Rick's Blog

from narrowboat to sailboat

3/30/2022

Nearly three years ago I hatched a plan to take my grandsons abroad for a canal boat tour of England. Silas age 14, and Milo age 13, are just the right ages for such an adventure. My son Chris, father of the two boys, was eager to come along. His energy, strength, and experience on the water would be necessary for me to be able to pull it off. We would fly to London and after two days exploring the city we would board a train into the Midlands to take command of our rented "narrowboat" on the Grand Union Canal.

Before there were railroads in early industrial Britain, goods were moved by systems of canals and horse towed barges--wool to the textile mills, Coal to urban centers, grain and produce to feed the population, lumber, stone, and other building materials. Today the canals have been preserved as a "National Trust" for recreational use. The working canal barges that survived were converted to motorized narrowboats and additional new boats have been added to the fleet--modern floating "Winnebagos" affording a backdoor tour of the English countryside at a top speed of four miles per hour.

Canal boaters must operate the hillside locks when encountered and negotiate aqueducts and tunnels along the routes. The paralleling tow paths allow for walking or biking when participants want a break from riding in the boat. Most narrowboats can sleep 2-8 people; provide a fully equipped galley, a "salon", toilets and showers, and outside deck-space fore and aft. Villages built down to the canals during their heyday and some of the best English pubs, restaurants, and inns continue to serve canal travelers. Our route would bring us from Leighton Buzzard to the medieval castle town of Warwick and back--eight to ten nights on the canal.

We planned for the summer of 2020, and then in March of that year the world locked-down for the COVID-19 pandemic. For a short while there was a glimmer of hope that our trip could take place during the late summer of 2021 but the omicron variant dashed that possibility. Now as we approach the summer of 2022 there is yet another corvid variant emerging in Europe AND a worrisome WAR. It didn't appear that there would be anytime soon that Chris and I could feel secure traveling so far from home with our boys.

And then I had an epiphany: why not a sailboat instead of a narrowboat! The boys are young enough that they can hope to visit England on their own terms someday. The more immediate concern is that the grandsons, at this young impressionable age, be able share a memorable adventure with each other and their Grandfather before the opportunity slips away. The circle has been widened to include Uncle Jon as a new plan is evolving for summer of 2022. We will rent a sailboat from a local marina and spend a week exploring the Apostle Islands. "Perfect," say my sons, no long and exhaustive air travel, a bubble against COVID, and an opportunity for us to bond more closely as family in this special place we live During these uncertain times, we will have the reassurance of being close to home, while at the same time broadening the horizons of young minds by providing an experience in a "world apart."

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year's end

12/23/2021

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It was wonderful for our family to be able to celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving again. We had all been vacinated. Even our youngest grandson, Oscar (age 7), had his first COVID shot. Janet and I received our third-shot boosters a month earlier. We were able to safely gather at our table at the farm for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, followed by an evening of family fun around table games. We now look forward to a renewal of Christmas traditions as well.

All of us have been healthy. Although the continued partial confinement and isolation imposed by COVID protocals again this past year were challenging, we have been able to begin to ”emerge.” Our grandsons are back in school. The farm had another successful berry season. Janet and I were even able to take a short vacation with good friends to a resort on the Minnesota Gunflint Trail.

After a slow start due to permitting delays and supply shortages, the “reinvestment cottage” we are building on Lake Superior near Cornucopia is nearly complete. We expect it to be finished in time for 2022 summer use. The fully modern four-season cottage will comfortably accommodate six people, features a fireplace, a Bald Eagle nesting site, and fabulous views of the Big Lake. I look forward to spending "retirement time" there in the coming year reflecting with a fire in the fireplace, my books, the eagles, the Lake, friends and family.

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summer update to a friend

8/18/2021

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Paul,

Thanks for sending the piece you wrote describing your recent return to the Minnesota River country of our youth. It recalled many pleasant memories of shared places and experience. I have often reflected on our "Huck Finn" float trip together on the Minnesota River when we were both just 14 years old. It was a true Faulkneresque coming of age adventure complete with real dangers, sobering realities, tests of "manhood", and the bonding of a lifelong friendship. I think there could be potential for a novel for you in this story.

