Category: Musings

boxed in by a dubious premise

Georgia is the center of the poultry industry.  At a local luncheon the former president of the largest poultry operation in the state recently  (October 2012) said the industry grew tremendously since 1970 from 1.5 billion to 7.5 billions pounds of chicken a year.  He added that by 2050 the world's population will be 9.1 billion up 34 percent from the current 6.8 billion and meat production must increase by 74 percent. His comments and others like his, operate at two levels - the explicit Read more [...]

loss of bearings and prop 37

A good friend had a Hatteras 58 ft  long range cruiser.  I loved the boat.  It had a big engine room and, as it had been outfitted over the years with new electronics and other necessities, it had different DC voltages for different circuits and a spaghetti of wires in all directions.  When components failed, and they often did, I would haul out the wiring diagrams and try trace the fault.  The diagrams enabled me to understand the function of the wires.  When we left harbor I found my bearings Read more [...]

benefits of organic milk – kefir

We have started making our own kefir fermented milk products.  Kefir originated when shepherds discovered that milk carried in leather pouches would ferment and produce a fermented beverage which has a pleasing taste, once your are accustomed to it. We were given a starter culture and the procedure is you add milk to the kefir grains and allow it to ferment for 24 hours at room temperature.  A tablespoon of the kefir grains is adequate for 8 ozs of milk.  After 24 hours the grains have converted Read more [...]

the precautionary principle and GMO’s

Two techniques used in this week's presidential debate resonated with my internet Sustainability study on this week's topic - GMO's. There seems to be three areas of concern on Genetically Modified Organisms ("GMO's).  Their effect on our health, on our environment and on our wallet.  I will not dwell on environmental issues (such as genetic drift or loss of diversity) or wallet issues (will the seeds which produce our food be owned by corporations?). But as for our health, there are studies Read more [...]

teaser-if world population increases 1% pa, why must food prod. increase 1.5%pa?

I am learning from and enjoying the Coursera course on Sustainability. The above question is interesting. Why should an increase in world population by x % require a much greater % increase in food production? The answer, I suppose, shows why being a vegetarian helps the world in dealing with sustainability issues. What "sustainability issues" you may ask. Well, water supply is becoming problematic - witness our recent drought in the mid-West and problems in India and other countries where they are Read more [...]

the largest yet least considered interaction

We interact with the world through our senses.  The five traditional senses are sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.  We have other senses as well such as balance, perception of time, pain etc.  If our senses warn us that our environment is unfriendly we respond - too much sun we cover ourselves, use an umbrella or sun screen or withdraw to the shade.  To much glare we put on sunglasses, close our eyes or squint and look the other way.  Too bitter a taste then we stop eating.  Too loud a Read more [...]

trees and Oregon visit

My interest is moving from annual vegetable crops to tree crops and perennials.  Perhaps the bonanza of pears from my Kieffer, Warren and Giant Korean, plus lots of figs from an old established tree have spurred me on. With the summer heat deterring outdoor activity for much of the day, I have been reading extensively.  Now that "Farmers of Forty Centuries" by F.H King (published 1911)  is behind me, I moved on  to "Tree Crops a Permanent Agriculture" by JR Smith published 1929 (freely downloadable) Read more [...]

Lessons of life

I was asked recently what lessons I had learned from my life.  When I said I had no idea, the inquirer got impatient with me, so I said I would think about it.  And some have now come to mind: Life has ups and downs and don't celebrate and indulge in hubris when you are up because surely those you have bested will have their day too and will not easily forget your self-satisfaction.  Similarly, when you are down don't give up, keep at it, and you will be rewarded. Material status possessions Read more [...]

DIY and its virtues

I just read a good essay in the New York Times - "A Nation that's losing its Toolbox" by Louis Uchitelle (July 21, 2012).  He laments the loss, not only of factories and good manufacturing jobs, but also "mastering tools and working with one’s hands is receding in America as a hobby, as a valued skill, as a cultural influence that shaped thinking and behavior in vast sections of the country. "  He says that manufacturing is important, not just to create jobs and reduce the trade deficit and help Read more [...]

the upending of the West?

My focus on organic growing has recently been distracted by intrusions from reality – the fox raid on the chicken, a robbery while I was away from the house and, now, by unusual summer heat and the question of the economy. I have always lived in the West – South Africa, the UK, and the USA and accepted the notion that the West led the way. But not anymore. For me it was the Olympics in Beijing, that signaled the rising ascendency of Asia. In the 90's and beginning of this decade we in the Read more [...]