First, the bad news. There were three or four Tundra Swans on Findley Lake today, 10/28/09. This is particularly early and suggests that winter will start early and hard. I hope not since we don't have our two tons of pellets in yet. Fortunately they are paid for and just waiting for delivery.
Now the good news. We have acquired a new Phalaeonopsis. I just couldn't pass it up at Home Depot. The flowers are huge, white but with strong purple centers. The flower spray has 13 open flowers and 4 fat buds. While watering it today, I checked the roots and it is certainly overdue for a larger pot and better potting material.
Because of it's absolutely stunning appearance, I've named it Aphrodite. She joins our first purple Phal, which we call Hermes, and our second Phal, a creamy flower with red striping which we call Apollo. I've also been trying to rehabilitate a friend's Phal. So far, that plant has survived surgery on the rotted plant base and has begun to put up a new leaf. Because of the sad state it was in, I named it Niobe. If she perks up soon, there is a possibility that she may produce a flower in December.
Even my husband gets a lot of pleasure from these Phals. The flowers last up to 3 months, which is amazing. The colors are stunning and the dark green shiny leaves look nice during the rest of the year. Today I repotted Hermes, and found that it was starting to rot underneath. Fortunately the plant is reasonably healthy and has some good roots so it should perk up.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Zoning The RURAL Out of Our Little Town - #1
This had been a long time percolating in my brain.
In trying to keep the "Rural" aspect of our town, we are zoning it out of existence.
Our town is : the smell of manure as it goes past our house, on it's way from the farm to a field where it will be spread and will help produce food for animals and humans.
Our town is: the neighbor who paints their house a tacky color (by today's standards)
Our town is: people trying to enjoy the property that they own.
Our town is: live and let live.
So the question is, what constitutes a "Rural", how do we keep our town rural, and can zoning and a comprehensive plan do that?
My understanding of the "Rural" way of life is that it gives the most freedom to individual land owners, whether you like what they do on their property or not, while continuing to help them in time of need and keeping your heart charitable towards them.
Here's where (in my opinion - IMO) we are going totally in the wrong direction. We should be trying to minimize the number of rules that apply to owner land usage (very rural concept) while maintaining basic safety issues and some common sense rural ideals.
The current zoning law has a statement in it that says "if something is not stated or defined in this law, then it is not allowed". Not exactly a freedom lover's statement IMO. Because of omissions, inconsistencies, and just basic poorly thought out laws, this "not allowed" statement totally confounds the reasonable approach to "Rural" zoning. Breathing is not specifically stated as allowed so by this law, it is not allowed. Dog houses are not stated as allowed so technically they are not allowed. DUH - we live in a Rural community so who's business is it to tell us we can or can not have a dog house.
There are no set-backs listed for other structures (i.e. not houses) in several zones. Ergo, while the structure may be allowed, since there is no allowable set-back listed, you can not possibly legally locate your structure IMO. Mind you, reasonable minds have OK such structures using their own reasonable setbacks but technically, that's not written in the law and therefore it is illegal.
If your zone does have a set-back for "other structures", why do we have to have a permit to set a shed on our property (any property we own)? Why can't any structure under 150 square feet be by right? Why can't you have multiple such structures on your property? Who's business is it to say you can or can't have a structure under 150 square feet on property that you own but has no residence on it? For some reason, sheds have been singled out to require more zoning ifs/ands/or buts! You can have multiple accessory buildings (over 150 square feet) but only one shed (under 150 square feet). IMO you should be allowed as many structures under 150 square feet as you wish. Call it a shed, a chicken coop, a potting shed, a wood shed, a changing room, a dog house, I just don't care. If you want it, if it is located 5' or 10' inside your property line, AND if it doesn't block your neighbor's view of the lake (mostly), IMO you can have as many as you like. It's your property, enjoy it. IMO that preserves the "Rural" characteristic of our town.
Just to point out how inconsistent our zoning laws are, take "hunting stands" as an example. They are not listed as allowed, ergo, they should be forbidden. Well, people have them and the zoning officer has traditionally ignored them. Pretty much, most of the wood constructed hunting stands are just sheds located 20+ feet off of the ground. In a "Rural" community, this seems to be accepted and OK. IMO it is OK. Taking that one step further, if a shed located 20 feet in the air is OK, then a shed located on the ground is even better - safer for the community while allowing the land owner free use of his land as he see's fit.
Check back for more articles on how we are zoning the RURAL out of our community. It's time to get the zoning juggernaut stopped and reversed. It's your property because you want to enjoy it. Learn to accept and promote the same freedom for your neighbor. Get in a RURAL frame of mind.
In trying to keep the "Rural" aspect of our town, we are zoning it out of existence.
Our town is : the smell of manure as it goes past our house, on it's way from the farm to a field where it will be spread and will help produce food for animals and humans.
Our town is: the neighbor who paints their house a tacky color (by today's standards)
Our town is: people trying to enjoy the property that they own.
