The sweet smell of linseed oil fills the air

The aroma also gets into what's left of my hair.

How I suffer for my art!

After coating two birdhouses and the pieces for four more (duplexes) I smelled like my work. (Please click here to see duplexes before the linseed was applied.)


[“Applying stain assembly-line-style is fast work”: photos GAH]


[“Now I buy double boiled linseed oil by the gallon”]

Next, I want to attach the duplexes to tree limbs.


[“Maybe one w a feeder will be next”]

Busy times ahead, including a shower.

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Climate Change Concerns Pt 3: No such thing as a free meal

As a conscientious observer I think it’s true to say most people know that many technological advances have helped food production keep pace with Earth’s growing population but overall results would play to mixed reviews.

There has never been more food choices at my local Valu-Mart but many choices come with a cost.

As mentioned yesterday, the development of cheap fertilizer, i.e., ammonium nitrate, helped boost crop production but environmental degradation followed. In many quarters, the degradation is as visible as the nose on our face.

The reason: Fertilizer is not a natural, clean product from start to finish. Quite the opposite.

To refresh my understanding about the development and environmental cost attached to cheap fertilizer (it’s cheap only if you have the mind of an economist) I turned to The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan (please visit Read This... in side margin).


["High yields are linked to high fertilizer use": photos GAH]

“The great turning point in the modern history of corn, which in turn marks a key turning point in the industrialization of our food, can be dated with some precision to the day in 1947 when the huge munitions plant at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, switched over to making chemical fertilizer. After the war the government had found itself with a tremendous supply of ammonium nitrate (an excellent source of nitrogen for plants), the principal ingredient in the making of explosives... The chemical fertilizer industry (along with that of pesticides, which are based on poison gases developed for the war) is the product of the government’s effort to convert its war machine to peacetime purposes.” (pg. 41)

Since 1947, have changes occurred in agricultural production?

Certainly. Some we might possibly view as positive.

E.g., “Though hybrids (re corn) were introduced in the thirties, it wasn’t until they made the acquaintance of chemical fertilizers in the 1950s that corn yields exploded.” (pg. 42)

‘Exploded’ is an interesting way to describe what happened, isn’t it?

Though more food could be produced our agricultural processes shifted from natural to scientific supports.


["High fertilizer use is linked to high fossil fuel use"]

“When humankind acquired the power to fix nitrogen (the process by which chemical companies turn naturally occurring nitrogen into a product sold by the bag) the basis of soil fertility shifted from a total reliance of the sun to a new reliance on fossil fuel. (The) process works by combining nitrogen and hydrogen gases under immense heat and pressure in the presence of a catalyst.”

“The heat and pressure are supplied by prodigious amounts of electricity, and the hydrogen is supplied by oil, coal, or, most commonly today, natural gas - fossil fuels.” (pg. 44)

The link between many food choices, fertilizer and fossil fuel is visible to all, as is the link between fossil fuel dependence and environmental degradation.

And as long as ‘the economy’ takes precedence over ‘the environment’ there will be no such thing as a free lunch.

Please click here to read Part 4.

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Bumble bees are buzzing, one of them is me

While working in the backyard for the last few days I’ve seen more bumblebees than ever before - and I like it.

They are helpful insects and provide a bit of background music as I buzz around and finish off several tasks.


[“Two posts need a final coat before birdhouses are attached”]

Last week, the duplex/feeder (without it’s linseed oil finish) looked a little pale. Now, it shines.


[“Duplex/feeder ready for a customer”: photos GAH]

A batch of six, tall duplexes are now under construction and while assembling them I’m also thinking about what type of trim will make them stand out from the crowd.


[“Duplexes awaiting trim and linseed oil finish”]

I’d better buzz off and make hay while the sun shines.

***

Have you noticed more bumble bees?

Are you acting like one too?

.

How can Muffets make you feel older?

I visited The Red Roaster again this morning (no surprise there, right?) and while enjoying coffee I noticed that Kendra, the owner of the cafe, was eating half of a huge cinnamon roll at a nearby table with her husband and a friend.

The KFC DD, and its affects, came to mind so I said, “Kendra is enjoying a very nutritious meal, I see.”

I was soon asked what I had had for breakfast since I seemed to be the expert around them parts.

“Muffets,” I said.

“Muffins?” asked Kendra.

“Muffets,” I said again.


["How do people not know about Muffets?": photo GAH]

By the blank stares that followed, I realized I was talking to folks who were too young to know that Muffets is the name of a breakfast cereal - a whole grain cereal made by Quaker and packed with sunny goodness.

“What’s it like?” I was asked.

