We're not close to done chewing what we've bitten off with this project home of ours. But I finally hit my limit for tolerating chaos and called a halt to mess-making with impunity--at least until we clean up some of the disorder. We've had a really bad case of college dorm room going on here.
After a good deal of vacuuming, mopping, dusting, putting away tools, and general tidying up, I'm enjoying a heightened sense of serenity, temporary though it might be. We now have a functional second bathroom, with a beautifully tiled floor and shower, though we still need to prime and paint the walls, install baseboards and towel bars, and work out the storage shelf thing. Alas.
And the summer is just flying by. The general lack of rain here means I've been developing my muscles from hauling the watering cans around, but overall the garden has been doing well. The snow peas just finished up when we got back from Boston (I was surprised that they lasted so long in the heat), chard is about done, and now it's The Attack of the Giant Zucchinis. I'm finding it a surprisingly good addition to omelets and stir fry. Our diet is skewing more and more towards vegetarian just because of the abundance of, and need to use, fresh ingredients. Almost daily I peruse the internet for new ways to prepare these things and am rewarded with new favorites. By happenstance I ran across some recipes for veggie burgers that I decided to try (I always found the store bought kinds unexciting) and have become sold on them. Now, I see lots of green tomatoes, baby jalapenos, and lots of cilantro...there is definitely fresh homemade salsa in our future.
This morning I nearly stepped in something that leads me to believe the black bear cub sighted in our neighborhood paid us a visit last night. Just passing through, I guess, because there was no damage. The blueberries were left untouched. But I'm expecting to see astronomical growth in my potentillas.
LOTS going on here, as usual. The Westfield Antique Show is this Saturday and Sunday. There is also the Scandinavian Folk Festival at the Gerry Rodeo Grounds, and a juried art show at the Village Park in Bemus Point. On Saturday evening, Chautauqua County Roller Derby's Babes of Wrath take on the Rubber City Roller Girls from Akron, OH at the Allen Park rink. The whistle blows at 7 pm. And next week is the County Fair. You people who think small towns are boring...are you really enjoying your traffic jams that much?
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Our grandaughter has arrived
We've just returned from a quick trip to Boston to meet our new grandbaby, Elizabeth Quinn Schweppe. Here's a short video introduction to Quinn and her proud big brother, Logan.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Why some people don't need dogs
I'm really upset about some man-on-dog behavior I witnessed on my walk this morning.
These people who moved in a few months ago have two smallish dogs that are often (not always) tied outside. And today, which is rather warm, they were tied on the front porch, sheltered from the hot sun. Good.
They bark when we walk by. Almost every dog in the neighborhood barks when somebody walks by. That's what dogs do. They serve as an early warning system for their owners.
And we usually hear "SHUT UP!" yelled from inside the house.
Today the guy came out on the porch and was screaming at the top of his lungs out of control at them for barking. And then, I think he hit one of them. I had turned the corner and didn't see it, but I heard a yelp. And then he screamed (at the other dog, I assume, hopefully not his wife), "YOU WANT SOME TOO?"
I think I'm mostly upset with myself for not walking right up there and offering, "If you don't want to deal with these dogs, I'll take them off your hands right now."
But he was a scary, screaming dude. What the hell, maybe he's protecting an illegal home enterprise. And what right do I have to intervene anyway? Do dogs have the same rights as kids? And aren't people allowed to yell at and spank their kids? Back in my days of adventures in social volunteering, I wasn't sure that children's rights were anything but words on a piece of paper. I knew a mom whose toddler helped herself to garbage from last night's dinner plates in the roach-infested kitchen while Mom slept in. The same mom sold her 15-yr-old's virginity to a crack dealer for the price of the monthly washer/dryer rent. And I remember the overwhelmed caseworker telling me, the kids are clean and clothed, there's food in the house, there's nothing I can do.
I'll keep an eye on those dogs when I walk past that house. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I'm watching.
These people who moved in a few months ago have two smallish dogs that are often (not always) tied outside. And today, which is rather warm, they were tied on the front porch, sheltered from the hot sun. Good.
They bark when we walk by. Almost every dog in the neighborhood barks when somebody walks by. That's what dogs do. They serve as an early warning system for their owners.
