Farmer Jon -2

My wacky ideas and adventures typically grow out of small events or news columns, that's how we ended up driving through Croatia, how I came to grapple with some of the top martial artists on the planet, and how we came to live in Baldwin Hills.

As of late home schooling has sparked my interests in a varied and unique way.




These tasty sprouts were part of my urban farming obsession. We grew them in a few days in a glass jar, organic and local, educational and affordable. But I decided to grow these as part of the monthly Super Duper Show and Tell, more on that in a later blog, point being it was motivated by reasons other than the localvore trip. (Or lack of it as the case/goal may be).

Another reason for my latest "farming" goals, has been my failure with my heirloom tomatoes. I have a pretty green thumb, but for a variety of reason, time, priorities, etc. I just didn't commit enough time or thought to my little plants and they suffered and by the time I tried to do something, it was pretty much too late.




The plants are leggy, and practically transparent, bearing little fruit and even fewer "wonderful" tomatoes as I had anticipated. This failure has given me resolve to do better with my winter plantings.




The peppers on the other hand are doing wonderfully. But how can I possibly use so many "hot", some of them really, really hot peppers. This dilemma has introduced my to home canning and has made me dream up wonderful infused oils, yummy chutneys, spicy jellies and other delicacies.




My roma tomatoes did well and I plan on making sauce for some made pizza with them. You can see a good size artichoke that is finally coming to life. I've loaded this planter with sunflowers, corn, and a variety of lettuces.




This planter used to be full of oregano before I decided that I had several other oreganos and that the planter would be better utilized growing vegetables, mainly lettuces and carrots but some broccoli, a new tomato and some existing basils.




Chive and more oregano were doing well in this planter. I have added some fennel, a bunch of beans and peas and scattering of lettuces.




Another artichoke and a broccoli. I added more beans and peas, sunflowers, and a variety of salad worthy greens. I've planted a lot of lettuce and leafies because I have never really grown them, so I wanted to stack the deck in case some of them don't produce. We'll see.

Farmer Jon--Part One--Worms, Soldiers and the Soil

What started out with a frustration over the endless stream of junk-mail in conjunction with the entertaining, informative and frightening little movie, The Story of Stuff, (a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns) has taken me on an incredible journey of exploration and discovery, followed with some action.

Skye and I have made a couple of trips to the recycling center so she could see where the stuff in the Blue Bin goes and what happens to it.

I've been checking a lot of stuff on urban farming, recycling, composting and on and on ...

Which brings me to my own little recycling program, Extreme Composting.

Junk mail, newspapers, cardboard, almost anything made of paper can get shoved into this heavy duty shredder. The shredded paper then goes into either the worm farms or the compost drum.




The worms eat kitchen scraps, cereal, produce that's gone bad. I often puree it in a food processor to speed up the process.




That's a total of 5 worm farms with literally thousands and thousands of earthworms, (Eisenia fetida) making amazing fertilizer out of my garbage.






Since we don't have a lawn and not much in the way of leaves, our green bin typically finds itself filled with branches and shrubbery that is somewhat woody. Trying to compost this would take forever unless I had a heavy duty shredder/mulcher that would pulverize the vegetation, speeding the decomposition enormously.

Just be very careful, it could literally rip your hand off.







This compost tumbler is pretty cool. To aerate you just spin the drum a few times a week. A little help from the sun coupled with the shredded mulch mix gets you a nice compost. I can use it like that or put it in the worm bins to further break it down and make an even more nutritious mix for the garden.

So the end result is now we don't contribute nearly as much to landfills as before and we get a lot of worm castings (worm poop), mulch and compost.



At some point I ran across in the compost drum, the larvae of the Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens. At first I thought they were maggots and that I was creating this massive fly problem, but after doing a little research, I found the opposite to be true and yet another way to decrease our landfill impact.





THE BIOPOD™: Food Waste Composter & Grub Grower


Unfortunately my first attempt to set this up was less than successful, so it is a work in progress. I am however very excited about getting it up and running. Like worm farms the initial set-up can be a bit tricky, where the lack of patience can lead to not such good results. Will keep you updated.

So how did the Skyeless week go?

Busy, busy, busy

We did indeed end up making all of our social obligations, the Emmy party(congrads again to all our friends that were nominated, extra shout outs to Ron Franco and Susan Eschelbach) , Visionfest(amazing event, hats off to all filmmakers and especially to friend Sean Hood), SDSA General Membership Meeting,(thank you to Jim and Charles and Charles), Friday night at MUSH enjoying good surroundings and wonderful martinis and then on into the evening with friends Sondra and Max.

Yes the evenings were occupied and it was exhausting and wonderful.

