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Friends' Blogs:
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Interesting Places:
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Spring has not fully struck Seattle, but its feel is certainly here. The soft peaceful rains caress the still chilly earth through warming mists. Blossoms on some trees start to open; already backyard yellows show us them through clear kitchen windows. For Seattle's longest season I gleefully await its soft and gentle gifts.
Jesse on 01.15.11 @ 05:17 PM EST [link] [6 Comments]
mood: peaceful / unsettled
Today was a pretty day in Nassau. Many of the soft stemmed plants are turning their autumn reds and purples. Most trees still don't have much color, but the maples are starting to show theirs.
The grapes made a harvest this year, a small one, but they are tasty and juicy; and a little under two pounds. That is for the ones I picked today, all Concords; there remain a few bunches to see if they ripen better, and one bunch of Niagaras that aren't sweet enough to my liking.
Finally, two nice, orange (hopefully pie) pumpkins came from the small garden where they spontaneously sprouted from earlier this year. Thoughts of pumpkin pie are starting to drip onto my tongue; I'd say it is the right time of year.
Happy Fall to all, and hopefully the winter will not be too bitter.
Jesse on 09.13.09 @ 05:21 PM EST [link] [2 Comments]
mood: Woozy
The back seems to be an important part of the body. I know mine is, because now that it is in pain I can't do very much more than lie here and type this entry. That's not exactly true, I can get up and walk around a bit, but not without more pain and annoyance, and a feeling of helplessness. Of course I can watch TV (thankfully we just got one of those converter boxes and an antenna not too long ago), and luckily the remote controls are right by my couch.
But you start to get a little woozy after a little while of lying in bed doing basically nothing with your body, and your head starts to feel funny. Luckily, the pain is much better today; the tequila last night really helped, much better than the naproxin I took earlier in the day. And it was well worth any headaches or wooziness I feel in my head now and then.
May this pain and paralysis soon recede, may I again be normal and walking without pain. I just hope I can get fully over this and not have any more "problems" with my back, the fact of which is pretty stupid and ridiculous if you ask me. What, pulling up Bittersweet roots should screw me up so badly?
Jesse on 08.04.09 @ 01:03 PM EST [link] [2 Comments]
So a few weeks ago I found a strange charge on my card from www.gglprofit.com, or Google Profit, which apparently has nothing to do with Google. When I called them to dispute the charge they wanted all sorts of personal information of mine, so I said no thanks, though I may have given them my phone number, I don't recall (later they called me back and said, we're sorry, now we will help you with the charge; I let voicemail take it). I called my credit card company to dispute the charge and they refunded it with no problem. A few minutes later I noticed there was a pending transaction on the same card which I knew nothing about, from APL IPOD, or something like that.
So, then I called my credit card company again and they suggested I change the number of the account, basically mark it lost/stolen, which I did because I figured that would settle things. Sure, it was a pain to have to change the card number with my online billers, such as Netflix and Amazon, but at least I wouldn't have to worry about more unauthorized charges, right?
Well this morning I was looking at my credit account online and noticed a charge for $7.95 from www.fedgrantusa.com. When you go to their website it looks like a scam site. So I called my credit card company again, and again they told me I should call the company who made the charge first. So I did, and just like gglprofit they wanted personal information; but this I time when I said I wasn't going to give it to them they actually hung up on me.
| Jesse on 07.18.09 @ 01:26 PM EST [link] [1 Comment] |
On Monday we accomplished several things. It seems it was the perfect time to pick elderberries in Nassau, we found two trees (or groups of trees) and gathered at least 3 cups worth. The hawthorn berries are big, probably full-sized, but still green and immature. The goldenrod is almost in full flower and the milkweed are getting close to bursting.
The kim chi was tested and it seems to be quite nice, all three jars, except that the brine had receded from the tops of them, and the seaweed one seemed to be bad in that part of it (but not the rest). New brine was added at this time. This was the kim chi kept in the basement.
