Saturday, May 07, 2011

Carrot Wine, Day Eight

It's been too cold the last few days to ferment properly. I was afraid to crank the heat in the house in case it got too hot during the day. But it's finally back up into the 70s I here, so we added an extra 1/2 teaspoon of yeast nutrient and an extra cup of sugar. Hopefully, it will stay warm overnight and we'll be making gas again in the morning.

Labels:

Friday, May 06, 2011

Dogs Trump Cats

Part of me hopes this is true, and part of me is horrified, and part of me is fascinated, and part of me is.... Oh, the hell with it, just go read it yourself. I think dogs just trumped cats in the awesome department for the next century. Sorry, Pandora.

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Carrot Wine, Day Four

Talked to Aradia's brother today. He seemed to think it was time tomtit the airlock on the primary fermentor. I was going to let it continue doing primary fermentation until Friday, taking the must out on Thursday. I figured I'd transfer to a carboy either Friday or Saturday and then fit the airlock. But Bub has done this more than me, so I'll trust his judgement. We'll just have to wait and see.

Labels:

Monday, May 02, 2011

Carrot Wine, Day Three

Okay, so I checked the wine this morning, and there was no more froth. I figured that it had gotten too cold last night and suppressed the fermentation. So I bumped the thermostat a bit, and Aradia called me at work later to tell me that it was hissing like Alka Seltzer. It was still doing that when I got home. Don't know if that's normal, especially for a vegetable wine. We'll see.

Oh, btw, the house currently smells like oranges and grass. It's ... not ... unpleasant. But it is a little odd. "Make wine, it will be fun!" Aradia's brother said. At this point, I just hope it's potable.

Labels:

Paternal Quandry

I went to visit my parents today. It was the second time I've seen Dad since he got out of the hospital. It was the second time he didn't string two sentences together in my presence. The last time I saw him, Mom had to make him speak to me. She didn't even bother this time. He did tap me on the shoulder as he walked by me just before we left. It was the first time he felt like my Dad again since he came home. He has been more and more distant the older we both get. From what I've heard, his Dad was the same way. That's really weird because my grandfather has always been really warm towards all the grandkids. People are funny, I know, but still...

The distance between Dad and I has gotten to the point that I didn't even want to call him in the hospital. I found myself shamefully relieved to find him doped up on pain meds. I couldn't screw up the courage to call him again, much less go see him. His brother and elderly mother managed to get up there, but I didn't. I wish I were a better son. I wish he'd make it a litte easier to be one.

It terrifies me that I might turn out like him, closed off from the people that WANT to love him.

Sunday, May 01, 2011

Carrot Wine, Day Two

Okay, added the yeast today. Also added the nutrient. The brand I am using called for a teaspoon per gallon, instead of a 1/2 teaspoon. It's frothing away nicely. I am worried that I put too much orange zest in though. The stuff is starting to smell like sour orange juice.

Labels:

____________

"Loyalty to petrified opinion never broke a chain or freed a human soul..." -- Mark Twain

____________

Fire does not wait for the sun to be hot,

Nor the wind for the moon, to be cool.

-- the Zenrin Kushu