It's been awhile. What can I say? I've been busy. There was a stretch of time I thought I might be pregnant - alas, not so much. Or not any more, at least. Que sera, sera. I've been in the garden daily. The damn lawn grows faster than I can reasonably mow it (at $4 a gallon for gas...yes, yes, I'm working on growing less grass and more food, but it's slow). Busy with friends, with dog walking, with chicken rounding up (not mine - not this year) and fox chasing. Typical spring excitement. Work has picked up as well - it's not unpleasant to work from home and just sit & think & reason through an issue and get paid for it, without driving the 45 miles into the office. It's very nice that although I have a 45 mile commute, I only physically go to the office once a month or so. We bought a new vehicle in February - and we are not yet to the 1st oil change. Such a wonderful change.
Of course, it's light out until 815 or so at night - dusk until 9. I can now eat dinner and then get back to the yard, and then collapse into a heap in bed immediately after. And get up again at 5. It's hard to sleep past 6 anyway - the sunlight coming in the window, the cacophony of bird calls, the pacing of the dog who wants to go out and chase rabbits.
It's taking less and less reading at night to calm my mind to sleep. I frequently find that the worries of the world (we're all going to hell in a hand basket, as if you hadn't noticed) can't keep up with the exhaustion. Weeks are blending together. Days, while physically almost at their longest of the year, suddenly seem astonishingly short.
Rest assured, all the while my brain has been working. Reasoning. Contrasting. Gathering ideas, combining them. I'll be back shortly with plethora of musings... just as soon as it gets hot out, and I'm looking for a midday escape. Or perhaps when my brain is full. Wont be long, either way.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The future
Recent events have led me to start thinking about the next generation. Recently, I've been reading Wendell Berry's essays from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Sadly, although technology has come a long way, we're in far deeper s**t than we were at the beginning of my life. This does not bode well for the children being born today.
America accomplished so much during the second World War. There was a unity, a banding together for a common goal. The war effort forced our society, out of necessity, to conserve our resources. We re-used and recycled everything. We cut down on consumption. Most importantly, we planted victory gardens.
It saddens me that at the beginning of my parents generation, sacrifice was the norm, and it was necessary to "save democracy." Yet, now that it is necessary to make changes now that might just save all of humanity, we couldn't be bothered (the planet? the planet will be FINE - but we just wont be on it). But I'm in the minority. It's incredibly lonely. It's so very sad - during WWII the world's citizens band together to pool resources (on our own respective sides) while killing a combined total of about 72 million people in order to idolize an ideal (pick one - there were several, depending on what side you were on), but when it comes to saving our own ass, we wont do it. Can't do it. Can't figure it out. Can't be bothered. It's too "hard."
Which amazes me. After carrying a baby for nine months (and all the work that entails), and raising a child until adult hood (basically putting your own life on hold in the process - and don't forget about costs of education) - we're all willing to just toss our hands up in the air, shrug and say "it's too hard."
And if thats our attitude, what is the POINT?
It's a bit disheartening to say the least.
So why have a child at all? For hope. It's like planting flower bulbs or trees or garlic cloves in the fall - I have hope that spring will come once again. I have faith that the seasons will keep on turning and that although there is a frigid and and miserable winter to fight through, spring will come again, and the world will be reborn. Food will grow again, the sun will shine, the rivers and ponds will melt, and the birds will return.
Perhaps any child that I produce will have a sense of urgency inside, and can somehow get the world to see what so many of us refuse to. Perhaps that child will come up with some sort of a solution that will somehow save us all. At the very least, I hope such a child will live honestly and within reason, and will be able to see when it has enough, and will not take or use more than his/her fair share.
I suppose most people contemplating parenthood have such delusions. But I have hope.
America accomplished so much during the second World War. There was a unity, a banding together for a common goal. The war effort forced our society, out of necessity, to conserve our resources. We re-used and recycled everything. We cut down on consumption. Most importantly, we planted victory gardens.
It saddens me that at the beginning of my parents generation, sacrifice was the norm, and it was necessary to "save democracy." Yet, now that it is necessary to make changes now that might just save all of humanity, we couldn't be bothered (the planet? the planet will be FINE - but we just wont be on it). But I'm in the minority. It's incredibly lonely. It's so very sad - during WWII the world's citizens band together to pool resources (on our own respective sides) while killing a combined total of about 72 million people in order to idolize an ideal (pick one - there were several, depending on what side you were on), but when it comes to saving our own ass, we wont do it. Can't do it. Can't figure it out. Can't be bothered. It's too "hard."
Which amazes me. After carrying a baby for nine months (and all the work that entails), and raising a child until adult hood (basically putting your own life on hold in the process - and don't forget about costs of education) - we're all willing to just toss our hands up in the air, shrug and say "it's too hard."
