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.
Don’t you know renting is a waste of money, as you’ll never build up any equity
Renters are poor people, it’s what you do if you can’t afford to buy a house
Renting means your paying your landlord’s mortgage and not your own
While all those things are technically right, they are also quite wrong and only really valid if you are doing an apple to apples comparison — you are buying the same house in the same location.
The problem with that logic is that in most cases the house your buying or building is going to be larger and more costly to own and operate then the place you currently live in. Your commute will be longer, you’ll burn through more gas and junk cars quicker. The additional costs of an upgraded building, combined with mortgage costs tied to a single, non-diversified asset may not be a good investment at all. Forced savings — bank required mortgage payments — might be a good idea for those lacking discipline, but it’s still a non-diversified asset that is difficult and often expensive to convert to cash.
While buying can lead to an asset that accumulates in value, there are many things in owning a house that are immediate money sucks or depreciate in value:
Cost of automobile commuting compared to riding a bicycle or taking a bus to work
Replacing worn-out appliances and parts of a house
Energy costs of heating and lighting a larger stand-alone building
Interest paid to a bank may reduce your income in eyes of tax man, but a lower taxable income certainly doesn’t cover the cost of interest
Suddenly, if you looking at buying or building a house, the numbers don’t seem so great after all. It’s not to say it’s not a worthwhile goal for other reasons — like being able to own land and livestock or have a bigger house with more amenities, but to view renting as a waste of money or something only poor people do is a rather silly way to look at it.
After a busy week that went by like a flash, we made it to another maybe not so nice of a weekend. Tomorrow looks better but with a cold, blustery conditions. But then warmer and sunny for the eclipse on Monday, and the same with Tuesday but then rain comes back in for the second half of next week. But things might improve come next weekend. Is that an opportunity to get out out town?
Good morning! Happy Saturday. The weekend has arrived already again. Seemed like the last time I looked it was Easter weekend and I was in the Adirondacks. 🦎 Time goes by so quickly these days. Clouds with rain showers, a damp 36 degrees in Delmar. ☔ There is a north-northwest breeze at 10 mph. 🍃. Temperatures will drop below freezing at Monday around 2 am. ☃️
Started the morning with some johnnycakes with sweet onions and spinach. 🥞 Topped them with cottage cheese then had a small side of ground oatmeal and banana 🍌 as sort of a dessert. ☕️ And more coffee. I had much too much caffeine yesterday, and it impacted my sleep during the middle of the night last night, but it wasn’t too bad. Will need to go shopping tomorrow early. 🛒 Usually Sunday morning early, the crowds are thin and the stores well stocked.
Today will have a chance of showers before 10am, then a slight chance of showers after 2pm. Cloudy 🌦, with a high of 46 degrees at 4pm. Nine degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around March 19th. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Apparently they’ve not gotten the news at the weather bureau that the calendar says spring. A year ago, we had cloudy skies in the morning, which became light rain by afternoon. The high last year was 65 degrees. The record high of 82 was set in 1921. 17.3 inches of snow fell back in 1982.❄
It’s not the nicest day out, but I’m hoping as the day goes on the weather can improve, and I can ride out to Voorheesville. 🚴♂️ Later on I might also want to go to the library to upload some things to my blog, 📚 🤖 and maybe get some books out. I am taking a bit slow today, as yesterday was a long day after getting up at 4:30 or 5 AM then going to work at 6:30 AM on my bike, then going to the other office by around 9:30 or so, and then working there until quarter to six, and riding back home, as I missed the bus by a few minutes. 🚌 But it’s all good, I got my exercise in. 💪
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:58 pm with sun having an altitude of 54.1° from the due south horizon (-16.8° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 4.4 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 6:50 pm with the sun in the west (274°). 📸 The sunset is in the west (280°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:28 pm after setting for 2 minutes and 56 seconds with dusk around 7:56 pm, which is one minute and 9 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:31 pm. At sunset, look for rain showers 🌧 and temperatures around 43 degrees. There will be a north breeze at 14 mph. Today will have 13 hours and 2 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 52 seconds over yesterday.