And we usually hear "SHUT UP!" yelled from inside the house.
Today the guy came out on the porch and was screaming at the top of his lungs out of control at them for barking. And then, I think he hit one of them. I had turned the corner and didn't see it, but I heard a yelp. And then he screamed (at the other dog, I assume, hopefully not his wife), "YOU WANT SOME TOO?"
I think I'm mostly upset with myself for not walking right up there and offering, "If you don't want to deal with these dogs, I'll take them off your hands right now."
But he was a scary, screaming dude. What the hell, maybe he's protecting an illegal home enterprise. And what right do I have to intervene anyway? Do dogs have the same rights as kids? And aren't people allowed to yell at and spank their kids? Back in my days of adventures in social volunteering, I wasn't sure that children's rights were anything but words on a piece of paper. I knew a mom whose toddler helped herself to garbage from last night's dinner plates in the roach-infested kitchen while Mom slept in. The same mom sold her 15-yr-old's virginity to a crack dealer for the price of the monthly washer/dryer rent. And I remember the overwhelmed caseworker telling me, the kids are clean and clothed, there's food in the house, there's nothing I can do.
I'll keep an eye on those dogs when I walk past that house. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I'm watching.
Monday, June 18, 2012
So, how does your garden grow?
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| I forgot what this is. But I like it. |
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| Bonica |
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| America |
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| Good, dependable Knock Out |
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| The peas are very tall |
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| It's a jungle out there |
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| One of my pots |
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| A nice spot to sit in the afternoon |
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Feeling summer
Tom and I attended a public input meeting this week at which consultants presented a draft of the City of Jamestown Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. Coordinated by the Chautauqua County Health Network's Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work, and Play project, which promotes a more healthy and active lifestyle, the focus of the plan is finding out how to safely and comfortably
connect key destinations (for cyclists and pedestrians) such as schools, shopping, services and parks
with neighborhoods and downtown Jamestown. There was a good-sized crowd there, including Team Hollyloft, and it seems quite possible to quickly implement some of the recommendations if interested parties work with city officials to make them happen. (Too often people sit back and wait for somebody else to do something.) Enhanced crosswalks with more visible paint and additional signage, for instance, are an easy and inexpensive way to increase pedestrian safety. The "walking school bus," where children walk to school together with an adult chaperone, just needs volunteers to come forward. Other things like bike lanes, and especially a bike track that traverses the city, will take extensive effort and the location of funding sources in order to be accomplished. The vision is there, and now we need to see some follow-through to put the usual grumbling naysayers in their place.
Why have we become so mean-spirited towards those who don't fit some arbitrary definition of financial success? I think about this a lot, because I grew up in a hard-working family, in a different time. My father came from a large family with immigrant parents. His father died when he was still a child and he had even younger brothers. So when the Great Depression came, he was forced to quit school after the 8th grade to help support the family. Fortunately for him, our government came to the aid of its struggling people with civilian jobs and job training, and a military that taught marketable skills in exchange for service, and he was eventually able to support a family of his own, become a homeowner, and build a successful business. Because life handed him some formidable challenges, he lacked formal education, and he accepted government assistance, but nobody would have called him lazy and unmotivated. Nowadays, life is still handing out all kinds of challenges, but rather than extending a hand (via our tax dollars, which we would rather see spent on low interest loans to Wall Street tycoons and unmanned aircraft that kill people, I guess), we kick people to the curb, expecting them to pull themselves up by their bootstraps when they can't afford boots. Farewell, humanity.
