October - The Get Ready Month - Democracy Now and Then

 

October - The Get Ready Month

One of the pieces of folklore I remember as a kid, besides the one about the world being flat, was about spiders. The more spiders seen in the house during the autumn months was a sure sign there was going to be a nasty winter.
Well, I have been seeing lot of spiders inside, more than I have the fabled woolly bear caterpillars outside. But then again I don't really pay much attention to that groundhog either.

Although I did see a woolly bear the other day and snapped a photo ( a spider got scared and ran away). And I am still gunning for the ground hog who ravished this year's garden.

In the snow belts, winter is winter and it's going to always be cold, windy, snowy and icy regardless of the folklore.

Accu-Weather, among several other weather forecasters, are predicting a lot of winter storms and heavy snows for the Great Lakes regions. It seems La Nina is getting stronger and the forecast is for a miserable winter. The Great Lakes are relatively warm; when the cold air from the north flows down, the snow machines kick into high gear.

There are several good things to do before any winter regardless of forecasts. Get the vegetable garden in shape for the following spring. It helps to have a head start. It is also possible to get an early spring harvest by planting some crops before the snow gets here. Garlic is a natural, but an early crop of spring potatoes can also be planted in October, onions will do fine under the snow as will many kinds of lettuce, Swiss Chard and Kale.

Make some plans and build a brush pile for wildlife. A brush pile offers both protection and a source of food for many animals and insects. Besides, it fun to check the pile when there is snow on the ground and check the tracks coming and going to see what's around.

Wood ashes from wood stoves and fireplaces are a valuable resource for both the yard and the garden. Just don't burn plastics and cardboard and learn about what plants benefit for some ashes; potatoes don't care for them but tomatoes do.
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Occupy Wall Street

The movement continues to grow and spread from city to city; it's not going to go away. There is a lot of frustration and anger but for the most part it has been a non-violent movement to date. Wall Street and many politicians would do well to heed the message; the old status quo is no longer acceptable. The mega rich may jeer with cocktails in hand but “the times they are a changing”.

Support you local #occupy or help out financially if possible. What is happening is the American Spring and is as important as the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war movement of the sixties. It's about America's future and it's opportunities for all, and sorry, if your poor, that sure doesn't mean a person is a failure or lazy.

What began with a few dozen people on September 17 has now spread throughout the USA and into Canada. Here's a list of occupy events which have mushroomed. My best guess is this list is updated as more events are added.

This is a good perspective on the movement, and if your on the fence, food for thought. Here is another link to what is happening and it is not just unemployed socialist hippies regardless of what some political parties put in their Kool-Aid.

Perhaps, now is the time for some mainstream churches to get back to the basics of Christianity and #occupy the Gospel message.

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Some Food History

The Seneca andIroquois Nations inhabited much of western Pennsylvania and New York; the nations were some of the earliest democracies in this Hemisphere. They grew many crops which we are familiar with today; beans, corn, squash cucumbers and melons.

They also harvested many wild food crops in the autumn months. The harvest involved everyone, young and old, rich and poor; it was for survival. Acorns, beechnuts, hickory and butternuts were a few of the nuts gathered and saved for the long winter.

The plentiful oak trees provided bumper crops of acorns. The acorns were boiled in lye and then ground into a powder which was then used for puddings and pounded into meat for a special meal.

Nut stones can still be found today near older nut trees. These stones had small crevices in which the nuts were placed and then hit with an appropriate stone, cracking them to get the meat. Today, it is not uncommon to discover and old nut stone.

Sunchokes, pictured above (they bloom in late September and into October) were also gathered in the fall and the tuberous roots were baked and eaten. Today, the sunchokes, a member of the sunflower family, can be found in many health food stores. It is a highly nutritious native American food. For some odd reason, the tubers are now called JerusalemArtichokes; the plant has nothing at all to do with Jerusalem or artichokes. The tall plants can still be discovered in low areas were there is ample moisture or they can be grown in the home vegetable garden with care; they can spread rapidly and the plants can get up to ten feet tall.

