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A variety of maps, writings, and photos on a various topics that can’t easily be categorized into a county or place.

It’s Earth Day, Prepare Yourself for Green Living Advertising …

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Very Green

Every day it seems like the marketers are thinking of new products that can give a good green-wash, and sell as a premium, especially around the occasion of Vladimir Lenin’s birthday, popularly known as Earth Day. It’s actually pretty ironic that the capitalists of the world have taken Vladimir Lenin birthday’s to sell marked-up “green” products. Market-specialization does mean you can charge a higher price.

The best way to live green is to buy nothing. Every material item you buy has an environmental impact. The question should always be when shopping — do I really need this item?

A person smarter then me once said, “Nothing becomes obsolete faster then the future.” Futuristic technologies often become obsolete quickly, as do many of the trendy green-products whose use often doesn’t live up to the hype. Sure, energy efficiency standards are necessary to create a floor for products and spur innovation, but much that is hyped as green technology rarely lives up to it’s promise. If something where to save a lot of energy, or have superior environmental performance, why isn’t it used already?

I often thought, farmers and sportsmen are some of the greenest people out there. If you spend a lot of time in the field and the forest, you learn a lot about nature. Hunters spent countless hours peering down from their tree stands, observing the world around them. Farmers know the cost of food waste firsthand, they work tireless hours to produce the raw materials that turned into food. People who live off-grid know how much energy really costs — especially when their battery voltage starts dropping. Country boys who burn their own trash, know exactly how noxious some of the materials are they consume every day.

The greenest thing you can do on Earth Day, is spend no money. Stay off of Amazon, away from the stores. Go for a walk to a nearby nature preserve or park, spend some time observing nature. Go fishing, go hiking! If you can walk to work and your destination, that’s even better, but if you have to hop a bus going that way, it’s better then driving. Don’t by into commercialism crap this Earth Day.

Homesteading and Earth Day! 🚜 🌎

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There are really two kinds of schools of thought around conservation and environmentalism more generally. There are the back-to-earth types, and more high-tech oriented ways of doing things, emphasizing technological solutions to environmental problems like solar panels, lithium ion batteries, heat pumps, electric cars, etc.

The technocratic environmentalists are often pushing for top-down solutions that use the latest in research to provide solutions to human needs and wants that use advanced materials to reduce per capita carbon emissions. They often look at per capita emissions, multiplying them out by population, and have bold hopes that with the right technologies we as a society can be less polluting and less destructive to the earth. Their much touted-solar and wind farms sound great on paper, but what does it mean to the environment and landscape when a lot of our energy comes from them sprawled out over millions of acres?

In many ways, they seem hopelessly naive. For one thing, many of green things in aggregate are less green, especially those who which use heavy metals like cadmium-infused glass for solar panels or various rare-earths for magnets or even more natural materials like timber or farm crops rather then plastics. Often people are sold on things being compostable, even though they are quickly used and discarded to a landfill which is largely sealed from air, bacteria and water to speed biodegradation. Many material collected for recycling ultimately have no value and end up being landfilled. There definitely is a lot of scams surrounding the green-living, high-tech environmentalism put forward by some.

On the other hand, you have the back-to-the-land homesteaders, the off-griders, and country folk who produce a lot of their own needs from the lands they live in. While their per capita emissions might be higher — not everybody can live on 20 or 40 or even a 100 acres of land — in many ways they are living much closer to the earth. Where they raise and harvest their own meat and vegetables without plastic packaging, generate their own power on-site largely using renewables, manage their own waste by composting, burning, reuse and off-site recycling. Rather then consuming 10.3 MWh of fossil-fueled grid power electricity per year and 400 therms of gas per year, and having bins full of trash weekly trash-haul, they are much more self-sufficient.

Technocratic environmentalists often look down at homesteaders. All ruminants from cows to sheep burp methane when they breakdown hay and grass in their stomachs. Off-grid and farm living often means hauling large machinery and water tanks, which means fuel-hungry pickup trucks. Wood stoves and burn barrels produce noxious smoke at levels far above the urban-dweller who relies on gas or electric heat and uses a municipal landfill or incinerator to dispose of waste. Livestock produce manure and make mud which can run-off and is smelly. Even regulated hunting and trapping consumes animals, even if it’s below levels that significant impacts the environment. Remote locations often require longer commutes both for work and purchasing things.

