Discovering the world in one pair of pants: July 19 - 21, 2012 (Pt 2)

Recently, upon my new Miele 21-speed bicycle (with a trailer attached bearing some of my worldly goods, incl. beans and spare socks), I journeyed 80 - 90 kilometers (not as the crow flies) from London to Springwater Conservation Area, on mostly paved roads through some of Ontario’s finest landscape.

I share the following photos in the hopes that you’ll consider a bicycle vacation as well in the future and that you’ll let me know about it, or share some photos of your own. Perhaps you’ll come across the red squirrel that stole my rye bread and discover a way to deal with the little beggar. Let me know!

Photo 1: Heading out of London

I stopped to admire the bike lane on White Oaks Rd. I wish there were more like it, for safety’s sake.


Photo 2: A lovely laneway

Jennifer and Luc win first prize in the “Long and Lovely Laneway” category. Don’t ask me where the lane is located; I didn't write it down. Maybe Edgeware Rd.?

Photo 3: My trusty Kelly kettle

I travelled to Thunder Bay and back (3,300 km.) in 2007, taking only a Kelly kettle to heat water for meals and tea. Sure, I ate a lot of instant oatmeal and Mr. Noodle, but Canada is the land of twigs after all, so I saved a fortune in fuel costs. Oh, a fortune to be sure.

Photo 4: My tiny ‘pocket rocket’ stove

Even though I could easily use a Kelly kettle (w special attachment) to heat my stew, I depended on my propane stove. Stir the stew, drop twigs into the kettle for tea. Stir, drop, stir, drop. Two things at once. Easy kap-easy.

Photo 5: Once upon a time

Behind my can of Crazy Canuck beer sits my bag of rye bread. I ate 1.5 slices for supper. Later in the evening the rest was stolen by a ferocious wild animal. Photo to follow.

Photo 6: Ferocious beast

Though outweighed by the many grey and black squirrels in the area, the wild red squirrel (as of yet, no one can claim to have definitively tamed one) is a master at defending his territory, i.e., all of Springwater Cons. Area. And this one can cart off a loaf of bread in the blink of an eye.

Photo 7: Big appetite

Though I searched the grounds thoroughly around my campsite after the theft, I found not one crumb of bread or piece of leftover plastic bag. All I found was the hole to a hideout. A red squirrel’s home? I don’t know! I wasn’t about to stick my nose in there!

More to follow.

Photos by G.Harrison

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Please click here to view Discovering the world in one pair of pants: July 19 - 21, 2012 (Pt 1) 

  

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Recommendation - live small in Spain and elsewhere

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Discovering the world in one pair of pants: July 19 - 21, 2012 (Pt 1)

On Thursday I bicycled from my home in London to the Springwater Conservation Area (to the south-east, toward Aylmer) with camping gear, groceries (including an expensive loaf of rye bread that was perfect for toast and sandwiches. Oh, perfect, I say), bathing suit and spare socks in a small trailer behind me.

On Saturday I arrived back home safe and sound, as fit as a fiddle, and now give the trip - a significant piece in my journey to discover the world in a fun-filled but frugal fashion - an overall score of 9.5 out of 10.

I’m pretty darn sure, had a red squirrel - devious little critter - not stolen my rye bread, the trip would have scored even higher.

The journey covered 80 - 90 kilometers (not as the crow flies) on mostly paved roads through some of Ontario’s finest landscape. I went up hills and down hills and am glad I rode a bicycle with 21 gears. I used seven of them on a regular basis.

I came home thinking the following: 

- The only better way to see the same countryside would be by walking through it at an easy pace with a few supplies in a backpack.

(Note to self: Make plans to do so before you’re 85-years old). 

As the second-best way to go, cycling is superb. (Admittedly, my hinder parts have a second opinion.) A cyclist, not rushed for time, sees his surroundings quite fully. His mind can absorb the sights, sounds and smells in a very appreciative manner.

["Watch out for the kid with the ball!"]

The trip cost very little. The rewards were very high.

