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Invasive Species, Rhus Lancea

August 8, 2014 — 7 Comments

Invasive botanical species are like untended social problems. If they are ignored they will take over and eliminate the native species because they are powerful and destructive.  Rhus Lancea is an invasive species that is taking over midtown Tucson.  It was brought here as a landscape plant, but quickly got out of control.  It is a relative of poison ivy, and causes some people to have serious allergic reactions, either respiratory or as a skin rash.  It spreads by producing abundant seeds as well as by spreading underground by suckers.  If there is irrigation water, rhus lancea will be very likely to sprout and grow, taking nutrients and moisture from the native or landscape plants.  Since it develops such a network underground the tree is very difficult to kill.  Cutting it down will not kill it, but will encourage spreading through the roots.  It is like a street gang, very undesirable and hard to eliminate.

I have been thinking about how these invasive plants are like crime.  If everyone ignores crime like tagging, vandalism, and gang activity it sucks the nutrients and value out of the neighborhood.  If drug dealing and other crimes are tolerated they blend into the scene making the whole place less valuable and less safe.  With no awareness, or worse, willful blindness to criminal and anti social activity we can only expect the environment to fill with undesirable behaviors.  We have a vivid illustration of this right outside my front door.  We pay landscaping company to kill our landscaping plants and waste large amounts of water each day.  We (the owners of shares of our HOA)  have just paid to have what was described as a dying mesquite tree removed from our sidewalk.  Since it is not dying and is a rhus lancea, we have paid these gardeners to encourage the growth of all of the children of the tree, that have been left in place.  The stump will probably grow back again too.  If actions we take are based on ignorance we will not arrive at a better situation.  Can you think of situations like this that remind you of government?  Working against our own interests seems to be so common these days.

Why Sew?

August 5, 2014 — 1 Comment

 

Alma Llanera

Alma Llanera

There are not many stores that cater to sewing today because there are very few people who know how to sew. I always enjoyed the selection process as well as the craft and fitting. Now I feel like a kind of special agent of fashion because I know how to sew.  You do reap what you sew.  You also wear what you sew.  It can be the best way to truly express unique fashion choices.  I like to wear something that nobody else has, or even has seen.  I also have a funny commemorative way of dressing that harkens back to days when I did long trips all over the place.  I would assemble my trip wardrobe with great care and anticipation, thinking about weather and activities.  Time permitting I would sew something for the trip that would make a debut on the road.  I liked to associate certain clothing with certain places where I thought they looked their best.  I no longer globe trot at such a pace, nor do I plan so many back to back obligations when I travel now.  My wardrobe is casual like it is at home, with few exceptions.

Last year when I attended a reunion party at my old junior high I sewed a special skirt in honor of the home economics teacher who gave me a D on my apron in seventh grade.  She was not in attendance, but I had something to prove when I went on a tour of my old school with my old classmates.  The skirt turned out okay and I had my triumphant secret moment in the hallway where Mrs. G had been the hall monitor daily.  I swished right by her imaginary self and let her know that I could sew.  This year when I attended a reunion party in Austin with a group who lived in Venezuela in the 1960’s I made a signature pair of pants.  I found some fabric with little skeleton cards portraying Day of the Dead figures.  Tucson has a very big celebration of this holiday each year, so I decided to make a pair of pants as a conversation piece about my home town.  The pants are fine, and on the first day in Texas I found a tee shirt that matched perfectly and had a purple longhorn, too.  I was stylin’ and not too hot since the pants were loose fitting cotton.  I received many compliments on them during my visit, and then wore them to the Venezuela reunion party.  It was National Dance Day and I was ready. Here I am singing and dancing in my fancy pants, which I will forever associate with this party.  While I don’t think it would be good to try to have your clothes match everything you do, sometimes it is fun. That is why I sew.

