Temperatures are forecast in the single digits and low teens all weekend — fit weather for beginning the year.
My planned tasks include taking down holiday decorations and meeting with my friend Carmen to discuss a role at her community supported agriculture project this season.
I have a pile to take to our meeting: two seed catalogues and the Practical Farmers of Iowa convention booklet. This will be a year to barter labor for produce.
The year’s primary dynamic will be to conserve expenses and seek alternative ways to generate income. Beginning in 2012 I became more active in the local food movement. I determined that unless I devote more time to producing and marketing local food, it would be difficult to make a living in it.
That said, I hope to maximize production in my garden this year and use weekends to sell extra produce at the town’s farmers market. I had the same idea last year but didn’t get it done. It’s a good idea — turning vegetables and fruit into funds — one I want to put into practice as a sustaining way to generate enough money to pay my garden expenses as a starting point, and pay part of my retirement as an end goal.
If I can get to work this weekend, building a blueprint for this next chapter of my life will become easier.
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 8 p.m. CST Command and Control will air nationwide on Public Television.
The film from director Robert Kenner, based upon the book by Eric Schlosser, is the story of a Titan II missile silo near Damascus, Arkansas. In September 1980 a technician dropped a socket and punctured a rocket upon which was mounted a five megaton nuclear warhead, initiating a near disaster.
A five megaton nuclear bomb is more powerful than all of the ordinance used in World War II, including the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
Disaster was averted in Arkansas, but was it worth the risk?
While our president elect uses twitter to opine about nuclear weapons policy, our nuclear arsenal resides in real-world places subject to real-world threats and, as depicted in Command and Control, to accidents.
On Jan. 20, Donald Trump will gain access to the codes to launch a nuclear attack within four minutes, at his own volition, without approval from anyone else.
For his part, outgoing President Obama launched a $1 trillion program to modernize our nuclear arsenal over the next 30 years.
One has to ask, shouldn’t we abolish nuclear weapons instead of modernizing them?
Nuclear weapons are scary things. Rather than reacting impulsively and superficially to a complex issue, Blog for Iowa recommends you learn about an accident with a nuclear weapon from this 92 minute film.
Seeming to have forgotten high-profile cases that led to the creation of the office in 2008, the move seems brazen, craven, even traitorous. That the action was taken in the middle of the night without any Democrats present provides the flavor of what’s to come during the next two years.
The first order of business in the 115th Congress is expected to be repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, something House Republicans have voted to do scores of times since the bill became law. Members favoring the move appear to have no clue what to do about the political blow back such an action is expected to bring.
On Friday, Jan. 20, President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president but Trumpworld has already begun.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Later in the day, House Republicans abandoned proposed changes to the OCE. Media reports indicate there was a blizzard of negative public reaction directed at congressional offices once the secret meeting became public. Two positive things about this: the news media reported the story quickly, and public reaction was evidence that contacting one’s representative can move the needle on such egregious actions.
“We could use some of that global warming,” a truck driver told me.
It was a joke. The ambient temperature was in the low teens and we both work outside as part of our jobs. If the weather were warmer our jobs would be easier. I thought it was funny.
“I don’t really believe in global warming,” he said after a pause.
“It doesn’t really matter if you do,” I replied. “Like it or not our climate is changing because of man-made global warming. It affects us even when it is cold.”
He seemed skeptical. Given a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal I should have expected his response.
Our perception of climate change and willingness to accept scientific evidence about it is shaped by what we experience, according to Scott Waldman, writing in Scientific American.
That means if one lives where weather is cooler than average, he is more likely to be a climate change skeptic, deferring to personal experience as a guide. If one lives where it is warmer than average, she is more likely to accept the science of climate change, also deferring to personal experience as a guide.
“When personal experience and expert opinion don’t align on a topic that’s not critical to an individual’s well-being, they’re going to go with their gut rather than what the expert tells them,” Robert Kaufmann, the study’s lead author said.
Kaufmann said it’s human nature to trust one’s own experience over scientific evidence or political wisdom.
“Unless it really affects my everyday life, I’m not going to spend time studying this issue, and I’m not necessarily going to believe scientists either, especially now that experts are held in such ill repute, but I’m going to make up my mind based on how I can see and feel climate change,” he said. “For many people, that is record-high and record-low temperatures.”
Such attitudes notwithstanding almost two-thirds of voters across all parties want the Trump administration and the Congress to do more to address global warming, according to Kaufmann.
I appreciate a good climate change joke in the middle of winter because it presents an opportunity to address the fact climate is changing because of human-made global warming, and there is scientific evidence to support it. The conversation is something we should have more often, yet people avoid talking about climate change.
