The London Food Bank Challenge: Pop tarts for breakfast? Yipes

As I mentioned earlier, I’m one of a dozen people who recently agreed to live on the groceries a typical food bank client receives.

I suppose during a huge recession is the best time to learn about the concerns of the local food bank and the growing number of those who rely on it for help.

I’ve been asked to record my challenges, concerns, complaints and how long the food lasts?

Today’s entry, thus far:

Breakfast: leftover oatmeal w milk - very good (I felt I needed to finish off the last of it before it turned into a science experiment)

Snack: pop tart - tasty but worrisome e.g. what is it and what is in it? (Several years ago I ate pop tarts during a camping trip. I took them only because the slim packages could be stored easily inside motorcycle saddle bags.)

Lunch: Primo brand ‘grilled chicken and two kinds of rice’ soup with two toasted whole wheat rolls - very good as well

Concerns: That was the last of the ‘quality’ canned soups , and the whole wheat rolls are on their last legs too.

Looks like Kraft Dinner for supper - again.

Thank goodness I can add a bit of homemade chili to the plate, even though it’s cheating.

***

Is there a food bank in your neighbourhood? Is it busy too?

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Newspaper Clippings: Hot Air Worrisome - Greenhouse gases growing

I read the newspaper with scissors in my right hand.

It’s a habit I’ve developed as a writer, blogger, curious geek, man who wants to keep chickens inside city limits [see post below] etc.

The following, from a clipping from The London Free Press (Apr. 1), made me think of something from The Little Green Handbook (TLGH), one of the best books I’ve read about trends that are shaping and our planet - for the worse [see Read This in margin]:

“Two new greenhose gases are accumulating in the atmosphere... powerful GHGs growing quickly... used in industrial processes, partly as alternatives to other harmful GHGs and ozone depleting gases.”


(Another case of a solution just making some problems worse? (e.g. destruction of the atmosphere)

I found a similar entry in TLGH:

“Even though we have identified a series of greenhouse gases, we might be still surprised by new discoveries, because we release so many pollutants into the atmosphere e.g. one that turns out to be 18,000 times more efficient in trapping solar energy than carbon dioxide.” [pg 85]

When will we collectively learn to reduce non-essential industries? Reduce emissions? Reduce spending on non-essential items?

***

In some cases, the recession is doing what common sense should have done long ago.

But I'm not breathing easier. You?

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The Simple Life: Can I keep chickens inside city limits?

Last year, while out for a morning jog, I heard a rooster crowing near the Thames River in downtown London.

I thought, what’s a chicken doing down here? Did it escape from a backyard coop? Can Londoners keep chickens in their yard?

I’d now like to find out the answer to the last question.

A recent CBC radio program informed me that more people are keeping chickens in England for a variety of reasons.

The benefits of eating fresh, local eggs and real chicken soup come to mind.

Though I write in an upcoming column I’d like to keep chickens myself I don’t think local by-laws will permit it.

***

Will trying to find someone at City Hall to answer my question be a challenge?

Stay tuned.

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It Strikes Me Funny: Men are from Mars and women don’t listen

I woke up this morning thinking about power tools, but in a good way.

[See post below or click here].

I thought I’d use them less often, make some projects by hand, and make a huge name for myself with a line of rustic birdhouses from my workshop.

After fluffing my pillow I rolled over to see if my wife was awake so I could tell her about my idea.

A red light turned on inside my little round and sleepy head.

I remembered she stopped listening to most of my wacky ideas over 30 years ago.

A while ago, in a moment of weakness or clarity or both (I don’t know how she thinks), she told me 1974 had been a turnaround year in her life.

1974 was the year she’d listen to yet another new idea for about 15 seconds, file it under ‘Hey, Another One’ and go back to what she was doing before I interrupted.

For over three decades I thought the look of peace that came over her face during many of our conversations was the result of a mutual love and respect that would carry us through all the highs and lows of married life (38 years of apparent bliss so far).


How wrong I’d been.

So, though she appeared to be sleeping, I gently rocked her shoulder and said, “Have you ever tasted squirrel stew?”

***

38 years and counting. Hard to believe, eh?

Click here to read an ode to my better half

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The Simple Life: Rustic birdhouses may be the next new wave

As soon as I woke up this morning I thought, I should make a few birdhouses with hand tools, skip the power tools.

