Slow is Smooth. Smooth is Fast.

Breathe Green

2012-02-06T18:21:00.002-05:00

This video is super rad. And researchers at MIT have been working on a super green idea: turning cut grass into solar power generators. It turns out that photosynthetic molecules exist in regular ol' grass, and someday soon we laymen and laywomen may be able to toss up some chemicals and make a sort of paint to harvest light. Freakin' cool.

Dub V Small Farmers Unite!

2012-02-03T10:47:00.000-05:00

At the end of this month there will be a Small Farms Conference in Morgantown, WV. Subjects of interest for me include farm-to-school networking, high tunnels, winter farming, beekeeping, poultry production, and cut flowers, to be brief. Hope to see you there!

Onion in My Eye

2012-01-27T19:10:00.001-05:00

If you don't read The Onion once is a while, then you probably don't like to laugh, and you likely hate dark humor...or you just don't know what you are missing. Well, its not news, but it sure is funny. This lewd story (***If reading foul language makes you feel weird, then don't click the link.) about a future mother kinda sums up how I felt when Estoria was forming in her Momma's belly, and I

Eye of the Beholder

2012-01-25T21:09:00.001-05:00

Kid world, usually a bit blurry. DJ Esty deep in thought, feelin' the beat."A'ight everybody, bring down the house." These are the last pictures that were taken on my little camera before I, unknowingly, put the teeny guy through the washing machine. Dang. I hate it when that happens. It still works, though, sorta. I can review pictures on the memory stick but when I tak a picture, it looks

Timeless

2012-01-17T15:54:00.000-05:00

This is part of a transcript of a speech that Martin Luther King, Jr gave on March 31, 1968 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The whole speech, titled "Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution," can be read in it's entirety here. The Rude Pundit turned me on to it, and it is quite appropriate for today. The Rudeness pointed out that we should take out the word "millionaire" and put

Take away your personhood

2012-01-04T23:22:00.002-05:00

Vermont is pretty cool. Not just because I have family and friends that decide to live there, not just because it doesn't allow billboard ad's on the highway, not just because it borders Canada, and not just because it has reeeeally fun skiing. Stephen Colbert brings Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders to tell the nation about the fight to end corporate personhood....(thus highligting more of

2012-01-01T19:32:00.000-05:00

Waiting for Snow. Wall Monkey Thinking. Esty made a mean stew reminiscent of cement mix. Yum. Her friend Salomon can't wait to try it. "Ummm, yeah, that stew jus' ain't no good!" What is this scene? It's a Christmas Market in Thomas, WV replete with tye-dyed clothing, hand made felted bowls/creations, local photography, handmade super cute children's clothing, yummy yum baked goods, aromatic

Pending Resolution(s)

2011-12-26T09:41:00.000-05:00

Hey readers, what the heck have you been thinking about changing in your life for the New Year!? Let me know. I've been remembering all of my former resolutions and just how great I was at forgetting about them around January 13th...if I am lucky. So maybe I should make a resolution to just remember what it is that I want to change. I mean dang, if I can't even remember then I am surely not

It's a Free Country

2011-12-22T16:38:00.000-05:00

Ha ha ha ha! I love this. It's not every day that a man walks up to a campaigning politician and, in front of everybody, calls him a "F-ing A-hole!" But, as the other side of the coin shows, he is a lunatic democrat! As long as you are laughing....

Count them

2011-12-20T21:36:00.002-05:00

Friends. Food. Water. Children. Pets. Family. Music music music. Just a few of the things that I put in the blessings category. Being thankful and being un-thankful are both daily choices, moment by moment. Darned if I don't catch myself slipping into a repetitive spiral of thoughts that don't serve me (anymore, perhaps). A smile cracks and the greater, more calm part of me remembers that I

Think About It.

