Can you improve on the colour?
Remember the ‘60s? The water was so thick with pollution you could almost walk to Cleveland.
This puzzle is supplied by someone who likes to profess their love with chalk on driftwood.
Wob, are you out there?
.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Motorcycle Miles: Do you love Wob?
I rode to Port Bruce recently with another motorcyclist and we both agreed Lake Erie looks in top notch shape.
Can you improve on the colour?
Remember the ‘60s? The water was so thick with pollution you could almost walk to Cleveland.
This puzzle is supplied by someone who likes to profess their love with chalk on driftwood.
Wob, are you out there?
.
Can you improve on the colour?
Remember the ‘60s? The water was so thick with pollution you could almost walk to Cleveland.
This puzzle is supplied by someone who likes to profess their love with chalk on driftwood.
Wob, are you out there?
.
Zoom w a View: Sand and water, Lake Superior style - I will return
My wife will have to say ‘yes’ three times before the next trip on my long wish list comes to pass.
“Can I leave for a seven-day trip on my motorcycle?” (Yes)
“Can I take a passenger... my brother?” (Yes)
“Can you lend me $500?”
My brother and I got all dreamy-eyed while looking at my 2007 photos from my first and, possibly, last trip to the north shore of Lake Superior.
How hard is it to save $500? We’ll see.
***
Gas - $150; camping fees - $250; food - $100 (we’ll raid the cupboards before we go), cash on hand - $100. We can do this.
Psst. Wanna buy a birdhouse?
.
“Can I leave for a seven-day trip on my motorcycle?” (Yes)
“Can I take a passenger... my brother?” (Yes)
“Can you lend me $500?”
My brother and I got all dreamy-eyed while looking at my 2007 photos from my first and, possibly, last trip to the north shore of Lake Superior.
How hard is it to save $500? We’ll see.
***
Gas - $150; camping fees - $250; food - $100 (we’ll raid the cupboards before we go), cash on hand - $100. We can do this.
Psst. Wanna buy a birdhouse?
.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
From the Workshop: Time, patience and reusing - they work together
It took awhile but it finally arrived.
I trusted in time, patience and my desire to not throw things away - and they paid off, after three weeks of musing.
I needed an idea re what to do with 14 end pieces from cedar posts given to me by a contractor, and it dawned on me this morning as I woke up - I’ll take them to the lumber yard I visited yesterday morning.
I’ll ask the owner (my age, similar interests, old straw hat sitting on an office chair) to cut them into 3/4 inch panels, and I’ll then turn them into four -, eight - and twelve-plexes for birds, and sidetables for Rietveld chairs. The idea was worth waiting for and the man’s labour is worth a fair price.
["More four, eights and twelves to follow: photos GAH]
Sometimes ideas arrive more quickly.
Last week I spotted used lumber at a curbside near my home and an idea immediately popped into my head: Cut it into pieces for my version of the J.R. birdhouse (circa 1946).
The finished results are now parked in my yard as a coat of linseed oil dries.
Good idea?
***
Most things we throw away could be reused in one form or another. How do we slow the ‘throwaway habit’ and overuse of landfills?
PS A US reader asked re birdhouse sales recently and I have since learned the cost of shipping and handling to the US is about $20 per unit. That’s almost the price of my smallest models so it sounds like a costly venture to me.
.
I trusted in time, patience and my desire to not throw things away - and they paid off, after three weeks of musing.
I needed an idea re what to do with 14 end pieces from cedar posts given to me by a contractor, and it dawned on me this morning as I woke up - I’ll take them to the lumber yard I visited yesterday morning.
I’ll ask the owner (my age, similar interests, old straw hat sitting on an office chair) to cut them into 3/4 inch panels, and I’ll then turn them into four -, eight - and twelve-plexes for birds, and sidetables for Rietveld chairs. The idea was worth waiting for and the man’s labour is worth a fair price.
["More four, eights and twelves to follow: photos GAH]
Sometimes ideas arrive more quickly.
Last week I spotted used lumber at a curbside near my home and an idea immediately popped into my head: Cut it into pieces for my version of the J.R. birdhouse (circa 1946).
The finished results are now parked in my yard as a coat of linseed oil dries.
Good idea?
