Author: Paul Deaton

Categories
Environment

Earth Week Sustainability Schedule

the-climate-reality-project-logoLAKE MACBRIDE— I will be speaking about personal finance, the environment and nuclear abolition four times between April 19 and 24. If you are nearby, please consider attending one of these events:

April 19, 11 a.m.: “Alternative Living: Focus on Finances” with Solon resident and writer Paul Deaton. Paul gave up his 9 to 5 job to focus on his writing. He will describe his creative methods of putting food on the table and how he covers his expenses to survive and thrive. Part of the American Library Association Money Smart Week, Solon Public Library, 320 W. Main St., Solon, Iowa.

April 19, 1 until 3 p.m.: Soap Box Speech on the environment: “Mount Tambora, Mount St. Helens and Nuclear Famine” at the Celebration of Life at Old Brick, 20 East Market St., Iowa City, Iowa.

April 23, 6:30 p.m.: “Earth Week: Climate Reality in Iowa” at 220East, 220 East Fourth St., Waterloo, Iowa.

April 24, 6:30 p.m.: “Earth Week: Climate Reality in Iowa” at the Independence Public Library, 805 1st St. East, Independence, Iowa.

11 a.m.: “Alternative Living: focus on finances” with Solon resident and writer Paul Deaton. Paul gave up his 9-5 job to focus on his writing. He will describe his creative methods of putting food on the table and how he covers his expenses. – See more at: http://www.soloneconomist.com/content/solon-public-library-50#sthash.PGm9t3cj.dpuf

11 a.m.: “Alternative Living: focus on finances” with Solon resident and writer Paul Deaton. Paul gave up his 9-5 job to focus on his writing. He will describe his creative methods of putting food on the table and how he covers his expenses. – See more at: http://www.soloneconomist.com/content/solon-public-library-50#sthash.PGm9t3cj.dpuf

11 a.m.: “Alternative Living: focus on finances” with Solon resident and writer Paul Deaton. Paul gave up his 9-5 job to focus on his writing. He will describe his creative methods of putting food on the table and how he covers his expenses. – See more at: http://www.soloneconomist.com/content/solon-public-library-50#sthash.PGm9t3cj.dpuf

11 a.m.: “Alternative Living: focus on finances” with Solon resident and writer Paul Deaton. Paul gave up his 9-5 job to focus on his writing. He will describe his creative methods of putting food on the table and how he covers his expenses. – See more at: http://www.soloneconomist.com/content/solon-public-library-50#sthash.PGm9t3cj.dpuf

11 a.m.: “Alternative Living: focus on finances” with Solon resident and writer Paul Deaton. Paul gave up his 9-5 job to focus on his writing. He will describe his creative methods of putting food on the table and how he covers his expenses. – See more at: http://www.soloneconomist.com/content/solon-public-library-50#sthash.PGm9t3cj.dpuf
Categories
Living in Society

Local Politics Update

Dennis Boedeker
Dennis Boedeker

LAKE MACBRIDE— I received the second of three press releases from candidates announcing campaigns for state representative in House District 73, so it’s time for an update.

I don’t intend to favor any house candidate going into the June 3 primary, and if my word counts about any one or the other aren’t equal, it means very little, if anything.

David Johnson held his kickoff event on July 2, 2013, so he has been well covered in the media. Des Moines Dem did a full writeup of Johnson on Bleeding Heartland.

Until yesterday, Johnson was the only candidate to formally announce. Dennis Boedeker’s press release came via the Iowa House Democrats listserv, and it is posted below. I didn’t know his resume when I recently met him, but he seemed a lot like me. Notably, we both served on the board of health in our respective counties.

Even though I am a Democrat, the closest political relationship I have with any of the three candidates who filed nominating papers is with the Republican incumbent, Bobby Kaufmann. I have been an active advocate in the legislature since we moved to Big Grove Township in 1993. Because of my social engagement, there are a number of things I follow and/or need help with in the legislature. Whoever is my representative, it is important to develop a relationship with him or her. I became comfortable emailing, texting or picking up the phone to call Rep. Kaufmann. He has been reasonably supportive of my efforts, and hasn’t formally announced for re-election.

I will vote in the Democratic primary on June 3, where there are two additional races of interest. I declared my support for incumbent County Attorney Janet Lyness over challenger John Zimmerman. I also declared my preference for incumbent County Supervisor Janelle Rettig, and long-time environmental activist Mike Carberry, over Lisa Green-Douglass and Diane Dunlap in the election to select two supervisor candidates. Neither Green-Douglass nor Dunlap have been active in the same circles as me.

