The Owingsville Outlook

The Ice Man Cometh and Lucas Walketh!

2009-01-29T09:11:00.000-08:00

Above is the view from our deck taken yesterday. The trees are tired.

The clump of foliage in the lower right hand corner is actually flattened bamboo. Poor bamboo- he is really getting his resiliency tested.

These little ditties (above and below) were captured on my digital camera, so there is no sound. But you can see that the little guy is walking! Sorry that the one below is sideways- I wasn't thinking about the fact that I was shooting video (and so flipped the camera) and not a photo (which is easily flippable). I could probably flip it but we have a software conflict issue as yet unresolved.) The items hanging out of the bottom drawer are cloth diapers. Lucas empties the middle and bottom drawer of that dresser out everyday.

Despite the ice storm we are hanging in there - I have not left the house since last Saturday- but at least we have plenty of food, electricity, and Lucas to entertain us!

Holiday Pics 2008

2008-12-26T09:09:00.001-08:00

Christmas has come and gone and we had a great time but are pooped from all the running around. Here is a quick rundown of our activities as of late: Saturday we shopped for presents, food, and libations. Sunday we went with my folks to Indianapolis to visit the latest addition to our family, Joseph Callagher Gregory. Lucas was happy to meet a new cousin and was a pretty rugged road traveler. His Grandriri did a nice job telling him stories on the way to and fro Indy. On Monday, we attempted to recuperate from our 7 hours in a car the previous day and went to my Mom and Dads to eat and spend the night in order to get some good qt in with my sister and her husband who were visiting from Portland. Tuesday morning we woke up, went to the grocery, and went home. Melissa and Dave (my sister and husband) came up for the night. Dan made a delicious Indian feast of Lemony Cilantro Chicken, lentils and greens, carrot salad, and chapatis. Dave, Dan, and I stayed up late playing Gin rummy which I handily won. Wednesday morning Dave and Melissa returned to my mom and dad's and Dan, Lucas, and I follwed them there later for a Christmas Eve feast. Dave made delicious Porkloin on the grill. I made mediocre mashed potatoes (I overwhipped them). Dan did the green beans just right. Melissa made a goat cheese and beat salad that was delectable. My mother made delicious rum cake. It was a yummy meal topped off with wonderful wine from Washington State compliments of Melissa and Dave. Christmas day Dan, Lucas, and I tromped off to my grandmother's for a small visit en route to Dan's moms (Lucas's Gigi's) home in Lexington where Lucas got to delight in the company of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Throughout our holiday week of travel Lucas was, as his Grandirir would say, a super trooper. We are blessed with family and friends and this week certainly reminded us of that. Merry Christmas! Now rest! :)

We Wish You A Modest Christmas and A Humble New Year!

2008-12-15T19:11:00.000-08:00

LUCAS LOVES HIS TREE!

FIRST FAMILY CHRISTMAS 2008

BATH TIME BRINGS MANY SMILES

Hello to all out there in the blogosphere. We wanted to upload some recent photos of our little guy as he edges ever closer to his first birthday. As of late he has been taking a couple of steps unaided (but not actually walking around free of support). Nevertheless, he moves around like a pro, grasping onto walls, couches, tables, or whatever it takes. We are having a great time with him and we hope that we are as entertaining to return the favor.

At the urging of my dear coworkers, Rhonda, Kristi, and Pam, we put up a little Christmas tree to help enculturate Lucas into the celebration of Christmas. It was the right thing to do. While my Mom and Dad were here to watch Lucas this weekend Dan and I set out in search of a little tree that might be sort of like a Charlie Brown Christmas Special tree- humble, but appropriate for our little unfinished farmhouse. I had lights and ornaments from my past life as a child. Dan sawed down the tree in about 45 seconds. We filled a bucket up with sand and stuck the tree right into the sand. Et voila! A tree!

We had been a little unmoved by the holiday spirits as we have all been sick with the flu as of late. We picked up our bug somewhere in our travels to Little Rock, AR a couple of weeks ago where I was traveling for work. There was one particular woman on the plane from Memphis who seemed unable or unwilling to cover her mouth when she coughed. Oh well. Lucas had a flu shot so he seems to have fared the best. I missed a couple of days of work last week but am trying to power through this week in anticipation of the week off I have planned next week.

We wish you all the best of new years!