2011-12-15T18:21:00.002-05:00

Work in obedience to your vision, not to career success. That's the idea that has been rattling my delicate cage. YES! Magazine (super rad non-profit ad-free ultra positive goodness) ran an article on a Mr. Wes Jackson, who has been working on basically lessening the damaging effects of agriculture by revamping perennial plants, like rice, sorghum and sunflowers, and tuning in the process to

Let Time Lapse

2011-12-06T22:13:00.001-05:00

Here is a pretty nice time lapse video of the night sky. Time lapse Maroco from Jean-Luc Dauvergne on Vimeo.

Catchy

2011-12-01T21:19:00.003-05:00

My new favorite rock song: Warren Zevon's "Nighttime in the Switching Yard" from his Excitable Boy album. It's a freakin' great album...the video is from some Aussie TV show? Killer hair and dancing... Also check out Detox Mansion, Splendid Isolation, and, of course, Lawyers, Guns and Money. This is another case of awesomeness that doesn't fit the cultural mold so it gets overlooked. Like Ween

+++PRESSURE+++ = Break

2011-11-13T21:03:00.001-05:00

If you have wondered about the potential for a link between fracking (hydraulic fracturing for natural gas) and earthquakes, here it is. Esty's Popop (spelling?) sent this to me. Seems that the "link" has been known about for a few decades...Let's just have EPA run some tests and trials that will not give us any results until two or three years down the road...at which point all of the gas will

Peripheral

2011-11-10T14:24:00.000-05:00

Been catching all manner of objects, creatures, and lights/shadows in the only two corners (well, the two that will never see what the other one sees) of mine eyes a lot lately. It's likely due to living in a house that has a road above my head level, which accounts for the buzzing objects and some of the lights and shadows. Then there are the creatures, often chipmunks, perhaps my dog, and, just

What's your Motive?

2011-11-05T14:45:00.001-04:00

Totem Motive. The Long Boys are preparing and hot dawg are they daring! "Goodbye Ma, goodbye Pa, goodbye Mule with yer old hee haw."

Delay of Game

2011-09-07T23:54:00.000-04:00

Summer just stole my wallet and fall follows in his wake. She's ready to stalk some wildlife. That overabundant time of year: 'maters, tomatillos and husk cherries, oh my! Taking a picture of the lowest double rainbow on my record just doesn't do it.

Nyuck Nyuck Nyuck

2011-07-26T00:15:00.000-04:00

Dated yet hilarious. "Laughter is the best medicine." It gets better... Stay tuned for more serious(ly) funny stuff...

Light Power

2011-07-10T16:56:00.002-04:00

That image above is the northern band of our MilkyWay galaxy, from John P. Gleason of Celestial Images. "kinda makes ya feel sort of insignificant, doesn't it?......can we have your liver then!?" Didn't find the witty fracking song? CLick and dig it, and then don't sell your mineral rights for money over clean water, "cause no amount of money/and no amount of man/can bring to life/what's gone

Padre Day Numero Uno

2011-06-20T18:57:00.000-04:00

Big thanks to Ma 'n Pa for a scrumptious brunch to celebrate Dad's. It was oddly attended by some notorious non-Dad's (mainly Gary B.), which really took the edge off. Estoria enjoyed Father's Day to the fullest by playing in the rain. Fine with me. Natural West Virginia bath right there buddy! Don't call CPS, we got her dry and inside before any chance of hypothermia could set in. "Now if only

I can see clearly now....

2011-06-14T00:07:00.006-04:00

...the mountains are gone. This is necessary. This is informative. This is real. Ever notice that the "skeptics" on climate change often have links to the very entities that help produce a rapidly warming planet? Oil, agriculture, energy. Them damn politicians are bought and sold, and while the climate changes, the bullshit rhetoric and deep denial does not. Ah well, I guess we need complete

Moo Ma

2011-06-09T10:24:00.000-04:00

(Image from www.health101.org) For all you mothers who just don't want to give your child the best all natural food, perhaps you can hire a cow to do it for you. Chinese scientists have been genetically engineering milk cows to produce human breast milk. Maybe it's more like human udder milk. How about Mudder's Milk? Udderly the breast milk around? Oh this is too weird. They hope to sell it in

Wet wet wet; hot hot hot.

