Balsam Swamp is a sprawling state forest that stretches almost 5.5 miles east-west across 4 towns. The area is very rural, and the landscape surrounding the State Forest is predominantly forested. Balsam Swamp State Forest is comprised of a mix of native hardwood forests, hemlock swamps, and conifer plantations. There are no designated recreational trails on the forest, but there is ample opportunity for self-guided day hikes to explore the diversity of habitats represented on this State Forest. Additionally, the western section of Balsam Swamp State Forest is adjacent to Five Streams State Forest to the south.
The main attraction of this forest is Balsam Pond. The impoundment is approximately 152 acres and is a popular destination for fishing and paddle boat sports. Balsam Pond is a warm water fishery that contains a mix of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, brown bullhead and sunfish. Tiger muskellunge have been stocked in the past with the last stocking occurring in 1995. However, there have been very few reports of anglers catching any of the adult tiger muskies. A shallow gravel boat launch is suitable for launching small fishing boats.
A small rustic camp ground is also located at Balsam Pond. Camping spaces are available at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis and there is no running water or electricity. A fire ring, outhouse, and picnic table are provided for each camping space. A sign on Balsam-Tyler Road in Pharsalia designates the entrance to the boat launch and camping facility. This is a carry-in carry-out facility. Please do not litter.
They estimate roughly 1 in 4 rural residents burn at least a portion of their household trash. With most things packaged in lightweight plastics and paperboard, a significant portion of waste can be burned. Rural households that burn can often only run to the transfer station or the landfill once or twice a year as most can go up in smoke.
Most of it is inevitably burned in smelly trash burning barrels which are typically 55 gallon drum with holes shot or poked in it. But it can be done better. Burn barrels are fine for disposing of trash in outlying areas but they have several shortfalls that very from a nuisance to a downright public safety threat.
They can smell bad when certain plastics and other trash is burned – as they tend to smolder due to the trash being wet and not enough oxygen
Some of the chemicals released can be toxic, especially when trash solders due to moisture and lack of air
They pose a fire risk – as many are used without screens and are placed near grass or trees
Hot fires eliminate the volatile organic compounds, along with many of the toxins like arsenic, dioxin and furans from incomplete combustion.
I think when I build my incinerator, I would include a fairly high stack maybe 5-6 feet high to create a good draft. A good draft would mean a hot fire, with less emission and odors. Forced air into the incinerator using a blower motor of some sort would increase the incineration process. While a fan would take energy which is always precious on an off grid cabin, the benefits of more complete combustion with less odor and ash might be worth it.
Adding scrap wood and cleaner burning plastics to the fire could further help increase combustion temperatures, reducing ash, unburnt waste, smoke, toxins and odors. Rip roaring fires can make ordinary kitchen and farm trash quickly disappear.
I would sort the waste that went into it. Food waste is good for composting or feeding to pigs and goats. A lot of and metal can be recycled – although maybe it would be better to burn the cans out then waste perfectly good water which may be precious on an off grid homestead. Plus who really wants to wash your trash?
I would also take steps to make sure that the incinerator is away from grass and trees, and that the smoke stack is covered so no paper or sparks could fly out. This would allow disposal of waste even during open burn bans and dry conditions outside. Trash accumulates regardless of the weather in our consumer society. Every time you go to the mail box there is more paper trash and kitchen waste baskets are quickly filled with plastic wrappers, bottles and paperboard boxes. Homesteads also produce feed sacks, pesticide containers and twine needing disposal.
It would be nice to use some of the heat from the incinerator to heat water for washing and other chores around the farm. A lot of city people pay to get rid of their trash, it would be nice for waste to be an actual asset – heating water and providing a useful service on the homestead.
There are a lot of good plans on the internet for improved burn barrels and incinerators widely used on farms and rural homestead. A hot fire can eliminate most waste, saving money and time, turning waste into an asset rather than more fill at the massive garbage dumps.
They will likely become essential tools for many homeowners, especially those with acerage to regularly rebuild driveways, lawns, pastures and bury debris.
I don’t get the small town people who love Donald Trump so much. You see so many signs, some hand painted for the man.
Donald Trump a mediocre New York City billionaire who acts like a bull in a China shop. He’s never hauled manure, worked on an engine or dug coal during his whole life. Most of his ideas are piss poor slogans, hardly well thought out. He’s hardly a strong advocate for conservative causes – his fickle manner often overrides whatever good that could come from his advocacy. He’s delegitimizing conservativism in the eyes of billions.
Now I totally get that people want government off their backs. I don’t want the government telling me what to do when I own land out in the country. I don’t want to have to go through excessive hoops when I buy a gun, I don’t want to be looked down upon because I own guns, kill deer for food or homestead on my land.
I get that, but I just don’t think Trump is much of an advocate for conservatives or rural Americans more generally.
They are so big and bulky even on a 3/4 or maybe 1 ton pickup truck. Really not my thing — who wants that big-ass camper swinging back and forth on your truck bed as you go down the road? Then again, I’m really not into all that comfortable padding stuff and the comforts of home — while I like my camper shell, I’m quite fine with cooking outdoors and doing my business outdoors in the woods with a bucket. Rather keep the smells and moisture outside, and it’s bulky enough getting my big jacked up truck back in the woods to some of those remote campsites.