The rewards fell under various headings: Emotional. Intellectual. Fiscal. Spiritual. Recreational. Physical. 

And photographical. (Even if there isn’t such a word, I still have some pictures to show you.)

If you were to go on a wee vacation by bicycle, where would you go?

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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This Old Economist: “Europe’s woes relate to North American lifestyles” Pt 2

["We're eating our planet too quickly"]

As an old economist (and highly qualified - I have a university degree and a valid library card) I often say some brilliant things. To be precise, I said three brilliant things yesterday in Pt 1.

One. “We’re all in this pea soup together, so as Europe's economy falters North America's declines as well, and here in Canada, citizens will have to re-adjust the Canadian Dream downward - if they haven’t done so already.”

No matter how good “our fundamentals” are, i.e., according to Line Dance Minister Jim Flaherty, Canada is up to his arm pits in the mire of the global economy and many of our big export customers aren’t doing so well right now and may never return to their former glory. Canadians who believe bigger is better and that consumer goods are the way to happiness may need to re-adjust their dreams downward - more than a titch - in the near future. (And ‘right now’ would be a good idea, in my opinion). 

Two. “I propose we quickly reduce personal and household spending, pay down debts and save money for tough times ahead (just like ants, who put away supplies for the winter).”

I believe those three bits of sound financial advice form the basis of a world economy that fits the planet’s ability to feed, clothe and shelter us in a sustainable manner. Not that many will listen or adhere to advice so simple (while rain forests are cleared to make room for cattle feed), but I give it anyway (i.e., to humans. Ants already know how to handle tough times). 

Three. “Living with less now will produce many positive benefits in the future.”

Most of the resources required to feed, clothe and shelter 7 billion humans today are used in excess, especially in countries considered the wealthiest 10 per cent. In 10 years, when the population will be 8 billion and rising, global shortages of food, water, building materials, etc. will raise many concerns, but those who voluntarily practice conservation methods today will be better prepared for the thin times.

Reduce spending and enjoy the following benefits:

you’ll spend less time and money shopping

you’ll have more time for family and friends

you’ll have more money to pay down debt

you’ll spend less time in the car

you’ll save money on gasoline

In ‘A Short History of Progress’ by R. Wright we read “when guano deposits and other natural fertilizers were exhausted, commercial farming became almost entirely dependent on chemical fertilizers made from oil and gas. Fossil energy not only powers but feeds the modern world. We are literally eating oil.” pg. 115

by reducing spending you’ll eat less oil

you’ll have more money for your savings account

you’ll have more time for inexpensive hobbies, e.g., gardening, bicycling

you’ll save more money by gardening, bicycling

you’ll develop new muscles by exercising

your body will look healthier

you’ll feel healthier

In ‘A Short History of Progress’ by R. Wright we read “ecological markers suggest that in the early 1960s, humans were using about 70 per cent of nature’s yearly output; by the early 1980s, we’d reached 100 per cent; and in 1999, we were at 125 per cent. Such numbers may be imprecise, but their trend is clear - they mark the road to bankruptcy.” (pg. 129)

by reducing spending you’ll feel you’re not bankrupting yourself or the planet

you’ll develop peace of mind by reducing CO2 emissions, slowing the trend toward higher temperatures and saving the planet

you’ll become less of a slave to things, material goods, and unsustainable consumption

your life will become simpler

you’ll smile more often

you’ll put your feet up more often and like it

Reduce your debts and enjoy the following benefits:

you’ll feel peace of mind and less weight on your shoulders

you’ll receive fewer bills or threats in the mail

you’ll be able to do less juggling of chainsaws (i.e., personal finances)

you’ll sleep easier

you’ll rejoice when the MINIMUM PAYMENT is zero

you’ll be free from vexing mathematical dilemmas associated with credit cards, e.g., “what is 19.5 per cent of the price of a big screen TV, charged monthly for 4.6 years?”

as debt declines you’ll realize that one day you’ll be paying yourself and not a faceless, excessively rich corporation

you’ll feel that you’re finally occupying your own house, not the bank’s house

you’ll smile more often

you’ll hear unusual but satisfying questions, e.g., “why is Dad or Mom smiling more often?”

