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Simon says, "Hi!" He says he remembers your days together at the CIBC call centre.

My Fermented Rhubarb Hot Sauce is done! It's hot without being punishingly hot, and the heat lingers. Has a nice sweet and sour flavour up front and then the flavour of the Crimson Red Hot Peppers comes through. I'm quite happy with it!

1 liter jar of my hot sauce. It's a vibrant red colour

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

When I grew up, in Milltown, NB we used a kerosene heater through the winter months as we lived in an old house. Today we bought a more modern version, that throws way more heat, to use as a supplement heat source and a backup if/when the power goes out. #OldSchool #NowItsNewSchool

It's a white kerosene heater. The base is the fuel tank. Looks like a little tower with a heat shield around it.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Had a good day today, I found matching shirts for one of my closest friends and we met at York to try them on and model them, lmao!

They're "crocheted" short sleeve, button up shirts with collars. Both have vertical stripes.
One is red and white striped and the other is blue and white striped.

My friend Simon and I are posing in our new shirts

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I have all my rhubarb hot sauce into jars to ferment. I'm guessing it will be about 3 days before the ferment begins and then at least another 7 - 10 before I'm happy with it. At that point it goes into the back of the fridge to end the ferment and meld and mellow for 2 more weeks.

My 2.5 liter fermentation jar, plus 3 x 1 liter jars full of a brilliant red rhubarb hot sauce.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Realized today that my window for using up the last 2kgs of Crimson Red Hot Peppers was fast closing, which explains why I now have 5.5 liters of a Fermented Rhubarb Hot Sauce beginning in my bathroom.

The Crimson Red Hot Peppers literally make this sauce so vibrant looking!
Way too much hot sauce beginning its first ferment.
I'll let it ferment for 7 - 10 days before I put it in jars and refrigerate it for another 7 - 14 days to finish.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I am making the largest batch of hot sauce I have ever made. We bought 3kgs of Crimson Red Hot Peppers, and now I need to use up the last 2kgs before they go bad. Fermented Rhubarb Hot Sauce to the rescue!

My biggest purple Tupperware container with all the Crimson Red peppers, habanero, Scotch bonnet, garlic, onion, ginger.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Today's score at Value Village was this unmarked cast iron griddle. It's 25 cm (10 inches) in diameter and weighs 4.4 kg (10 lbs)! Likely an unmarked Lodge from between 1930 - 1960. Very shallow. Will be great for searing meat or making flatbreads.

The face of the pan. It's a little dirty and needs to be cleaned and re-seasoned.

Back of the pan needs to be stripped and cleaned.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Last night I played with rhubarb by imagining what it could be if it was tamarind paste. Turns out, it's pretty amazing. Tonight, I'm playing with rhubarb again and imagining what it would be like as a hot sauce. Turns out, it's also pretty amazing. 🍽️🍜

Rhubarb paste, it will be used the way you would use tamarind paste.

Crimson Reds, Scotch Bonnet, garlic, ginger, onion, getting some scorching on a hot pan

Added in the vinegar and rhubarb. Bring it to a boil and simmer until the rhubarb breaks down.

After it breaks down, into the blender to puree, then back to the pan to summer down and thicken to a sauce.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

It looks so pretty but unfortunately it did not set. I'm guessing I didn't boil it long enough to fully hit 105oC, so it went back on the stove for a second boil. If it still doesn't set then, I'll add extra pectin and try again! Crab apple jelly will happen!

My jars of what were supposed to be crab apple jelly but are currently crab apple syrup.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

My crab apple jelly is in jars and cooling! It looks beautiful and is sweet and appley already!

Three one liter jars and one 500mL jar of my beautifully red, crab apple jelly.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Another first harvest for us, my grapes! We almost got some last year but were beaten to them by the local wildlife. We had a dry summer so they're not as plump this year but they are very sweet! These are white wine grapes, L'Acadie Blanc. Tomorrow I'll clean them up and weigh my harvest!

Two plastic shopping bag sized backpacks full of grapes!

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

18 apples. That doesn't sound like much but it's the first time that the tree I planted in my front yard has produced apples! There may only be 18 of them but they're my apples.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I wrote a new recipe today and tried making it for the first time, Rhubarb Miso Mostarda. Turned out fantastic, I'll be serving it tonight served over pork chops. Recipe is here - docs.google.com/document/d/1... 🍜🍽️

A picture of my finished Rhubarb Miso Mostarda

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World I have wanted to read this since it was published and I'm glad to have finally finished it! Great book, engagingly written and I loved the recipes.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Just a small chain of Oslo stitches but I'm beginning to figure this out. #nalbinding

A length of yarn only about 15cm long that shows the weave from tying the Oslo stitch.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Nalbinding invented before knitting or crocheting using a single needle to create durable products like hats, mittens, and socks. It's a series of knots, and unlike something that has been knitted it will not unwind if you pull on a loose end. I will attempt making a hat using the Oslo stitch.