And if thats our attitude, what is the POINT?
It's a bit disheartening to say the least.
So why have a child at all? For hope. It's like planting flower bulbs or trees or garlic cloves in the fall - I have hope that spring will come once again. I have faith that the seasons will keep on turning and that although there is a frigid and and miserable winter to fight through, spring will come again, and the world will be reborn. Food will grow again, the sun will shine, the rivers and ponds will melt, and the birds will return.
Perhaps any child that I produce will have a sense of urgency inside, and can somehow get the world to see what so many of us refuse to. Perhaps that child will come up with some sort of a solution that will somehow save us all. At the very least, I hope such a child will live honestly and within reason, and will be able to see when it has enough, and will not take or use more than his/her fair share.
I suppose most people contemplating parenthood have such delusions. But I have hope.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Adult Fitness test
This is a great idea: an adult fitness test. "K" had to do these every year in the military, and I would do it along with him just for fun ("K" would score near-perfect every year - he'd make everyone else a little mad). We spent a lot of time exercising. As a result, we've both gained weight after he left the military. It's a combination of being less active and being able to afford good food. Go figure.
I just wish we could all get those signed presidential fitness award certificates. "K" could put his up in his cube.
I just wish we could all get those signed presidential fitness award certificates. "K" could put his up in his cube.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Religious agricultural laws
During the Aufruf on Saturday, I was thinking about the Jewish agricultural laws the Rabbi mentioned. I was curious, especially after reading the "Gift of Good Land" essay by Wendell Berry immediately following the Aufruf. What are the common religious agricultural laws that tend to be repeated over and again in different religions?
For me, that's a tough question. I don't have a strong religious background in any particular religion, although I see that more of as an advantage than a disadvantage: I can see objectively, and I'm equally ignorant of all religions.
I have found, so far, that the laws of Seder Zeraim include dedicating a particular percentage of a yield to supporting the priests and those who serve in the temple, as well as the poor who do not have land of their own (leaving the harvest in the corners for the poor - 1/60 of the field and 1/10th of the produce). One law limits how much you can produce, and prohibits the mixing of seed in the field. Additionally, fields must lie fallow on the seventh year (no pruning, no sowing of seed). There is a prohibition against eating fruit from a tree less than three years old.
I find this fascinating. Written into the instructions for community members to follow year in and year out are laws that help maintain not only the community, but soil health and vitality. Built in fallow periods - very practical. And it might just keep a society from eroding or depleting their soils and eventually starving.
For me, that's a tough question. I don't have a strong religious background in any particular religion, although I see that more of as an advantage than a disadvantage: I can see objectively, and I'm equally ignorant of all religions.
I have found, so far, that the laws of Seder Zeraim include dedicating a particular percentage of a yield to supporting the priests and those who serve in the temple, as well as the poor who do not have land of their own (leaving the harvest in the corners for the poor - 1/60 of the field and 1/10th of the produce). One law limits how much you can produce, and prohibits the mixing of seed in the field. Additionally, fields must lie fallow on the seventh year (no pruning, no sowing of seed). There is a prohibition against eating fruit from a tree less than three years old.
I find this fascinating. Written into the instructions for community members to follow year in and year out are laws that help maintain not only the community, but soil health and vitality. Built in fallow periods - very practical. And it might just keep a society from eroding or depleting their soils and eventually starving.
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Awakening
Have you noticed that suddenly there are earthquakes going on everywhere? Within the past few weeks, there has been a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Japan, a mysterious 2-month long series of earthquakes in Reno, NV, and even an earthquake in Illinois. And just today, a massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake in China.
It's not just earthquakes: think of all the volcanos that have suddenly been in the news recently. There is the Chaiten volcano in Chile that suddenly started erupting for the first time in thousands of years. Kilauea volcano in Hawai'i National Park has suddenly become much more active, resulting in some areas of the park to be evacuated.
All of this within the past few weeks - since mid-April or so. Everything is just getting all shook up. It makes sense, but it's still a little worrisome. Is all this just a precursor to even more eruptions and earthquakes? Or was today's massive Chinese earthquake the culmination?
We are very rapidly becoming immune to large death tolls in the headlines. The UN death toll estimate for the Myanmar cyclone last week is around 100,000 people. The death toll for today's earthquake in China is in the thousands. (Update: the death toll for the China earthquake is now close to 12,000 people as of the morning of May 13).
In the U.S., we aren't having the same kind of death tolls, luckily, but we do seem to be having more severe weather than usual this year. There was the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak that killed 57 people. Then there was the tornado that struck downtown Atlanta. Over the weekend, there were tornadoes in Oklahoma & Kansas that killed an additional 22 people.
