I Ask You: I feed them but don’t know them all by name

A male and female cardinal visit my feeder two or three time per week, as far as I know.


["Waiting his turn for the feeder": photos by GAH]

I’ve noticed that they sit in the tree together, a few feet apart (chilly relationship?), and usually visit the feeder one at a time.


They are easy to pick out of a crowd of birds because of their colour and size.

While a black and white feathered bird pecked away at the suet, I said to myself, “My first downy woodpecker.”


But of the name I am not 100% sure.


So, I ask you, is it a woodpecker? A downy?

Something else, besides hungry?

***

My last I Ask You was about birds as well.

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Zoom w a View: Hope the price of seed doesn’t go north

When I hung two feeders on our clotheslines this year it was only a matter of days before the neighbourhood birds located them.

Squirrels too for that matter. That’s why, when we have good packing snow, I pat together about two dozen snowballs and store them outside the back door so I can chuck 1 or 2 at a second’s notice.

(Oh, I’ve come close to knocking those furry critters right off the back fence rail. If the Jays ever need a right-hander...).


["My turn." "No, my turn!": photos GAH]

Though some birds can be aggressive to one another and others fly off whenever I peek out the side window, most seem to stay long enough to nab a few seeds and make a mess by chucking what they don’t like onto the ground.


["I'll just wait up on the roof"]


["And we'll take care of the mess"]

Yes, I know, I’m retired and it doesn’t take much to amuse me, but by careful observation I’ve learned a few things from birds that I can apply in my day to day life.

E.g., There are enough muffins at The Red Roaster coffee shop for everyone, so I don’t have to butt in line when I enter.

Not that I ever would...

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My Point of View: Is Wortley Village the right place for luxury condos? Part 4

[The following continues a series of thoughts about the development process as it pertains to an empty lot at the corner of Wortley Rd. and Bruce St. in Old South, London]

Is Wortley Village the right place for luxury condos?’

I say no, not as a current proposal stands at present.

A Feb. 17 meeting at City Hall that focused on certain features of a four-story commercial-residential building hardened my feelings.

First, each of the four variances developer David Tennant Jr. (Hampton Group) requested very clearly indicate the proposed building is too big for the lot.

[Please link to Part 3 for context.]

That the city and developer would shake hands on such a proposal tells me they haven’t spent much time, if any, in Old South.

Second, the Feb. 17 meeting at City Hall, organized to collect input from the community, was chiefly about design objectives for the building, and not about something far more important to the members of the community that had assembled there.

A list of ‘Design Objectives for Consideration’ (14 points in all - see below) was presented, a though a feeling of democratic give and take seemed to be part of the process, the list served as more of a distraction than proper focal point.

In other words, discussing the list felt like a PR exercise, and instead of seeing democracy in action that evening, I sat in the middle of ‘distraction in action’ for almost four hours - all hours I will never get back.

Can you imagine how many felt while discussing the first three design objectives for the building - i.e., 1. quality, comfortable, functional pedestrian realm; 2. contribute positively to Village character; 3. provide iconic architecture to further identify with the community - while being told the height of the building was not up for discussion?

Would not a building taller than all others in the area have some negative affect upon pedestrians? Would such a tall, massive building not seem out of character for the Village? Would not its architecture actually identify with the community if it was somewhat the same size as most other buildings in its immediate surroundings?

Would those questions not be worth discussing at great length, keeping the overall size of the building in mind?

How could members of the community, including myself, not be disappointed while discussing further design objectives that related to the shape of the proposed windows when the main thing hitting us in the face was the size of the structure?

We were told the size was not on the table. It was a done deal.

I could go on to discuss draperies too, and the most practical types of toilets for a building of that size in Old South, but the problem with the proposed building is that draperies and toilets are small potatoes, mere distractions, when considering the design of a building that does not fit with the area at all.

I’m sure Mr. Tennant was happy to see all assembled broken into discussion groups and talking about other design considerations - i.e., 7. quality design on all building faces; 8. provide a focal point in centre of Village; 9. take advantage of terminal vista; 10. avoid generic architecture; 11. avoid auto-oriented design, etc. - knowing discussion about the building’s height was closed.

Though many would like to say (and said), “The focal point at the centre of the Village sure is going to be big,” height was off the table.

If City Hall thinks the meeting was to promote democracy in action, or helpful input from concerned citizens, then I’d hate to see a meeting when democracy is not in action or peoples’ chief interests are not considered.