Good Blogs

Step by Step in the Kitchen

Corning New York Step by Step

Uncle Sam's History

Energy Justice

October - More than Colorful Leaves

 

                  

October History

On October 16, 1859 John Brown began his failed assault on the federal fort at Harpers Ferry. He and his followers were captured two days later and eventually hung several months later in December.

Brown was an abolitionist and was active in the Underground Railroad. For ten years, he had a farm and a tannery not far from here in a small place called, New Richmond, PA. His first wife and two children remain buried at the site which now is a museum which documents his life in northwestern Pennsylvania.

This year, the nation began commemorating the beginnings of the tragic Civil War and it is worthwhile to recall some of the events which led up to that bloody conflict. Slavery was certainly an issue for many particularly in many of the churches and isolated farms which were active in helping slaves win their freedom.

In many of the cemeteries, large and small, graves are still marked noting service in the Civil War. There are a lot of them, including a few Confederates who settled in this region after the war and worked in the oil fields around the Titusville area.

Brown for some was a cold blooded terrorist, for others, a freedom fighter. Needless to say, he was and remains a controversial figure. A lot of histories overlook his ten years in Pennsylvania, but they were important years in the nation's history.

It is important not to forget the events and the men and women who died and suffered in that war. Sure it is a war that began a 150 years ago, but it's scars remain and fester every now and then.

October – A Reminder - Winter is Coming (as if we all didn't know that already)

Now is the time to get the garlic planted, divide perennials and plant spring/summer bulbs. Potatoes, onions and even some greens can also be planted at this time for an early spring harvest. Actually, there are some interesting crops which can go in the ground before the snow gets here. Doing the little extra work this fall is actually an investment, and will help avoid sticker shock at the supermarket and healthier eating (think cantaloupes and listeria). The most recent case of dangerous food, melons from Colorado is a horror story about the hidden dangers in large farms and the food supply.
If your safety isn't a big worry, government studies indicate food prices will continue to rise for the foreseeable future.

Enjoy the colors on the trees this month.

Garden 2011

For the most part, the garden was mediocre. The spring was cold and wet and there was a serious problem with woodchucks. But the tomatoes were fantastic. I mainly grow a variety called Speckled Romans. This tomato was developed at Seed Savers and is a cross between Antique Roman and Banana Legs.

I have grown them for about five years and save the seeds. I just seem to get bumper crops. This is a good variety to try. The seeds are available at SeedSavers.

Searching for Information and the Half King

First Old Mossback – I wrote a story for Yahoo on Old Mossback and the LeBoeuf Creeper lure. Old Mossback was a legendary muskie which lived in Lake LeBoeuf and out smarted many anglers back in the 1930's – 1940's. One angler, R. Exley made a lure called the LeBoeuf Creeper lure which caught plenty of other muskies but not Old Mossback. The lure became very popular and was made at the LeBoeuf Bait Shop. Along the way, there was a patent dispute over the lure and it was made by another company and then discontinued.

A researcher recently emailed looking for more local information on the lure and the patent dispute. If you have any information, send it along at the comment page. Thanks.

Lake LeBoeuf is in Waterford, PA and was the site of an old French Fort during the settlement years. George Washington, who was then a British General, traveled to the Fort, under orders from the governor of Virginia, to ask the French to get out of the territory. To commemorate Washington's visit, the citizens of the town had a statue erected, perhaps the only one which depicts Washington attired in a British uniform. Read more about the historic statue and the events at the Half King.

Climate Change

Here is a brief article which is, well alarming, ICE MELT.

My Rant for the Week

Issues in Christianity

http://koyotehill.blogspot.com/

Good Blogs to Read and Follow

Step by Step in theKitchen by Kathleen Richardson – This is a good blog about healthy eating and cooking. Kathleen has some great recipes here that she has discovered. I tried the Sloppy Janes but added venison burger. There wasn't anything left over.

Corning New York Stepby Step – another good pictorial blog by Kathleen Richardson

Uncle Sam's HistoryBlog – An interesting blog on early pioneer history in western Pennsylvania. Sam is a noted author and you can check out his books at samhossler.com

Urban Veggie Garden – Always some fascinating here about gardens and cooking.