So far this year, we've had 910 tornadoes in the U.S., and it's still only the beginning of May. In general, the U.S. averages about 1200 tornadoes a year. By the end of May in 2007, there had been 799 tornadoes reported, with a total of 1305 for the whole year. We still have to get through May, but the remainder of the year should have about 30% of our yearly tornado totals... which would indicate that we are on track to get about 570 additional tornadoes this year.
Spring this year is bringing with it a whole slew of depressing geologic & climatic events. They are unlikely linked - unless you consider the ash plumes from the volcanoes entering the atmosphere and influencing weather patterns (which does happen). As the earth awakens this spring, it appears she is angry and is on a murderous rampage.
It's not just earthquakes: think of all the volcanos that have suddenly been in the news recently. There is the Chaiten volcano in Chile that suddenly started erupting for the first time in thousands of years. Kilauea volcano in Hawai'i National Park has suddenly become much more active, resulting in some areas of the park to be evacuated.
All of this within the past few weeks - since mid-April or so. Everything is just getting all shook up. It makes sense, but it's still a little worrisome. Is all this just a precursor to even more eruptions and earthquakes? Or was today's massive Chinese earthquake the culmination?
We are very rapidly becoming immune to large death tolls in the headlines. The UN death toll estimate for the Myanmar cyclone last week is around 100,000 people. The death toll for today's earthquake in China is in the thousands. (Update: the death toll for the China earthquake is now close to 12,000 people as of the morning of May 13).
In the U.S., we aren't having the same kind of death tolls, luckily, but we do seem to be having more severe weather than usual this year. There was the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak that killed 57 people. Then there was the tornado that struck downtown Atlanta. Over the weekend, there were tornadoes in Oklahoma & Kansas that killed an additional 22 people.
So far this year, we've had 910 tornadoes in the U.S., and it's still only the beginning of May. In general, the U.S. averages about 1200 tornadoes a year. By the end of May in 2007, there had been 799 tornadoes reported, with a total of 1305 for the whole year. We still have to get through May, but the remainder of the year should have about 30% of our yearly tornado totals... which would indicate that we are on track to get about 570 additional tornadoes this year.
Spring this year is bringing with it a whole slew of depressing geologic & climatic events. They are unlikely linked - unless you consider the ash plumes from the volcanoes entering the atmosphere and influencing weather patterns (which does happen). As the earth awakens this spring, it appears she is angry and is on a murderous rampage.
Aufruf, Part II
Upon further reflection, the readings from the Torah during the Aufruf were focused on the Laws governing who the priest's son could marry, and who is allowed to do what. The most interesting thing is that the book we were reading from wasn't an old archaic text - there was a modern English translation & discussion of sorts beneath the English translation of the laws in Hebrew. There was some mention of disabled people being unable to do certain things, but the English discussion section indicated that in today's societies, "we" do not discriminate based on physical appearances or abilities. It was really good to read - and I like the idea that "they" were willing to write in their prayer book that things are different now. It seems like such a little thing - but the last time I cracked open a bible in a church, I saw no such disclaimers, footnotes, explanations or summaries.
The Rabbi also called attention to readings further beyond the Aufruf readings - the laws that govern certain holidays, and how they tied in with traditional agriculture (he actually said "if you read ahead..."). The laws ensured that the planting would be done on time, the harvesting would be done on time, and that God was properly thanked for these miracles (or something along these lines - I didn't have time to read very much of it). It struck me how very suddenly people have become disassociated with these natural patterns of life. We now have all of these holidays (regardless of which religion may claim you, if any) that have their roots firmly in our agricultural history. Until very recently, we were a subsistence economy. Those laws are in the Torah simply for human survival, to remind people that they need to do certain things at certain times - these rules are important enough to follow that they formed a portion of our very spiritual study, so that we would not forget them.
And currently, these laws seem irrelevant in day to day life to the average person. Very few people know the actual origins of holidays in our society - they are seen merely as a day off of work (or school), or an occasion to go out drinking on a 3-day weekend or an excuse to exchange gifts. We now live in a world where people don't know the very traditions that have allowed numerous generations to survive, to create us in our current form. We all have a very long history that extends back to a very few people - but very few people know how we got to where we are today.
As I am now just finishing up Wendell Berry's "The Gift of Good Land" (a collection of essays), I found this part of the Aufruf service particularly interesting. The final essay, #24 (titled "The Gift of Good Land"), is discussing God, community, and how good Judeo-Christian people are required by their faith to be stewards of their land. Berry discusses how the Amish are so successful at agriculture while the average farmer is not (in the early 1980s, anyway) because they do not rule over the land, but nearly watch over it and take care of it as stewards. The Amish view the land as a gift from God; they don't "own" it, but they are merely borrowing it. The Amish also are very focused on their community and the welfare of all of those in it; they give freely of what they have so that their neighbor may succeed, and they recognize the yet unborn next generation as their neighbors and part of their community as well. And so they treat the land carefully; it's God land, and it is not only for their use, but for the use of their neighbors and the next generation. Which, naturally, leads to very sustainable farming practices.