Here is Boedeker’s press release:

Friday, April 4, 2014
Veteran, Farmer Dennis Boedeker announces bid for state representative

Cedar County– Farmer and veteran Dennis Boedeker of Cedar County officially announced his run for State Representative today.  Boedeker, a former Cedar County Supervisor, is running in House District 73, which covers all of Cedar County, part of Johnson County, and the city of Wilton.
“I was born and raised in Cedar County and have lived here my entire life. I’m extremely proud of our communities and I’m excited about the opportunity to serve in the Iowa House,” said Boedeker, a Democrat.  “As a farmer who still runs the small family farm where I grew up, I understand how important agriculture is to our economy.  I’ll be a strong, experienced voice for rural Iowa and the middle class.”
In addition to farming, Boedeker served on the Cedar County Board of Supervisors for 12 years and before that worked for the Cedar County Roads Department.  He also served in the US Air Force during Vietnam.
“There is no issue more important in the Legislature than education and there is more we must  do to keep our rural schools strong,” said Boedeker, who serves on the Cedar/Jones Early Childhood Iowa Board.  “We need to expand early childhood education so every child enters kindergarten ready to learn and make sure the state keeps its commitment to our schools and children.”
Boedeker is a lifelong member of Zion United Church of Christ and served four years on the church council, including one year as president. He and his wife, Cheryl, have been married 40 years and they have two grown sons and seven grandchildren.
Boedeker has been involved with a host of community organizations, including the Cedar County Board of Health, 7th Judicial District, Eastern Iowa Regional Utility Service Systems, and Cedar County Veteran’s Affairs.

Categories
Kitchen Garden

Pantry Pasta Sauce

Pantry Shelf
Pantry Shelf

LAKE MACBRIDE— Dressing pasta is a culinary practice with so many variations, it is difficult to justify a single recipe over others. It is a matter of taste, available ingredients and tradition, so far be it from me to set anything in stone.

Prepared pasta sauce— the industrial food kind— is available at warehouse clubs and grocery stores, but it is hard to imagine ever bringing a jar home when it is so easy to make it in the kitchen. Here’s how.

Drain a quart of canned whole tomatoes in a colander, reserving the liquid.

Heat a skillet on medium high heat and coat the bottom with extra virgin olive oil. Use the best oil you have.

Dice a medium onion according to preference and sautée in the heated oil.

Season with salt and pepper.

Mince five cloves of garlic and add to the pan. Cook until the onions are translucent. Don’t let the garlic burn.

Season with dried oregano and basil, fresh if you have it.

Add six ounces of tomato paste. Stir and heat until you can smell the tomato.

Add the drained whole tomatoes, chopping them with the edge of a spoon while stirring the mixture.

It is optional to add protein at this point. We use Morningstar Farms® Recipe Crumbles, although browned ground beef, pork, chicken, tofu, seitan or others could be substituted.

Once the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated, add the reserved tomato juice until the sauce has the desired fluid characteristics. Store any leftover juice in a jar in the ice box, or drink it.

Adjust seasoning.

Turn the heat to low and and simmer until the pasta is cooked.

Makes four generous servings.

Categories
Sustainability

Talking about Ukraine

Iowa City Nuclear Free SignPoorly considered ideas of what the U.S. should do about Ukraine have been circulating in the media. A friend passed these points along to me, and here they are for my readers. They provide a perspective one doesn’t find in the corporate media.

The Putin-led invasion of Ukraine is unacceptable and has been universally condemned. At the same time, it should be recognized for what it is. The Ukrainian people have expressed their desire to integrate into the European economy and rejected what they perceived as coercion from Moscow. Moscow’s behavior is in large part motivated by the failure of their economic and political policies.

Putin’s move demonstrates that he is playing a weak long-term hand.

The wisest and likely the most effective response to Russia’s annexation is not military, it’s diplomatic and economic. No serious figure supports military action. The only people who gloss over the serious risks of escalation are those with no real responsibility for the outcome.

Increasing sanctions, taking punitive economic measures, and rallying the international community is the smartest course and thus far those are the steps that the US and our European allies have pursued– with good reason. Smart policy will balance economic and diplomatic carrots and sticks and avoid pointless provocations such as further NATO expansion.

It is downright bizarre that there are politicians and media commentators who apparently relish the prospect of another Cold War– a time when millions of people lived in fear of annihilation and hundreds of billions were spent on a pointless nuclear arms race.

Americans don’t want a Cold War and they don’t want a hot one either.

This misguided nostalgia for the Cold War misunderstands and misrepresents the current situation. This is not a global clash of ideologies.

Categories
Work Life

Turning Point

Greenhouse and High Tunnel
Germination House and High Tunnel

LAKE MACBRIDE— A cold wind blew across the hilltop where the sheep barn is situated. The barn doors had come loose from the bottom brace and were flapping in the wind. There was no securing them, so I walked over to see the lambs. Spring’s hope wobbling about the pen.