Save money for tough times and enjoy the following benefits:

you’ll grow tougher along with the times

you’ll have cash as prices increase

credit card companies cannot charge you 19.5 per cent interest rate on your cash

you’ll have money or a cushion in case of an emergency

you’ll develop a feeling of self-confidence, self-reliance

you’ll develop a healthier attitude about life on earth

you’ll become wiser and more selective about consumption

you’ll feel more whole

[Cartoons by G.Harrison]


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Sure, I’m just scratching the surface.

Please click here to read This Old Economist: “Europe’s woes relate to North American lifestyles” Pt1

Bird Watching: “Where are Mr. and Mrs. C?”

Yesterday, after seeing Mr. C on a nearby tree, I assumed everything (re his nest and mate) was AOK. Later I posted day-old pictures of Mrs. C. sitting on her nest. Things may have changed.

This morning, shortly after quietly closing the front door (I didn’t want to frighten Mrs. C if she was sitting upon her nest in my front yard apricot tree), I noticed a scattering of twigs upon my walkway, steps from the porch, and directly under the cardinal’s nest. 

I wondered if a squirrel or cat had done a dirty deed. 

I looked toward the nest and saw no movement, and since then I’ve not seen or heard Mr. or Mrs. C in the neighbourhood.

Where could they be?

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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This Old Economist: “Europe’s woes relate to North American lifestyles”

["Who will last longer? The ants or the humans?"]

We’re all in this pea soup together, so as Europe's economy falters North America's declines as well, and here in Canada, citizens will have to re-adjust the Canadian Dream downward - if they haven’t done so already.

(FYI - The Canadian Dream is much like the American Dream, but our cold hard cash is colder)

A newspaper article, ‘Europe woes hit home’ (July 12, London Free Press), shares details about Canada’s struggling trade deficit (i.e., we import much more than we export): “(It) unexpectedly rose in May, pushed up by record imports while exporters struggled to make any progress in the face of the European economic crisis.”

‘Unexpectedly?’ Somebody didn’t see that coming? I'm very surprised. European debt has been deep for a long time and few countries can afford to buy our Made in Canada products. (We may be seeing the end result of driving the economy, consumerism and easy debt too hard for too many years). 

I was also surprised when the writer quoted Statistics Canada as saying that “the May deficit edged up to $793 million from $623 million in April.” In my mind, the deficit (that grew more than 27% in one month) did more than ‘edge up’. Stats Can knows exports are an extremely vital part of the Canadian economy, and should have reported that the deficit ‘jumped up’, and that we should ‘wake up’. 

Admittedly, the term ‘edged up’ was better used in a later sentence in the article: “Exports to the United States... edged up by 0.2% (in May) after four consecutive month-on-month falls.” It wasn’t much of an edge, but it was something. (That’s what ‘edged up’ means, right?)

After examining our sticky situation I came to the conclusion that the best way to put a positive spin on interconnected and multiplying global economic woes is to get ahead of the curve. I propose we quickly reduce personal and household spending, pay down debts and save money for tough times ahead (just like ants, who put away supplies for the winter). 

Living with less now will produce many positive benefits in the future.

More to follow.

[Photo by G.Harrison]

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Zoom w a View: Muskoka sunset is on the line

On Saturday night, as welcoming cloud cover approached Bakin’ Hot Bracebridge (and the deck upon which I was chillin’), I put down my cold, locally-produced IPA, and reached for my camera.

[Photos by G.Harrison. Mad Tom IPA by Muskoka Brewery]

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Bird Watching: “Mrs. C is no ordinary angry bird”

Mrs. C gives me the ‘eagle eye’ every time she spots me near her nest in my front yard apricot tree. I assume it’s because she is sitting on eggs or very young chicks.