****
I wanted to say something about the "working poor," since I see quite a few of them around these days and the stereotype of "lazy, unmotivated" people who get food stamps is just WRONG. In fact, I know some very hard-working young people who piece together two or three part-time jobs (because full time hours with benefits are not offered) and perform important (but low paying) functions like assisting disabled and elderly persons, or standing on their feet for hours and cashiering/bagging to help you on your way with your groceries. Some of them take classes in addition to working, although one cashier told me she doesn't have the money to spare for college right now (it has gotten quite expensive, if you haven't noticed). Some of them are frightened off by the crushing debt some of their peers are incurring in pursuit of degrees which no longer guarantee employment that will cover both living expenses and loan repayment. Oh, the two or three part time jobs these "lazy" people are working don't amount to a living wage either, so they find themselves accepting food stamps as well in order to feed their children. But of course they make just a little too much to qualify for Medicaid, so if they get sick, they're on their own.Why have we become so mean-spirited towards those who don't fit some arbitrary definition of financial success? I think about this a lot, because I grew up in a hard-working family, in a different time. My father came from a large family with immigrant parents. His father died when he was still a child and he had even younger brothers. So when the Great Depression came, he was forced to quit school after the 8th grade to help support the family. Fortunately for him, our government came to the aid of its struggling people with civilian jobs and job training, and a military that taught marketable skills in exchange for service, and he was eventually able to support a family of his own, become a homeowner, and build a successful business. Because life handed him some formidable challenges, he lacked formal education, and he accepted government assistance, but nobody would have called him lazy and unmotivated. Nowadays, life is still handing out all kinds of challenges, but rather than extending a hand (via our tax dollars, which we would rather see spent on low interest loans to Wall Street tycoons and unmanned aircraft that kill people, I guess), we kick people to the curb, expecting them to pull themselves up by their bootstraps when they can't afford boots. Farewell, humanity.
****
We finally figured out our tile pattern for the new bathroom, and that will be our project this weekend. Hopefully, we'll also have time to take a break and check out the Yassou Festival at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Good baklava is hard to find. I'll be thin in my next life.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
June isn't exactly bustin' out
Our heat wave has been followed by something that feels like October, without the colorful foliage.
It's 42 degrees this morning. It's been warming into the low 60's during the day, and we've been getting some rain, for which the garden is very grateful. But this isn't June as I have been accustomed to. Alas, the global weirding continues.
The garden looks good. The indoor projects are still coming along. We still have a big decision to make about flooring, and maybe we'll have it figured out in a year or so. The sheer number of decisions, small and large, that you have to make when you take on a remodeling project of this magnitude can be overwhelming. We are essentially doing a complete makeover of our entire house.
But, I make a point of getting out and about in the community, supporting local events and looking for ways to make a difference. After church on Sunday, we went to the fundraiser for our locally owned low power radio station, WRFA, at Southern Tier Brewing Company. (In the true spirit of community, they host quite a lot of these fund raisers for local groups, and contribute a portion of the proceeds from food and beverage sales to the beneficiary.) The light rain failed to dampen the turnout, and our stellar local musicians had the place rockin' for the afternoon.
This week, it's strawberry picking, the library book sale, and the Rib Fest.
I want to say a few things about the working poor, and the not-so-poor who control the BPU, but I'll save that for my next entry.
Wish my kids were here, but life is really pretty good for these times.
It's 42 degrees this morning. It's been warming into the low 60's during the day, and we've been getting some rain, for which the garden is very grateful. But this isn't June as I have been accustomed to. Alas, the global weirding continues.
 |
| William Baffin rose |
But, I make a point of getting out and about in the community, supporting local events and looking for ways to make a difference. After church on Sunday, we went to the fundraiser for our locally owned low power radio station, WRFA, at Southern Tier Brewing Company. (In the true spirit of community, they host quite a lot of these fund raisers for local groups, and contribute a portion of the proceeds from food and beverage sales to the beneficiary.) The light rain failed to dampen the turnout, and our stellar local musicians had the place rockin' for the afternoon.
 |
| Blueberries are growing! |
I want to say a few things about the working poor, and the not-so-poor who control the BPU, but I'll save that for my next entry.
Wish my kids were here, but life is really pretty good for these times.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Another heat wave
We've been roasting here, and it's not even officially summer yet. (I still need to get into the attic and find my summer clothes!) The extra insulation in the house has been keeping us cool, though, without a/c. You just have to remember to keep the doors and windows shut when it's hot outside.
We've almost finished the interior painting. There's still plenty of other stuff to do, but it appears we're near the point when we can arrange the furniture, organize our storage, and stop bumping into things (displaced bookcases, ladders, paint cans) cluttering up the middle of every room. I'm hopeful for a summer that can be enjoyed -- there's so much to do here when work doesn't get in the way, and it's been too long since I spent an entire afternoon reading for pleasure.
