Trying a CSA

So, we think we're gonna try a CSA produce subscription. (A whaaat???)

According to Wikipedia:

Community-supported agriculture (in Canada Community Shared Agriculture) (CSA) is a socio-economic model of agriculture and food distribution. A CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation where the growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production. CSAs usually consist of a system of weekly delivery or pick-up of vegetables and fruit in a vegetable box scheme, sometimes including dairy products and meat.

In looking around, I found quite a few in the general area, but most weren't close enough to home to be efficient. Most of them had Friday or Saturday pick-ups, which for most would be fine, but for me, it would mean going 20-50 miles out of my and fighting tunnel traffic on a weekend to do it. The prospect of doing that every weekend didn't sound appealing to me.

The season's were quite long (which I guess is a good thing), and moderately expensive for something we had never done before. We really wanted something that we could get our feet wet with.

After looking around for a while longer, I found a farm that was across a tunnel, but the "good" tunnel, could be picked up on any specified day from Thursday to Saturday, and had a shorter season that cost a little less, as well. Sounds like a good "starter" CSA to me.

The season runs 20 weeks from June 1 to October 16th. Here is an example from their website of what they expect to have this season: Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cucumbers, Eggplant, English Peas, Green Beans, Spring Onions, Peaches, Pumpkins, Radish, Southern Peas, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Peppers, Watermelon, and Zucchini. YUM!

While I'd love to have my own vegetable garden, I don't think I'd be able to grow everything that they are offering, and I certainly don't have the time to put into it like I'd like. This seems like a good alternative.

If I forget, please remind me to update you on how it's going. But I think it will be FUN!

AMW

I'm going to Omaha!

I know most people might wonder why I'm so excited....

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE going someplace I've never been before. I really believe there is something interesting about every location.

I asked on Facebook if anyone had suggestions about things to do or see, and so far, the only one who has responded said it was boring.

And yet, I'm excited....

Here's what I already know I want to see while I'm there, and of course, I'm open for all suggestions.

*The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge - A 3000ft pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River between Omaha, Ne and Council Bluffs, Ia. How cool is that???

*Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo - The zoo has penguins. 'Nuff said!

*The International Quilt Study Center and Museum - Ok, so this is in Lincoln, NE, but close enough for a day trip!

*Geocaches in 4 (yes, FOUR) new states! I'm almost beside myself by this. We'll pick up caches in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. And probably all in one day!!

*There are casinos in COuncil Bluff, Ia, which is literally just across the river, or about a 20 minute drive. Hmmm.... that could spell trouble......

Lofty goals, as We'll actually only have two FULL days, and then part of two other days. But I can't wait to see what I can see.

Do you have any suggestions on things that are a "CAN'T MISS" while in Omaha? What about some excellent dining recommendations or cool markets?

Please, please leave suggestion in the comment section!!

AMW

Blog identity

I struggle to post...

Not struggle, so much, as just wonder what to write about. Sure, I post about trips, or funny stuff, or projects. But nothing on a regular basis...

There are blogs that I read that have something posted everyday. And it's all interesting.

There are blogs that I read that are very insightful.

Some are full of pictures.

Some are inspiring in the crafts that they do....

But, me? Well, I have so many interests, but nothing in particular. Not a "niche" per se.

Although I love quilting, and love posting about what I'm doing, that's not the whole premise of my blog.

I love kayaking and the outdoors, but there's more to it than that.

I love traveling, and posting about trips, but again, not all that I am or do...

So, what's my blog identity, and what keeps people coming back? Friends stop in so they can see what's new with me personally. But what about the rest of the blogosphere? Why do they come and what are they looking for?

Some days, I wake up and say I wanna do a post today. But about what? And then I'm at a loss... I didn't quilt over the weekend. I didn't do anything outdoorsy. I didn't travel. Nothing is new or exciting... So now what?

I'm certainly not a political person, and don't want this blog to be a political blog.

I guess, for now, it remain completely random as the name implies. No idea what will be here, but I'm gonna strive to post at least twice a week for now!

Stay tuned...

AMW

Baltimore Bound

This weekend, we're heading for Baltimore.

I really like this city... I guess partly because I was born at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. Maybe it's a subconscious thing?

I've got Saturday pretty much on my own, and since it's National Quilting Day (who knew, right?), I was trying to find something "quilty" to do.

I found a quilt show just outside of DC that is a combination of two guilds. Looks to be pretty fun....

On Sunday, we're going to the Maryland Science Center to see a special exhibit there.

Should be a fun little trip... Hopefully, I can post some pics when I get back...

AMW

It's been rather odd here lately, when I take a look at my map. As you'll see below, I've gotten hits from all over the globe. I'm not sure what I've written here, that has sparked so much interest.

If you've found me from some other country, or even if you've randomly found me in the US, please post a comment and let me know! I'd love to hear how you happened upon my little slice of the world wide web!

Country Page Views for Map Area: United States [72%]

Spain [9%]

France [9%]

Canada [9%]

Germany [9%]

Mexico [6%]

India [8%]

United Kingdom [5%]

Italy [5%]

Hungary [5%]

Malaysia [4%]

Sweden [4%]

Greece [4%]

Romania [4%]

Norway [3%]

Russia [3%]

Portugal [3%]

Pakistan [3%]

Brazil [3%]

Netherlands [2%]

Switzerland [2%]

Turkey [2%]

Ukraine [2%]

Venezuela [2%]

Argentina [2%]

European Union [1%]

Bulgaria [1%]

Azerbaijan [1%]

Morocco [1%]

Egypt [1%]

Belgium [1%]

Estonia [1%]

Iran [1%]

Finland [1%]

Singapore [1%]

Poland [1%]

United Arab Emirates [1%]

Thailand [1%]

Israel [1%]

Colombia [1%]

Ecuador [1%]

Paraguay [1%]

Honduras [1%]

New Zealand [1%]

Chile [1%]

So stop on in to the comment section and say hi!