I’m not kidding. Even before I thought about making coffee and what I was going to have for breakfast I was thinking hand tools - so that the birdhouses would look more rustic.


["From scrap lumber; pre-finish": photo GAH]

Building by hand would conserve hydro too, I thought. We’d burn less coal. And I hate coal. I fluffed my pillow. Though I should get used to it. Our society has no Plan B. When oil becomes more expensive we’ll just burn more coal. We have few alternatives ready once Plan A runs its course i.e. burn cheap oil without a care in the world. What about sausages for breakfast? No, I gave up sausages long ago. That’s why I make my own porridge. And am thinking about trapping rabbits and squirrels for Brunswick Stew.


["With linseed oil plus touch of maple finish": GAH]

I rolled over in bed and thought, I should tell Pat about my plan to use hand tools and trap squirrels.

[Stay tuned for It Strikes Me Funny: Men are from Mars and women don’t listen].

***

I think making birdhouses by hand will take 3 - 4 times as long and time is money isn’t it?

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It Strikes Me Funny: Men are from Mars and I'm liking it

Yesterday I mentioned a recent trip to Value Village where I snagged a great pair of well-worn Levis for $14.99 that fit like a glove, or a very comfortable pair of jeans.


[My home planet: GAH]

Happy days. Sure, I can’t buy new in 2009 (iron-clad contract avec moi) but anytime I can score big on the reduce-reuse-recycle program of life I win. (And so does the Village of Values and the local environment in some small way).

These comments followed:

Jane at Gaston Studio said... "29L vs 30L! We women have to worry about other measurements like do they fit around the thighs or do they squeeze the life out of you; or, if they fit in the hips, the waist stands up out like a flag!

"


["I love being a 'regular' guy"; photo GAH]

Jessica said... "I wish it was as easy to buy clothes in the right sizes for women. Here in Canada, I'm a different size in different shops!"

Sometimes it dawns on me that I love being a guy.

***

And I had to ask myself, do we men (in my case, wee) have an easier time shopping because we’re from another planet?

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The London Food Bank Challenge: Breakfast was OK, but lunch?

I’m one of a dozen people who recently agreed to live on the groceries a typical food bank client receives.


Not a bad idea. With the number of food bank clients rising quickly in London (approx. 2,500 per month in 2008; 3,000 per month in 2009) the challenge is a direct, hands-on way to learn more about the 24-year-old nonprofit organization and thousands it serves as best it can.

How long will the food last? What will be my challenges, concerns and complaints?


It’s early days, but so far I can honestly say that yesterday’s breakfast was just fine (Kellogg’s Muxlix, tea and a snack bar) but lunch wasn’t.

I ate the following at noon yesterday:

More tea - but I miss my coffee.

Whole wheat roll (one of six I was given) - with butter, it was fine. Nothing to write home about so I won’t.

Chef Boyardee Beefaroni - Not much taste, too much salt, I wouldn’t even take it camping.

Did I say I miss my coffee?

I’m predicting the bulk of the food won’t last longer than 3 - 4 days and my wife and I will have to cheat a bit to keep meals fairly healthy. Should be interesting.

***

Are food banks under stress or doing well in your city?

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Link and Learn: I sing songs that all sound alike after awhile

My younger brother and I get along very well. Our similarities and differences are better appreciated now than when we were kids and battled for equal billing around our small family home.


[Younger brother on the left; sure, sure, he looks harmless enough.]

How he ended up being the cause of terrible heartbreak in one of the favourite songs I like to sing I’ll never know.

For your entertainment, amusement and musical enjoyment (??) I’ve started a new site that will eventually list all of the hit songs I’ve written over the years. I’ll also throw in a bit of prose for good measure.

Perhaps one day I’ll add an audio link so you can wonder aloud why I would ever think about singing in public, even around a campfire.

Join the crowd. @ Hit Songs, Lyrics and Prose by G. Harrison

***

Do you write a song or two on occasion?

Post your lyrics. I’ll tune in.

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The Simple Life: I like how my new pants have legs

Levis for $14.99.

I know, it’s a lot to pay for Levis at Value Village but they fit like a glove.


["Two legs work for me": photo GAH]

Though you may recall that one of my Green Ideas for 2009 was NOT to buy clothes until Jan. 1, 2010, I said no NEW clothes. [see Green Ideas 2009, right hand margin]

Other things I liked about the used Levis besides the price and fit:

- they were new to me (sometimes I’m tempted to buy back my own stuff. You been there, done that?)