My ball of "salt and pepper" yarn, with the hand carved wooden needle my wife made

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

#Google and #GoogleMaps showing themselves for the fucking cowards they are. It's called Lake Ontario no matter what the orange felon says.

Google Maps screenshot showing that Google caved and relabeled the map to show Lake Ontario as Lake America.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I picked up a Calabash style pipe at an Estate Sale! It needs some reconditioning and a new meerschaum pipe bowl insert but its awesome!

A vintage Strambach Calabash pipe, think Sherlock Holmes style. The gourd was grown and shaped naturally, and it still has the original stem.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

She was a light in a world that was too often dark. She tried to leave this world better than she found it. For me there is no higher tribute that can be offered and no higher purpose to live by. The world is slightly dimmer at the passing of this light. RIP, Dolly Parton

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

A friend of mine is a Biologist at the Experimental Farm here in Freddy Beach. They're currently studying potatoes! He shared some of their recent harvest with me, red and purple potatoes!

Two potatoes about the size of an adult's first.
One is bright red, the other is a dusky brown on the outside but you see the bits of purple flesh peeking through.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

My granddaughter asked if she could decorate my cellphone case. I now have the most beautiful cellphone case on this planet and I promise you, I will fight you on this one.

I have not one but three hearts of various sizes. I have a bunny and a carrot for the bunny. There is also a ladybug and two flowers, two!
All of theaea stickers have sparkels.
Best cellphone case ever.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I was super happy to share Tintamarre with my grandkids for the first time. Happy National Acadian Day! #Quinzou

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Joyeuse Fête nationale de l'Acadie ! / Happy National Acadian Day!

Acadian flag flying in a breeze against a blue sky with white clouds.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

As a kid the Milltown Dam was in the background to so much of my life. It was behind my Elementary School, the pool I swam at and took swimming lessons was just in front, it was just down the street from my house.

A picture of the dam and generating station, on the Skutik (St. Croix) River, St. Stephen, NB.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Antony and Cleopatra cosplay.

My wife dressed as an Egyptian Goddess and I'm supposed to be the Good of War, for a Gods and Goddesses Party. But we look more like Antony and Cleopatra.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

It's been awhile since I have devoured a book this fast. I started it yesterday done already. If you're a D&D player, you will love this book. It's basically a classic solo dungeon crawl. I'm doing everything I can not to give any spoilers because it's such a fun read and I don't want to ruin it.

The cover of the book, Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I have been wanting to read this series and when a friend mentioned he had just finished the first book, I asked him to lend it to me. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman.

The cover of the softcover version of Dungeon Crawler Carl

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

271 years ago today they tried to stamp out the Acadians but 271 years later we are still here and are still the beating heart of Acadia Commemorating my ancestors and my heritage on this day of rememberance. (2 of 2)

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

My wife ordered this one and we also planted 2 seeds tonight. The Cristal Pepper, from the Basque Region of Spain and considered the "fois gras" of peppers, lol! I'm looking forward to trying these when they're ready!

A package of 10 Cristal Pepper seeds. The label is in plain black and white. Seed count is 10+, 91% germination test, 78 days.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I received more pepper seeds today! The guajillos complete the Mexican peppers I have been wanting. I have cascabels, arbols, and pasillas planted already. The aji amarillo, aji cachucha, and aji panca are all Peruvian, I believe.

The 4 seed packages for the peppers I ordered. They have a plain black and white label noting the types of seeds, germination tear, and amount of days until harvest.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

There are only two Pitcher Plants that I have ever found on "our" Island. It doesn't look like plant #2 survived the winter this year but this one is still growing close to our dock.

Doesn't look like much but this is a Pitcher Plant, growing naturally.

Same plant but zoomed in closer so you can see it better.

This is one of the two new pitchers it grew this year.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

I forgot my campfire ashes. I keep a small amount of ashes from my campfires a "log book" of where I was, when, and who I was with. Each time I light a new campfire, I add the ashes from my last campfires, and then collect them back up the next day when the fire cools. I'll add these ashes tomorrow

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Have you ever heard of the term pronoia? It's the opposite of paranoia and pronoia is what I have. For some reason the universe is conspiring to make everything work out in my favour. I don't know why. I am so extremely fucking grateful, but nonetheless, I am the luckiest person I know.

Me at my Happy Place. My inlaws own a private island on the Skutik (St. Croix) River with a very rustic camp on it.
Having this to come to is just one of the ways that the Universe wants me to feel joy.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

After some time in the oven, these unholy hot bananas were released hot, into the world. You'll note the liberal amount of hollandaise sauce that has been applied. 🍜🍽️

Hot bananas, wrapped in ham, covered with hollandaise sauce, fresh from the oven!

If I could describe what this looks like plated it would still inspire a level of madness that would leave you sleepless for months.
I have no words for what two bananas look like at this point.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

There are times where you find one of those weird old recipes from the 70s and think, it can't really be that bad can it? Here is where Ham and Banana Hollandaise comes into my life. 🍜🍽️

The recipe card for, Ham and Banana Hollandaise.
Has a photo of what this should look like.