2008-11-07T19:17:00.000-08:00

Directly above is a photo from our front yard. We have been far flung as of late- We flew to Louisville for a play date a few weeks ago, compliments of our friend Al who is a pilot and Father of a little one we are considering arranging a marriage with for Lucas.

We are so cosmopolitan. Lucas, Erin, and Riri flew to Portland to visit aunt, sister, daughter Mellissa and her husband Dave. Lucas liked the beach, particularly the sand.

Lucas should start considering frequent flyer miles as he will be accompanying his Dad and Mom on a business trip to Little Rock in a couple of weeks.

Dry Spell

2008-09-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry we have not been forthcoming with photos as of late. Life has been hectic. Here are some new ones to gander at. Lucas is growing great guns. He is a full on crawler now at 8 months and is into pulling up on everything imaginable. He eats good food prepared by mom and dad, including brown rice, lentils, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, pears, apples, peaches, bananas, avocado, oatmeal, and carrots. He is a very good eater and incredibly tidy for one his age. He is still depending on dear old mom for his supply of milk and we are amazed that he has not yet needed any formula. A few weeks we have been sure that he would catch up with me, but somehow we always manage to make it to Friday. We are enjoying this phase of his life so much. Wish we could share the time with all of you!

Happy Autumn!

Visitors from Louisville

2008-06-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

This weekend we hosted some old friends and their two kids. Dan made a delicious leg of lamb using an awesome Indian recipe. Sunday morning breakfast we were also treated to homemade biscuits! We took a walk this morning and then the Reigelmans were off again, back to their beloved home of Louisville. I was struck by the delight that Lucas showed spending time with other young people. He was very into playing with his two new friends and he did a good bit of sitting up and being quite a big boy for his age (he'll be 6 months July 11). Now he is napping and his mom is about to do the same thing as soon as she gets these photos up.

Lucas and his Great Grandmother, Mildred

2008-06-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

Lucas and I stayed with his great grandmother last weekend when Dan went on a canoe trip. We had a nice visit. Lucas was a well behaved guest and slept well. He likes hanging out with his great grandmother, as evidenced above.

It's a summertime thing....

2008-06-25T16:28:00.000-07:00

Well, it's summer... I am sure of it because Lucas is sitting on our newly constructed deck in only a diaper and I am in my short shorts drinking a Modelo especial, typing this message and working to prevent Lucas from disassembling his swing.

Lucas has met many milestones as of late. He is into throwing things on the floor for us to pick up. He likes to gab about nothing in particular. He is really into the dogs and the cat. He is starting to lift his butt up quite a bit during tummy time leading us to believe that he will soon be crawling. Even without crawling he can get around pretty well, although I am not sure where he winds up is where he intended.

Overall he seems happy, healthy, and very cute as the photos above will attest.

Sunday Play Date

2008-05-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

Lucas and Dan came with momma to North Carolina for a work meeting. Here they are watching me perform some gardening tasks at a community garden near Durham.

Lucas had two social outings with children of a certain age this weekend, but I only thought to take photos at the second one. On Saturday, we attended a dinner party with three other babies/toddlers. Lucas was the youngin of the group. Here, Lucas is visiting with his younger friend, Lillian, who came all the way from Louisville to pay him a visit today (Sunday). Her parents, Jamie and Al drove her. In addition to lounging around on our bed, the babies also enjoyed a long walk on the back of our land. It was a beautiful day!

Like Father, Like Son

2008-04-27T18:40:00.000-07:00

I stole this shot during a napping session. Lucas is already taking after his Dad...or is it the other way around?

Getting the hang of it

2008-04-27T18:37:00.000-07:00

Lucas has not quite mastered his jumpy chair. He has only been in it three times, having just recently improved his upper body control. Nevertheless, he seems to like the experience.

Nearly perfect

2008-04-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

If only he did not have a goopy eye in this photo- it would be perfect! Eye goop aside, it's still pretty darn cute.

Bathing in Bath County

2008-03-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken several weeks ago when Lucas was still getting used to bathing. His dad snapped the photo (mom was busy playing with her son).

Sleeping Boy

2008-03-29T15:15:00.000-07:00

Sound sleeper. Lucky for us!

