Firsts

Video Description: Estoria telling us how upset she is that we didn't get her a pony for Christmas.

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Uncle Adam has proven time and and time again that he's a good uncle, as he frequents Estoria's abode often. When asked what Sheena might want for Christmas, I told him a babysitting voucher; his face went form and "Oh yeah, good idea" look and quickly morphed into a "Oh hell no, I've seen her freak out crying" look. Despite that, he may prove to be a good Daddy, too! Look out, ladies.

We's kin.

Thanks, WIC. Similac, kiss my booby.

With a worldwide shortage of drool, Esty has been doing her part. Thanks a lot dogs, you've really been a slackin'! Troll Drool Rules!

There's a Ski Hash tonight in Thomas, I believe it starts at Rob's home. Good luck catching him! If there is enough snow, maybe a Leadmine Hash could be in order for the March 6 event?

Any good Resolutions? Mine has to do with something I read in an Osho book yesterday. He said if you want roses, focus on the rosebush. If you want love/peace, focus on meditation. These former things are products of tending to the latter. Nice thoughts. Adios Twenty Ten.

Hell Week

It's a tradition to call this week "Hell Week," since the Canaan Valley area is slammed with people all trying to get their fix of snow and grub. My own personal hell is not so much a hell at all, although doing massages day in and day out leaves me a bit delirious and a bit sore. Heaven and hell are states of mind, according to Mr. Cayce. My mind hasn't been this clear in a while, and I await more of the onslaught of phone calls and last minute scheduling fiascos. Bare with me, and maybe you'll get those kinks worked out sooner or later.

Now We Know Who The Troll Is

This is Estoria's Mom, Sheena, at birth. I mentioned that Esty was nicknamed Troll at birth...now we know why!

And this is Estoria, our daughter, who seems to have made a slight change to the beautiful face that begets many a person who just got kicked out of the warmest paradise they'll ever know (sorta, too bad we don't really know it while its happening.)...she just switched eyes.

In other news, Chaga (aka Todd, single, waiting, call me please!) has been putting out some fun ski videos that anybody who *wishes* they were skiing can get the feeling a bit. Nothing beats the real thang, but if yer jonesin'. Who's that weirdo makin' the face?

Snow Days

Winter has greeted our land on time and steadily. A small thaw left a teeny base of breakable crust that was topped with another 6-8 inches (or a few feet, depending on the natural features and how the wind blows.) It has been utterly terrific skiing. Yeehaw!

Esty got her first ski day with Pops.
She's in that pull sled pictured, happily awaiting some kick and glide.

But before I took the little love out for a stroll, I followed these two brothers to certain fun. Upon reaching the lodge...

...I fooled myself into doing it again with these two fine gentlemen. 

Dang, it was good. I mean REALLY GOOD!

Anybody think a tele race or two would be worthwhile? Lets chat.

Just Keep That Head In The Sand

Love it. Fox Ain't Got No Slant! Our favorite "news" organization's head honcho tells his little "reporters/skewers", that they should basically hold out against admitting that irrefutable piles of scientific research on global warming are worth a shit. The Rude Pundit delights in easily exposing their own rottenness in nearly every post. They just pour out the crap. 

Guess it just ain't enough to have nearly every respected scientist to agree that the trend is a warming of this globe. What do they know, anyhow!? Don't they know that it's easier to just deny information rather than gather and assess it? Silly scientists.

I wonder if science had anything to do with this: Solar Powered Hornets Teach Mankind. A much more concise (and, yes, complicated) explanation of WTF is going on with these flying power plants can be found here. (Ah, biomimicry! Such wonderful pagan undertones...)

Here's the Little One:

This house is dope!

Well, not really. Hemp House. Check and see how high on the list of green building it really is.

gizmag has a nice dulaity to it...

