We've Still Got Ice...
...but not for long, it seems,
Sue in Aurora completing the sale of Jayne's house.
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On a frozen twig,
The little bird dreams of spring.
Oh! To see the sun!
—Anon
Horsing Around
Brisk, with a chilly wind, but actually slightly above freezing. Mostly cloudy and gray, but with a flashy sunset.
A murder of crows. Somehow, Pax and I survived.
Afternoon at Victoria Lane. Sue accomplished some things, while I regressed.
Projects
Very windy and therefore very chilly, even though the temp was above freezing all day.
We still have ice.
This year's International Skeeter Association (ISA) iceboat regatta has been called on, but for Green Bay, so am not sure how many of us will attend.
Today the two of us (when not out with Pax) worked on projects—a big tapestry for Canada cottage, and new sides for the old utility trailer.
Seeing The Backside of Winter?
Calm, partly sunny, and almost 50. The sky full of geese again, only today, on a layer higher up, cranes—quite a number of 20-to-30-bird flocks of Sandhills, staccato trumpeting their way north. The sound of wanderlust, in my opinion.
Pax and I got in our first real bike-ride of the season, to the prairie and back. We took it easy, but even so, he is sprawled in a recliner, sound asleep as I type.
Speaking of typing, I will reveal a bit of ancient history. As a junior in high school, during a break in play practice, I snuck into the Typing Room, found the teacher's grade book and a red pen, and changed every F in the book to an A. (It's pretty easy, just draw a line straight down from the upper right side of the F. And it really is the right thing to do— I mean an F in Typing?!?) But as I should have expected, a spy was lurking in the shadows, and this Goody Two-shoes ratted me out. Result? I was suspended for a week. Only problem? The play was in 10 days! Result? I got to wander the cornfields and go fish in the lake every morning but then got to go to play practice at school every afternoon.
And now you know why I like typing (even on this redicuously little keyboard). But what, however, was the name of the play? Oh. yes, I think I might remember—it was a significant play, not a trifle—something about a young girl (who had a boyfriend, aka me) holed up in an attic apartment in the Netherlands in he early 1940's.
Ab texted a photo this morning of a truck up to its mirrors in rotten ice on Pewukee. I'm beginning to worry that this might be one of the the worst iceboating seasons on record.
Heading North
All day long, big V-shaped flocks of Canada geese winging north. They must know something, though I know that, apart from the Great Lakes, there is no open water at latitudes higher than here.
Several male cardinals tuning up today as well, and I think I heard a robin.
And, walking through the spruce grove in the park this morning, Pax and I were surprised when a substantial slice of pizza came tumbling out of the sky, nearly bonking me on the head. A grumpy 'caw' led me to believe Maitre Corbeau had lost his grip on breakfast. Either that or manna from heaven.
Sunday Dinner
Will, Katy, Abby, and Tony down for Sunder dinner.
Working on a hydrological project.
Working in the office.
Another delicious feast by Mimi.
Shades of Spring
Continued warm, but less windy.
Little snow left. Lots of branches, sticks, and twigs needing cleanup after yesterday's blow. And the hybrid chiminea works well.
Dinner and a film with Irene in Woodstock.
Warm and Wild Wind
Gusts up to 50 mph, along with temps in the 50s. Lots of snow dispatched.
My write-up of the Waukesha hearing:
February 18, 2016
WAUKESHA—
With the first test of the Great Lakes Compact hanging in the balance, nearly 300 people attended Thursday’s public hearing at Carroll University in Waukesha to hear the official briefing and to comment on Waukesha’ water diversion proposal. Opinion was sharply divided.
Jointly held by The Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body (the Regional Body) and the Great Lakes Compact Council (Compact Council) the session was a required step in the diversion review process as mandated by the Compact. On stage listening to over three hours of comment were representatives of the eight Great Lakes states and the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, with Jennifer Keyes, manager of the Water Resources Section of the Ministry of Natural Resources, representing Ontario.
“The process has been interesting and informative,” Keyes said. “Yesterday we were given a tour of Waukesha, and the region, and we were able to ask questions and have frank discussions. We are learning a lot.”
“This is fascinating to watch,” said Peter Annin, author of Great Lakes Water Wars. “The process outlined in the Compact seems to be working well. We are seeing history being made.”
After years of study, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources determined that Waukesha’s request to divert 10.1 million gallons a day was justified and met the conditions specified by the Compact. The State then forwarded the request to the Regional Body and the Compact Council, initiating the review.
“We are heading home Friday,” Keyes said, “with lots of information to consider.” “On April 21 the Regional Body votes on the Waukesha proposal and we send our Declaration of Finding to the Compact Council.” Ontario and Quebec are voting members of the Regional Body. The Finding, while influential, is only advisory.
The Council, composed of the eight Great Lakes governors, will make a final determination in May. All eight governors must vote in favor or the diversion request cannot proceed.