Butternut and delicata squash are growing fast, it seems, and they are fairly big and will probably be ready in the next few weeks. The pumpkins are already turning orange.
Jesse on 08.29.07 @ 05:30 PM EST [link]
There should be some kind of guide for biking Albany (NY of course), though then again maybe it's more fun figuring it out for yourself.
I biked around Albany for the first time today, well, for the first time out of my neighboring area (Friday was the first time). It was pretty neat actually, I hadn't really biked a good distance like that in a long time (around 5 yrs. I think, and that was only in Ithaca to go a short distance to work, and only with difficulty because I was usually tired and didn't really know anything about adjusting the bike for my size. I did bike on our trip to Portland, a week or so ago, but I don't think that counts so much since it was in a far-distant city).
I suppose I forgot, if I really ever knew, how quickly one can move on a bike. I was in places in no time, which by walking would seem eons away. Of course driving is quicker, but driving generally sucks. I do like it in the country, though less and less as the idea of burning oil seems less and less appealing, and less and less friendly. I somehow feel more assured and more free knowing that I can get to the far reaches of the city in around 45 minutes, if not less once I get more in shape and know more about what I am doing. It's re-enlived Albany for me, which for some time now has seemed to me a place without significant energy, joy or vitality, even though I am happy to be once again on my own, which has been quite wonderful. Somehow taking to the streets and feeling free on them has made Albany seem greener and happier, where people go out of doors and smile, and even seem like they really are enjoying it. Thank you bicycles, I think you make the world a livlier place (and bicycle inventors and developers of course).
Jesse on 07.08.07 @ 10:26 PM EST [link]
What has been quite exciting for me recently, is that I have found someone to move into an apartment with in Albany. And we have found a really nice place (it's actually 4 houses SW from the arrow, with a black roof) to move into. Oddly enough, we'll be opposite the Governor's Mansion, but will move in at least a full month before Eliot Spitzer does.
Jesse on 11.14.06 @ 01:12 PM EST [link]
Yesterday I went plant hunting with a new friend, looking for roots, berries and other wild edibles. What we found were, first, a good bunch of rose hips - these wild rose bushes can often be troublesome as one easily gets tangled in them when working outside, but I guess something told me I should leave some of them around; glad I did, and besides there were many in areas we don't disturb.
Another plant that I thought was "undesirable", or at least ugly and annoying, is burdock. I just learned it's a biennial, and so the first year's growth doesn't have the burrs or really look quite like the second year's growth, which I am more familiar with. Anyway, it is the first year we were interested in, as much of the nutrients are still in the roots, which is the part we were looking for. We found some nice size ones and made a vinegar out of some of them, and chopped up the rest and put them in a stir fry, which was actually quite good (burdock root has a tasty, but unique flavor, for me anyway).
Also there was dandelion root and greens, and some onion grass we found growing back in the woods just up from a wet area. The dandelion roots we found didn't turn out to be too big, possibly from competition with grasses and other "lawn" species.
The milkweed pods have really opened up now. They were spraying all over the field today; I could see their little white plumes scattered in and about the tall grasses and weed plants, as well as lounging contentedly on the trimmed lawn. They happen to be one of my favorite plants, and I hope to allow more to grow next year; along with more wild rose bushes and burdock 
Jesse on 11.01.06 @ 03:40 AM EST [link]
I don't know about you, but my tolerance for violence in films just isn't what it used to be. Two days ago I saw The Departed, a Scorcese mob film about a cop infiltrating the mob and a mobster infultrating the police. While I think it was well made and the acting was good, it was so violent I wished I hadn't seen it. I don't know how many shots their were of someone getting shot in the head and us seeing it and the blood splattering out. I really don't this sort of thing is good for me to watch, maybe for no one. I suppose it wasn't good for me to watch as a kid either 
Jesse on 10.19.06 @ 01:40 PM EST [link]
Many trees are turning now, with leaves hitting the ground in numbers. The gourd plant leaves have mostly been fried by the cold, especially the ones on the East side of the garden.
