Shrew Brews: Go West…

Beer, Beer, and more Beer…Ahhhh Vacation!

I thought that the beer scene in Greater Portland (Maine) was big, but a recent trip to San Diego, California proved to be another excellent place to experience brews and ambiance galore 🙂

During a six day trip I had the chance to visit and/or taste six breweries in the San Diego region. First up was Karl Strauss Brewing Company which has several locations, however, we (my fellow travelers and I) happened to be near the one in La Jolla. After an early afternoon of coastal exploring, taco tasting and seal viewing we were ready for some beer! Karl Strauss did not disappoint. Red Trolley (5.8% ABV), an Irish red with a sweet finish, was my favorite followed by Pintail (5.35% ABV), an American Pale ale with bright citrus hop favors. The stout, Wreck Alley (9%ABV – love this name!) was good to end with because of its rich coffee flavor so I should have had some desert with it! The Hive Five IPA was one that I could tolerate as an IPA, but its floral and grassy tones were too earthy for my tastes (of course I finished it though, lol).

The evening ended with a sunset trip to Point Loma and then dinner (and beer) at Ballast Point Brewery which had more selections than I could count! I did manage to pick 4 tasters, Moscow Mule Ale (8%ABV) just like its name!!, Pineaple Sculpin IPA (7%ABV) nice, Wahoo White (4.5%ABV) a Belgian style winner :), and the California Kolsh (5.2%ABV) dude it’s light but complex…A very nice end to the evening with their delicious burgers too!

At The Zoo on another day I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had on hand some local brews at their cafe stops. I had to try the Belching Beaver Peanut Butter Milk Stout (5.3%ABV) because my husband is a big fan of anything peanut butter. Smooth and flavorful but not too peanut buttery, one was enough.

And then on another evening we found Coronado Brewery (located at Imperial Beach). The brews were cold and the food was delicious. The Orange Ave Wit (5.5%ABV) they say is Beligan by way of Coronado…I believe it! Mighty tasty I must say, and the Coronado Hotel was not far away…

The last day in San Diego just happened to be my birthday, so I wished that I could try to visit as many breweries as we could fit into the day. Stone Brewing Tap Room was right beside the Petco Park Stadium. I am not even going to try to show and tell all the tastings this day except to say that I had fun and did what I could 😉

Mission brewery was in the former Wonder Bread Bakery and so the beer was better than sliced bread (so they say!)

And we found the Belching Beaver in Ocean Beach…a fitting Bohemian atmosphere for the place. I had just a bit more peanut butter beer, yum.

So yes, that is me behind the bar at a very old hotel in Old Town. They say the area is full of ghosts and we tried hard to find them, but they didn’t want to be found. Tacos and more beer set everything just right…BOO!

I think I’ll be going back to San Diego because there is so much more to experience.

Cheers and Beers!

Shrew Brews: A Tasty Trip :)

In the mood for a different State of brews!

So what does one do with a drab winter day in southern Maine when the snow is almost gone and the temps are too mild to go on the ice? How about go next door to New Hampshire to try out a couple of “new to you” breweries? After all it’s not a very long drive (about 35 minutes), it’s Saturday around noon-time, and some good friends are supposed to be there too. Let’s go!!

The first of the two breweries we visit is called Stoneface Brewing Company (Stonefacebrewing.com) in Newington, New Hampshire. The logo is a hop with a side edge in the formation of The Old Man of the Mountain (cliff ledges on Cannon Mountain in the White Mountains of NH that appeared to be the profile of a man’s face, but had unfortunately collapsed in 2003). What a fitting way to keep the “Old Man” alive 🙂

I tasted four brews, Berliner Weisse with Blackberry (3.7% ABV), Kolsch (5%ABV), Dated Ella (5.2%ABV) and Porter (5.5%ABV). Not surprisingly the Kolsch was my favorite, clear and crisp with floral and herbal notes. And surprisingly the Porter was my second favorite…the bitterness was not too much and the finish was quite smooth. The Berry was too sour for me, but actually the blackberry flavor made it palatable. The Ella (heavily dry hopped with Australian Ella hops) was fine, but a bit too robust for my tastes. There was a lot on tap so I’ll have to come back.