Our Lake Superior "cottage" project is finally underway. We will likely be ready to pour concrete on Friday. As major portions of the heating, plumbing, and electrical systems have been laid out under the slab, this is a huge leap forward. Once we can begin framing, progress should accelerate. Janet and I were in Duluth yesterday selecting stone for the fireplace and flagstone for the entry and landscape. I am enjoying my role as "artistic director" sitting in an adirondack chair watching gifted young professionals implement their craft. Now that there is real activity on the site, we are gratified that our resident family of Bald eagles has not abandoned us. They fledged three chicks this season, all of which are now flying, while the adults continue to attend to their appetites and education.

The berry season ended early this year--short supply and huge demand. Janet was on the field early this morning to glean what she could for ourselves before the day warmed up and the boys arrived to machine harvest the last of it for wine fruit. If Jon had not been able to irrigate this season, there may not have been a harvest. (This is a year you would think would make climate-change believers of everyone!) Despite a short crop, Jonathan has had a great first season on his farm. He did well enough on the berries, is selling lots of wine, and the honey crop yet to be brought in will be the best in years. Perhaps more important, he has caught up on renewal pruning, mulching, and facility improvements. I haven't seen the farm looking this good going forward for a long time.

We are all healthy and "vaccinated up," except for little Oscar who is only seven. I am concerned for him as we are on the cusp of his return to school this fall. Hopefully vaccination for his age group will be approved soon. Despite current events and the condition of our world, life continues to be good for us. There is much I am thankful for--and that would include your friendship.

Rick

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small is beautiful

2/18/2021

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Bill Gates has a new book out: How to Avoid a Climate Disaster. Central to Gates’ “plan” to achieve “net zero greenhouse emissions” in time to avoid disaster, is the electrification of as much human activity as is possible. “Trading carbon credits” he suggests will make up for those activities that cannot be
completely electrified, e.g. air travel. By-passing solar and wind generated power, he is making large investments advocating a new generation of nuclear power plants. Solar and wind he believes cannot be expected to generate enough electricity to meet the need.

In my mind, it is “the need” that also must be addressed. This would reduce the problem to the level where ordinary people, like you and me collectively, can and must contribute to an enduring solution.

People of my generation may remember another book with the sub title: Economics as if People Mattered. It was Small is Beautiful written in 1973 by the German-British economist, E. F. Schumacher. Though much of his thesis ran contrary to the economic science of his day (and ours), Schumacher was
no naïve crack-pot advocate of a “flower power” counter-culture. To the contrary, a Rhodes Scholar and later professor at Oxford, he was instrumental in developing plans for the British economic recovery from WWII and spent decades advising the British, and other governments, on matters of energy,
production, and development.

By his time, economics had evolved to a statistical science, able to quantify and project the world’s largest industrial economies. The “growth” economic policy that resulted focused on production, distribution, and consumption for the masses based on a conception that "material well-being" is the quantifiable equivalent for “quality of life.” To the contrary, Schumacher observed that large bureaucratic organizations often failed to serve humankind as these faceless, mathematically based systems did not accommodate the human need for “health, beauty, and permanence.“ Inspired by his contact with age-old cultures in the developing world—especially India during the life of Gandhi—he became convinced that smaller organization, using simple and available methods, or implementing “modern” but appropriately scaled technologies, afforded the most humanized, environmental, and sustainable economies.

By “downsizing”—i.e. reducing our “needs”—ordinary people of modest means can participate in the program now necessary to avoid, or perhaps survive, the worst consequences of any impending climate disaster. We need to learn to “live with less” within local economies, produce at least a part of one’s
own needs, live in smaller spaces, drive smaller cars fewer miles, vacation in our own “back yards,” and, like Bill Gates, electrify in every way we can—from efficient home heating systems to electric transportation.

