Columbus day and other slander

 

I hate this day, I like federal holidays as much as the next person and the fact that my husband can read this over my shoulder is fantastic.  However, I hate the premise that this day is based on.

Christopher Columbus was a pirate, as well as a human trafficker, and a thief.  However, there are plenty of posts on his behavior with the natives he found on the island of Hispaniola, Cuba. 

That is right, Cuba and not the continent of North America.  In fact he never once stepped foot on the land we call his "discovery".  The honor of the discovery of America goes back much farther.  The Russians and the Polynesian arrived more than 1000 years prior to Columbus.  Also the great explorer Leif Erickson discovered the America's five hundred years before Columbus.  So many groups of people knew this continent existed. 

What are some other myths about Columbus?  He was going to sail to India to open a trade rout and prove the world was round.  For one second let us take a look of the invention of the globe,  Something that most wealthy individuals would have had.  The first terrestrial or (earth) globe was invented by Martin Behaim in Nürnberg, Germany, in 1474.  At least this is earliest we can find.  Since Columbus sailed in 1492 one would think that there was a small issue with the numbers.  The earth was accepted as round prior to him leaving on his trip.  Yes there were a lot of issues with the globe as it was portrayed at the time but it was a globe. Columbus knew the world was round but thought that the size of the world was overestimated by a good margin.  I bet that must have been a shock we he discovered that the size of the world was greatly underestimated.

The Church did not hate Columbus, they in fact housed and cared for him.  The Spanish monks helped Columbus petition the Queen for funding.  The Archbishop of Seville was one of Columbus's greatest supporters. 

Columbus didn't find gold?  Nope he found a ton of it and slaves to work the mines.  That is why he was pardoned for his crimes against humanity the first time.  The coffers of Spain were full of gold from Columbus and his crews.  That is why he made so many trips back and forth. 

One thing that Columbus did have was a great ability to navigate, that part is not exaggerated.  However, what he did with that ability is not as note worthy as one would wish. 

While I am poking holes in popular versions of history I will add in one more issue that has bugged me. 

The midnight ride was not performed by Paul Revere; Revere lit the light house and then was captured before they had finished 20 miles.  Reveres job was to light the warning signal, and it was an important one, I don't downgrade what he did.  The midnight ride as described in the poem was performed by Israel Bissell.  However, since it was not a romantic sounding name he was left out of the poem and the credit was given to a different man.  However, I know for a fact that one of the decedents of Henry Wadsworth was able to apologize to a decedent of Israel Bissell, and forgiveness was forgiven. 

That is all the clearing of pop culture history mistakes that will be done for today. 

Gluten Free Beers and Ciders

Today is national talk like a pirate day and in that spirit this blog will be in pirate for the remainder of this post.

Grogs and ciders:
Most grogs cannot be consumed by those o' us who be sensitive t' Gluten, where almost all hard ciders can be. Since I be not much o' a grog drinker I will be listin' me favorite 10 brands in order o' least t' most favorite five for grog and five for ciders. Please note I like t' sweeter flavors so this may not fit your tastes. If you like t' darker flavors you might want t' try t' list aftwards.

Grog:

Redbridge:  This be made by Anheuser-Busch and be a red logger, it kind o' tastes like a watered down yin'-lin' or a off flavored bud light.
Green Quest: For those that like Belgium grogs this might be your pick. It has a slightly spiced and sweet flavor.

Brunehaut Bio Blonde: This be not strictly Gluten free since t' Gluten be removed from t' barley. However, it has a great flavor. t did not make me sick but thar be others who be more sensitive t' Gluten and might think t' avoid it.

Dogfish Head Tweason’Ale: This was really good; it does not have much o' a grog flavor but still a great choice.

New Planet Tread Lightly: This be t' closest t' cider which be me preference will still havin' a grog like finish. It says it be a blond ale but really more like a grog flavored cider 
Ciders:

Strongbow: This be a grog cider, more a grog than a cider. It has a strong crisp flavor but very little sweet.

Ace Cider:  This cider has a lot o' varieties but not always t' crisp note I be lookin' for in a cider. T' grape be pretty good as be t' honey apple, I would love t' try t' pumpkin but I cannot yet locate it. I think t' pumpkin flavor might just t' thin' for t' season.

Woodchuck Cider: I was able t' snag a mixed pack o' this for me first trial. me favorites were t' granny smith and t' Amber, I was not overly impressed with t' summer or t' 802 flavors. I would love t' try t' raspberry or t' pumpkin but have not been able t' find them. I was only able t' sample a few o' their many flavors.

Crispen:  If you have not had a chance t' try this brand you should give it a shot. They have many varieties includin' me favorite (and t' only one I have been able t' try) t' Honey crisp. T' web site shows a variety o' flavors includin' those that be more ale

Angry Orchard: These ciders be sweet and fantastic with a clean finish. I rate these above t' woodchucks only in t' sweetness o' t' drink. They have some great variety's however, I prefer original for now. T' Ginger flavor be closer to t’ woodchuck variety. I rate this t' best since some o' t' other ciders be harder t' locate for me.