AMW

Meet my new BFF Chuck...

Everyone - meet Chuck! Chuck bought my sinking kayak... He said I could post his picture as long as I didn't put the caption "sucker" on it. So I definitely won't!

Chuck already owns a kayak exactly like this one, and another one by the same company. He has two teenage sons, so he's gonna fix this one for one of them.

I have no doubt that it can be fixed enough to be a reliable boat... But my patience with it was gone. So for Chuck - it was an incredible bargain. A boat for about 1/4 of the retail price, and with a little work, it won't sink any more.

But I also wanted to share some of the comments I got through email from my ad:

Funny. You can buy a plastic welding tool from harbor freight that you may be able to do a permanent repair with.

I'll take it off your hands, and wont even charge you a disposal fee. Give me the address and I'll be happy to stop by and haul it away.

Sorry to hear about your plight, but thanks for sharing your
story....too funny, I'm still laughing.

Hi,

Saw your ad, you actually have scared me, because I have a Hurricane Phoenix 120. It hasn't sunk on me yet, but it appears that I may be in for trouble. Haven't used mine much, but I like it. So maybe I will need to learn how to repair it one day LOL. Anyway, I may be interested in adopting yours. Would you take $XXX for it. Got any more epoxy to fix it? Did you have to take the two pieces apart or did you just reseal the original seal. Anyway, I would like to know more. How about giving me a call. It sucks that the manufacturer won't stand by it.

Thanks

Chuck

And my personal fave:

Umm are you kidding? I would like to offer you $200 of my hard earned $$ for your trash. Put it on the curb.

So there you have it... And yes, the next to last comment is from our very own Chuck. He has promised to email pictures when he gets it all fixed up.

AMW

More on the Sinking Kayak

In the ongoing kayak saga, I decided to place a craigslist ad for my sinking kayak. Here is the ad below.... I'll resume my commentary at the end.

For sale – One kayak that sinks. Why would you want a kayak that sinks? Hmmmm…

· You can use it as a lawn ornament or the ultimate bird/squirrel feeder.
· Maybe cut it in half, and plant flowers in it and have the most unusual planter in the neighborhood.
· Fill it with ice and use at as a really cool drink cooler at your next party.
· Put it on your car and drive around and look cool.
· Stick it in the corner of your living room, and impress your date when you bring them home.
· Invite your arch enemy kayaking with you (hey, it sinks).
· Kayak at the beach in front of that really hot lifeguard and hope they notice you sinking and come out and rescue you.
· Use it as a chew toy for your Pitbul.
· Use it as a scratching post for your cat.
· Use it as a massive condo for your hamster/guinea pig/other rodents.
· Already own a kayak? Get this one, invite a friend as a practical joke, and then practice assisted rescues.
· Brush up on your own swimming skills by swimming back to shore when it sinks.
· Get a full workout when you lift it after it fills up with water (it weighs 38lbs dry, or 400+lbs full of water!).
· Use it in your backyard pool this summer, and make a game out of who can stay afloat the longest.
· Use it as a sled when we got as much snow as we’ve recently gotten. Call it “ka-boggining”

The story of this kayak… I bought it brand new, because it was light weight. I used it about a season and a half, and then went on an organized paddle with several hundred people. It sank with me in it and I had to be rescued from the water. It was EMBARRASING to say the least. After figuring out what happened (that water got inside the sealed hollow middle), I contacted the manufacturer. They sent a tube of epoxy and vague instructions how to fix it. The epoxy held for a few more short paddles, and then it sank again.

I contacted the manufacturer again, and this time spoke to a VP. They were very apologetic, knew there was an issue with this model, and offered to replace it for free.

GREAT, right?

WRONG! They sent a follow up email a couple of days later saying that they wouldn’t honor their offer…

So, now I’m without a working kayak, and no money to replace it. I thought one of you fine folks out in craigslist land might be able to find a good use for it.

$200 or highest offer. You pick it up, and take it away (looking cool the whole time with it on your car!)

P.S. The picture is from the manufacturer and is not the actual boat. The actual boat is the same color, looks virtually the same, but sinks.

Would you believe that I've had some offers??? I've had at least a dozen emails and some with legitimate offers. Who knew?

You'll notice that I declined to mention the manufacturers name. I didn't do it in the ad (not sure why), but most of the emails have asked for the name, and I've given it. One person actually emailed me and told me they have the same exact boat. AND made me an offer...

Perhaps they can fix it and enjoy it...

Either way, I hope to be rid of it soon!

AMW

No More SNOW!

Ok - I'm officially over the snow.

It was really fun the first time in February. See my post here.

The second weekend in a row with snow, was still kinda neat, but the novelty was wearing off.

The third weekend in a row, I could have really cared less.

BUT, on March 3rd???? REALLY???

I'm done. And I really want spring to come NOW!

As in, GIVE.ME.A.65.DEGREE.DAY! (And preferable on a weekend....)

It has to be right around the corner, right??????

AMW