>The Relentless Urban Rabbits

>This has not been a good summer for vegetable gardening…it’s bad enough that there has been a low yield with all the rain and lack of heat and sun, but what has been growing has been slowly and consistently chewed away by rabbits.

I recently posted on the subject of the explosion of urban rabbits this summer (click here to read it), and it hasn’t gotten any better. A few nights ago I came home to see a rabbit calmly sitting in the middle of the garden gnawing away at what remains of a broccoli plant…and it didn’t even run away initially…I had to stamp my feet (as if my neighbors don’t already think I’m a little nuts). Thus far the rabbits have eaten all of the broccoli (two-foot wide plants down to stumps), most of the Brussels sprouts (they left the leaves for now but ate all of the actual vegetable), and have even eaten a pot of jalapeno plants…peppers and all! I’ve also noticed some suspicious nibblings on the red cabbage. Next year I’m going to be like some grumpy old man sitting on my front porch with a wine glass in one hand and a slingshot in the other.

Camper Bike (trike, actually)

Just when you thought you may have seen everything…along comes Kevin Cyr’s Camper Bike, it’s a functional piece of artwork created by the artist. I imagine it’s top speed is something like 2mph, and it’s probably not that stable…none-the-less, it’s pretty cool. Apparently he creates these pieces in order to paint them. To visit his site (and see his other projects) click here, to see a simple google search of his images (there are plenty), click here. And to read a brief article about his camper bike at wired.com, click here.


>Camper Bike (trike, actually)

>Just when you thought you may have seen everything…along comes Kevin Cyr’s Camper Bike, it’s a functional piece of artwork created by the artist. I imagine it’s top speed is something like 2mph, and it’s probably not that stable…none-the-less, it’s pretty cool. Apparently he creates these pieces in order to paint them. To visit his site (and see his other projects) click here, to see a simple google search of his images (there are plenty), click here. And to read a brief article about his camper bike at wired.com, click here.


Strip-Mall Parking

Yes, on occasion I venture to a big box store…I don’t like them (more specifically, I don’t like how they make me feel) but they usually have what I need at the time. At any rate, I went to a strip mall on the outskirts of our city today and was appalled at the virtual lack of bicycle parking. If you’re reading this from outside the U.S or Canada the phrase strip mall may not make sense to you…it’s basically an enormous parking lot (for autos) surrounded on the parameter by a series of generic stores, often anchored by a big box. These things dot our (mostly suburban) landscape, and they couldn’t be more uninviting to a bicyclist.

I went to one particular store because they have had a bike rack in the past…but alas, today it was gone…filled in by merchandise. I asked one guy (who worked there) if it had been relocated…he just said, “no, I think it’s just gone.” After cruising around the parking lot in search of somewhere safe to lock up the Yuba I ended locking it to a post in the handicapped parking area…people gave me odd looks but there was virtually nowhere to lock my bike in this sea of parking spaces for cars.

Now I’m not saying everyone should ride a bike (but it would be nice) because I know that’s not possible for all (and I don’t ride one all the time myself)…but if it were made more conducive…more inviting…maybe we would see more bikes in the parking lot (mine was one of two bikes in a sea of hundreds of cars).

On my way home I took a shortcut through Delaware park…it was a beautiful, albeit windy day. I stopped to admire Hoyt Lake, and then I rode over to (and walked through) the Elmwood Festival of the Arts.

The only thing I purchased at the strip mall was dog food…the parking was way more of a hassle than the actual ride. But when you ride a bike it’s not always so much about the destination as it is the journey…at least that’s how I feel.

>Strip-Mall Parking

>Yes, on occasion I venture to a big box store…I don’t like them (more specifically, I don’t like how they make me feel) but they usually have what I need at the time. At any rate, I went to a strip mall on the outskirts of our city today and was appalled at the virtual lack of bicycle parking. If you’re reading this from outside the U.S or Canada the phrase strip mall may not make sense to you…it’s basically an enormous parking lot (for autos) surrounded on the parameter by a series of generic stores, often anchored by a big box. These things dot our (mostly suburban) landscape, and they couldn’t be more uninviting to a bicyclist.

I went to one particular store because they have had a bike rack in the past…but alas, today it was gone…filled in by merchandise. I asked one guy (who worked there) if it had been relocated…he just said, “no, I think it’s just gone.” After cruising around the parking lot in search of somewhere safe to lock up the Yuba I ended locking it to a post in the handicapped parking area…people gave me odd looks but there was virtually nowhere to lock my bike in this sea of parking spaces for cars.

