Delmar is a hamlet in the Town of Bethlehem, in Albany County, New York, United States. It is a suburb of the neighboring city of Albany. The community is bisected by NY Route 443 (Delaware Avenue), a major thoroughfare, main street, and route to Albany.
A census-designated place (CDP) has been established since 1980 by the U.S. Census Bureau for tabulating the population of what the census has defined as the boundaries of the urbanized area in and around Delmar. The population was 8,292 at the 2000 census, but it was not included as a CDP in the 2010 census.
In 2005, CNN/Money Magazine named the Delmar ZIP Code (an area larger than the Delmar hamlet or CDP) as one of the “Best Places to Live” in America, rating it the 22nd best place to live among what it called “Great American Towns.
Returning to the art of breadmaking, my interest has been piqued by the idea of occasionally indulging in whole wheat bread without the additions of sugar or oil, and keeping salt to a minimum. It’s a delightful companion to both olive oil dipping and homemade soups. The monotony of constant brown rice and lentil dishes has left me a tad fatigued, making soup a comforting option to utilize a plethora of winter vegetables, while offering warmth.
My dietary choices have led me to abstain from added sugars, save for a couple of exceptions during special occasions such as indulging in ice cream on summer getaways or partaking in a rare slice of homemade pie during birthdays. I also steer clear of refined carbs, although I occasionally allow myself to savor cream of wheat coupled with zesty lemon, chia seeds, Greek yogurt, and fresh fruit. Similarly, a modest serving of couscous accompanied by edamame or chicken, and generously augmented with vegetablesβpredominantly spinachβmakes its way into my repertoire.
The decision was made yesterday to refurbish my Dutch Oven. Swiftly biking to the store, I acquired King Arthur whole wheat flour and yeast. Employing a no-knead approach, I combined whole wheat flour, yeast, water, and a pinch of salt for flavor. The dough rested for approximately 20 hours on the countertop before being baked tonight. Although the resulting bread was commendable, the dough’s excessive moisture posed challenges in shaping it. While the crust turned out excellent, I do ponder the possibility of reducing water and slightly augmenting yeast for a fluffier consistency. One slice was enjoyed, dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, while the remainder found its place in the freezer.
For the next attempt, I intend to employ slightly less water and a greater amount of yeast to conduct a further experiment. Contemplating back-to-back preparation of two loaves not only conserves energy by utilizing the high-temperature Dutch Oven but also ensures a month-long supply of superior bread for dipping and accompanying soups.
It’s kind of odd how a man’s final days come. You never think these days will come, it’s a long but steady decline and then it’s finally over with the funeral. I knew John from Save the Pine Bush, then helping him with computers and GIS, then sorting out through his files and interviews for a future documentary though between his house fire and failing memory after anaplasmosis brought him crashing down in the bathtub much was lost. I’ll never be the red headed radical who preserved so much history but it was good to know him over the years.
Good morning! Partly cloudy and 68 degrees at the Elm Avenue Town Park. β Calm wind. The dew point is 66 degrees. The skies will clear around 9 am.
Time is tight βas I go for a walk πΆ at the Elm Ave Town Park π after riding Blackie π΅ down here for a few minutes of serenity π§ββοΈ before heading back home, ironing the pants and shirt, putting on the black tie for the funeral in Colonie at 10. I was up early and should have gotten an earlier start but I feel uneasy about the funeral βͺ and a lot of other things in my life. In the coming weeks I’ll be moving to a new position with work, out of downtown π’ into a suburban office complex but if I take a shuttle bus or ride my bike π² things don’t have to change much but still it’s a lot to chew over with today’s funeral. π It’s good for my future and the company I work for.
Today will have isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny π, with a high of 81 degrees at 2pm. Typical for today. Maximum dew point of 67 at 9am. Light northwest wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%. A year ago, we had partly cloudy skies in the morning with some clearing in the afternoon. It was sticky. The high last year was 83 degrees. The record high of 98 was set in 1948.
The weekend has turned out better than expected especially today, βΊafter putting off the clam bake π¦ͺ with my parents but it’s fine, I need time to process John Wolcott’s death. I ended up spending a lot of time with him in his final years though maybe not enough and I certainly didn’t ask the right questions in the time remaining or take him out to the Crossings one last time. π You never know when it’s over even while you watch the decline. He did so much good for the community while I’ve focused my life primarily around my future, saving and earning money though occasionally speaking up and doing a little activism but mostly remaining a private citizen outside of my quiet little blog on the internet.
After the funeral I plan to go to Farmer’s Indian Market π to see what kind of rices, bulk spices, seasonings I can get there. Then Yonder Farms for apples, peaches π and anything else good I can get there. Then Stantons for sweet corn π½ and veggies. π If time allows I’m thinking π of taking the Nature Bus π and Blackie π΅ up to Thacher State Park for a ride. Then home this evening π bake the bread π and head to bed quite early.
Tonight will be scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then isolated showers between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy π§, with a low of 60 degrees at 6am. One degree above normal, which is similar to a typical night around August 25th. Maximum dew point of 64 at 6pm. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. In 2022, we had cloudy skies. It was somewhat humid. It got down to 64 degrees. The record low of 41 occurred back in 1969.
