Octo𝘣𝘦𝘳 13, 2020

Yesterday was what was, and by some still is, Columbus Day.  Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas.  The holiday began in 1792 in New York City when the Society of St. Tammany (also known as the Columbian Order) celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ landing in the Caribbean in 1492.  It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century but did not become a federal holiday until 1937.  For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian American heritage.  Columbus Day has been celebrated throughout the United States as an observance of the “discovery” of North America.

There are several problems with this discovery, however.  First, Columbus never made it to the Americas, instead landing in the Caribbean Islands.  None of Columbus’ four voyages took him any closer to the continent.  The continental “discovery” falls to Amerigo Vespucci in 1497, for which the America’s are named.  Second, Leif Erikson founded a colony on Greenland around 1000 CE.  He returned to Norway and on the way back to Greenland sailed off course and explored the country he named Vineland.  This is now thought to be the area of Nova Scotia.  Third, When Columbus arrived there were already people here.

According to Yale’s Genocide Studies Program, when Columbus arrived at the island of Hispaniola in 1492, the population was estimated at between “several hundred thousand to over a million inhabitants.” By 1514, only 32,000 Taíno people remained.  They had died from “enslavement, massacre, or disease” at the hands of the Spanish.  Six years later (1520), they were completely wiped out.  For many, Columbus Day is a reminder of a painful history.  This caused Berkeley, California to stop celebrating in his honor in 1992.  The day was renamed Indigenous Peoples Day, acknowledging those who were already here.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  Since this first decision in 1992, 12 states and the district of Columbia have switched to “Native American” or “Indigenous People’s” Day.  The state of Hawaii celebrates “Discoverer’s Day” to recognize the Polynesian discoverers of the Hawaiian Islands.  Beginning in 2020, Colorado celebrates Mother Cabrini Day, in honor of Frances Xavier Cabrini, a woman who created schools, hospitals, and orphanages in the United States and Central and South America.  In addition, more than 130 cities across the country have taken a stand against the day.   It is not too surprising, but many Native American groups do not acknowledge Columbus Day at all.  It has been 500 years and we still argue which history is “right.”  When we remember our history, we need to remember the reality of what happened and the result of those actions.  Acknowledging the failures of the past can be the start of making a new future.  Do the work.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

Octo𝘣𝘦𝘳 12, 2020

I mentioned all the Jalapenos we received from our gardener friends while we were on vacation.  They also gave us several other varieties of peppers.  While I knew these were not poblano peppers, I assumed they were Ancho peppers and decided to make Chili Rellenos with them.  Rellenos are simple to make, but I found them to be labor intensive.  The simple part is the explanation to roast the peppers to remove the skins, stuff them with a piece of cheese, dip them in flour and then egg, and fry them for several minutes on all sides.  Simple!

The difficult part came in doing this.   My recipe said the easiest way to roast the peppers was to place them over a gas burner.  Since we have a gas stove, this should be simple.  In fact, it took a lot longer than I realized, almost ten minutes to roast the six peppers.  I then placed the peppers in a plastic Ziplock (as was suggested) and after they had steamed for a while, I set about pealing the skins.  While this was not difficult, it did take another 10 minutes to accomplish.  While all of this is not a long time, it began to stress me out.

The peppers were good as rellenos, but they had no heat (this has become a requirement for Melissa and me).   Melissa asked our friend and what we had been given were six Giant Marconi peppers.  When I looked these up online, they were touted for their sweet-smoky flavor and are generally served stuffed.  I enhanced the smoky flavor with a smoked pepper jack cheese we have purchased from another friend.  These are a sweeter pepper and do not bring the heat of other varieties.  They were good as rellenos, but even with the Cajun Pepper I added to the batter, the sweet came through.  I guess I am just into savory.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  There is an old adage that says, “Necessity is the Mother of Invention.”  While my cooking may not be relegated to the category of invention, it often does fall into necessity.  I often do not have the required ingredients when I (rarely) go to a cookbook for a recipe and am forced to improvise. That is especially true now when it is a decision on risking going to the store.  I did not have the Poblanos, so I used the Marconi’s.  Necessity is what is driving the race for a vaccine.  Over 37,500,000 people across the world have contracted the virus resulting in over 1,000,000 deaths.  Even as the process is being fast tracked it is estimated it will not produce a readily available vaccine until spring.  Until then we all need to follow the rules.  Not everything is simple.  Follow the science.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

October 10, 2020

While I usually do not post something written be someone else (at least I paraphrase!), I thought today’s Blog deserved a repost.  I grew up just as Dr. Seuss began writing and I was not read his numerous insightful stories.  I did however read them to my son Alexander.  Today my mother called to tell me her daily devotional referenced the story of the Zax.  This was part of a book called The Sneetches and Other Stories, copyrighted in 1961.  As I reread the story, I realized it was just as pertinent today as it was 60 years ago.

