Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Too busy to update
Spring cleaning and planting have been keeping me very busy. Things that take me out of the house take me away from my computer. Here are a couple of snapshots in lieu of words.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
It's almost planting time
Wow, long time no update. We just got the construction crew out of our house--which means I'm dusting and mopping and scrubbing, though it might take the rest of the year to get rid of all the drywall dust. And I still can't prime, paint, and start putting things in their proper places until our builder comes back next week to finish up a few details. I'm getting a little edgy.
Meanwhile, we've been to Boston and back. We celebrated our awesome little grandson's 4th birthday, and learned all about Super Heroes and Transformers! The indoctrination sure starts early.
The arrival of grandchild #2 is just a couple months away now, and our petite daughter is looking like she swallowed a basketball.
Tom has sort of un-retired and has started a new part-time position at the college as their Sustainability Project Manager. He rides his bike to work. I don't expect him to be too popular with the faculty and commuter students when he tells them they all drive too much, but so far he's having fun and glad to have a project he can sink his teeth into.
Our Occupy group had its first public appearance at the college's Earthfest--we set up an information table and made some new friends. Then we had our second public appearance--a May Day CommUNITY Celebration in lieu of the "general strike"that most other Occupy groups were having. We had some of Jamestown's most talented musicians and artists entertaining us throughout the afternoon and evening, vendors from local independent businesses, yummy food by Planet Earth Catering, kids getting their faces painted and dancing around a maypole, hooping and fire hooping, an alternative energy display, the Earth Awareness student group from the college, and lots of great conversations. The weather (unfortunately damp and chilly) kept the attendance down a bit, but we still had a great time. It's amazing what a few creative people can do without spending a whole lot of money. Admission was free, our entertainers volunteered their time and talent, and vendors were not charged a rental fee for their space. It was definitely a success. And we made more new friends. See how this works?
Pictures are at Occupy Jamestown The Blog.
Meanwhile, we've been to Boston and back. We celebrated our awesome little grandson's 4th birthday, and learned all about Super Heroes and Transformers! The indoctrination sure starts early.
The arrival of grandchild #2 is just a couple months away now, and our petite daughter is looking like she swallowed a basketball.
Tom has sort of un-retired and has started a new part-time position at the college as their Sustainability Project Manager. He rides his bike to work. I don't expect him to be too popular with the faculty and commuter students when he tells them they all drive too much, but so far he's having fun and glad to have a project he can sink his teeth into.
Our Occupy group had its first public appearance at the college's Earthfest--we set up an information table and made some new friends. Then we had our second public appearance--a May Day CommUNITY Celebration in lieu of the "general strike"that most other Occupy groups were having. We had some of Jamestown's most talented musicians and artists entertaining us throughout the afternoon and evening, vendors from local independent businesses, yummy food by Planet Earth Catering, kids getting their faces painted and dancing around a maypole, hooping and fire hooping, an alternative energy display, the Earth Awareness student group from the college, and lots of great conversations. The weather (unfortunately damp and chilly) kept the attendance down a bit, but we still had a great time. It's amazing what a few creative people can do without spending a whole lot of money. Admission was free, our entertainers volunteered their time and talent, and vendors were not charged a rental fee for their space. It was definitely a success. And we made more new friends. See how this works?
Pictures are at Occupy Jamestown The Blog.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Local power
The title is a double entendre, but not particularly risque unless you want to stretch the meaning and say that coal is dirty. Which it is, regardless of all the "clean coal" propaganda.
I've now been to a couple of board meetings at the Jamestown BPU to observe and learn how things work. I understand that the current coal-fired power plant is obsolete and in the process of being decommissioned. I understand that a large amount of our electricity comes from hydro-power via Niagara Falls. I understand that there are natural gas turbines generating power to meet the rest of the demand. I understand that shortages can be addressed by buying additional power off the grid. I understand that there are issues with the reliability of transmission lines here, as everywhere, in a country that has dangerously neglected its vital infrastructure in pursuit of short-term and short-sighted gains. I understand that the BPU board has an obligation to continue providing its customers (particularly its business customers) with reliable and affordable electricity. And that, if the funding were available (which it isn't), they would elect to build another dirty (while insisting it is clean) coal plant in a heartbeat to keep that power flowing. Because to have the courage and vision to move Jamestown into a renewable, clean-energy future would be...uncomfortable.
It's interesting because I was reading a couple of weeks ago about the people of Boulder, Colorado, who have voted for public ownership of their previously privately-owned utility in order to provide for their energy needs with wind and solar. And here we already have a public utility and... crickets.