My neighbor who had that big pile of trash next to his unit has moved out 🏚️ and they’re remodeling the unit next door. Doing work today too, but not super noisy work. It’s a good sign they’re remodeling the other unit. As it seems like they won’t be in a rush to tear down my unit. I should be prepared to have my rent bumped up $100 a month come June, as it expected from the notice of the increase to $800, but so be it.
The thing is I still need time to research and think about buying or building a home. 💭 I am not so aggressively looking at that right now, though I do keep my eye on Zillow and Landwatch to see what is popping up these days, 🐄 and houses to for the right one. Even if I do end up signing a lease in June, there will probably be an escape hatch or at any rate, it’s going to take time, especially if I’m thinking of building. I am undecided though, as renting remains the most affordable option due to the low cost of heat and electricity, and being able to bike or take public transit 🚍️ to work each day. The thing is if you save and invest in things like stocks and bonds 📊 you have a lot more flexibility. You can move cash out of state, you can’t move a house.
Tonight will have a slight chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly cloudy 🌧, with a low of 33 degrees at 4am. One degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical night around April 5th. North wind 11 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. In 2023, we had mostly clear skies in the evening, which became partly cloudy by the early hours of the morning. It got down to 34 degrees. The record low of 13 occurred back in 1982.
As previously noted, there are 3 weeks until Arbor Day 🌳 when the sun will be setting at 7:52 pm with dusk at 8:21 pm. On that day in 2023, we had partly cloudy, patches of fog and temperatures between 62 and 40 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 65 degrees. We hit a record high of 91 back in 1962.
Last year, I bemoaned what I knew would be a chapter coming closed in my life at age 40. It was oddly apparent that the free-wheeling, spending 60-plus nights a year in the wilderness was not going to go on forever. My big jacked up truck was 12 years old, while still going strong and running well, I knew things could not go on forever this way. It is showing it’s age, as were many things in my life. More and more things are breaking in my apartment and wearing out, the rot in the door has gotten worse. The rent is going up again as my building was sold to a cigar-smoking, mustang driving kid. I saw other signs of change too – my face growing grayer and my body going thinner as I got into eating healthy and biking.
Things are so good these days, the future is looking bright, but I’m mirrored in troubles in my life. I know I am going to have to give up a lot of what was me in my 20s and 30s to become a homeowner, the nights in the wilderness and the urban living. I know whatever I decide will be right for me, as I have found my new job to be, but it’s not without the high costs of change. To gain a lot, I’ve also had to give up a lot. Often things and principles that I once loved and held dear. People say you shouldn’t look back in your rear view mirror, but its hard not to glance back at where you came from, even when things in the future are much brighter.
Best way to do it as I got to start my morning in Menands then head back downtown. Good exercise while getting from point A to B.
Good morning! Already, it’s Friday! Can you believe it? Snow flurries and 33 degrees in Delmar, NY. 🌨️ There is a west-northwest breeze at 11 mph. 🍃. F-it, I’m riding my bike to work. 🚲 Temperatures will drop below freezing at Monday around 1 am. ☃️
Up at 4:30 am for ground oatmeal 🥣 bananas and Greek yogurt. Heading to work on my bicycle at 6:30 am, probably be in the office downtown for the next 12 hours after spending the first few hours of the day in the Menands office. 🏢 Things are falling behind, reports need to be run, data formatted and exported. The life of a data professional. 💾
Another busy, busy day today.🤪 Getting things done to the best of my ability though things are just a mess at work. But I decided to step up and volunteer on this project we’re working on but it doesn’t make it any easier, especially as funds are tight. I think the happiest moment is once I’m back home 🏡 and the day is done and I can curl up with a good book 📙 in bed 🛏 and fall asleep.