Well, I mentioned a few words about shredded wheat and how Muffets taste a bit like how they look - like small round bales of hay.

More blank stares.

Gosh, I felt old.

***

Does anyone remember the best kind of all - malt-flavoured Muffets (in the brown box)?

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Climate Change Concerns Pt 2: Are heaps of food and fertilizers just good news?

While reading and riding last night (42 miles of cycling helped me burn over 600 calories) I read a passage in Super Freakonomics that linked back to a letter in yesterday’s newspaper that touched on the damage to our water supplies caused by meat and dairy production. [Please link to Part 1]

Timely, I thought as I pushed past Mile 30.


I read that over 250 years ago, when Earth’s population was about 800 million people, there were those that worried “agriculture could not respond to the pressure of feeding extra people.” (pg. 141)

But then a variety of innovations, e.g., higher-yielding crops, better tools, etc., spurred the Agricultural Revolution.

‘In late eighteenth century America, it took 19 out of 20 workers to feed the country’s inhabitants and provide a surplus for export. Two hundred years later, only 1 of 20 American workers was needed to feed a far larger population while also making the United States the largest single exporter of food in the world.’

I also read that the millions of hands that were freed up went on to power the Industrial Revolution, and by 1850 worldwide population had grown to 1.3 billion; by 1900, 1.7 billion; by 1950, 2.6 billion.

‘And then things really took off. Over the next fifty years, the population more than doubled, reaching well beyond 6 billion.’

‘If you had to pick a silver bullet that allowed this surge, it would be ammonium nitrate, an astonishingly cheap and effective crop fertilizer. It wouldn’t be much of an overstatement to say ammonium nitrate feeds the world. If it disappeared overnight, says the agricultural economist Will Masters, “most people’s diets would revert to heaps of cereal grains and root crops, with animal products and fruits only for special occasions and for the rich.”’ (pg. 142)

To an economist, heaps of food on the back of cheap fertilizer must sound good - might even look completely nutritious.


["Heaps of peppers by the roadside on the back of cheap fertilizer?": photos GAH]

However, when positive agricultural growth leads to negative environmental results, i.e., “such production contributes more pollutants to our water supplies... shortages... global deforestation... wildlife habitat destruction” (Part 1) we should be more concerned about how our food is produced and how much and what we eat, shouldn’t we?

Especially if the link between food production and serious environmental damage is as visible as the nose on our face.

***

More to follow about ammonium nitrate production and use.

Please click here to read Part 3.

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Climate Change Concerns Pt 1: Reduce meat and dairy products - a good idea

And not just during Earth Day, i.e., tomorrow.

Leo Phillips, in a Letter to the Editor (Apr. 20, London Free Press), suggests we ‘celebrate Earth day and every day by replacing meat and dairy products in our diet with healthful, eco-friendly foods.’

He makes his case by stating the following:

A recent study in WorldWatch magazine found production of meat and dairy products may account for half of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions


["Our farming practices leave a lot to be desired": photo GAH]

Such production contributes more pollutants to our water supplies than all other human activities combined

It is causing global shortages of drinking water

It is the driving force in global deforestation and wildlife habitat destruction

Perhaps the magazine article to which he refers shares more information related to each point, but his focus nonetheless is a good one, i.e., changes in our food production methods and eating habits are required.

Leo encourages us to consider ‘healthful, eco-friendly foods.’

I suppose when he says the above many think about the following:

Eating more locally grown produce

Eating more locally raised and butchered meat

Reducing the amount of meat in a meat-rich diet

Planning and planting a garden.

What else? Please, you tell me.

I do know that one other thought entered my mind, because last night, while reading and riding (gotta lose a few pounds), I came across a paragraph in Super Freakonomics about fertilizer.

So, to the above list of four thoughts I’d add a fifth:

Using compost in the garden rather than industrial fertilizer.

***

More to follow re fertilizer.

Please click here to read Part 2.

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While in Cuba, my sister thought of me

Lannie attended a wedding in Cuba recently and had a mahvolous time.

While there, she and her hubby took millions of digital photos, and from the many she sent me, I have posted three here.


[“For five extra pesos, you can kiss a dolphin”: photos by J. Senechal]


[“Now I know what happened to my ’64 VW Bug”]


[“Wow. I’d love to tour Cuba on this bike”]

I’ll be motorcycling to Halifax in June, sans sidecar, so I’ll get my biking fix this year for certain.

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Zoom w a View Pt 2: The church’s lawn is covered with...

Flowers.

Last weekend, while petals from the apricot tree fell on my front lawn, flowers bloomed across the street.