“Most Americans say global warming is personally important to them, but don’t talk or hear about it much,” Edward Maibach and others from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication wrote.
In “Is there a Climate ‘Spiral of Silence’ in America?” the authors found “more than half of those who are interested in global warming or think the issue is important “rarely” or “never” talk about it with family and friends (57 percent and 54 percent respectively).” Fewer than half of Americans say they hear about global warming in the media monthly or more, and only one in five Americans hear people they know talk about global warming at least once a month according to the article.
It’s pretty quiet out there regarding discussion of global warming and climate change.
“The future of the planetary conditions on which human civilization depends are reliant now more than ever upon scientists and innovators, businesses and civil society, and our collective efforts to accelerate the implementation of the solutions to the climate crisis that are already available and cost-effective,” former Vice President and Nobel Prize winner Al Gore wrote in Scientific American.
If that’s the case, and no one is talking about climate change, how can we create meaningful action to mitigate the effects global warming is having on us?
The good news is technological solutions to the problem are working as the price of renewable energy approaches parity with fossil fuels. In some markets, solar generation of electricity is cheaper than with fossil fuels. If technology will lead the business community to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming, we are part of the way there. Technology alone won’t drive the change we need. To find political will for action, every voter should engage in the issues. What can we do?
For my part I’m going appreciate the value of a good climate change joke, and use them to break the ice on conversations about the need to act on climate. People may agree or disagree, but talking about global warming and climate change, and the science behind them, is as important as laughter on a chilly day, or a cold drink during a drought.
From: Paul Deaton
Sent: Monday, Feb. 8, 1999 11:52 AM
To: Libby
Subject: Happy Day!
I figured out that you would probably check your e-mail when you got home from school. I hope you are enjoying having the computer located in your room. Once the monitor gets fixed (it is in Minnesota) then you will really be set up. Remember that for now, we do not plan to get a printer, so copy to disk and we will print on one of the other printers.
Please use the computer wisely. So often, people get bored with life and become cyber worms. It is ok to use the computer for learning and fun, but remember that you have a life outside the computer. When I first got involved with a home computer, I found myself very busy with looking at stuff and installing hardware and software. I did not do as much as I would have liked with the actual software. Don’t let this happen to you.
Anyway, have a great evening, and hopefully if you are looking at this, you have your homework done.
In this final 2016 post it was easier than last year to outline my writing plans.
The work I do to pay bills and support my writing has been tough mentally and physically. To cope with an aging frame and occasionally distracted mind I have had to focus. That meant planning, and then with discipline, working the plan. 2016 was a mixed bag and I expect to do better in 2017.
I seldom post about my personal life and family — at least directly. That leaves issues I confront every day as grist for the keyboard.
There are four broad, intersecting topics about which I’ll write during the coming year.
Low Wage Work and Working Poor
Not only do I earn low wages in all of my jobs, I meet a lot of people who do too. During the last four years I developed a framework for viewing how people sustain their lives without a big job or high salary. A focus on raising the minimum wage, wage theft or immigration status may be timely but most of what I read misses the mark. Stories fail to recognize the complexity with which low wage workers piece together a life. This subject needs more exposition and readers can expect it here.
Food Cultivation, Processing and Cooking
Living on low wages includes knowledge of how to grow, process and prepare some of our own food. My frequent posts on this topic have been intended to tell a story about how the work gets done. I plan to grow another big garden in 2017 and perform the same seasonal farm work. I sent off a membership form to Practical Farmers of Iowa this morning and expect my experience with that group to contribute to food related writing.
Nuclear Abolition
I renewed my membership in Physicians for Social Responsibility. We have a global footprint and as a member I have access to almost everything going on world-wide to abolish one of the gravest threats to human life. The president elect made some startling statements about nuclear weapons this month. The subject should hold interest and perhaps offer an opportunity to get something done toward abolition. The United Nations voted to work toward a new treaty to abolish nuclear weapons. They did so without the support of the United States or any of the other nuclear armed states. In that tension alone there should be a number of posts.
Global Warming and Climate Change
My framework has been membership in the Climate Reality Leadership Corps. Like with Physicians for Social Responsibility we have a global footprint with thousands of Climate Leaders. We have access to the latest information about climate change and its solutions. The key dynamic, however, is how work toward accepting the reality of climate change occurs on a local level. What researchers are finding is skepticism about the science of climate change originates in the personal experience of people where they live. If the weather is very hot and dry they tend to believe in climate change. If it is cold, they tend not to believe. Thing is, climate change and human contributions to it are not a belief system as much as they are facts. Global warming and climate change already affect us whether we believe or doubt.