Planted most of the garden yestersday with winter rye. Have left the red russian kale, we'll see how long it lasts and if it comes back next year. Believe I found a cicada (sp?) while turning up the soil, put it back in around the middle of the garden.
Today felt the first strong, cold gust of fall; previously the only winds I'd felt had been somewhat warm or refreshing.
I believe the guinea hens are full grown now, or almost; I count two females and one male (by looking at the skin flaps on the side of his face). Still are six chickens, four hens (three 2-yr old, one 1-yr old) and two roosters (they being the young ones born this year). They are still laying eggs, and I have a light timer on to keep their house illuminated from 6pm - 9pm.
Jesse on 09.29.06 @ 04:03 PM EST [link]
Well, the tomatoes are doing pretty well this year, especially the brandywines, though most of them are still green - were a few nice red ones a few weeks ago in a spurt. The gourds took over the fence again and are growing really large, much larger than last year. Think I have a pumpkin plant growing on the fence too, some nice 1' diameter pumpkins hanging from it. The strawberries are doing ok, though not really expanding as much as I would have hoped. The strawberries that I have let develop are rather small and puny, and not very tasty - maybe they'll be better next year? Maybe all that manure is stunting their growth? The peppers are growing very nicely, and I think with some support they might have done even better - they're elongate and all still green, but semi-sweet and juicy.
Neither the broccoli nor the cauliflower worked out, except for one or two plants with rather small heads the rest all bolted quite early, the cold and rain maybe?
Plan on establishing some winter rye over most of the garden, except where tomatoes, peppers and gourds are.
Jesse on 09.10.06 @ 12:02 PM EST [link]
Last week (4/30...) planted several frasier fir trees in the front yard, to the right under the maple tree. Planted three everbearing strawberry plants in the NE corner of the garden.
This week, planted two lupine plants (Jack Russell hybrid) in flower bed at end(side) of the house in each of the Southern corners. Planted two more everbearing strawberry plants with others in garden.
Today, threw quick growing grass seed over the patch of ground near the cellar doors and in front of the big windows. Put bird netting on top and elevated it several inches, to keep away peckers.
Should be time soon for Jason's turkeys, and then our McMurray chickens...
Jesse on 05.10.06 @ 10:17 PM EST [link]
mood: exhausted
Yesterday I planted some High Mowing Seeds broccoli (De Cicco #2300) and Red Russian kale (#2530) seeds in the West-center of the garden, as well as a few cucumbers (Straight Eight #2460) along the ESE side of the fence. The day before I planted Sugar Daddy (#2764) and Sugar snap (#2765) peas along the WSW and SSW sides of the fence. I also covered up the winter rye grass to allow it to die.
On Monday hiked up the Tower Mountain Road trail to the Taconic Crest Trail, and continued over Tower Mtn. and onto Berry Pond. The TMR was more like a small road, and could probably have been climbed by a small pickup truck. There were picknick tables at Berry Pond, as well as an access road(s).
Jesse on 04.12.06 @ 02:52 PM EST [link]
Tonight I saw a man riding down Central Ave. with a shopping cart tied to the back of his bicycle. It was quite picture perfect really, and I was happy to have caught it. But I imagine it must be rather difficult for him when he has to stop.
It was a nice and cool, humid semi-spring night with just the right amount of moisture in the air, and not too much heat to accompany it. I look forward to such nights - they remind me of the relaxed and lazy nights of warmer weather, when life isn't as serious or critical, and we can churn ourselves softly through the loving air. How safe and assured we feel, soothed and protected by this gentle blanket of mist.
I wish I had been riding that bicycle, it looked like it would have been a good time 
Jesse on 03.12.06 @ 10:03 PM EST [link]