Coffee vs Bacon, Battle to Dominate August

August 4, 2014 — 1 Comment

Two of the internet’s most darling substances are having their national recognition months in August. Before twitter I can’t imagine how people stayed filled up with bacon and coffee.  Now there is a digital sip and a crunchy imaginary bite around every corner.  To tweet with no coffee is to tweet a dull stream. A month of coffee celebrations could leave the nation jittery, but the addition of bacon means we are risking putting on some porky pounds in the process.  I imagine that National Bacon Month will attract the seriously obsessed, while the coffee month will go mostly unnoticed outside of Starbucks.  The good news about both of these months is that you do not need to indulge in or purchase any bacon or coffee to party with your digital friends.  The use of both digital bacon and digital coffee is ubiquitous.  To refuse it or to mention your dietary restrictions is very silly when all you have to do is digitally toast your coffee and share your bacon.  The official International Bacon Day is the Saturday before Labor Day.  Can you think of the best festive way to cheer up all your friends this month by serving coffee and bacon, or dressing up like these items?  Here are some dedicated posts ready to stir your creativity about bacon.

  • Have a parade-dress up in coffee or bacon costumes and walk down the street
  • Invite friends to a pot-luck on line- bring exotic coffee drinks and bacon themed snacks
  • Start an expressive arts contest- poetry, prose, visual arts derived from the inspiration of bacon and coffee
  • Find the most obscure uses for both coffee and bacon and tell everyone about them
  • Create a game in which coffee and bacon battle to be the one remaining digital sustenance available on the internet

If you had to go to a desert island and have only coffee or only bacon for a month, which one would you choose?  I would go with coffee.  Are you planning to celebrate either of these special occasions?  What are your plans?  What could be more important than this?

Sir Gilchrist Mure, 23 Great-grandfather

August 3, 2014 — 5 Comments

My 23rd great-grandfather was a knight in Scotland who inherited power and a castle by marrying his wife Isabell.  The family did well.

Sir Gilchrist Mure
Born: Cir 1200
Marriage: Isabel Cumming
Died: 1280 aged 80
General Notes:
Rowallan had been in possession of the Mures previous to the reign of Alexander III., from which they were dispossessed by the powerful house of Cuming, and the owner, Sir Gichrist More, was ” redacted for his safty to keep close in his castle of Pokellie.” After the battle of Largs, however, upon which occasion Sir Gilchrist received the honour of Knighthood in reward of his bravery, he “was reponed to his whole inheritance.” ” Sir Gilchrist,” continues the author, ” for preventing of more creation of trouble, and for settling of his owne securitie and firmer peace made allyance with this partie of power, and married Isabell, his only daughter and heire, by accession of whose inheritance, to witt of the lands of Cuminside, Draden, and Harwoods, his estate being enlarged.” The editor, however, remarks, that it is ” fully as probable, even from his own showing, that Polkelly was the more ancient inheritance of his family, and that Rowallan was acquired solely by the marriage of the heiress, Isabell, as is generally held.” But to follow our author – ” After the death of Sir Walter Cumine, Sir Gilchrist now secured not onlie in the title and full possession of his old inheritance, but also in his border lands wherein he succeeded to Sir Walter forsaid within the Sheriffdom of Roxburgh, being sensible and mindfull of the deserving of his freinds and followers in time of his troubles, deals with all of them as became a man of honour, bestowing upon each some parcell of land according to his respect, interest or (happly) promise to the person. He disponed to his kinsman Ranald More, who had come purposlie from Ireland for his assistance in time of his troubles, and tooke share with him of the hazard of the battell, the lands of Pokellie,” &c. Now there is evidently a complete jumbling of times and circumstances here. In the reign of David II Maurice Mur- ray had a charter “of the waird of Walter Cuming of Rowallan, in vic. de Roxburgh, with the lands thereof.” It is thus apparent that the Rowallan lands in Roxburghshire were not in possession of Sir Gilchrist at this period and it is next to impossible that the same Sir Gilchrist Mure, who fought at the battle of Largs, could have been alive in the reign of David II. Indeed he is stated by the author to have died in 1280. No reliance, therefore, is to be placed on the “Historie” by Sir William farther back than can be corroborated by concurrent testimony.
He is said, as already mentioned, to have disponed the lands of Polkelly to his kinsman, Ranald More, but of this there is no evidence. The author of the “Historie” refers to a charter ” extant, granted by him to his daughter Anicia, of the lauds of Cuthsach, Gulmeth, Blaracharsan, with the woods thairof purchast from Molid, together with Garnegep and Calder, rowmes now not knowne by these names. The pasturage thairin specifyed being bounded upon the north side from Drwmbwy dicth by Swinstie burne, rnaks evident that the lands of Pokellie have been at that time in the hands of the disponer, and a proper part of the mure of Rowallane,” &e. With his daughter Anicia, married to Richard Boyle of Kelbume, he is said to have given the lands of Polruskane, ” for payment of ane pound of Comine seed in name of blensch ferme yearlie from these times, till by God’s good providence they are now brought in againe, to the house by lawfull purchase. He gifted likewise the lands of Ardoeh (now Crawfurdland,) to Johne Crawfurd and aires, for service of waird and reliefe, and to Edward Arnot the two finnicks for yearlie payment of ane pair of gloves at St Lawrence Chapelland of ane pair of spurs at St Michaell’s Chapell, embleames of reddie service. Last it is recorded that he builded the Mures Ile at Kilmarnock, and decored the same with funerall monuments, and mortified for maintainance of the Priest who did officiat at the altar thairin, to the Abacie of Killwining, the lands of Skirnalland, for which reasone the nomination of the priest forsaid (a custome which constantlie continued till the restoring of religion) was proper to him and his successors.” Sir Gilchrist, who had evidently been the means of vastly increasing the family estates, although there is no evidence of his being in the possession of Rowallan, is said to have died “about the year 1280, neer the 80 year of his age.” He was buried, says the historian, “with his forfathers in his owne buriell place in the Mures Isle at Kilmarnock,” a statement certainly involving an anachronism. If he was the builder of the Isle, he could not well have been buried with his forefathers, unless they had been disinhumed for the purpose. He had, by his lady, Isabcll Cumine:-