So that’s the plan. While you are here, click on the tag cloud to find something else to read. I hope you will return to read more in 2017.
By choosing an old car as my main vehicle I got a low purchase price and issues related to a 20-year old car.
A leaking head gasket took more resources than expected to diagnose and repair. The car went to the shop three times beginning in September, generating $3,600 in repair and rental car expense. At that price a new car can never be justified. It’s fixed for now.
There were additional highlights.
January
I began working as the receiving clerk at the home, farm and auto supply store. The dynamic of my weeks changed as I worked regular hours Monday through Friday with weekends off. I haven’t quite adjusted to the “early start time” of 7:55 a.m., which cuts into my prime writing time.
We had a brief spell of sub-zero weather, during which I pruned our apple trees. There was no fruit this year.
I spent free time campaigning with friends for Hillary Clinton before the Iowa caucuses.
February
Hillary Clinton won the Iowa caucuses by the slimmest of margins. She won our precinct easily, garnering two delegates at the caucus to one for Bernie Sanders and one for Martin O’Malley. Clinton picked up the O’Malley delegate when he dropped out of the race on caucus night.
Had coffee with Congressman Dave Loebsack and a small group of area activists at the Big Grove Brewery in Solon.
Began soil blocking at Local Harvest CSA very early on February 7.
March
Had a work-related injury at the home, farm and auto supply store requiring a clinic visit and five stitches in my right hand.
Attended the Johnson County Democratic Convention in Tiffin.
April
Our daughter visited for a few days.
Hello Spring! Potluck hosted by Local Harvest CSA.
Had breakfast in Coralville with my friend from grade school. It was the first of several meals together this year.
May
Read and reviewed Connie Mutel’s book A Sugar Creek Chronicle: Observing Climate Change from a Midwestern Woodland.
Kurt Friese, candidate for county supervisor, meet and greet at Big Grove Brewery in Solon.
June
Participated in a signing ceremony for the new agency established to manage emergency services for the City of Solon and three townships.
Attended a wedding in the Soulard District of Saint Louis.
July
Attended Congressman Dave Loebsack’s annual Brews and BBQ event where I met Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.
Campaign kickoff event for Amy Nielsen’s bid to represent Iowa House District 77 at her home in North Liberty.
Read the book Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town by Nick Reding.
Began seasonal work at Wilson’s Orchard. This commenced 100 straight days of work.
August
Met with Kate Edwards of Wild Woods Farm to arrange a job trimming onions.
Covered editor’s job at Blog for Iowa.
September
Filed initial enrollment application for Medicare.
Viewed the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on my hand-held device.
Beginning of car trouble and repairs.
October
Mom fell out of bed and had to be hospitalized.
November
Participated in holiday gatherings for the home, farm and auto supply store and Wilson’s Orchard.
Thanksgiving at home.
December
1997 Subaru finally repaired.
Medicare coverage began.
Christmas at home.
We made it through the year with some new experiences. For that I am thankful. I’m also ready for 2017 to begin.
My birthday trip to the county seat included these real-world variations from yesterday’s plan:
Ordered a voter list for my precinct from the county auditor to start organizing for the 2018 election and beyond.
Noticed the new Zombie Burger and Shake Lab opened next to The Mill. It seemed wrong.
Renewed my library card. Rural residents can take advantage of the Iowa City Public Library. I check out eBooks from home using my card.
Walked past children playing on the pedmall. They were laughing.
Walked past Schaeffer Hall where I spent much time attending classes 45 years ago.
Viewed the Hawkeyes in Space exhibit at the Old Capitol Museum. It is a history of the University of Iowa Physics and Astronomy Department and their contributions to the national space effort beginning in 1951 with the arrival of James A. Van Allen.
Went to Prairie Lights Book Store and bought copies of The Last Love Song: A Biography of Joan Didion by Tracy Daugherty and Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. I also read some remembrances of Burns Weston and called out a friend on her use of what I felt were excessive exclamation points.
Stopped at the HyVee grocery store on North Dodge Street to buy a few items for my birthday dinner. I also returned cans for deposit.
I arrived home in time to read and fixed a dinner which included a test run of a noodle kugel recipe I got from a Des Moines blogger’s web site. The recipe came out well and there are enough leftovers to last a week. Intended to be a side dish, noodle kugel includes a lot of protein which is needed in our vegetarian household.
The president-elect was busy on twitter again yesterday. Here’s my nascent idea on how to handle him from a Facebook post I made.
