Through the eclipse glasses
Hammock view at night
Too many bananas π
I think I’ve been eating too many bananas in my office. They are a cheap and sugary treat, to replace other sources of sugar and keep my blood sugar levels maintained, but after this week wharfing them down as they started to go bad, especially after a bumpy ride in on my mountain bike, I come to realize moderation is a virtue.
I am a bit concerned about the excessive sugar levels, so I need to rethink my office snacks — preferably something shelf stable without refrigeration, but it must be relatively low calorie but also give me a punch of energy when I’m feeling worn out. Apples and peaches are good, I could look at oranges too. Maybe I should start to bring in carrots, though they lack the sugar punch of bananas. I haven’t done oranges in a while, because for a while it was hard to get them from the store without at least some of them being bad.
Still want to keep bananas at home though for a quick snack, but mostly so I can use them to make oatmeal-bananas pancakes — which I am going to try adding some tofu to boost protein levels next week for more longevity in my stomach. Already have been using Greek yogurt on top, along with chia seeds to help them on a bit. And they are much better then the pancakes made with store bought white-flour, sugar mixes.
That said, bananas aren’t the worse thing ever to eat:
- Bananas are low in calories, with an average-sized banana containing about 105 calories.
- They are a good source of potassium, with one banana providing roughly 9% of the recommended daily intake.
- Bananas are rich in dietary fiber, which helps promote healthy digestion and may aid in weight management.
- They are a good source of vitamin C, providing approximately 15% of the recommended daily intake.
- Bananas also contain vitamin B6, which is important for brain development and function.
- They are naturally fat-free and cholesterol-free.
- Bananas are a great source of natural energy due to their high carbohydrate content.
- They contain small amounts of essential minerals like magnesium, manganese, and copper.
However, like any food, there can be potential downsides to consider:
- Weight Gain: While bananas are nutritious, they also contain natural sugars and carbohydrates. Consuming an excessive amount of bananas, especially in addition to a high-calorie diet, may contribute to weight gain.
- Tooth Decay: Bananas are naturally sweet, and the sugar they contain can lead to tooth decay if proper oral hygiene is not maintained. It’s important to brush your teeth after consuming bananas or any other sugary food.
- Blood Sugar Levels: Bananas have a moderate glycemic index, meaning they can cause a relatively quick rise in blood sugar levels. Individuals with diabetes or those who need to manage their blood sugar should be mindful of their banana consumption and consult with a healthcare professional.
It’s important to remember that these downsides may not apply to everyone, and bananas can still be a healthy part of a balanced diet. Moderation and individual tolerance should be considered when incorporating any food into your daily eating habits.
Rolling Farm Country Along NY 8
Bay Marker
Second half of August πͺ
So it would seem as time marches on so quickly. Altamont Fair is underway. Tomorrow it’s off to the Adirondacks and it should be a nice day and hopefully Friday won’t be too cold and wet. Got some books to read on Friday, I’ll toss in the heater in case I want to warm my hands.
Good morning! What day is it? A a happy Pseudo Friday for Me Day, of course. Rain and 65 degrees in Delmar, NY. β There is a south-southeast breeze at 6 mph. π. The dew point is 63 degrees. The skies will clear around 3 pm.
Out walking πΆ this morning, red kidney beans cooking down on the stove π² to enjoy with maple syrup up at camp this weekend. Thinking cold black coffee β this morning, cream of wheat with chia seeds, yogurt, lemon π maybe a touch of stevia and some cherries π to get the day started. And maybe some of the red beans with maple syrup for protein. Save the rest for camp. π
Today will have patchy drizzle with a chance of showers before 10am, then a chance of showers between 10am and 2pm. Mostly cloudy π¦, with a high of 79 degrees at 4pm. Three degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical day around September 1st. Maximum dew point of 69 at 2pm. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. A year ago, we had mostly sunny skies. The high last year was 87 degrees. The record high of 97 was set in 1936.
I’m on the fence about taking Blackie π΅ to work today. I don’t think it’s going to rain but there is always the chance. On the other hand, I kind of like taking my bike to work, doesn’t add much time but it’s free exercise especially the ride back home π‘ and saves on the bus π fare. Food Festival is today, so I’ll have to take Howard rather than ride across the Plaza at the end of the day and they’re a risk of thunderstorm β. Time wise it doesn’t make much difference, but I also don’t want to be too tired when I get packed tonight. Plan is to leave by around 8 AM or so tomorrow, though not too early as I’m not sure when Samdill Farm Stand opens, though I want to hit that on the way up. π½ π₯¦
Solar noon π is at 1:01 pm with sun having an altitude of 61.2° from the due south horizon (-9.6° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 3.3 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour π starts at 7:19 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (283°). πΈ The sunset is in the west-northwest (290°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 7:58 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 4 seconds with dusk around 8:26 pm, which is one minute and 29 seconds earlier than yesterday. π At dusk you’ll see the Waxing Crescent π Moon in the west-northwest (291°) at an altitude of 1° from the horizon, 252,188 miles away. π The best time to look at the stars is after 9:05 pm. At sunset, look for partly clear skies π and temperatures around 77 degrees. The dew point will be 67 degrees. There will be a south breeze at 5 mph. Today will have 13 hours and 55 minutes of daytime, a decrease of 2 minutes and 33 seconds over yesterday.