The goal was to pick up get ten bags of soil mix for the day’s work. A couple of deer legs were laying around, scavenged by the dogs. They wanted me to play fetch with one of them, but I wouldn’t. There was work to be done and it seemed a bit weird.

Seven of us were working in the germination shed and high tunnel. The table space in the germination shed was filling up as I made 28 seed trays in two and a half hours. Seedlings planted in March were being transplanted to the high tunnel for the spring share. It was a busy place. One worker, who I hadn’t seen since last fall, asked if I had a good winter. I did and we went about our work.

Not many in Iowa grow celery, and the seeds I planted weren’t germinating very well. One farmer said give it time, comparing it to parsley. She also mentioned someone who wanted to put in an acre of the vegetable. Local celery would sell if it could be grown.

I discussed my low lettuce germination rate with another farmer. After a couple of her questions, we determined the problem must be moisture levels, which can be remedied by watering frequently.

After work I headed home, stopping at the grocery store.

Walmart is something I would like to get out of my life, and to do that, I need to get some things they carry, but our local grocer doesn’t. I found the buyer and asked him if I ordered a large quantity, would they get me a case, or bin of them. Things like organic kidney beans, that apparently no one but me bought when they did carry them. He said he would, so I will place an order later in the week.

Upon returning home, I spent the rest of the day in the garage and yard. It was the first day of working with the garage door up, listening to the radio. I swept the sand from the street in front of our house, and replenished my supply of five cat litter buckets for next winter. This annual event is combination of frugality, cost avoidance and practicality. Why buy sand when there is plenty available?

I cleaned the garage floor of dirt and grime delivered by the cars, and cleared my work bench. I dug into a large pile of paper goods to find the yard sign for the county attorney, who has a challenger in the June 3 primary. It was on the bottom, as she hasn’t had many challengers. I found a wire that fit and stapled the sign to it. It’s ready to place on the lawn tomorrow.

The seeding operation was near the water heater, where it was too crowded. I moved it to the garage, making quick work of mixing soil batches and preparing a couple of trays. I seeded 120 cells with celery in hope of getting enough seedlings to plant a row or two. The other tray was planted with six kinds of tomatoes. All of this was overkill, but I want to have enough for our garden and to share.

Coming inside for dinner, I watered all the seedlings, did three loads of laundry, a load in the dishwasher, and re-arranged the trays on the table in the bedroom. Not a lot of dramatic or exciting stuff to report. It was a turning point in the year, and that is enough.

Categories
Home Life

Germination and Sick of Soup

Spring Flowers
Spring Flowers

LAKE MACBRIDE— The germination rate of indoor seeds has been 59.3 percent. Seeds leftover from the 2013 season are performing better at 96.3 percent, with a dismal performance of 46.9 percent for 2014 seeds. Not sure of the trouble, however, will start way more than needed in order to ensure there are enough plants for the garden.

The lettuce seeds have done particularly poorly. They are some of the same used at the greenhouse where I work, so the problem must be me— soil and water.

“We are planning to live to be one hundred,” said a friend about she and her partner yesterday. “I’m not sure we will make it, but we are planning for that.”

This was in response to a statement I made that there is a life after the socially accepted retirement age of about 60. In addition to the seven ages of man, we need a eighth lying between ages 60 and 80. She said it should go to one hundred. If one can resolve the issues of this American age, then there may be perquisites. But it runs against social norms in a way that only the most compelling logic could assert such a thing. Just think of all the financial planners who would be out of a job.

As April begins, I know two things. I can’t give up working on a new paradigm and I am sick of winter soup.

Categories
Kitchen Garden

Sad State of Cookery

Winter Soup
Winter Soup

LAKE MACBRIDE— The trouble began with the bountiful harvest of local produce last year. The larder was filled to the brim, and we had fresh vegetables until this month. In the end, I made a gigantic pot of soup, filled with root vegetables, onions, and a host of other ingredients. It is delicious, and I’m tired of it at the same time. There is another gallon left in the fridge and freezer.

I want to be working and dining from outdoors, and until this past weekend, that proved to be impossible. Indoor pantry cooking has becomes too quotidian. If we were living on a subsistence basis, we would be okay. There’s more to life than that.

So to get out of the early spring doldrums caused by the delay of warmer temperatures, here comes a series of posts to alleviate the sad state of cookery that has befallen this kitchen.

Categories
Social Commentary Writing

Diving In

Garden
Summer Garden

LAKE MACBRIDE— The ambient outdoor temperature was 50 degrees at 3 a.m., creating a yearning to work in the yard and garden. Other work, however, kept me busy this weekend. So much so, that when each day was done, bedtime couldn’t come soon enough— outdoors had to wait.

I’m okay with that, but I’m not.

When first feeling the urge to be a writer, many years ago, I had no idea what that meant. Now there is a full slate of writing jobs, some paid and some not, and meeting deadlines has become more of an issue. Writing and proof reading our weekly newspaper can’t be described as a stressful job, but beginning on Fridays, it’s crunch time.