“One day, making tracks In the prairie of Prax, Came a North-Going Zax And a South-Going Zax.

And it happened that both of them came to a place Where they bumped.  There they stood.

Foot to foot.  Face to face.

“Look here, now!” the North-Going Zax said, “I say!  You are blocking my path.  You are right in my way.  I’m a North-Going Zax and I always go north.  Get out of my way, now, and let me go forth!”

“Who’s in whose way?” snapped the South-Going Zax.  “I always go south, making south-going tracks.  So you’re in MY way!  And I ask you to move And let me go south in my south-going groove.”

Then the North-Going Zax puffed his chest up with pride.  “I never,” he said, “take a step to one side.  And I’ll prove to you that I won’t change my ways If I have to keep standing here fifty-nine days!”

“And I’ll prove to YOU,” yelled the South-Going Zax, “That I can stand here in the prairie of Prax

For fifty-nine years!  For I live by a rule That I learned as a boy back in South-Going School.

Never budge!  That’s my rule.  Never budge in the least!  Not an inch to the west!  Not an inch to the east!  I’ll stay here, not budging!  I can and I will If it makes you and me and the whole world stand still!”

Well…Of course the world didn’t stand still.  The world grew.  In a couple of years, the new highway came through And they built it right over those two stubborn Zax And left them there, standing un-budge in their tracks.”

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  Far too often we find it more important to be right than to find common ground.  Do not be a Zax.  In the words of Forest Gump, “That’s all I have to say about that.”  Do the work.   Change is coming and it starts with you.

October 9, 2020

For those who have been following my blog you have heard of the trials of my container garden.  I grew tomatoes, cilantro, and peppers.  While it did produce a crop, I experienced blossom rot on many of my tomatoes and the peppers flourished and then died.  I have decided I need to repot the planters with more netting and soil before next year to try and increase production.  All I have done so far is remove the dead plants and allow the soil to go dormant.  I have also dismantled my big planter box, but I have not rebuilt it yet.  It sits as an eyesore on the patio.

While my plants were somewhat of a disappointment (I do still have two melons on the vine), my bird feeders have been doing fine.  I have a constant stream of birds helping themselves to the seeds I have put out.  It has been interesting to see that after I put up a squirrel feeder with special corn, that I have not seen the squirrels since.  I did notice the corn level was going down, but I have also seen cardinals in the feeder.

One of the side effects of putting out the sunflower seed has been overflow.  The birds sit in the feeder and throw seed out.  This has caused the three containers under the feeder to take root and begin to grow.  I am assuming these are sunflowers, as that is the seed above them, but I do not know.  I find it ironic that I struggled to get my tomatoes to grow, yet the birds ere able to reseed the containers and they are beginning to flourish.  Perhaps I should grow sunflowers in my containers next year.     

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  Life seems to provide funny twists.  While I was trying to keep the squirrels out of the bird feeders, they were a constant pest.  Now that I set up a squirrel station they are nowhere to be seen.   I struggled to grow plants in my containers to produced fruit.  Now that I am ignoring them, they have taken on a life of their own.  I used to watch a show called Life After People.   The premise was what cities would look like 10, 20, and 50 years after humans were no longer inhabiting them.  It reminded me of the jungle overtaking the great civilizations of the Yucatan and South America.  While this is an interesting fact, it requires there be no people.  I am not sure that is a viable alternative.  Perhaps we should try and save our environment and still exist.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

Octo𝘣𝘦𝘳 8, 2020

It began innocently enough.  First you saw just a flash of fur across the zoom screen.  Seconds later it was a tail and part of a back.  Finally, it was the whole cat that decided it wanted to sit in its owners’ lap.  The man tolerated this distraction for a moment, but it persisted.  Finally, he pushed the cat off his lap and onto the floor.  I had to admire his composure.  The ordeal lasted almost a minute and his eyes never left the screen in front of him.  I have seen this happen several times on various Zoom calls.  In can be suddenly amorous cats or curious dogs who walk back and forth behind the camera.  What made this funny was it was on the lead in show on CNN prior to the Vice-Presidential debate.  I guess the cat just wanted her minute of fame.