King Fussy Pants in Exile

2008-03-29T15:11:00.000-07:00

When King Fussy Pants goes into exile in his kingdom of Curdistan (Curds as in curds and whey) Lucas becomes a very happy boy. We will not post photos of King Fussy Pants in an effort to curtail his rise to power.

2008-03-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

This is what Lucas looked like on Jan. 11, the day he was born. He is much bigger now. He weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. Today he is around 13 or 13 1/2 lbs. He has also grown quite a bit taller. At birth he was 20 inches and today he is about 24 inches tall. He eats well, which keeps us busy!

Caught off guard

2008-03-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Lucas is a bright and happy little boy except when he becomes King Fussy Pants. King Fussy usually emerges in conjunction with hunger, wet diapers, and sleepiness.

Lucas on the changing table

2008-03-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone and long time no blog. My best excuse for not blogging for the past year is that I was incubating this cute little guy, finishing up my PhD, and working full time. We were very happy to welcome our son to the planet Earth, despite its challenges with war, other injustices, climate change, and the like. We don't have a video camera, so our only video footage is shot from our little Olympus camera that my sister so generously gifte to me before I went to Costa Rica in 2005. I will try to start posting updated pics of our little fella and keep folks better informed of our family's progress. It's good to be back in the blogosphere!

RIP Big Boy

2007-04-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Our beloved Rooster, Big Boy, died on Sunday, April 22, 2007. Here's what happened.

Ancho and I were standing in our back doorway looking upon our minions.

The chickens were scratching around in the green, lush grass in our back yard.

It was sunny, warm, and an altogether pleasant Spring day.

Big Boy was sunning himself in the yard. We were watching him and commenting on his cuteness, when he laid down on the ground, twitched ever so slightly, and died.

He died. Right there while we were watching him. Just like that. Dead. D-E-A-D Dead.

He was a fine rooster and went on to the great unknown on a lovely day. He did not appear to suffer. Nevertheless, his passing was sad.

Big Boy was not like other roosters. He was always a gentleman with his hen friendlies. I even have thought of writing a children's book about Big Boy.

He never acted aggressively toward anyone, human, hen, dog, rabbit, or cat.

He had a nice cockle doodle doo to greet us in the morning.

He was handsome (A Barred Rock).

He will be missed.

Big Boy is survived by the other animals that live here:

Ancho and Me
Rosalee, Ralph, and Skittles (our dogs)
Poe Poe Kitty Kitty (obviously the cat)
8 Hens (2 Red Stars, 2 Wyandotts, and 4 Barred Rocks)
Several hundred wild rabbits

We miss you Big Boy!

First Day Hike

2007-01-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

First Day Hike
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

There is nothing quite like the first day of the year. There's a quiet anticipation about the days to follow. It's a good day to take a walk. It's even better when you can gather with a gaggle of folks to walk with you. Top left to right- Hank, Michael, Maxine, and Dan. Bottom left to right- Ella, Kathryn, Cynthia, and yours truly.

We all took a walk back on the Pierzala land and saw many fine winter things- falling water, deer haunts, mud, and stone faces.

Happy New Year!

New Year's Crew

2007-01-06T08:52:00.000-08:00

New Year's Crew
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

We had to good fortune to ring in the new year with several fine folks, including Cynthia, Ella, and Hank. Ella seems to feel bashful about this rock she's discovered.

C-A-T-S Cats Cats Cats!

2006-12-29T18:20:00.000-08:00

Ancho and I are very pleased with the bowl game outcome- particularly since I took 1/2 a day off work to watch the game at home.

Congratulations Wildcats!

Link in the UK athletics home page for photos of the victorious team.

ukathletics.com

In other news, I picked up some paint for the bathroom (cactus green). Bold.

The roof saga continues.

Happy New Year!

Firecracker Take 345

2006-12-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

Firecracker Take 345
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

I think this take is particularly bad. I love mom's gleeful expression and my husband looks like he just got out of bed.

Firecracker Photo Take 248

2006-12-24T07:02:00.000-08:00

Firecracker Photo Take 248
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Another series of bad firecracker photos

2006-12-24T07:01:00.000-08:00

Another series of bad firecracker photos
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

You decide which one of this series is the least lacking in the holiday spirit. We always try to capture the firecracker spirit but somehow miss the mark.