Donald J. Trump throws tweets out to media the same way chaff was used to foil radar in WWII. We are seeing what he wants us to see about his incoming administration. All the noise is obscuring the signal, which many of us are not going to like once it comes into focus.
The positive side here is no pretense of being a “compassionate conservative” like Bush II pretended he was. I expect Trump to throttle down immediately to rollback progressive reforms dating back to FDR. I’m keeping my powder dry until we know more specifics of his agenda
I’m taking my advocacy lead from Friends Committee on National Legislation. Diane Randall laid out an agenda which seems practical and makes sense. Her outline of how to deal with appointees who require U.S. Senate confirmation is spot on:
In these confirmation hearings, senators ask the nominees questions that establish a public record. One of the most effective ways FCNL can influence the public record is to encourage senators to ask particular questions. FCNL, along with many of our organizational partners, is preparing questions for senators to ask the nominees. These questions are specific to each nominee, concerning their positions on enforcing current laws and their positions with regard to the safety and well-being of specific populations, or on past statements they have made about the role of the agency they will be heading.
Based on the past public statements, or votes for the nominees who have served in Congress, we are particularly concerned about nominees who have stated their opposition to environmental regulations, full access to health care and protection of voting rights and religious freedom.
Following FCNL’s lead isn’t mutually exclusive, but would be a bit of sanity in what appears to the egregiously brazen impetus of the president-elect’s nominees who have track records running against the grain of progressive values.
It’s two days at the home, farm and auto supply store for me, followed by a three-day weekend. Stay tuned.
Picasso with Harry Truman in 1958, Vallauris, France Photo Credit – Truman Library
Today I celebrate my 65th birthday.
Some baking will be involved — maybe homemade pizza for supper or an applesauce cake. Maybe both. Maybe something else.
I plan a trip to the county seat, a tour of our yard and garden, and a walk by the lake — the beginnings of a late winter to-do list.
It’s all about anticipation in 2016’s pre-dawn darkness.
Yesterday historian Michael Beschloss posted this photo in social media. Seeking a copy for my birthday present, I searched the internet for the Harry S. Truman library and found the file. An 8 x 10 colored, glossy (or matte) copy could be mine for $20. Now that the image is posted I satisfied the urge and can spend my birthday money on something needed more.
In yesterday’s newspaper author Anne Keene wrote about the U.S. Navy Pre-flight School and Iowa’s participation as one of the sites during World War II.
“Before cadets could fly they had to graduate from ground school, where the Navy used hard-hitting sports such as football to build speed, agility and power for combat,” Keene wrote. “Pilots learned to swim and to survive in the outdoors along the wooded shores of Lake Macbride.”
In May 1942 John Glenn swam in the same waters I later did. My outing to Lake Macbride with a church group fixed Father in memory. He drove a group of us in a caravan from Davenport to Lake Macbride. He was also a fan of Glenn and the U.S. space program, taking us outside to watch the Telstar satellite pass over in the 1960s. I now see the same lake, which like all Iowa waters feeds a river of memories and experience into the vast gulf of commonality.
Mom sent me some birthday money, just as her mother did. It would be too plain to spend it all on groceries, fuel or sundries. I hope to spend part of it at a shop in the county seat later today on something I wouldn’t normally buy — a fit birthday project.
Wearing My Blue Shirt
I may buy a new blue button-down shirt since there is only one in my closet. It is my go-to garment for attending events and eventually it will wear out. I need socks which I last bought at the discount store on Highway One near the airport. If I feel up for a drive, I could visit Stringtown Grocery near Kalona. I want more dried chervil leaf and it’s the only local place that sells it. It would be a shame to use maternal gift money to make a payment on the credit card or buy dairy products.
It’s still dark outside.
Writing is brief respite and today’s birthday gift. Something to engage a mind resident in an aging frame, preparing for the day.
Would that writing were all that needed doing today. For now, it serves.
Rain fell from the roof to the downspout then to the semi-frozen ground below. The sound of trickling raindrops was background for Christmas Day at home.
We did things together, and talked, sharing ideas, sharing video clips from the internet, and deciding a menu. Christmas dinner ended up being bowls of vegetable soup with cornbread left from our special Christmas Eve supper. We had Christmas cookies for dessert — Nestle Toll House cookies made with the recipe on the bag. Simple fare for plain folks.
It was a peaceful day in a dark year. Nonetheless, days are getting longer. New hope springs, bringing with it growth, new life, and new work beginning today.
I embrace the new days ahead and so should readers. What else is there to do?
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