But I started the week off in the library to figure out Skye's path to learning. I was intrigued and inspired by a book I already had "What are schools for?' Ron Miller, which lead me to wonder how people had learned and what education had been and meant through the ages. So when I hit the bookstore and then the library I was there forever and a day. Realize I check out the contents, skim the bits that interest me and then reread and digest chunks that seem to be pertinent, by no means an in depth study on any of the books or subjects. But I am feasting.

Ancient Education, William Smith--1955 interesting but smacking with old ideas and prejudices. But an interesting inquiry.

A Brief History of the Mind, William Calvin --The table of contents take a reread. Intense, informative, as easy to digest that he makes it and he does it well it is heavy and I am still enthralled. Will report more

Critical Lessons, What Our Schools Should Teach, Nel Noddings--Hers is one of several books that discuss "critical thinking" in our system. Many interesting points are made. We need to be open to controversy. We are no longer a homogenized society, and the world is much more connected than ever so we need to be able to discuss our differences. This book brings up a lot of interesting topics.

The End of Education, Redefining the Value of School, Neil Postman--Crazy good so far need to delve deeper.

The Gutenberg Elegies, The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age, Sven Birkerts--reading in progress, cannot report but must say touches on some issues that are very close to me.

Jefferson's Children, Leon Botstein--So this title really hits all the six degrees of separation notes,... lately "A Jefferson Education" has been on the tongues of the home school groups and lately I have been getting in touch with people from my brief college experience at Bard(Leon Botstein was and is the President) so how I happened upon this was cool. And it makes me realize why even though I was only at Bard for around 9 months, why it struck such a cord and I have always wondered what my life would have been had I finished my schooling there. It could be one of my regrets in life. I still am not sure. But the book is amazing. What a visionary, how confusing and refreshing are his ideas.

The Curious World of Carnivorous Plants-- I have come so close to buying a book on these bizarre creatures. They are truly strange and otherworldly. So odd and beautiful...

Somehow getting these books for free at the library, inspired, emboldened me to fill in the gaps at the bookstore(Yes I know I sound insane)

To the Jefferson Education--Kevin Hayes, The Road to Monticello-- I have always had a place in my heart for Thomas Jefferson. I have studied him a bit, but not nearly as much as he deserves. What a Renaissance Man. An informative and fascinating look into the "Life and Mind of Thomas Jefferson" IMPORTANT READ.

How To Teach Reading When You're Not a Reading Teacher--Some nice new ideas, inspiring

And then there is that crazy garden life which deserves it own world but we'll hit it while we're here.
Grow Vegetables--Just a great resource

Home Preservation--Brought on by my beautiful peppers that I could only use a fraction of.

Herbs and Spices --Same as above so many herbs so little time.

Pool Maintenance --Enough said.

Too tired to continue.... That was a taste of our easy week, ha ha ha

I HAD A DREAM

Not to be confused with MLK's "I Have a Dream", but I did have a dream and given how little I sleep and the wrecked and disturbed type of sleep I have, it is a rarity that I actually remember a dream. But I did this morning, and while I won't share the dream itself and its oddities and bizarre details and nonsensicals, I will relay its effect on me and this blog.

I have called this blog "Where in the World is Jon" and have tried to really inform readers that it is about more than time and space but in reality it has become a historical reference, a snap shot as to where I have been and what I have been doing, a very literal and physical telling of "Where in the World is Jon"

But I feel I need to be more honest and need to describe and share the metaphysical aspects, my political leanings and at times perhaps the too personal elements of "Where in the World Is Jon " so brace yourselves or stop checking it out or.......

But this blog is "Where in the World is Jon?"

Skye's off to Camp-The "Relaxing" Week Ahead

Cindy's got Skye all packed up for a week away at Camp Hollywoodland. No worries for Skye. She's an old veteran of the camp, she went for two weeks last summer and was up there once this time around. In fact she was there during that blistering heat wave we had, so this should be a more pleasant time, at least temp wise.



So that leaves Cindy (she just finished her job recently) and me at home for a lovely and relaxing week of sleeping in, no place we have to be, maybe we should even get out of LA for a little mid-week get away. :)


or maybe we'll take this opportunity to catch up on all those things we keep saying we have to do. :(



It would be a great chance to

ORGANIZE

the GARAGE!!!

or

the OFFICE !!!

or


A GARAGE SALE!!!!!!!!

Because I love Garage sales.

A FITNESS BOOT CAMP!!!!!!

We've also been talking about getting in shape, especially after this insanely social summer. I could start riding my bike instead of taking the car, saving gas and getting in shape. I could really focus on my jui jitsu training. And I do have that stair climb race coming up, and that 10k too. And with summer coming to an end, it would be great to get some swimming in. So yeah, this would be a great time to get some extra training in.