Today will have a chance of snow before 8am, then a chance of rain showers after noon. Mostly cloudy 🌦, with a high of 44 degrees at 3pm. 10 degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around March 14th. Northwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. A year ago, we had cloudy skies. The high last year was 56 degrees. The record high of 82 was set in 1928. 2.1 inches of snow fell back in 2019.❄ Big whoop.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:59 pm with sun having an altitude of 53.7° from the due south horizon (-17.1° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 4.4 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 6:49 pm with the sun in the west (273°). 📸 The sunset is in the west (280°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:26 pm after setting for 2 minutes and 56 seconds with dusk around 7:55 pm, which is one minute and 8 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:29 pm. At sunset, look for rain 🌧 and temperatures around 40 degrees. Breezy, 17 mph breeze ⛅ from the west-northwest with gusts up to 29mph. Tomorrow will have 13 hours and 2 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 52 seconds over today.
Tonight will have a chance of rain showers, possibly mixing with snow after 11pm, then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy 🌧, with a low of 35 degrees at 6am. Two degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around April 10th. Northwest wind 11 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. In 2023, we had cloudy skies. It got down to 47 degrees. The record low of 14 occurred back in 1943.
Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy 🌥, with a high of 45 degrees at 4pm. 10 degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around March 17th. North wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. A year ago, we had cloudy skies. The high last year was 65 degrees. The record high of 82 was set in 1921. 17.3 inches of snow fell back in 1982.❄
I am running low on eggs, 🥚 so I might run to the store on my bicycle 🚴♀️ among an other ride tomorrow. Not going to be a real nice day for sure. ☁️ Might be good to catch up on my reading.
Looking ahead to Sunday, partly sunny, with a high near 49. ☀ North wind 11 to 13 mph. Still cold by April standards but it looks like we are on the cusp of change. Might go out hiking or driving around exploring things. Who knows, it depends on how cold it truly feels that day. Much nicer come Monday for the eclipse. Typical average high for the weekend is 55 degrees.
One month 📅 from now will be Cinco de Mayo 🤠 when the sun will be setting at 8:01 pm with dusk at 8:31 pm. Things should be nice in green at least in the city by then and the days warmer.
I couldn’t believe they sent a 120 person pusher bus out to Voorheesville this morning in all of the slop. At least it’s running close to on time.
Good morning! Happy Thursday. I’m not sure you can call it snow but it’s kind of white and sloppy and will get your boots wet. 33 degrees here in the Delmar. 🌨️ There is a north breeze at 10 mph. 🍃. Temperatures will drop below freezing at around 11 pm. ☃️
Out walking on the Concourse this morning, 🚶 getting in some steps before work. With the weather I’ve decided to work downtown, lest the roads get worse as the days progress. 🚲 I’m hoping the weather is good enough tomorrow to at least ride to work.
Today will snow before 2pm, then a chance of rain and snow. The snow could be heavy at times. 🌧 High of 37 degrees at 3pm. 15 degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around February 24th. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies in the morning, remaining cloudy in the afternoon. The high last year was 58 degrees. The record high of 79 was set in 1950. 4.3 inches of snow fell back in 2016.❄
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:59 pm with sun having an altitude of 53.3° from the due south horizon (-17.5° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 4.5 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 6:48 pm with the sun in the west (273°). 📸 The sunset is in the west (279°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:25 pm after setting for 2 minutes and 56 seconds with dusk around 7:53 pm, which is one minute and 9 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:28 pm. At sunset, look for cloudy skies ☁ and temperatures around 35 degrees. There will be a north breeze at 9 mph. Today will have 12 hours and 57 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 53 seconds over yesterday.
Last night I had a nice pile of Johnny cakes 🥞 for dinner and then sat back and read for a while about house building 🏡 and then listened to more of the Power Broker. It was a rather rainy and cold evening but it was warm under the heated blanket.
Tonight will have a slight chance of snow showers between 2am and 3am. Cloudy 🌧, with a low of 31 degrees at 6am. Two degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical night around April 1st. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. In 2023, we had cloudy skies. It got down to 44 degrees. The record low of 14 occurred back in 2016.
Right now, a split verdict on the weekend. 😕 Saturday, a slight chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. North wind 11 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Sunday, partly sunny, with a high near 50. Typical average high for the weekend is 55 degrees.
One month 📅 from now will be 8:30 PM Dusk 🌆 when the sun will be setting at 8:00 pm.
