| ________________ |
The ptotem for March is the shark.
Submissions of original sharky images
should be sent to pterobones@gmail.com
no later than February 20th. All submissions
will be included in March's Ptero Heart.
Submissions of original sharky images
should be sent to pterobones@gmail.com
no later than February 20th. All submissions
will be included in March's Ptero Heart.
| Welcome to the Ptero Heart of Luna Taylor |
February 2010
..........................................................................................
Dear Reader,
I must confess. I have been having a love affair for a
while now, and I have been keeping it all in.
I hop a train whenever I can, through snow or hail or
puddles, with or without necessary reason, through
mountain summits. Yes, now I need to tell you.
My lover is reticent as evergreens and wild as ferns,
revealing waterfalls, deserts, and geo-thermal founts.
Like all passions, my lover takes me into valleys. There
is some sadness in there. I try to touch it but it is still
secret, and secrets must be respected.
But. My lover is handsome as volcanoes.
My lover presses me up against the dangerous ocean.
Always occupying my heart. My lover seeks culture in
the cozy places between wood stoves and curled up
animals. There are many books there. And artists. Just
over the state line, my lover sips beer.
I have been quiet to admit this, lest it twist the knife in
the heart of Texas, but my lover is the land of Oregon.
And Jen Kent—brewer of fine beer and native
Oregonian—is my valentine. She makes sure my
lover spoils me aptly. Especially with ales and
grilled-cheese sandwiches.
I met Jen on a little bridge in the carboniferous coastal
forests of a women's retreat. I think she may have had
on her hip an accidental mason jar half full of one of her
malt potions, but I cannot be sure. We instantly found
in each other a kindred spirit. I remember three
common points of contemplation from the early days of
our relationship: collecting natural objects, dancing,
and beer. Points of comfort.
I would soon learn Jen is a great leader, and leaders
help their subjects with their broken hearts. Last
winter when my heart was piecemeal, Jen took charge
of the situation, boxed up my pieces, packed me onto a
midnight train, and made an adventure for me. She had
been wanting to take me to her mother's house for
years. A healing little nest on the ocean. Crows in the
yard. Fire in the stove. Food. Conversation. We spent
hours on the fossil shore, adventuring.
Then she took me to her brewhouse in Salem and we
made beer. Documenting the step-by-step process,
hands on, truly helped me develop a deeper
appreciation for something I already loved.
It has always been my way to let a heart wound heal
naturally and slowly, the way you have to wait for a
beer. First cooking the grains, then boiling the kettle,
then the yeast, and then the waiting. Waiting for each
realization to ferment. Taking gravities. Ensuring
chemical change.
As I write this, I am looking forward to another
Valentine's Day where I will be nestled in the hearth
and home of my lover once again. Oregon, we will
connect soon.
I am eager to share the good cheer of my friend Jen
Kent with each of you broken-hearted beer lovers,
friends, family. This is my valentine to thank you for
always helping me through.
Enjoy,
Luna Taylor
Dear Reader,
I must confess. I have been having a love affair for a
while now, and I have been keeping it all in.
I hop a train whenever I can, through snow or hail or
puddles, with or without necessary reason, through
mountain summits. Yes, now I need to tell you.
My lover is reticent as evergreens and wild as ferns,
revealing waterfalls, deserts, and geo-thermal founts.
Like all passions, my lover takes me into valleys. There
is some sadness in there. I try to touch it but it is still
secret, and secrets must be respected.
But. My lover is handsome as volcanoes.
My lover presses me up against the dangerous ocean.
Always occupying my heart. My lover seeks culture in
the cozy places between wood stoves and curled up
animals. There are many books there. And artists. Just
over the state line, my lover sips beer.
I have been quiet to admit this, lest it twist the knife in
the heart of Texas, but my lover is the land of Oregon.
And Jen Kent—brewer of fine beer and native
Oregonian—is my valentine. She makes sure my
lover spoils me aptly. Especially with ales and
grilled-cheese sandwiches.
I met Jen on a little bridge in the carboniferous coastal
forests of a women's retreat. I think she may have had
on her hip an accidental mason jar half full of one of her
malt potions, but I cannot be sure. We instantly found
in each other a kindred spirit. I remember three
common points of contemplation from the early days of
our relationship: collecting natural objects, dancing,
and beer. Points of comfort.
I would soon learn Jen is a great leader, and leaders
help their subjects with their broken hearts. Last
winter when my heart was piecemeal, Jen took charge
of the situation, boxed up my pieces, packed me onto a
midnight train, and made an adventure for me. She had
been wanting to take me to her mother's house for
years. A healing little nest on the ocean. Crows in the
yard. Fire in the stove. Food. Conversation. We spent
hours on the fossil shore, adventuring.
Then she took me to her brewhouse in Salem and we
made beer. Documenting the step-by-step process,
hands on, truly helped me develop a deeper
appreciation for something I already loved.
It has always been my way to let a heart wound heal
naturally and slowly, the way you have to wait for a
beer. First cooking the grains, then boiling the kettle,
then the yeast, and then the waiting. Waiting for each
realization to ferment. Taking gravities. Ensuring
chemical change.
As I write this, I am looking forward to another
Valentine's Day where I will be nestled in the hearth
and home of my lover once again. Oregon, we will
connect soon.
I am eager to share the good cheer of my friend Jen
Kent with each of you broken-hearted beer lovers,
friends, family. This is my valentine to thank you for
always helping me through.
Enjoy,
Luna Taylor
| Letter from the Editor: Beer & Broken Hearts |
| Ptotem: Raccoon |
| Featured Artist: Brewer Jen Kent |
| Featured: The Brew Process Pterodactale |
| M-shine |
| Recipe: Beer Bread |