***
Most things we throw away could be reused in one form or another. How do we slow the ‘throwaway habit’ and overuse of landfills?
PS A US reader asked re birdhouse sales recently and I have since learned the cost of shipping and handling to the US is about $20 per unit. That’s almost the price of my smallest models so it sounds like a costly venture to me.
.
Zoom w a View: Lake Superior scenes
After delivering a chair to my brother this afternoon we looked through a small book I produced containing several of my favourite photos from my trip to the north shore of the deepest and coldest of The Great Lakes.
"Do you like camping?" I asked.
"Sure," he said.
"Well, maybe we can go to Hattie Cove one day."
"Sure," he said, this time with more enthusiasm.
I think I'll start saving my money. It would be the trip of a lifetime for us.
And my motorcycle knows the way.
.
"Do you like camping?" I asked.
"Sure," he said.
"Well, maybe we can go to Hattie Cove one day."
"Sure," he said, this time with more enthusiasm.
I think I'll start saving my money. It would be the trip of a lifetime for us.
And my motorcycle knows the way.
.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Chris has a solution for the failing economy (but I don’t buy it)
Does this sit well with you?
The economy has taken a downturn and one man’s solution follows:
“I firmly believe the worst is yet to come unless we all begin to insist on buying from home.” signed Chris McF. (Letter to the Editor, London Free Press, July 11)
I agree with some of the background information he shared (i.e., “this downturn... is a problem that will not go away... foreign vehicle sales and the push for globalization have devastated our economies forever”) but not his solution.
Protectionism isn't fair trade.
If we only purchase what our own countries produce then the gap between have and have-not countries will only widen. Some have plenty of food for example, others no not. Trade is important.
However, we can easily reduce the number of foreign purchases we make by shopping for only essential items, with an emphasis on locally made goods.
[I think one benefit of the downturn is our growing awareness of what goods are essential and which are not. Our malls are loaded with non-essential items. I’d make a list but it would take forever to complete just the ABCs. Apples (from China), baby bottles (disposable plastic), conditioner for hair (and the plastic bottles it comes in), etc., etc.
So, Chris, thanks for the effort, but try reducing your spending in all areas. Even our own country (Canada) produces a lot of non-essential items.
I’d make a list but...
***
I'll try to come up with one item I can do without this week.
.
The economy has taken a downturn and one man’s solution follows:
“I firmly believe the worst is yet to come unless we all begin to insist on buying from home.” signed Chris McF. (Letter to the Editor, London Free Press, July 11)
I agree with some of the background information he shared (i.e., “this downturn... is a problem that will not go away... foreign vehicle sales and the push for globalization have devastated our economies forever”) but not his solution.
Protectionism isn't fair trade.
If we only purchase what our own countries produce then the gap between have and have-not countries will only widen. Some have plenty of food for example, others no not. Trade is important.
However, we can easily reduce the number of foreign purchases we make by shopping for only essential items, with an emphasis on locally made goods.
[I think one benefit of the downturn is our growing awareness of what goods are essential and which are not. Our malls are loaded with non-essential items. I’d make a list but it would take forever to complete just the ABCs. Apples (from China), baby bottles (disposable plastic), conditioner for hair (and the plastic bottles it comes in), etc., etc.
So, Chris, thanks for the effort, but try reducing your spending in all areas. Even our own country (Canada) produces a lot of non-essential items.
I’d make a list but...
***
I'll try to come up with one item I can do without this week.
.
Oil prices dip: I only see this as a positive thing
Stand back.
I’m going to say something about the price of oil and the Canadian and US economy and things could get messy.
I just read that the price of oil sank below $60 US a barrel last Friday, and ‘sank’ sounds like a real negative term, yet I felt really positive.
[According to Oil Change (@ http://priceofoil.org/thepriceofoil/) the price is $59.89 US per barrel at this very second, so my feelings haven’t changed.)
Oil prices are down chiefly because of lower demand. Canada and US industries aren’t producing as many goods, though the word ‘goods’ is a relative term because not all goods are good for much.
I mean, how many ottomans, golf clubs, bicycles, cars, plastic items, etc. do we need to fill our houses and garages with (thus sending millions of tonnes of reusable materials to the wrecking yards or landfill sites) before we say... we should slow down... shopping is addictive... and often needless.