2011-06-07T07:29:00.000-04:00

Extremes in weather are tricky to roll with. When it rains, it pours. When it doesn't, it really doesn't. What's that? We may get some thunder showers today? We'll take it.

In(ter)dependence

2011-05-29T13:03:00.000-04:00

Had a nice day yesterday with my first ever farmer's market at The Trail Mix. Sunny all day (hide the lettuce, let the plants bask). I brought a salad mix of Black Seeded Simpson, Bibb, and Salad Bowl Mix Lettuces, Bull's Blood Beet tops and Red Russian Kale. All other items were potted plants, mostly heirloom purple tomatillos, dill, and some random nasturtiums, calendula, and parsley. For a

Chick A Boom

2011-05-24T11:37:00.000-04:00

Nothing beats the double dig. Polish chickens, also called "top hats" for obvious reasons. Some say that their topknots help one to distinguish the sex...the ladies have a rounder puff top, while the dudes have a more spiky, wild style. That or you wait it out, or do some vent scoping. Ah, cloaca, great stuff. Honey dog, giving that longing look over at the birds...no fatalities yet, just a lot

Mariami Will Tell You How It Is

2011-05-13T16:04:00.008-04:00

I am pleased to bring your attention to the hard work and dedication of my dear friend Mariami, who taught me a lot about things a country boy needs a teachin' about...like why people wear make-up, why hip-hop is so dang hip, how to gel with people that are so different....the list goes on. Deep in the midst of NYC, the antithesis of Dub V, this lady has been slaving to bring your spirits up

Secrets

2011-05-09T22:39:00.000-04:00

The secret to the Fro. Fish oil juice. The secret to couch-parenting: leave the kid leftovers nearby...like on their face. The secret to growing indeterminate tomatoes in Dub V.

Nature

2011-04-28T14:01:00.000-04:00

Mmmm, yummy orange mushy fungus, my favorite. FroMo takes a nip from a pepperoni roll found on a dead tree. Found lunch... ...and had these for breakfast. Provided by the spring house about 10 yds. from the front porch. Either the slug is eating the centipede or the slug stole his lunch. My favorite creature to find in the forest growing up. The Red Eft. Shown here in it's juvenile stage.

Events

2011-04-26T16:50:00.000-04:00

It's a sunny day and Ultimate Frisbee is happening again. Tuesdays at 5:30...DTEMS field in Thomas. Yaaahoooo! Another great thing that happens only once a year is going down at Backbone Food Farm in Gortner, MD. Shiitak Inoc! Or the 8th Annual Shiitake Log Inoculation Weekend. Scrumptious grub and excellent people make it all fly by...come out, it's fun!!!

Welcome...

2011-04-21T00:07:00.000-04:00

...to the garden of earthly delights! Garden is delight! Been on XTC mode for some time. Blackburn turned me on to their first album. Still like the original Nigel better than the Primus version. Dang, you can get an even slower version from Nouvelle Vague. She drops the "OHWOO"....kind of a bummer.

Switch Gears

2011-04-10T22:31:00.000-04:00

80 degrees in Thomas, WV, today. Summer weather in a spring that will still be peppered with wet wintery flashbacks. The moon grows and so do the abundant grazing animals. Saw a black bear on my road at about 7:45 pm. Stared at each other a bit, then parted. Hawks, geese, ducks, grouse, vultures, crows...they can be omens. Little reminders that survival is always happening. Comfort is dangerous.

Going for a loop

2011-03-30T00:50:00.000-04:00

Been dinkin' around the lowlands lately and happy to see flowers blooming and the garden growing! About to get some Polish chicks, and perhaps some R.I. Reds as well...am I crazy? I know I know, all of you have been waiting to see what Mo can do when he puts his mind to it...enjoy. Mo Jo Linkin' Loop

Free Mind + Free Heel = Freedom

2011-03-17T11:08:00.000-04:00

So far so good. I have vowed to plunge Esty into the NATO Telefest for as long as it runs...and as long as she is interested? We both totally dug all of the pinheads (well, there were a handful of the true pinheads...the rest are...cableheads?) I'll try to post some more pics/vids later, about to catch the last of the turns available in Canaan. Not to mention my pal Kyle just got back to the