There is a handful of environmentally-conscious and concerned citizens who, for years, have basically been a thorn in the side of the board. Having now been to a couple of the public board meetings, I have observed the members' annoyance at having to endure public input and questions while they're just trying to do their jobs. I can't say I blame them. Public input is such an unusual and unheard of thing. What are these people thinking? They're like mosquitoes at a picnic. I really would like to see MORE of the public become conscious and concerned enough to share their input, so the board members would get used to having to consider them.
Which brings us to the other "local power" in the title: if you're sitting at home and kvetching about something, you're helpless. Those who show up are the ones with the power.
I've now been to a couple of board meetings at the Jamestown BPU to observe and learn how things work. I understand that the current coal-fired power plant is obsolete and in the process of being decommissioned. I understand that a large amount of our electricity comes from hydro-power via Niagara Falls. I understand that there are natural gas turbines generating power to meet the rest of the demand. I understand that shortages can be addressed by buying additional power off the grid. I understand that there are issues with the reliability of transmission lines here, as everywhere, in a country that has dangerously neglected its vital infrastructure in pursuit of short-term and short-sighted gains. I understand that the BPU board has an obligation to continue providing its customers (particularly its business customers) with reliable and affordable electricity. And that, if the funding were available (which it isn't), they would elect to build another dirty (while insisting it is clean) coal plant in a heartbeat to keep that power flowing. Because to have the courage and vision to move Jamestown into a renewable, clean-energy future would be...uncomfortable.
It's interesting because I was reading a couple of weeks ago about the people of Boulder, Colorado, who have voted for public ownership of their previously privately-owned utility in order to provide for their energy needs with wind and solar. And here we already have a public utility and... crickets.
There is a handful of environmentally-conscious and concerned citizens who, for years, have basically been a thorn in the side of the board. Having now been to a couple of the public board meetings, I have observed the members' annoyance at having to endure public input and questions while they're just trying to do their jobs. I can't say I blame them. Public input is such an unusual and unheard of thing. What are these people thinking? They're like mosquitoes at a picnic. I really would like to see MORE of the public become conscious and concerned enough to share their input, so the board members would get used to having to consider them.
Which brings us to the other "local power" in the title: if you're sitting at home and kvetching about something, you're helpless. Those who show up are the ones with the power.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Short note on a crazy week
The first night we had a frost following the early warm spell, I covered my new daffodils (planted last fall) to protect them. Now that things are clearly back to more "normal" for spring, I've decided not to fight nature. So far, the daffs are proving to be pretty tough little buggers. Glad I held off on planting any of my vegetable seeds, but the peas will probably go in this weekend.
The house is pretty torn up at the moment and we had to spend a couple of nights in a motel. Now the plumbing is back, so we can sort of live here again, as long as we make ourselves scarce during the day when the crew is working. By tonight we will have stairs.
Today, I'm planting a cherry tree and shopping for shrubs.
The house is pretty torn up at the moment and we had to spend a couple of nights in a motel. Now the plumbing is back, so we can sort of live here again, as long as we make ourselves scarce during the day when the crew is working. By tonight we will have stairs.
Today, I'm planting a cherry tree and shopping for shrubs.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Of cabbages, kings, maypoles, and witch burning
First of all, I did not win the Mega Millions jackpot. Oh yeah, I never even bought a ticket. I figured I was more likely to get struck by lightning. I don't know what I would ever do with a lot of money anyway. People who win jackpots often blow it all on stupid stuff and end up back where they started.
Summer is over and we're back to, is it spring yet? Is it...yet? How about...now?
I've been busy. I'm learning just how many balls you need to keep your eyes on when you decide to accept your responsibility as an active citizen in your community. I love Jamestown, but there are issues...as in any community. And we can sit back and ignore them (and complain about how awful things are) or we can put on our hip waders, engage, and figure out how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
As I said, I've been busy.
My involvement with Occupy Jamestown, which I wrote about a while ago, is pretty satisfying right now. I'm working with some really good people, reaching out and finding even more really good people, and together we're planning an event for May Day--which may or may not involve dancing around a maypole, we haven't worked out all the details yet. What it WILL be--is a gathering of some of the elements that make this a potentially GREAT community. Everyone is welcome to decide that they want to be a part of that. This is about unity, not partisanship, not militancy, not radicalism. It is about working for the best possible lives for our families now and in the future. We have musicians, we have artists, we have farmers and gardeners, we have geeks, dreamers and realists, and together we have great ideas about how to make Jamestown a resilient, sustainable community that can handle whatever life throws at us. We're full of positive energy and looking forward to a very good event. While other Occupy groups may be striking and protesting (and Lord knows there's plenty of injustice to stand against), we're attempting to take the next step and move forward and do things better.