I know Canada is producing less stuff because our trade deficit is widening, i.e., we’re importing more goods than exporting.
Though the price of crude fell more than 10 per cent last week and created more pessimism about the economy (in some quarters, not mine) and the well-being of companies, my optimism grew - our excessive lifestyle might one day be a sustainable one.
***
Messier times are ahead.
.
I’m going to say something about the price of oil and the Canadian and US economy and things could get messy.
I just read that the price of oil sank below $60 US a barrel last Friday, and ‘sank’ sounds like a real negative term, yet I felt really positive.
[According to Oil Change (@ http://priceofoil.org/thepriceofoil/) the price is $59.89 US per barrel at this very second, so my feelings haven’t changed.)
Oil prices are down chiefly because of lower demand. Canada and US industries aren’t producing as many goods, though the word ‘goods’ is a relative term because not all goods are good for much.
I mean, how many ottomans, golf clubs, bicycles, cars, plastic items, etc. do we need to fill our houses and garages with (thus sending millions of tonnes of reusable materials to the wrecking yards or landfill sites) before we say... we should slow down... shopping is addictive... and often needless.
I know Canada is producing less stuff because our trade deficit is widening, i.e., we’re importing more goods than exporting.
Though the price of crude fell more than 10 per cent last week and created more pessimism about the economy (in some quarters, not mine) and the well-being of companies, my optimism grew - our excessive lifestyle might one day be a sustainable one.
***
Messier times are ahead.
.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Weekend Summary: It Strikes Me Funny
It’s a lovely Sunday morning. My wife and I just finished a small plate of scrambled eggs on bagel while sitting in the sun on the front porch.
Good time to sum up the past week:
Thumbs up to all the bicyclists that pedaled past my house while I ate breakfast.
I should have pedaled to Ilderton this week instead of taking the motorcycle; 20 kms. each way; I’d have buns of steel.
I’m grateful I didn’t hit that car that pulled in front of me on Thursday (posted below).
I slowly finished six J.R. birdhouses (my own version, at my own speed) in my wee workshop and started three more, using excellent scrap lumber found on a nearby curb. (It was 100-year old cedar. How could I resist?)
It struck me funny that so much new development took place in the small town of Ilderton (details posted below). Everybody has to drive everywhere to get almost everything they need. Far-flung ‘burbs will feel the pinch in 10 - 20 years, if not sooner.
While typing the last sentence I was interrupted: “You’ve caught another squirrel,” said my wife.
That’s my second one today, total of three for the week. If I had the heart to eat Brunswick stew I would have felt really self-sufficient at mealtime.
Sure, there’s more to the week than the above (note to self - send in two more invoices for my freelance stuff; it’s camping weather!) but I need to finish my next column.
***
Did you have a good week? Any highlights?
.
Good time to sum up the past week:
Thumbs up to all the bicyclists that pedaled past my house while I ate breakfast.
I should have pedaled to Ilderton this week instead of taking the motorcycle; 20 kms. each way; I’d have buns of steel.
I’m grateful I didn’t hit that car that pulled in front of me on Thursday (posted below).
I slowly finished six J.R. birdhouses (my own version, at my own speed) in my wee workshop and started three more, using excellent scrap lumber found on a nearby curb. (It was 100-year old cedar. How could I resist?)
It struck me funny that so much new development took place in the small town of Ilderton (details posted below). Everybody has to drive everywhere to get almost everything they need. Far-flung ‘burbs will feel the pinch in 10 - 20 years, if not sooner.
While typing the last sentence I was interrupted: “You’ve caught another squirrel,” said my wife.
That’s my second one today, total of three for the week. If I had the heart to eat Brunswick stew I would have felt really self-sufficient at mealtime.
Sure, there’s more to the week than the above (note to self - send in two more invoices for my freelance stuff; it’s camping weather!) but I need to finish my next column.
***
Did you have a good week? Any highlights?
.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The small town of Ilderton survives - for now
If you haven’t visited Ilderton recently I’d say take a chance.
It’s the poor step-child of a group of towns and villages in the area and keeps hanging on... and on... and you might learn something about how present day life goes on... and on - for now - while grabbing a slice at For Pizzas Sake and washing it down with a half pint of Guinness at the King Edward Pub.
