The Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area is a 5,100 acre upland tract, situated approximately eight miles west of Dansville, New York. Roughly two-thirds of the area lies in southern Livingston County, while the remaining third lies in northern Allegany County. The tract was purchased in the 1930’s under the Federal Resettlement Administration and is one of several such areas turned over to DEC for development as a wildlife management area.
The area is appropriately named after the Timber Rattlesnake, which may be occasionally found in the more remote sections of the “Hill”.
The area offers an interesting blend of upland habitats such as mature woodland, overgrown fields, conifer plantations, old growth apple orchards and open meadows.
The area is inhabited by a variety of game species and is open to public hunting. The white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, grey squirrel, cottontail rabbit and woodcock are found on the area. An occasional snowshoe hare may be observed adjacent to thick creek bottom brush or conifer plantation habitats.
A number of small marsh units have been developed and provide limited hunting for waterfowl. Some of the area’s furbearing species such as mink, beaver and raccoon may be occasionally viewed at these marsh units.
The dynamics of population movement have been a longstanding concern for regions like Upstate New York. The exodus of residents seeking greener pastures, warmer climates, and reduced government regulations has raised alarms about the state’s future. To address these challenges, considering the potential of asylum seekers as new residents offers an intriguing perspective.
The decline in New York State’s population poses multifaceted challenges, from a loss of federal resources to business closures due to reduced demand. The resulting spiral of higher taxes and deteriorating infrastructure underscores the urgency of finding solutions. It is evident that introducing a fresh influx of population can potentially rejuvenate the state’s trajectory.
Asylum seekers, often fleeing repressive governments that target them for their ethnicity, religious beliefs, or political views, represent a demographic in dire need of assistance. The historical lessons of the United States’ refusal to aid Jews during World War II highlight the moral obligation to provide sanctuary for those facing persecution. Their harrowing experiences necessitate a compassionate response from society.
While immigration policies dictate that courts determine the legitimacy of asylum claims, the initial evaluation by immigration officials underscores the merit of offering shelter. Recognizing that aiding asylum seekers incurs costs, it’s imperative to remember that supporting residents, regardless of their citizenship or voter status, is a societal duty. Comparable to the provision of police, fire protection, and education, extending assistance to those seeking refuge is an ethical and humanitarian imperative.
Though the waiting period of nearly half a year before lawful work is allowed might appear discouraging, it serves as a deterrent against fraudulent migration. This measure safeguards against exploitation and preserves fairness for those pursuing legal immigration paths. Yet, acknowledging the diverse array of jobs available, asylum seekers can contribute significantly to Upstate communities, especially in sectors like agriculture, food service, and healthcare.
The sluggish pace of immigration proceedings, while frustrating, reflects the gravity of life and death decisions at stake. While expediting the process is desirable, ensuring accurate judgments is paramount. An asylum seeker denied entry could be returning to a perilous situation, underscoring the importance of thorough evaluations. Striking the balance between efficiency and accuracy is crucial to maintaining a just immigration system.
Considering the influx of over 100,000 asylum seekers into New York City within a year, it is clear that addressing their needs and aspirations can reshape the landscape of Upstate New York. Vacant motels and underutilized spaces could be repurposed to accommodate and support these individuals, providing job opportunities and fostering economic growth. Though there are costs associated with local governments and schools, the long-term potential of revitalizing declining communities holds promise.
In conclusion, the incorporation of asylum seekers as potential new residents offers a chance for Upstate New York to reverse its population decline. By embracing these individuals, the state can tap into their potential as contributors to various sectors, while simultaneously adhering to a moral imperative of offering refuge to those in need. The challenges and costs associated with this endeavor are outweighed by the potential benefits of revitalized communities and a more diverse and vibrant state.
Here’s the simple no-knead whole wheat bread recipe that Chat GPT suggested I start this evening that doesn’t involve any sugar or preservatives and is fully whole wheat, rich in fiber:
Ingredients:
– 3 cups whole wheat flour
– 1 ½ teaspoons salt
– ½ teaspoon instant yeast
– 1 ½ cups warm water
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, salt, and instant yeast.
2. Pour in the warm water and mix until you have a shaggy dough.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it sit at room temperature for about 12-18 hours. The dough will rise and develop bubbles.
4. After the resting period, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a Dutch oven or a heavy oven-safe pot with a lid in the oven as it heats up.