Now I’m not saying everyone should ride a bike (but it would be nice) because I know that’s not possible for all (and I don’t ride one all the time myself)…but if it were made more conducive…more inviting…maybe we would see more bikes in the parking lot (mine was one of two bikes in a sea of hundreds of cars).

On my way home I took a shortcut through Delaware park…it was a beautiful, albeit windy day. I stopped to admire Hoyt Lake, and then I rode over to (and walked through) the Elmwood Festival of the Arts.

The only thing I purchased at the strip mall was dog food…the parking was way more of a hassle than the actual ride. But when you ride a bike it’s not always so much about the destination as it is the journey…at least that’s how I feel.

Military Bikes

Before I write this post I have to qualify it, or at least explain myself. Firstly (and most importantly), I in no way support war…any war over anything, in the country in which I live or any other…I simply cannot agree to kill another human being…we are, I believe, all inter-connected at some basic level, and to kill another is to kill part of one’s self and to kill a bit of humanity. This is truly what I believe.

I’m past the age-requirement for military service, but if I were involuntarily drafted into service I would in fact be a conscientious objector, or one who refuses-to-bear-arms (click here and here). Ok, that said, I’ll get off my little soapbox. The reason I’m writing this post is my continued love and fascination with the bicycle…I truly believe that it is our most efficient form of transportation…click here, here, here, or here if you want to see others who believe this as well. I also believe bikes are a very efficient way to haul stuff (one of the main reasons this blog exists in the first place).

Anyhow, the seed for this post was planted when I saw someone riding one of the bikes pictured above; it’s made by the Felt Bicycle Company. I pulled up next to the guy at a red light and chatted with him…he was all too eager to talk about his bike, and I have to admit it was a pretty nice piece of machinery. As I rode away I thought there had, at some point, to have been an involvement of the bicycle and the military…of course there was. A simple google search proved this. The Kronan Bicycle (the first one pictured below) is actually based on the design of old European Army bikes.

Here’s a bunch of other photos I came across…these bikes look like tanks (no pun intended)…I especially enjoy the old black-and-white photos of entire teams riding fully loaded. I’m curious if bikes are included in any military today (probably not); if anyone is aware of this please let me know.



>Military Bikes

>Before I write this post I have to qualify it, or at least explain myself. Firstly (and most importantly), I in no way support war…any war over anything, in the country in which I live or any other…I simply cannot agree to kill another human being…we are, I believe, all inter-connected at some basic level, and to kill another is to kill part of one’s self and to kill a bit of humanity. This is truly what I believe.

I’m past the age-requirement for military service, but if I were involuntarily drafted into service I would in fact be a conscientious objector, or one who refuses-to-bear-arms (click here and here). Ok, that said, I’ll get off my little soapbox. The reason I’m writing this post is my continued love and fascination with the bicycle…I truly believe that it is our most efficient form of transportation…click here, here, here, or here if you want to see others who believe this as well. I also believe bikes are a very efficient way to haul stuff (one of the main reasons this blog exists in the first place).

Anyhow, the seed for this post was planted when I saw someone riding one of the bikes pictured above; it’s made by the Felt Bicycle Company. I pulled up next to the guy at a red light and chatted with him…he was all too eager to talk about his bike, and I have to admit it was a pretty nice piece of machinery. As I rode away I thought there had, at some point, to have been an involvement of the bicycle and the military…of course there was. A simple google search proved this. The Kronan Bicycle (the first one pictured below) is actually based on the design of old European Army bikes.

Here’s a bunch of other photos I came across…these bikes look like tanks (no pun intended)…I especially enjoy the old black-and-white photos of entire teams riding fully loaded. I’m curious if bikes are included in any military today (probably not); if anyone is aware of this please let me know.



Mail Bike

I came across this photo the other day. It’s actually a German mail bike…what a great idea…maybe it’s something the U.S. should take up (in urban areas) to help our ailing mail system (hey, it would keep fuel costs down). Intrigued, I googled “mail bicycle” and found a ton of hits (click here if you’d like to see the search results)…it seems almost every country in the EU is (or at one time) delivers mail (post) by bike. Hey, it was originally delivered by horse…instead of being called the Pony Express we could call it the Bicycle Express.