You will definitely be reading more about this. Occupy friends--I love you guys!
Now, about some of those other things we need to keep our eyes on...
I met the new library director last night at a forum. And I asked her, point blank, why do you think they hate you so much? She came to town and took over four months ago. A firestorm promptly ensued. She apparently has a controversial "past"...I will just leave it at that. She has been thrown into the unenviable position of coming in as an outsider to pick up where decades-long local leadership left off, in an era of rapid changes. People hate changes. There have been communication issues, and longtime employees have been grievously offended. Rumors have swirled and grown into mushroom clouds. City council members have been deluged with phone calls.
Really, who knew there could be so much drama around librarians? I don't say this disrespectfully. I have always loved libraries and books and revered the people who labor to make them and keep them temples of learning. I have just not ever run into a situation like this before, and it perplexes me. As a relative newcomer to the community myself, I realize my perspective is not the same as it is for people who have lived here longer, some of them for their entire lives, and I cannot put myself in their shoes and receive an instant update on all of the history, experiences and nuances they have lived here in this community. I feel the discomfort of my friends and the general "disturbance in the force" caused by the arrival of this stranger in the community, and it makes me uncomfortable.
There is a great deal of fear about "what is going to happen to the library"--a VERY excellent library that nobody wants to see reduced to just another pop culture outlet, managed from afar by some McLibraries R Us outfit. But, is there evidence that anything like this is happening? Is there a way to keep it from happening without resorting to witch burning?
Summer is over and we're back to, is it spring yet? Is it...yet? How about...now?
I've been busy. I'm learning just how many balls you need to keep your eyes on when you decide to accept your responsibility as an active citizen in your community. I love Jamestown, but there are issues...as in any community. And we can sit back and ignore them (and complain about how awful things are) or we can put on our hip waders, engage, and figure out how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
As I said, I've been busy.
My involvement with Occupy Jamestown, which I wrote about a while ago, is pretty satisfying right now. I'm working with some really good people, reaching out and finding even more really good people, and together we're planning an event for May Day--which may or may not involve dancing around a maypole, we haven't worked out all the details yet. What it WILL be--is a gathering of some of the elements that make this a potentially GREAT community. Everyone is welcome to decide that they want to be a part of that. This is about unity, not partisanship, not militancy, not radicalism. It is about working for the best possible lives for our families now and in the future. We have musicians, we have artists, we have farmers and gardeners, we have geeks, dreamers and realists, and together we have great ideas about how to make Jamestown a resilient, sustainable community that can handle whatever life throws at us. We're full of positive energy and looking forward to a very good event. While other Occupy groups may be striking and protesting (and Lord knows there's plenty of injustice to stand against), we're attempting to take the next step and move forward and do things better.
You will definitely be reading more about this. Occupy friends--I love you guys!
Now, about some of those other things we need to keep our eyes on...
I met the new library director last night at a forum. And I asked her, point blank, why do you think they hate you so much? She came to town and took over four months ago. A firestorm promptly ensued. She apparently has a controversial "past"...I will just leave it at that. She has been thrown into the unenviable position of coming in as an outsider to pick up where decades-long local leadership left off, in an era of rapid changes. People hate changes. There have been communication issues, and longtime employees have been grievously offended. Rumors have swirled and grown into mushroom clouds. City council members have been deluged with phone calls.
Really, who knew there could be so much drama around librarians? I don't say this disrespectfully. I have always loved libraries and books and revered the people who labor to make them and keep them temples of learning. I have just not ever run into a situation like this before, and it perplexes me. As a relative newcomer to the community myself, I realize my perspective is not the same as it is for people who have lived here longer, some of them for their entire lives, and I cannot put myself in their shoes and receive an instant update on all of the history, experiences and nuances they have lived here in this community. I feel the discomfort of my friends and the general "disturbance in the force" caused by the arrival of this stranger in the community, and it makes me uncomfortable.
There is a great deal of fear about "what is going to happen to the library"--a VERY excellent library that nobody wants to see reduced to just another pop culture outlet, managed from afar by some McLibraries R Us outfit. But, is there evidence that anything like this is happening? Is there a way to keep it from happening without resorting to witch burning?