Climbing the hump once again. Not that I ever have much free time these days, it’s one data job after another, along with some camping up in the wilderness, riding my mountain bike, burning things and smoking pot. You know good life stuff as the seasons quickly shift in the autumn gear. Friday at this point I should be back up in the wilderness, remote working out of Speculator, or at least at Speculator Library for another long weekend.
Driving into today, ðŧ as tonight is the Save the Pine Bush dinner. ð― It’s the first SPB dinner since early 2020, so it’s been four years now. Actually for a while during the pandemic they did take out dinners, but then that stopped when we lost our venue to operate out of. âŠI also think I want to stop at Northern Lights and get some cannabis ðŽ for the weekend up north, and also some cash from the bank. ðĩ You know like a few one dollar bills for dinner and anything miscellaneous needed. I do like how the ATMs now print out as many $1 and $5 you want, although only 40 bills at once.
I went to Lowe’s this morning hoping to get a propane hose for my heater, ðŪ so I can use both my stove to make coffee â and heat my hands on the heater, prferrably before I head north for the long weekend to remote work ðĪ from Speculator. Both the Moose Festival in Inlet and Apple Festival is going on Spectulator. ð I can’t imagine they have many orchards or apples in Spectulator, but the local chamber of commerce wanted something to celebrate during leaf peeping season. ð The thing about it was once I got out to my truck with the new hose, I realized it was the wrong type and promptly brought it back into Lowes to get my mney. So far they haven’t refunded my card, but I have a feeling it will happen soon. ðģ I am gong to look online to see if there is any place locally I can also get a hose. I’d really like to have it for camping, on those cold autumn mornings, like coing up on Friday.
It’s just been busy, busy, busy. ðĐðž Moving a lot of data, fixing problems, working into the night. I was working down at the library after getting home last night until 8:45 PM when an error popped up on my screen from an issue with some of my code, ðĒ and I said it’s time for bed. Got home and collapsed in bed. Yesterday, I rode both ways to work, ðē the bicycle is working pretty well and got some groceries on the way home. ð I almost missed that stop sign by the office ð as I was distracted by an incoming text ðŽ and of course got another strike on the insurance reduction app. Truth is I’m not going to get the best savings, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not about the money but getting myself into safer driving habits.
I feel guilty heading out of town every weekend, âš but it’s not all that much money for the gas, and I figure use up my truck while I still can. â― I think this winter with the road salt is going to be tough on the truck, I am seriously thinking I’ll probably be replacing it next year. So might as well take advantage of it, especlally when we are getting such nice autumn weekends. ð I’ll probably head north on Friday before work and come home on Monday evening after work. I think this weekend will actually be less busy then last, and I want to spend some good time riding gravel, maybe hiking Watch Hill and enjoying all the color. Plus just some good ol’ fashion hammock time.
I have been thinking a lot about the ammunition background checks and the new fees in New York. It upsets me and annoys me to no end, much like the burn ban and so many other things in New York State. But alas I’m powerless to change the direction of the state and while eventually I can relocate for now I’m embracing Radical Acceptance, much like the sign over Sheldon Silver’s old Capitol Office – It is What It Is.
Still it bites me to no end every day I read the news articles and the direction our state is going. But I try to avoid getting too hung up on it, and embracing Radical Acceptance and staying away from the news and social media platforms – and planning to stock up in Pennsylvania or West Virginia. Some day though I’ll move to a state that respects my freedom.
Radical acceptance is a concept often associated with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It involves fully and completely accepting reality as it is, without judgment or resistance, even if you don’t like or agree with the situation. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Accepting Reality: Radical acceptance means acknowledging the facts of a situation as they are, without trying to deny, avoid, or change them. It’s about coming to terms with the present moment, no matter how difficult or unpleasant it may be.
Letting Go of Judgment: It also involves letting go of judgment and criticism towards yourself and others. Instead of labeling things as “good” or “bad,” you simply acknowledge that they are what they are.
Embracing Emotional Responses: It doesn’t mean you have to like or approve of a situation, but rather that you acknowledge your emotional reactions to it. This can help you better understand your feelings and work through them constructively.
Reducing Suffering: Radical acceptance is a way to reduce emotional suffering. When you stop resisting reality and accept it as it is, you can free yourself from the additional pain caused by fighting against what you cannot change.
Problem-Solving from Acceptance: It’s important to note that radical acceptance doesn’t mean you should never take action to improve your situation. In fact, it can be a foundation for effective problem-solving. Once you’ve fully accepted reality, you can make clear-headed decisions about how to move forward.
Mindfulness Practice: Mindfulness is often a key component of radical acceptance. By staying present in the moment and observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment, you can more easily practice radical acceptance.
Overall, radical acceptance is a valuable skill for coping with challenging situations, reducing emotional distress, and fostering personal growth and resilience. It allows you to approach life with a more balanced and open mindset, even when facing difficulties.
It should be noted that the illegally polluting Volkswagen TDI produce as much NOx as a model year 1998-2004 Tier 1 (0.3 g/mi). Which is much higher then the current Tier II Bin 5 standard of 0.02 g/mi, which they are accused of violating, but far below historic pre-controlled cars of the 1960s, that put out 3.0-3.5 g/mi.
So if you have a 10-year old car, it is likely putting out as much NOx as the new Volkswagon TDI. But that’s not an excuse — if everybody has to follow the law for current model year cars — so should Volkswagon. 10-year old cars are becoming rarer on the road, and will mostly be scrapped within the next few years.