Energy Justice – A good environmental and social justice blog, well worth the time.

Fomalhaut might be Lonely, But Equinox is Busy Here.

September 23 marks the beginning of the autumnal equinox. Summer 2011 is officially over, history. For those in the northern hemisphere, it is time to hurry up and get ready for the winter months.

It is also a time to plant the garlic and divide perennials for next spring; squash, onions, red beets and potatoes, as well as many other vegetables can be canned, froze and stored in root cellars or dried. Tomatoes are great dried and used in recipes.

Equinox is also the time to clean up the garden area for a better start next spring.

One fascinating star during this season change, which can be found in the low southern sky is called Fomalhaut or the Autumn Star. It is the brightest star in the southern sky and thus is also sometimes called the Lonely One.

September 23 is also Dogs In Politics Day – an interesting story. It seems that there was some speculation that Richard Nixon misused some $18,000 campaign contributions (laughable in this equinox) and he addressed the nation regarding the issue. At the time, he was running as a vice-presidential candidate (Dwight Eisenhower was running for president). The address was made on September 23, 1952 and during the course of his speech, he made mention of a dog given to his daughters, named “Checkers”. Dogs in Politics was a day enshrined in American political campaigns ever since.

September 23 is also Native American Day, a day much more important in American political life and history. The changing of the seasons were an important event in Native American lore and religion.

Unfortunately, only the Native American sacred and religious grounds are not protected under the First Amendment, thanks to a 1988 Supreme Court Ruling. Developers continue to trample on sacred grounds and burial sites. No other religion in the U.S. has their churches or cemeteries taken away. For some background information, Sacred Lands.

It should also be noted that thousands of Native Americans have served honorably in our Armed Forces, locally in western PA and NY the Seneca Nation has served with distinction..

On a lighter note, September 26 is known as Johnny Appleseed Day. Apples, even the wild trees, are plentiful this year. Apple trees need the bees for pollination early in the spring and the trees provide plenty of food for out native wildlife from deer to rabbits.

Acorns also seem to be plentiful this year in many areas. The nuts are an important source of food for native wildlife, and for the Native Americans and early pioneers used them as a sort of flour.

The oak tree is the official national tree of the U.S. and it's easy to start one from the acorn. To learn more, click, Oak Tree.

So Happy Equinox Day (season). While Fomalhaut might be a lonely star out there, there's plenty to do on this planet. For example, the following:

Grapes:

Another autumn tradition is the grape harvest along the southern shores of Lake Erie. It seems that the grapes will be plentiful this year and the wineries, most of them small family owned operations should have a good wine making year. There are plenty of wineries which offer tours and tasting, it makes for a good weekend adventure. The region grows plenty of native American grapes for wines, juices and jellies, the Concord.

Frontier at Three Rivers

Same Hossler is a gifted writer and historian. While his books are historically accurate, the events and some of the characters are fiction. The books are enjoyable and informative reading for persons of any age and deal with the pioneer days and the relationships between settlers and the Native Americans in western Pennsylvania.

For great reading, or if your shopping early for unique Christmas presents this equinox season, samhossler.com

Sam is also writing a history blog at Word Press. Well worth the visit.

Equinox Steelhead Run

The southern shores of Lake Erie, in Ohio, Pa and NY will be elbow to elbow soon as the Steelhead Trout begin their traditional run up the creeks which flow into the lake. The Erie County, PA shoreline is noted as one of the best regions and is known as “Steelhead Alley”. The best fishing seems to be in October, November and into December, although the steelhead can still be caught in the early spring before they head back out into Lake Erie.

Sunchokes

For some strange reason, Sunchokes, are also called Jerusalem Artichokes; they are now beginning to bloom. Members of the sunflower family, they are nutritious, healthy, and delicious. They can be collected in the wild, with permission, or grown in the garden. Learn more about Sunchcokes. They bloom with the golden rods and make for a golden equinox every year.

The Stuff of September

September:

Wow. Labor Day has come and gone. September is going fast, like all the past several months. Around the yard, September can be a busy month.