Standing next to it while it burns down (not wishing that upon this milestoned home) will not get you a buzz...at least not the one you may want. But hey, Asheville, NC seems like the greener part of anything outside of California/West Coast (How did Ol' Jerry put it? "The country got shook up and all the fruits nuts and queers rolled on over to California!" Love you, man.) Next thing we gotta allow is the farming of this super-versatile plant and making Hempcrete at home. What an idea.

"It's been so loooooong..."

"...since I've heard that pretty voice!" Caught one of my favorite groups, Cloud Cult, a few weeks ago and the are tighter than ever and the live art gets better too. Whoa. It's been too long for me to have not been posting more. I guess living down in the hills with natural surroundings and no people to disturb the inherent peace of the area could have something to do with it. Perhaps if the new digs get hip to the 21st century then we can blog from that peaceful place...likely making for more peaceful posts? We'll see if there is a positive correlation.

 Esty's First Taste of Turkey...even if it is via breast milk. I am convinced that, just like brassicas make for fussy milk, turkey milk must have a sleepy effect on the babe. She was so dang good for the few days after Giving Thanks. She may be proud to know that her Dad and two uncles had hands in slaying, gutting, and cleaning the bird. Thanks to Ben, Stacy Kay and Cora for the bloody good time at Healthberry Farm. Support local any way you can, man! Dang camera battery was dead or else I woulda posted a gnarly and innformative visual buthcering experience. May make all you fellow carnivores know where meat can come from. No factories here, thank jah.

Injun Summer

After many days of high 60's, I am beginning to put away the wool pants and go for the swim trunks. Dang, the puddles aren't even icing over (and I know since coffee shop boy hasta be up and at 'em by either 6 (six) or 7 (seven) in the a.m....lurking around the 'hood while the quaint little town sleeps and dreams of insecurity and internal strife). But wait, the weatherman has changed his mind, again! Low 30's and a chance of snain (snow/rain) Thursday...way too far to predict, but hey, what else is the guy gonna do?
What's the dill, pickle?

Here's the dill.

 

And here's the lil' one. Bright sunlight deserves awesome hat. Baby Bjorn is da best!

She was about to cry...see the water in her eye? But Dad made a funny noise and face...and she snapped out of it. Taught to me by Chipper. Thanks. The method continues. "Laughter is the best medicine."

White Up High

Canaan Heights gets the first taste of snow! Oh yeah baby! A teaser, but still appreciated. Thanks Ullr. DRFP (Davis RiverFront Park) coulda been skied with some rock skis. Maybe next time...It's gone now!

Multiple Canaans

 My neighbor and one of my (oftentimes!) best buds growing up in Canaan Valley was named Canaan (pictured above with his Pops Chazz). Both were pronounced differently, the Valley bucking the tradition with kuh-nane, instead of the original kay-nun. Harry, our bus driver for a few years, always called him Cannon. He loved leaving out the Y sound. Kids snickered every time Harry boomed out "Cannon, get in your seat!!!" Harry never changed his pronunciation, not once.

Canaan the man, who I just got to hang with for the first time in, oh, something like 4 years (he's been chasing winter around the globe, Endless Winter? Coaching NZ skiers there, in CA and in CAlifornia. Go buddy go!) may eventually settle in Canaan Valley someday.....very far away? His skills are being used in the race universe, so it might be a while.

What sparked this strange post about Canaan (the man, the place, and yes, lest we forget, the biblical land of milk and honey) was that I stumbled upon a pretty interesting site called The Change Creation. There goal is clearly stated, and the buggers make ya think a little more than the regular automaton by having the website go ----> that way and not  |
                                                              |
                                                              |
                                                              V
                                                                this way.

While in this inspiring website, I came across Canaan Fair Trade. "Fair Trade Delicacies From Palestine, The Land Of Milk And Honey." Having read about the Canaanites focus on agriculture and essentially more nomadic disposition due to erratic changes in the climate (Did you hear that echo?), it seems fitting that Canaan, the man and winter nomad, is living in a very intensive agricultural place, New Zealand...perhaps it is like a modern day land of milk and honey? Not to piss off any fellow Americans.

