “Mr. Mayor, do you realize ... this is going to become a bad meme,” noted “Meet The Press” host Chuck Todd.

Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara had a funnier take. “Truth isn’t truth. Try that one with a jury,” he quipped in a tweet.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/CljsZ7lgbtw

Former FBI director James Comey declared: “Truth exists and truth matters. If we are untethered to truth, our justice system cannot function and a society based on the rule of law dissolves.”

King ripped Giuliani as a “rat” thriving in the swamp that Trump had promised to drain, and Rather saw his incredible statement as something that will transfix historians in the future.

Several tweets said Giuliani’s statement reeked of something an autocrat would say. And countless tweets said “truth isn’t truth” was chillingly evocative of George Orwell’s gruesome dystopian novel 1984, in which the “Ministry of Truth” replaces facts with lies.

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Who I am

I'm a simple guy who enjoys the simple things in life, especially our dogs. I volunteer for dog rescues, enjoy exercising, blogging, politics, helping friends and neighbors, participating in ghost investigations, coffee, weather, superheroes, comic books, mystery novels, traveling, 70s and 80s music, classic country music,writing books on ghosts and spirits, cooking simply and keeping in shape. You'll find tidbits of all of these things on this blog and more. EMAIL me at Rgutro@gmail.com - Rob

Rob's Book- Kindred Spirits: When a Spirit Befriends a Medium

ABOUT THE BOOK It's uncommon for a medium really get know a spirit so well that the living person considers the spirit a best friend. But that's exactly what happened to medium and paranormal investigator Rob Gutro. When Rob met his partner Tom in 2005, Ed's spirit came along for the ride. Rob never knew Ed in life, but Tom did. Now, Ed often communicates to Rob and has revealed his sense of humor, his heart, and helped solved the mystery of his passing.- Video short: VIDEO: https://youtu.be/_zUFsjrTrLg

Tracking Our Dog Rescue Assists

We work with Coast-to-Coast Dachshund Rescue (CCDR), Dachshund Rescue of North America (DRNA) and D.C. Weimaraner Rescues (DCWR) and Bonney Blue Rescue and foster or transport dogs as often as we can (and when they mix well with our 3 kids). Here's a list of the dogs we fostered or transported:

Gracie - Transported - a Beagle Mix adopted in western MD
2 Unnamed Dachshunds -Transported - rescued from a breeder (we watched for 3 days) sent on to permanent foster homes

Cooper#1 the Dachshund - Fostered - 2-26-09 -We fostered this lovable black and tan wire-haired, easy-going, lovable senior and he was Adopted by our friends Bob and Arlene in MD in April 2009

Buddy the Weimaraner - Transport 9-27-09 - We transported Buddy from no. VA to White Marsh, MD where we met Buddy's new mom Cathy from Philly.

Sprite the Dachshund -Fostered and We Adopted! 12-4-10 We picked up almost 14 yr old Sprite in Frederick, Md from a rescue transporter on 12-4-10 and we fostered him. We adopted Sprite in April 2011 when we learned of his heart murmur. (Sprite passed 7-8-13 at 16 1/2 years old)

Chance the Weimaraner - Rescue from shelter and Fostered- 6-10-12 - We freed Chance from the PG County Animal Shelter, and fostered through DC Area Weim Rescue. We covered his hip surgery and fostered Chance, while helping him walk again. He was adopted by our friend Whitney on 7-29-12. (Chance passed on 3-26-16)

Cooper#2 the Dachshund - Fostered 9-24-15 - We fostered this little guy and he was adopted by Shayne in MD after we had Cooper for just a couple of weeks.

Tuck (mix) - 5-7-13 - Transported Huck for Bonnie Blue Rescue. He came from a CT shelter, and we picked hi up in Baltimore and brought him to his new dad and mom, our friends Jon & Erin in VA

Tyler (Dachshund) - 12-17-12- FOSTERED & WE ADOPTED! We took in and fostered Tyler a 2 year old black and tan dachshund who came from a kill shelter in NC. Our friend Robert drove there and picked him up. (read the blog: First Night with Tyler the Foster from 12-17-12) - We realized how he bonded with our Weimaraner Dolly, so we adopted him in May 2013 through the rescue.

Charlie (Dachshund)- Rescue from shelter and transported to foster mom April in Md. *April adopted Charlie!*

Rocco (Dachshund puppy) -Rescue from shelter and transported, we brought to foster mom Kristin in Oct.
Abu - (Dachshund mix) - Rescue from shelter and transported to Emily for foster home in Delaware in Oct.

Doc, now Duncan (Dachshund mix)- Rescue from shelter

and transported to Katie for fostering. Duncan was adopted.