[“Forsythia blooms near the church’s side door”: photos by GAH]


[“This magnolia blossom will soon open”]


[“It will join thousands of other blossoms”]

What’s happening in your neighbourhood?

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Fun and Fitness: New way to measure healthy body size

Under the heading of ‘Keeping Fit,’ a topic that’s near and dear to my heart, C. Castagna writes about a new way to measure healthy body size in the Aug. 19 issue of The London Free Press.

Out with BMI (Body Mass Index, in with MWL (Maximum Weight Limit? Please read for yourself.

[Please click here to link to article and MWL height/weight chart]

But it makes sense to me.

At 5 ft. 5 in. tall, under MWL proposed by Prof. G. Fernandez, my maximum weight should be 155 pounds.

While marathoning (1995 - 2006), my weight was usually 140 - 145 pounds, most of it made up of blue twisted steel - insert laugh track here - and I looked under weight.


Now, I’m slightly over 155, know I could lose a few pounds (there’s one pair of jeans that just doesn’t feel right) and am trying to do so by walking where I can, riding an exercise bike (I’ve upped the mileage goal per week) and mixing fun with a regular fitness activity, i.e., hockey with the boys twice per week.

I'm motivated because...

... the majority of Canadian seniors (age 65 plus) have 5 prescriptions or more

... 37 cents out of every dollar my home province (Ontario) spends now goes to health care

... a vast number of prescriptions are tied to poor lifestyle choices and diet.

I think trying to hit the MWL target sounds like a good idea.

Good luck with your own fun and fitness goals.

And if you’re holding a KFC Double Down - put it down and back away slowly.

***

Does the MWL chart seem to make sense to you?

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Series of Some Significance: KFC’s Double Down Sandwich

After reading a bit of my commentary re KFC’s new sandwich in the USA, a reader double-checked on Google because he thought the Double Down was a hoax.

(Hey, it's not Hallowe’en yet).

Though it’s a stupid sandwich, and getting too much positive press State’s side, I added the 4-part series to Series of Some Significance (see side margin) because - in my opinion at least - the salt and fat bomb is linked to another current news item here in Canada.


["No hoax. The DD is a fat and salt bomb"]

I.e., the rising cost of health care.

And the cost of health care is linked to another of my pet concerns.

I.e., the growing national debt.

As well, one day soon perhaps (in time for high school graduation?), the DD may come to Canada and I wanted my fellow citizens to be warned.

We are what we eat and are poorer and unhealthier for it.

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Birdhouse Spotting: Mennonite property, Walker Rd., Aylmer

When the weather warmed up after lunch yesterday I warmed up the motorcycle.

I had Port Burwell in mind, took the back way, and found several purple martin houses (various ages and sizes) at the Miller’s property (Mennonites) on Walker Rd., east of Aylmer, north of Highway 3.


[“This is the oldest box; not on a pulley system; repairs go untended”]


[“Clean out in underway; on a pulley system”]


[“Same size as other units but with an oblong hole”]


[“The smallest box, with only one entrance”]

All photos by GAH, April 19, 2010

Zoom w a View Pt 1: The front lawn is filled with...

Petals from the apricot tree. Not snow.


[“I had to look twice. Snow in April?”: photos GAH]


[“Petals are gone; leaves and apricots (I’m optimistic) are next”]


[“Myrtle is thriving in Old South clay under the tree”]

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My Morning Rant: You wanted peace and quiet? Forget about it

Just about everything I touch is getting more expensive.

The number of Thing$ Going North ($$) keeps growing.

(That’s why I carry a travel mug to The Red Roaster. I’m charged the cheapest rate for coffee. And I know how to get my refill for free! Call me).

Ontario’s Minister of Health knows what I’m talking about - except for the free refill thingy.

As in other provinces in Canada and countries around the world, health care budgets are climbing. (Ontario - $46 billion/year, no ceiling in sight).


Part of the growing cost relates to the number of drugs people are administered, many of them seniors, and ‘the high number of prescriptions’ is something I’ve written about - after I picked my jaw off the ground.

In part one of an earlier two-part series re prescription costs I mention that you could visit a fast-food restaurant wherein a group of 65-year old people are tucking into cheeseburgers and fries and discover that, on average in Canada, 67% of them possess five or more types of prescription drugs, 21% have 10 or more and 6% have 15 or more.

And in part two I offer several brilliant suggestions.

When I consider growing health care budgets alongside growing provincial debt ($200 billion in Ontario alone), I feel it’s little wonder the provincial government recently did two things:

One - “put plans in place to ban about $750 million in annual fees paid to pharmacies by generic drug companies to stock their products”

Two - informed Ontarians that we have “much higher generic drug costs than other provinces and the change will cut costs by 50% for consumers, employers and government drug programs.” (Apr. 17 issue of The London Free Press)

Expect the push back from pharmacies and drug companies to be huge.