September is a good time to get the beds ready for garlic which should be planted in the fall; it will be ready for harvest in mid-July next growing season. Chose a good sunny location which drains well, and add plenty of organic material. For more information on garlic, click Garlic.

There is also assorted other work to do in the garden for a better start next spring and a better harvest next year, without a lot of hassle. For some thoughts and information, click Fall Garden.

September and October are also great months to enjoy Nature. There will soon be colorful leaves to experience and already many native wildflowers are in full bloom. It's quite the free show.

The cooler weather, along with the more frequent rains, are bringing some smiles. The Steelhead Trout in Lake Erie will begin moving into the tributaries to spawn. Steelhead are actually a species of Rainbow Trout. Along the southern lake shore in Erie County, the fish are so numerous, the area is often called “Steelhead Alley”.

Maybe that is why September seems to always zip by. There's just a lot of things to do and see.

If you are in the area this fall, and have a few extra moments, be sure to check out the Hurry Hill Maple Syrup Museum which is now open every Sunday until the end of November from 2 pm. to 5 pm. Admission is free and there are plenty of artifacts to observe and activities for children. It's also an opportunity to purchase a real Maple Sundae and other maple products which are on sale throughout the year.

The museum is located at 11424 Fry Road in Edinboro. More information can be found at hurryhillfarm.org

Thanks to Paulette Dininny for sharing the photo of the museum.

Upcoming Nature News:

It won't be long before the leaves will burst into all sorts of colors and shades; there are already a few early “birds” beginning to turn. The oaks and the maples in particular put on a great show.

The oak is an impressive tree, embedded in Americana; from Tie a Yellow Ribbon to gatherings under it's refreshing shade during a hot summer day, to quality woodworking. It is also a highly important food source for our native wildlife.

The oak tree is so much about America, power strength, majestic, that it has also been proclaimed Congress as the national tree of the USA.

Now, this month and into October, acorns are readily found on the ground. Get a couple and start your own oak tree. It's easy and the young tree will sprout in a pot this spring. I use pots, instead of placing them in the ground, because there are certain critters who will dig them up in the ground. Learn more, OAK.

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September 11

One of the things I remember about that morning was the clear blue sky; it was a perfect autumn day weather-wise. I was up early, watched the local and national news and turned the television off.

My newspaper editor, Peg, was set to arrive within the hour. We were covering the burials at the Erie County Almshouse cemetery that morning. The service, as I recall was set for 10 or 11 that morning. I needed to eat breakfast and grab a quick shower.

When she knocked on the door, she quickly asked me to turn the television on, a plane had crashed into the Twin Towers. It was awful news which turned worse as the morning turned into afternoon.

On the car radio, to the burial service, we heard about the plane crash at the Pentagon and then in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We both had the same thought: Pearl Harbor, again.

The situation was even more grim at the cemetery, which is actually a beautiful wildflower area with towering pine trees; within a short distance, where acres of corn, further off on the horizon was Lake Erie. Small groups of people huddled together passing the latest news between groups.

A small band started to play, a violin and harmonica and a guitar, the service began and the ashes of those who had died were scattered among the pines and the wild flowers. It was solemn and dignified. A preacher spoke a few words and the band played Amazing Grace.

A week later, I was on an Amtrak train heading west to visit friends and family in Las Vegas. It was an amazing 2 ½ day journey. The passengers were somber; there were two families from New York City going to weddings on the west coast. The planes were still grounded and the train was one of the only options.

I guess I could write a book, but then again, everyone has their story about that morning. Someone recently asked, how did that morning change your life?

After several days of thought, I realize how proud I was to be an American and a Christian. Over these last ten years I have been to many other funerals; the Our Father is always recited and the words “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” always seem to conjure memories of that blue September morning.

We lost a lot of good fellow citizens in those tragic events of that morning; citizens, brothers, sisters, who should all be respectfully remembered. And we lost some of our finest men and women in the Armed Services and emergency first responders.

In the last ten years, I have made some very good friends, whose traditions are Muslim, and I appreciate their friendship. They are not part of the radical elements; likewise, they do not judge all Christians because of a few radical extremists.