The atmosphere was cozy, smaller than I thought from the outside because it actually had a kitchen that served really good pub food with a gourmet flair. I want another burger from there too…Nice job Stoneface!

Our next visit was to Great Rhythm Brewing Company (greatrhythmbrewing.com) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire overlooking the North Mill Pond. The taproom was small, but the tunes gave it a great vibe.

I tried the Tropical Haze IPA (6.8%ABV) and Resonation Pale Ale (5.2%ABV). I usually don’t like IPA’s, but the Tropical Haze had a nice fruity balance that helped lighten the finish. Resonation was crisp and easy for me to enjoy as a Pale Ale.

We may come back here during the summer because I can imagine it being much more picturesque by the pond, and perhaps they have outdoor games and seating then too 🙂

CHEERS!

The Shrew View: On Strengthening Awareness

Is it time for all of us to strengthen our awareness muscle?

Living in the United States is like a double edged sword. The freedoms we cherish are at times unwittingly used against us. Consider this passage from Hebrews 4:12:

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

What I mean by this is that our Creator has brought forth in this country a time of peace that could hardly be imagined 100 years ago. This has not happened by chance or by accident. Much of this peaceful coexistence has developed through increasing our understanding of an individual’s God given rights that are tangable (like property rights) as well as intellectual (like free speech) and of our physical personhood (our bodies and identities). We put a high value on these rights because if not then tyranny would be allowed to reign free. Yet we know that the duality of good and evil exists as fact.

Not even God can stop an act of violence. God does however judge the perpetrator and his or her actions. Humankind can put in place methods to alleviate violet acts, but humankind cannot necessarily stop the thoughts and attitudes of someone’s heart.

In separate instances I have been forcibly kissed, robbed, mugged, and molested. I choose not to be a victim because to do so I give over my soul and spirit to the perpetrator who takes great pleasure in their offense. This is the double edged sword. My creator has given me the personal power of awareness which I can use to mitigate the severity of most circumstances. Awareness allows me to think and live more strategically, and one way that I have actualized this is through the principles of karate.

Here are a few things that I would typically teach at my self defense classes for women and girls:

Walk with purpose (Have your keys ready to use for your car or home.)
Be in tune with your surroundings (For instance, don’t take your eyes off the stranger asking you a question…They want your guard down.)
Know your exits.
Listen to your intuition.
Say no and mean it.
Don’t feel rude by being loud or yelling to draw attention to a difficult situation.
Vary your routines when driving to regular destinations, choosing a parking spot, walking or running for exercise.

There is more good in this world than there is evil. That is why it is so easy to live our lives without much thought to personal protection. Awareness is the answer, not just for some but for everyone.

Shrew Brews: Beer with a side of Chocolate!

This week’s brews are from one of my absolute favorite Portland, Maine breweries, Allagash Brewing Company (Allagash.com)!

Allagash crafts Belgian-inspired beer, their best known is Allagash White which I enjoy drinking from an ice cold glass with a lemon wedge floating on the top…this brings out the citrus and spice undertones very nicely 🙂

However, last week I went to visit their tap room on Valentine’s Day with my husband Stephen to celebrate our love and participate in the annual beer and chocolate pairings known as BEER HEARTS CHOCOLATE benefiting the American Heart Association. My favorite this night was their JAMES & JULIE Flemish style sour brown ale, 6.7% ABV. Mahogany in color with aromas of raisins, cherries and caramel iced sugar, it paired very well with dark chocolate that was topped with a slice of candied ginger…MARVELOUS! Stephen’s favorite was the Allagash White, 5.2% ABV, paired with milk chocolate having a crispy peanut filling…AMAIZING!

The Hibernal Fluxus 2017 paired with chocolate covered coconut and the Coolship Red paired with white chocolate covered raspberry were very enjoyable as well.

The atmosphere was cozy and inviting for a February day. I am looking forward to spring and the opportunity once again to drink a flight in the lovely Maine outdoors at the Allagash Brewing Company.

We’ll be back soon!!

Shrewd Awakenings: River of Choice

Is it really about guns?