Today in 1920, the 19th amendment to United States Constitution takes effect, giving women the right to vote in federal elections.π§ It’s unfortunate after all these years we still haven’t been able to elect a women president. It seems hard to believe that for many years only white, property owning men could vote. π³ Really kind of elitist when you think π€ about it.
Looking ahead, there are 10 weeks until Daylight Savings Time Ends π when the sun will be setting at 5:46 pm with dusk at 6:14 pm. That seems much too soon but winter will be back before you know it. On that day in 2022, we had sunny, warm and temperatures between 71 and 46 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 54 degrees. We hit a record high of 76 back in 1994.
Songs about about of populism and nostalgia dominate the radio while people think back to the simpler more innocent times of the 2000s and 2010s when Climate Change induced storms didn’t lead the news headlines a leading presidential candidate wasn’t an octonian or an multi time indicted felon. As we count down the days until America turns 250 with all the signs and banners to be erected and days to be celebrated with fireworks and picnics.
Good morning! Happy Thursday. Mostly cloudy and 58 degrees in Delmar for the morning walk. β There is a south-southeast breeze at 6 mph. π. The dew point is 54 degrees. The skies will clear Saturday around 4 am.
Woke up early β° as I was asleep early at nine 9β£ and made an omelet with chopped zucchini and tomatoes that I ran through the food processor with garlic and onion. Added a little bit of milk and corn starch to make the egg extra fluffy. Breakfast first then the walk. Normally I prefer the other order but it was dark out early.
Today will have a chance of showers, mainly between noon and 3pm. Cloudy π¦, with a high of 69 degrees at 2pm. 12 degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around September 28th. Maximum dew point of 61 at 2pm. South wind 6 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. A year ago, we had partly cloudy skies in the morning with some clearing in the afternoon. It was humid. The high last year was 86 degrees. The record high of 95 was set in 1947.
Maybe it won’t be a wash out todayπ§οΈ but I think it probably best to take the bus π in today to work as it likely will be rain by evening. I’ve also noticed a numbness in my finger tips π and that’s a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome developing in my hands π by putting too much weight on them and pinching the nerves. Not as bad yesterday as I was more careful about putting so much weight on them heading home climbing that big hill out of gorge but I got to be careful about pinching the nerves and causing permanent damage needing surgery.
Solar noon π is at 12:59 pm with sun having an altitude of 58.5° from the due south horizon (-12.3° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 3.7 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour π starts at 7:07 pm with the sun in the west (280°). πΈ The sunset is in the west-northwest (286°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:45 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 1 seconds with dusk around 8:13 pm, which is one minute and 36 seconds earlier than yesterday. π At dusk you’ll see the Waxing Gibbous π Moon in the south-southwest (194°) at an altitude of 20° from the horizon, 234,641 miles away. π The best time to look at the stars is after 8:51 pm. At sunset, look for rain π§ and temperatures around 67 degrees. The dew point will be 60 degrees. There will be a south-southeast breeze at 13 mph. Today will have 13 hours and 34 minutes of daytime, a decrease of 2 minutes and 41 seconds over yesterday.
Yesterday I rode out to Voorheesville π along the rail trail and spent a little bit of time out at the park π with a book before it got dark out. 25 miles ridden and 4 miles walked yesterday. Today I doubt π€·βοΈ I’ll do much riding today but I’ll walk five miles plus do the stairs at the office. As previously noted, I was in bed before 9 PM and didn’t bother to watch the Republican debate. π It’s not like I plan to vote for any candidates, as I’m an enrolled Democrat and I think I prefer Biden over any of the GOP candidates, not that I’m a big lover of Biden either but he does seem to be doing some meaningful things on the environment and climate change — to say nothing of labor and civil rights. Maybe he’s the best option, but I’ll cast my protest vote come November 2024, as New York is almost certain to go blue regardless of my vote. π
Oliver Anthony’s Rich Men North of Richmond, π€ might be rocking the country charts, with it’s anti-establishment critical view of what’s happening in our government, but he also has a pretty good mixture of other songs worth listening to even if you don’t like his controversial lyrics for putting the government in a bad light. π° I was listening to more of his songs, and really enjoying it. There is a lot of other good artists over at RadioWV.
Tonight will have showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. π§ Low of 63 degrees at 5am. Three degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 63 at 1am. ποΈ Breezy, with a south wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. In 2022, we had mostly clear skies in the evening, which became mostly clear by the early hours of the morning. It was humid. It got down to 60 degrees. The record low of 35 occurred back in 1940.
Been researching how to bake bread π as I am thinking from fresh homemade bread would be good come this winter, and I could make it with less oil and sugar then many of the commercial breads. Not looking at recipes that much, but trying to learn how all the ingredients play together and alternative forms of bread, especially whole grains and oatmeal. πΏ Thinking it would be good with a good split-pea or other homemade soup, or dipped in extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Already using balsamic vinegar for acidity in many of my foods, it really gives a lot of meals a lot of extra flavor.
Weekendforecast is improving. βΊ Saturday, a slight chance of showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Maximum dew point of 65 at 11am. Sunday, mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Maximum dew point of 59 at 12pm. Typical average high for the weekend is 81 degrees.
Looking ahead, there are 7 weeks until Columbus Day β΅ ππ when the sun will be setting at 6:20 pm with dusk at 6:47 pm. On that day in 2022, we had partly sunny, shallow fog and temperatures between 71 and 41 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 63 degrees. We hit a record high of 85 back in 1954.