Things have not been rolling along. We are in a holding pattern until the girls are born, so I've not had much time to get in any long rides or other adventures. In the meantime, I've been hitting some projects around the house and planning the garden bed for the new year. I finished the cold frame for the pineapples, and it seems to be keeping the epiphytes warm enough and helping shed water that would otherwise be backing up into the garage. An avocado seedling came up in the compost, so it has joined the pineapples in the box for the "cold" season. I also got some seeds into some pots the other day (spinach, radishes, and lettuce...update; they're all sprouted), in the hopes that we'll have some leafy greens and red roots on which to snack in a couple of months. Next is planting some garlic, building the garden bed, and making some soap for holiday gifts.
The garden bed may wind up being concrete blocks, but that would run about $250. I also found some recycled plastic timbers through Home Depot, which would result in a slightly smaller frame, but would come in at around $150. Originally, I had planned to make bamboo "log" walls (with rebar through holes at the ends to secure them), but I have not been able to find any bamboo large enough (contrary to the abundance of this invasive in our area). That would look the best, so I'll keep my eyes peeled (found some great stuff online for waaay too much money). This material would also be the most versatile (furniture, covering any unsightly plumbing in the landscape, and supporting climbing veggies like beans, among others). I found the masking use in a You Tube clip a friend sent. Check out what this guy has done with his back few. It is quite inspiring for those of you with any slope or size to your own lots.
I've also been thinking much of economics, lately, as they relate to individual political persuasion. It isn't so much that the market has me so concerned, it is my work environment. Working in a bike shop, one is constantly hearing of what one has to sell, or what one has purchased (from customers and co-workers, alike). Sometimes, my mind reels at the capacity some have for thinking in such purely capitalist terms. It erodes my confidence in fellow humans because even those that engage in some practices that are respectful of the planet or other inhabitants thereof, think nothing of using e-bay and ripping off others for a chunk of change that they will only be using to buy something else that will be sold within the year. It is difficult for me to relate to this frequency of consumerism. Though I may occasionally buy new things, it usually takes me considerable time and consideration to make such decisions. I must know that the things I buy were at least made on this continent (if possible), are durable, are not going to seep toxic vapors, are recyclable, are being reused, and/or exhibit some other characteristic making them worthy of purchase. More to the point, I do not buy things with the intention of selling them (aside from my house and the land upon which it is built...we bought it knowing that it was an investment on the time frame of 10-20 years). I have a hard time understanding those that do buy so many things so that they may then sell those things. That is all.
The girls are here! They were delivered on 12/4/08, and I was not there to see it...the cesarean section, that is. I WAS there, but they do not allow spouses for general anesthesia. This led to the only real heaving cry I've had in years. Thankfully, my mom was there to let me share this with her. Speaking of crying, I'm currently about to lose every hair from my head listening to my screaming child that would be totally silent if only I'd give her a pacifier. My wife and my own conscience will not let me, so she will have to run full blast for a few more minutes here, while I hope that she is not developing feelings of hate for her old man, and she settles herself down a little bit. If only we could hook her up to some kind of generator...we could power the house with that roar!
Since the above paragraph, I think we've figured out that we just need to keep the girls up and stimulated more during the day, or they are not going to give us any peace in the wee hours. There is so much going through my mind, right now, but each day truly does get a little easier. I am an expert diaper changer, at this point, and I can almost sleep over the little coos and ahs that sound so frightening when siphoned through the crackling, amplified monitor.
Thank you to everybody that has pitched in to donate food and time. We absolutely could not be doing this on our own. Weirdly, I find myself understanding why some women abandon their children (though not empathizing). This is hard work, and for the first couple of days, my stomach felt like it was eating itself, and that's with help from at least 5-10 friends, so far.
Settling in...settling in.
Here's the latest rig. Garrett, this is yours when once your veins run blue, again. In the meantime, there could not be a better greenway bicycle (Paul hub on a Mavic 317 in the back, Nitto bar and stem, and Sugino crank on an old Japanese-made, commuter-level, lugged steel Miyata with an old Schwinn touring fork and cross tires). As I write these words, I realize I may have already mentioned this bicycle on this blog, so here's a gander.
Hope to get more up on this thing in the near future...gaining more time each day. Enjoy your day, everybody, and, for crying out loud, get out and ride for those of us that, currently, do not have the option.