>Mail Bike

>I came across this photo the other day. It’s actually a German mail bike…what a great idea…maybe it’s something the U.S. should take up (in urban areas) to help our ailing mail system (hey, it would keep fuel costs down). Intrigued, I googled “mail bicycle” and found a ton of hits (click here if you’d like to see the search results)…it seems almost every country in the EU is (or at one time) delivers mail (post) by bike. Hey, it was originally delivered by horse…instead of being called the Pony Express we could call it the Bicycle Express.

Lebanese-Style Chicken and Rice

Every culture has a version of chicken-and-rice; this is my favorite, and it’s one that I grew up with…its flavors and aroma never fail to take me back.

It’s easy to make, super-flavorful, and very fragrant…the sweet smell of cinnamon and allspice will permeate your house.

I’ve posted on a variation of this recipe before…to see a step-by-step recipe (with photos) on how to make this dish, click here. To read an article about Lebanese Cuisine (with recipes) I wrote for Sally’s Place more than ten years ago, click here.

Like most ethnic recipes there are many variations. Here’s a basic recipe, but it’s just a guide…this one calls for baking the dish in the oven, but I also cook it on top of the stove as well. When making it I suggest making a larger batch than you need…leftovers the next day taste even better.

Lebanese Chicken and Rice

Yield: 4 servings

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 ounces diced onion
12 ounces ground beef or ground lamb
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups long grain rice
3 cups hot chicken stock, lamb stock or water
2 tablespoons minced parsley

Heat the olive oil over high heat in a heavy bottomed pan (preferably cast-iron). Saute the chicken breasts on both sides until they are golden brown. Remove the chicken breasts from the pan and set aside.

Add the onion and ground beef or ground lamb to the same hot pan. Cook until the onions and meat is beginning to brown, then add the garlic and cook another minute or two. Add the cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper and salt; saute two minutes while stirring.

Stir in the rice making sure that it is fully incorporated with the oil and spices, place the chicken breasts in the rice. Pour in the stock or water and cover with a tight fitting lid or aluminum foil. Bake in a 375 oven for 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle with minced parsley.

>Lebanese-Style Chicken and Rice

>Every culture has a version of chicken-and-rice; this is my favorite, and it’s one that I grew up with…its flavors and aroma never fail to take me back.

It’s easy to make, super-flavorful, and very fragrant…the sweet smell of cinnamon and allspice will permeate your house.

I’ve posted on a variation of this recipe before…to see a step-by-step recipe (with photos) on how to make this dish, click here. To read an article about Lebanese Cuisine (with recipes) I wrote for Sally’s Place more than ten years ago, click here.

Like most ethnic recipes there are many variations. Here’s a basic recipe, but it’s just a guide…this one calls for baking the dish in the oven, but I also cook it on top of the stove as well. When making it I suggest making a larger batch than you need…leftovers the next day taste even better.

Lebanese Chicken and Rice

Yield: 4 servings

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 ounces diced onion
12 ounces ground beef or ground lamb
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups long grain rice
3 cups hot chicken stock, lamb stock or water
2 tablespoons minced parsley

Heat the olive oil over high heat in a heavy bottomed pan (preferably cast-iron). Saute the chicken breasts on both sides until they are golden brown. Remove the chicken breasts from the pan and set aside.

Add the onion and ground beef or ground lamb to the same hot pan. Cook until the onions and meat is beginning to brown, then add the garlic and cook another minute or two. Add the cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper and salt; saute two minutes while stirring.

Stir in the rice making sure that it is fully incorporated with the oil and spices, place the chicken breasts in the rice. Pour in the stock or water and cover with a tight fitting lid or aluminum foil. Bake in a 375 oven for 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle with minced parsley.

Orange Cucumbers

For about a month now I’ve been wondering what the hell these were hanging off the cucumber vines in my garden. When I googled orange cucumber I found that there are/were multitudes wondering the same thing. It also seems that most, like me, thought they were planting pickling cucumbers. As it turns out (from the best that I can tell) these are a somewhat new crossbred variety designed to be loaded with vitamins. To read short article about them at the website of the USDA click here. To see a photo of them compared to pickling cucumbers (what I thought I was planting) click here. They are interesting looking…and tasty, too…they have an almost acidic, lemony aftertaste to them…I see many salads and sandwiches in their future…at least until the summer is over. If anyone has heard of these or has grown them please let me know.