Reds - Rescue from shelter and transported - This long-haired, senior red Chihuahua to Katie for transport to a Senior dog rescue in Virginia

Happy and Sami - Transported from College Park, Md to Springfield, VA (Jan. 2013)

Gus - Worked with at Rescue Event - April brought Gus to us to appear at an adoption event at Pet Value, Gambrills, Md.

Max -Transported. Part of a transport from White Marsh, Md. to Bowie, Md. to foster mom April in southern Maryland.

JJ - Transport to adopting family This tiny 8 pound dog was transported from Washington, D.C. to Towson, Md. where we did a home visit and completed the adoption to a great family
Jethro- Home inspection for DASH Rescue to place this doxie/chihuahua mix.

Grayson - Worked with at Rescue Event -Worked with this 12 yr old senior Weimaraner at the Pet Valu, Gambrills, md adoption event!

Heath - Transported. 9-2014 a 10 year old black/tan dachshund we fostered for 3 days (who wound up being afraid of men- and went to another foster home.

Mack- Fostered 10-2014 **Adopted in Dec. 2014!**
fostered from Oct. 27 until he was adopted in Dec. from Connie and Poul.

Saylor - transport 12-14-14 (being fostered in Annapolis, Md thru DASH Rescue.) ~ 15lbs, 2 years, male/neutered, red smooth doxie, Heartworm negative (thankfully) & up to date on vaccines ___ sassy little man!

Dapple - Transported. 12-14-14 (being fostered in Annapolis, Md thru DASH Rescue.)is a black and tan dachshund with some dapple coloring, and also 2 years old, 14 lbs. female/spayed, silver-dapple smooth doxie.

Phillie - Transported. 5-2-15 A 12 yr old, sweet brown, smooth dog, to foster care because his parents "have 3 small kids and can't handle the dog." We brought him from White Marsh, MD to Alexandria, VA. (Going from NJ to TN where he is being fostered through Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue

Harry - Transported. 5-23-15 the black and tan/dapple, 6 year old dachshund from White Marsh, MD to foster mom, April, southeast of Washington, DC-

Trooper- Transported. 6-12-15 - This brown dapple, 2 year old dachshund came from a kill shelter in Alabama and was headed to NJ to a foster home thru DASH rescue.

Milo and Max 8-2-15 Fostered and Transported *Adopted 9-1-15* This senior pair of Dachshunds came from a divorced home in Indiana and were transported to us through Ohio and our friend Scott "Bear" Elliott and many others. Milo was fostered by our friend April.. and we fostered Max and our friend April fostered Milo. They were BOTH adopted by Cindy! Adoption Story: http://tinyurl.com/osz2px8 (Max passed 6-19-18 of heart failure)

Oscar - Transported 11-21-15 - This precious senior 9 year old mini-Dachshund was given up by his family because their daughter "developed allergies." (The girl should've taken Benadryl and dealt with it). We were the first transporter and it was a heart-wrenching event. Story: http://tinyurl.com/zzjp9ln

Otis -Home Visit - March 2016 - We did a home visit to Nancy who adopted this handsome little Dachshund Mix through Dachshund Rescue of No. America.

Cleveland and Tommy- Sept. 2016 - We had these guys overnight a couple of nights, and drove Tommy to York, PA for his foster home. We also got Cleveland to his foster home in Maryland. Both were 5 yr old, sweet, red smooth Dachshunds.

Coco and Hansel - Feb. 2017 - We drove up to Delaware together to get them. and then wound up later transporting them locally to their forever home.

Winnie and Tuck - Spring 2017- We placed this mom and son in forever homes in Virginia and Maryland.

Hercules - July 2017 - He didn't go through the rescue because we learned of him through a friend of a friend, and our friends Bob and Arlene were seeking to adopt, so they did!

Hayley- May 2018 - we got to free and transport a sweet little 6 pound dog named Hayley from the local county shelter. Hayley went to foster care with our friend Shelley who works for the Dachshund Rescue of North America (DRNA)

July 2018- We took in a Foster Dog named DASH! - our friend Shelley of Dachshund Rescue of North America told us about a little senior Dachshund/Chihuahua mix and we freed him from the Anne Arundel Animal Control Center on July 21, 2018. He was there since June 10, and the shelter ran out of room... so he had to be fostered immediately. 10 years old, 8 lbs. Birthday: Aug. 22. We ADOPTED Dash on Aug. 10^th!

Sophie - March 2021 - We transported this 7 year old cream colored French Bulldog from Alexandria, VA to Baltimore, Md. to a foster home for K9 Rescue of the Eastern Shore.