Contrary to Gates’ analysis, solar and wind technologies can play a big part in reducing carbon energy demand—and have become not only affordable, but sensible--especially for homes, small business, municipal or institutional utilities, and vehicle re-charging stations. Bill Gates may feel good that he can
offset the “carbon footprint” of his travel by private jet to the tune of $7,000,000 annually in “carbon credits,” but this is not an option for most of us. Part of the solution to the present climate crisis will need to be big and technocratic, but if we will endure we will need to fundamentally change the way we live.

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the Joys and perils of being close to lake superior

2/1/2021

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As we are selling our farm, Janet and i have decided build a modest "cottage"  (as Janet prefers to call it) on Romans Point near Cornucopia. It is not our plan to move. Our present house at the farm will continue to be our home for as long as our son and our health will allow us to live there. The cottage will be a family retreat and a practical reinvestment.

The plan evolved as the reality of becoming "renters" as opposed to being "home owners" sank in. We also were faced with the dilemma of where we could safely "park" our life earnings after our farm and business assets were monetized. Real Estate seemed to present a secure option for at least a part of it. When we happened on a beautiful shoreline property on Romans Point, we made an offer which was accepted, So, now we are off and away planning a new development and a new Adventure. The "cottage" will be just that: a small year around Northwoods retreat cabin offering relaxation and solitude with a gorgeous lake view.

Last week I drove out to inspect the site again with a plan to sit in a lawn chair on our sandstone bluff 40 feet above the lake to watch the sun set over Bark Bay. I took the dog along for company--which turned out to be a mistake. Barely out of the truck, our energetic Border Collie disappeared over the precipice of the cliff! Greta ended up on an ice-covered sandstone shelf about ten feet above the water with no way up and no way around or out, The dog desperately tried several times to scale the palisade, only to tumble back to the shelf below. I called home to report my predicament: two hours until sunset with no ideas for how to effect a rescue. The dog would not survive the night as a west wind was breaking waves on the rocks below. Janet ran next door to consult with Jon.

An hour later the two of them turn up with two 20' extensions ladders, climbing ropes, and a 200 foot spool of heavy duty strapping. Jon's plan: to lower a ladder and descend to rescue the dog.

"I can't let you risk your life for a dog!"
   "Dad, It's my life!!"
"NO Jon, your life is OUR life!!!"
"Dad, I'll need your help..."

We extend the two ladders, securely lashing them together at every joint. Remembering my Boy Scout training, I fashion a harness from the strapping. With Jon in the harness we lower the long ladder until it bottoms out on the shelf below and secure the ladder with the climbing rope to a stout tree at the top of the cliff, Wrapping the strapping once around the same tree I brace against the base of the trunk and play out the strapping as Jon descends the ladder in his harness. If the ladder collapses or he falls, I hope to be able to keep him suspended by tying-off around the tree, call 911, and wait for help to arrive. All went well. Jon scooped up the dog, wrapped her in a large towel, and with help from Janet and me reeling up the strapping, ascended the ladder with the dog. He made it safely over the top just as the sun was setting. Miraculously, Greta was not injured.

Fortunately, it was a dog and not a grandchild. The development plan now includes some strong post and rail barrier fencing like they have at Copper Falls and other public parks with high overlooks. I hope to enjoy the sunset on my next visit with a little less heart-pounding adventure.

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2020: the year that was

12/22/2020

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Janet and I were traveling in Costa Rica with friends during early March, when our tour was abruptly terminated and we were sent home before borders might close or flights might be suspended. It was an eerie return through partially closed terminals, half-functioning hotels, shuttered restaurants, and nearly empty freeways. “Overnight,” our already troubled world became even more uncertain as we struggled to adapt to a “new normal.” Thankfully, all of our immediate family remain healthy, but maintaining our “bubble” has been stressful at times. Most Thanksgiving and Christmas family traditions were laid aside until next year. Now, with a new government administration taking control and COVID vaccines in the pipeline, we should begin to see a “light at the end of the tunnel”