Third...

***

Please click here to read part 5.

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From the Workshop: Slow days, time to think

Finished projects piled up in the workshop in December and January, and a few still need a coat of double boiled linseed oil before bringing them indoors for storage.

While applying oil and stain recently I was struck by the difference between what I want in life and what I really need.


["Oh, it's drying time again... and it's cold out": photos GAH]

For example, the thought of a bigger workspace often comes to mind, so that I could have a wood-burning stove, a proper dust-collection and ventilation system, more tools, etc.


["Linseed oil is lovely, but it smells up the shop"]

But I get 99.99% satisfaction out of my small shop (18.5 ft. by 8.5 ft.) the way it is, and if I adjusted my schedule somewhat (cut wood or apply stain outside from spring to fall, work on the lathe or other easy jobs in the winter) I likely wouldn’t think about the shop’s size at all.

Most of its charm comes from the fact it’s less than 170 sq. ft. in size and I get so much done in that amount of space.


["Don't stain indoors? Leave it 'til spring?"]

Why, really, I could live out there.

(And I think my wife would be happy about that 99.99% of the time).

I won’t live out there, however, and I think once I make a small increase in size to the outdoor work-deck (just outside the door of the shop), I’ll be as happy as peaches.

***

Do you ever get caught between thoughts about what you want and what you really need?

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Today’s weather: More snow on Ollie’s Mountain

I’m happy, Ollie’s happy.

I don’t know if anybody else is happy that more snow fell last night in London, including atop Ollie’s Mountain, unless they’re into downhill sports.

(Cypress Mt. in British Columbia should be so lucky).


["Wednesday, on Ollie's Mountain": photos GAH]

How much more?

By comparing Wednesday’s photo to this morning’s, and estimating the distance between the motorcyclist’s boots and his helmet, I’d say 3 inches.


["I see just the top of the helmet. Three inches!"]

If more fell on your backyard mountain, let me know.

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My Point of View: Is Wortley Village the right place for luxury condos? Part 3

[The following continues a series of thoughts about the development process as it pertains to an empty lot at the corner of Wortley Rd. and Bruce St. in Old South, London]

As I said at the outset, and at the tail end of Part 2, I would say yes to some form of development where a muddy parking lot now sits at the corner of Wortley and Bruce.

But, to answer the question, ‘is Wortley Village the right place for luxury condos,’ I would heartily say no, not as it stands at present.

A Feb. 17 meeting at City Hall that was attended by one hundred Old South residents and that focused on certain features of the proposed four-story commercial-residential building hardened my feelings.

After thinking about matters for a week I’ve concluded that three main things stand out in my mind.

First, each of the four variances the developer (David Tennant Jr., Hampton Group) requested very clearly indicate the proposed building is too big for the lot.

Tennant’s request to construct a residential/commercial building with a rear yard setback of 1.5m, whereas 6.6m is required, says the building is 5.1m too long.

His request to cover 92% of the lot, whereas 70% maximum is permitted, loudly proclaims the building covers too much area.

Tennant’s request that the building be 13.4m high, whereas 12m maximum is permitted, again reveals it’s too big.

And his request only 36 parking spaces be included, whereas 44 are required, clearly indicates the building is too big for the area. (E.g., if the building was smaller, then adequate parking could be accommodated).

No one attending the meeting re variances on behalf of the city or developer saw the facts - the building is too big related to depth, area, height and space available for parking.

How could any of them see or think otherwise?

That the city would allow such ‘minor’ variances indicates it has either a ‘major’ blind spot when it comes to inner city development, or it has an agenda that has not yet been fully shared with the residents and businesses already located in Old South.

Perhaps the city’s agenda for Wortley Village (reportedly one of the most desirable types of neighbourhoods in Ontario and home to (chiefly) two and one-half story buildings and smaller) is to move it into the modern age, one larger than average building at a time.

Perhaps the agenda is to set a precedent, to allow Wortley Road’s first (taller than allowed) four-story building so that more will follow, some perhaps even bigger.

That the developer would push to build beyond every conceivable limit says something about his experience as well, as it pertains to building in and dealing with well-established neighbourhoods.

Foremost in Tennant’s mind is likely the following credo: Bigger is better.

Though he may think ‘bigger is better’ is an indisputable, winning, modern-day philosophy, so many others would say (have said) it is the philosophy of dinosaurs.