  1. Archibald, his heir.
  2. Elizabeth, married to Sir Godfrey Ross.
  3. Anicia, married to Richard Boyle of Kelbume. 59
Rowallan castle

Rowallan Castle

Gilchrist Mure (1200 – 1280)
is my 23rd great grandfather
ARCHIBALD Mure (1231 – 1297)
son of Gilchrist Mure
William Mure (1265 – 1348)
son of ARCHIBALD Mure
Adam More (1290 – 1380)
son of William Mure
Elizabeth Mure (1320 – 1355)
daughter of Adam More
Robert Scotland Stewart (1337 – 1406)
son of Elizabeth Mure
James I Scotland Stewart (1394 – 1434)
son of Robert Scotland Stewart
Joan Stewart (1428 – 1486)
daughter of James I Scotland Stewart
John Gordon (1450 – 1517)
son of Joan Stewart
Robert Lord Gordon (1475 – 1525)
son of John Gordon
Catherine Gordon (1497 – 1537)
daughter of Robert Lord Gordon
Lady Elizabeth Ashton (1524 – 1588)
daughter of Catherine Gordon
Capt Roger Dudley (1535 – 1585)
son of Lady Elizabeth Ashton
Gov Thomas Dudley (1576 – 1653)
son of Capt Roger Dudley
Anne Dudley (1612 – 1672)
daughter of Gov Thomas Dudley
John Bradstreet (1652 – 1718)
son of Anne Dudley
Mercy Bradstreet (1689 – 1725)
daughter of John Bradstreet
Caleb Hazen (1720 – 1777)
son of Mercy Bradstreet
Mercy Hazen (1747 – 1819)
daughter of Caleb Hazen
Martha Mead (1784 – 1860)
daughter of Mercy Hazen
Abner Morse (1808 – 1838)
son of Martha Mead
Daniel Rowland Morse (1838 – 1910)
son of Abner Morse
Jason A Morse (1862 – 1932)
son of Daniel Rowland Morse
Ernest Abner Morse (1890 – 1965)
son of Jason A Morse
Richard Arden Morse (1920 – 2004)
son of Ernest Abner Morse
Pamela Morse
I am the daughter of Richard Arden Morse

History and Conflict

July 30, 2014 — 4 Comments

 

I spend a lot of time studying history, usually by learning about my own ancestry. The knowledge of my own family in different time periods has really helped me to get a better understanding of significant events and political movements. I began with some curiosity about how my own parents developed their ideas and culture, and now I can’t stop. I guess I don’t think about my own place in history, but a visit to the University I attended when I was 17 has given me both flash backs and chills. The anti-war movement and what was known as the free speech movement were obvious choices for me as a teen. I disagreed with all forms of violence, and my parents not only practiced violence in their personal lives, but firmly believed that military might and hatred were American privileges. I see now that my own reaction to their way of thinking not only changed my life, but changed history.

