10E2257: Whole Larder Love | "Just Grab A Seed..."

"Just grab a seed... grab a seed and pop it in the ground and see what happens..." 

You can't get more direct than that. 

Our film partners at Rough Water did a great job on this video from author/ gardener/ forager/ multihyphenate Rohan Anderson's talk held at Fringe in Somerville, MA last June. To recap, Rohan talks about sustainable eating through self-reliance including creating your own food community. This was a benefit evening organized for the Friends of the Somerville Public Library and (v happy to say) was well supported. Must say huge thanks to our Friends volunteers Meg and Kim and barman Lonnie, local purveyors Spindrift and Flatbread, Fringe for hosting us, and the presenting sponsor Barbour. Great 5 minute version of the rainy evening and talk below - snap ending... Music donated by the rugged and fancy Duquette Johnston.

10E2256: Wind Map

Wind Map is a realtime depiction of surface wind speeds, created as an art project by Fernanda Viégas and Martin Wattenberg. Picture doesn't do it justice - head over and have a look. 

Thx to Caleb for the tip.

On a related map note; you ever notice how Cape Cod is like a flexed arm... the shoulder is Buzzard's Bay, the elbow at Cape Mallebarre, the wrist at Truro and the sandy fist at Provincetown?? Thoreau did.

"...behind which the State stands on her guard, with her back to the Green Mountains..."

10E2255: Capita Microscope

The snowboard brand Capita do a great job of explicating their boards with these product vids. Never met this guy but their sales manager Johan Malkoski is an East Coast transplant to the North West and a charismatic SOB. Also a father, so knows how to equip kids and speak to parents about the process.

In years past their kids board the Microscope would graphically take its cue from its big brother the Horrorscope, "with toned down graphics so mom doesn't get pissed off..." as Johan says, but this year it has its own look.

The construction of the board has stayed identical over the last few years; flex rating of 3, true twin tip, flatkick between insert points, slight reverse camber, and 3° convex bevel to the edge (to reduce hangups).

You can get last year's model right now for $150 - not at all bad if you plan to pass it down.

10E2254: Stutterheim Raincoats

Stutterheim. Swedish melancholy at its driest.

Let’s embrace Swedish melancholy. Embracing rain is a good start.

No gore-tex. No Velcro. No reflectors. Like it. Coats all inspired by owner's barn-score of his grandfather's old rain coat. Made at the last standing textile factory in Sweden. A range of colors produced but including old yella here. Also make capes for hiking/cycling and more.

10E2253: J.J. Hapgood General Store & Eatery - The Revival (part 2)

Recap! Joseph Jackson Hapgood established a general store in Peru, Vermont in 1827 and until a few years ago it had been the longest continually running general store in the state. I partly grew up in this small town and the store in the 80's was still a fixture of the community. It was a right of passage to get your own "account" on turning 16.

Last February the new owners (our friends - heck she is a grade-school classmate of mine) Juliette and Tim invited us in to see the empty store before it was broken down to be rebuilt (as is happening now). They fired up the woodstove and we heard tales from the old constable about how in the 40s and 50s the town post office was inside the store as well - and horses would be fed and watered outside. Blast of Basil Hayden didn't hurt either... Follow their website for updates JJHapgood.com. Christmas opening I hear! All photos below credit to Max Wastler of All Plaidout. Many people in town v excited for this shot in the arm.

All pictures from February 16, 2013. [The store now taken apart, new foundation 15' back and being rebuilt/recreated/reborn. The paint color for the new outside will be Benjamin Moore's Waterbury Cream, as decided by straw poll at this year's Peru Fair.]

Cheese wedge slicer hanging on the wall there over paper flour sack wallpaper. And glass case below that held a wheel of cheese. Almost certainly cheddar.

Further reading: 10E2237: J.J. Hapgood General Store & Eatery - The Revival (part 1)

10E2251: Apples This Year

The apple harvest all across the states has been big this year. Here in VT took only minutes to fill a bucket of windfalls for the horses. Rotten or broken fruit can attract bees and yellow-jackets though so alert kids to be a little careful.