- they were 34 W 30 L which can be long on me at times but this time they weren’t (Does anybody make 29 L anymore?)

- the colour was scuffed and I like scuffed

- wear marks where I usually have wear marks

- two legs and a sturdy zipper (Trust me. This is important stuff to a guy who only shops a half dozen times per year.)

So, I’m now set for clothes for the year (though I’m sensing trouble ahead in the socks and unmentionables dept.)

***

Two legs works for me. Would you buy used Levis?

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Photo File: A perfect spot to sit and relax with coffee and soup

Due to the all-time high (or low?) Canadian slump, I earlier recommended we “increase our enjoyment of local surroundings by 3 per cent this year” - you know, to take the sting out.


At the same time I recalled a perfect spot for a cup of coffee and delicious bowl of soup I found by accident two years ago.

While riding my bike east on the north shore of Lake Superior I pulled off the main highway on a whim and stopped along the main street of Thessalon, Ontario.

Not much was going on. With spare change I could have bought a well-worn building and pursued a career in barbering.


But in a small cafe a kind-hearted women (originally from Romania, and now the local heart-throb as far as two 80-year old gents were concerned) sat me down at al lace-covered table and made me feel right at home.

Hot coffee and butternut squash soup increased the enjoyment of my trip by at least 4 pr cent.

***

I will return to the north shore. Ever been to Thessalon?

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My Point of View: Canadian slump like a bad tooth ache, only worse Part 2

Are you in a cheery mood? This may or may not help.

In many countries the slumping economy will feel like a bad toothache, only worse, because it affects our wallets and not our choppers.


["Increase your enjoyment of local surroundings by 3 per cent": photo GAH]

And because of so much global inter-connectedness (among other things) a relatively small shrinkage in the world economy has caused great calamity and endless headlines and reports in many countries.

One might ask, “Relatively small?”

According to economists, “The world economy will contract by more than 2 per cent this year - unprecedented in the modern era - while the U.S. will shrink 3.7 per cent and Canada by 2.5 per cent.”

I recommend two things instead of individually or collectively trying to spend our way toward a short-term recovery:

Together, let’s increase our enjoyment of local surroundings by 3 per cent this year.

i.e. go for a walk, take a photo, paint a picture, sit on the ground with a thermos of coffee, sniff the breeze...

The practice we get by enjoying our surroundings more this year will come in handy when an even greater toothache arrives.

And, together, let’s complete 4 per cent more preparations for more economic shrinkage in the future. Peak oil may arrive shortly (the time when cheap, easy to access reserves are gone) if it hasn’t done so already, unbeknownst to us.

Aren’t I in a cheery mood today?

***

Do you have a favourite place to sit with a thermos of coffee?

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Firefighter Scorch and Burn Chili: Faint of heart? Back away slowly Part 2

In one of yesterday’s brilliant posts I mentioned I served chili hot enough to scorch a forehead after Friday night’s poker game.

Try this recipe, and get back to me if you survive:

While cooking up 1.5 pounds of ground beef and 1.5 lb. of ground pork, place the following ingredients into a deep pot or slow cooker:

(I prefer to use a slow cooker in my workshop so that it smells like my favourite old diner).


1 diced green pepper, 2 sliced jalapeno peppers, 3 dried and crushed hot chili peppers, 2 diced red onions, 1 can corn niblets, 1 can bean medley, 2 cans of red kidney beans, 1 can mushrooms pieces, 1 can diced tomatoes (drain all cans), 1 large can spaghetti sauce, 1 cup chicken or beef broth, 1 heaping tablespoon cumin, 2 heaping tablespoons chili powder, Tabasco sauce to taste.

Add cooked meat (and more broth to get consistency you like as it cooks).

Stir. Wait a few hours. Serve with fresh rolls. Be ready for a high five.

***

Why does chili taste better on the second, third, fourth and fifth day?

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My Point of View: Canadian economic slump like a bad tooth ache, only worse Part 1

If the global recession was a toothache, it would be unlike any toothache most people alive have ever had.

And for Canadians (count me in), the pain will go on and on and on and...


Consider the following:

“Canada will fare better but may take longer to emerge from the longest and deepest global recession since the Second World War.” [The Canadian Press, March 26]

So, wake up Canada, your toothache (conceivably) won’t hurt as bad as many of your global friends but will last longer. Youch.