The Apple Dumpling Gang with Ralph the Dog

2006-12-24T07:00:00.001-08:00

The Apple Dumpling Gang with Ralph the Dog
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Walking

2006-12-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

Walking
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Melissa and Dave, Members of the Apple Dumpling Gang

2006-12-24T06:59:00.000-08:00

Melissa and Dave, Members of the Apple Dumpling Gang
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

They appeared to be enjoying their walk on our land.

Holiday Activities

2006-12-24T06:38:00.000-08:00

My mom developed our number one holiday tradition several years ago. Known as the "Firecracker Dinner," we all pop open British firecrackers that contain fun little prizes and paper crowns. We must wear the crowns throughout the delicious meal we eat and also photograph ourselves wearing the ridiculous paper crowns. Last night was our Firecracker Dinner 2006, and while the food was good and the crowns were golden, my dad's recent surgery made him unable to participate in the festivities. And so, there was a little sadness in the air. But, hopefully he is feeling better today.

Earlier yesterday, my sister and Dave, her husband, who are in from Portland, Oregon took a great walk out on our farm. The dogs were delighted that the folks who had come for a visit enjoyed walking almost as much as they did.

Today, Ancho and I are home observing Christmas Eve quietly, at home, with no traffic jams, no pushy and rude people, and no stress. We are going to cook red beans and rice and putz around the house all day. I will probably work on the dissertation a bit while Ancho already seems entranced by a video game called "civilization."

I have heard that from time to time my husband's grandfather, Dan, reads this blog, and if this is the case... Merry Christmas to all up in Long Island! And Happy New Year!

Yurt anyone?

2006-11-26T12:49:00.001-08:00

Yurt anyone?
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

This was snapped inside a dwelling at the ranch where I was for work two weeks ago.

Fat and Happy

2006-11-26T12:49:00.000-08:00

Fat and Happy
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

I think this photo captures the idea of being "fat and happy."

Morning Walk at the Ranch

2006-11-26T12:48:00.000-08:00

Morning Walk at Heifer Ranch
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Thanksgiving

2006-11-26T12:47:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

My sister-in-law at Thanksgiving. She lives in Baltimore and we only get to see her on holidays, so it's good to photograph her when we can.

My father-in-law carving the bird

2006-11-26T12:44:00.000-08:00

My father-in-law carving the bird
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

This is Ancho's Dad, artfully carving the bird.

Pies

2006-11-26T12:43:00.000-08:00

Pies
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

A Day of Thanks

2006-11-23T06:48:00.000-08:00

Well, it's official- I passed my 90 day evaluation period at my new job, so let us be thankful for that! In reflecting on my work in the past 90 days I realized that I have been on the road for 23 of the past 90 days- and boy do I feel like it too. My house is a wreck (partially due to my absence and partially due to the fact that we are gutting out bathroom). My dissertation is sitting on a lonely shelf waiting for attention. My animals look at me scornfully, communicating their displeasure with this arrangement. Hopefully, my travels will slow down a bit in the new year.

Despite the travails of travel, each opportunity to travel with work has been a great experience. I have met a ton of new people and seen been reminded of the awesome potential that resides in all of us.

In NC on assignment

2006-09-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

In NC on assignment
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Apples For Sale

2006-09-29T12:52:00.000-07:00

Apples For Sale
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

One of many bins of apples for sale at Hickory Nut Gap Farm.

Food stamp challenge lunch

2006-09-29T12:51:00.001-07:00

Food stamp challenge lunch
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Food Stamp Challenge!!!

2006-09-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Food Stamp Challenge!!!
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

At work this week (In Brevard) I was asked to work with a group of co-workers to prepare a healthy, all locally-grown/produced lunch for five people with $12.00. We made squash and potato soup with chard, onions, okra, and garlic. We supplemented it with local bread that we rubbed with garlic and toasted with a local cheese and tomatoes. As you can see, we were fairly happy with the results. We were lucky to have a small Asheville Farmer's Mkt. to buy from.

A-maze-ing!

2006-09-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

A-maze-ing!
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

My boss captured how happy I was to emerge from the corn maze at Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Remember Charisma?

2006-09-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

Remember Charisma?
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

If you don't remember what it looks like when charisma and the presidency intermingle, you can go here to do so.

Highlander Center

2006-09-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

Highlander Center
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

I had the pleasure of attending a week long evaluation training here for work.