I did.
I learned the town has good bones and good people.
For example, the Red Star Garage dates back to 1855 and looks good for its age; the friendly owner and his wife (Tony and Toni) have lived across the street for 45 years and will retire there.
I also felt the small place is a perfect example of unsustainable development, the kind that drives some environmentalists wild.
A once quaint village (in some respects) of 300 residents, with rural roots, is now 4 - 5 times as big and pre-dominantly serves as a bedroom community to hundreds of newbies who live in much larger homes than the original residents and are only outnumbered by nearby cattle, acres of corn and soy and the many cars, SUVs and pickups parked in new driveways.
“They’re (new residents) good for business,” said one woman as she poured me a cup of coffee.
“It’s crazy how fast it’s happening,” said another.
“Commercial businesses aren’t coming to town. And they didn’t build a bigger school, just added portables,” a third person told me while paying for ice cream cones for her three grand daughters.
Because the village amenities are in very short supply compared to the growing population, everyone seems to spend lots of time driving here, there and everywhere, to Lucan, Ailsa Craig and London for food, clothing, furnishings, hardware, recreation etc.
And because fossils fuels for cars and homes won’t always be as cheap as they are now, I feel the clock is ticking on communities like Ilderton.
I’d take a chance on another visit (The King Edward had Wellington Pale Ale on tap) but I wouldn’t want to live there.
***
Do you live in a bedroom community? Do future expenses come to mind?
.
It’s the poor step-child of a group of towns and villages in the area and keeps hanging on... and on... and you might learn something about how present day life goes on... and on - for now - while grabbing a slice at For Pizzas Sake and washing it down with a half pint of Guinness at the King Edward Pub.
I did.
I learned the town has good bones and good people.
For example, the Red Star Garage dates back to 1855 and looks good for its age; the friendly owner and his wife (Tony and Toni) have lived across the street for 45 years and will retire there.
I also felt the small place is a perfect example of unsustainable development, the kind that drives some environmentalists wild.
A once quaint village (in some respects) of 300 residents, with rural roots, is now 4 - 5 times as big and pre-dominantly serves as a bedroom community to hundreds of newbies who live in much larger homes than the original residents and are only outnumbered by nearby cattle, acres of corn and soy and the many cars, SUVs and pickups parked in new driveways.
“They’re (new residents) good for business,” said one woman as she poured me a cup of coffee.
“It’s crazy how fast it’s happening,” said another.
“Commercial businesses aren’t coming to town. And they didn’t build a bigger school, just added portables,” a third person told me while paying for ice cream cones for her three grand daughters.
Because the village amenities are in very short supply compared to the growing population, everyone seems to spend lots of time driving here, there and everywhere, to Lucan, Ailsa Craig and London for food, clothing, furnishings, hardware, recreation etc.
And because fossils fuels for cars and homes won’t always be as cheap as they are now, I feel the clock is ticking on communities like Ilderton.
I’d take a chance on another visit (The King Edward had Wellington Pale Ale on tap) but I wouldn’t want to live there.
***
Do you live in a bedroom community? Do future expenses come to mind?
.
Friday, July 10, 2009
My philosophy re motorcycling: Get back on the horse quickly
On my way into London yesterday after an enjoyable ride on the Virago, an over-eager car driver turned in front of me at a busy intersection.
I was clearly visible so the driver must have under-estimated my speed i.e. 45 - 50 kph in a 50 kph zone.
I hit both brakes, wobbled just a touch, missed his (or her; I didn’t see the driver because I was watching my limited path and the part of the car I felt I was about to hit) back bumper by an inch or two and, without thinking, barked out a few obscenities.
{Sorry, I lied. More than a few obscenities. #*&% and !?!&% and WT%##?!! come immediately to mind. I was very angry).
When my wife offered the use of the car for my short trip to Ilderton (see below) I said, no thanks, I’ll ride my bike.
The Virago is warming up nicely right now and I’ll be on my way in seconds.
And more watchful at every intersection.
***
Let’s be careful out there.
I want to be at grandson Jackson’s 40th birthday and Ollie’s 30th.
.
I was clearly visible so the driver must have under-estimated my speed i.e. 45 - 50 kph in a 50 kph zone.
