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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Nov 20 2008, 09:57 PM
Have you changed your driving habits in the past year?
How about in the past six months?
Are you driving less?
Are you carpooling?
Do you take a bus?
Have you bought an economy car?
Do you think before you drive...planning our your day now?
Now that fuel has come down in price, will you go back to your old ways, or will you stay with your change for good?
After all, we haven't solved our energy crisis...this is just temporary, right?
"Americans are driving less despite falling gas prices, reflecting the deepening recession and signaling a shift in lifestyles and driving habits that could outlast the current turmoil.
Drivers logged 10.7 billion fewer miles in September than they did the same month a year earlier — a 4.4% decline, according to data issued Wednesday by the Federal Highway Administration.
FINANCIAL CRISIS: Economic outlook dims
The data reflect the effects of the worsening economy. "With the unemployment rate going up, people are just not driving," says Fred Milch, division planner for the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, in the South Atlantic region that saw the biggest year-to-year driving decline (5.7%). "They just don't have the money to go on leisure trips and don't have money to go shopping. … People get in the habit of not having to drive."
Click to continue
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Oct 17 2008, 07:10 AM
 Personification of Autumn
(Currier & Ives Lithograph, 1871).
My dad, who lives in Vermont, says the tourists who come up there to seek out autumn beauty are called “Fall Peepers.”
The turning of the leaves, like a beautiful painting, is something to behold.
Christian Science Monitor has a wonderful presentation of fall photos, sent in by readers from across the country.
Take a look!
HERE
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Jun 14 2008, 09:15 AM
By Janet Evans
Sunday, Jun 8 2008, 09:04 PM
Some of you have suffered flood damage inside your homes and basements this weekend. My thoughts go out to you as I know how much work you are going through to clean up the mess, and the rain is still coming as I write this.
At my home we have flooding only outside…and have lost parts of our garden….much of the new soil hauled in this year flowed right out with the gushing river, new raspberry bushes damaged, new plants that were just planted yesterday washed away….nothing like dealing with inside damage, but loss...money, time and sweat, just the same.
Now imagine what a tornado victim feels like, or how the survivors in Myanmar feel ....or those who carried on after Katrina, after major flooding.
I know…that was them and this is us…and that was tragedy and this is us…just heavy rain, but flooding just the same…and it costs us time and it costs us money, and it is us....
This morning…I observed every bit of the soil was washed away from one row of vegetables that used to be below the ground….
and left behind was a row of red and green,
standing tall, holding on by fragile roots....
I know....it's deep.....
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, May 20 2008, 11:53 AM
I'm not talking about for getting high on grass.
I'm talking about for letting the grass on your lawn get too high.
That's what the Canton, Ohio City Council wants to do to offenders.
Like Franklin, they already have a weed control ordinance on the books.
But that's not enough.
"For residents tired of that overgrown lot that resembles a minijungle next door, the city wants to help by trying to put high-grass violators behind bars.
City Council wants to beef up its existing high-grass and weeds law by making a second offense a fourth-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $250 and up to 30 days in jail.
In the spring and summer, it's not uncommon for council members to field complaints from residents about overgrown lots owned by individuals or banks and corporations that ignore the law and notices in the mail.
More than 8 inches constitutes high grass or weeds, according to city law. First-time violators now face a minor misdemeanor, which carries up to a $150 fine and no jail time.
The proposed amendment passed second reading Monday night, and is up for passage at next Monday's council meeting.
Strengthening the law would give judges and police "a way to get their attention," Law Director Joseph Martuccio said of lawbreakers. More pressure also could be applied to lot owners and those responsible through letters, conferences and prosecutor's hearings, he said. "
Read the full article on the CantonRep.Com
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Apr 17 2008, 07:14 PM
I happened to see the following old news blurb:
CBS Evening News for
Thursday, Apr 16, 1981
Headline: Cow Magnets and Auto Mileage
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(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Dan Rather (Windhorst, Texas) Willy Hoff's use of magnets in his cows and H.C. Lyles' use of magnets for improved gasoline mileage examined; films shown. [LYLES - notes he can use them in his cows if they don't work on his truck.] [Farm store owner Cotton FLATT - comments on sales.] [Texas A&M spokesperson Richard DAVISON - thinks consumer union should test use of magnets in cars.]
REPORTER: David Dick
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What's funny about this, to me anyway, is I have one of those cow magnets. My brother gave it to me when I was a kid, back in the 60s. We lived in Connecticut, and he had a friend who lived on a farm. They used to drop those magnets down the cows to catch nails and things.
I can't tell you why I kept it, except it's a heck of a strong magnet, three inches long, and it's unusual. I keep it in my sewing box where everyone of my pins clings to it like mad.
Here is a picture of the thing:
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So, back to the magnet/gas story.
I thought it was odd that this story made national news.
So I looked around some more and found that a Minnesota State University Engineering professor investigated the cow magnet theory, along with other gas saving techniques, and found it to be a "hoax."
"Since the days of the Arab Oil Embargo, whenever rising fuel prices have driven people to try dubious technologies promising better gas mileage, two Minnesota State University professors have tested and debunked them.
Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology professor Bruce Jones and professor emeritus Kirk Ready have tested many gas-mileage enhancers over the years and have yet to find one that makes a significant difference.
From magnets to fuel additives, anything that claims to dramatically improve fuel efficiency is probably too good to be true, Ready said. "If it were that easy, every car sold would already have it," Ready said.
At best, Ready said, some of the technologies may have a minor effect if used as part of regular maintenance. At worst, the technologies are bogus.
One of the first claims he tested, and "probably the biggest hoax," was placing cow magnets on or near the fuel line to improve gas mileage. The magnets - used by cattle farmers to safely collect any metal objects their animals might ingest - would supposedly ionize gas for better fuel distribution, Ready explained.
Ready said his test results, however, were conclusive: "It makes absolutely no difference."
While the gas-mileage enhancers on the market today are more sophisticated, they still routinely wither under Ready's and Jones' scrutiny. Still, especially when gas prices go up, those who sell gas-mileage enhancers find a public willing to try anything to save at the pump.
"The products go in cycles with gas prices," Ready said."
Read the rest of the story, from MSU Cow Magnets Too Good To Be True í here
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Looks like I’ll be putting my cow magnet back in my sewing box.
It was nice to know I had it if I needed it though.
I was thinking about putting in my seed order for my garden to make this though
Instructions í here
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Apr 14 2008, 11:50 AM
I looked outside this morning and behold, my lawn is turning green!
Time to start thinking about how we will cut that grass this year.
With gas prices so high and everyone wanting to be more eco-friendly…..
Well….what more could you ask for?
No fuel needed....self-propelled.
You can use it on those "Ozone Action Days."
Fertilizes the lawn, too.
and, it’s quiet!
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Even though it’s early, I just thought I would bring this to your attention since
the St. Martins’s Fair only comes the first Monday of each month.
Great place to buy that rabbit (or sell one).
H/T: Presentsimple
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