I guess what I am learning from that blue, fall morning is a re-affirmation of my Christian faith, a re-newed respect for my fellow Americans, and a deeper appreciation of the peoples of, what we call, Earth.

Some Recent Thoughts

Newborn Deaths in the U.S.

Plant Garlic

A Turtle Gets Freedom

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September, the Month of Changes

                                                                                               

The last week or so has been "Mother Nature Strange" with a no-name earthquake and Irene. There is not much more to be said, but hopefully, if you have family and friends in those regions, they are safe and sound. Vermont is one heck of a beautiful state with some fantastic people and hopefully the recovery there this week will proceed smoothly.

Another major tropical storm is expected to reach hurricane levels in the next few days, Katria. It is unclear at the moment to know if it will pose a threat to the east coast.

Pictured above is a local dam, the Union City Dam. It holds back the French Creek watershed area and French Creek itself and slowly releases the water to help alleviate flooding further downstream. It is between 400 and 500 miles away from the heavy rains Irene brought.

When the Dam is at capacity, it forms a temporary lake almost six miles long. On Saturday, August 27, it was dry except for the creek. The northwestern Pennsylvania area was fortunate and was spared. But September is about more ritual changes; it won't be long and the leaves will put on a show and fall, sounds of chain saws and log splitters will be commonplace and forecasts will warn of killing hard frosts. And everyone knows what will happen next.

Unfortunately as September begins, thousands are still groping with recovery from Irene, and some Vermont and New York villages remain isolated, homes destroyed and bridges wiped out. There are some politicians who want to hold the storm recovery hostage to budget talks; I think that is flat out wrong and un-American, as well as, a non-Christian stance.

Perhaps, it is my idealistic pragmatism, but I think the emphasis should be on the American people and job creation, not political ideologies.

Jewelweed and the late Summer Early Fall Flower Show

Pictured above is a Jewelweed plant. The medicinal herb has been blooming now for the last several weeks; it grows on moist land. Locally, the plant, which can be five feet tall, blooms a brilliant orange color; although, in some other regions, the flowers are yellow.

It is sort of invasive and can spread rapidly. Jewelweed produces thousands of tiny seeds and it can be difficult to control, though it is easy to rip out of the ground.

However, the plant does attract hummingbirds and it is a favorite for the bumblebees. It is also a natural treatment, known by the Native Americans, as a natural remedy for poison ivy and insect bites. The stems contain a clear sappy substance when broken; it can then be applied to the skin to relieve any discomfort. From personal experience, with mosquito bites anyway, it is very effective.

September, a month of changes, is a great time of the year to enjoy what is happening in the fields and the woods. Many species of colorful, native flowers ( important to protect and keep) are now blooming besides the Jewelweed. And it won't be long before the stumpy mushrooms will appear.
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Garden Notes:

There were some failures this year because of the cool, wet spring and a hungry woodchuck (s). But the tomatoes and peppers are doing fantastic; no sign of any blight – yet. The sunflowers were amazing.

The wet spring wasn't good for the peas and the woodchuck (and other critters) got all the beans, lettuce and cauliflower, the squash and pumpkins (grrrrr).

This fall, I am going to re-work and improve my raised bed garden closer to the house. It is time to add more organic materials, overturn the ground, and maybe get a late cover crop planted. The garden closer to the house doesn't have as much wildlife, thanks to foot traffic and the the dog.

In a few short weeks, it will be time to get the garlic planted for next year.

It was a hectic summer and didn't have a lot of time this year. But it is a good idea to find the time and get the soil ready for the long winter in the next several months. The work now makes spring planting better.

Frontier at Three Rivers

Author Sam Hossler published another novel - fictional, yet historically accurate- titled “Frontier at Three Rivers”. Sam is a well known writer in much of western Pennsylvania and now lives in Florida. His books deal with the early pioneer days of settlement, the courage and tragedies faced by settlers and Native Americans. If your looking for some great reading, or getting an early start on Christmas shopping, click samhossler.com

Good Reading, Energy and Food Concerns and the Darn Woodchuck

                                                                                               

Good Reading

Sam Hossler, formerly a long time resident of Canadohta Lake has published a new book, Frontier at Three Rivers. The latest book was released on July 4.