Despite the challenges, Jon led us through a successful berry season. He developed “COVID protocols” for our farm business promoting a healthy out-of-doors experience for our retail customers, and trained our employees to pack fruit by hand in the field, enabling a level of wholesale supply. Both strategies were well received. Chris still works with his brother on the farm and is now looking forward to the “mushing season” with his sister-in-law, Jen. Wolf Song bookings are up, as Jen too has strategized how her business can navigate the pandemic. All they need now is SNOW. Honey suspended her job as post mistress for the Madeline Island community. Hopefully this will be temporary. Once again she refused to accept a Postal Service “promotion” that would have moved her to the Bayfield office and longer hours. Magdalen continues to teach and advise fulltime for LCO Tribal College at Red Cliff—mostly from her home office. The grandsons, Silas, Milo, and Oscar, currently are being schooled remotely at home.

All in all, our families' "inconvenience" does not compare with the disruption, despair, and suffering of millions of people who have been devastated by this horrific pandemic. We will do our part to care for ourselves and our neighbors by staying put, distancing, wearing a mask when in contact with others, and getting vaccinated as soon as the opportunity becomes available. Let us hope and pray that by this season in 2021 we will all be in a better place.

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consider the lilies...

9/5/2020

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To my son:

I read the Rolling Stone article you shared on the "End of the American Era." Very sobering--but in my view, "spot on" and a message important for every American to hear and contemplate.

Troubling as our times are, the author correctly recognizes that change has always been a constant, and also that the human species is capable of adaptation. Most important, he reveals for us the critical tenants for meaningful human existence and a healthy life: grounded values, social bonds, shared community, sense of place, family, and the power of Love.

The end of American dominance in the world is not the worst that can happen to us--our family has been preparing for this for some time. We, as individuals and as a nation, will just have to learn how to live more like the Canadians and the Danes.

I Love you,

Dad

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THE PANDEMIC EXPERIENCE AND THE CLIMATE CRISIS

7/13/2020

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Like the climate crisis, the current Covid-19 pandemic is a global crisis that threatens the entire world community. Although some populations have proven to be more vulnerable to the virus than others—the elderly, the sick, the poor—no individual is immune. National boundaries have not proven to be a protection against infection. In less than six months the virus has pervaded nearly every human community on earth. Millions of people continue to become infected and hundreds of thousands continue to die.

Despite the fact that approximately 1 person of every 25 infected with Covid-19 will die, some people foolishly and irresponsibly discount the threat. They refuse to cooperate with—or even ridicule—the recommendations of health experts and medical scientists, exacerbating the spread of the disease. As we wait for a vaccine and effective therapeutic interventions, more of us will die –many unnecessarily—due to denial, inadequate preparation, and lack of appropriate response.

The global climate crisis, on the other hand, will impact us ALL. No one can hope to be spared from global warming by “playing the odds.” There will be no vaccine or therapy to protect individuals and communities, and as has been said, “There is no planet B.” We have already gambled too long in debate over the reality of the imminent danger. We can only hope to SAVE the one planet we share and the human community it supports before it is too late.

Limiting the proportions and outcomes of both global crises will depend on leadership and collective action. We must acknowledge the present dangers, heed the recommendations of experts and scientists, and act NOW. Viable solutions need to be big and lasting—which means bipartisan legislation and global cooperation. In the coming elections, vote for responsible leadership that will support cooperative science-based action at home and abroad.

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LIVING IN PANDEMIC TIMES BEYOND THE SIDEWALKS

7/5/2020

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The present covid pandemic grinds on, disrupting lives with its travel restrictions, school and business closures, job losses, social isolation, uncertainty and fears. As much as I am concerned for the physical and economic health of family, friends, and community, I am concerned for our mental and spiritual health as well.

Janet and I are doing as fine as any have a right to expect in the current situation. The decision we made many years ago to pursue a rural life and livelihood is now paying dividends. Yes, we get frustrated with the imposition of "self quarantine" and the necessity of "social distancing," but we are so fortunate to have open space, a degree of self-sufficiency, our family close, and no end of interesting activity to share. It must be especially difficult for urban dwellers with limited means living in in tight spaces.