Small World(s)

Aw, soooo cute. Little baby black bean aphids magnified 40x. Momma looks like she should have an instrument. Maybe she sings.

By Dr. Tomas Cabello,  Roquetas de Mar, Spain.

Man, the things that people are discovering and doing simply astounds me. Ever since I started reading Gizmag, I've been thrust head first into what used to be thought of as Sci-Fi, but is now, more and more, becoming Sci-Re(ality.) Take these microscopic pictures, for instance, and perhaps you'll see what I mean. There are some pretty cool ones here.

While some of the high technology can be used for scary purposes, it's mostly fascinating and intriguing. "Green" energy has taken more and more steps toward becoming "accepted/normal," and not some far-out pipe dream. Reduce, reuse, recycle. But keep on playin' with power!

Here are some examples:  


A solar thermal power plant that requires only sun and air. Pretty cool.

Or the Domespace, a passive solar and solar powered rotating dome house with a central fireplace and amazing insides. (Gotta love the repetitive copy paste photo edit on the second pic. Nice yard.) Seems circles are less likely to be blown over. What an idea!

And here is some hot shit, literally. Those cousins across the pond are turning poo into power. Another old idea that has a 21st century spin.

OK, last one...for now. In a few years we may have the ability to paint on solar film...Sounds a lot easier than installing a mounted roof unit, eh?

*Add-On* Grist informed us off the power of poop. With the help of microbes, people have figured out how to make plastics out the microbe's dung....and it's byproducts are harmless and biodegradable. Holy shit? No. But it's cool shit.

• Maybe there is still hope for humanity?
  
   
• Cloud Cult - Running with the Wolves from Eric Power on Vimeo.
     

Connected to Change

Oh, what a silly idea that is.

Dang, Grist just keeps pumping out interesting information. Seems our neighbors in the EU are rallying together to voice their disdain for genetically modified (GM) crops. (Poor Monsanto, silly Forbes. Seems reminiscent of Highland Prospects...except the Chamber never lamented.)

And it's about time: West Coast mindset moves bikes to forefront.
Which leads to mentioning WV's poor public transportation.

One more thing: Organic Milk Rap Video:

Gone Leaves

Davis just ain't good enough...the Fall season is creeping into the area, ending the leaf peeping and beginning the doldrums of tourism. Time to clean the sails and ration the vittles! Anchors unneeded.

Nejoe tried teaching Honey how to levitate (much easier on the ol' joints) but she's already airy enough, so she did her best to stay somewhat grounded. I didn't teach her any of that stuff. Uncle Mike is likely responsible for that. It takes a village...

UConn work shows benefits of hemp biodiesel - Biodiesel Magazine

UConn work shows benefits of hemp biodiesel - Biodiesel Magazine

Damn Hippies. Figuring out more great and reliable uses for hemp. Wouldn't ya know, the seed oil from good ol' cannabis sativa performs wonderfully when used as a biofuel. Many biofuels begin to cloud and become more and more viscous (they thicken/gel) as the temperature drops; mainly below freezing is when problems can occur (unless you can apply heat to the system). Hemp oil, it turns out, doesn't begin to cloud until -20 C or -4 F. That's a mighty big advantage. Alas, America, the Land of the Free, doesn't allow you the freedom to grow this harmless and diversely helpful plant. But, as the article points out, the faintest bit of clouding begins earlier than -4 F: at about 22 degrees.

Hemp is useful and good for soil health. That's why our First Prez Geo Washington grew the hell out of it. Tobacco destroys soil health pretty quickly. He made the right move. Before hemp was made illegal, our American flags, most ropes and sails for ships, clothes, our paper, yea, even our Constitution was made from this versatile crop. It's too bad that it gets lumped in with the most evil plant on the earth. Oh wait, that's tobacco. (I don't really believe plants have morality.)