Are bigger big box stores better than Village store fronts? Dodge Rams better than Civics? Modern days buses better than smaller electric trolleys on streets (particularly downtown) designed in the late 1800s? Arguably not.

That the city and developer would shake hands on such a proposal tells me they haven’t spent much time, if any, in Old South, and that other things occupy their minds.

Second...

***

Please click here to read Part 4.

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Zoom w a View: The backyard is looking better

Thanks to yesterday’s steady snowfall, snow cover may remain in my backyard until March.

I’m happy about that.

Ollie’s Mountain will get good use as a weather monitoring station (it’s grown by 5 - 6 inches) and a place for Ollie to play.


Ordinary bird feeders look better with a layer of snow.


With more birds feeding in the backyard I may actually get to photograph one or two rare specimens from behind the window curtain in our back room.


And while shovelling the deck and filling the feeders I get to listen to handfuls of birds gather, then chirp from inside our 25 - 30 ft. blue spruce while they wait for me to leave.


["The trees are alive with the sound of chirping": photos GAH]

More snow, please.

***

Would you wish for more snow?

Please click here for photos related to yesterday's snowfall.

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Grab your helmet and pull together, Canada

It’s time for Canadians to put regional and national rivalries aside.

So what if my Leafs are occasionally laughable, the Oilers are in the toilet and Quebec is still heart-broken because the Nordiques left town?

It's time for us all to strap on the hockey gear from the basement and hit the collective chesterfield as one.


["Prediction 1 - Canada 6, Germany 1": photo GAH]

When the puck is dropped to begin our game against Germany I want to hear an encouraging roar sweep across the land.

When Heatley skates across the German blue line during his first shift I want the Germans to feel the weight of Canada on their chests.

Yes.

When the German goalie faces his first shot I want him to start sweating and then swear that it’s going to be a long, long game because he feels all of Canada is rolling.


["Prediction 2 - I won't get called up for the 3rd period"]

And when Luongo traps his first shot I want him to sense there are millions of Canadians stuffed behind him between the pipes - all wearing wide grins and suitable helmets.

So, Canada.

Grab your helmet.

***

Please click here to read my thoughts about Canada's loss to the US.

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Hit Singles: I am a Lonely Cowboy

Backgrounder: “I camped with the same circle of friends for many years and one fellow always brought a guitar and a new homemade song for the campfire. This is one of my attempts to come up with what I would call a campfire song.” gaharrison

I am a Lonely Cowboy

Verse 1.

I lost my wife early in life raising kids high on this mountain.
Long hours every day I thought life was okay,
But my heart now feels like it’s aching.
My heart it feels like it’s breaking.

Chorus:

I am a lonely cowboy riding my old gray horse.
I am a lonely cowboy riding my old gray horse.


["I thought life was okay": photo link]

2. I lost my girls, they entered your world, moved away from this mountain.
They both used to write, but they live out of sight,
And my heart now feels like it’s aching.
My heart it feels like it’s breaking.

3. I lost my sons to jobs needing done, they rode down off this mountain.
They said, “See you again.” So I look down the lane,
And my heart now feels like it’s aching.
My heart it feels like it’s breaking.

4. I lost my friend, came to his end caught in a storm on this mountain.
Lost in the snow he had no place to go,
And my heart now feels like it’s aching.
My heart it feels like it’s breaking.

5. I lost it all, there’s no one to call, I’m living alone on this mountain.
This farm is all mine, but we’re both lost in time,
And my heart now feels like it’s aching.
My heart it feels like it’s breaking.

gah.

Please click here to find more hit singles and pieces of brilliant prose.

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Searching For a Glass of Fine Beer: Greene King IPA Ale

If someone asked me to name my two favourite IPAs I’d say, at the present time and knowing there are likely others out there in the real world I’ll enjoy just as much when I get there, Rogue Yellow Snow and Greene King.

Not because I’ve enjoyed them both during Shed Nights while sitting in a comfortable chair and talking with friends, even though everything tastes better in the shed, i.e., my workshop.


["Shed Night: A good beer and a sip of whisky": photos GAH]

Not because the Canadian men’s Olympic hockey team was leading Switzerland 1 - 0 last Thursday night while sipping Greene King.

But because the fine brewers of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, make an IPA (“brewed to a stronger 5%, to recreate the original IPA taste and strength that characterised the beer that was shipped to the Indian Raj in the 1800s”) that smells and tastes really good.