Mr. C ‘cheeps’ from a safe distance when I come outdoors with my camera and a few days ago I saw him standing on the edge of the nest and either feeding his young or straightening his CD collection. The movements are somewhat similar, in my mind at least.

This morning Grandson Ollie spent less time than usual scanning the apricot tree to locate bird activity because he wanted to show me his collection of Play Doh angry birds. 

The red one is my favourite.

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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Bird Watching: "Mrs. C. is hard at work"

Mrs. C. gives me a hard glare each time I position myself under her nest and aim the camera. She even ducks once I focus... to frustrate the heck out of me, I bet.

The apricot tree is so thick with leaves I have a hard time finding her above my head. But that's the way she wants it.

Several times per day, however, I see or hear her, and her mate, as they flit from the apricot tree to the blue spruce in the backyard or to a neighbour's fence or my feeder or a dozen other friendly locales.

Though they both are busy birds, I think Mrs. C. has the hardest work - putting up with my curiosity and camera.

[Photo by G.Harrison]

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It Strikes Me Funny: “Would Londoners enjoy a bicycle museum or industry?”

This week’s column relates to a search I’m conducting for a 1959 red CCM bicycle - like one I received for my 10th birthday.

Though I have a great new bike, I began to think more earnestly about finding a ’59 CCM after encountering three people last week who ride lovely old bikes. (They’ll each be mentioned in the column, out on Thursday).

[“Jessica Bryce of London with her mother’s 1985 Sakai”]

[“A mid-1980s Miyata ‘Two Ten’, owned by

the proprietor of The Village Idiot, London”]

[“Reg Watson, of Wortley Rd., London is proud

of his Sakae Custom 10-speed, circa 1975”]

[“Reg W. also owns a rare Eatons 3-speed cruiser,

purchased used in 1974 for $50”]

And while writing the column about people and their appreciation of good old bikes, I thought that London could easily create an interesting bicycle museum. Many Londoners would surely also benefit from a bicycle industry, bike accessories industry, more bike paths, etc. Do you think so?

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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Bird Watching: “Is Mrs. Cardinal sitting on eggs?”

My views have changed concerning who is living in a nest hidden in my front yard apricot tree.

Initially, I thought the bird was an immature female cardinal. For example, the head I photographed seemed smaller size than that of an adult. 

And the tail seemed thinner, frailer - in my mind.

Events that occurred yesterday and this morning, however, have changed my mind. For example, yesterday I saw the adult female perched at the edge of the nest and looking down into it. Nothing else stirred. An immature female would likely have popped her head up to be fed, to make herself known, so I thought. And this morning I gently poked the bottom of the nest with a thin branch in order to gauge how sturdy the nest was, and to see if the papers used contained a receipt - for my new Blundstone boots  - that has gone missing. Again, nothing stirred, but for one thing.

[“The boots fit but I should keep the receipt anyway”]

As soon as I raised the stick toward the bottom of the nest an adult female appeared, as if out of nowhere, but likely from a heavily-leafed and nearby branch. She raised the tuft of feathers atop her head and cheeped at me for 60 seconds, but nothing else stirred in the nest.

[“Mrs. C wasn’t happy I'd poked the nest, even very gently”]

The head of the adult female, before she raised her tuft - or the alarm - looked identical to what I had seen earlier in the week. Perhaps I hadn’t seen an immature female after all, I thought.

And the photo of the adult’s tail looks like the earlier photos I’d taken. Same tail? I think so now. I’m not sure though if she is sitting on eggs or an immature bird.

Any thoughts?

Have you ever seen a cardinal’s nest? Do they raid blueboxes to collect receipts and other nesting material?     

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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Zoom w a View: Sunset on Lake Huron

I was invited (I said "Yes") to my son's cottage (rental) in Bayfield (hour from London) last weekend (very hot) and enjoyed many things equally (shade, swimming, getting soaked by my grandson, cold refreshments at the Black Dog, fudge for dessert) but one thing most of all.