Our town is: live and let live.
So the question is, what constitutes a "Rural", how do we keep our town rural, and can zoning and a comprehensive plan do that?
My understanding of the "Rural" way of life is that it gives the most freedom to individual land owners, whether you like what they do on their property or not, while continuing to help them in time of need and keeping your heart charitable towards them.
Here's where (in my opinion - IMO) we are going totally in the wrong direction. We should be trying to minimize the number of rules that apply to owner land usage (very rural concept) while maintaining basic safety issues and some common sense rural ideals.
The current zoning law has a statement in it that says "if something is not stated or defined in this law, then it is not allowed". Not exactly a freedom lover's statement IMO. Because of omissions, inconsistencies, and just basic poorly thought out laws, this "not allowed" statement totally confounds the reasonable approach to "Rural" zoning. Breathing is not specifically stated as allowed so by this law, it is not allowed. Dog houses are not stated as allowed so technically they are not allowed. DUH - we live in a Rural community so who's business is it to tell us we can or can not have a dog house.
There are no set-backs listed for other structures (i.e. not houses) in several zones. Ergo, while the structure may be allowed, since there is no allowable set-back listed, you can not possibly legally locate your structure IMO. Mind you, reasonable minds have OK such structures using their own reasonable setbacks but technically, that's not written in the law and therefore it is illegal.
If your zone does have a set-back for "other structures", why do we have to have a permit to set a shed on our property (any property we own)? Why can't any structure under 150 square feet be by right? Why can't you have multiple such structures on your property? Who's business is it to say you can or can't have a structure under 150 square feet on property that you own but has no residence on it? For some reason, sheds have been singled out to require more zoning ifs/ands/or buts! You can have multiple accessory buildings (over 150 square feet) but only one shed (under 150 square feet). IMO you should be allowed as many structures under 150 square feet as you wish. Call it a shed, a chicken coop, a potting shed, a wood shed, a changing room, a dog house, I just don't care. If you want it, if it is located 5' or 10' inside your property line, AND if it doesn't block your neighbor's view of the lake (mostly), IMO you can have as many as you like. It's your property, enjoy it. IMO that preserves the "Rural" characteristic of our town.
Just to point out how inconsistent our zoning laws are, take "hunting stands" as an example. They are not listed as allowed, ergo, they should be forbidden. Well, people have them and the zoning officer has traditionally ignored them. Pretty much, most of the wood constructed hunting stands are just sheds located 20+ feet off of the ground. In a "Rural" community, this seems to be accepted and OK. IMO it is OK. Taking that one step further, if a shed located 20 feet in the air is OK, then a shed located on the ground is even better - safer for the community while allowing the land owner free use of his land as he see's fit.
Check back for more articles on how we are zoning the RURAL out of our community. It's time to get the zoning juggernaut stopped and reversed. It's your property because you want to enjoy it. Learn to accept and promote the same freedom for your neighbor. Get in a RURAL frame of mind.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
What's Cooking This Week in Findley Lake
I finally got to Erie County Farms during daylight hours. Usually I hit there at 5pm on Fridays, tired, slow, and fighting the last minute crowd. Sometimes workers are actually clearing off the counters.
This past Friday, a friend and I drove in at noon. What a difference 5 hours makes! While I bought my usual assortment of fresh veggies and meat, what was really difference was having the energy to do something with it once I got home.
Friday afternoon I made Cock-a-Leekie Soup using the chicken/leeks/purple potatoes that I'd bought. Put some of the pork into marinate for Thai Spicy Pork. Bagged up the rest of the chicken breasts, boneless pork chops and roasts, and cod, then got them right into the freezer. Usually I'm too tired to do more than stuff the meats into the frig and hope I get back to them.
Saturday cooked up the Thai Pork and made a pan full of Roasted Winter Veggies using a buttercup squash/fennel bulb/red onion that I had bought.
Sunday, today, I plan on blanching some of the kale and freezing it. The rest of the kale I'll cook completely. Then I'll set up my freezer suppers (about 2 or 3) of Thai Pork, baked sweet potato, and kale using divided freezer ware. Sunday supper is half of the roasted chicken that I bought Friday (other half went straight to the freezer). The side will be the Roasted Winter Veggies plus Roasted Garlic as a condiment for the meat.
Monday, I plan on making my own bastardized Hot and Sour Soup. Got the pork and tofu, bean sprouts, then either some frozen Asian veggie mix or some broccoli and mushrooms (also from my shopping expedition).
Tuesday is suppose to be fish and coleslaw (Friday's shopping)
Wednesday is suppose to be steak salad using a head of Boston lettuce and red onion. I may substitute Thai Pork chunks as they are already cook.