(And...) "This is the deepest and longest world recession in the postwar era," said Nigel Gault, a chief economist in the U.S. "The global depth and reach of this downturn makes it much more difficult for any individual country (e.g. Canada) to pull out because there's such a drag coming from the rest of the world."

So, an individual or country may try to brush regularly, floss before going to bed and reduce the intake of sweets but will find "we're all in this together."

(When have we ever had such global unity?)

Can we individually and collectively agree to reduce our intake of all things material?

Our teeth will last longer.

***

Who is in charge of global reductions of sweets?

Which countries or organizations should be leading the way toward a healthier lifestyle?

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Firefighter Scorch and Burn Chili: Faint of heart? Back away slowly Part 1

Last Friday night’s poker game in the workshop was a big success for two reasons.

Everyone was up or down just a few rolls of pennies by the end of the evening and agreed we couldn’t have more fun for the money if we tried.

I mean, dinner out followed by a movie and popcorn costs a bundle these days. (Unless you leave your spouse at home and sneak your own candy and pop into the theater. But I'd never do that. Pat would want to come too).

As well, just before midnight we put the cards away and set the table for my all-new Firefighter Scorch and Burn Chili - and it was a hit.


Here are a few comments:

“Wow. Great. Whooee. What’s in this?”

“Now, that’s chili! I want the recipe.”

“You’re in the big leagues now, Gordie.”

Yup, my friends were blown away. One almost blew up.

“You OK, Dave?” I asked, as beads of sweat dropped off his nose.

He just nodded, took another napkin and repeatedly wiped his brow. But he kept eating and almost cleaned the pattern off his dish.

I’d never seen him sweat so much, not even during or after a hockey game. His forehead was so red I thought he'd catch on fire.

Even though I was feeling the heat I took the high five offered by another fellow who also makes ‘knock ‘em down’ chili.

Recipe, off the top of what’s left of my head, will follow tomorrow.

***

I should know this for future poker nights.

At what temperature does human hair spontaneously burst into flame?

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Link and Learn: Walnut bowls - good; sawdust - beware

I asked a reasonable question and received a reasonable answer:

“Are there types of sawdust I should not add to my garden, e.g., red cedar, black walnut?”


twinkelydots said... “I believe black walnut inhibits the growth of some plants. You may want to google & see what you find.”


Gaston Studio said... “I thought sawdust was good for the soil, but what do I know! I'd agree with twinkelydots and google anything and everything.”

So, I googled ‘black walnut sawdust’ and discovered it is a hot topic.

Link to woodweb.com for a lively discussion about sawdust, gardens and mulch, mulch more.

Conclusion: I live and learn. I’ll use black walnut sawdust as mulch but not on my garden. Red cedar will go into the garden in small amounts.

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Link and learn: Solar oven from cardboard and tin foil

While raking the surface of my small garden plot the other day I realized two things.

First, I’d added a lot of sawdust from the workshop to the mix in the last few months and I’m not sure if sawdust, soil and my future cherry tomatoes will go together well.


["Experiment with squirrel meat?": photo and article link]

(I’m not much of a gardener, am I? My oldest sister inherited my father’s green thumb; I picked up his scavenger gene, however, and will soon be turning red cedar and black walnut bowls from wood found nearby).

While turning over sod I also noticed that squirrels were everywhere, sitting on fence tops, racing across tree branches and hydro wires, clambering up the fence next to my garden, waiting for me to leave so they could continue to dig new holes in my patch.

I thought, should I trap one? Make squirrel stew? In the solar cooker?

No, I’m not ready yet to experiment with squirrel meat. However, some of my leftover chili (made from my soon-to-be world-famous Firefighter Scourch and Burn recipe) would be nice.

And soon my first solar cooker will be ready for action.

A reader who noticed I’d added ‘solar oven’ to my 2009 ‘green list’ [see right hand margin for full list] supplied a link to his very helpful, hands-on website, www.greenterrafirma.com, and there I found instructions for a cardboard oven.


[Photo from greenterrafirma]

The site’s creator, Bruce Knight, also lists several other worthwhile DIY projects.

Link and learn at your leisure. You could be heating up leftovers, or squirrel stew, within the week.

***

Are there types of sawdust I should not add to my garden?

E.g., red cedar, black walnut?