The supervisory work at the warehouse also occurs on weekends, so there is little time for extras in the arc from Friday through Monday. The result has been to hang with a new, and very different group of people from the academicians, political activists, public figures, and peace and justice crowd that had become staples of my social life.

American lives move from a fixed point in time toward insularity. Frederick Jackson Turner wrote in 1893,

As each generation of pioneers moved 50 to 100 miles west, they abandoned useless European practices, institutions and ideas, and instead found new solutions to new problems created by their new environment. Over multiple generations, the frontier produced characteristics of informality, violence, crudeness, democracy and initiative that the world recognized as “American.”

The degree to which one takes issue with the frontier thesis asserted by Turner in The Significance of the Frontier in American History, there is no denying the bent toward utopianism that exists in daily life. People don’t care about money as much as they want to be able to pay their bills and live their lives. In doing so, they create an island of utopianism carved out of a complicated society. Perhaps I am corrupting what it means to be utopian, but that too is an American idea.

I heard a woman say she wanted the man to make the decisions for her last week. I was stunned. Only an insular life can espouse such a world view. One that lacks a basic connection to a greater society, and exists in the rarefied air of a peculiar social network.

“Ugggghhhhh. That’s depressing,” said one friend.

“Thank goodness she’s in the minority,” said another.

“A sample of one does not a movement make,” said an activist I know.

Whatever repulsion there is to a woman who wants her man to do the thinking, it is part of the diversity of life which has become a context for my writing.

A writer must necessarily become isolated while working. At the same time, there is a constant want and need for contact with humanity in all of its diversity. Writers must break from the swaddling of the familiar and dive in— it’s as close to utopia as American living gets.

Categories
Juke Box

Juke Box: I Got a Name

Categories
Living in Society

Too Early for Politics

Braley-Borlaug Front Page
Braley-Borlaug Front Page

BIG GROVE TOWNSHIP— Labor Day is the official kickoff of the fall election campaign, but there seems to be a lot of campaign stuff going on now.

The biggest news was the video of Rep. Bruce Braley commenting about the kind of chair of the Judiciary Committee U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley might make should Republicans regain control of the upper chamber.

The video was released by a group called Priorities for Iowa, another 501 (c) 4 funded by what is becoming common parlance, “dark money.” The release was timed to coincide with the unveiling of the Norman Borlaug statue in the U.S. Capitol, which replaced that of former U.S. Senator and abolitionist James Harlan, which had been there since before Borlaug was born.  By any standard, Borlaug was a farmer and the front page of the Quad City Times, which visually associated Braley’s comments with Borlaug, is something Braley should frame and put in his office as a reminder that he needs to do better in his campaign for U.S. Senator. If one listens to the video, it is neither disparaging toward Grassley nor to farmers generally. That won’t stop the right wingers from saying it is so.

Speaking of right wingers, something else I have been following is the development of guns, gays and abortion legislation in this session of the Iowa legislature. Yesterday was bad news for progressive politicos, as none of them gained traction during floor debate.

There was a curious change in the House Floor Action ticker regarding abortion and guns. As I watched the live posts, the following was made:

“Motion by Shaw to invoke Rule 60 in order to withdraw HF 138 from the Judiciary Committee and place it on the House Calendar– Out of Order.”

When I went in to double check the ticker for this post, the entry had been changed to this:

“Motion by Shaw to invoke Rule 60 in order to withdraw HF 2284 from the Judiciary Committee and place it on the House Calendar – Out of Order.”

I am certain a change was made because I had to look up HF 138 to see what it was after the original post, and last night, I searched the ticker for HF 2284 and couldn’t find it.

Here is the House Journal record:

“Shaw of Pocahontas moved to invoke Rule 60, to immediately withdraw House File 2284 from committee on Judiciary and place it on the calendar.
The Speaker ruled the motion not in order.”

Maybe it was a typo, and maybe not, but HF 138 is the personhood bill, and HF 2284 is the so called “Constitutional Carry” bill, both of which I expected to be called up from judiciary yesterday using Rule 60.

The reason this is bad news is that House Republicans are showing a modicum of decorum and consistency by following their own rules on these two bills. That is something they did not do in 2011 just after the TEA party rebellion of the 2010 midterms. What is worse news for progressives is that definition of marriage did not make it onto the House legislative radar screen at all this session.

Nothing has changed in the Republican caucus, except they are doing a much better job of hiding the extremism of the right wing of their party. Since most people don’t follow politics very closely, it matters to advancing a progressive agenda if Republicans are perceived as not that bad.

With the late spring and a winter backlog of projects, it seems way too early for politics. Nonetheless, how can one not be engaged in things that matter in our lives on the Iowa prairie.