Now we find ourselves in a highly militaristic and war torn world.  Racism has not disappeared, but has gone underground. Poverty and lack of education and health care are in about the same situation as the 1950’s.  The effects of the laws, the programs, and the ideals that lifted America to a better place have virtually vanished into thin air.  We have more descent about politics then I have seen in my lifetime.  Our people are addicted to debt and squandering resources mindlessly.  Greed has replaced most other motives, and corporations can buy any government they want.  I will not form any philosophy around this decay and lowering of standards for the greater good because it has been happening since the dawn of time.  Our recurrent situation, fighting in wars in foreign lands for no logical purpose is no different from the Crusades, or the devastation of Native America.  Power may not beget evil, but the cycles of  tragedy follow the cycles of power.  We can only analyze the past after time has passed and those cycles become clear.  In my youth I thought that ending the Vietnam War would end all wars.  I have to wonder if this feeling also has occurred in young people forever.  The idea that when we finally have power we will change the world to make it better for everyone could not possibly have been originated by hippies.  I am sure there have always been those who wanted to give peace a chance. Things have to hit bottom before they bounce, just like real estate.  I can only hope that bottom is once again in sight, and that the end of my life will resemble the beginning, with an attitude of hope and conviction that we can do better.

 

Food Trip, Austin

July 29, 2014 — 8 Comments

During my visit to Austin I have been on a grand and very festive culinary journey without traveling very much.  I discovered in the first couple of days how little I liked driving in this city.  Traffic is like Southern California, but there is no ocean view.  Knowing that, I investigated all the walkable and easy driving destinations to either buy groceries or enjoy restaurants and food trucks.  The only problem I have had is a complete inability to be hungry enough to eat everything I want to try.  Honestly, I don’t think they tolerate bad food around here.  At least I have not run across any.  This is the highest concentration of foodist festivities I have seen in my life.  I have been to Napa and the Bay area, and do like all the options in New York City.  However, I choose Austin, Texas as my own gourmet destination supreme.  I am here at a good time, with plenty of ripe peaches, figs, melons, peppers, okra, and all garden greens.  There are farmers markets on every day of the week if you choose to go.  Food trucks offer new kinds of fusion cuisine that you could not even imagine.  Naturally barbecue is big, but I don’t eat meat, so I stick to all the smoked veggies, cheese,and condiments.  They even smoke  hummus.  It is the creativity and dedication to pure unadulterated products that makes the difference.  I even tried beers that are 100% naturally fermented with yeast grown on the farm.  I have made some reviews in this blog to guide the gentle readers who might visit, but I would encourage anyone to just follow your nose and the menu that speaks to you.  There is an abundance of quality that will surprise you no matter what you like to eat.

During a museum tour I got hungry and walked out to find a bite to eat.  I went to the drag (Guadalupe) by the campus and was not favorably impressed. The area has become pretty dumpy with graffiti and garbage. This surprised me because next to campus was always a profitable active place for business.  It is now run down, tacky, and did not appeal to me.  I managed to find a restaurant right on the mall on campus operated by UT endowment that was lovely and when I was there, very off-peak.  This place is the best bargain in town. The Carillon Restaurant serves an all you can eat buffet at lunch for $17.00 that includes a 20% tip!!!!  The selection was outstanding, innovative, and prepared with skill and artfulness.  Servers were friendly and attentive, and the ambiance elegant.  All my selections were delicious.  The carrot ginger soup was much creamier ( as in half and half) than my own version which made it almost like a dessert.  The grilled romaine was tasty, as were the many grilled veggies on the buffet.  I splurged on a tiny raspberry tart and chocolate mousse before heading back to the museum.  I think if you only come to town for a day and will only have a chance to try one dining experience The Carillon is the place to go.  Bon Appetite, gentle readers.  Do you have a favorite food place in Austin?  Do tell.