Local Food Tastes Good

2006-09-24T10:16:00.001-07:00

Local Food Tastes Good
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Nuff said

Raise the Roof

2006-09-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

Raise the Roof
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

In our infinited wisdom, we have been working on the roof during one of the wettest periods of the year. Yippee!

Schnitzy

2006-09-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

Schnitzy
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

My friend Amon who lives in Little Rock had the opportunity to dog sit her mom and dad's miniature dacshund and how could you say not to Schnitzy?

Clinton Library Park

2006-09-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Clinton Library Park
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Public Art at Clinton Library Park
Little Rock, Arkansas

I was in Little Rock for work. They've worked quite a bit on their riverfront.

Let him eat cake

2006-09-09T07:16:00.001-07:00

Let him eat cake
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

at the end of the day

2006-09-09T07:16:00.000-07:00

at the end of the day
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

oh happy day

2006-09-09T07:15:00.001-07:00

oh happy day
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

More last hike photos

2006-09-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

More last hike photos
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

at 10,700 feet between Paintbrush and Cascade Canyon

2006-09-09T07:14:00.001-07:00

at 10,700 feet between Paintbrush and Cascade Canyon
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

On our last honeymoon hike we shot the moon and did twenty miles in a day. They led us through Cascade Canyon with its beautiful waterfalls, flowers, and bears, then up to a beautiful pass (shown here), and then onto through Paintrbush Canyon. We saw several bears, marmots, and human wildlife as well.

This background is not superimposed

2006-09-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

This background is not superimposed
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

More last hike photos

2006-09-09T07:13:00.000-07:00

More last hike photos
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Transitions anyone?

2006-09-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

Long time no talk.

Ancho and I are in transition mode- getting married, ripping of the roof, embracing new employment, etc.

Fortunately, other entities transition too. Our phone company changed its name and its attitude and decided it would do the grunt work to be able to offer us broadband internet access, so now we can post photos and what not to the Owingsville Outlook and it will not take a painful amount of time.

So, let's roll some photos.

Ancho and Niece

2006-06-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

Ancho and Niece
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Ancho and this little lady also like the sawdust, although I don't think they have mastered the dustbath quite yet.

Hen and Pansies

2006-06-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Hen and Pansies
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

This lady we have named Solo because she likes to be alone. Here she catches some solemn solace in my flower bed. The chickens like it here because they can use the saw dust to take dust baths.

Lefty's Ladies' Pre Nuptial Party

2006-06-14T08:09:00.001-07:00

Lefty's Ladies' Pre Nuptial Party
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Lefty's Ladies' Pre Nuptial Party

2006-06-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

Lefty's Ladies' Pre Nuptial Party
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Lefty's Ladies' Pre Nuptial Party

2006-06-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

Lefty's Ladies' Pre Nuptial Party
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Lake Cumberland may never be the same since our visit. We had a blast! It was a great excuse to spend the weekend with some of my favorite women!

Lefty's Half Marathon With Compadres

2006-06-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

Lefty's Half Marathon With Compadres
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

I ran thirteen miles and won a trophy! I placed third in my age group. The marathon was fantastic. The folks of West Virginia and Kentucky were so hospitable at the Hatfield and McCoy Reunion. There was no feudin, just runnin!

Springtime and Immigration

2006-04-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry for the lack of posting. This semester has been flying by. In addition to teaching at two different universities, I have been engaged in non-teaching activities.

I made a presentation on my time in Costa Rica to ADK, a retired teacher's sorority. I also presented a paper to a group at UK. Later in March, I jet-setted out to Vancouver for the SFAA Meetings where I presented a paper entitled, "En Esta Vida Nada es Gratis": Maintaining Rural Households through Urban Prison Employment in Costa Rica. My sister, Melissa, and her husband, Dave, drove up from Portland for my time there. We ate out a lot and they bought me a couple of nice meals. We had a good time. I stole their hotel lotion, because it smelled better than my hotel lotion. I stayed at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. They were at the Westin. It was an old school meets new school kind of contrast in hotel architecture and attitude.

Vancouver was nice, but I easily grow weary of urban environments and was not unhappy to return to my pastoral bliss in Bath County. After Vancouver, I participated in a free trade panel at Transy the following day my teaching was evaluated by the department chair at the other university where I work. Overall everything went well and I am ready for the end of the term!