I am deeply saddened by the tragic events at the Parkland, Florida high school on Wednesday. My heart goes out to all the families that are affected by this violent act. I know that the whole country is mourning the loss of these innocent victims. Sudden death at the hands of a human being is mind boggling. How can a human being be capable of such a crime?

In my previous blog, The Archetypes of the Human Spirit (a series of 12 posts beginning on November 15th ) I relate about choice and the consuming nature of loss and/or failure…

I think archetypes like the all-consuming Monster Fish in the River of choice can offer a glimpse into the subconscious and why horrific acts by humans will and do play out in real time. Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung understood that the human subconscious grapples with the dilemmas that are experienced on a daily basis. In most cases a person can deal with loss and/or failure by knowing that supportive and life affirming family or spiritual support structures are present for him or her. Bad and irregular thoughts or dreams occur but are usually placed aside because reality is a manageable experience in this case.

But what if a person is out of touch with their “spiritual self” and reality becomes a series of experiences or choices that negatively affect them to the point where it becomes all consuming? As if being eaten by a monster fish, the resulting by-product is either becoming the monster itself or being the excrement that flows into the ocean of despair. The “monster” in reality feels the need to play out its revenge. By the same token, the “excrement” can seem to be lost forever, recycling from river to ocean to rain and back to the river. In order for tragedy to not befall the victim or victims, awareness about these subconscious conditions must be present. I believe that this awareness can only be imparted by an “interceptor” such as the archetypal Guide.

One must have faith that this guide represents a forward path to hope. This is why spiritual connectedness to our Devine nature is so relevant. We all bear the responsibility of empowering each other with the knowledge of this connection. To not have any idea about your Devine nature and subsequent Devine purpose within humanity’s context is another tragedy altogether…

Shrew Brews: Cheers!

Good news from the land of Shrew!

I am introducing my new feature called “SHREW BREWS” which is a natural fit for my Female Pricipled Blog. How is this a fit? Ever since Eve took a bite from the apple of the Tree of Knowledge, she was also searching for the Kernel of Truth…Hense barley was discovered, and Adam was right there to share in the discovery! The duality of good and evil unites in a positive proposition 🙂

Our American tap rooms are our new social anchors for men and women to gather, imbibe and contemplate on beer, fellowship and fun. The variety of favors and capacity to create can never be too much in this market where the entrepreneurial spirit thrives.

So I invite my readers to share in my discovery of unique brews, breweries and tap rooms from around this great country. And I encourage you to share your discoveries on this topic as well…

CHEERS!

The Quarry Tap Room

Established 2015 in Hallowell, Maine, this bar and grill is adding to the lively spirit of the Main Street character. My choice of beer this day was Kona Big Wave, a golden ale from Kailua Kona, HI. It was no doubt due to the mounds of snow outside that I was feeling a bit in the mood for some beachy weather and this brew did not disappoint. The flavor was light bodied with a subtle hint of fruitiness. Just right for an early afternoon.

There were 30 beers on tap….quite an extensive representation from around the globe actually, but some great representation from Maine too. I could only stop in for a brew and a bite, but I wish I had had more time to hang out. The food was fine, the atmosphere better. The quality live entertainment seemed to make time fly.

Brew on!!

The Shrew View: Of the Extreme Fringe

Party platforms only define party principles, not rules or laws.

The Shrew blog focuses primarily on the human capacity for emotional maturity, openness as a condition toward wholeness, fortitude and humility. The application of this human capacity is what I call the Female Principle (FP). The Shrew blog attempts to show how the FP can strengthen all human relationships.

Today I would like to point out the absurdity of the Republican vs Democrat showdown in Washington D.C. When did our representatives come to believe that their constituents want to dwell on the extreme fringe of each of these parties? I don’t care if our President is Donald Trump or Donald Duck, representative government is not about the parties, it is about the people that they represent who are diverse in many ways. Party platforms only define party principles, not rules or laws.