I hit both brakes, wobbled just a touch, missed his (or her; I didn’t see the driver because I was watching my limited path and the part of the car I felt I was about to hit) back bumper by an inch or two and, without thinking, barked out a few obscenities.
{Sorry, I lied. More than a few obscenities. #*&% and !?!&% and WT%##?!! come immediately to mind. I was very angry).
When my wife offered the use of the car for my short trip to Ilderton (see below) I said, no thanks, I’ll ride my bike.
The Virago is warming up nicely right now and I’ll be on my way in seconds.
And more watchful at every intersection.
***
Let’s be careful out there.
I want to be at grandson Jackson’s 40th birthday and Ollie’s 30th.
.
Packing my bag for a short trip to Ilderton
And it’s all in the name of extensive - and highly exciting - research for my next column.
Not only do I have to pack a bag, I have to warm up my motorcycle and make sure I’ve got 20 bucks in my wallet for lunch.
And in my tank bag? A pen, notepad, camera and typed survey sheet. I should be ready in another 60 seconds.
Though my weekly column has recently been about visits to other neighbourhoods in London I’m heading out of town after seeing a ‘then and now’ (1976 and 2009) set of aerial photos of Ilderton (a town about 15 km. north) which made me think, is Ilderton a nice neighbourhood?
Is is better than my home turf, The Village? [Not likely. The Village in Old South is home to Tuckey’s Home hardware and two coffee shops. Brilliant.]
Where do all the new residents (as per 2009 photo) buy groceries, hardware, ice cream cones or get a haircut?
If I lived there could I get around most of the time on foot or on a bicycle?
Is Ilderton now a bedroom community with most amenities a medium-sized car ride away?
Do some residents consider the town just another distant suburb to London? (I don’t think that’s the way of the future).
Do they have more than a bank, gas bar, restaurant/pub and barber shop to put them on the map?
We’ll soon see. After I type up a few questions for locals I’ll be on my way.
***
Survey results tomorrow.
.
Not only do I have to pack a bag, I have to warm up my motorcycle and make sure I’ve got 20 bucks in my wallet for lunch.
And in my tank bag? A pen, notepad, camera and typed survey sheet. I should be ready in another 60 seconds.
Though my weekly column has recently been about visits to other neighbourhoods in London I’m heading out of town after seeing a ‘then and now’ (1976 and 2009) set of aerial photos of Ilderton (a town about 15 km. north) which made me think, is Ilderton a nice neighbourhood?
Is is better than my home turf, The Village? [Not likely. The Village in Old South is home to Tuckey’s Home hardware and two coffee shops. Brilliant.]
Where do all the new residents (as per 2009 photo) buy groceries, hardware, ice cream cones or get a haircut?
If I lived there could I get around most of the time on foot or on a bicycle?
Is Ilderton now a bedroom community with most amenities a medium-sized car ride away?
Do some residents consider the town just another distant suburb to London? (I don’t think that’s the way of the future).
Do they have more than a bank, gas bar, restaurant/pub and barber shop to put them on the map?
We’ll soon see. After I type up a few questions for locals I’ll be on my way.
***
Survey results tomorrow.
.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Save money with every flush - very possible
The topic of composting toilets came up in a recent comment to an earlier post.
(“Ick,” you say.
Read on. It's not that bad.)
Because Old South is old and undergoing sewer upgrades at the moment, and will again in the future (and again, and infrastructure is expensive, and costs keep going up) I thought I’d ask the following questions:
Wouldn’t London save money and tonnes of fresh water in the long run if City Hall subsidized the installation of composting toilets in as many homes as possible?
Hasn’t the ‘ick’ factor been reduced to a bare minimum in newer models?
Wouldn’t toilet compost be very easy to return to the natural environment?
Composting toilets used to be the size of a small cottage but they’re much smaller now, right?
Shouldn’t we be doing what’s best for the environment than what we do now with every single flush?
Would you swim in the Thames River down stream from Greenway pollution plant?
Is Greenway a bit of a stretch?
Aren’t we wasting millions of liters of fresh water per day in London?
Is saving tonnes of money, conserving fresh water and helping the environment called a win-win-win?
***
So many good questions. I’m flushed with pride.
