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... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
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Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sat Mar 10, 18 2:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Everyone on my road is on well for water and septic system to dispose of water. We are up hill from next door neighbor who has an true artesian well. So if we want water to drink / cook / bathe / flush toilets / etc it is pumped from deep underground. The seasonal brook can, in a dry summer, reduce to a couple of very shallow pools. It is not spring fed so flow is dependent on rainfall. The rushing water I send you pictures of - that's from heavy rains, is not as massive as it might seem, and vanishes soon after the heavy precipitation stops. We do have two solar panels for hot water but there are too many trees / poor house orientation for solar electric.

It is very nice to flick a switch and lights come on, refrigerator sometimes humming to itself as I walk by, no worry about "if it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down" to avoid dropping water pressure to the point where it just trickles from the open tap at the sink.

And Internet connectivity! how I missed it. But when the generator was running I could work on writing entries so once we were connected again I uploaded three entries - about the outages (with updates), about 18th century chocolate program at the farmstead museum (that was last Sunday, with multiple road closures to get there, from trees down, wires down, crews working - and they had no power but hey, neither did the folks in the 18th century) and then something about the Philadelphia flower show with the theme of the wonders of water.

Good luck with the electioneering Cassandra. It must take dedication and a certain mind set to plot, I mean plan, all the necessary details to get yourself into office.

Our binder twine seems to be plastic these days, bright orange or a turquoise blue.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 18 3:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

from a November 2012 article about costs to move transmission & power lines from overhead to underground - : "Moving power lines underground can cost as much as $2.1 million per mile in a city, with an average of $832,383 a mile in urban areas and $723,692 in suburban areas, according to a 2009 study conducted by the trade group. That compares with a maximum cost of $386,000 a mile for building an overhead line in a city, with an average of $196,628."

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 18 7:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks JL - I ran for council about four years ago so have a fair idea what is involved, but doing it without party support is a mixed blessing (ie, you don't have all the behind-the-scenes pressure to do stuff for them as they promise, but fail to deliver on support for you), but at the same time you don't get financial help (not that that was much either), so by and large I am fairly happy doing it this way. What happens in the unlikely event I am elected - well that will be a steep learning curve and I will cross the bridge if required.

Today was a nice sunny day so I cleaned out the car, took a load or two to the ute, cleaned the bank, and am presently doing the dishes (well, the machine is) preparatory to having dinner.

I have managed to print out a sample of my draft poster for shop windows, photograph it and upload it now. This is necessary as the new printer is not a multifunction thing, so I am still debating whether to resurrect the flat bed scanner I have had since I lived in New Zealand, or clutter up the desk with the old printer on the principle I can still use the scanning function. It's a mystery.


Derbyshire dowser, glad my dog-walking beach has soothed your soul. It soothes mine when I have a chance to get there. Seb, on the other hand, is terrified of the smallest wavelet so takes limited pleasure, haha.

Gregotyn, your Poppet fix for the day.


Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 18 8:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Poppet doing her 'aren't I a sweet little kitten' act, probably before doing something naughty. Lovely.

All the best with the campaign Cassandra; you seem to be gearing up for it well. That background is really lovely, and a reminder to people why you are standing hopefully. As you say, best to make sure the ute is legal before getting into campaign mode.

Jam Lady, would be interested to see the bit you did on the chocolate making. One thing I often had said at the 17th century village was 'why don't you turn on the light' as the house I worked in was rather dark. As we were first person re-enactment, I had to pretend not to understand them, but pointed out that I was sat by the door spinning and that the loom was where there was light from the door and two windows, and that we had to 'light' the candle to get a light, not 'turn it on'.

We had a couple of rolls of turquoise baler twine, but that is nearly all gone now, so apart from re-using odd bits (in the best farming/forestry tradition) I have gone over to sisal for tying up birch, bundles of rods etc. Trouble is it comes from an office supplier and they insist on delivery, which is a pain as I have to stay in to receive it.

As it was pouring with rain yesterday, we didn't do the delivery we hoped to do, so I did log sack labels and some housework instead.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 18 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Here you go Mistress Rose: Cacao at the Bouman Stickney Farmstead Museum

Cassandra, there is no drive so strong as that to edit / amend / alter / change someone else's text. Not intending to disrupt things but let me suggest - believe is good but even more positive might be better. You are confident you can make a change for the better.

I do like tabby cats. Posset looks like a really self-confident, mischief maker of the first order little cat.

There are county households still without power. May be next Wednesday before everyone is back. Another nor'easter forecast for tomorrow, Monday, but it may not amount to much. Ground still snow covered, snowdrops invisible.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 18 2:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

"confident' is good JL - I was not comfortable with the words, which is why I have not yet printed out 500 copies of it. My 'campaign manager' is a devoted father of two under 3 and works full time so is not exactly on the ball in responding to my request for his email address. Editing is a shared passion, haha.