Ancho and I have been working like crazies both in Lexington and on our homestead fantasy. Recent accomplishments include:

We cleaned out the old tobacco barn down the hill from our house.
Ancho slaughtered 6 roosters on Sunday, while I graded 5 zillion papers that recounted the murder of Crazy Horse.
Ancho has been fixing the electric garden fence in preparation for the first spring sowing.
I planted pansies in planters.
We have been to several gardening centers to purchase seeds in hopes that this will be the year we take it over the top with agricultural production. Now that I have managed to steal my mother's pressure cooker the sky is the limit!

The most satisfying act of welcoming spring thus far has been ripping the piece of insulation we put up around the (very old and rickety) bathroom window. Now the bathroom is ablaze with afternoon lsunlight, and the jade plant has been relocated to the bathroom to benefit from the infusion of ultraviolet radiance.

This past Monday I attended the pro immigrant rally in Lexington where I chanted "Yes We Can" and "The People United Can Never Be Defeated" in Spanish. It was great. My friend Olaf even filmed me yelling like crazy. I felt that the rally allowed me to marry my former cheerleading talents with my revolutionary fantasies, and so for me it was a very satisfying experience. The
turn out was pretty good and the weather was amazing!

The dissertation work continues and should get ramped up with the end of the term at UK in early May. Then of course there is that little ceremony Ancho and I are having at the end of July.

I welcome each and every one of you to spring!

Spring?

2006-03-26T18:58:00.000-08:00

It became unexpectedly sunny and pleasant outside today, luring Ancho and I into taking up outdoor projects rather than lurking in the indoor shadows. We cleaned out a section of the yard covered up with honeysuckle and random old wood stumps. This section now sits right behind Ancho's latest project, a large shed for tools and yard stuff. Ancho also started up his Gravely and mowed on the hillside behind our house where the scrub was wanting attention. Then he walked back on the front chunk of our land clearing out a larger running path for me.

He also moved some of the roosters from the mix, as they are no longer babies anymore. I got the house in order in preparation for taking off for Vancouver, BC where I will be presenting a paper that presents some data I collected during my fieldwork in Costa Rica. My sister and her husband are driving up to Vancouver, so it should be a great few days.

I burned our paper refuse during the end of the GMU and UConn game and had to keep walking back and forth from the burn area and inside to the television. I was so happy for GMU. What a great accomplishment. And what about the SEC sending two teams to the final four! A good tourney indeed!

The dogs now number three- Ralph and Rosalee, the original pair, have welcomed a community stray, Skittles, into their mix. Skittles is very happy. He has been shuttled around quite a bit. He showed up very skinny and hungry and we decided to take him on. Lately, the routine that seems to work with cat and dogs is to bring the dogs in when I get home and let the cat out. Then I hang out inside with the dogs, who have spent all day outside swimming and playing back on the farm. They come in, lay down, and sleep. Later, Poe Poe Kitty returns and all animals are together inside. In this way, perhaps the potential for violence can be reduced.

I planted pansies last week and they got frozen by the lioness that is March. Some may still make it.

I bought an iPod, finally, and can't believe I waited so long.
The iPod is intended to help me blot out FOX news that is always playing at my gym. While FOX news is interesting for a few minutes, in that one can listen with disbelief, listening to what millions of Americans digest and believe. But there is only so much a person can take. The iPod purchase is really designed to keep me out of trouble at the gym. I fear I would be arrested or worse for making some statement contra el Bush. So, an iPod can keep me from reflixive outbursts at the television screen. It's much better this way- I get my exercise and don't get kicked out of my hyper patriotic gym.

Honeymoon Finalized

2006-02-18T09:26:00.000-08:00

Ancho and I have decided to drive out to Glacier National Park to celebrate our nuptials. Rather than go the route of back country camping, we are renting an historic cabin in Polebridge, Montana, complete with award-winning outhouse. We are thrilled to be headed to big sky country to enjoy the first week of our marriage.