FYI Side margins haven't been updated because I am unable to do so. The links still work but I am in fact home from Chicago. And I look 3 weeks older than the current picture.
.
(“Ick,” you say.
Read on. It's not that bad.)
Because Old South is old and undergoing sewer upgrades at the moment, and will again in the future (and again, and infrastructure is expensive, and costs keep going up) I thought I’d ask the following questions:
Wouldn’t London save money and tonnes of fresh water in the long run if City Hall subsidized the installation of composting toilets in as many homes as possible?
Hasn’t the ‘ick’ factor been reduced to a bare minimum in newer models?
Wouldn’t toilet compost be very easy to return to the natural environment?
Composting toilets used to be the size of a small cottage but they’re much smaller now, right?
Shouldn’t we be doing what’s best for the environment than what we do now with every single flush?
Would you swim in the Thames River down stream from Greenway pollution plant?
Is Greenway a bit of a stretch?
Aren’t we wasting millions of liters of fresh water per day in London?
Is saving tonnes of money, conserving fresh water and helping the environment called a win-win-win?
***
So many good questions. I’m flushed with pride.
FYI Side margins haven't been updated because I am unable to do so. The links still work but I am in fact home from Chicago. And I look 3 weeks older than the current picture.
.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Pt 1 - Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus...
... Or even a lot farther away than that. And sometimes that’s okay by me.
As we speak my wife is running a 4-hour errand for her mother because she wouldn’t take my advice.
The brakes squeak on my mother-in-law’s Buick, but they don’t need to bother or pay a mechanic to fix the problem because the answer is to drive the car more than once every 18 days to a nearby mall for a sack of navel oranges.
But would my wife listen?
No. Her mom is 87 and wants things just so, which includes finding a cure for squeaky brakes that doesn’t involve driving it around once in awhile. Plus, my wife likes getting her out of the apartment, taking her to lunch, chatting about what they might do on Thursday, etc.
And that’s fine.
Because while they run errands I enjoy what I like to call... free time.
I believe there are several things we should all enjoy on a regular basis, all worth the effort to maintain as fully as possible.
The short list: Clean air, good friends, a clear conscience, freedom of movement, and free time, to name but a very few.
And what does a retired teacher/freelance writer do these days with free time?
I’m so glad you asked.
***
We should write ‘the long list’ if it hasn’t already been done. I bet it would clear the mind to know what’s really important.
What would be on it?
.
As we speak my wife is running a 4-hour errand for her mother because she wouldn’t take my advice.
The brakes squeak on my mother-in-law’s Buick, but they don’t need to bother or pay a mechanic to fix the problem because the answer is to drive the car more than once every 18 days to a nearby mall for a sack of navel oranges.
But would my wife listen?
No. Her mom is 87 and wants things just so, which includes finding a cure for squeaky brakes that doesn’t involve driving it around once in awhile. Plus, my wife likes getting her out of the apartment, taking her to lunch, chatting about what they might do on Thursday, etc.
And that’s fine.
Because while they run errands I enjoy what I like to call... free time.
I believe there are several things we should all enjoy on a regular basis, all worth the effort to maintain as fully as possible.
The short list: Clean air, good friends, a clear conscience, freedom of movement, and free time, to name but a very few.
And what does a retired teacher/freelance writer do these days with free time?
I’m so glad you asked.
***
We should write ‘the long list’ if it hasn’t already been done. I bet it would clear the mind to know what’s really important.
What would be on it?
.
Pt 2 - Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus...
Gosh, it’s quiet around here when my wife’s away, except for the noise I made a moment ago while piling up the dirty lunch dishes beside the sink.
A moment ago I asked, rhetorically, what does a retired teacher/freelance writer do these days with free time?
It’s easier to start with what I didn’t do.
I ignored the laundry. (Some Martians are very good at this).
It can wait until after today’s hockey game. My shinpads need a rinse.
I didn’t plant beans for the fourth time. I’ll wait until I catch two more evildoers (squirrels) in my humane trap. Another summer like this and I’ll consider Brunswick stew (w squirrel meat) more seriously.
I didn’t start my next column. Research is planned for Thursday.
But after all that mental organizing I felt drawn to my workshop.
Six small piles of cedar strips stand ready to become birdhouses that will resemble the J.R. model, circa 1950.