Time Measured in Months

 HAPPY 2 MONTH BIRTHDAY, ESTY!

2 months young and already standing! (w/ a little help...)

Thanks to Ms. Summer W., former Davis resident and power Mom, for the great Bumbo auto-sit baby stand. Esty loves it! And we do, too. 

Every since we discovered that she could sit up by herself in this little thang, the rigorous workout/training routine has gotten a whole lot tougher. She is now required to do pull-ups, push-ups, and the newest addition, sit-ups. As Ani D. put it...Up Up Up Up Up!

Kinda forget who got Esty this one...was it Glenda? Thanks, whomever! Anyhow, I sewed this sweet MSBC patch on there and am anxiously awaiting some huge offer for mass production...not really. But I like it, nonetheless.

The REAL Baby Party

As you may have read (or imagined), Estoria's pre-Estoria baby party was a hit. But just recently, a mini-baby party was had with Mr. August in attendance.  While Esty is still typically staring in one direction and flailing clumsily, from my observations she is making the connection that her hand, which is connected her brain, can and is actually affecting the world around her. Use the tools well, sweetie!

And once I tweak some more photos I'll post 'em....these days there is so much room on a little digi that it's hard to justify taking a picture with pixelated cube eyeballs. Sorry gramps, time to upgrade from the dial-up!

Deep Down Fear

I don't have an affinity for things with multiple appendages, especially spiders. I have worked hard on overcoming my fear of these (typically) harmless creatures who are likely more threatened by me, and I must say, the fact that I didn't squash this big nasty lookin' guy was a signpost that I am doing better. I assume he came aboard my vehicle via sunflowers, which I desperately needed to harvest, dry and....use. Anyhow, he was spotted crawling around Esty's car seat base. Thankfully the little one was not with me, or she may have eaten him/her (I didn't check...).

Spider Motel, soon to be demolished, well, moved, dried, then disassembled.

I drove home and literally forget about the arachnid instantly, blaring some TVOTR, again, and planning the fall growing plans in the garden of my mind. As I began to unload the heady sunflowers, I noticed some pretty hefty webs crisscrossing that trusty car seat base....dang! I had forgotten! How endangering! How Cory of me! Alas, I had lost track of this beautifully threatening-looking spider. Was he on my shirt collar, waiting for me to notice it before sinking into my neck? Or was it waiting for the *click* of the car seat, hoping to find some less able prey? Either way, I wanted to get him outta my coche. And then it appeared, on the headrest, looking so powerful and hungry, despite it's little figure. And then I pissed my pants. Not really. That only happens when I watch Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. But I managed to get him onto an old coffee cup sleeve (with the outdated Hypno logo on it, wouldn't wanna improve it and hurt an artist's feelings, now would we?) and he stayed dead still while I brought him inside to show the ladies.
Shee-Ra exclaimed shrilly, "OmiJah! Kill that thing NOW!"

"Alright, where is that asiago pizza...?"

Wow. Such harmful/hateful commands coming from an often sweet and gentle woman...often.  I was then on guard and protecting this fine looking beast from her swatting banter. Hastily we fled to the wonderful place that is outside of your boring right-angle "home." The sun shone brightly on the spider's big  red back, and he began to scamper towards my hand. I tinkled only a little. Deftly, I waited until it was a spider's length from my fingertip and did the ol' flip-a-roo-roo on the little bugger. He had no other choice but to keep moving along the cardboard treadmill prison. Applying his web all the way, I took a trip to the nearby pond and put him in the bamboo-like plants that are overtaking some of my wet yard. Well, I hope that he doesn't find his way back to my vehicle, or the house. Just make a nice little home by the pond, where the yummy bugs play and the dogs won't eat you. Live a simple life in a quiet town. (Post-posting note: My great pal Chip B. informed me that this little creature is a marbled orb weaver (Araneus marmoreus). And, as it turns out, it is totally harmless. Likely more frightened of us than we needed to be of it...)

