Tag Archives: urban simplicity

Savage Victory Garden

It’s early July and my vegetable garden has already become pretty wild…almost feral (despite our somewhat gloomy and overcast summer thus far). Every year I tell myself that I will weed better and not plant so close (they look so tiny when I put them in the ground)…and every year it becomes something past myContinue reading “Savage Victory Garden”

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#42)

A big cardboard box full of hardwood scraps. Someone must have put in a new hardwood floor (oak, I think) and put the scraps in a box at the curb…perfect kindling for later this year. And yes, I realize that it is in the middle of summer, but this was just too good to passContinue reading “Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#42)”

Living Simply and Simply Living

The act of living simply in an urban environment is trying at times to say the least. There are so many distractions. Like faith, it takes work. I find that reading what others have to say inspires me. As the author of this book points out, living simply does not necessarily mean that you haveContinue reading “Living Simply and Simply Living”

New York City Bike Culture

I just returned from a trip to NYC with my son. I try to make it to this beautiful city at least once a year and am always impressed with the bicyclists in America’s largest city. And over the past few years the city has become much more bicycle friendly…the city has made great effortsContinue reading “New York City Bike Culture”

Success?

I love this cartoon…I’ve have had a framed copy of it hanging in my kitchen for years. I originally clipped it (I think) from Utne Reader (the actual magazine, not web site…pre-Internet days). The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have beenContinue reading “Success?”

Green Wooden Chair

I came across this chair while walking home from work this evening. It was at the curb with some other trash on Allen Street…I really cannot pass up useful stuff I see in the garbage. It’s an attractive chair, and it’s solid (well, almost, but nothing a little glue won’t remedy)…it’ll be a nice chairContinue reading “Green Wooden Chair”

Self-Sustainability in the City (suburbs, actually)

This is a great video on suburban sustainability. I’ve read about this family before, and have their site linked to this blog on the left sidebar…but you can also click here to view their site. Watching the video made me wish I had a little more land around my house to plant stuff…my entire plot,Continue reading “Self-Sustainability in the City (suburbs, actually)”

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#39)

24 Mason jars.An 80 foot garden hose.A gym bag full of wet clothes.3 rolls of paper towels. I always enjoy the comments and looks I get riding this bike, especially when it’s loaded…but I received one of the best comments today while riding down trendy Elmwood Avenue during peak rush hour. It was from aContinue reading “Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#39)”

Mundo in a (mini) Cornfield

Ahhh…the dog days of summer. This past winter I made a personal commitment to myself during a particularly frigid cold snap (that seemed to last for months) that I would not complain about the heat and humidity no matter how hot and humid it was in the kitchen…today was hot and tomorrow is supposed toContinue reading “Mundo in a (mini) Cornfield”

Virgin Pepper

It’s tiny and it’s beautiful…and I realize I was a little anticipatory by plucking it from its plant so early…I was just so surprised when I looked down and saw it hanging there. I grew it from seed…amazing. It’s the first actual vegetable (opposed to an herb) I plucked from the garden this year, exceptContinue reading “Virgin Pepper”

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#38)

A wooden box containing small tools, cleaning supplies, printer ink, and other miscellaneous items.A new pair of shoes.A new shirt.A parsley plant (on front rack).Two tomato cages (barely visible on lower right sidebar…obscured by the corn).

Penne Bolognese (variation)

By now readers of this blog have probably surmised that I like starch…particularly bread and pasta…and over recent years I have migrated towards whole and multiple grain varieties. Pasta, I think, is one of the most incredibly versatile foods…it’s simple, the variations and ingredients are seemingly endless, and a meal can be made in oneContinue reading “Penne Bolognese (variation)”

If Only…

Photo Credit James Victore, NY Times If only this were true…that bikes had the majority of the road…maybe eventually…after oil runs out or its cost becomes too prohibitive. This photo is from a book review written by bicycle advocate David Byrne, of Talking Heads fame. Click here if you want to read the review. OnContinue reading “If Only…”

Carl Honore On Slowness

After a day of my usual hectic life…trying to fit more into into one day than possible…I came across this video on SlowBike. The video is on the longish side (about 20 minutes), and I realize it may be difficult to spare the time in this sped up world…but it is well worth the watch…it’sContinue reading “Carl Honore On Slowness”

Things That Can Be Carried on A Bike (#35 & #36)

Two Cases of Soda (and I don’t even drink soda).Thirty pounds of ice (this was a little challenging on a hot and sunny day…as the ice melted it would shift and loosen the straps…I almost lost the smaller bag twice).This past weekend Buffalo hosted it’s 52nd annual Allentown Art Festival. The street on which IContinue reading “Things That Can Be Carried on A Bike (#35 & #36)”