Tap Time

2011-03-05T13:14:00.000-05:00

While winter appears to duck out before the final act, the maple sap has been flowing like milk and honey in pre-industrial America (sorry about the overgeneralization of our aphid-like tendencies). Our busy bee Karl is boiling as I blog, and after some dang fine music with Sol Driven Train I'll likely try to stay up late and keep the sap boiling. Maple syrup = super-local awesome

Melt

2011-02-28T13:10:00.002-05:00

I can say "rain" because it is already here in full effect. Most skiers know that saying the word (yea, even typing it) is considered taboo and just askin' fer bad karma/weather. But, as many humans have discovered, "bad" is relative. Here's a little poorly lit vid of our little yoga girl. "What? Rain? Dagnabit! I was so looking forward to ski-crawling." In other weird world news, this one

Happy B'day Geo

2011-02-21T12:51:00.000-05:00

...and Abe, as well. Thanks for making America a great place to be. Although I like the Brit's accent, I sorta dig the down home Dub V dialect as well. A rainy end to this holiday weekend has got the slopes slimmed out and the coffee shop packed. Guess rain is good for some businesses! Once I get my camera back I'll post some pics. Esty has reached a great place in her human development.

Big Up to My Man J

2011-02-10T08:47:00.000-05:00

No, not that J. Although he/we all need a big up once in a while. Well, if you have not seen it yet, Jacob (of hucking Little Hucks fame) has been slapping up some sick videos. He and his posse aren't really breaking any laws, although they may be breaking bones (maybe that is bass ackwards?) Ch-ch-check it! Kosher West Virginia - December from jacob lutz on Vimeo. Yeah, it's long, but dang,

Reminiscing

2011-02-03T09:33:00.000-05:00

Another hardening off of the wonderful white stuff (Snow, you sicko...) has occurred. The rain brought beautiful mini lakes to Route 32 that, upon being driven through, sent sheets of frozen slop to coat vehicles, people, trees, and those poor deer that always seem to hang by the road. From 40 degrees in the a.m. the temperature was slashed in half by the afternoon. All that slush, that crud on

Meaty

2011-02-01T11:59:00.000-05:00

This is good. Some would say it is delicious... OH YES! SKI HASH coming up. Try to catch Brother's Chase this SUNDAY, FEB. 6 atWHITE GRASS. The Hares kick off at 2 PM. Get yer sniffers cleaned out, ya mangy mutts. The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30cGordita Supreme Courtwww.colbertnation.comColbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical Humor & Satire BlogVideo Archive

Back in the Big Bad Backcountry

2011-01-29T09:49:00.000-05:00

Well, one of my most epic ski's of the season was just had down over, well, I ain't tellin' you where. But if you can geo-locate it thru these pics then I guess it's no secret. Everybody survived, and all were grinning ear to ear due to the amazing abundance of pow-pow and practically perfect glades. Yup, they coulda-woulda-shoulda made a ski area outta this place...but it's nice that they didn't

B-B-Below Zero

2011-01-25T09:53:00.000-05:00

Dang, haven't posted in a while. Will try to be more on it. I've been thinking of turning this blog over and changing the name to Esty's Funhouse but she couldn't remember the password. We'll have to wait. It's been cold. Numb-your-fingers-in-a-few-seconds cold. Either keep moving and/or do the mega bundle up, preferably no skin exposed. Estoria's outside time is limited by these single digit/

Techno-Parenting

2011-01-11T10:28:00.000-05:00

Chillin'. Come all ye Fathers who suck terribly at identifying baby's woes. The modern mil-ind superplex has the solution! Baby's communicate most effectively with a cry. Some of us hear it and it is just a cry...but there are, perhaps, different types of cries? Like "Feed me, dammit" or "I'm soaked in hot urine." Add to that list "I'm being toasted from the inside out" and you've got the latest