No Way. Really?

Surprise surprise, genetically engineered corn that produces its very own insecticide (ah, the epitome of laziness, go humans!) is somehow getting into America's pristine waterways in the corn-rich flats of the Midwest. That is so hard to believe! Perhaps they can re-engineer that pesky staple food to also not deteriorate and spread its remains across the ground. Or, like Mr. Colbert said, maybe they could be self-picking?

Yeah, I'd like an insecticide smoothie with some extra Raid, please.

Dunes are not Mountains

Estoria added another first to her fast-growing list of firsts: vacation at the beach. Now, she didn't get in the ocean, surf, collect shells, build castles, howl at babes (well, a little), or eat tons of fresh seafood...but you can't blame her. If I could be fed from a breast and nothing else, why bother with scum eating bottom feeders??? As for the other activities, well, she can't talk, walk, swim (maybe?) or use her good ol' opposable thumbs that well yet.So it was mostly boob. Rough life.

You can really get a quality sunrise when its this flat. I miss the mountains, oh wait, there's Mt. Trashmore, the highest point in Va. Beach!

One big fairly functioning family.

Esty's Lion Friend lying awake while her baby human friend naps...

Clearly, this picture was taken just after some gastrointestinal activity had subsided...or should I say, transpired?

One morning, while Mom was still getting ready to come to the beach, Cory and Estoria built a sweet lean-to for the delicate-skinned babe. Replete with sand and a boogie board ceiling. Gosh dad, why didn't you go into engineering? Because I hate math, that's why.

Captured this guy trying to break into our beer cooler...little bugger had a leash tied to him...didn't like that so I freed him to go try another tourist's cooler. Better luck next time, dragon.

He said he was searching for surf...but a few minutes later four (4!) beach babes strolled on by, checked our boards, bods, and decided that anorexic looking boys weren't their type. Oh, and the surf sucked that day.

Nuclear apocol...I mean, another gorgeous morning on the east coast (clearly the east or it'd be a sunset...). This picture makes me ponder whether I/we really are part of the environment we inhabit. What do you think?

And upon returning, we were overgrown with an abundance of cherry and pear tomatoes. All organic ("certification" can kiss it) and ready for some taste buds! I'm peddling them at hypno today, and maybe later if they last, so come and get some. They are good for and also taste good, too. Wow, nice combo.

High Heat with a Chance of Frost

Frozen camera winter pic used for the title photo. Well, if it's gonna get this cold at night 'round here we may as well dust, wax, and sharpen (if you are edgy)  the skis, eh?

More wild technology that may benefit our weighty nation: A fryer that uses air, not oil. Not sure if it works that well or how it tastes, likely not as "good" tasting as using oil. Sweet little sin!

And then there is the DJ's cremation dream: press my ashes to vinyl, sucka! wikawika!

Stay out of my yard!

Haven't checked to see if the Davis garden has been affected by the cool weather. The Valley plot was frozed up a bit last Sunday...light frost but enough to make green go brown...ya know, like death. Talk about fluctuation...

Local Vibe All Around

Local food for local people. Close to the earth isn't a bad thing. People in this community stay pretty well connected. And it's that kinda web that is needed to get the info out, and the action in, about things like Gasland. If you think it's a good idea to "frack" (hydraulic fracturing) for natural gas, think again. This fact sheet will inform ye on thine own ignorance. 

So peeps, despite the carrot called cash profit for selling your mineral rights, it is likely not worth the cost of having your land practically ruined, your property value slashed, and your personal and environmental health severely threatened/harmed. Inform(ation).

 

Estoria doesn't even need to dream of local food, it has come true. And when I say local, I mean front yard. The orange cherry 'maters are the sweetest I've ever had. Maybe it's all that good horse poo and blood meal? Maybe organic/biodynamic farming methods actually makes food taste yummy?

Fuzzy pic on top of da mountain...it's actually dark but that darn flash made it appear different than reality...funny how that works, eh?