[Photos by G.Harrison]


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The Better Mousetrap Part 2: “Conserve money, little guy”

[“Make it economically worthwhile for people to help save the planet and, just as if you’d invented a better mousetrap, they’ll beat a path to your door.”]

Cocky fellow, that Goldstein.

In a recent advice column to the United Nations well-known writer Lorrie Goldstein told the UN how to get ‘its green mojo back’. Hey, if he thinks he’s got the goods, he has the right to sell them.

However, at the same time he slagged ‘the little guy’ (you and I) when he said, “As for the rest of the world, concerns over global recession have pushed worries about global warming to, you should pardon the expression, the back burner.” 

Really? “The rest of the world” is focussed entirely on the economy? The importance of the environmental file has been completely forgotten? I just think that’s what some writers would want you to think, and what many governments, corporations and branches of the media would want you to think and do as well. After all, if the majority can be encouraged to believe in a particular status quo, i.e., ‘business as usual’, ‘the economy is king’, ‘let the market place rule the day’, etc., then the great effort needed to develop a sustainable way of life doesn’t have to be considered.   

Far be it from me to tell Goldstein to stick it. If he wants to play chief advisor to the UN, I’ll lend him a sharp pencil. In fact, as he advises the UN, i.e., a very small audience, he drops a few clues to the masses, i.e., the 99.99, or the big, powerful audience.

He writes, “Stop holding sustainability conferences in the world’s most exotic locales, like Rio, and stop booking yourselves into five-star hotels on everybody else’s dime. People’s BS detectors are pretty much set on “high” all the time these days, given the beleaguered state of the global economy. When you preach that everyone else needs to adopt a more modest lifestyle while living high off the public teat and emitting enough greenhouse gases to choke a whale, you undercut your credibility.”

Goldstein is telling the UN to conserve money whenever possible and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Imagine the benefits to the environment, including the whales, if the 99.99% did the same!

Goldstein writes, “Stop organizing conferences attended by 50,000 people. Seriously, 50,000?”

Goldstein is preaching about organizing things on a smaller scale. Imagine the environmental benefits if the 99.99% applied the same principle to homes, cars, food portions, clothes, shoes, recreational pursuits, etc. 

Goldstein as well preaches, “Stop pushing ways to make fossil fuels more expensive (through carbon taxes and the ineffective and corrupt cap-and-trade market in Europe) and start pushing ways to make renewable energy less expensive. Make it economically worthwhile for people to help save the planet and, just as if you’d invented a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door.”

Yes, less expensive renewable energy sounds delightful (though his later suggestion to dump wind and solar in favour of natural gas and nuclear power sounds less than appetizing), but while the 99.99 or the little guys wait on the UN or other powerful organizations for the arrival of reasonable quantities of cheap, sustainable, ‘economically worthwhile’ and environmentally friendly fuel, may I suggest to the little guy, the 99.99%, that we build the best mousetrap on our own an do the most economically worthwhile thing to save the planet.

Let’s reduce our spending and conserve money for the tough times ahead. By conserving money, we conserve fuel and every other precious and expensive resource. By conserving money we can pay down current deep financial and environmental debts. By conserving money we pull the environmental file off the back burner and shape the economy to fit what the planet is more capable of providing.

Do we not know the greenest product is the one we don’t buy?

If anyone wants the UN to get its green mojo back all one has to do is remind them of the obvious.

[Cartoons by G.Harrison]

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Please click here to read The Better Mousetrap Part 1: “Conserve money, little guy”

Bird Watching: "Baby cardinal?"

A week ago my wife noticed a nest in our apricot tree (front-yard). And an inhabitant. Well hidden, at that.

 Since then, on some days we see life. Other days not.

This morning I finally caught a few photos, though I'll need to try again for better ones.

A male robin was nearby, but I think the inhabitant is a young cardinal. Any ideas?

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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Zoom w a View: "It is a large blue window"

Before leaving the Convention Centre on York St. recently I took... 

 one picture 

of sky 

through a large, 

magnificent window. 