I am not fan of feel-good environmentalism. Certainly I am willing to embrace green technology if it actually improves sustainability, reduces emissions and protects the environment but it can’t be like so many of green technologies popularly sold today to “do your part”. I do respect those who live close to earth, be it homesteader or farmer, who rejects technology and mass-media crass commercialism. That life might be more enviromentally-impactful on a per capita basis, but better for local environment and certainly the person who lives such a life.

Next Time – Monday April 22

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Today’s sunrise was at 6:00 am. The next time the sun will rise later then today 🌄 is in 115 days on Thursday, August 15.

The average high for today is 63 degrees. 🌡 The next time it will be on average cooler then today is in 175 days on Monday, October 14 when the average temperature will be 62 degrees.

The highest point for the sun today will be 59.8° from the horizon at 12:54 pm. 🌞 The next time the sun will be lower in the sky mid-day is in 120 days on Tuesday, August 20.

Today has 13 hours and 55 minutes of daylight. ⏳ The next time the day will be shorter then today is in 119 days on Monday, August 19.

Today’s sunset will be at 7:47 pm. The next time the sun will set earlier then today 🌆 is in 123 days on Friday, August 23.

The average low for today is 40 degrees. 🌡 The next night it will be on average cooler then tonight is in 182 days on Monday, October 21 when the average temperature will be 39 degrees.

Inlet to Canada Lake

Happy Earth Day! 🌎

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Going to be a beautiful day for riding to work. Carrot pancakes, need to stop at Hannaford to get bananas on the way in as a snack as I’ve not been shopping this week. Felt good to toss that empty plastic milk bottle in the trash on Earth Day knowing soon enough I’ll get it burnt, lol. Makes an excellent fire starter. Gotta celebrate Vladmir Lennin’s birthday with a little black smoke, as you turn the dirt with your plow or spreading manure on this Earth Day.

Good morning! Mostly sunny and 39 degrees in Delmar, NY. There is a northwest breeze at 9 mph. 🍃. Temperatures will drop below freezing at tomorrow around 3 am. ☃️

Didn’t get a real early start 🛏 as when I first awoke I had a bit of nausea like I had been spinning. 🤯But once I finally got out of bed, got some coffee and carrot 🥕 pancakes 🥞 in me I was feeling better. I think I just have a bad case of the Monday’s. I am looking forward to the ride to work today, going to be a nice day. The weekend was cloudy, colder and wetter then expected but I had a lot of fun in the woods and a nice fire 🔥, rode some trail 🚵 and went for a nice five mile hike at Huyck Preserve.

Today will be sunny 🌞, with a high of 55 degrees at 5pm. Eight degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around April 7th. Northwest wind around 10 mph. A year ago, we had cloudy skies. The high last year was 68 degrees. The record high of 86 was set in 1985. 1.0 inches of snow fell back in 1928.❄

Going to stop on the way to work and get some bananas and apples at Hannaford 🍎 🍌 Got to fuel up for the busy week ahead, and I like having lots of fresh fruits and veggies to snack on when I’m in the office.  🤤 On the bike ride home I will stop and get more onions 🧅 and frozen fruit and veggies, and try to use up what I have around the apartment rather then doing a full grocery shop 🛒 until at least Wednesday, as I want to get down to the park after work to walk and read.  🚶📚️ I figure why fire up Red and spend a bunch of money on groceries 🛻 when I have a fair amount bar the fruit and vegetables, 🐄 which I can pick up riding to and from work. Also need to get more milk at Stewart’s. I know more plastic! 

Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:54 pm with sun having an altitude of 59.8° from the due south horizon (-11.1° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 3.5 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 7:07 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (282°). 📸 The sunset is in the west-northwest (288°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:46 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 2 seconds with dusk around 8:15 pm, which is one minute and 8 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the Full 🌝 Moon in the east-southeast (119°) at an altitude of 16° from the horizon, 250,219 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:52 pm. At sunset, look for clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 51 degrees. There will be a west-northwest breeze at 7 mph. Today will have 13 hours and 46 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 40 seconds over yesterday.