So what does it mean when I cook? It's usually a sign that I feel good. My family, like an army, runs on it's stomach. Most of the meals I'm cooking are also providing enough food for two or three other nights. This works perfectly into my plans for Turkey hunting next week. Amongst the chaos of my life, I have an outlined supper menu for the week posted on the frig (just an aberration this week). Next week will be a reprise of this week so I'll have very little cooking, just nuking. Sounds like a plan for the little hunting homemaker, me!
This past Friday, a friend and I drove in at noon. What a difference 5 hours makes! While I bought my usual assortment of fresh veggies and meat, what was really difference was having the energy to do something with it once I got home.
Friday afternoon I made Cock-a-Leekie Soup using the chicken/leeks/purple potatoes that I'd bought. Put some of the pork into marinate for Thai Spicy Pork. Bagged up the rest of the chicken breasts, boneless pork chops and roasts, and cod, then got them right into the freezer. Usually I'm too tired to do more than stuff the meats into the frig and hope I get back to them.
Saturday cooked up the Thai Pork and made a pan full of Roasted Winter Veggies using a buttercup squash/fennel bulb/red onion that I had bought.
Sunday, today, I plan on blanching some of the kale and freezing it. The rest of the kale I'll cook completely. Then I'll set up my freezer suppers (about 2 or 3) of Thai Pork, baked sweet potato, and kale using divided freezer ware. Sunday supper is half of the roasted chicken that I bought Friday (other half went straight to the freezer). The side will be the Roasted Winter Veggies plus Roasted Garlic as a condiment for the meat.
Monday, I plan on making my own bastardized Hot and Sour Soup. Got the pork and tofu, bean sprouts, then either some frozen Asian veggie mix or some broccoli and mushrooms (also from my shopping expedition).
Tuesday is suppose to be fish and coleslaw (Friday's shopping)
Wednesday is suppose to be steak salad using a head of Boston lettuce and red onion. I may substitute Thai Pork chunks as they are already cook.
So what does it mean when I cook? It's usually a sign that I feel good. My family, like an army, runs on it's stomach. Most of the meals I'm cooking are also providing enough food for two or three other nights. This works perfectly into my plans for Turkey hunting next week. Amongst the chaos of my life, I have an outlined supper menu for the week posted on the frig (just an aberration this week). Next week will be a reprise of this week so I'll have very little cooking, just nuking. Sounds like a plan for the little hunting homemaker, me!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Winter in October
The first snow has now officially fallen in Findley Lake, on Thursday, 10/15/09. It started in the morning as mostly rain with big snowflakes mixed in. By evening, we had snow laying on the wet ground.
Here at home, we started swapping out the winter clothes two weeks ago. First to be switched out was my husband's stuff. Cotton quarter socks and half of the cotton crew socks were traded for calf length cotton socks and a large supply of wool socks. Decent tee shirts were swapped out for turtle-neck and mock turtle-neck shirts. Fleece, wool, flannel, and long sleeve cotton shirts appeared in place of the short sleeved lighter variety. Shorts definitely moved into storage.
The following week it was my turn. Tank tops, which had basically not been worn this summer, were swapped for mock turtle-necks. Fleece and flannel shirts replaced the short sleeve ones. I happily switched from cotton socks to my extensive assortment of wool blend socks. They are becoming my shopping downfall.
Each year I swear that I have enough wool blend socks. A good supply is OK since they will be worn from October through April. However, Sam's Club has again brought in a supply that just calls to me. I ended up immediately buying one set (four pairs) in the blue shades for a little less than $13.00. Unfortunately for our budget, there is also a brown set and I have very few brown wool socks. See where this is headed?
One tiny justification for the wool socks is the amazing length of time that they last. Over the last five years, I have not had to get rid of a single pair of wool socks. Since mine are worn and washed regularly for seven months out of the year, they hold up really well. Plus, their warm and attractive.
Here at home, we started swapping out the winter clothes two weeks ago. First to be switched out was my husband's stuff. Cotton quarter socks and half of the cotton crew socks were traded for calf length cotton socks and a large supply of wool socks. Decent tee shirts were swapped out for turtle-neck and mock turtle-neck shirts. Fleece, wool, flannel, and long sleeve cotton shirts appeared in place of the short sleeved lighter variety. Shorts definitely moved into storage.
The following week it was my turn. Tank tops, which had basically not been worn this summer, were swapped for mock turtle-necks. Fleece and flannel shirts replaced the short sleeve ones. I happily switched from cotton socks to my extensive assortment of wool blend socks. They are becoming my shopping downfall.
Each year I swear that I have enough wool blend socks. A good supply is OK since they will be worn from October through April. However, Sam's Club has again brought in a supply that just calls to me. I ended up immediately buying one set (four pairs) in the blue shades for a little less than $13.00. Unfortunately for our budget, there is also a brown set and I have very few brown wool socks. See where this is headed?
One tiny justification for the wool socks is the amazing length of time that they last. Over the last five years, I have not had to get rid of a single pair of wool socks. Since mine are worn and washed regularly for seven months out of the year, they hold up really well. Plus, their warm and attractive.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