Sustain A Bill It e

2011-01-05T09:36:00.000-05:00

Once again Grist has turned me on to more inspiring eco info. Permaculture with a modern twist. This seems like the kind of thing that may reach into the mainstream, not just become a pipe dream for most and a tough road for those who choose it (bless you.) I mean, it's still always gonna be tough to live on this here planet, but these "farmer/scientists" are " proposing high-tech neosubsistence

Firsts

2010-12-31T09:41:00.000-05:00

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

Hell Week

2010-12-28T17:02:00.000-05:00

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

Now We Know Who The Troll Is

2010-12-22T19:06:00.000-05:00

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

Snow Days

2010-12-21T12:37:00.001-05:00

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

Just Keep That Head In The Sand

2010-12-17T14:35:00.001-05:00

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

This house is dope!

2010-12-11T16:29:00.000-05:00

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

"It's been so loooooong..."

2010-12-01T17:59:00.000-05:00

"...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

Injun Summer

2010-11-14T11:56:00.000-05:00

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,

White Up High

2010-11-07T14:31:00.000-05:00

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

2010-10-31T12:39:00.000-04:00

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,

Small World(s)

2010-10-27T14:13:00.003-04:00

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(

Connected to Change

2010-10-22T13:37:00.001-04:00

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

Gone Leaves

2010-10-21T09:31:00.000-04:00

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

UConn work shows benefits of hemp biodiesel - Biodiesel Magazine

2010-10-18T20:16:00.000-04:00

UConn work shows benefits of hemp biodiesel - Biodiesel MagazineDamn 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

Time Measured in Months

2010-10-15T12:12:00.000-04:00

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

The REAL Baby Party

2010-10-09T12:04:00.000-04:00

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

Deep Down Fear

2010-10-07T14:34:00.001-04:00

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

No Way. Really?

2010-09-30T19:15:00.000-04:00

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

Dunes are not Mountains

2010-09-21T12:46:00.000-04:00

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,

High Heat with a Chance of Frost

2010-09-08T12:51:00.001-04:00

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

Local Vibe All Around

2010-09-02T13:02:00.001-04:00

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

Energy R Me

2010-09-01T14:17:00.001-04:00

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

"Baby Please Whatcha Say To Me..."

2010-08-27T16:38:00.000-04:00

"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

Country Style

2010-08-06T11:40:00.000-04:00

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

"Patience is a Virtue..."

2010-08-01T14:59:00.000-04:00

...until it's silence burns you." -TVOTR While I though it would be apparent to people when the baby came to be with us, it clearly is not. As of Sunday afternoon, there is little news to report. Sheena has been doing well, considering some of the stories I have heard about other women's pregnancies. I'm doing my best to let the little things ("Why aren't you home yet!?" "Sheenie Weenie Panini,

As Ready As One Can Be

2010-07-24T17:38:00.001-04:00

Baby Party was super. Food was totally amazing. Friends were aplenty. Lily is still over-protective... Thanks to Janel F. for the Body Cast. I was hoping to do it all the way over her head, maybe with an agonizing birth cry...but this will suffice. ...and just to try to "get the feeling" a little more...it didn't work, since the cast weighs next to nothing. I get a lot of comments on the street

ACIM Goes Audio-Visual

2010-07-13T12:38:00.000-04:00

There is a movie on A Course In Miracles. Check it in on YouTube. Think about it. Feel the automatic egoistic reaction of denial about the ideas. Or maybe you already get it? Awesomely graceful. There has been a bit of a break from the local ACIM meeting, but anybody who is interested should drop me a line on the blog or in my ear. It's all the same to the brain; communication received.

Party for New Life

2010-07-10T12:29:00.001-04:00

Most people already know a few things: 1) Cory is a slacker, as is exhibited by his last minute baby shower invitations; and 2) Sheena and Cory are having a baby party/shower/potluck/partypartyparty on July 19, 2010 at 6pm in Canaan. G-rents Chip and Laurie are hosting the shindig, so this is an open invite to any blog reader that may wish to come and NOT bring a bunch of cutesy pink (it'll be a

Tropicali Davis

2010-07-07T14:51:00.001-04:00

I like this part of my recent irreverent horoscope: "We're all in 'sales,' selling our personalities, our accomplishments, our charms." That's a quote from Richard Grossinger's new book *2013.* I share his view of human nature. Is there any interaction between people that doesn't involve a bit of hustling? The subtext of every encounter includes at least one of the following: 1. "I want you to

Connected.