Berry also frequently brings up "right livelihood' ("right work") from the Noble Eightfold Path, which means that you should choose a job that does not harm others. Berry insists that "others" includes everyone and everything - there is no "right work" in strip mining, and there is no "good christian strip mine". He allows that there is no way we can live without harming anything else - we live on the deaths of other creatures - but we can do our best to have the smallest impact as possible by applying the technologies we have in a responsible manner, individually suited to each individual application.
The Rabbi also called attention to readings further beyond the Aufruf readings - the laws that govern certain holidays, and how they tied in with traditional agriculture (he actually said "if you read ahead..."). The laws ensured that the planting would be done on time, the harvesting would be done on time, and that God was properly thanked for these miracles (or something along these lines - I didn't have time to read very much of it). It struck me how very suddenly people have become disassociated with these natural patterns of life. We now have all of these holidays (regardless of which religion may claim you, if any) that have their roots firmly in our agricultural history. Until very recently, we were a subsistence economy. Those laws are in the Torah simply for human survival, to remind people that they need to do certain things at certain times - these rules are important enough to follow that they formed a portion of our very spiritual study, so that we would not forget them.
And currently, these laws seem irrelevant in day to day life to the average person. Very few people know the actual origins of holidays in our society - they are seen merely as a day off of work (or school), or an occasion to go out drinking on a 3-day weekend or an excuse to exchange gifts. We now live in a world where people don't know the very traditions that have allowed numerous generations to survive, to create us in our current form. We all have a very long history that extends back to a very few people - but very few people know how we got to where we are today.
As I am now just finishing up Wendell Berry's "The Gift of Good Land" (a collection of essays), I found this part of the Aufruf service particularly interesting. The final essay, #24 (titled "The Gift of Good Land"), is discussing God, community, and how good Judeo-Christian people are required by their faith to be stewards of their land. Berry discusses how the Amish are so successful at agriculture while the average farmer is not (in the early 1980s, anyway) because they do not rule over the land, but nearly watch over it and take care of it as stewards. The Amish view the land as a gift from God; they don't "own" it, but they are merely borrowing it. The Amish also are very focused on their community and the welfare of all of those in it; they give freely of what they have so that their neighbor may succeed, and they recognize the yet unborn next generation as their neighbors and part of their community as well. And so they treat the land carefully; it's God land, and it is not only for their use, but for the use of their neighbors and the next generation. Which, naturally, leads to very sustainable farming practices.
Berry also frequently brings up "right livelihood' ("right work") from the Noble Eightfold Path, which means that you should choose a job that does not harm others. Berry insists that "others" includes everyone and everything - there is no "right work" in strip mining, and there is no "good christian strip mine". He allows that there is no way we can live without harming anything else - we live on the deaths of other creatures - but we can do our best to have the smallest impact as possible by applying the technologies we have in a responsible manner, individually suited to each individual application.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Aufruf
We attended a friends Aufruf ceremony today - the ceremony where he and his fiance read from the Torah, or before the Torah. I'm still not quite sure what went on, but it was really touching to have been invited to such personal & family-oriented occasion. I suppose it's much like announcing your impending marriage before God, before your family, your friends & the community you grew up with.
Social activites such as the one today are completely draining. I'm so fearful of inadvertantly offending someone that I rarely actually enjoy the event. But then I was able to think back to my own wedding, and it occurs to me that I was way too preoccupied to care what other people were doing. Nevertheless, when I got home, I was ready for a nap.
Today's ceremony brought me back to the idea of community. I can see how it's very possible that there is no community like the Jewish community, at least from what I can tell from my brief interaction with it today. It definitely seemed like a very large family. Very tight, very personal, very interactive. I understood very little of the service - but one thing was very apparent: there was a great deal of love and support for our friend & his family. And I wonder - is this community feeling particular to this one families' experience, or one congregation's experience, or it is fairly common among all the congregations? Is it the shared bond of persecution and adversity? Or does that have nothing to do with it at all?
Social activites such as the one today are completely draining. I'm so fearful of inadvertantly offending someone that I rarely actually enjoy the event. But then I was able to think back to my own wedding, and it occurs to me that I was way too preoccupied to care what other people were doing. Nevertheless, when I got home, I was ready for a nap.
Today's ceremony brought me back to the idea of community. I can see how it's very possible that there is no community like the Jewish community, at least from what I can tell from my brief interaction with it today. It definitely seemed like a very large family. Very tight, very personal, very interactive. I understood very little of the service - but one thing was very apparent: there was a great deal of love and support for our friend & his family. And I wonder - is this community feeling particular to this one families' experience, or one congregation's experience, or it is fairly common among all the congregations? Is it the shared bond of persecution and adversity? Or does that have nothing to do with it at all?