[Photos by G.Harrison]


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Photo Files: Moon moods

I missed my window of opportunity the other night. I could have fallen into a deep sleep at 8:30, right after satisfying my desire to watch a few minutes of the Tour de France on TV. Instead, I kept myself up ‘til the end of the day’s race and was unable to sleep once I went to bed. Too hot. Too tired.

Went out back. Saw the moon. Cool. 

Snapped a picture. Played around with it. Cooler?

At least the short activity helped me fall off to sleep.

[Photos by G.Harrison, late one night]

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Photo Poser 9

East coast of Canada or Georgian Bay?

Photo by G.Harrison

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Things I Like in London 4

Last week, on a day when a popsicle would melt and fall into one's lap within 30 seconds, grandson Ollie and I visited one of many green spaces and playgrounds within reach of my house. 

I parked my bike under a shade tree (at a wee park on Duchess St., one half block east of Wharncliffe. Ollie calls it 'The Green Park') and watched him dig in the dirt for several minutes before I suggested a swing ride... to create a breeze, to keep me awake.

After the swing we rested under another shade tree near my bike and Ollie's trailer. Cold juice my wife had packed for us went down well. Sweet.

And so was the shade, and faint breeze, as we sprawled atop the cool grass.

'The Green Park' is A1.

[Photo by G.Harrison]

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Please click here to read Things I Like in London 3

The Better Mousetrap: Conserve money, little guy

[Photo link]

Little guys, take note.

Lorrie Goldstein, a relatively well-known Sun Media newspaper columnist, recently wrote an article entitled ‘How the UN can get its green mojo back’, and tells the organization how it can improve its handling of the global warming file after less-than stellar results were achieved at June’s Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro. 

Besides writing a short intro and listing seven pieces of advice for the UN, Mr. Goldstein signs off by saying, “Anyway, United Nations, you don’t have to thank me. Just get busy.”

Cocky guy, that Goldstein. Wags his finger at the UN, thinks he can set them straight.

But I’m not so sure about that. By simply admonishing the UN (and the 50,000 delegates who attended last month’s Earth Summit), he’s ignoring ‘the little guy’, i.e., me, and you, and 99.999% of the people who have a say about the future health and sustainability of the planet, and I think that’s where a lot of the real power dwells.

Actually, ‘ignoring’ is the wrong word. Goldstein does mention the little guys when he writes, “As for the rest of the world, concerns over global recession have pushed worries about global warming to, you should pardon the expression, the back burner.” 

I say, that certainly is a broad brush with which the rest of us - seven billion strong, and not employed by the United Nations - have been painted. 

Admittedly, the global recession affects certain economic matters within every country of the world, and many governments, media outlets, corporations, erstwhile families and individuals have ‘THE ECONOMY’ writ large upon the top of their agendas, because they believe that is where the secret of success resides. However, in my opinion, a vast number of the planet’s citizens do wonder, and worry, if much will ever be done to develop sustainable economic practices in the here and now to ensure reasonable health and prosperity for future generations. 

As well, a vast number believe when governments, media, corporations, etc. focus chiefly on economic and lifestyle concerns, thereby pushing concerns about global warming or climate instability to, ‘you should pardon the expression, the back burner’, they do so to the detriment of the environmental and quality of life files.

More to follow.

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The Workshop: “More of the same? A bungalooo?”

When it comes to creating new birdhouse designs I usually have no problem. I have several how-to books in my workshop, as well as a handful of coffee table books filled with photos of unusual birdhouses. (I’ll know I’ve reached the big time when one of my birdhouses appears in a coffee table book marked down to $2.00 at a used-book store. I await the day with pride).

Sometimes the colour, density, flavour, heft, quantity (etc.) of the wood guides my decision concerning what to make. A small single? A complex duplex? A rare bungalooo? Roll the wood slowly over in your hand, Gordie, I say. Smell it. Think.

And that’s what I’m doing. I’m thinking.

[Photo by G.Harrison]

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