["Chilled to perfection on the basement floor, and in a glass that shows off the colour and is wide enough to accept my nose"]

To my nose the beer is pleasantly hoppy and malty with sweet honey notes. To my tongue it is smooth, full of delicious flavours. To my throat it is all balance and harmony, which is the opposite of what anyone would say while listening to an orchestra that included me on first - even second - violin.

Though the 500 ml bottle costs $3.40 at local LCBOs, a pretty penny in my book, to the fine men of Bury I say, I dig your work.

I find the reddish-brown colour appealing, would happily recommend it to all those who have their own shed, wherever it may be, and will buy it again.

Two special notes follow:

Firstly, on the back label I see that Greene King IPA won the Silver Award at The British Bottlers’ Institute 2006 Competition.

I ask myself, who won gold?

Well, with the help of Google I discovered that in CLASS C (Ales 5.0 – 5.9%) the Gold Award went to The Chiltern Brewery Aylesbury 300’s Old Ale.

Well, the search begins.



["A glass for beer, a boot for whisky"]

Secondly, while sipping the Silver Award winner last Thursday evening, I was told Vancouver’s Olympic Committee shipped a working ice-resurfacing machine (improperly called a Zamboni at times) over the Rockies from Calgary to Vancouver, by helicopter, in order to repair the ice for Olympic speed skaters. (No word if the driver was strapped to the fender during transit).

At the time, while raising a glass of Greene King high, all I could say was, I love this country!

***

Please click here to link to my last beer review: John By Imperial Stout

You can find more Searching For a Glass of Fine Beer reviews farther down in the right hand margin.

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London’s Weather: If I had my way...

Say I was King for a Day.

I’d say, the snow can stay even until mid-March.


["No motorcycling on Cypress Mt.": photos GAH]

But cancel all Olympic down hill motorcycling events until the snow has melted. There's been enough smackdowns already on Cypress Mountain, BC.

I’d say, Canadian Tire has to make their suet packs smell better and not stick to my fingers.


And I’d say this clever squirrel is not allowed to climb upside down on my clothesline until the birds have finished their turn.


***

I’ll try to get a picture of the gymnastic fuzzball in action.

Oh, he’s clever alright.

Please click here for London's Weather from last week.

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USA 5, Canada 3: It’s not the end of the world

It’s okay, eh.

I should have written the above at about 7:45 this morning, right after hearing a CBC radio host express astonishment, shock, fear, disappointment, and a multitude of other strong emotions because our team lost to the other team.

The host made it sound as if the sky went as black as a puck when the Canadian boys fell short to the US team.


Ever since the first sporting event took place about three weeks after the dawn of time, but way before instant replay from 40 camera angles and slow motion so slow TV viewers can see remnants of steak sauce on the cheeks and double chins of rushing linebackers, the rules of sportsmanship have dictated that losers congratulate the winners, smack each other on the bums (while wearing well-padded hockey gloves), retire to the dressing room and put fresh tape their sticks in preparation for the next game.

And not whine about what could have been.


["Be a good sport. No whining allowed": photos by GAH]

So, borrowing the words of Doug Avey, my old hockey coach, “Get some sleep. We play again on Tuesday against the Germans.”

(Mr. Avey was greeted by several blank stares when he said that in 1964 because our next game was against Delhi).

There. Don’t you feel better?

***

FYI - Go CANADA!

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Zoom w a View: Birdhouses on the Bruce Peninsula

Usually, when asked if I’d like to visit a friend near Miller Lake (15 - 20 min. south of Tobermory), I say yes.


Lou is a friendly host, a good cook, excellent gardener and always comfortable with talk about motorcycles over a game if cribbage.

And he appreciates birdhouses.


Two of mine are on display (one inside, one outside the house), but the one I delivered in October hasn’t made it outside to sit on a post adjacent to his snow-covered garden.


["My first attempt at a duplex": photos GAH]

“No problem,” I said when he mentioned it. “I’ll be back in the spring to check up on you.”

***

I think birdhouses look right at home atop a cedar fence post, especially near a garden.

Don’t you?

Please click here for more Zoom w a View.