Supporters of the diversion proposal commented that using Great Lakes water was the only real option for Waukesha, citing public health issues caused by radium and other contaminants in the city’s well water.
"The Waukesha water diversion request before you addresses a serious public health threat in a way that does not threaten Great Lakes water levels or water quality and that does not deplete our deep or shallow groundwater aquifers," said Steve Baas, senior vice president for public policy with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. "The request strengthens our regional economy."
A spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who is in a tough re-election campaign, urged the Great Lakes states to approve the city's request. Others speaking in favor were primarily Waukesha’s elected officials and city employees.
Dozens of speakers said the Waukesha proposal does not meet the Compact’s requirements and should be rejected.
Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett said that Milwaukee had long wanted to work with Waukesha as it would benefit both cities, but could not do so because Waukesha was asking for water to supply an expanded service area in violation of the Compact. He questioned the move on the part of Waukesha to buy water from Oak Creek, farther away.
Racine Mayor John Dickert objected, saying that Waukesha’s return flow would be discharged into the Root River, which winds through Racine. Racine, he said, has worked hard to clean up its harbor and beaches. “We do not want what Waukesha wants to send us. We don’t want pharmaceuticals, phosphates, micro-beads, any of that. We don’t want to be Waukesha’s toilet.” Dickert also said that approving the Waukesha diversion request would “crack the compact.” “You crack this egg and you are looking at some serious legal battles.”
State Representative Cory Mason (D-Racine) said, “the DNR got it wrong. Waukesha is asking for almost double the amount of water it currently uses. This is not a water improvement plan but an urban sprawl plan.”
Former Wisconsin DNR Water Section Chief Todd Ames, one of the architects of the Compact, said that the only justification for a diversion is to provide potable drinking water to existing customers, which is not what Waukesha proposes.
Karen Hobbs, deputy policy director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said Waukesha is not doing enough to conserve water, as required by the Compact.
Waukesha's conservation goal of reducing demand by 1 million gallons a day by 2050 "represents roughly one-quarter of one percent in additional annual water savings each year," she said. The city's conservation effort "is too reliant on voluntary and educational measures. There are no mandatory measures; there are no robust conservation plans.”
Other organizations contributing comments in opposition to the Waukesha diversion included the National Wildlife Federation, The American Civil Liberties Union, Clean Wisconsin, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, and Midwest Environmental Advocates.
The volume of comments on this historic first test of the Compact has been enormous. But more are still welcome at waukeshadiversion.org. The deadline for comments is March 14. Eventually, all comments will be posted on the website.
Waukesha Water Wars
I was one of about 300 people who attended today's Great Lakes Compact hearing at Caroll University in Waukesha. Waukesha is requesting a 10.1 million gallons a day diversion from Lake Michigan, which it can do because it sits in a "straddling county." The Compact says that communities in straddling counties can apply—but only under strict conditions. Today was fascinating and destined to be an important part of Great Lakes history.
For the first hour Waukesha and the Wisconsin DNR presented the Waukesha case. After that it was 3 hours of comments, overwhelmingly opposed. Above, Mayor Tom Barrett of Milwaukee stating his opposition.
A more in-depth write up will be forthcoming.
Separate Ways
Sue to Victoria Lane, me to Bywater Lane.
Sue had fun with Mads and Becc, and I got in a very competitive game of hockey with Will. The sad thing now is that we don't get to see as much of the older kids because there are in SCHOOL.
We grandparents reassembled back in Whitewter this afternoon, in time for Sue to concoct a carrot cake which will be coming out of the oven not long after dinner is finished.
I would note that the good folks at Verizon, where I bought my malfunctioning little folding keyboard not so long ago, willingly gave me a replacement. This is good, because once you learn to type on an odd little., squished little thing, you don't want to relearn something else.
(Note: I know here are lots of typos in this blog, and I apologize for that. But I wil say that this shrunken folding keyboard is partially responds able.)
Trying Not To Pay Attention...
...to all the political nonsense, but still, and I apologize for being ghoulish, I am glad a certain justice is no longer issuing opinions.
In Bush v Gore, Scalia gave us Bush, which meant the Iraq war and everything else we might have wanted to avoid. In Citizens United, Scalia gave us the oligarchic and corporate takeover of our country. I have not been fond of either decision.
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And here some Scalia quotes:
Mere factual innocence is no reason not to carryout a death sentence properly reached.
As long as judges tinker with the Constitution to 'do what the people want,' instead of what the document actually commands, politicians who pick and confirm new federal judges will naturally want only those who agree with them politically.
Certainly the Constitution does not require discrimination on the basis of sex. The only issue is whether it prohibits it. It doesn't.
In a big family the first child is kind of like the first pancake. If it's not perfect, that's okay, there are a lot more coming along.
This is an execution, not surgery. Where does that come from, that you must find the method of execution that causes the least pain?
Last of the Deep Winter
Breakfast in the Piedmont Room at, sunrise.