5. While the oven is preheating, generously flour a clean surface and gently shape the dough into a round loaf.
6. Once the oven is ready, carefully remove the hot pot. Sprinkle a bit of flour on the bottom to prevent sticking.
7. Place the shaped dough into the hot pot. You can score the top of the dough with a sharp knife if you like.
8. Put the lid on the pot and place it in the oven. Bake covered for 30 minutes.
9. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and has a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom.
10. Once baked, carefully remove the bread from the pot and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Remember that baking times might vary slightly based on your oven, so keep an eye on the bread as it bakes.
I am prepping the Dutch Oven cleaning off the rust, oiling and seasoning it currently, riding down to the supermarket 🛒 for the flour and yeast, and will start letting the dough rise for baking tomorrow afternoon.
Next weekend is Labor Day Weekend, words that I find almost find hard to write. As that garage in Johnstown has on the sign, summer should get a speeding ticket.
Good morning! Yeah, it’s Friday! Clouds with a break in the rain and 65 degrees in Delmar, NY. ☁ There is a south-southeast breeze at 9 mph. 🍃. The dew point is 63 degrees. 0.52 inches of rain is expected before it ends tomorrow around 4 am.
Another day for busing it 🚍 as I’m not convinced that it won’t turn to heavy rain last night. At least this time I’m prepared with my rain coat 🧥 so that almost guarantees that it won’t rain. Next week at this time I’m hoping to be well on my way to Spectulator so I can set up camp ⛺ before nine o’clock for the long weekend. I’ll see if I can remote work otherwise I’ll take off a personal day.
Today will have showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 9am. Cloudy 🌦, with a high of 75 degrees at 3pm. Six degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around September 14th. Maximum dew point of 70 at 2pm. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. It could be a swamp for bicycling home, assuming it’s not raining. And I’m not convinced that will be the case. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies in the morning with a few breaks of sun the afternoon. It was somewhat humid. The high last year was 87 degrees. The record high of 99 was set in 1947.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:59 pm with sun having an altitude of 58.2° from the due south horizon (-12.6° 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 🏅 starts at 7:06 pm with the sun in the west (279°). 📸 The sunset is in the west-northwest (286°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:44 pm after setting for 3 minutes with dusk around 8:11 pm, which is one minute and 38 seconds earlier than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the Waxing Gibbous 🌔 Moon in the south (180°) at an altitude of 20° from the horizon, 232,021 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:49 pm. At sunset, look for rain 🌧 and thunderstorms 🌩 and temperatures around 73 degrees. The dew point will be 69 degrees. There will be a calm wind. Today will have 13 hours and 32 minutes of daytime, a decrease of 2 minutes and 42 seconds over yesterday.
If it’s not raining too much today, 🍞 I am thinking of riding down to Hannaford and getting some whole-wheat flower and yeast so I can start experimenting with making bread again for the first time in years. Looking to make some simple, relatively healthy wholegrain bread as a way to mix up my diet more, especially with winter coming and wanting to have something to dip into the various vegetable soups I want to make come winter. 🍲 And maybe some more frozen fruit, though that could wait to the weekend as I sliced into the pineapple 🍍 last night and still have bananas left.
Tonight will have a chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers between midnight and 5am. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy 🌧, with a low of 66 degrees at 6am. Seven degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 70 at 6pm. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. In 2022, we had mostly clear skies in the evening, which became partly cloudy by the early hours of the morning. It was humid. It got down to 62 degrees. The record low of 40 occurred back in 1942.
On this day in 1950, President Harry Truman orders the U.S. Army to seize control of the nation’s railroads to avert a strike🏗️ So much for the boy from Missouri being a socialist. 🇨🇳 For those looking for more processed food and unhealthy levels of salt in their diet, in 1958 world’s first publicly marketed instant noodles, 🍝 Chikin Ramen, are introduced by Taiwanese-Japanese businessman Momofuku Ando. And for us Linux users, in 1991 Linus Torvalds announces the first version of what will become Linux. 🐧
Tomorrow will have a slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny 🌦, with a high of 79 degrees at 3pm. Two degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around September 1st. Maximum dew point of 66 at 9am. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies in the morning with a few breaks of sun the afternoon. It was somewhat humid. The high last year was 83 degrees. The record high of 98 was set in 1948.