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My Point of View: Is Wortley Village the right place for luxury condos? Part 2

[The following continues a series of short thoughts about the development process as it pertains to an empty lot at the corner of Wortley Rd. and Bruce St. in Old South, London]

Yesterday I mentioned I am not only in favour of some kind of retail/residential development at the corner of Wortley and Bruce St. Wortley Village but envisioned, in past years, ‘a three-story U-shaped building with an inner courtyard/cafe seating area.’

Who wouldn’t want to retire to a nice apartment, for example, one or two stories above a lovely coffee shop or at least close to the corner of coffee and hardware at Wortley and Craig, one block north?

I know I would - some day.

However, I wouldn’t live in the building that is being proposed at present.

In an email from Wendy McCaul, another Village resident, I learned that a proposal was on the table that did not find favour with many others, if any, except for a few in a city planning department and the developer.

Wendy wrote:

There is a meeting tomorrow morning, Feb. 6, at the Landon library put on by the Old South Community Organization, to let the community know more about this proposal and hopefully to fight it - the owner of A Village Tail said that they've been very hush-hush about it, perhaps thinking they can just blindside people w/ it??

I guess this was a last-minute meeting due to the short notice of the proposal.  I intend to spread the word to other tenants in my building, though, and help out w/ whatever can be done to hopefully stop it from happening.

Though I missed the next day’s meeting my curiosity was piqued, and when Wendy sent a link to a London Free Press story on Feb. 8 about the proposed building and people’s reaction to it (33 comments in all) I tuned in more carefully.

She also sent a link to a Feb. 8 afternoon meeting to discuss the following ‘minor’ variances (a City Hall term, I believe):

2:00 p.m - A.019/10 - 162 Wortley Road - Hampton Group Inc.

Request to construct a residential/commercial building with a rear yard setback of 1.5m whereas 6.6m is required;

a lot coverage of 82% whereas 70% maximum is permitted (it was noted at a later date that 82 needed to be changed to 92 per cent);

a building height of 13.4m whereas 12m maximum is permitted;

and 36 parking spaces whereas 44 are required.

As I said at the outset, I would say yes to some form of development where a muddy parking lot now sits, but, to answer the question ‘is Wortley Village the right place for luxury condos,’ I would heartily say no, not as it stands at this time.

A subsequent meeting at City Hall on Feb. 17 related to the ‘minor’ variances and design features cemented my feelings into place.

***

Thank you to two readers who left comments at Part 1.

I would encourage new readers to scroll down to them now.

If you have questions or information about the development process, please feel free to drop me a line.

Be aware I may add your thoughts to the story.

Please click here to read Part 3.

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My Point of View: Is Wortley Village the right place for luxury condos? Part 1

[The following is the first of a few short thoughts about the development process as it pertains to an empty lot at the corner of Wortley Rd. and Bruce St. in Old South, London]

I live in Old South - home to Wortley Village, a rare gem of a community if I ever saw one - one and a half blocks from Wortley Rd., a Valu-Mart and The Wort, a little more than three blocks from Wortley and Craig St. (aka the corner of coffee and hardware), and, on average, two blocks from my family doctor, fresh health food, bank and the muddy parking lot upon which a developer wants to soon erect a commercial-residential building.

As a 30-year resident of one of the most unique neighbourhoods in Ontario, if not Canada, allow me to say (surprise, surprise) I have some feelings and opinions about the proposed development.

I first heard that something was happening to the parking lot when Wendy McCaul, another resident of Old South, emailed the following on Feb. 5th:

Subject: Plan for building at Wortley & Bruce

Hi Gord:
 
I'm always glad to read (in The Londoner) how fond you are of Old South/Wortley Village... So, I thought you may be upset by the following, as I was when I found out this afternoon.  You may have heard already about a proposal to put a four-story retail/apartment building at the corner of Wortley and Bruce...

I saw a picture of what they're planning; it's a huge monstrosity that extends right up to the sidewalk and fills most of the lot, and doesn't fit in at all w/ the other buildings in the Village.  I think a building like that would take away from the charm and ambiance of Wortley Village, in addition to making it much busier than it needs to be, as well as causing additional problems w/ parking.


Art dealer Al Stewart voiced concerns about a luxury condo development in Wortley Village. (Photo by Mike Hensen; full article at The London Free Press)

My first feeling about the situation went something like this: I don’t mind if a retail/apartment building goes up there.

If asked for my opinion I would have said, “Let me show you a sketch of what I think would fit.”

Then I’d quickly draw a three-story U-shaped building with an inner courtyard/cafe seating area.