2010-07-01T12:07:00.001-04:00

My sweet and smelly Honey pie: pond diver, butterfly chaser, ankle biter (sometimes, sorry), and all around mostly mellow pup. Maybe she'll eat all the algae blooma-mania in the pond...? Or we can compost it. It's bigger than this now, since this was a few months ago. But I put it up here so that you could rub her belly and not act like it's cool to violate a persons emotional seat (the belly)

"I feel so good...in my neighborhood"

2010-06-26T15:55:00.003-04:00

Here I come again....I've got to have arugula, now! Dang, the double dig has proved to be the ultimate method to producing strong crops with vigorous growth and little weeds. We had a great swiss chard arugula lettuce salad last night, gathered; 100 feet away from the dining room table. Is this love that I'm feelin'? Yes, it is love. Love for spicy greens and neem, baby. Arugula is good for you

Green Grow

2010-06-20T16:02:00.002-04:00

We have been gardening a lot these days. It feels great. Dirt under nails, sunburned, every time I dance I feel the limitations in my low back and shoulders. With two (2) different spaces/places to let roots rip, I've got some work cut out for the summer and fall. Neem oil was found in Oakland, so them darn buggers won't eat up all of our plants. Do I feel bad, 'cause they gotta eat and feed

Sometimes You Gotta Move!

2010-05-23T10:31:00.003-04:00

Stole my own image off the WG site. Jacob L. at it again. Well, there is gonna be a big ol' shindig on this full moon down at the new pad. That's right, new to me as I prepare for the little runt to take over. Bedrooms have been painted, cobwebs have been vacced, most of them, and some firewood needs to be acquired...since it still gets pretty cold when the sun doesn't shine. Super exciting,

Is Bigger Always Better???

2010-05-01T10:13:00.001-04:00

So, I ate a few Double Downs last night....and I am now blogging from a hospital bed that has had to be cleaned twice in the last hour. But my spirits are high, because I have just learned that IHOP, the anytime breakfast and fake maple syrup chain, is stepping into the enormous ring of Food Boxing, which is the process of any food that we ingest actually beats the living shit out of our bodies

Florida Family

2010-04-19T09:25:00.002-04:00

Reporting for Mountain Duty: the trip to Florida was a hit. Everything went fine and Sheena's family was a joy to meet and get to know better. Thanks to Don and Trish for the ocean abode and sweet wheels ('91 Astro Van and beach cruisers!!!) Aunt Deb made this yummy baby cake. How sweet! Notice Sheena is still hittin' the booze, Bud Light, no less...when will she ever learn (to drink quality

"Closed" Has No Meaning

2010-04-11T14:45:00.001-04:00

It's really cider... Sheena and three (3) bitches...rippin' it up at T-line last week. While they have been "closed" for a couple of weeks , the snow is aplenty. The bridge between reality and dreamy slopes is slowly melting...or sublimating? Sheener and I are off to sunny Florida to go watch NASCAR (Non-Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks...) and get tanned, er, burned up by jah sunshine. No

Plastic Food

2010-04-01T17:25:00.003-04:00

Above: Pic by Justin Staple | Graffiti by SPQR It's a bit late for this foolish day, but this is hardly a joke: From the awfully redundant Grist: McDonalds Food Won't Compost. That tasty bit of news, true or not, is based on this. A Happy Meal stays happy for a long time, it seems. These guys give "food" a bad name...

Banff Comes to Morgantown

2010-03-29T09:13:00.001-04:00

If you have gone to see the Banff Mountain Film Festival then you don't need me to tell you how awesome it is. If you have not seen it, then you should really consider going, because it is an awesome experience! Let's carpool and eat Indian food and/or Black Bear Burritos. You can get tickets here. See you there. Go Canada.