On the way up to this fine party, I witnessed a few dancing ferns...no camera trick.

Energy R Me

I'm geekin' out on all the emerging technology these days; especially the gizmos that are making life healthier for people and the planet. So here goes my Geek List:

• Seattleites at Clarian Power are putting out a DIY renewable energy Solar and Wind Plug-In unit, called the Sunfish and Jellyfish. Seems fairly simple and safe...oh yeah, and it's pretty affordable, comparably.
• Finally, the dopest car in the world may soon be a reality. Canadians are making electric vehicles out of "an impact resistant bio-composite material that is made from hemp mats." Ridin' High! (yeah, we all know that hemp doesn't give out the tetrahydracannonball stuff...so why is it still illegal?)
• Those dang Germans are up to there pesky inventiveness again! Solar Architect Rolf Disch created Heliotrope more than fifteen (15) years ago on the edge of the Black Forest, a bright idea indeed. Heliotrope is a house that is still a big deal because it produces more electricity than it actually uses. And it slowly rotates to maximize the sun's simple rays. Oh, and it's designed with seasons in mind, ya know, feng shui for buildings...read more at that link.

Oh people people, there is so much more. Alas, I must get back to cleaning up the Hypno Vessel and designing more ingenious ways to caffienate the masses. Pics will come soon if I remember to have my camera around...enjoy the final throes of summer.

"Baby Please Whatcha Say To Me..."

"Ain't nothin' new up under the sun..." - J5

Ladies and Gentlemen (minus Chip B.), my apologies for not getting this press release out sooner, but Miss Estoria Maeve Chase (8 lbs. 1 oz., 19 1/2 inches, benches 250 and down to a 5 minute mile) has been a bit of a nag about the publishing rights, royalties, music video contracts, record deals, yadda yadda....(you didn't know? She is going to totally piss her Momma off and lead a rock band called Maeve and the Madness...practice in the garage, will ya sweetheart?) Esty's already been forced to listen to such greats as Ween, Tricky, JJ Cale, Thievery Corporation, Blackalicious, Queen, and many, many others.

But with much coaxing and plenty of intoxicating (look up Maeve, in some places...) breast milk, we got her quite sloppy John Hancock on ten (10) of the fifteen (15) documents that we needed her to sign before she just had to pretend to be hungry again but really just needed a nap. So here it comes; a complete onslaught of photography. Done by yours falsely, mostly:

First clean baby pic: led to her nickname of Troll. This is only one hour after birth, as well as the next two pics.

 

 Girl Power

 

"Alright, where the hell is my mother?"

Our alien philosopher contemplates what's so cool about life on earth...

The first outing, one week young, Athey and Maggie's helluva good time wedding. 

This is her typical thing, reaching out and wondering where the boob is...

Almost two weeks old...Troll is back again! 

She is starting to crack these cute little smiles...only when the camera is far off. So cute, and usually after a good feeding. Sheena may be getting lonely this weekend as Pops has to work the Hypno Vessel.  So, if you read this before Sunday, swing by the ol' homestead and give Sheena a much deserved break/visit. We live in the little gray house at the end of Freeland. Stop on by!

It's On!
 

Country Style

It's not a soccer ball...nor is it really in focus, since I try to snap 'em before she gets photo-nervioso. Aiming for that raw, unadulterated image.

Fog Bot walks with us, while hunting. He usually lurks behind in the bushes....and then sprints past us, only to wait for another chance to pounce. What a funny animal. I've never had a cat that takes walks with me. Neat.

Holy Appetite, SheeRa baked some colorful carrots, beets, garlic, and 'taters. They tasted amazing and also created gastrointestinal activity not felt since, well, you get the point.

Still no major baby activity. All interested parties are asked to relax, breathe deep, and imagine a smooth process of total release, healing through the struggle, and flexibility for Sheena. And spiritual caffeine for Cory. Total thanks.