 

Air bnb vs Hotel Throwdown

July 27, 2014 — 3 Comments

I came to Austin to attend a reunion party that was held yesterday at the Drury Inn. Although I am very happy in my Air BnB Airstream I decided to check into the hotel for one night to have the best experience at the party. I am glad I did because the festivities were extensive and the crowd big. By staying there I was able to visit and enjoy the group, drink alcohol, and then just fall asleep in my hotel room. I brought my bathing suit thinking I might go in the pool, but the party was the focus, so I never unpacked the suit.  I had a wonderful time and ate some amazing food that was brought to the giant potluck.  Someone even imported white cheese from Venezuela for the arepas.  I got so full I could not taste all the goodies, but I was impressed with the creativity of all the cooks.  There was a giant paella prepared, then some music and dancing after dinner.  All in all this was one of the best organized and entertaining parties to which I have been invited.  It was really fun to see friends from 50 years ago.

Today it took me less than 5 minutes (because it is Sunday) to move back to East Austin to the Airstream.  I like both hotel and Air bnb, but for different reasons.  My love for hotels will never die, but now I have a choice when I travel, so I do look for availability in the rental market to compare prices/value.  It all comes down to one thing for me..or, or if you are a real estate professional you could say three things..location, location, and location.  If I can situate myself in the exact spot I want to be I consider the Air BnB option to be the superior one.  You will be exposed to the local culture, have a chance to live like a native wherever you are when you rent a space from a private owner.   I have found my hosts to be very attentive to my personal needs, offering much information and guidance that makes the stay more individually crafted.  This time my host is out of the country and two very local managers handle anything I need.  My full of organic food and drink kitchen saved me both money and time upon arrival.  The two fancy bottles of wine for which there is a $15 charge if I decide to drink them are a super nice touch.  I have laundry facilities and plenty of parking off the street.

I liked my hotel stay because:

  • It was convenient, clean, and well managed
  • The staff was very helpful and friendly in every way
  • The internet was the fastest I have had in any hotel (often this is a problem)
  • They serve good coffee at breakfast (this is not always true)
  • The bed was excellent, providing full comfort when I crashed
  • There was room for our big party and they let us make paella in the parking lot
  • They have bathtubs and unlimited hot water (this was my favorite part..I took 3 baths during my overnight stay)

I am happy to be home in the Airstream because:

  • I am integrated into this neighborhood and know my way around
  • I have total privacy
  • I have a full (tiny) kitchen and lots of storage space in general
  • I am not right next to the freeway
  • My rent is about half what the hotel costs
  • My managers are on hand to answer all my questions and give me good advice
  • I live here as a part of the community rather than a pure tourist. I meet people who live here.
  • Now I can say I have stayed in an Airstream

I am not sure how you like to travel or what your priorities are, but check out Air BnB for the fun of it.  You can start a wish list if there are properties that strike your fancy.   Depending on where you want to be it may or may not be the best choice, but I think it is worth investigation.  The Airstream has no TV.  I do have Hulu, but I can only see the evening news 24 hours after it is broadcast.  These days there is so much tragedy in 24 hours, and all the news comes on twitter anyhow.  Being spared the ritual of news watching at the end of every day at this particular time has been a blessing.  At breakfast in the hotel the television was large and looming. CNN was showing us all the freaky horror going on in the world…over our morning meal.  This, I can certainly do without.  Home sweet Airstream, for 3 more days!

 

East End Fourth Friday, Austin

July 26, 2014 — 4 Comments

 

My neighborhood (in Austin) had a party last night which I enjoyed attending. On the 4th Friday of every month many of the businesses around here throw a small festival to celebrate being here. I did not last long enough to go to the free BYOB movie, but I did check out some places I had not even seen during my time here. This neighborhood was once the true home of black music in Austin. Later there were significant crime problems, and some real estate devaluation. From what I hear this was as rough as any scary urban area for a while. Now it is the rising star of commerce of the hippest kind. There are very cool stores, bars, restaurants, and of course food trucks. I started at Hillside Farmacy for a couple of drink specials, then moved on to Sagra for a couple of very personally crafted cocktails and a fried pizza.  The bands were arriving and the whole place rocking when I walked home.  I kind of thought I might go back later for dancing and the movie, but was fast asleep full and happy shortly after I arrived at the Airstream.   I had a great time, and even had a quick dance with Mama Jewel on my way home.  Perfect evening.  If I had any ambition to develop real estate I would do it right here.  Since that is not the case, I will develop friendships for the future.  I think this hood has about 5 years before the rent goes way up.  It is where the action is.  I can only hope the attitude and the available parking will last until I return.  This is a neighborhood business scene with real community support and diverse flavor.  I love it.