In my I’m Shrewd post of February 3rd I attempted to point out how liberals are doing their best to slander conservatives as evil. I contend that when either side is focused on elevating their platform as the only path to America’s solutions we all lose. For instance, during the Obama administration I observed a very liberal progressive agenda formulated by the Democrat run majority Congress. Don’t get me wrong, I like progress. In fact our country has been continually busting out of its tyrannical shell since the Revolutionary War. But the American Dream is not about progressing government managed benefits as in the Democrat ideas of universal health care, government funded higher education and unrestricted welfare. These seem like courageous acts until you discover that once government is in control, taxation increases and private funds dry up leading to job loss and wage stagnation.

The Republican ideas are no better. For example during the Bush administration Wall Street regulators were not doing their jobs. Oversite on banks especially where mortgages were concerned was severely lacking. The conservative idea of everyone owning their own home was a farce. Not everyone is prepared to own a home especially when banks intentionally poison the fiscal well. “Fast” money, just like “free” stuff leads to consequences for the working class and cause the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer. A shared principle for both parties and all Americans could be this: “People of all backgrounds are free to actualize their own successes through a culture of emotional maturity and fortitude (FP).”

Washinton D.C. shows us time and again that their smoke screen is unreliable. Law makers must have humility and openness as a condition toward wholeness (FP). People and not parties are best equipped to handle daily struggles which are necessary in personal growth and freedom to achieve. The Federal Government simply needs to provide the clear oversight to allow ingenuity to take place at the local level. And people at the local level must advocate for each other with love and community support.

The President is a person elected for a short time to protect and uphold our democratic principles. The Congress represents state’s rights and ensures civil protections. Our states are incubators of innovation for all their residents. And we the people live out our dreams in relation to our community goals. It works when we work together.

Let’s be a nation of ideas that reinforce our strong work ethic, and move away from childish partisan politics that stir our emotions. It’s the only way forward…

I’m Shrewd: On Polarized Governance

“…dispel ignorance and cooperatively create solutions.” – The Shrew

I would have to say that most Americans enjoy living simple lives that do not involve much thought on politics. I too was amoung that dynamic for a very long time. The closest I got to anything political was the voting booth during election time. I considered my vote to be an educated vote. For the record, I am undeclared but occasionally will pick a party to be able to vote in a primary. When I became a City Councilor, I was happy that the candidates ran as nonpartisan members of the community. This experience gave me a clearer picture of how an average person can have impact with economic and social issues of importance. I have since gone on to volunteer as president of a Main Street board as well as hold positions on the Economic Development Commission and the Transit Committee amoung other things.

Today’s polarized governance at the Federal level seems to me to be a far cry from what most Americans want. We can accept that a binary political machine is the one that exists for practical purposes, however, the lack of middle ground that is needed for solving national issues is currently unacceptable. Why is this polarization happening? I think it is because the Democrat side thinks they are the only party that can act morally on behalf of Americans. They devote their words to standing on the side of love, claiming to have all the answers. No one else should question their motives. They would like everyone to believe that decisions involving guns, global warming, taxation, education and health care are best suited to only the Democrats.

But wait! What does this do to the Republican party? Does this mean that the conservative side is evil because they have different ideas? Yup…That absurdity is indeed where we are today. “Conservatives are Nazi racists”…Sound familiar? I always thought that conservatism meant following the Constitution along with loving thy neighbor as thyself. I’ll get into this critique in an up-coming post.

Our human existence is based on the very nature of duality. It is the highest order of ignorance to not see that this duality helps us develop a healthy sense of humility and compassion for one another. No one side can be absolutely correct. If we believed this then we would be living in a Dictatorship.

The U.S. Constitution laid the foundation for a governance system that brought us out of tyranny. This is why neither the President nor one political party can remain in lifelong power. Our two party system should debate ideas strictly within their constitutional boundaries, oversee a tight federal budget, and be accountable to their constituents who in turn take care of their local issues. Solutions must be created cooperatively otherwise we will regress into chaos and tyranny.

Wake up Washington DC! Work together for the common good. It is what you are there to do.

