Years ago I reasoned that some commercial pot growers would resort to insecticides if they were faced with losing an entire crop due, say, to spider mites. I thought of people buying organic produce at Whole Foods, then smoking marijuana that had been sprayed with toxic chemicals. A friend of mine said, “They’re smoking paraquat.”
Pot smokers, beware. Here is a Google search I did today on the subject:
https://www.google.com/search?q=pesticides+in+marijuana&num=100&newwindow=1&safe=off&source=lnt&tbs=qdr:m&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjTmfLKg8DRAhUpiVQKHVoJD-wQpwUIFA&biw=1402&bih=974
The big commercial operators have a way different modus operandi than people who grow outdoors, with untreated water, compost, organic supplements, and sunshine. No electricity for light or fans, no chemical fertilizers or insecticides, no soil-less, hydroponic wizardry.
AND — I’ve had conversations with people about vaporizers, costing between $200-600. “Oh, way too expensive.” Well, how much are your lungs worth?
In October 30, 2016 issue of The New York Times
“LONDON — The controversy over genetically modified crops has long focused on largely unsubstantiated fears that they are unsafe to eat.
But an extensive examination by The New York Times indicates that the debate has missed a more basic problem — genetic modification in the United States and Canada has not accelerated increases in crop yields or led to an overall reduction in the use of chemical pesticides.
The promise of genetic modification was twofold: By making crops immune to the effects of weedkillers and inherently resistant to many pests, they would grow so robustly that they would become indispensable to feeding the world’s growing population, while also requiring fewer applications of sprayed pesticides.
Twenty years ago, Europe largely rejected genetic modification at the same time the United States and Canada were embracing it. Comparing results on the two continents, using independent data as well as academic and industry research, shows how the technology has fallen short of the promise.
Broken Promises of Genetically Modified Crops
About 20 years ago, the United States and Canada began introducing genetic modifications in agriculture. Europe did not embrace the technology, yet it achieved increases in yield and decreases in pesticide use on a par with, or even better than, the United States, where genetically modified crops are widely grown.
Read More …
This lovely painting is on the wall of the Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History, a wonderful small museum with displays of the former inhabitants of the Monterey Bay Area, as well as local flora and fauna. It’s at 1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95062.
What a beautiful life California inhabitants had before the Europeans arrived!
Everything here is perfect. It’s one of the buildings where I just say to myself, oh yeah!
The rounded, angled-out corners, the proportions, the deep wall openings, the red roof.
According to an historical account which I read, some 14 farm families were forced to leave their land by landlords in the mid-1800s, and resettled on a more remote and less fertile part of the island. This is one of the dwellings; in its day, it would have had a thatched roof.
And with this I conclude posts from Scotland. I’m back in the saddle at home and back at work on Small Homes.
Yesterday on our way south to Glasgow we (unexpectedly) found ourselves driving along the west side of Loch Lomond and I can understand why it’s so well known. A pristine body of water, with trees all around it, some kinda magic going on fer shure. We stopped at a lochside hotel and had one of the best renditions of fish and chips ever plus a bottle of Loch Lomond Silkie Stout. Fortified by the stout, I jumped in the water — about 8 strokes and out. Cold! maybe 48 degrees F. But I follow an MO of getting immersed in its waters wherever I am to connect with the land. It always works! Then on into Glasgow, following the Garmin GPR to a Travelodge hotel in Glasgow central.
Last night we had a fabulous Italian dinner with Lesley’s cousin and husband at Fratelli Sarti on Bath Street, preceded by a couple of shots of Laphroid single malt whisky (Colin and me, that is) at the Butterfly and Pig bar, fine establishment.
I started out with leftside driving pretty shakily, it took several days for my brain to make the switch. And the roundabouts! Jesus, stress-city. Finally, I’m getting into it. Give way to cars on the right. My navigator informs me that leftside driving originated with duels on horseback, where lances were held with the right hand.
I don’t know how I missed Scotland over all these years of European exploration (starting with a 3-month Lambretta motorscooter/youth hostel trip in 1957-58). I’m overwhelmed by both the beauty of this land and the good-naturedness of the Scots. I think it’s possible that people who live in beautiful surroundings are happy and friendly. Hundreds of encounters, totally good vibes. If people see you looking around in the cities, they ask if they can help. And I’m gonna miss the brogue a wee bit when I get home.
Animal shelter and pen in recreated 1700s township at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore, Scotland
Building at Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore, Scotland
This is one of the buildings in a recreated 1700s township at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore, Scotland. It started to rain just as we got there, but then the rain stopped. We spent about 2 hours there; I shot a LOT of photos.
The wattle walls facilitated drying of barley and oats. Opposing barn doors took advantage of cross drafts to winnow (separate chaff from) grain.
Here’s the model. Too bad the great majority of houses in this gated community are soulless no-overhang boxes, as opposed to the effortless grace of this farmer-designed barn.
Conjunction of Four
Sunday was the Spring Equinox (also Evan’s birthday).
Monday was Bach’s birthday.
Tuesday I left home at 6 AM for points north.
Wednesday (today) is the full moon.
Seals cormorants, seagulls at Jenner rivermouth
It was a spectacular drive along the coast. Clouds, rain, sun, mist, fog, along with thundering surf. Hills are the greenest of green. Cows, sheep, goats, horses grazing happily.
Music: “I just dropped into see what condition my condition was in by” the Launderettes
“You can have my husband, but please don’t mess with my man,” by Koko Taylor
“Look how me sexy,” reggae, by Linual Thomson…
This is a gardener’s paradise: great garden tools, plants, trees, knowledgable staff.
Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery
3244 Gravenstein Hwy North
Sebastopol, CA 95472
https://www.harmonyfarm.com/
SYNOPSIS:
Fairly dry and warm condition are forecast through midweek, except for a slight chance of rain in the north bay on Tuesday. Chances of rain increase by Thursday and then greatly increase into this weekend.
DISCUSSION:
The week will start out dry with patchy morning fog in various locations throughout the county. A light system far north of the county is expected to develop on Tuesday, but is not expected to produce very much rain. Rain, if any, from this system will be only along the northern county border. Fairly dry conditions are expected throughout most of county on Wednesday with a very weak system moving into the area late Wednesday night to early Thursday morning where very light rain is expected. Then, a much stronger storm is expected to move into the area by late Friday and will produce rain throughout the remainder of the weekend. Precipitation amounts may range from 1.35-inches along the eastern side and southern portions of the county, and up to 2.54-inches of rain along the coast, higher elevations and along the northern county boarder. This system is expected to produce heavy rain at times with strong winds throughout the weekend and into next week.
Read More …
Seals cormorants, seagulls at Jenner rivermouth