Frontier at Three Rivers is a rewrite of two previous books, Summer of 1763 and The Great Land Grab. The latest book has new maps and is illustrated by local artist Jack Paluh. The book chronicles the stories of pioneer families in western Pennsylvania and the dangers they faced..

Sam has a unique ability to bring history alive and the latest book, as well as the others, are enjoyable and informative. Get the book and sit back for some great, good summer reading.

Sam has written hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles for some thirty years, and has been a active in the Outdoor Writers of America and served as president of the Pennsylvania Chapter. He also was the editor of the popular Canadohta Lake Breeze and was active in many community events before moving to Florida. As can be seen in the picture below, he enjoys his fishing.

All of Sam's books can be purchased online at Sam Hossler or at Amazon.com including the newest Frontier at Three Rivers. Visit his Web page at Sam Hossler.com

Energy Justice

A friend from way back is one of the co-directors of this Web page and it is well worth the time and effort to take a look. It is energyjustice.net and it examines all sorts of energy sources and valuable, more green alternatives. Stay informed and know the issues before some company knocks on the door. It is an excellent site which discusses energy sources. Good Reading.

On the subject of energy the Crawford Renewable Energy plant, which will be one of, if not the largest tire incinerator plants in the world, will be the subject of a public hearing July 25 at 6:30 p.m. At Conneaut Lake High School. Care, who group who opposes the facility because of environmental concerns has a nice web at www.stopburningtires.com

Marcellus Gas

I guess the moral of the story is don't believe everything you hear. It seems there are some questions being raised about the real economic impact of the Marcellus Gas drilling boom currently underway in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other regions.

Certainly, property owners can realize a tidy profit, but many others are not seeing any economic impact, according to this article in a Pittsburgh paper. Some communities have seen no benefits, while others are dealing with the damages to roads, bridges and water supplies. And since there is no gas tax on the drillers, all of the citizens of Pennsylvania are taking a hit. Questions are also being raised about the common belief that less regulation means more investment.

Some outdoor sport groups are beginning to demand better controls and regulations because of water pollution in some of the best streams and problems with the states hunters. These groups claim the out of state drillers are not taking these issues seriously...and they are right. The natural resources of Pennsylvania do not belong to drilling companies from Texas, which donate a tidy sum of money to our politicos. The information can be found a MarcellusMoney.org. Interesting and good reading.

Harvest Season is Beginning

Support your local farms and buy local produce. Often, it is less expensive, it is fresher and tastier and it is usually far better for health.

A home vegetable garden can save money and can teach valuable dietary habits to younger family members. The obesity rates for Pennsylvania and many other states has risen dramatically because of the poor nutritional levels of the foods we are eating. Younger people who develop poor eating habits are destined for a later life plaque with some nasty health problems.

The Garden Here

Well, it has been so-so thus,  far and a woodchuck is now posing some problems. I scattered some dog hair around thinking that would make him pause before eating beans and cauliflower, pumpkins and squash – didn't work. I am hoping some of the plants will recover. Pictured is a white pumpkin plant some critter feasted on yesterday; it decided to bloom anyway, so maybe it'll make it.

Well, I think it is a woodchuck; I have seen it (he's a huge one) in the vicinity, whereas, I hardly ever see a rabbit anymore. There are no deer tracks. And I don't think coyotes eat cauliflower plants. The garden is huge, about the size of a football field, so a fence is out of the solution.

Tomatoes and peppers are doing good now after a cold wet spring and a late start. The weather has been warm and dry here, hopefully, those conditions keep the late blight away. Maybe I'll get a watermelon crop this year; the plants are looking nice.

Peas will have to be a fall crop this year. It was just to wet and rainy in May and June to get them planted.

NOTE: I read an article last week which raises concerns about using Round-Up weed killer and birth defects. It's well worth the read.