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Energy Raisers
The Boston Globe does it again - the wrote something I actually enjoyed reading and caused much thinking. Amazing. Is it possible they are changing? Is it a sign of the Apocalypse?
Energy Raisers - like an Amish barn raising - where neighbors descend upon each others houses to install solar hot heaters on the cheap. $3,000 instead of the commercially installed $10,000. Same system - free labor. It's a great idea.
The headline is a bit wordy: Many Hands Make Light Work of Saving Energy, but its still exciting. The gist is this: there is a group in the Plymouth, NH area that has figured out a way to help themselves and their neighbors by donating time to help install solar hot water systems. On a given Saturday, they all descend on a chosen house (whose owner also helps install systems on other peoples houses before & after their own installation), and they get it done in one day.
The Citizen of Laconia also ran a similar article earlier this week. Which led me to finding the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative. The group is a non-profit, and they've been around since 2004, and have done 50 solar installations to date. Membership costs $55 per year (for a family), and in return you a) help them and b) have access to all sorts of energy assessments, research tools, product discounts, networking/mentoring opportunities, discounts to training seminars & workshops, the opportunity to participate in energy raisers, and access to their library. It seems to be set up very well, and the membership cost seems reasonable.
Knowledge is a funny thing. You might pay (or work) once for it, but you use it continuously (barring any head injuries). And then you can pass it on to others.
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On a side note, I was not the only one who was exhausted yesterday. My neighbor across the street came home as we were fixing dinner last night. She backs into her driveway and her headlights shine right in through our kitchen window (a bit annoying). Well, her lights didn't go off. After about a half hour, I went over to her house and knocked on the door (I have talked to these people once - they also sent out an invitation to an open house at their house once, but then weren't home on said date - very annoying - and it wasn't just me - some other neighbors also went over, knocked on the door, and found no one home. No explanation was ever offered. Very odd & a bit rude. I'm not entirely convinced these people are really "with it" - I've also seen them drive by their own house and go into reverse down the street to get back to it. How do you miss your own driveway?). So anyway - once again - no answer. So I shrug and leave - let her run her battery down then. As I was walking down the driveway, I noticed the lights had turned off. She got out of the car, and had apparently fallen asleep in her driveway. Thankfully she put it in park first. I need to plant some more trees between us & them. Big, strong trees with lots of leaves.
Energy Raisers - like an Amish barn raising - where neighbors descend upon each others houses to install solar hot heaters on the cheap. $3,000 instead of the commercially installed $10,000. Same system - free labor. It's a great idea.
The headline is a bit wordy: Many Hands Make Light Work of Saving Energy, but its still exciting. The gist is this: there is a group in the Plymouth, NH area that has figured out a way to help themselves and their neighbors by donating time to help install solar hot water systems. On a given Saturday, they all descend on a chosen house (whose owner also helps install systems on other peoples houses before & after their own installation), and they get it done in one day.
The Citizen of Laconia also ran a similar article earlier this week. Which led me to finding the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative. The group is a non-profit, and they've been around since 2004, and have done 50 solar installations to date. Membership costs $55 per year (for a family), and in return you a) help them and b) have access to all sorts of energy assessments, research tools, product discounts, networking/mentoring opportunities, discounts to training seminars & workshops, the opportunity to participate in energy raisers, and access to their library. It seems to be set up very well, and the membership cost seems reasonable.
Knowledge is a funny thing. You might pay (or work) once for it, but you use it continuously (barring any head injuries). And then you can pass it on to others.
-------------
On a side note, I was not the only one who was exhausted yesterday. My neighbor across the street came home as we were fixing dinner last night. She backs into her driveway and her headlights shine right in through our kitchen window (a bit annoying). Well, her lights didn't go off. After about a half hour, I went over to her house and knocked on the door (I have talked to these people once - they also sent out an invitation to an open house at their house once, but then weren't home on said date - very annoying - and it wasn't just me - some other neighbors also went over, knocked on the door, and found no one home. No explanation was ever offered. Very odd & a bit rude. I'm not entirely convinced these people are really "with it" - I've also seen them drive by their own house and go into reverse down the street to get back to it. How do you miss your own driveway?). So anyway - once again - no answer. So I shrug and leave - let her run her battery down then. As I was walking down the driveway, I noticed the lights had turned off. She got out of the car, and had apparently fallen asleep in her driveway. Thankfully she put it in park first. I need to plant some more trees between us & them. Big, strong trees with lots of leaves.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Exhausted
Well, I've been more tired, anyway, but I'm pretty damn tired. 'Tis the season.
