Embrace the Sweat

Submitted by TimJFowler on Mon, 2011/08/08 - 10:12pm
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Riding in the heat of summer sometimes means 'embracing the sweat'. But, there are ways to reduce your exposure to record-breaking heat. Cycling early or later in the day, stay well hydrated, and slowing your pace will help you keep cooler. Wear well-ventilated, wicking clothes in light colors, and bring a change of clothes when bike commuting. Acclimatizing to heat will also help your comfort and performance as you bike through the summer.

Burning Ring of Fire

Submitted by TimJFowler on Mon, 2011/08/01 - 3:26pm
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Las Conchas Wildfire Smoke Plume

Are large and frequent wildfires in the Western U.S. becoming the 'New Normal'? That's an unsettling thought, but new research and recent experience point to a smokier future in the West. The basics are this: 100 years of fire suppression have created overly dense forests, and climate change and drought encourage hotter and larger wildfires.

A Royal Mess

Submitted by EcoMommyo on Mon, 2011/07/25 - 12:41pm
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Pitting Cherries

I made a royal mess for Father’s Day. For EcoDaddyo’s first Father’s Day, we made a cherry pie. I would love to claim all the credit for its deliciousness but pitting 2-3 pounds of cherries was a messy two person job.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (and Bicycles)

Submitted by TimJFowler on Thu, 2011/07/21 - 4:57pm
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Southwest Chief - Lamy, NM Train Station

The Iron Horse (aka. train) shaped much of the modern Western US. Despite that history, most of us now travel long distances by car or plane because of the supposed convenience. I've flown and driven across the country countless times, so I wanted to try something new. For a trip from Santa Fe, NM to Kansas City, MO I traveled by bicycle and passenger train. The trip went smoothly and was much lower carbon than either automobile or passenger jet. I'm now a fan of train travel and hope that train travel in the U.S. can be improved.

Why I Garden #19

Submitted by TimJFowler on Thu, 2011/07/14 - 3:02pm
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Raspberry - Rubus idaeus

We've had an interesting summer so far. With the hot and dry weather some plants have suffered while others have thrived. I've focused so much attention on the plants that needed help I almost forgot to mention the Raspberries. Two years ago we planted raspberry canes from a friend's grandmother's garden. The first year's crop was small as the canes were still establishing. This year we've had a steady stream of raspberries to eat on cereal, with dessert or fresh picked. The fresh raspberry season appears to be coming to an end, so here are my thanks for the last raspberry.

WWOOF Hawaii - Blog from the Big Island

Submitted by SaraJ on Tue, 2011/07/05 - 1:44pm
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WWOOF Hawaii - Tropical Fruit

Here is the latest post from Sara J, our intrepid WWOOF'er in Hawaii. Enjoy!

    I am now on Big Island and the weather is great! I’m on a small permaculture farm, only about 3 acres. It is a half mile from Kealakekua Bay in south Kona. We are off the grid and the land and animals provide about 90% of the food I eat. I’ve been here a few weeks and am falling in love with the place. Everyday there is beauty and joy in working the land and being with the animals, but there are also challenges and a lot of heavy labor to be done.

Reaping Rewards

Submitted by EcoMommyo on Wed, 2011/06/29 - 11:53am
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Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with lattice crust

With some recent cooking projects, I was again reminded that good things come to those who wait (and preserve).

Summertime

Submitted by TimJFowler on Fri, 2011/06/24 - 10:04am
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Gaillardia Aristata - Firewheel - Blanket Flower

George Gershwin wrote, 'It's summertime and the living is easy'. It is officially summertime, but I'm not sure about the easy part. Despite a complete lack of April showers and very few May flowers we have plenty of June bugs (larvae, actually) and they have been ransacking our chile pepper transplants. I raked over one garden bed and dug up more grubs than I care to count.

Water, Wildflowers & Trout

Submitted by TimJFowler on Tue, 2011/06/14 - 4:58pm
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Upper Pecos Watershed Association logo

What: Water, Wildflowers & Trout: A Benefit for the Upper Pecos Watershed Association
Where: Brush Ranch, Pecos Canyon
When: Sunday, June 19th at 5pm
Tickets: $60 per person

  • Social Hour - 5pm
  • Silent Auction
  • Entertainment
  • Dinner at the Ranch - 6pm
  • Live Auction: Scotty Rice, Auctioneer

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Submitted by TimJFowler on Wed, 2011/06/08 - 10:30am
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Wallow Fire Smoke at Sunset

Living in the Southwest many of us are accustomed to brilliant blue skies, 100 mile views and great air quality. But clean air isn't guaranteed, especially in the spring and summer fire season. Currently, firefighters in Eastern AZ (and soon Western NM) are fighting the Wallow Fire, which has grown to hundreds of thousands of acres. Wildfire is dangerous for those in it's path and living downwind in the smoke plume.

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