Austin Ashiatsu, Better than Your Average Bodywork

July 24, 2014 — 1 Comment

I had the deep pleasure (pun intended) of experiencing for myself the talented feet of Cathy Royder.  I can admit to being a bodywork pig.  But I am a picky and discriminating bodywork pig.  At home I am a patron of the “hospital spa”, Supportive Care for Healing at the U of A Cancer Center.  The public is welcome to use the facility, with or without cancer.  The very best therapists in Tucson give 1 hour treatments there for just $40, which is hog heaven for a bodywork pig like me.  I do patronize some therapists in their private practices as well, but usually I get those bargain treatments because I can afford more of them.

On holiday now I am in exotic splurge mode because that is what holidays are intended to be.  Lucky for me Austin Ashiatsu is literally right down the street from my temporary home in the hood.  A quick check of the map, an easy to navigate appointment made on the website….and voilá….I found myself under the very capable feet of Ms.Royder,L.Ac, MAOM, LMT.  She asked me what kind of pressure I wanted and I replied that she could go all the way.  After a couple of minutes I had to tell her to lighten up a bit. I was astonished how such a small person could exert so much pressure.  We arrived at the perfect pressure for me, and I drifted into happy land for the next hour.  The treatment was lovely and I feel very balanced and refreshed as a result.   If you live in Austin, make yourself an appointment for a super mini holiday at 1306 E 7th St.  If you are visiting the city I recommend this experience to make your time here extra special.  I recommend this service to anyone who likes to feel good.  She will whip out the tuning forks in certain circumstances…I might need to return for that!!!  Tuning forks on acupuncture points is a very powerful way to treat the body.

 

Pleasures and Politics of Whole Foods Market

July 24, 2014 — 2 Comments

Whole Foods, the behemoth distributers of the natural lifestyle, started in Austin. A visit to the flagship store is both awesome and creepy. The produce, no matter where you are in the country, comes mostly from California. Right there you have strike one against the concept that by shopping at the store you support happy, healthy, local organic growers. Get real, folks. Whole Foods is responsible to the shareholders of the corporation. Their mission (and their mandate) is to make maximum profit for those shareholders.  I think that is all good.  I do not begrudge any healthy business a healthy profit.  When I enter the door I expect to pay more for what I buy, but I also expect a vast selection and very high quality products.  In history, before the rise of the hipster class, hippies managed the distribution of health food and natural products, often by forming cooperatives.  I was always involved with a coop in my youth.  This meant that you actually had to contribute some kind of labor to the cause.  We saved money on our healthy foods, but most importantly, we provided a source that did not exist in the retail market.  I am still a member of the Food Conspiracy, which I actively helped found in Tucson, but I am also the poster child for the Whole Foods Market customer.  I now have more disposable income and less inclination to organize a group buying effort to obtain what I want.  I am still a hippie, but a lazier one.

This is how I look at the whole picture at Whole Foods.  I do grow food in my garden, prepare many products at home, and shop extensively at farmers’ markets.  I would be pleased if all my food could be obtained locally and make some effort to keep my purchasing power close to home.  I visit my Tucson Whole Foods about 10 times a year for the specific purpose of buying certain items I can only find there, as well as to go on a splurge.  When I arrived in Austin I went directly to the flagship store to buy supplies because I am on a holiday, which implies I will be splurging in any way I please.  I did not travel here to save money.  I am here to enjoy the cultural delights of the city.  I love to be able to buy interesting things I do not find where I live.  The Whole Foods does not disappoint in that regard.  They carry everything from clothing to cosmetics, local brews to baked goods…it is all available for a price.  Speaking of price, I generally ignore the cost and just realize that it is not a place to buy day to day items, but is the ultimate shopping heaven for natural products and foods.  I can’t help but notice that there are three very large skyscrapers being constructed in the vicinity of the store at 12th and Lamar.  I believe they will fill with tenants very quickly when they are finished simply because of the proximity to all that highly sought after merchandise.  This is what they call the trickle down effect, I think.  Money will trickle down from those buildings right into the Whole Foods cash registers.  Bon Appetite.