…actually at Chuck’s in Fontana with Sally and Glenn.
Above, sea smoke caused by frigid air moving over not quite frozen water.
The blooming continues
As Mimi finished up her extensive Christmas sewing projects she was rewarded with a nice big piece of broken needle embedded in her big toe. Tetanus shot, antibiotic, and scheduled surgery all part of the holiday celebration.
…blossoming. Will it be in full bloom by Christmas?
a crust of bread
jumps with the sparrows
round the courtyard
—Dina Franin
awakened
as ice bursts
the water jar—
— Basho
a bitter morning:
sparrows sitting together
without any necks
—J. W. Hackett
in the silence
after snow
a wren’s faint chirp
— Rich Krivcher
…also short, and chilly. Just about 9 hours of sun-up, compared to about 15.5 in June. And, we are heading for a deep freeze.
Ideas related to Small Is Beautiful:
Small is Beautiful, Economics as if People Mattered
—EF Schumacher
The function of work is at least threefold: to give a man a chance to utilize and develop his faculties; to enable him to overcome his ego-centeredness by joining with other people in a common task; and to bring forth the goods and services needed for a becoming existence.
“The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not for every man's greed."
--Gandhi
The truth of the matter is that a large part of the costs of private enterprise are borne by the public in terms of basic R&D, infrastructure, subsidies, bailouts, pollution, and cleanup costs.
Which is better—capital employing men or men employing capital?
What is the purpose of an economic system…
is it to maximize the creation of billionaires,
is it to develop an oligarchy,
or is it to provide the opportunity for all members of the society to build dignified and productive lives free from want?
What’s needed is a sustainable economics that prioritizes people and the environment over profit.
…from the shop.
And what a great bike it is. The mechs at VeloCiity did a fine job of cleaning, lubing, adjusting, reconditioning. I just had to take the machine for a twilight ride, and the ride was smooth, steady, and quiet.
Since my ebike in in for its annual refit, and since the weather turned out sunny, still, and warm, I took my very nice non-electrified old traditional bike for a ride, and while everything felt odd, the ride was still worthwhile, though clearly demonstrating the value of a quality electrified two-wheeled conveyance. I get my Turbo Creo back tomorrow, thank goodness.
…the old timer Dem rejects. We now pretend we are right wing farmers, though, of course, only one of us is actually a farmer, and all of us are way out on the left wing.
We have decided that we will now accept reality and recognize that none of our previous big plans amounted to anything. Still and all, it’s good to have friends and to get together to philosophize (or more accurately, shoot the breeze).
Ice on the Rock
…for the common cold, save home remedies, placebos—and time. I’m trying all three and hope I am on the back side of the time curve.
My home-made bookcase with a collection of objects
From A Pattern Language
“Decor” and the conception of “interior design” have spread so widely, that very often people forget their instinct for the things they really want to keep around them.
Do not be tricked into believing that modern decor must be slick or psychedelic, or “natural” or “modern art”, or “plants” or anything else that current taste-makers claim. It is most beautiful when it comes straight from your life—the things you care for, the things that tell your story.
Last evening’s wild wind contributed to the ongoing pruning of the front yard birch tree. As new growth shades out the lower branches, the lowers give up. Then along comes a wind to shake them loose. Keeps the chiminea fully charged and ready to go.
“If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
“The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
“Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
…of the holiday kind.
Evening squall—extreme wind but no snow.
…sunning and grooming by the woodpile.
Remarkable how this little canid can live here, fending for itself. No Science Diet, no vet care, very limited shelter. Tough little dude.
…followed by round one of basketball tournament (won), and then a bite at Mazatlan in Delafield.
Some are very nice.
I’ve developed an interest since Covid, when the shops were inaccessible. And, I’ve started a list of the best—places worth a visit.
At the top of the list is Tranquil Buzz, in Silver City, New Mexico. Closer to home, but also very good are: Cafe 43 in Mineral Point, 2894 On Main in East Troy, and Sharla’s in Milton (see below). Other recommendations are welcome.
In other news, working to adjust to the new cold-weather regime. Just walking around the big block requires some determination. Quite certain I would not, as some folks do, be dipping in ice water.
Ponds and smaller lakes have frozen, though geese are working to maintain their goose holes.
…and a big pot of turkey soup on the hob.
Photo by Bri. Sandwich fabricated by him at his place.
Temperature well below freezing all day.
Ping pong, dominoes, shwoop, and a fabulous full course dinner.
Making progress.
…cranes in the sky, bike in the shop (for its annual reset and restoration). Winter must be creeping slowly down from the north-country.
…and chilly with a very little, very light rain.
T’giving prep, a little music, and escapist reading.
…on a fine day for a walk, on the remarkable circum-lacustrine Lake Geneva path. We also sat for a while just listening to waves along the shore. Therapy.
Bright morning giving way to a cloudy and cool evening with east wind and dropping glass, which we know presages bad weather, though none is in the forecast.
…and rabbit remains.
Two refills on the bird feeder, which seems a lot given the relatively mild conditions—pleasant enough for a very chilly late afternoon bike ride.
Earlier, I sent a comment on the proposed Whitewater Solar Farm to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin:
I’ve wanted solar on my home for quite a few years, but the site and orientation are not ideal. The next best thing, it seems to me, is community solar, or some kind of public/private partnership, and I’ve been advocating for that nearly as long. But, since neither home or community solar seems likely, it looks like I’ll have to settle for the private corporate variety.
The climate crisis is terrifyingly real to anyone who really pays attention, and we humans face a desperate need to stop warming the planet. Solar power is one proven and effective way to cut back on human caused heat pollution.
Therefore, while the proposed Whitewater solar farm is not my ideal choice, I support it. I would just like to be reassured that the project will not extract value from the community for the benefit of a few and leave us residents and taxpayers with the negative externalities/costs.
Concerns I have include:
using American-made equipment, not Chinese,
making sure there is a sound, adequately funded end-of-project restoration and recycling plan (bond?)
making sure that inverter noise is inaudible at the nearest habitation,
using creative and sufficient landscaping and screening,
using a method of installation and operation that is beneficial to the land and the community.
This last point might include using the space between panels for things like berry farming (agro-voltaics), limited regenerative grazing, prairie establishment, and the like. The solar farm property could also be a welcoming place for the community with the possibility of a trail or two, a picnic space, and perhaps even a campsite.
I’ve seen the signs opposing the Whitewater solar installation, but in studying the issues I find that mostly they are just NIMBY. A carefully planned and executed solar farm can meet all concerns, and actually be of significant benefit to the community (and the planet).