The bigger they’ve grown, partially on the back of high prescription prices, the louder they’ll shout.

Don't expect peace and quiet around here anytime soon.

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Hudson’s will become a housing complex for seniors - a good move

Thumbs up to some good planning in Old East Village.

At present, as a boomer in Wortley Village, I hope one day I can move down the street and around the bend (not too far from Wortley and Craig, the corner of Coffee and Hardware) to a seniors’ complex much like the one depicted in April 10 issue of the London Free Press.

It’s affordable, for those who need it. It looks pretty stylish.

And it combines commercial and residential units so that on a Saturday morning a person can walk a few steps and grab a newspaper, coffee and chat with neighbours.


["Pretty nice looking building on Dundas St., East": photo of artist's rendering, London Free Press]

As many know, especially the health care system and finance departments, the boomers are coming, i.e., getting older - in huge numbers - and will heavily tap into health care, pension, even social services shortly.

I would be surprised if half of municipalities across Canada are prepared, but the plan to put an affordable, good-looking seniors’ building in Old East is a sign London is at least thinking in the right direction.

Some of the seniors will also get a kick out of knowing they are living near the exact spot where they once bought polyester pant’s for less than 5 bucks a pair and could attend Midnight Madness sales in their pajamas.

How cool is that?

Thumbs up.

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It Strikes Me Funny: I may have found the perfect job

Because of a June motorcycle trip to Halifax I’ve been trying to save money where I can.

Whenever my wife prepares to leave for an adventure at Costco she wishes me good luck with that.

I’ve also agreed to help build a fence with a home contractor and know it will be hard work.

Recently I came across an interesting paragraph in the book How the Scots Invented the Modern World by Arthur Herman.

It made me feel that, since retirement I’ve become part of a class of people that have roots going back to the beginning of the industrial revolution, and that I should give up hard labour.


["The conscientious observer - will bring my own chair": photo GAH]

In the book, Herman writes about the time when capitalism was blossoming, economic change was happening in startling ways, people were becoming buyers and sellers, customers and suppliers and outputs were growing to gratify people’s needs.

The division of labour produced people who spent more time thinking about improvements - he mentioned engineers like James Watt and scientists and, in the words of Adam Smith, “those whose trade it is not to do anything, but to observe everything.”

I love those words - not to do anything. That’s me.

Observe everything? Give me a small piece of that.

I’d much rather watch someone else build the fence and ply the trade of conscientious observer.

How much should I charge?

***

Have Chair Will Travel

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Thing$ Are Going North $$: The list keeps growing

Yesterday I posted a few items related to the rising costs of hydro in Ontario.

The complete list of Thing$ Going North$$ now stands at 12 - 13 items depending how you slice and dice certain charges.


["Pigs everywhere are under attack!"]

In my opinion, as the list grows, more people will feel frustrated with monthly bills, overall yearly costs, etc., and be more inclined to push back whenever any level of government in Canada says anything about taxes other than “cutting them to the bone.” And with spiralling debt, tax increases will surely need to be considered at some time.

For an example of push back, we need to look no farther than what giant pharmaceutical companies are doing in response to the provincial government’s attempt to, as they say, lower the cost of generic drugs for those who need it.

Push back will become more vehement whether governments try to reduce expenditures or grow a revenue stream.

So, tough times are ahead. Reduce your spending, pay down debt and save money as you can.

The list of Thing$ Going North$$ so far:

An 8% increase in domestic electricity costs starting May 1. (The increase will be lower if you have your so-called smart meter installed - 5.8%).

Plus another $9 per year for two additional charges.

Our inflation rate, which includes the effect of volatile items such as fuel, fruit and vegetables, rose more than forecast in February and is now up to 2.1% for the last full year.

Canada’s national debt will pass $620 billion in 2014, according to Canada’s Dept. of Finance.

Hydro rates will rise once we switch to the new ‘smart meter’ rates.

Since my last review, oil has risen $3.50 per barrel to $85.50 US.

Canada’s average household debt to income ratio recently went from 140 to 145 percent (predicted by experts to be at 160 soon).

Experts predict that higher interests are on the way, so mortgages and lines of credit will cost Canadians more.

The HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) will be starting on July 1, 2010 and will affect many shopping purchases and monthly bills.

Ontario’s provincial debt is approaching $200 billion.

At last review, Canadians were paying an average of 12 cents a litre more for gasoline at the pumps than a year ago.

Did I miss anything?