“I’d love to live in a building like this," I'd say, "It reminds me of the hostel inside the walled part of Old Quebec City.

"And every morning I’d look down into the courtyard to see if any friends were sitting with a coffee. And I’d stick my head out the kitchen window and tell them I’d be down in a minute, after I crawled out of my pajamas.

"And they’d say, hurry up, it’s after 10 o’clock already.”

So, as you can see, I initially felt fine about some kind of development, and later in the day, while walking to The Red Roaster, I gazed at the lot (empty, except for a dozen cars) and knew my idea for a three-story building was brilliant.

Wendy’s email, of course, mentioned ‘a four-story retail/apartment building,’ and other details that didn’t sit well with me.

***

If you have questions or information to add re the development process, please feel free to let me know.

Please click here to read Part 2.

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Live Small and Prosper: Household debt in Canada reaches all-time high

For a few fortunate, individual North Americans, the mention of household debt only brings a smile, because their mortgage is paid off and they owe a total of 14 bucks to a credit card company.

That’s not you? Not me as well.

In January I posted four entries (‘I am in debt but I think it’s manageable’) related to financial concerns that many face, including information about the triple whammy, i.e., the growing prevalence of low cash, high debt, few savings.

Well, after hearing a short piece on CBC radio this morning I felt I should update one piece of information I shared related to debt-to-income ratios.

I wrote earlier that per capita household debt in Canada was growing, and though not as high as in England or the US, sat at 140 (debt) to 100 (income).

In other words, per capita we carried debt that was 40 per cent higher than our income.

According to a very recent report, our debt has risen and households now owe 145 dollars for every 100 earned. Ouch.

But that’s not the worst news to this Canadian.


["Saving money = the new cool"]

I also read recently that people in the US are now saving more than us for the first time in years.

What the heck? Our debt is rising and we’re not saving money as we once did?

What’s happening out there, people? Settle down.

***

Though I have debt, I think it’s manageable (and it’s definitely going in the right direction), but I’ll still feel better when I owe Mr. Lina Credit a mere 14 bucks.

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The Smart Meters are Coming. The Smart Meters are Coming Pt 6

Recently I began writing about The New Smart Meters. The New Smart Meters

They’ll be coming soon to a neighbourhood near you if not already hooked up to your hydro line.

Soon thereafter you’ll be charged Time Of Use rates (TOU), i.e., 4.4 or 8.0 or 9.3 cents per kwh, as opposed to a flat fee, e.g., 5.8 cents in London.

Please click here to read Part 5 for some context.

Please click here to read Part 4 because it ended on such a cheery note.

Some cities in Ontario, e.g., Milton, are already paying TOU rates, but I think London will not be switching consumers to, generally speaking, the higher rates, for a few months yet.

(The 5.8 cent rate will continue at least until April 30, 2010 according to a chart on the London Hydro website).

Recent comments back at Part 5 deserve some consideration at this time.

Anonymous said... Good fill someone in on and this fill someone in on helped me a lot in my college assignment. Gratefulness you seeking your information. February 14, 2010 4:15 AM

To Anonymous I can only say, I’m here to swerve.

Lost Motorcyclist said the following...

Raising the rates for big users will probably have some impact in local jobs. If we're ready to face up to that, then we are ready to raise their rates.



If you will be paying more for Hydro 92% of the time (Lost Motorcyclist is referring to me here), is that after you shift your use to off peak hours? I can't find my book right now but I read about ways to take advantage of the off peak rates.

I said earlier that 92% of my usual hydro-based activities will cost me more after Ontarians switch to TOU rates (incl. higher rates between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.), but there are indeed ways to take advantage of the lowest rate, 1.e., 4.4 cents per kwh (between 10 p.m and 7 a.m. on weekdays and all weekend) if I go the green shift.

For example, during summer months I can adjust the thermostat on my one window-based air conditioner upward a few degrees, use it primarily during off-peak hours and hope the weather co-operates.

Truth be told, I never use the a/c. If the house gets too hot I sit on the shaded front porch, take a motorcycle ride or work in my shop.


["One ride took me to the Sibley Peninsula on Lake Superior": photo GAH]

My wife, however, uses it a good deal as she feels the heat more than I do.

Should I talk to her about changing her a/c habit? Or do I want to live happily under the same roof with her until I’m 87? (Hmmm, I’ll get back to you about that one).

