Rolf Devinci

My right elbow has been acting up of late with a classic case of Lateral Epicondylitis, commonly know as tennis elbow. I refer to it as hockey elbow since playing ball hockey usually causes flare ups over the course of a nine month schedule. As a goalie my right arm is my stick/ blocker side and the repetitive strain inherent in holding and manipulating the stick takes it toll. I had originally strained my arm at the gym doing clean and jerk movements with a barbell about a month ago.  I backed off the upper body strength training but noticed it getting more tender with each passing game of hockey. It came to a disabling status two Sundays past when I made a save on a rising shot to my blocker. I felt it "go" and knew I was in for a full measure of misery. Its just miserable with intense pain and stiffness that radiates down to my fingers. Simple tasks like manipulating the computer mouse at work or lifting a coffee mug is a laborious and painful task. Night tim...

Picked up a bottle of Smuggler's Cove dark rum produced here in Nova Scotia by Glenora Distilleries. Better known for their whisky the black rum is like a poor cousin invited to the family get together. Surprisingly it actually gets decent reviews for a young dark rum blend. https://therumhowlerblog.com/rum-reviews/dark-rums/smugglers-cove-dark-rum/ Available in a classic saloon style metal capped bottle the labeling is minimalist with no script and a cartoon like label that immediately gives a "meh" impression upon the shelf. In the glass the color is a pleasant dark copper but the nose is rough. Not uncommon for a young blend. In the mouth neat it is equally harsh but it is a budget rum listed at $27.99 for a 750 ml bottle and probably distilled as a economical mixer. That said on ice with some time for a little cube melt this actually becomes palatable as a borderline sipper. The nose becomes less astringent with notes of caramel and vanilla. The finish is...

Yes. It is soon that time when the ticks awaken fully from their winter slumber to annoy, harass and sicken us both literally and figuratively. Hack #1-Every camper, hiker, hunter and bushcrafter should throw grandmother's hand mirror in their kit. It does seem out of place within an outdoorsman's pack but the wider mirror's viewing area and longer handle certainly facilitates body searches, especially around the nether regions; groin, crotch and buttocks. Ticks prefer warm and moist areas, many of which are difficult to search if you are alone. They also will attach on your "six" including calves, back of knees, behind ears and along hairline. For well endowed females under the breasts offer sanctuary as well as armpits for both sexes. Yes - signalling mirrors can do the trick but require far more flexibility alone than most folks possess. Together the two can work in combination to view practically all one can offer. Granny mirrors are cheap at the do...