Poppet is indeed little miss I am i charge and rules the roost.

Most of the houses around me have bores drilled for what you call well water - I have not as it is a bit hit and miss, and the tanks hold enough for my needs. Here you might strike water fairly close to the surface, but there is no guarantee as to potability and at $10,000 per metre drilling costs, it's a bit of a gamble at my stage of life.

I had a panic this morning as I was preparing the ute to head south tomorrow. It will take around 1-2 hours to sort out the electrics and the auto-electrician is in the middle of an industrial estate so I wanted to take some knitting to pass the time. But the pattern book was missing in action. I searched high and low (I have been tidying up, which is never a good idea), but to no avail. The last time i had seen it was on a spinning day so I messaged the hostess, but no, she didn't have it either. So I got on ebay and found one and bought it. I REALLY needed it as I am half way down the arm of the second sleeve of a jumper pattern, and in the middle of knitting a tam, and have dyed wool to knit a vest, all from this book.

The I found it. In one of the places I had already searched. Bother. Oh well, better to have two copies than none.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 18 7:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks for the link Jam Lady. Chocolate crumb, which I assume is the crumbed up cakes, used to be transported by narrow boat along the canals between parts of the Cadbury factory. We went round Bournville quite a few years ago now, and it was very interesting to see how they made the chocolate and the history of it in the UK. We had the Aztec type drink, and I think it was flavoured with pepper. Then nicest I have ever tasted as I find modern drinking chocolate too sweet.

Is your 'campaign manager' the best person for the job if he has so little time Cassandra? I can understand why with two little ones and probably a full time job, but will he be available when you need him, and will he support you through the campaign? You will need another 'I' after either 'believe' or 'am confident' too.

Son gave me a multitool pair of seceters for Mothering Sunday yesterday. Not sure how useful some of the bits are, but the cutters and a knife come out easily and it will be useful for small stems. The advantage is that it can easily be folded up and put in my pocket. Nice gift.

Rather a busy day today. I have to help in the woods, then go to the local pub at lunch time with some friends, then in the evening we have Trefoil Guild and I am speaking. If I have time I will try to find some leaves of herbaceous plants from the woods for a quiz, but luckily I can talk about 'Spring in the woods' without any other preparation.

Just to add, good thing we don't have to have a borehole as our water is over 100 feet down. The only good thing is it is through chalk, so quite a reasonable bore.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 18 3:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Mr Jam Lord says he believes our well is 300 feet deep. That's through shale.

Rain starting this afternoon, changing to snow at night. So the cars will again be parked at the bottom of the driveway. Don't think we're to get much of a much. Son in Massachussets says they're to get 10 to 14 inches.

Spring to repair the choke on Mr Jam Lord's Stihl chainsaw has arrived at the shop so he will be off to collect it. Then spend the weekend taking little fiddly bits apart and reassembling them.

Mistress Rose, a simple Google search came up with a source here in the USA for a savory cocoa blend. Sounds like you could easily create your own. I would add black pepper.

"The Mayans have been drinking chocolate as far back as 2600 years. There’s a feeling in the shop that the people of Colorado may be of Mayan descent, as we can hardly keep up with the amount of cocoa that is purchased. With that in mind, we created a spicy Mayan cocoa powder so you can enjoy a version of this traditional drink at home.
Ingredients: Dutch cocoa, chile peppers, cinnamon and vanilla powder
Use 1 heaping tbsp. per cup of heated milk for a spicy yet heavenly Mayan drink. Sweeten as needed. Also nice for baked goods or sprinkling on buttered toast, fruit and waffles."

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 18 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

What is chocolate crumb? Apparently not crumbled up chocolate cake.

https://meadowfoods.com/chocolate-crumb-the-unsung-hero-of-british-chocolate/

Just remember that if curiosity killed the cat, satisfaction brought her back. Meow. Purrs to Poppet.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 18 7:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thank you for that bit Jam Lady. I wasn't aware of that. I know it was used in milk chocolate, but not what it was. I think we used to get a chocolate spread that was high in crumb when I was a child. It wasn't too sweet and didn't have nuts in it.

Had a rather bitty day yesterday. I had arranged to meet some of the others who work at food bank to have lunch together, so went up to the woods, did a bit of clearing, then down for lunch, then back to the woods. In the evening had Trefoil Guild at which I had to talk on 'Spring in the Woods'.

It was showery yesterday, so ended up getting rather damp. Found some wood anemones coming up, that the badger sett on the edge of the coup seems to be inhabited; it is seasonal, so think some badgers are there because the main sett has cubs in. Not sure whether the females throw the older males out at that time, or they leave because the main sett is too cub ridden for a quiet life. They have also thoughtfully made a latrine just on the deer fence line, so will have to make sure the fence doesn't cross the path between the sett and the latrine, or go in it, as it is well used and rather 'high'.