I have been intrigued by repots on the number of people who have suddenly become pet people during the lockdown.  Adopting a pandemic puppy or a COVID cat helped alleviate the isolation felt in the first months of the virus response.  Pets offer several health benefits.  There is companionship, but they also create a routine and provide a purpose.  Dogs especially require regular exercise which gives an incentive to get out of the house.  Pet owners are often found to decrease blood pressure and the pets can provide mental stimulation.  According to the ASPCA, the biggest increase was not in adoptions, but in fostering.  Many wanted the companionship without the long-term commitment.  I wonder how many have been returned.

Our across the street neighbor family is one that adopted a cat.  This is a kitten, and it is trying to acclimate to its new surroundings while still exploring.  They are trying to make this an indoor cat, but I think it is a runner.  Melissa received a call last weekend asking if she could find the cat and give it something to eat.  They were gone for the weekend and the cat had run away just as they were leaving.  She has had previous interaction with the kitten, and it has always been friendly.  Melissa opened a can of tuna, and it came right to her.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  The neighbor’s kitten has been more than willing to explore our garage and try to get into the house.  I have always jokingly said that you only needed one cat per neighborhood.  While some cats are content to stay inside, outdoor cats frequently do not come home and are often fed by more than one house.  My roommate had a cat that was always gone.  Talking to my upstairs neighbor I found it was also living at their house.  Adjusting to the changes of the pandemic will not be a short-term solution.  While it is still unclear what the new normal will be, it will not be the good old days.  We will not be able to return it once we get tired.  Follow the science.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

Octo𝘣𝘦𝘳 7, 2020

When we took vacation several weeks ago, we were joined on the second night by our gardener friends.  Rather than the containers that I use they grow their garden in beds in the ground.  Like me, they had concentrated on varieties of tomatoes and hot peppers.  Their tomato plants were huge, growing to a height of over eight feet with lavish foliage.  The leaves were so thick that the peppers could not get enough sun to produce fruit.  The tomato plants have begun to thin out and the preppers are finally beginning to bear.  To our delight, they brought some of the produce with them.

When my garden’s peppers came in, they all produced at about the same time.  I had harvested and made a couple of different batches of my Pico.  I cut the rest into small pieces for quick use, keeping some fresh but putting another bag in the freezer.   I learned a valuable lesson that day.  I have always been wary about cutting peppers and touching my eyes or face.  The oil is just as potent as the pepper.  What I did not realize was the oil would infuse into my hands.   After chopping for nearly an hour my hands were burning and continued to do so the rest of the day.  The lesson will not be forgotten. 

Our friends arrived with three plastic sacks filled with varieties of tomatoes and peppers.  We enjoyed them that night in a salad.  When they were leaving the next day, she asked Melissa if she would like some of the vegetables.  Melissa immediately said we would be happy to take them all!  That meant I could make another big batch of Pico de Gallo (I still have some cilantro) and looked forward to enjoying the peppers in most of the dishes I make.   We have been enjoying them for the last two weeks.  Now it was time to prepare them before they went bad.  This time I was ready and got a pair of nitryl gloves from the garage.  I have used for painting in the past.  When I used the proper protection, it went much better.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  When the virus outbreak hit Italy, it was met with skepticism and many politicians refused to listen to the health experts.  The government then issued a series of decrees gradually increasing restrictions within lockdown areas which expanded to the entire country.  This ultimately led to a country-wide quarantine and over 36,000 deaths.  After observing the carnage in Italy, the United States followed the same protocol, minus declaring a country-wide quarantine.  This resulted in over 210,000 deaths (to date) and nearly 7.5 million (21%) of the 35.5 million cases world-wide.  We still say it is our constitutional right to not wear a mask and social distance.  If I can learn to wear gloves, I do not know why others cannot learn to wear a mask.  Follow the science.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

Octo𝘣𝘦𝘳 6, 2020

When we purchased our Jeep, I noticed it had green caps on all four tires.  I remember thinking, “That is sort of cool,” but did not give it any further thought.  I had no problems with my tires the first year, but when we entered the second winter the tire pressure dropped by several pounds.  No problem.  I took it to the station and filled the tires to regulation.  When spring and the next oil change came the tires were overinflated.  I asked the shop to check the tires, and while they did, they refused to change the pressure.  They informed me they did not want to remove any of the nitrogen from my tires.  As I had never been told of this by my dealer, I assured them they did not contain nitrogen.  Since they would not do it, I let air out to maintain the proper pressure.