So, bring it on, June!
The second annual Chautauqua in June series of learning experiences is underway, and the "summer people" are arriving. We've seen them in Wegman's in their bermuda shorts and sunglasses, studying the layout map of the store. While these workshops, classes, and events are, in general, not as costly as the regular Chautauqua season events, it has occurred to me that perhaps there should be a parallel, free or minimal cost series for those who would like to learn how to grow an garden or to make compost, how to cook using fresh ingredients (rather than opening a can and heating the contents), or how to repair a bicycle, but lack the disposable income to partake of these lessons.
Yes, there are some wonderful programs going on in the city. Case in point, the community gardens program offers raised bed garden plots for the season for a small rental fee (6' x 4' for $5 or 12' x 4' for $10).
That will help a few people anyway.
Jamestown Renaissance Corp., a partner to the community gardens program, also offers the Block Challenge for homeowners who want to improve the curb appeal of their block by offering matching funds and discounts from local hardware stores and garden centers, as well as design assistance. A neighborhood near us, Royal Avenue, has used this program to not only spruce up appearances, but to foster a sense of community among neighbors. They host an annual street sale that is not to be missed. This year, the number of applicants for the Block Challenge has doubled.
The downtown Jamestown Farmers Market, in Foundry Alley next to the Renaissance Center, will be open every Friday from 10 am till 4 pm, bringing farm fresh food to the people who live downtown but don't have cars (a large number of elderly) and everyone else. I've heard complaints from some people about the market being open on a week day and closed by the time they get out of work, and I don't know if this can be addressed.
The Street Jam charity basketball tournament is this weekend. The sponsorship has changed, but this has been a very popular event, bringing in a large number of people from surrounding areas, and the proceeds help provide services for people with disabilities.
Jamestown Community College will be once again hosting the 2012 NJCAA National Golf Championship at Chautauqua Golf Club June 4-8. The 72-hole tournament has qualifiers from over 20 states and 40 colleges. Tom will be helping out with this one.
The Celoron Rib Fest will be held June 6, 7, 8, and 9 at Lucille Ball Memorial Park. Enjoy the beautiful lake and live music while eating some great barbecue.
Roger Tory Peterson has their annual Birding Fest June 8-9.
Prendergast Library will be having their 33rd annual Book Sale June 8-9 also.
Merritt Estate Winery in Forestville has the Strawberry Festival June 9-10.
June 15 at 6 pm, an ArtParty at JCC Weeks Gallery marks the opening of Barbara Proud’s exhibition, First Comes Love: Radical Spirits, Civil Rights, and the Sexual Evolution , which we do not want to miss.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church has their annual Yassou Festival June 15-16, 11 am - 11 pm, all day food and entertainment. Tom and I need to get to this one and see how it compares with the St. Demetrios Greek Festival in Cleveland. (It's a tough act to beat.)
June 15, 16, and 17 is also the weekend of the LakeArts Foundation Film Festival, "Politics Goes to the Movies."
The Jamestown Jammers, our single A affiliate of the Florida Marlins, open their NY/Penn League season on June 18 at 7:05 pm. Their games are always fun for the whole family.
On Saturdays during the summer, the Fenton History Center holds walking tours of the city's historic neighborhoods (members $5, non-members $10).
The 2012 Chautauqua Institution Season runs from June 23 - August 26.
Live music for the whole summer: Popular local band Big Leg Emma is playing a free, all ages show on Saturday, June 23 at 6:30 pm at the Southern Tier Brewing Company. Riverwalk has free concerts on June 28, July 12 and 26, and August 9 at 7 pm. The 2012 Big City Concert Series on the patio behind Jamestown Arena kicks off on June 22. The Bemus Bay Pops 2012 Concert Series kicks off on Sunday, June 24. Dunkirk has bands playing every Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30 at City Pier Park.
This is in addition to the very vibrant music scene always on display at local clubs.
I really don't want to spend my whole summer doing home improvements.
I really don't understand the people who complain that this town is lame.
I guess people are as happy as they make up their minds to be.