We planted leeks today, and prepared more planting beds. Which involved a lot of hand-tilling of very heavy soil. It wasn't hard at all, but it was early - 6 a.m. - but at least it wasn't raining. On the other hand, the black flies are pretty bad - no wonder they call them "Mayflies." I got the crap scared out of me by hoeing up a chicken wing - feathers still attached - apparently I jumped quite a bit. Not exactly what I thought I might find in the planting bed. Rocks, yes. Dismembered chicken parts, not so much.
After several hours of cleaning the house, I moved several hundred pounds of rock (a freebie rock pile is always good). Not exactly sure what I'll use the rock for, but it wont go to waste. It was free - what can I say? I have about 2 more days of rock- moving to do. I have one load still in the truck because I didn't have the time or energy to unload it. Maybe I'll build an herb pyramid. More likely, the rock will sit in a giant pile there for a few years and then I'll decide to do something with it.
The apple and cherry trees are blooming. The apple trees seem to really like the pruning they got last winter. I really need to learn how to do that the right way - although at this point my hack job seems to be helping. The compost application to the roots probably didn't hurt. I took some blossom photos with the large format yesterday - maybe tomorrow I'll use the digital. They really are beautiful.
This afternoon I went to a neat farm visit at a nearby farm about cover crops - *J* introduced me to CRAFT, which stands for "Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training." Of course, it was somewhat of an awkward social event (as all social events are), but it was also full of good information. My theory on cutting down the winter rye & leaving it in between the rows has been completely validated, which makes me happy - it's just about too late to do anything else with it anyway. Interestingly, mowing the winter rye is a good move - it stimulates root growth (which, once stated, made me think: "Duh", but hadn't previously occurred to me). Then you can plow it under - or not, apparently.
We planted leeks today, and prepared more planting beds. Which involved a lot of hand-tilling of very heavy soil. It wasn't hard at all, but it was early - 6 a.m. - but at least it wasn't raining. On the other hand, the black flies are pretty bad - no wonder they call them "Mayflies." I got the crap scared out of me by hoeing up a chicken wing - feathers still attached - apparently I jumped quite a bit. Not exactly what I thought I might find in the planting bed. Rocks, yes. Dismembered chicken parts, not so much.
After several hours of cleaning the house, I moved several hundred pounds of rock (a freebie rock pile is always good). Not exactly sure what I'll use the rock for, but it wont go to waste. It was free - what can I say? I have about 2 more days of rock- moving to do. I have one load still in the truck because I didn't have the time or energy to unload it. Maybe I'll build an herb pyramid. More likely, the rock will sit in a giant pile there for a few years and then I'll decide to do something with it.
The apple and cherry trees are blooming. The apple trees seem to really like the pruning they got last winter. I really need to learn how to do that the right way - although at this point my hack job seems to be helping. The compost application to the roots probably didn't hurt. I took some blossom photos with the large format yesterday - maybe tomorrow I'll use the digital. They really are beautiful.
This afternoon I went to a neat farm visit at a nearby farm about cover crops - *J* introduced me to CRAFT, which stands for "Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training." Of course, it was somewhat of an awkward social event (as all social events are), but it was also full of good information. My theory on cutting down the winter rye & leaving it in between the rows has been completely validated, which makes me happy - it's just about too late to do anything else with it anyway. Interestingly, mowing the winter rye is a good move - it stimulates root growth (which, once stated, made me think: "Duh", but hadn't previously occurred to me). Then you can plow it under - or not, apparently.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
If you have to rebuild a town anyway...
Greensburg, KS : This weekend the town is hosting something that resembles a grand re-opening of their town. One year ago tomorrow, 90% of the town was wiped out by a tornado. Homes, businesses, schools, town offices, infrastructure - everything. Making the best of a horrible situation, the town has chosen not only to rebuild itself, but is also rebuilding itself green. "Greensburg GreenTown" would seem almost too cute to be true, had it not been for the horrible reality of having virtually an entire town wiped out in a few short minutes and the enormous amount of work they've accomplished in the last year.
The largest business in town, the local John Deer dealer, was badly hit. But they are rebuilding to LEED standards- they are trying to go Platinum - the highest LEED rating possible. The town itself is trying to use 100% renewable energy.
In December 2007, the city council also voted to become the first city in the US to demand that all city-owned buildings be LEED Platinum certified.
They've even recycled their damaged trees. They are also looking for donations of new trees.
They have future plans for a green industrial park in the city as well.
On April 4, 2008, the town starting distributing two-button flush-style water saving toilets to it's residents.
How is an older, rural farming community on the plains managing to pull off this ultra-green conversion? The town leaders have apparently managed to spread the ideals of energy efficiency and renewable resources in a non-political way: they've framed the green ideals not as a hippie-type earth friendly thing to do but as a common-sense move to control energy costs. In doing so, they hope to keep not only the businesses they had before the tornado upended their town, but also attract new green businesses.