Three bananas in a baking dish because this is served hot.

Sliced ham is the next ingredient, liberally smeared with mustard.

The bananas are now wrapped with the mustard smeared ham!

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

The chili pepper seeds I ordered came today! These are all peppers that are lower on the heat scale and higher in the flavour one.

Three different little envelopes, all labelled with the types of chili pepper seeds they hold. Those seeds are arbols, cascabels, and passilas.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

My SmartWatch died. I found my old Suunto Observer. 2 decades old. Has an altimeter, barometer, and a Compass. It was advertised as a "wrist computer", which is way fucking cooler than SmartWatch. New battery and it started up, I ordered a new watch band for my WristComputer!

A picture of a digital watch face. Showing the time, and the date. You can clearly see the four buttons, at each corner of the watch,and that they select different functions.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

I went to the last day of an Estate Sale today since everything left was marked down by 50%. The person who passed was a professor and the sale was mostly about his really extensive library of books. In his back shed I found this, a mounting bracket that will allow me to add a motor to my canoe!

This is a mounting bracket that will let me add a small motor to my canoe.
It's an older one designed for Chestnut Canoes, and while my canoe is a Clipper they used the Chestnut molds to make mine.
This mount fits perfectly and considering used canoe mounts can cost up to $200, $15 was a steal!

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Happy Pride Week to all my family and friends. I love you all.

A 4 panel comic, all with an old white guy saying the following things.
Panel 1, "Kids these days."
Panel 2, "Accepting their queerness."
Panel 3, "Being tolerant of each others' gender identities!"
Panel 4, "It just delights the hell out of me!"

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Driving into #Fredericton and we could see where the rain begins. As we crossed that line, we drove into a small rainstorm. It was a cool and unique experience.

Driving downhill and we can see a clear line on the road that is dry, and the other side is wet from the rain.
As we passed that line, we entered a small rain storm. It was a unique experience.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Tonight I'm in the kitchen! Whole chicken, roasted with pomegranate, preserved lemon, and fresh rosemary. I'll baste it every 20 minutes until it's cooked. Then I will coat it with honey and then crust it with my homemade dukkah. What you got cooking?🍽️🍜

Whole chicken in a roasting pan with 2 pomegranates that have been seeded, 6 small preserved lemons that have been quartered and two stalks of fresh rosemary.
I massaged the chicken liberally, inside and out with this. I then added 3/4 cup water, coated the chicken with oil, salt and pepper.
Into the oven at 350oF

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

If you live in #Fredericton and you haven't been shopping at the BITAR Market on Union Street (Northside), you're missing out on the nicest people and best pomegranates in town! Now they have Tahan Shawrama food truck there, the absolute best shawarma in this city by far!

Selfie outside of the BITAR Market. This is one of my favourite independent grocers here in Fredericton. Such nice people and they are often handing out free treats.

Another selfie with the Tahan Shawrama food truck!

The finished meal. The shawarma is 12 inches long and stuffed full of the best, spiced, rotisserie chicken I've ever had.
This was $15 and I could only eat half of it.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

"Inside all of us is hope, fear, and adventure. Inside all of us is a wild thing." Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak

A Todd McFarlane Figurine of Bernard, from Where The Wild Things Are

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Rhubarb Pizza Sauce. Sweet and tart upfront and then Savory/peppery finish. It's delicious. I wrote this recipe myself so if you make this please tell me what you think. docs.google.com/document/d/1...

The pizza spread out with my Rhubarb Pizza Sauce.

The finished pizza. Two types of pepperoni, green olives, and mozzarella

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Rhubarb Pasta Sauce! I wrote this recipe entirely out of my weird little head and it's delicious! Tastes meaty and savoury! 🍜🍽️ #Rhubarb #GettingWeirdWithRhubarb #TeamRhubarb

A photo of linguine toppes with my homemade rhubarb pasta sauce with Parmesan cheese grated over the top.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Hello #Rhubarb Weirdos! I'n #GettingWeirdWithRhubarb! About a year ago I wrote a recipe for a Savory Rhubarb Sauce but I never got around to making it. Well today is the day! I have no idea how it will turn out. The initial taste test is good but we'll see. 🍜🍽️

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

We bought two more Kaiju monsters for our King of Tokyo game. I normally lose this game while playing with Gigasaur but I've been crushing it as Cthulhu!

The Kaijus Anubis and Cthulhu still in their origin boxes.

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marc @shiftlessbum.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

What you got cooking this weekend? If I can find a good price for a whole chicken my plan is, Chicken roasted with pomegranates, preserved lemons, and fresh rosemary. I'll finish it by coating it with honey and then crusting the whole bird with dukkah.🍜🍽️

A picture taken from the last time I made this. The chicken skin has taken on a red colour from the pomegranates and you can see all the nuts its crusted with.

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