Tonight will have patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy π, with a low of 64 degrees at 5am. Three degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 68 at 6pm. Light south wind. In 2022, we had cloudy skies in the evening, which became mostly clear by the early hours of the morning. It became somewhat humid as the night progressed. It got down to 62 degrees. The record low of 40 occurred back in 1979.
Tomorrow looks beautiful with only a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm, as it’s summer. βοΈ Partly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Then Thursday night it turns wetter with showers and thunderstorms likely. Hopefully late enough, it won’t impact my evening. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Plan is to leave early π hopefully around 8 AM or 9 AM, then head north with the first stop to top off my tank in Rotterdam, then Sandil’s Farm in Tribes Hill for veggies π₯¦ π½ then to Walmart in Johnstown for a few groceries and supplies π, then maybe Rogers Orchards π for fresh apples, then up hopefully to the House Pond Campsite. By noontime, I want to get camp set up π , inflate the tube, and get floating in the East Branch, as it might be the warmest day. Then in the evening, ride up to Potholers and cool off in the Potholers. π» I’ve downloaded several podcasts and Youtube videos to listen to while up at camp.
Come Friday, it’s a bit of a wet start. π§ Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Maybe not a washout. Then Friday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
I got from “Salt, fat, acid, heat : mastering the elements of good cooking” by Samin Nosrat from the library π and plan on reading it on Friday morning. β¨ I think I will pack the heater, so I can warm up next to it in case it’s cold. Also going to pack the screen tent, πͺ as it’s been such a wet summer and I’m thinking it could be buggy. π By evening it shouldn’t be too bad, might go for a nice ride on Blackie π² along Piseco-Powley Road with the headlight as I get back late, as sunset is around 8 PM. Maybe too cold to swim, but who knows. π
A picture perfect weekend after we get past Friday on tap. π Cool but sunny. Saturday, mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Maximum dew point of 56 at 1pm. Sunday, sunny, with a high near 84. Maximum dew point of 64 at 7pm. Typical average high for the weekend is 82 degrees. I am thinking I want to ride most of Piseco-Powley Road and hike back to Goldmine Stream Falls or maybe Sand Like on Saturday. Sunday, maybe the Potholers and then end the day in Little Falls, exploring Moss Island and the Herkimer Home, and riding the Erie Canal Trail. I am not planning to get home until dusk, so I will have the full afternoon and evening. I am undecided if I’ll bring the kayak, I’m actually leaning against it at this point. πΆ Paddling the Mohawk River might be fun but I can see more on Blackie on the bike trail.
Today in 1916, the Migratory Bird Treaty between Canada and the United States signed. π¦ It was designed to save Migratory Birds by giving them international protection for the first time by placing limits on hunting and other means of taking. It became a center part of protecting the flock of birds, requiring duck stamps among other things.
In 1989, a solar flare from the Sun creates a geomagnetic storm that affects micro chips, π leading to a halt of all trading on Toronto’s stock market. Sometimes the sun isn’t so nice, not that we’ve had much of it recently but hopefully tomorrow and most of the weekend, bar maybe a few hours of showers on Friday morning. We are though overdue for a big solar storm, and that could be very disruptive to every day life across the world, as the power grid gets shutdown and radio networks go dead during the storm.
Also, in 1993, Debian Linux is announced, π§ it would become the basis of many forms of Linux like Ubuntu Linux, which is currently what I run on my home computer. π¨π» I’m not sure I love the direction Ubuntu has been going lately with the snaps, but I do like the XFCE window manager and I don’t know if I want to change over to a totally new distro, having to reinstall everything. Maybe eventually when I get a new laptop when my current one wears out — it’s now going on 7 years old, and while I don’t care it’s getting old but I do worry physical components wear out after a while. That said, I don’t carry it around as much now as I use my phone for most things.
And in 1966, the House Un-American Activities Committee begins investigations of Americans who have aided the Viet Cong. π΅ The committee stated to intended to introduce legislation making these activities illegal. Anti-war demonstrators disrupt the meeting and 50 people are arrested. A long time ago now — but it reminds me a bit of the War in Iraq when I was young with Bush as President.
As previously noted, there are 2 weeks until Average High Falls To 79 οΈDegrees β±οΈοΈοΈ when the sun will be setting at 7:35 pm with dusk at 8:03 pm. On that day in 2022, we had rain and temperatures between 90 and 66 degrees. We hit a record high of 98 back in 1953. The 1953 heat wave!