Water Wars

2006-02-12T07:05:00.000-08:00

In the moments before sleeping and waking my mind has a tendency to drift over into subjects that I don't often have the opportunity to think about in my daily practice of life. In these moments, my mind might take on any number of subjects- what is ailing the UK basketball team, what will be Ariel Sharon's legacy, why incompetent people become Kentucky state legislators, what Jim Bunning actually does with his time besides watching Fox News, etc. Today's waking thoughts were on the struggle between Kentucky American Water Company and people who support local ownership of water in Lexington. My waking thought was that people in favor of local ownership should sponsor a Water Studies Conference in Lexington that might draw the best thinkers in the water wars. They might even be bold enough to invite speakers who would promote water privatization, in an effort to foster a healthy public debate among specialists, not talking heads. By inviting scholars with diverse, international backgrounds the Lexington Public could learn more about what water worldwide, permitting a better understanding of how this debate plays out in a global context.

I think a public conference would be a better vehicle to promote public understanding because some sectors of the population are taken aback by the protest motif, and like it or not, local ownership proponents will require support from an array of political personalities in order to be successful in their struggle. Of course such an endeavor would have to be well-publicized and organized. If I were a FLOW person I would locate a professor at UK or Transy who has ample experience organizing high-level symposia that bring in international scholars. KET could film the conference, and perhaps Bill Goodman could moderate a panel of the scholars. Maybe all of this has already taken place when I was out of the country, I don't know. I just think that people who have a commitment to local ownership need to imagine ways to maintain the water issue in the minds of voters, and that a well-publicized, publicly accessible conference on the local water ownership debate might be one way to accomplish that. I am right in my thinking that this still can go to a vote in the next scheduled election, or I am gonzo?

I love Ralph

2006-01-31T08:30:00.000-08:00

I love Ralph
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

I think Ralph loves me too. His leg is healing well after his car confrontation.

Los Jetsetters

2006-01-31T08:29:00.001-08:00

Los Jetsetters
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

My two friends on the left actually flew into our tiny local airport from Louisville. It's cool to have friends who fly independently. Don't they look stunning?

Our house in the sun

2006-01-31T08:29:00.000-08:00

Our house in the sun
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Our hens

2006-01-31T08:28:00.000-08:00

Our hens
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Here are two of our three hens who produce the most delicious brown eggs for us. They are great ladies.

Dog Sandwich

2006-01-31T08:27:00.000-08:00

Dog Sandwich
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Dog love rules. I think this is the same day that I got engaged.

Ralph and Rosalee

2006-01-30T15:29:00.000-08:00

Smorgasbord 137
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Recent additions to our home, Ralph and Rosalee are big fans of walking back on our land with yours truly, swimming in ponds and streams, and eating. When the aformentioned are neither available nor feasible, they enjoy barking.

Year of the Dog

2006-01-30T15:11:00.000-08:00

I recently adopted two dogs. One, a black lab I named Rosalee. She and her companion, a mutt named Ralph, appear to be about two years old. They are cute and cheerful and full of energy, but Rosalee attacked my cat Poe, the QUEEN of our domain, right before Christmas. So, I found myself with a big problem- what to do with Rosalee after she caused my cat to need twelve staples in her belly. At first my reaction was to get rid of Rosalee- send her back to the pound. Then, I relented. I realized that I had already fallen in love with her. I also realized that it would kill me to send her back to the pound. So, now we live in a precarious bliss- the dogs out only when Poe is inside, and Poe outside only when the dogs are in their big 20 X 20 kennel space. It works, but it isn't always easy. This situation makes me yearn for a time when the dogs and cat can peacefully coexist outside. I dream of one day being able to leave them all out, unattended for long stretches of time without violence. I have asked people more versed in the way of the dog and been told that Rosalee needs behavioral modification. I am skeptical. I do not have a lot of free time what with teaching at two universities and writing a dissertation. If anyone has advice I would appreciate it.

A new year, a new blog

2006-01-09T16:58:00.000-08:00

Last year, Ancho and I kept you up to date with our continental drifting via the ever-popular, BathCo2Acosta. The 2005 blog had its moments, but whatever those moments may have been, they have passed. With the dawning of 2006, I find it necessary to break through the skin of my old blog and begin anew.

But don't fret! This blog will be chocked full of just what you've come to expect from an Ancho and Lefty production- biting social commentary, witty chatter, and of course, aimless rhetoric.

This year Ancho and I have much to do:

I will be writing a dissertation and teaching.
Ancho will be remodeling and raising chickens.
We will be getting married in late summer!
We will be (ok Ancho more than Lefty) installing a wood-burning stove in our old house.
We will go on a honeymoon.
We have some other stuff planned, but I don't want to wear you out.

Happy New Year!