Good Blogs to Read

Corning New York, Step by Step

Urban Veggie Garden

Energy Justice.net http://www.energyjustice.net/

Bees, Blight, Bears and the Amazing Sachem

 For many in the northeast and Great Lakes regions, it has been a very wet spring; for many farmers, the corn crop went in late, if at all due to wet field conditions. Home gardeners were also late, and what did get in the ground just sort of sat there.

Some garden organizations are already raising the red flag about a gardeners worse nightmare this year, the late tomato blight. The blight is fatal after a few days to both tomatoes and potatoes. The late blight thrives in cool wet conditions and can spread via the wind and infect gardens for miles around.

There are some good resources to help identify the late blight and most claim the best thing to do is to check your plants regularly and if an infection is discovered, the plant should be pulled immediately and properly discarded.

It's getting a little late to plant blight resistant tomatoes but it is worth a shot and try. There are some organic copper sprays available. However, some of these sprays are not very good for beneficial insects in the garden. Some of the chemicals are not good for the soil, investigate  money saving and healthy organic gardening.

I planted about three dozen Speckled Roman tomatoes in the garden with four going into pots. Hopefully, I'll be able to build a small cold frame/greenhouse in the upcoming weeks and that’s where the potted plants will go. We'll see how that works, just in case.

Gardens can save homeowners a lot of money. They also provide tasty and healthy vegetables.

If conditions were too wet this spring, think about planting a garden which will be ready to harvest in late summer of fall. There's many different kinds of vegetables which can be planted which do not require a long growing season and which actually enjoy the cooler conditions.

Bees and Bears

While doing the yard or garden work this summer be careful if you use pesticides. Many are fatal to the honeybees and our native bees. Check out other options to control a situation instead of using harmful and toxic chemicals. The bees have been declining in numbers for the past several years and they are needed to help pollinate many of our crops.

By the same token, the bees pollinate many wild food sources which provide food for our native wildlife.

While the bees are having population problems, bears in Pennsylvania are becomng more plentiful. Sure wildlife can be troublesome such as the bears, raccoons, possums, coyotes and skunks. Follow a few basic steps to avoid problems: secure garbage in tight containers, don't leave pet food outside, never – ever feed the bears or any other wildlife except maybe the birds. (Note: It is illegal to feed bears in PA.)

If you happen to come across a bear, it's likely more scared of you than you are of it. If you must, shout and wave your arms. If the animal is aggressive, contact local police or the game commission.

Fracking

Marcellus Gas drilling has created jobs and promises to be an economic boom for Pennsylvania, New York State and West Virginia in particular. However, there have been many concerns about the effects of fracking on water quality.

Anglers and hunters, along with outdoor organizations are expressing concerns and are taking water samples.

The gas drilling industry claims the process is safe and still pays no taxes in Pennsylvania.

Civil War - The amazing story of the Sachem

His Native American Seneca name was Hasanowanda or “The Reader” and was born in 1828. He's better known today as Eli Samuel Parker. His family adopted the name Parker to deal with white settlers in the western New York – Pennsylvania region.

His father was a Tonawanda Chief and a veteran of the War of 1812, his mother a descendant of an Iroquois prophet.

In 1852, he became a sachem and adopted the name Donehogawa or “Keeper of the Western Door of the Long House of the Iroquois”. Afterward, he studied engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and landed a job with the federal government working on public works projects. He met Ulyses S. Grant during this work period.

Parker attempted to enlist in the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War but was unable because of his Native American heritage.

Eventually, he was commissioned by Grant to be his military war secretary. He was present at Lee's surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865 where he recorded Grant's orders of surrender.

When Grant was elected president, he appointed Parker to be his Commissioner of Indian Affairs on April 13, 1869. Afterward he became a successful businessman in New York City and later held positions with New York Police Department.

He died on August 31, 1895 and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York.

Learn More about the Work of a Farrier

Read and learn some of the insights about this fascinating, yet dangerous  profession.

If not a Horse, check Out This Energy Saver.

Rain Cross Motor Bike

Good Blogs

Corning New York Step by Step

Urban Veggie Garden

Pro Publica