I wonder how much tourism this will generate. If you build it, will they come?
Now, if we could only convince those that live in town the switchgrass is just as good as a lawn - then they could send their cuttings to the local biodeisel plant.
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On an interesting side note, I've just heard that Pres. Bush will be speaking at their high school commencement this week. That's kind of funny. A community of white people get wiped out, and a year later they have rebuilt to a great extent, and the President comes to their high school graduation. When was the last time the President visit the Gulf Coast? How well is the rebuilding going down there?
The largest business in town, the local John Deer dealer, was badly hit. But they are rebuilding to LEED standards- they are trying to go Platinum - the highest LEED rating possible. The town itself is trying to use 100% renewable energy.
In December 2007, the city council also voted to become the first city in the US to demand that all city-owned buildings be LEED Platinum certified.
They've even recycled their damaged trees. They are also looking for donations of new trees.
They have future plans for a green industrial park in the city as well.
On April 4, 2008, the town starting distributing two-button flush-style water saving toilets to it's residents.
How is an older, rural farming community on the plains managing to pull off this ultra-green conversion? The town leaders have apparently managed to spread the ideals of energy efficiency and renewable resources in a non-political way: they've framed the green ideals not as a hippie-type earth friendly thing to do but as a common-sense move to control energy costs. In doing so, they hope to keep not only the businesses they had before the tornado upended their town, but also attract new green businesses.
I wonder how much tourism this will generate. If you build it, will they come?
Now, if we could only convince those that live in town the switchgrass is just as good as a lawn - then they could send their cuttings to the local biodeisel plant.
------
On an interesting side note, I've just heard that Pres. Bush will be speaking at their high school commencement this week. That's kind of funny. A community of white people get wiped out, and a year later they have rebuilt to a great extent, and the President comes to their high school graduation. When was the last time the President visit the Gulf Coast? How well is the rebuilding going down there?
Friday, May 02, 2008
Wild Apples
Last night I attended the launch party of the new local litterary and arts journal Wild Apples. They had a pretty good turn out. I went with *J* and her family, and was introduced to one of the editors of the journal. Which, of course, was a painfully socially awkward event. I hate meeting people - I have no idea what to do with myself, and I'm sure I come across as having something "wrong" with me.
It was a nice event (by small town standards- I was pretty impressed), and we were able to listen to a poetry reading by one of the contributors (we left early, as *J*s baby was not feeling so well, the poor thing). It's really neat to know that our area has produced an artsy journal of its own- locally based. There's some comfort in that. There's a lot of comfort in that. I'm delighted to know that there are enough interested people around to support such a endeavor in our little corner of the world.
In the past few months, I've come to realize that all of the searching for home in various localities has been - well, not a waste, perhaps, but a bit misguided. We've been looking for a magical place that we can move to and feel comfortable and connected instantly. Ironically, it was here all along. I just had to dig deeper. Perhaps this housing bubble burst could be one of the most important events in my life. It's forced me to abandon the "move along" attitude and really settle in and get to know a place. I'm continuously surprised that our more or less "snap" decision to move to this particular house in this particular town may have been a sound one, and we may, actually, really fit in after all.
There is a lesson in there somewhere. It's down there somewhere. Guess I'll keep digging.
It was a nice event (by small town standards- I was pretty impressed), and we were able to listen to a poetry reading by one of the contributors (we left early, as *J*s baby was not feeling so well, the poor thing). It's really neat to know that our area has produced an artsy journal of its own- locally based. There's some comfort in that. There's a lot of comfort in that. I'm delighted to know that there are enough interested people around to support such a endeavor in our little corner of the world.
In the past few months, I've come to realize that all of the searching for home in various localities has been - well, not a waste, perhaps, but a bit misguided. We've been looking for a magical place that we can move to and feel comfortable and connected instantly. Ironically, it was here all along. I just had to dig deeper. Perhaps this housing bubble burst could be one of the most important events in my life. It's forced me to abandon the "move along" attitude and really settle in and get to know a place. I'm continuously surprised that our more or less "snap" decision to move to this particular house in this particular town may have been a sound one, and we may, actually, really fit in after all.
There is a lesson in there somewhere. It's down there somewhere. Guess I'll keep digging.
Farm work
I was at the CSA farm this morning at 6 am, to work with *J* on planting strawberries. We planted 3 varieties - Sea something-or-other, Early something-or-other (which I think was an ever-bearing) and Sparkle (in order from uphill to down hill). I hope *J* can keep these straight. I think I have enough info to track back and figure it out if necessary, just in case (I wont lose it if I put the info in the blog). We also planted watercress, and re-potted the onions from their flats to keep them going a little longer before we can futher till & mix in compost for their new home.
It is absolutely amazing to me how much faster things go with 2 people. I think *J* was too. We were done before her baby even woke up.