John Wolcott’s funeral is on Saturday at ten AM, ⚱ so I will be needing to get up at the normal time, go for my walk, have breakfast 🥞 and then shower 🛀 and get on the suit and black tie. 👔 After the funeral, I am thinking I will run to Albany Walmart or maybe just Aldi’s as it’s out in the Colonie, then maybe to Indian Farms and Our Families Harvest to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables, namely apples and sweet corn. 🍏 🌽 Also I’m quite interested in the Farmer’s Indian Market off Central. Might be some good spices and unusual vegetables at an affordable rate there. Plus bulk bags of rice, lentils and MSG. Got to have that MSG. 👹 Lol! Honest, it doesn’t turn you into a monster but it makes food taste so good.
Looking ahead to Sunday, partly sunny and cool, with a high near 74. ☀ North wind around 6 mph. Maximum dew point of 60 at 11am. Very autumn like. Should be a nice day for the clam bake with my parents. I’m actually tempted to get up early and do a hike or bike ride early in the morning. 🚴♀️ Typical average high for the weekend is 81 degrees.
Looking ahead, next Friday the Average High Falls To 79 🎑 when the sun will be setting at 7:31 pm with dusk at 7:59 pm. On that day in 2022, we had mostly sunny, rain showers and temperatures between 73 and 55 degrees. We hit a record high of 96 during the 1953 heat wave 🌊 . Summer comes to a close.
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. ☁ There is a south-southeast breeze at 6 mph. 🍃. The dew point is 54 degrees. The skies will clear Saturday around 4 am.
Woke up early ⏰ as I was asleep early at nine 9⃣ 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 🌦, 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 today🌧️ but I think it probably best to take the bus 🚍 in today to work as it likely will be rain by evening. I’ve also noticed a numbness in my finger tips 🖕 and that’s a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome developing in my hands 👐 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 🌞 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 🏅 starts at 7:07 pm with the sun in the west (280°). 📸 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. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the Waxing Gibbous 🌔 Moon in the south-southwest (194°) at an altitude of 20° from the horizon, 234,641 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:51 pm. At sunset, look for rain 🌧 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 🚂 along the rail trail and spent a little bit of time out at the park 🏞 with a book before it got dark out. 25 miles ridden and 4 miles walked yesterday. Today I doubt 🤷♂️ 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. 🐘 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. 💙
Oliver Anthony’s Rich Men North of Richmond, 🎤 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. 🏰 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. 🌧 Low of 63 degrees at 5am. Three degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 63 at 1am. 🏖️ 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 🍞 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. 🌿 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.
Back in 1967, the Yippies of Abbie Hoffman’s Youth International Party temporarily disrupts trading at the New York Stock Exchange by throwing dollar bills from the viewing gallery, 💵 🤡 💸 causing trading to cease as brokers scramble to grab them. As they say, it’s all about the money. Or something like that Dan Halloran said in his bid to sell the NYC Mayorship. 👩⚖️ Money matters a lot, it’s a way to get a lot of things done.
Weekendforecast is improving. ☺ 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 ⛵ 🍂🍁 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.
I guess the ride to work is more of a reverse hump as you ride down to the Hudson River through the gorge then head up the Madison Avenue Hill which I’m getting better at pedaling. That said, I do like how it feels when my heart is beating hard. 🚲
Good morning! What day is it? Hump Day, of course. Partly cloudy, the sun is rising and 54 degrees in Delmar for the morning walk. ⛅ Calm wind. The dew point is 52 degrees. Nice morning 🌅 as the sun rises, but it started out dark with the clouds and the later sunrise.
It looks like come Thursday with the rain I’ll be back to bussing it 🚍 so I guess it best to take advantage of the weather today. I’m out for the morning walk 🚶, breakfast and the shower 🚿. Something with zucchini for breakfast, I have too much currently. Probably fry them up with onions and garlic to keep the vampires 🧛♂️ away. That was supposed to be dinner last night but somehow when I got home 🏡 I just did edamame with rice – and some balsamic vinegar. I think I’ve worked off the extra pounds from the long weekend 🤰🏼 that was.
Today will be mostly sunny 🌞, with a high of 79 degrees at 4pm. Two degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around September 1st. Maximum dew point of 56 at 9am. Light and variable wind. Should be a great day! Not too hot for the ride home. 🚲 A year ago, we had thunderstorm in the morning, which became thunderstorm by afternoon. It was very sticky. The high last year was 80 degrees. The record high of 94 was set in 1947.
