Saturday, December 10, 2005

Walking after a snowstorm

We had our first big snowstorm two days ago. It amounted to about six inches. It was not really that big a storm, although the frantic weather reports would make you believe that it was the blizzard of the century coming!

In this town, by ordinance, everyone is supposed to clear the sidewalks in front of their houses. By now this should be done throughout the borough. Yet when I went walking this morning I saw how differently everyone interprets the rule. Some of the sidewalks are completely cleared down to the bare concrete. Others have a single-width meandering shovel path. Others have cleared no snow at all and only the steps of previous walkers have marred the snow.

I want to keep up my fitness walking through the winter. It has become a habit, and I don't feel right until I have done my four or five miles. I can see now it will take some work to overcome the obstacles of snow and ice and get in my walking around the storms and their aftermath.

Monday, December 05, 2005

Monday, October 17, 2005

NPR fund drives

I listen to my local public radio station almost constantly. In the past
year I have added on-line listening to stations I can't get here. It's a
great way to get different news and documentary programs or a different
style of music.

But now it's time for the fall fund raisers and it seems like all the
stations are doing this together. I do support my local station, WITF in
Harrisburg. Yet I really get tired of the fund drives. I have heard all
the arguments and incentives. I realize how important the fund raising
is. Maybe this year people wil be more generous and the stations can end
sooner? We can only hope.

test

I'm testing the send a message by email capatility of the blog. I hope
that I read the instructions correctly!

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

News from West Africa

There was a fascinating story today on the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4267846.stm). Senegal is upset with Gambia as Gambia has raised the cost of ferry crossings across the Gambia River. The Gambians also harassed a group of Senegalese soldiers who were shopping in Banjul while waiting for a ferry boat.

A geography refresher: Gambia covers both sides of the river crossing the middle of Senegal. It is truly a relic of the European colonial era. The British wanted the port of Banjul and the river. The French wanted Dakar and the rest of the territory.

Gambia survives largely because of its geographic position and ability to control a big part of Senegal's transportation infrastructure. It is ironic that the people are ethnically identical. The Senegalese and Gambians speak the same native languages. The only difference is one has a French style government and the other a British style government.

I really hope that the two countries don't go to war or experience a long period of disagreement. They almost merged back in the 90's. That really is the best logical outcome. I lived two years in Senegal, in Thies and really got to appreciate the country. I also did a short (three week) consultancy in Gambia, studying the fuelwood economy. These two countries, a single people artificially split in tow, really need to work this one out.

Sunday, September 18, 2005


Close-up of a dried ear of corn. It doesn't take long for the squirrels to drag this away. Taken with teh zoom settings. Posted by Picasa

Yes, Elmo Posted by Picasa

Frankie contemplating the world Posted by Picasa

Frankie relaxing on the terrace Posted by Picasa

Sunday night

I've been tempted by this blogging thing for weeks. I finally decided to go throught with it. Mostly I wanted a place to show pictures to friends and to post random ideas. After all, everyone seems to be doing it.