AND I was home by 915 am. Not bad at all. It was a pretty nice way to start my day.
So why did I join a CSA? Maybe I should start with what a CSA is - CSA is short for Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, I agree to provide labor once a week in exchange for a share of the farm's crops once a week. Other people buy a share, but I prefer to work for mine, as I have the time and enjoying working and learning. Getting to know people is a nice positive too. It works out well for the farm, too - if you buy your share, you usually buy in advance and the farm KNOWS what it will have income, and someone to buy its produce, and it takes some of the risk out of it. In my case, the farm knows they are getting dependable labor once a week, and *J* doesn't have to pay me anything up front, but can pay me in food when it is available. In exchange, I get stable food prices (dependent upon how the season is - but I get a share of whatever is produced).
There is something very simple to me about working for a share of a farm's produce. I could work somewhere else, make money, and then go buy food. Or I could work directly for the farm, know how the food is grown, and enjoy it more than I would if I had bought it because I have a connection to it. It takes out the middle man, the driving to the store, the gas, the bags, the lines, the hassle. I brought my dog to the farm today - can't do that at a grocery store - she got to play, and I got to be outside, talking with *J* about local issues (I just happened to be working at the same time).
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(yes, the dog is lying in a giant mud puddle. We had 3.5 inches of rain earlier this week).
It's a luxury to have the time to make the arrangement work, but I have time. Or, rather, I've made time. This is one of those reasons why I've built my life like I have, and I am lucky to have the ability to do it. There is some value in how I do things - at least to me, and, let's be honest, that's the most important thing. If I can't make myself happy, no one can. And if I don't find value in how I live, then how will anyone else?
It is absolutely amazing to me how much faster things go with 2 people. I think *J* was too. We were done before her baby even woke up.
AND I was home by 915 am. Not bad at all. It was a pretty nice way to start my day.
So why did I join a CSA? Maybe I should start with what a CSA is - CSA is short for Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, I agree to provide labor once a week in exchange for a share of the farm's crops once a week. Other people buy a share, but I prefer to work for mine, as I have the time and enjoying working and learning. Getting to know people is a nice positive too. It works out well for the farm, too - if you buy your share, you usually buy in advance and the farm KNOWS what it will have income, and someone to buy its produce, and it takes some of the risk out of it. In my case, the farm knows they are getting dependable labor once a week, and *J* doesn't have to pay me anything up front, but can pay me in food when it is available. In exchange, I get stable food prices (dependent upon how the season is - but I get a share of whatever is produced).
There is something very simple to me about working for a share of a farm's produce. I could work somewhere else, make money, and then go buy food. Or I could work directly for the farm, know how the food is grown, and enjoy it more than I would if I had bought it because I have a connection to it. It takes out the middle man, the driving to the store, the gas, the bags, the lines, the hassle. I brought my dog to the farm today - can't do that at a grocery store - she got to play, and I got to be outside, talking with *J* about local issues (I just happened to be working at the same time).
.jpg)
(yes, the dog is lying in a giant mud puddle. We had 3.5 inches of rain earlier this week).It's a luxury to have the time to make the arrangement work, but I have time. Or, rather, I've made time. This is one of those reasons why I've built my life like I have, and I am lucky to have the ability to do it. There is some value in how I do things - at least to me, and, let's be honest, that's the most important thing. If I can't make myself happy, no one can. And if I don't find value in how I live, then how will anyone else?
Food bubble
I ran across this interesting Washington Post article via Little Blog in the Big Woods. Greenpa (blog writer referenced above) has been railing against the commodities speculation market for the past month or two because they have been a source/cause of the current very high food prices. As a hedge against declining stock and bond markets due to our looming recession, fund managers, universities and other institutional investors have been speculating on food commodities (from what I understand, anyway. I'm not sure I totally get it). Basically, according to the Washington Post article, we have a food speculation bubble going on.
The article is really important. And you should go read it, especially if you are apt to complain about the high cost of, say, flour or rice. Or the fears of food shortages (or, if you are laughing at those who are fearful of food shortages and think they may be crazy). This is one of those things that effects every single one of us, and no one is immune. I was going to highlight the important sections and post them here as a teaser, but in all honestly, I started copying the entire article, which is not helpful. So go read it. Please.
Here is the link to the whole Washington Post Series on the food crisis. You might have to take that one in little bursts.
The article is really important. And you should go read it, especially if you are apt to complain about the high cost of, say, flour or rice. Or the fears of food shortages (or, if you are laughing at those who are fearful of food shortages and think they may be crazy). This is one of those things that effects every single one of us, and no one is immune. I was going to highlight the important sections and post them here as a teaser, but in all honestly, I started copying the entire article, which is not helpful. So go read it. Please.
Here is the link to the whole Washington Post Series on the food crisis. You might have to take that one in little bursts.
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