We've almost finished the interior painting. There's still plenty of other stuff to do, but it appears we're near the point when we can arrange the furniture, organize our storage, and stop bumping into things (displaced bookcases, ladders, paint cans) cluttering up the middle of every room. I'm hopeful for a summer that can be enjoyed -- there's so much to do here when work doesn't get in the way, and it's been too long since I spent an entire afternoon reading for pleasure.
So, bring it on, June!
The second annual Chautauqua in June series of learning experiences is underway, and the "summer people" are arriving. We've seen them in Wegman's in their bermuda shorts and sunglasses, studying the layout map of the store. While these workshops, classes, and events are, in general, not as costly as the regular Chautauqua season events, it has occurred to me that perhaps there should be a parallel, free or minimal cost series for those who would like to learn how to grow an garden or to make compost, how to cook using fresh ingredients (rather than opening a can and heating the contents), or how to repair a bicycle, but lack the disposable income to partake of these lessons.
Yes, there are some wonderful programs going on in the city. Case in point, the community gardens program offers raised bed garden plots for the season for a small rental fee (6' x 4' for $5 or 12' x 4' for $10). That will help a few people anyway.
Jamestown Renaissance Corp., a partner to the community gardens program, also offers the Block Challenge for homeowners who want to improve the curb appeal of their block by offering matching funds and discounts from local hardware stores and garden centers, as well as design assistance. A neighborhood near us, Royal Avenue, has used this program to not only spruce up appearances, but to foster a sense of community among neighbors. They host an annual street sale that is not to be missed. This year, the number of applicants for the Block Challenge has doubled.
The downtown Jamestown Farmers Market, in Foundry Alley next to the Renaissance Center, will be open every Friday from 10 am till 4 pm, bringing farm fresh food to the people who live downtown but don't have cars (a large number of elderly) and everyone else. I've heard complaints from some people about the market being open on a week day and closed by the time they get out of work, and I don't know if this can be addressed.
The Street Jam charity basketball tournament is this weekend. The sponsorship has changed, but this has been a very popular event, bringing in a large number of people from surrounding areas, and the proceeds help provide services for people with disabilities.
Jamestown Community College will be once again hosting the 2012 NJCAA National Golf Championship at Chautauqua Golf Club June 4-8. The 72-hole tournament has qualifiers from over 20 states and 40 colleges. Tom will be helping out with this one.
The Celoron Rib Fest will be held June 6, 7, 8, and 9 at Lucille Ball Memorial Park. Enjoy the beautiful lake and live music while eating some great barbecue.
Roger Tory Peterson has their annual Birding Fest June 8-9.
Merritt Estate Winery in Forestville has the Strawberry Festival June 9-10.
June 15 at 6 pm, an ArtParty at JCC Weeks Gallery marks the opening of Barbara Proud’s exhibition, First Comes Love: Radical Spirits, Civil Rights, and the Sexual Evolution , which we do not want to miss.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church has their annual Yassou Festival June 15-16, 11 am - 11 pm, all day food and entertainment. Tom and I need to get to this one and see how it compares with the St. Demetrios Greek Festival in Cleveland. (It's a tough act to beat.)
June 15, 16, and 17 is also the weekend of the LakeArts Foundation Film Festival, "Politics Goes to the Movies."
The Jamestown Jammers, our single A affiliate of the Florida Marlins, open their NY/Penn League season on June 18 at 7:05 pm. Their games are always fun for the whole family.On Saturdays during the summer, the Fenton History Center holds walking tours of the city's historic neighborhoods (members $5, non-members $10).
The 2012 Chautauqua Institution Season runs from June 23 - August 26.
Live music for the whole summer: Popular local band Big Leg Emma is playing a free, all ages show on Saturday, June 23 at 6:30 pm at the Southern Tier Brewing Company. Riverwalk has free concerts on June 28, July 12 and 26, and August 9 at 7 pm. The 2012 Big City Concert Series on the patio behind Jamestown Arena kicks off on June 22. The Bemus Bay Pops 2012 Concert Series kicks off on Sunday, June 24. Dunkirk has bands playing every Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30 at City Pier Park.
This is in addition to the very vibrant music scene always on display at local clubs.
I really don't want to spend my whole summer doing home improvements.
I really don't understand the people who complain that this town is lame.
I guess people are as happy as they make up their minds to be.
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