Yesterday I cooked up hard boiled eggs 🥚 and a bag of red kidney beans to have later this week. Rode out to Five Rivers Environmental Education Center 🐦 for a while. Dessert yesterday was some cottage cheese and frozen mango. I’m saving the pineapple 🍍 for later in the week. Messed up the hard boiled eggs again — didn’t boil them enough, had to put them in a pot again, and ruined one or two of them when I tried to peal them and it I ended up with yoke everywhere. Walked 4 miles yesterday, rode 23 miles between the commute and Five Rivers.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:59 pm with sun having an altitude of 58.9° from the due south horizon (-11.9° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 3.6 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 7:09 pm with the sun in the west (280°). 📸 The sunset is in the west-northwest (287°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:47 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 1 seconds with dusk around 8:15 pm, which is one minute and 35 seconds earlier than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the First Quarter 🌓 Moon in the south-southwest (208°) at an altitude of 20° from the horizon, 237,502 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:53 pm.
At sunset, look for mostly clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 74 degrees. The dew point will be 54 degrees. Very pleasant evening! There will be a south-southeast breeze at 5 mph. Today will have 13 hours and 37 minutes of daytime, a decrease of 2 minutes and 40 seconds over yesterday. Not sure what the evening will look like, but I could ride out to Voorheesville or Bender Melon Farm Preserve, 🍈 depending on the weather and the time. I have not been impressed by the peaches at the farmer’s market lately, 🍑 but the “eastern peaches” they have on sale on Hannaford are good and super cheap, which makes me think I should stop on my evening commute — as the rest of the week I’ll be busing it with rain coming.
Tonight will have increasing clouds ☁, with a low of 59 degrees at 6am. One degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical night around August 26th. Maximum dew point of 56 at 5am. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph after midnight. In 2022, we had mostly clear skies in the evening, which became partly cloudy by the early hours of the morning. It was humid. It got down to 66 degrees. The record low of 42 occurred back in 1971.
On this day in 1970, César Chávez’s Salad Bowl strike, the largest farm worker strike in U.S. history, begins. 🥗 I’m not a real fan of salads, I don’t think they’re particularly nutritious and are often used as an excuse for unhealthy eating in the second course.
Cool and potentially rainy on Saturday. 😕 Saturday, a chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Maximum dew point of 65 at 11am. Might be okay for a bike ride after John Wolcott’s funeral, depends on the time though and if I go out to the folks house for clams. 🕹 But Sunday looks great, not too hot or sunny. Sunday, mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Maximum dew point of 58 at 10am. Typical average high for the weekend is 81 degrees.
A true sign of autumn coming, next Wednesday is Average High Falls To 79 ️Degrees ⛱️️️ when the sun will be setting at 7:35 pm with dusk at 8:03 pm — especially the earlier sunset. On that day in 2022, we had rain and temperatures between 90 and 66 degrees. We hit a record high of 98 during the 1953 heatwave. Then next Friday starts Labor Day Weekend. So soon it would seem.
In the past month, the price of gasoline has risen substantially. However, it’s quickly pointed out that gasoline now constitutes a smaller portion of families’ budgets when compared to fifty years ago. The impact of these higher prices is often more psychological, as we tend to be more aware of the prominent gas station signs as we drive around town.
What’s frequently overlooked but crucial to understand is the significant role psychology plays in the economy. Even if gas prices are lower than they were a year ago, our attention tends to be fixated on recent fluctuations. We have a tendency to give more importance to what’s right in front of us rather than considering the broader context of our personal or business finances.
Although the direct consequences of elevated energy prices have been mitigated by better technologies and strategies adopted by families and businesses, one particular statistic that stands out for everyone is the price of gasoline. High gas prices provide a rationale for manufacturers, retailers, and even small businesses to push for higher prices, even if this is primarily a tactic to increase profits and wages.
This scenario presents a notable political dilemma for those in power, especially for Democrats on a wider scale. While they express genuine concerns about climate change and environmental preservation, this stance contradicts the objective of ensuring a consistent supply of affordable gasoline.
Most devices nowadays are DC powered via a wall wort or charger, and the bridge rectifier in the switch mode power supply ain’t going to give a damn what the sine wave looks like. If you are worried about inductive spikes when the output transistor turns on an off on a modified sine wave inverter, just plug it into an inexpensive surge protector and the varistor will pass any spikes to ground.