I think it’s interesting how the greenies this year are focusing on single use plastics 💚 on Earth Day. Gets a little bit silly but I think they needed a new issue as they got their climate legislation through on the state level 🌎 but only time will tell what the effect is beyond using a lot of farm land and forest for massive solar farms. I’d be more concerned about the really toxic things in garbage today like all the electronics commonly discarded. ☠️ Or all the wasted building materials not the silly little plastic water bottles that are a tiny part of waste production made out of the least toxic forms of plastic – polyethylene. ♻ I really should get milk 🥛 delivery set up with Meadow Brook but it’s a pain having to call as they don’t have a website, and at least in the winter months I do recycle most of the discarded Stewart’s milk bottles. I wish they still had milk in glass for less trash like Byrne Dairy does. 🐮 I don’t drink as much milk as I once did since getting into healthy eating, preferring to drink more water from the tap, 🚰 but I still think those milk bottles take up much too much room in the trash or the recycle  ♻️ when so inclined.

Tonight will be clear 🌃, with a low of 31 degrees at 4am. Nine degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical night around April 1st. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming south after midnight. In 2023, we had thunderstorm in the evening, which became light rain by the early hours of the morning. It got down to 43 degrees. The record low of 26 occurred back in 1975.

First half of the weekend looks decent Saturday, partly sunny, with a high near 62. Maximum dew point of 41 at 4pm. ☀ Not too bad but certainly can change. Sunday, a chance of showers. 🌦️ Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Maximum dew point of 53 at 3pm. Typical average high for the weekend is 65 degrees. It is what it is, good I got out last weekend.

I am not opposed to doing a three-day weekend and heading up to the Adirondacks  🏕️  but only f the weather looks good. It would be nice to spend some time in the wilderness, have a good fire  🔥 and ride trail or explore the back country  🚵 before black flies are out in mass, 🦟 but only if the weather ain’t shit. 💩 I kind of want to wait until things green up  🌱 before heading out to Schoharie County to camp, and eat fresh ramps I found in the woods, and ride the Catskill Scenic Trail from Stamford to Bloomville 🚵‍♂️ and back again, enjoying the colors of spring and the smell of all that freshly turned dirt.🚜 Maybe that will be Mother’s Day Weekend.

Looking ahead, there are 9 weeks until Latest Sunset 🌆 when the sun will be setting at 8:38 pm with dusk at 9:12 pm. On that day in 2023, we had partly cloudy and temperatures between 86 and 61 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 82 degrees. We hit a record high of 96 back in 1943.

Red, White, and Blue

I asked Meta’s Llama for some advice …

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Vladimir Lenin’s birthday, also known as Lenin’s Day, is celebrated on April 22. While it’s not widely observed, here are some ways to commemorate the occasion:

  1. Learn about Lenin’s life and legacy: Read books, watch documentaries, or explore online resources to understand his impact on history and politics.
  2. Visit museums and exhibitions: Many museums in Russia and Eastern Europe have exhibits dedicated to Lenin’s life and the Soviet era.
  3. Join a socialist or communist organization: Connect with like-minded individuals and participate in discussions, events, and activities promoting socialist and communist ideals.
  4. Organize a study group or discussion: Gather with friends or colleagues to discuss Lenin’s writings, ideas, and their relevance in today’s world.
  5. Attend a cultural event: Watch a film, play, or concert inspired by Lenin’s era or the Soviet Union.
  6. Visit Lenin’s mausoleum: If you’re in Moscow, pay respects at the Lenin’s Mausoleum in Red Square.
  7. Participate in a political rally or protest: Join a peaceful demonstration or rally advocating for workers’ rights, social justice, or anti-imperialist causes.
  8. Read Lenin’s works: Explore his writings, such as “What is to be Done?” or “The State and Revolution”.
  9. Host a discussion or debate: Engage in respectful conversations with others about Lenin’s ideas and their implications.
  10. Reflect on socialism and communism: Consider the impact of Lenin’s ideas on modern political movements and ideologies.

Please note that Lenin’s legacy is complex and controversial, and some of these suggestions may not be appropriate or respectful in all contexts. Approach the commemoration with sensitivity and respect for diverse perspectives.