[Google ‘J.R. birdhouse’ images for details. I can’t supply a photo until my blog site fixes an ongoing problem]
The real J.R. is made of teak and aluminum but I’ll continue with my own cedar variety.
Two are pre-sold and the proceeds will pay for the linseed oil needed to seal and finish my next six Rietveld chairs and matching tables.
The houses and chairs, columns and occasional bike ride (either on 12-speed or motorcycle) will take care of July. I might even find room for a wee camping vacation.
***
Does free time make your top ten list for ‘things we should enjoy on a regular basis?’
.
A moment ago I asked, rhetorically, what does a retired teacher/freelance writer do these days with free time?
It’s easier to start with what I didn’t do.
I ignored the laundry. (Some Martians are very good at this).
It can wait until after today’s hockey game. My shinpads need a rinse.
I didn’t plant beans for the fourth time. I’ll wait until I catch two more evildoers (squirrels) in my humane trap. Another summer like this and I’ll consider Brunswick stew (w squirrel meat) more seriously.
I didn’t start my next column. Research is planned for Thursday.
But after all that mental organizing I felt drawn to my workshop.
Six small piles of cedar strips stand ready to become birdhouses that will resemble the J.R. model, circa 1950.
[Google ‘J.R. birdhouse’ images for details. I can’t supply a photo until my blog site fixes an ongoing problem]
The real J.R. is made of teak and aluminum but I’ll continue with my own cedar variety.
Two are pre-sold and the proceeds will pay for the linseed oil needed to seal and finish my next six Rietveld chairs and matching tables.
The houses and chairs, columns and occasional bike ride (either on 12-speed or motorcycle) will take care of July. I might even find room for a wee camping vacation.
***
Does free time make your top ten list for ‘things we should enjoy on a regular basis?’
.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
What to do with dog poo? Oh, what to do?
Write about dog poo? I have to.
I admit, it’s my fault. I didn’t anticipate a poo-related response to an earlier post in which I said the smell of garbage in The Village after a long weekend reminded me we throw out so much stuff, more than we’ll ever know (though our children will) because we bury or burn it... and our lifestyles definitely need to shrink.
A reader said:
“I guess there are some benefits to having a poor sense of smell! Our village is collecting compost to see if we can gather enough biomass to become self-sustaining. We compost, but ever since this project has started, seems like the only thing in our garbage now is little black bags of dog poo. Got any suggestions for that?”
[Normally, I’d respond on my blog’s comment page but several functions aren’t functioning properly at this thyme.]
I don’t have any suggestions at this time but I do have questions.
Isn’t poo a biomass? Poo can be composted, can it not? Would it have to be composted separately from food scraps? Doesn’t some poo create a gas that can be burned as fuel? Will we only explore the hidden values of poo once fossil fuels become a bit more scarce? Won’t that be too late? The habit of flushing our poo into fresh waterways raises even more questions, doesn’t it?
An odd post, I now, but I’d be interested in any answers.
***
Does anyone have a composting toilet? Is that the way of the future?
I’d post a picture of one if could, but I can’t.
.
I admit, it’s my fault. I didn’t anticipate a poo-related response to an earlier post in which I said the smell of garbage in The Village after a long weekend reminded me we throw out so much stuff, more than we’ll ever know (though our children will) because we bury or burn it... and our lifestyles definitely need to shrink.
A reader said:
“I guess there are some benefits to having a poor sense of smell! Our village is collecting compost to see if we can gather enough biomass to become self-sustaining. We compost, but ever since this project has started, seems like the only thing in our garbage now is little black bags of dog poo. Got any suggestions for that?”
[Normally, I’d respond on my blog’s comment page but several functions aren’t functioning properly at this thyme.]
I don’t have any suggestions at this time but I do have questions.
Isn’t poo a biomass? Poo can be composted, can it not? Would it have to be composted separately from food scraps? Doesn’t some poo create a gas that can be burned as fuel? Will we only explore the hidden values of poo once fossil fuels become a bit more scarce? Won’t that be too late? The habit of flushing our poo into fresh waterways raises even more questions, doesn’t it?
An odd post, I now, but I’d be interested in any answers.
***
Does anyone have a composting toilet? Is that the way of the future?
I’d post a picture of one if could, but I can’t.
.
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