Saturday, March 17, 2012
March Madness
Maybe it's the shape of things to come, but right now we are having what seems like unbelievable weather for mid-March. It's still late winter, officially, but it's sunny and balmy. No jackets needed. Kids out in the streets on their bikes and skateboards, even after dinner when it's getting dark.
It's 72 degrees on St. Patrick's Day, which I seem to remember as a time when we kept marching (Girl Scouts in the parade) to keep from freezing solid. For some reason unknown to me, Jamestown celebrated last Saturday, a week early. Maybe they thought they'd trick Mother Nature into an early spring. Actually, I have no idea and pulled that one out of my hat, but this is a city of Swedes and Italians, so what can I say. I don't think they dye the Chadakoin River green either, but what do I know. I missed the whole thing.
But I'm way ahead of schedule with my garden cleanup and rose trimming this year. The raised beds are just about ready for planting, but I'm not doing that for a while because this is not normal.
Besides, we're having some more work done on the house in about a week, so I need to get busy and select light fixtures, bath fixtures, tile, and stuff like that. Chaos may be contagious, because Ronnie and Sheryl next door are turning everything upside down in their house too.
How many of you read the title and thought I was going to write about college basketball?
It's 72 degrees on St. Patrick's Day, which I seem to remember as a time when we kept marching (Girl Scouts in the parade) to keep from freezing solid. For some reason unknown to me, Jamestown celebrated last Saturday, a week early. Maybe they thought they'd trick Mother Nature into an early spring. Actually, I have no idea and pulled that one out of my hat, but this is a city of Swedes and Italians, so what can I say. I don't think they dye the Chadakoin River green either, but what do I know. I missed the whole thing.
But I'm way ahead of schedule with my garden cleanup and rose trimming this year. The raised beds are just about ready for planting, but I'm not doing that for a while because this is not normal.
Besides, we're having some more work done on the house in about a week, so I need to get busy and select light fixtures, bath fixtures, tile, and stuff like that. Chaos may be contagious, because Ronnie and Sheryl next door are turning everything upside down in their house too.
How many of you read the title and thought I was going to write about college basketball?
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Springing forward
This week we had a brief taste of spring. This morning it is 18 degrees. March is like that.
This weekend is "Maple Weekend," the first of two here in NY. [EDIT: I'm a week early! It's actually NEXT weekend! Can't blame me for anticipation!] It's going to be nice and sunny, if not exactly warm, so why not head out to Big Tree Maple and learn (taste!) more about one of our great local (and natural) products. Sorry, Mrs. Butterworth and Aunt Jemima, you lose out by a landslide to "the real thing."
The forecast for the coming week is even better, so much so that I am planning to turn over the soil in my raised beds and start marking the squares. I've decided to try "square foot gardening" this year, and have been doing lots of reading and drawing diagrams to get my plans in order. I have some seeds left over from last year, and some freebies I picked up at last weekend's garden fair, but there are some "decisions, decisions" yet to be made about what varieties to plant! I am loving my Seed Savers Exchange catalog--gorgeous color photos of so many varieties of heirloom veggies that tempt me to plow up my whole yard and turn it into an urban farm. But...the dog needs room to run, and I no longer wish to destroy dandelions, having decided that they're going to be part of our diet.
Turn your clocks ahead tonight as Daylight Savings Time returns.
This weekend is "Maple Weekend," the first of two here in NY. [EDIT: I'm a week early! It's actually NEXT weekend! Can't blame me for anticipation!] It's going to be nice and sunny, if not exactly warm, so why not head out to Big Tree Maple and learn (taste!) more about one of our great local (and natural) products. Sorry, Mrs. Butterworth and Aunt Jemima, you lose out by a landslide to "the real thing."
The forecast for the coming week is even better, so much so that I am planning to turn over the soil in my raised beds and start marking the squares. I've decided to try "square foot gardening" this year, and have been doing lots of reading and drawing diagrams to get my plans in order. I have some seeds left over from last year, and some freebies I picked up at last weekend's garden fair, but there are some "decisions, decisions" yet to be made about what varieties to plant! I am loving my Seed Savers Exchange catalog--gorgeous color photos of so many varieties of heirloom veggies that tempt me to plow up my whole yard and turn it into an urban farm. But...the dog needs room to run, and I no longer wish to destroy dandelions, having decided that they're going to be part of our diet.
Turn your clocks ahead tonight as Daylight Savings Time returns.
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