At least if you go outside this morning you’ll get washed. Needless to say I’m taking the early express downtown and walking laps on the Concourse before catching the shuttle to the suburbanite office with acres of parking.
Good morning! What day is it? A Rainy Day, of course. Rain and 40 degrees at the Stewart’s. 🌧️ There is a southeast breeze at 11 mph. 🍃 with gusts up to 21 mph 💨💨💨. Temperatures will drop below freezing at Monday around 3 am. ☃️
So it’s back to walking 🚶 the Plaza for an hour before work. I wonder how many buckets they’ll have out catching leaks from the roof. Even a two billion dollar building leaks. Still beats walking in the rain. Eggs 🥚 for breakfast with sweet onions 🧅 and Chipotle spices. I hear bird flu is back 🐥 so my favorite source of cheap healthy quick to cook protein is going up in price, like everything in this world today. Paying back for the good times of the pandemic.
Today will rain. 🌧 High of 40 degrees at 7am. 13 degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around March 2nd. East wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies. The high last year was 63 degrees. The record high of 79 was set in 1981. 11.0 inches of snow fell back in 1891.❄
The salmon was good last night 🐟, haven’t had that in a while. It’s good to have some more omega 3s. Not as easy to cook as canned sardines or tuna but it’s good to mix thlngs up. That second loaf 🍞 of bread I made up on Sunday night was exceptionally tasty. Read 📖 for a while and went to bed 🛏 around 8 pm. Just working my way through another week. 👣 One step at a time. I wish it wasn’t raining so I could ride to work more of the week.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:59 pm with sun having an altitude of 52.9° from the due south horizon (-17.9° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 4.5 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 6:47 pm with the sun in the west (272°). 📸 The sunset is in the west (278°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:24 pm after setting for 2 minutes and 55 seconds with dusk around 7:52 pm, which is one minute and 8 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 The best time to look at the stars is after 8:27 pm. At sunset, look for rain 🌧 and temperatures around 38 degrees. There will be a east breeze at 14 mph with gusts up to 26mph. Today will have 12 hours and 54 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 51 seconds over yesterday.
After filing my taxes 💰 I was reviewing them and realized that I had made a mistake again on my state forms and swapped a number and will overpay the state by $400. It’s fine, I budgeted $1,600 for taxes as I knew that’s what I would owe due to the dividends and interest due to the higher interest rates. Sucks but I did fairly well with the higher rates last year. So either the tax department will catch my mistake or I’ll file an admemded return later in the year to get my money back.
Tonight will rain, snow, and sleet before 4am, then rain between 4am and 5am, then rain and snow after 5am. 🌧️ Low of 35 degrees at 10pm. Two degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around April 7th. Northeast wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible. In 2023, we had cloudy skies in the evening, which became mostly clear by the early hours of the morning. It got down to 45 degrees. The record low of 14 occurred back in 1954.
I was tracing out some code at work yesterday , 🖥 it was just insane. If you were at a certain zip code on a certain street in Westchester, you raise flag 🚩 number 31. Then you shift several digits to a buffer and then other digits from another field and combine it with data from another buffer. It was absolutely insane but after studying it for a half hour I realized it was doing. But much like life, data is messy and often complicated to clean up. But goddammit, use comments in your source code to explain the madness. 🤬 The one upside is I am getting good at reading and writing C code. I might not be a programmer 🤓 but I’m putting my skills to good work.
Cool but with improving conditions this weekend. 🌤️Saturday, mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Sunday, mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Typical average high for the weekend is 55 degrees. Staying in town this weekend but who knows about future 🔮 weekends. I am thinking I might do the Green Mountains more this year as some ways it’s more convenient from my office. Also thinking about one more trip to the East Branch Sacandaga River before the black flies are out should it warm up this spring. 🌸
Looking ahead, next Wednesday is 8 PM Dusk 🌆 when the sun will be setting at 7:33 pm. On that day in 2023, we had sunny and temperatures between 67 and 30 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 57 degrees. We hit a record high of 86 back in 1922.