I have been "reborn" in the garden this year. I figure that if we are going to have an economic depression, it should not be a reason for starvation! We planted the biggest garden we have had in several seasons, with more of all the essentials and including some vegetable crops we haven't grown in years. I spend a part (often a large part) of every day in the garden. Gardening is wonderful therapy--especially in times like these--for restoring optimism and faith. Martin Luther, once asked what he would do if he knew with certainty that the world would end tomorrow, responded that he would plant an apple tree.

My youngest grandson and his mother began a watermelon plant from seed in a flower pot at home and we transplanted it into Grandma and Grandpa's garden at planting time. Its progress is the first business Oscar excitedly attends to upon arriving at the farm. A tiny yellow flower the vine arrived with has already developed into a softball sized fruit, and now several more are forming. He also helped Grandpa plant the onions, taking the left over sets home so that he could teach his parents what he had learned that day.

Business-wise, our farm is implementing a "pandemic plan:" The biggest change for this year is that we will not pack any bulkbox fruit. Like the meat packing industry, berry packing work involves long hours, indoors, shoulder-to-shoulder across a moving belt from other workers. We just felt we couldn't guarantee worker health and safety. We will hire some help to pick into pints in the field and offer this fruit with minimal sorting as fresh ready-picked berries at the farm. It is unlikely we will freeze anything. Even if we could strategize a plan for worker-safe berry packing, a poll of our commercial bulk berry customers (we sell a lot into schools and restaurants) indicates that they are not likely to renew their inventories of frozen fruit until they can open again.

We expect to be able to offer a safe experience for Pick-Your-Own blueberry and raspberry customers. The activity is, afterall, outside and our fields are large--no reason to crowd. Jon has constructed an outdoor checkout booth in front of our sales shop with a plexiglass barrier between customer and cash register. Despite a lot of winter bush damage from the heavy snows in November, the crop is looking pretty good after spring pruning and clean-up. Our strawberry-growing colleagues on the hill have reported large turnouts of pickers for their harvest now in progress. We become more optimistic for the blueberry harvest as the 2020 season draws near.

Hopefully by summer 2021 there will be a covid vaccine as well as therapeutic interventions and a degree of restored normalcy to our social interactions. We are all well here--healthy, content, and secure for the time being--but eager for the day when we will be to be able to safely socialize again in a wider world.

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lessons for american beekeepers from slovenia

5/12/2020

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TIME magazine recently ran an article on beekeeping in Slovenia suggesting that the solutions for global honeybee maladies had been found. It's interesting, but old news within the industry--and only a partial description of a much more complex reality. It's always interesting to me (if I should have some expertise and experience on a topic) to to see what some twice-removed journalist does with the details and facts of a story they report.

Like for instance, suggesting that American beekeepers should follow the example of Slovenian beekeepers and work with "native honeybees," because native honeybees will be better adapted to the North American climatic conditions in which they evolved. Problem is, there are no native American honeybees! All Apis Mellifera (honeybee) races evolved in Europe and western Asia and were introduced into the Americas by arriving European colonists.

Or, suggesting that neonicotinoid pesticides are the cause of diminishing bee colonies in the world, which science supports--in part--but is apt point out that the problem is more complex than this single factor. Loss of habitat, climate change, air pollution, global trade, spread of once localized bee diseases and parasites all play a role. Once again, the inference is that if its "organic" its better or safer. The irony here is that neonicotinoids are organic--developed in response to public outcry for organic solutions to food production issues!

Slovenia: small, land-locked, and fortressed high in the Alps is a pretty pristine place--I've been there--it's beautiful. Ljubljana is a fairytale-city complete with its castle on a high bluff in the middle of the old medieval town--It's where, as legend has it, St. George slayed the dragon. Honey is a big deal there, and there are a lot of Slovenian beekeepers. Lucky for them that they have such perfect conditions for production AND their own native Carniolan honey bee.