We have cold weather forecast again for the end of the week, so the anemones may put their heads down again if they have any sense. We may get a small amount of snow, but uncertain at the moment.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 18 3:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Cassandra, more hopefully constrictive criticism. 'I am confident', is better, 'that I can make a constructive difference to the future of"our" state, for the benefit of all'. Rather than you making a difference to "my" state. Give folks the confidence that you care for them. Whether or not, doesn't matter-perceived thoughts are what is needed. Anyway shoot me down if I am wrong.
Thank you for the picture of Poppet, she has all that brightness of a happy cat. JL. is right when she says "plot" rather than plan; you are looking to be squeaky clean, whilst trying to plot the downfall of the opposition. You need to send bulletins out without signing them about the wrong doings of the "them".
Rest assured we would all vote for you if we were allowed!

I have heard nothing about more snow or cold, for this neck of the UK, MR. Today is like a proper spring day, sun shining, a bit windy and so far no rain. Well it was raining at 4.30 this morning but I don't count that, I am only getting up then, and a little rain for about a mile before it stopped and then all clear-lovely afternoon, sunny and no clouds. I am whispering this in case the weather hears and does the dirty on me by changing for the worse!

The fire wood sales are still going well and I am now on top of it with about 25 in stock and this will go down, but at least I am now chopping more than I am selling. So I should be ready for next winter as I have enough nets to do at least 3 more years and probably more as these nets are about 25% bigger than the old nets, just have to keep getting timber suitable for cutting and chopping.
I was told that the badgers kick out sick animals of their gang and have an old sett where the ejected go to retire, basically to die. Not sure if this is true, but have no reason to dis-believe.

I hope Shan an gz are both well, we haven't heard from either for a few days. I hope all is well with them.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 18 4:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

No rain. Snow started about 11:00 p.m. last night. Two inches, maybe, so landscape is again all white, no open patches remaining. But since it was 37 degrees Fahrenheit the driveway and front walk are clear. Maybe this is the onion snow.

Tweaked the cacao entry on my website Mistress Rose. If you want a look just go there and scroll down.

Tomorrow morning is the knitting group. Will be the first time in a couple of weeks - first garden club then horrid weather. Thursday a friend is coming for lunch. And there's something at Howell this Saturday. I'll go, if the weather be good. And those are my plans for the week.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 18 7:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The weather was good for us yesterday too. We had the lads doing cutting further up in the wood down in our coppice coup, and one of them, who is trained as a tree surgeon, took down some rather awkward ash stems. Son could have got them down using the winch cable on them, but managed with only one winched and one which hit the hedge, so a bit quicker. Got a lot of top burnt up, and some more hazel coppice cut, so a productive day. Found another primrose in flower, but still very few and far between.

Think Gregotyn's idea of 'our' state is also good Cassandra. It does sound more inclusive. Good luck with it all anyway.

The weather is supposed to turn cold again here tonight I think. We are expecting a few snow flurries over the weekend, but not sure how much; probably not a lot.

Have read your update on your chocalate blog Jam Lady, and it is an interesting addendum.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Mar 15, 18 3:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

A warm morning at 4.30, as I went out but it was raining not heavy but intermittent on the wipers was enough. Got into work and it had stopped raining by then; it has been a lovely morning, and the sun is shining now so all well.
I had some fun coming down into the town for my 'freebe' swim for pensioners yesterday. A tree had come down in the space of the 3/4 hour since I was going the other way to wards home! I got through catching some of the branches of the silver birch that was laid down but from a garden which was a much higher level than the road. As I came round the corner a lorry approached and it was a timber haulier so I stopped him told him about it and suggested he use his grab which he would normally use for loading to lift the tree back into its own space; it was gone when I went home an hour later so he must have done the job.

My job is giving me more money for the next month as the top man is away. It comes in the way of more hours! I am staying a bit longer to help the lad out who is on his own until the boss gets back from lambing his and his father's sheep in about a months time; a bonus really!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 18 7:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Useful the timber lorry was able to clear the road Gregotyn. Wonder what caused the tree to fall. It is usually undermining or wind, but I suppose sometimes it just becomes unstable and goes.

The mirabelle plum blossom is in flower and the blackthorn just starting. A few wood anemones, but generally things are taking their time getting going this year. Just as well, as I haven't had a chance to do anything in the garden yet.

Delivered another 20 log sacks yesterday as one of our outlets was short. Husband and son will be trying to do some more today, or getting the wood anyway, as we are sure one of the other outlets will be in contact over the next few days, and we have cold weather, with perhaps a little snow, forecast.

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