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Letter to the Editor: Pharmacies in jeopardy? Potash

The notion that pharmacies are in jeopardy because of the Ontario government’s plan to restructure funding is a huge stinky pile of potash.

Robert Awad’s recent letter is one that smells a great deal like potash - and self-interest, in my opinion.

He begins:

“The McGuinty government’s announcement of massive funding cuts to community pharmacies will seriously hurt front-line health care in London.... the government is cutting $1 billion a year out of pharmacy funding...”

Put on the brakes right there, Robert.

The government plan will cut the so-called professional allowances, i.e., cash paid to pharmacists by generic drug companies to stock their products, aka influence money, grease on the skids, bribes.


["Ann would say grease is bad for business"]

The grease amounts to $750 million a year for pharmacies, allowing them to grow bigger and fatter than necessary to deliver meds over the counter.

The government plan will also boost dispensing fees by $1 at most pharmacies and add $150 million for direct patient services, e.g., flu shots.

Though Mr. Awad says “this is a reckless attempt to reduce its deficit on the backs of patients in London and across Ontario,” I say it’s about time the giant pharmaceutical companies had less say as to what gets pushed across the counter, thereby easing costs for those who need it most.

And we truly need to ease costs. (Please click here to read about the drug use of Canadian seniors).

What do you think?

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It Strikes Me Funny: Are you stressed (#!&#!!) by slooow technology

There’s a good chance that you are.

Sorry about that, I’ll type faster.

According to a wee item in last Saturday’s London Free Press, 66 per cent of computer users say they are at least ‘somewhat stressed’ by slow technology.

23 per cent say they are extremely stressed.


["Ann Landers would say - chill"]

At the time I wondered, what about the other 11 per cent?

So I asked some of my neighbours about technology.

2 per cent were reading a book and told me to come back later.

3 per cent were busy in their garden.

And a full 6 per cent (I fit into this group) still find that slow technology is faster than, for example, writing an actual letter and walking it to the nearest mailbox.

We’re good, thanks!

***

Maybe more people should switch to decaf.

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Thing$ Are Going North $$: Hydro costs are climbing

The headline in this morning’s issue of the Free Press reads ‘Hydro costs climbing 8%’ but when you read the article you’ll find your total hydro bill will soon be going up more than that.

Yes, there’s an 8% increase in domestic electricity costs starting May 1. (The increase will be lower if your so-called smart meter is installed - 5.8%).

However, in July the Harmonized Sales Tax comes into play, so the tax on the higher hydro bill will also rise - by, coincidentally, another 8%.

There’s more good news.

About the 8% hike on May 1, the news article says:

“It’s the latest in a series of hikes that include an additional $5 per month on hydro bills by 2012 as part of an $8 billion plan to create more renewable energy in Ontario.”

If we’re already paying the extra 5 bucks, sorry. I missed that one. Let’s call it the renewable energy fee.


["Looking for a small house in the country - away from it all?": photo GAH]

There’s more good news.

“There is also a new charge to help cover $53 million of the Liberal government’s conservation and green-energy program... and is expected to add about $4 a year to the average electricity bill.”

Let’s call that the conservation fee.

In conclusion, two things.

If you haven’t been planning to unplug 10 - 20% of your electrical appliances once the smart meters are turned on (Sept., I think), you should start doing so soon.

Also, begin to shift your heaviest electricity demands to weekends before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. weekdays.

Just a thought.

***

Watt?

Just a thought, I said.

Please click here to read about more things going north $$.

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Birdhouse Spotting Pt 2: Would you make a house from a kit?

On my way to the Belmont Gold Course and Copenhagen yesterday via Harry White Rd., I spotted a purple martin house made from a kit.

My reactions - the setting is beautiful, but metal birdhouses don’t impress me much, even though they’re practical for some people, cheaper than wood in some cases, and the birds don’t seem to mind.


["I'd like to live near a pond too": photos GAH]

Beauty will always be in the eye of the beholder and rescued barn board cannot be topped, in my opinion.

The lone occupant of the martin house flew off after I parked my bike and I’m pretty sure it was just a sparrow.


["Would metal houses get a bit warmer than ones from wood?"]

Farther down the road I spotted a large, numbered box on a telephone pole and thought it might be a duck box. I’m not sure. A small bird flew out, and it was no duck.


["I spotted 3 like this - from a set of 10?"]

Later in the day I spotted one more metal purple martin house (in Port Bruce - same kit design). I'm still not impressed, but am thankful people are making a good effort to take care of birds.

I also spotted two more green duck boxes, same as above. Does someone - or a government ministry - have a birdhouse route?

I’ll try to find out.

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