Of course, when you are well up north and at the extreme west edge of the Eastern time zone, sunrise comes late. We sat a respectable distance from the lively fireplace, had the Early Riser’s Special, and watched the snow come down as the sun came up. And, yesterday, after cocktails in the Sky Room overlooking Lake Superior, delicious surf and turf.
When we arrived at the Landmark’s front desk yesterday afternoon we were absolutely surprised to find a gift card in our way. Thanks Abby and Tony and Brian and Renee!
On the way home we stopped at Aunt Janet’s for lunch and a chat. And then to Bywater Lane for some brief play time with the kids, and to pick up Pax. Thanks to Abby, Katy, Will, and Buddy for having him stay overnight.
Ultima Thule
Well, if not quite there, at least as far north as possible at this longitude , on the shore of Lake Superior. An excursion in celebration of 40 years of wedded bliss to the fabled Landmark Inn in Marquette, MI., built in 1929--in the Earhart room where Amelia stayed in 1932.
Bluetooth keyboard malfunctioning so no more commentary.
Hiding Out...
...or rather, hiding in, because it was too cold out.
The doves and the squirrels take turns, just as the lion lies down with the lamb.
Somehow the birds and squirrels enjoy (survive?) the great outdoors both day and night, but me and Pax, not quite so much. Barometer way up high, and just now starting to drop. Light winds, as might be expected under a high pressure dome, but even so, the breeze had bite.
Looking back a few blogs to the lines by Tonino, which, while not Zen koans and certainly not haiku, still seemed interesting, I've decided, at the spur of the moment, to toss out a few lines of my own, possibly similar or at least in the same vein. Admittedly a bad idea, so I encourage anyone else to join me in this race to the bottom. Misery loves company.
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Life is good for you and your dog when he can poop without your knowing.
It is always colder on a couch than it is walking across a frozen lake.
When you can't hear anything at all you know you have found a good place.
There is not the least bit of doubt that our ancestors were tougher than we are.
Sitting still in one place is difficult—but worth it.
Octodogs are far tastier than caviar.
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I would be delighted to post other profundities here, and I encourage contributions.
Hockey With The Habes
UW vs Michigan.
Incredibly cold walk from parking to restaurant to stadium to parking. Michigan won, but it was still fun.
Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)
Big day in science.
Just after these two large and extraordinarily sensitive devices were set in operation last fall they observed the signal above—a gravitational wave. This discovery confirms Einstein's theory of relativity and confirms the existence of black holes. What I find fascinating is the amount of knowledge that can be deduced from these squiggles. According the the scientists involved, the signals illustrated above tell us that 1.2 billion years ago two black holes spun into each other and coalesced, sending out a big wave of gravity. This wave has been traveling toward Earth all that time and arrived just a few days after the detector had been turned on. Buried in this signal is even something called "ringdown" which is when two black holes shake off anything extraneous and settle into a globular shape.
Longer Days, Frigid Nights
Very cold. Walking a challenge, though Pax has not yet complained. We now have an hour and twenty minutes of light that we did not have at solstice time. So, as I've said before, If winter's here, can spring be far behind?
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Winter is a mood as well as a season.
On a calm lake at night one can row a small wooden boat across the stars.
There are places worth visiting that can only be reached by sitting silently in an empty room.
A paw print in the mud is enough.
A book of poems and a pot of tea are almost too much to handle.
--Leath Tonino
Too Soon To Think Spring?
Windy and cold, but Pax and I still had good walks—actually pleasant in the sun when sheltered in the woods.
But serious cold is in the forecast.
Sue is out this evening to dinner and a play with some of the neighbors. Much to my regret I began noticing a strange malady early this morning, and it has lingered, so I had to pass on tonight's outing. But not to worry...I think I'm feeling substantially better every minute. And, I'm looking forward to watching election results; curious to see if voters will vote for an android—the MR1, also known as the MarcoBot.
Back to Snow and Cold
Half an inch of fluff this morning and more coming down this evening, Thermometer starting to drop rapidly. We appear to be in for the coldest stretch of winter so far.
On our morning wak Pax and I went in street shoes without creepers. No falls, but big mistake. That was a long, hard walk.
An email from Jeff at CERN advises that a gravity wave created by the collision of two black holes will pass by our panet this Thursday, so hold on to your hat. And if you end up on the ceiling, don't say I didn't warn you.
All In The Same Boat
Another beautiful day on the ice—sunny, warmish, and windy!
Ferry service. The starting line was a mile offshore, and people needed to see the action close up.
Tony finishing fast in the Gold Fleet.
Bri on the starting line in the Silver Fleet.
Run! Push! And then quickly and smoothly jump in, while trimming the sail.
Get her going. Get clear of the other boats' wind shadow.
Point up, and head for the weather mark, finding the sweet spot between speed and point.
Three laps later, (quite a bit more than six miles later), (and about 8 minutes later) come screaming across the finish line.