Rolf Devinci

Finally got around to trying out my son's Roman Legionary kit....the primary piece being a reproduction of a Lorica Segmentata. I recall the Romans used a tunic version of a gambeson(called a Subarmalis I believe) but any kind of padded shirt(especially across the load bearing shoulders) makes it quite comfortable.

Yes Geo there is a Santa Claus! Frozen wild caught Shrimp available hereabout at a competitive price. Marketed as Marina Del Ray the prawns are from the cold waters of Southern Argentina and sell for $9.99 but often can be found on sale for $6.99 for a 20/40 count bag. Able to quick thaw they are delicious and supposedly caught in a sustainable method. I say supposedly as I was unable to locate details online but the "wild" industry are using special nets, GPS depth monitoring(to avoid dredging) and by catch agreements with seafood companies. I can only hope some or all of these are being used with this brand. Farmed shrimp is nasty.....hard on the environment, raised in ad hoc sewage ponds and full of antibiotics and chemicals. I am pleased to have a more sustainable option. Remember......you are what you eat. Eat well!  

Having started my usual winter of ball hockey I was anticipating the return to the game I love (and have played) forever. Having some lower back issues back in the early 2000`s I had switched to playing goal as the stop/starting running on a hard gym floor was wreaking havoc on my body. Once I began attending a chiropractor and lost weight (mostly attributed to becoming a competitive road cyclist) I was able to begin playing out as a runner again. I had become a versatile player...as both a runner and goaltender. Last year I rarely had the opportunity to play out as I left the ECBHL after several seasons and found myself busy in nets for Sunday, Monday and Thursday pickup hockey. I enjoy nets but was missing the chance to get out and compete on the floor. It was with that frame of mind I was jacked for the start of the 2015/2016 seasons. I signed on to be a full time goalie on Thursday, would tandem nets on Sunday(week in/week out) and play as a goa...

With Fall comes the start of ball hockey. Second game out of nets and I take a slapshot to the waist while screening the opposing goalie.   Ouchie......should have a lovely Picasso bruise by midweek.Lesson of the day.....those with low platelets should avoid speeding projectiles....😉

I love the woods in Fall. Here in Canada the colors of the Fall foliage is brilliant, the air is crisp and there is a certain smell to the woodlands. A musty decay, a melancholic reminder of the pending onset of winter. Having made a thanksgiving meal on Sunday I was able to spend the holiday Monday morning in the woods with the hickory flat bow. I've been looking for a possible type bag and found a distressed leather messenger bag that matches my back quiver. Not to large it is perfect for storing some bushcrafting/ archery accessories. With the sunshine dappling the forest floor it was a peaceful morning loosing some arrows. Priceless!  

....there comes a freedom" Finally had an opportunity to get out to the woods with the long bow to loose some arrows. With much of the summer focused upon my "double" vacation in New Orleans and a Caribbean cruise earlier this month it felt great to decompress in the quiet that is the summer woods. Since the weather was calling for rain I opted out of my usual Saturday farm work for a vacation/return to work backlog recovery day.Actually slept in till 8 o'clock!!!! The rain held off for the most part but the humidity was close so off to the woods to earn my sweat. Grabbed my hickory self bow, bamboo arrows and my DIY mosquito spray from the Wiccan bag of essential oils which kept the bloodsuckers at bay.....amazing how well oils work. Todays formulation was heavy on citronella with a little witch hazel, lemongrass, peppermint and tea tree to deter any ticks still hanging out in the coolness of the bush. Good to see my survival shelter has we...

A month into the 2015 softball season we received our new jerseys. Yankee blue with white numbering and logo they are a definite improvement over our cotton tees. A full buttoned design made out of a light mesh hard wearing polyester they are cool and non binding. All for $45(Cdn)....taxes included. As team manager and pitcher I was given number 1, fitting considering I also am a ball hockey goalie in the off season. The team got off to a rocky start facing the best teams early in the schedule combined with some difficulties fielding a roster due to work and family commitments. I really need to consider recruiting some new full and part time players going forward. That said we are 4-2 over the last 6 games and showing improvement in all facets of the game.