SKYE'S EDUCATION

With school coming up, or rather school not coming up, this would be the PERFECT opportunity to sort out and devise a curriculum for Skye. Some of the home school mom's have recently been looking at the "Thomas Jefferson education" and I must say it looks pretty intriguing. I can do some research on that, plus I want to get more ART studies in and FIELD TRIPS and I thought working the Girl Scout badges into the system would be a great motivator and they have a badge for just about everything. Last year I framed a good amount of the studies on the monthly Super-Duper Show and Tell, that starts up this month.


All this free time is going to be amazing. :)))


I can get some home improvements done,
catch up on my reading,
check out my new camera,
figure out some of these computer programs,
listen to all that music I've down loaded.

I've been promising to write an article for a home school magazine about what it's like to be a home school dad for around 6 months now. I could finally finish that.

There a so many friends I've been meaning to see.

And at night we could just relax and rent a movie or watch some of the stuff we've had "Tivo'd" for the last several months. But wait so far this week looks like

tuesday

Cocktail Reception in celebration of the Emmy nominees for Art Direction hosted by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

wednesday

VisionFest 08 is Filmmakers Alliance's annual Vision Award Presentation, Screening and Gala party

thursday

SDSA General Membership Meeting

friday

SUMMER MARTINI PARTY AT MUSH

WOW!!!! Those all sound like fun and given that we're both currently unemployed, good net-working opportunities. At least we're not hosting and/or cleaning up.


All in all I must say this week looks a little busier than I had thought it would be.

Olympic Party

It started out as having a few people over for opening ceremonies and as things tend to go in my life, ended up being a three day Open-house pot luck, Olympic viewing, pizza cooking, cocktailing, swim party etc. etc. From start to finish we never knew who was coming when, for how long and how much food and drinks we needed. It was crazy and amazing.


To "keep it simple" Cindy made me promise that I would not do any extravagant floral arrangements. So at 4:30 in the morning on Friday, day of the opening ceremonies I was crafting this little, "non-floral" decor thing.




Then I was off to Chinatown to find these kites and several "essential" ingredients.




Kip managing the bar. He made several "Olympic-themed" drinks, like the Red Dragon and the Beijing Bellini and no Kip is not a professional bartender, just a good friend and guest stepping up to the plate.

Beijing Bellini




More good friends, Vicki and Lita.




Kip, Cindy, Charles, with Coltrane, the Buddah baby




More guests, you know who you are,(I hope)




We also had Lauri, a friend staying with us from NYC for the entire weekend. What a trooper to endure my Olympic party madness. That goes double for wife Cindy. Here they are relaxing on day one.



An enlivened discussion on the origins and evolution of break dancing.




Cindy wishing guests goodnight as they leave.
By the way, weren't those Opening Ceremonies incredible.

Day 2

Day 2 was me checking out my new waterproof digital camera. So I only have pics around the pool or rather in the pool.

But the day was incredible, we watched some of the events, fired up the pizza oven and made a bunch of pizzas, did some grilling and continued the marathon event. Saturday went from around noon to around 1 or 2 in the morning.





Skye spinning some tunes underwater.




Isabel with a smile.


Day 3

More underwater photography.




Paloma and Skye




Paloma, Skye and Amandla.
Photo by Paloma




Skye and Kaya
Photo by Paloma




Kaya




Amandla




Solaris




Dave Bell in perfect form.

Sunday started early with Shane dropping in just after 10 am. We brunched and swam, mingled and caught up with friends old and new until close to mid-night, which is one of the reasons I am just posting this, days later. I have needed a longer recovery than typical.



Peter soaking up the rays.





Goodbye Charles, Coltrane, Karen. Hope you had a good time.
It was an exhausting, wonderful sharing with lots of friends. Thanks to all.

Getting ready to climb the Stairs

Last October I participated in the Ketchum Downtown YMCA Stair Climb to the Top". A race up the stairs of the tallest building on the west coast, the US Bank Tower, 75 flights, 1500 steps of pure fun.

I didn't really train for it last year and still managed to make it up in a respectable 17min and something seconds. This year I am training (or so I say) and in the spirit of the event ("All climbers are encouraged to collect donations to help promote healthy lifestyles and build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the YMCA's community programs such as after-school tutoring, teen leadership development, youth and teen sports, our Montessori preschool, and senior fitness programs.") I am looking for sponsors and donations.

You can click on the following link and be taken to my event website. Actually, it's not quite that simple, unfortunately. Once you get to the link, you have to click on "Sponsor Participant", then type my name in the search, click on my name and then at long last you'll be there.
You can donate or at least check on my progress. https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=278309&lis=1&kntae278309=80901D3E3C2549C781FF97C3D7F9E3B1&supId=189543511

The event itself is Friday, September 26, 2008. I highly recommend it. It would be great to see someone I know down there, or up there as the case may or may not be.