While tires appear solid, they are more like strands of cooked spaghetti stuck together microscopically which stretch and relax every time the tire rolls.  This allows air to escape.  Compressed air is readily available but contains varying degrees of moisture which breaks down both the tire and the rim.  Pure nitrogen has been used to inflate critical tire applications for years, primarily because it does not support moisture or combustion (unlike flammable oxygen).  The challenge facing nitrogen inflation has not been its application, it’s been its method of supply and cost.

Since I now knew my tires contained nitrogen, I figured I needed to find somewhere to fill them when needed.  My sister in law told Melissa last year the shop where she bought her tires also supplied nitrogen.  They had topped her off for free.  I took the Jeep in and they told me it would be $9 for a lifetime fill.  That seemed reasonable so I gave the ok.  When they learned I already had nitrogen and just needed a top off, they said it was free.  That was an even better deal.  They brought the car into the shop and put a number on my hood.  Thirty minutes later I had a complete nitrogen fill.  I think my next tires might come from this shop.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  Nitrogen is the most abundant element in our atmosphere and is crucial to life. Nitrogen is found in soils and plants, in the water we drink, and in the air we breathe.  It is also a key building block of DNA, which determines our genetics.  As with everything, balance is the key.  Too little nitrogen and plants cannot thrive, too much nitrogen can be toxic and harm the environment.  Every ecosystem on earth is based on balance.  I heard on a report tonight that if we continue to ignore the climate change occurring around us, over 40% of the plant species that now exist will be extinct in 20 years.  We need to act while we still have a choice.  We need to maintain the balance.  Follow the science.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

Octo𝘣𝘦𝘳 5, 2020

I mentioned earlier the Naked Ladies in our mailbox bed were transplanted from Melissa’s grandmother on her father’s side.   While these have died back, a second set of lilies have replaced them, the Red Spider lilies (Lycoris radiata).   The plant was first introduced into the United States in 1854, when Japanese ports were opened for US trade.  Captain William Roberts brought back three bulbs.  The bulbs were planted by his niece who found that they do not bloom until after the first good rain in the fall season.  Plants have since become naturalized in North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and many other southern states of the US.

The bulbs we have come from the plants originally cultivated by Melissa’s grandmother on her mother’s side.  Her mother was one of the Cherokee people who as an infant was involved in the Trail of Tears during the 1840’s.  Her family was moved from Florida and originally settled in Arkansas but were again forced to move to Oklahoma Territory.  Melissa’s grandmother was born in Oklahoma and was essentially abandoned.  Melissa’s grandfather was in Oklahoma when he met her and brought her back to Arkansas to live with his parents.  They were married two years later.  She brought the bulbs with her, which the offspring of are now in our bed.

Melissa recalled being told the reason the plant was brought to Arkansas by her grandmother was its perceived medicinal properties in traditional medicine.  The bulb was used as a nausea and cough medicine.  A decoction of the root was used to counteract poison and was also applied to ulcers and swellings. The bulb can be made into a plaster and was then applied to burns and scalds. The plant is also said to have anticancer properties.  This seemed to be something worth saving to her.  It rooted her to the traditions of her home.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  While much of traditional medicine was denigrated when we entered the era of modern drugs and scientific research, the same science has proven the worth of many remedies.  Even without an understanding of germs and viruses people found what did help or even cure our ills.  While thing do not magically disappear, there is much that can be learned from our past.  Understanding gives us further insight into how we thought and lived.  While we do not use the Red Spider lilies medicinally, they do connect Melissa to memories of her grandmother.  Our memories ground us to our ancestors.  Knowing who you were helps us decide who we want to be.  Do the work.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

Octo𝘣𝘦𝘳 3, 2020

Our local clinic has started offering drive through flu shots beginning in October.  There was no appointment necessary so after a couple of failed attempts (I got waylaid by other projects) I finally went in yesterday to receive my shot.  I ended up arriving during the noon hour and was afraid there would be a line, so I was prepared to leave and come back later.  I was surprised to see I was the only one there.  The clinic had dedicated four parking stalls for patients to wait to get the vaccine.  I called the number, they took my insurance information, and then said they would be out.  I waited another 20 minutes before the nurse arrived.  She asked some simple questions and then gave me the shot.  The whole thing only took around 30 minutes.