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It Strikes Me Funny: I have a one track mind made of wood Part 2

With the best of intentions and restraint I brought home one piece of rare wood recently.

I felt I could make bowls out of an old cedar telephone pole that had been chopped and dropped onto a nearby curb.

And because my wood lathe hasn’t arrived (ETA late April) I also felt I shouldn’t get greedy, or ahead of myself, so took only one prime piece.

However, a day later, I mentioned my treasure to friend Don over coffee at the Red Roaster and his eyes lit up.

He asked, “Where is the cedar pole? We can take my truck.”

“Not far,” I said.

Within five minutes, refills in hand, we were on our way.

As we approached the site we noticed a man throwing sections of cedar pole into the back of his own truck.

“Go farther west, Don. The best pieces are in the next block,” I said.

Though the pile had been picked over, one beautiful section remained at the same spot I had retrieved mine - and into the back it went.

A few minutes later, in my driveway, Don looked it over closely, wondered how he would cut it, how he would actually use it, worried what his wife would say about another addition to his growing collection of odds and ends in the garage and slowly scratched his head.

“Well, if you don’t want it, I’ll take it,” I said. “I’m pretty sure there are a lot of good bowls in this piece.”

(Stink. I forgot to add, “And for five bucks I’ll take it off your hands.”)

Moments later, we carried it into my backyard.


Good intentions? Restraint? Out the window.

***

Hey, I tried.

And trust me, the cedar won’t become fire wood. Any other projects I could pursue besides bowls?

[One good idea already suggested by Jane at Gaston Studios - small cedar shakes for my birdhouses.]

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Zoom w a View: Making bowls could take me into December

How could I say NO to a face like this?


Red cedar (possibly from B.C.).

The hardest job will be cutting through 14 inches with my handsaw.


Old insulators were a bonus, all together on one section of discarded telephone pole.

***

Nabbing insulators is in my genes. Wooden bowls? I'll know by Christmas.

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Live Small and Prosper: Bits and pieces about solar and cob ovens Part 3

Finally, something about cob ovens.

I’ve had solar ovens on the brain for a few days (hard to tell, right?) and after one related post the following email arrived:

“Hi-Ya Gord! Been a long time, I know...too long. I've been enjoying your thoughts on solar ovens. I've always wanted a cob oven myself.”

“Oh and, I loved your cartoon of the Fat Economy...so true!”

Signed, Myshell

[Yes, I post the odd cartoon... ‘odd’ being the operative word].

At first, I thought a cob oven was an oven in which you cooked corn or burned dry cobs as fuel. (A friend of mine heats his cottage with a corn stove).

Myshell was referring to something entirely different, i.e., an earthen oven made from cob (a mixture of sand, clay and straw), in which a person can bake pizza, bread, cookies, and much more.

After viewing many photos and reading about the building process I can safely say they are a ton of work (or more) to build, require a healthy wood supply to operate, but last a long, long time.


View a team building effort here.

View several other informative links here.

View Myshell’s first connection with cob ovens here.

***

I think cob ovens do serve a very useful purpose. The wood supply, however would be a challenge to maintain for many urbanites.

Thoughts? Opinions?

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It Strikes Me Funny: I have a one track mind made of wood Part 1

I didn’t want to leave the comfort of home, my coffee time in front of the computer (brilliant ideas were flowing and multiplying like rabbits - I’m sure you’ve been there), but once my wife had batted her eyes at me after asking for a ride across town I couldn’t refuse.

Two blocks from home I was so glad I helped out.

I drove by several city workers in the process of cutting up old telephone poles and dropping 3 - 4 foot pieces at the curb.


["Red cedar. Minimal creosote residue": photo GAH]

Looks like red cedar, I thought. Perfect for wooden bowls. Another project for my workshop and lathe. Reduce, recycle, reuse. Yeh man.

I made record time across town, gave my wife quick instructions re how to safely exit the car at 30 kmp (drop, roll, tuck in your head, I’ll worry about the door), sped back to Old South and parked next to a freshly cut pole.

Red cedar. Minimal creosote residue. Trim one inch off with my bandsaw and I should have some of the nicest wooden bowls ever. And four insulators.

My wife will be so impressed. Hopefully, enough to forget about the old drop and roll.

***

Ever wonder how our marriage has lasted 38 years? Me too!

Any 'reuse' ideas?

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