Sprung

2010-03-25T11:35:00.002-04:00

I added this because I liked it.Click on it if you dare. see more Funny Graphs Old School, New School, It's All Cool! From Wood to Plastic...and back to Wood! Out from under the cold rock,waiting for the water to recede,fingers ready to dig into dirt,seeds, water, warmth, growth, light. I just came across a neat organic seed provider, based in Vermont, called High Mowing Seeds. It seems that they

Spring Break has been, well, Springy

2010-03-11T10:14:00.002-05:00

The weather took a turn....for the _______. Something like day five (5) of pure blue skies....first day at Timberslime was mushy at times but mostly sweet and soft bumps mixed with off-piste post-pow. The Lamgar (Lobert?) contingent was seen for a split sec...just before leaving for babysitting duty. That's the "-gar" part of the duo. Lambert just sits on his porch next door and plays blues tunes

Tired of Snow? No.

2010-03-04T11:28:00.002-05:00

Title Pic: Totally unrelated to the current period of time. Mo bouldering outside of Motown last fall: Pioneer Rocks, I think? Climbing time will come soon enough. Different muscles will have to be used, different ligaments shall be torn, different buzzes shall be acquired via a different sport, one that fights gravity even more than skiing. Skiing, skiing, work...skiing, skiing, dog ski, wor..

Revelation Reveals the Snow

2010-02-18T09:42:00.002-05:00

Title Pic: High flying Kurt L. heading to the Moon. Some recap images from the troad rip:Early a.m. in Eldorado Springs. Moving from Rockies to....Cahokia. Honey and I made a pit stop at the largest earthen mound in North America, a once thriving Native American city called Cahokia, named by the French for the subtribe of the Illiniwek. This place was crankin' for some 700 years: A.D. 700 to

Back For More...

2010-02-15T14:36:00.000-05:00

I made it home (almost...driveway is a four (4) foot deep snow drift) Thursday evening, after staying the night with Uncle Mike and Aunt Deb...that's Honey's Uncle and my occasional neighbor. Step-sister Jib wasn't so psyced to see Honey. Guess it was good that we didn't stay too long! Ten Thousand Thanks to all the friends and foes that put me up along the trail. It would not have been as fun

At Least Go East

2010-02-05T19:39:00.002-05:00

Ah yesh, Honey is at it again...Bear Lake, UT. My Tahost, Graham, totally ripped it on the ol' Trolls. Best $5 ever spent... I lived in CA for nearly a year over half a decade ago, and one thing that always struck me about the NorCal area were the trees. Whether it is the gigantic Ponderosa and Lodgepole pines, sequoias and redwoods, or the vibrant and smooth Pacific madrones, this place feels

Down in a Hole...

2010-01-31T18:13:00.000-05:00

...finding my soul. Near heavenly powder has redefined my relationship with frozen water. Gratitude, awe, and excitement are all wrapped up in my heart and mind as we continue to experience such inspiring and gratifying snow. Counting the blessings is a non-stop task...like counting the multitude of six-pointed crystals. Here is a small map of where we have, mostly, been skiing. Edelweiss Bowl,

Song Comes True

2010-01-29T00:53:00.002-05:00

No Longer "goin' to Jackson." We took the song's advice.We left CO and headed NE to WY, KWIM? Thats" know what I mean." The small town of Jackson glows under moon- and starlight. Very little light pollution, nice. Our host, Sir Benjammin', has thoroughly made sure that we have had plenty of what we need: food, water, climbing skins, avy beacons, probes, shovels, you know, the shtuff you'd need

Rocky Road, a favorite flavor

2010-01-26T17:28:00.001-05:00

Skinless Brother Awaits Fresh Tracks. Earn Your Turns. ... Mo, AMC, Zach and Honey Mount Niwot, named after Chief Niwot, who supposedley cursed his fellow back-stabbing white miner cohabitants/invaders. Some think that nearby Boulder's super-trendy glamorous-green eco-ways have undone the curse. " And the depressed pundit said 'Not as long as coal is burned to produce most people's power,

Head out on the Road!