I heard an interesting conversation on a zoom call about why corona virus affects children different than adults.  Our antibodies learn and categorize pathogens to put up an effective fight while using the least energy.  The immune system protects the body from possibly harmful substances by recognizing and responding to antigens on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria.  The immune system recognizes and destroys, or tries to destroy, substances that contain antigens.  The immune system in children have not developed the learned behavior and throw all their antibodies at the threat.  This overreaction causes the inflammation and side effects.   Adults deploy the type of antibodies it has learned will fight the threat.  It is only when the initial response does not work that more antibodies come to the fight.

One of the questions I was asked by the nurse was whether I was allergic to the flu vaccine.  She was shocked when I said I had never had a flu shot.  I am in no way an antivaxxer, but I have never trusted the flu shot.  Reports say the effectiveness of the 2020 flu shot won’t be known until later in the season, but a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study in 2019 found the vaccine that year was 39% effective for all age groups, and 42% effective for people over 50.  This is typical and means you still must rely on other preventative measures to be safe.  After asking if I was allergic, the nurse told me, “I guess you will find out.”

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  I read online that we develop three types of immunity.  Innate immunity is the defense system you were born with and is your first line of defense in the immune response.  Acquired immunity develops with exposure to various antigens and your immune system builds a defense against that specific antigen.  Passive immunity is due to antibodies produced in a body other than your own and includes vaccines.  It provides immediate protection against an antigen but does not provide long-lasting protection.  I got my shot this year because I am in the high-risk category.  While this will not protect me from covid-19, the flu will lower my immune response and make me more susceptible.   This protects others as well as me.  Follow the science.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

Octo𝘣𝘦𝘳 2, 2020

One of the nonessential businesses that closed back in March was the recycling centers.  They have been open now for a while and I have been making periodic trips getting rid of my boxes, food tins, plastic, and glass.  I rarely buy anything in plastic bottles as I know often as not even the “recycled” plastic ends up in the ocean or a landfill.  Instead I buy canned soda or water.  Our local center accepts these tin cans and there is always at least a half full bin waiting for additions.  My problem is that I am too cheap to give the cans away.  Instead I drive 20 miles to a recycling center that pays me for my spoils.

During the copper shortage recyclers were paying top dollar to recycle the metal.  All the abandoned industrial buildings I was documenting during the 1980’s and 90’s had the wiring stripped and any machines salvaged.  This was not by the owners, but instead by copper thieves.  These scavengers have not let up as used copper is still a high market item.  We had our air conditioner stolen from behind our house seven years ago.  At the time I learned this was common on “for sale” houses and new construction.  It made me wonder why the buyers never asked where the copper came from.

It seems the new market has shifted to catalytic converters.  My brother in law lives in Seattle and had his cut out of his car.  His door cam recorded two more unsuccessful attempts.  He was forced to buy a steel plate to put under the converter to make it harder to steal.  When it came up on our family Zoom call, my brother mentioned it had happened to him as well.  When I looked online, I found a new converter ranges from around $200 to as much as $3500, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.  I heard there were several pawn shops who specialize in buying and selling convertors.  They will buy your “used” convertor for $80.  I bet they do not get many of those claim tickets redeemed.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  I packed my Jeep with the cans I had been storing for the last six months and headed for the recycling center.  I realize it costs me two gallons of gas to get there so I do not go very often.  They weighed the cans and then paid me a whopping $18.  Minus the gas this was a cool profit of $14.  Melissa tells me it is not worth it, and I should drop them locally.  I know she is right, but I still do the work.  I have mentioned we completed two antiracism studies over the last months.  Both ended with a challenge to do the work.  You may do it wrong or you may not think it is enough, but it is a step in the right direction.  Apathy and inaction support the existing systemic racism.  Do the work.  Change is coming and it starts with you.