"I can open oysters, that's about it."

The bird still lives up to its name, as few if any other wading birds are capable of opening oysters at all.

I smashed a dozen doors as fast as the Walrus and the Carpenter opened oysters and found all sorts of things, including what must have been living quarters for wormfaces.

"You can see a display of freshness, see a man opening live oysters right there in front of you," he said.

If you are opening oysters for cooking, do it over a large bowl that will catch all the juices, which are used in many recipes, including stews, fritters and casseroles.

Perhaps it worked because I had been opening oysters since I was 10.

After a time, many rages later, exhausted, he opened his eyes slowly, oysters unbuttoning, lids pushing against the water.

And because we lived in the shadow of the police, we opened oysters and fed them to them with squirts of pepper sauce, and rushed the growler or got stronger stuff in bottles.

To open oysters, use an oyster knife, a bottle opener or any sturdy but not too sharp knife.

Linda brings along her box of tricks to every session - it holds a tool for most jobs, from opening oysters to piping cream.