Though other changes to my routine will be easy to implement, i.e., I can do laundry Saturday morning before my regular trip to The Little Red Roaster for two big mugs of dark roast coffee, my computer use, TV habit and workshop routines will be harder to fix.

If the hydro bill goes up significantly, however, I may conserve energy by just dropping certain wasteful habits.

I mean, how many Law and Order episodes do I really need to watch before I get the point?

***

Will we cook more on weekends to last us through the week?

Will we buy more power bars, drop Coronation St.?

What else would be a valuable switch?

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Climate Change Concerns: The US Military is already involved

In several earlier blogs I encouraged readers to pick up the book ‘Climate Wars’ and shared a few comments Gwynne Dyer, the author, set forth in the introduction.

I continue my habit of reading while riding (an exercise bike) and have now read 80 per cent of the book. Very informative to say the least.

In Chapter 1, Dyer shares details from a US military report (National Security and Climate Change. April 2007) and interviews a contributor who said the following:

You already have great tension over water [in the Middle East]. These are cultures often built around a single source of water. So any stresses on the rivers and aquifers can be a source of conflict. If you consider land loss, the Nile Delta region is the most fertile ground in Egypt. Any losses there [from a storm surge] could cause a real problem, again because the region is so fragile...


[Link to Climate Change and Conflict at treehugger.com]

We will pay for this one way or another. We will pay to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions today, and we’ll have to take an economic hit of some kind. Or we will pay the price later in military terms. And that will involve human lives.

There is no way out of this that does not have real costs attached to it.

- Gen. A. C. Zinni, USMC (Ret.), former commander in chief, US Central Command

The report created quite a stir when it was published, writes Dyer, precisely because it effectively circumvented the Bush ban on treating climate change as a real and serious phenomenon.

He adds:

Whatever their motives, the American military and intelligence communities are now fully committed to playing a leading role in the struggle to contain the negative effects of climate change... This new commitment is leading to the production, both inside and outside the Pentagon, of serious studies of what the future will look like politically and strategically as global warming progresses, and what the role of the military will be in that world. (E.g., The Age of Consequences: The Foreign Policy and National Security Implications of Global Climate Change)

No word was given when the US might start to reduce carbon emissions and by how much, and because of that, no word from Canada either.

(PM Harper is reportedly busy with more important matters while his government is suspended).

Again, I encourage readers to find Climate Wars.

Please click here to link to earlier entries re the book.

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It Strikes Me Funny: Canadian men may have lucky hockey sticks

Our men’s hockey team plays Norway today on their way to an Olympic medal, and though I won’t be in Vancouver to watch (my wife said no, something about personal finances) I’ll tune into the game on TV to watch their magical sticks at work.

I’m so sure our men will do well I predict now the final score:

Canada 7, Norway 1


["A rumour about my tape design has hit the ice"]

A verifiable rumour has it that shortly after a photo of my new wave hockey tape design hit the internet the Canadian men were on it like warm peanut butter on toast.


["Small grainy photos from a recent practice": photos GAH]

Photos from a recent hockey practice (albeit not the best quality, kinda grainy) show a forward and a defenceman with my popular ‘squared off’ pattern on their sticks.


["Canada is onto something. Could be magic!"]

FYI The forward went on to score with a blistering shot, set up by his ever-alert blue line stalwart.

Oh yeah, I think some magic is on the ice.

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Do you want one more goal out of an old stick? (It can happen).

Call me for more details re the brilliant ‘squared off’ design, and others.

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Young at Heart: Have I told you about porridge lately?

Occasionally a picture of me will sneak into a post (always accidentally), which will likely prompt readers to say, “How does he stay in such good shape?”


["Sneak into a picture? Moi?": photos GAH]

Two words - home-made porridge.


["Everything but the kitchen sink"]

I may be the only guy in the universe who adds Red River cereal, bulgar, flax seed, millet, raisins, cranberries, bran and sun-dried tomatoes into his oatmeal for added flavour and all-round goodness.

Years from now, when I’m 87 and skating down the ice with the puck, people in the stands will say, “Look at the geezer go.

"Not only can he skate forwards and backwards and bump into people, he can even smack the puck in the right direction sometimes. How does he do it?”


Two words.

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Sometimes I’ll even eat it for lunch before the big game.

People from Scotland might say I’m ruining the oatmeal but wait until they’re 87.

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