2010-01-22T11:49:00.001-05:00

Honey took some time to figure out that home was actually a transitory vehicle speeding away from police (aka dogcatchers) and the drudgery of the wet east. She only ran away at every other gas or rest stop...thus, our truip took a bit more than we thought. Instead of twenty four (twenty-four) hours, it only took 3 (three) days. Really. That means that we will show up in CO tomorrow. Time

Melting Bliss

2010-01-15T14:14:00.002-05:00

The Finest Arses on the East Coast being taught the infamous, and rarely survived, Overlook Jump. Al and friends made it across the Blackwater River with only a few audible cracks below the feet...yikes. Ah yesh, the Blackwater gettin' its Mojo frozen. Tree: half in sun, half not. See. Chip B. and I had the pleasure to shred Upper Springer with not more than the sunshine and

If snow could drown you...

2010-01-11T14:34:00.000-05:00

...we'd all be dead. While it is a bit late, some old pals and I had a wonderous rip-run below Baldy last night. See below, it ends early due to a crash by the camera man. Later on in the huge storm that has made the skiing so better than CO, Adam stole Robbie's limelight and scooted down with keen speed. Look out folks, Robbie has definatley converted to free-heeling it, well, maybe he is

Happy Birthday Son of Man

2009-12-25T15:35:00.000-05:00

Since I cant figure out this damn new format for blogger, I can't put up these sick videos... A picture is worth a thousand words. Nobody told you that one thousand words is worth about three (3) minutes. Three minutes, depending on what you do for a living, is worth _______? Ian B., Jacob and Athey L., Adam and I went a-rippin' off of Bald Knob last week and we cam across this sweet little

InCRUDable

2009-12-13T10:37:00.000-05:00

While mostly dust on crust, fun was had as powder houds sniffed out the few remaining stashes, hidden amongst icy mirroring quagmires. Speed (slowness...) was hard to maintain on the bright parts. Adam and I have lready shredded the good stuff, so stay home. It's raining again, definately stay home...

Chillin'...

2009-12-10T11:43:00.000-05:00

...literally and figuratively. My litte apt. is about to get some supa' dupa' window and door sealing. Adam, who is back for a spell, is seen as a frozen mancicle, right beside some frozen Honeydog and Lillydog pops. He may not be able to leave until spring, unless I get some better R-value on the place. In other news, the skiing last weekend was superb, thin, and once-in-a-while wet. It

Cramped Sine Curve

2009-12-02T16:03:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, a lovely sight indeed. We Tucker Countians have waited some time for an actual snow sticking. We got it, for about two (2) days. It's all gone as the weather took a rampant turn back to warmer-than-I'd-like temperatures. Oh wait, it's snowing again....oh...no, it's actually miserable cold rain, ah, here comes the sun. Put the skis away and pull out the bare feet... The middle Chase boy

1st Ski and LAT

2009-11-27T13:54:00.005-05:00

Turns were had ot WG today, this blessed White Friday, replete with leftovers, hangovers, car turnovers, relatives, and, don't you miss it, a (L)atte (A)rt (T)hrowdown and Cupping, and Hypno Stout from our very own Mt. State Brewing Company.Bring yer ID's and your keen senses, tongues and eyes WILL be hypnotized!After that, The Purple Fiddle will be hosting some nice Furnace Mountain musica, a

Walking to Work

2009-11-24T13:21:00.005-05:00

I have recently joined Kristen Douglas at Massage Therapies of Davis and I am open for appointments on all Sundays (until 4 p.m.) and every other Friday thru Sunday for starters. I practice a wonderful blend of Swedish massage, passive stretching, and essential oils, if so desired. A little foot reflexology is naturally incorporated into the sessions....ahhhhh..... While a bit biased, I have

2009-11-18T09:16:00.003-05:00

It's been a long time coming: the introduction, to some, of my newest family member...well, my only other family member in my nonexistant nuclear family. Some great friends of mine found a dog on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Cakalacky and thought that I should have her. Well, I should and do. Her name is Honey, and for a nine (9) month old pup she has been darn good thusfar. Honey, if you are