The Shrew View: On Security

“…peace and prosperity can only happen from a place of security.” – The Shrew

Women anywhere should be able to come together joyfully to celebrate their collective wisdom and achievements. I am, however, quite dismayed by the now annual women protest marches across the U.S. that promote a so-called resistance. In our representative democracy we the people have a voice and a vote in our lawmaking process. Transparency and inclusion during the process is what sets our nation apart from many other democracies. It amazes me that our country is as big as it is and, in general, works cooperatively to achieve progress in everyday life. So what are women resisting and why am I not at a city square marching amoung their ranks?

It has been my experience that peace and prosperity can only happen from a place of security. If the “resistance” is about protesting President Trump’s policies of increased boarder security and transparent participation in International affairs (as well as other things), then does this mean that women don’t want peace and prosperity? I will admit, I honestly did not believe that Trump had the brains to implement what he has done so far, and still at times I believe his brains are lacking. But his results to me demonstrate a cryptic sensibility (this must be because he has no sense of the Washington political machine). I contend that Hilary would have continued the same covert Obama tacticts of “say this, but do that” just as long as the “victim class” believes it will make us a better country. But how? This ambiguity of course is based on a moral relativism that only appeals to an emotional base. Recall that Obama didn’t solve the illegal immigration issue while the Democrats had control. Women should not give their power over to government elites AT ALL!! Women as much as anyone must be smart enough to know that personal choices are protected in our nation; it’s the consequences of those personal choices that are at issue. Ends do not justify the means in our country. And “justice for all”, not “justice for some”, is in our pledge. If we can argue the Constitutional protections clearly, we have all we need to demonstrate progress for social change.

You won’t find me at a resistance rally…Instead you can find me working directly with my local community, actively engaged with citizens of varying beliefs and traditions, working cooperatively on local matters, and reaching out to my representatives. It is hard work to dispel ignorance and create solutions. It is not a one day soap box event!

Shrew U: The Faceless Being and Hidden Treasure

Archetypes of the Human Spirit (Story Analysis)

Part 12

Archetype #10 – The Faceless Being

“Courage is the pure light of truth through which the Self must act”

An animated tree symbolizes the Hero, that part of your Self that is willing to leave the protection of the soul. If the soul is “immortal”, then to leave this immortality is a courageous act. There is risk in relying on your authentic Self and not your Ego as you confront your dragons. Notice that the animated tree also holds what appears to be a sword. This sword is your light of truth, and this truth points the way to hidden treasure.

Are you the Hero of your metaphysical journey?
Can this type of hero also be compared to what we call a prophet?
What Prophets in human history exemplify this type of journey?
Why do you think that you must let go of your Ego in order to take this journey?

Archetype #11 – Hidden Treasure

“Continue to seek the inner gifts that call you forward.”

Where the end of a rainbow meets a path there will be found a treasure of your making. Some say that this treasure is “God’s will”. God’s gift to humanity is the individual’s capacity to find meaning in his or her humanity…EPIPHANY!

It is up to each and every individual to take this metaphysical Hero Journey, a journey that exemplifies Love… Of yourself and of others.

Notice that beyond the rainbow the dragons appear as clouds. They are there to remind you that Ignorance and Insecurity can arise in you again. Also notice that these dragon clouds are playing with something circular that looks like the sun. This orb-like shape represents your wholeness, the many facets that complete your Self. This again is the Female Principle. How? The female symbolizes transformation because of the many transitions her physical body makes in her lifetime. These transitions are physiological while also requiring psychological courage, perseverance and humility…all conditions of the metaphysical Hero Journey.

Can this metaphysical journey be taken more than one time? If so, how can it be used to conquer difficulties in every day life?
Is this journey accessible to everyone? How might Prophets like Jesus, Budha, and Ghandi have shown us this path?
What other stories or myths have you learned that use the archetypal images similar in this journey?

“Our greatest treasure is that which is hidden deep within our own unconscious, it is that dark unused part of our self that is in fact light that is unconscious of itself.” ~ Carl Jung

Conclusion by the Author…

It is my wish that this story will offer guidance to anyone in need of a new way to envision hope. I think that our usual models of religious teaching are too cumbersome at times. This model is easy to use by any individual. May it prove useful.

Blessings,

Bette Brunswick

The Shrew

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Author: The Shrew