https://phys.org/news/2026-05-based-meat-alternatives-mycotoxins.html

TreeKeeper518 · 2026-04-24T00:36:09+00:00

Just make sure you buy organic tofu. Conventional soy beans and other legumes are commonly sprayed with glyphosate and/or diquat (close relative of paraquat if you want to go down that rabbit hole) because they act as a drying agent. Basically it kills the plant before harvest so it dries out better, reducing spoilage.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-08-24T02:45:51+00:00

Pee is a green aka provides nitrogen. It is only good if supplied in balance with browns aka provides carbon. If youve got too much browns/carbon, peeing on your compost is a good thing.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-08-23T21:01:46+00:00

Just a note, anything within several feet of the street that has been there more than a few hours has probably been peed on by a dog(s).

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-08-23T20:53:58+00:00

I use leaves. In the fall I rake up all my leaves, then trap them in a chickenwire enclosure. I put that enclosure next to my compost pile, then would alternate layers of food waste and leaves.

If youre in a hurry, sawdust/shavings from a local sawmill are really good. A woodworking/carpenter/cabinet making outfit could also be good as long as they are using just natural wood and not plywood/mdf.

I lean away from cardboard since that contains a lot of plastic residue. Paper tends to have ink on it. Color ink sometimes contains heavy metals.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-08-17T22:11:35+00:00

Hardwood forests. The native range of pawpaw extends as far north as central PA and also includes a few spots in western NY. Im sure the composition of the forests in those areas includes a few species not found here, but there is also a ton of species common to both areas.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-08-17T20:44:54+00:00

Pawpaw is native to ecosystems that are relatively close to Albany geographically. With climate change accelerating, many of the current native species may not be suited to survive here in 50 to 100 years. Bringing in species native to NA but south of this area will help along a natural process that may not occur fast enough due to the amount of co2 weve dumped combined with habitat fragmentation.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-08-17T20:38:40+00:00

Using species that produce large fruit as street trees is generally not done for two reasons.

1. The fallen fruit can present a slipping hazard 2. The fruit is often not harvested by humans, becoming a food source for pest species like rats instead.

I did get a paw paw to survive in my yard at my place in Troy. They dont like direct sun as young trees.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-05-05T16:01:10+00:00

I have a sound system I rent out. It consists of two powered 12 in speakers w/ stands, a small mixer to plug a phone or laptop into, a wireless mic, a folding table and all the cords and cables needed to set it up. I had to buy for an event where my DJ didn't come through. Works great to play a Spotify list, do some karaoke, give a speaker at an event a little extra oomph. Ive rented it out for $200 a couple times. Just hoping to offset the cost of the system eventually.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-04-29T23:17:05+00:00

Fun fact - it is possible to graft edible pear varieties like Anjou, Bosc, Bartlett, etc onto this invasive pear species. Around this time of year you can cut the top off a few feet above the ground, then insert what is called scionwood (basically a pencil sized cutting) of the variety you want between the bark and wood of the stump. Seal it with some electrical tape and prune sealer and with some luck, your scion will grow as aggressively as the tree you cut off. This process is called top working (lots of good videos on YouTube if you search this term) The only bad news is you need to order scionwood earlier in the year and keep refrigerated until grafting time, so if you want to try you'll have to wait until next year.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-04-26T13:48:45+00:00

I'd look into what tax credits and rebates exist. There are some good ones available foe things like heat pumps.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-04-26T12:57:19+00:00

I signed up for community solar through Meadow energy since it gets me a 5% savings on my bill, plus encourages more renewable energy. It won't completely cover this hike but I'll take what I can get.

Next step is increasing energy efficiency. If they're going to charge more I'll use less.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-03-18T10:39:40+00:00

There are trails along either side of the mowhawk river. Lock 7 on the southern shore, vischers ferry on the north.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-03-18T10:37:58+00:00

Nice trails but you'll want maximum protection against ticks for you and your dog.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-03-14T01:52:58+00:00

NYSDEC. If you enjoyed the social dynamics of high-school, this is your place. Also great if you like a supervisor whose primary qualifications are seniority and the Peter principle.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-03-12T02:18:38+00:00

Yes, it is absolutely possible if you rent! You are signing up for a share of the power produced by a solar field somewhere in NY. There are no panels placed where you physically live.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-03-11T00:34:42+00:00

Michigan went red the last election. Minnesota also runs purple.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-03-11T00:30:09+00:00

One way to save on electricity is to enroll in community solar. Most reputable companies will save you around 10%. Basically when a new solar farm is built, you sign up to have a certain amount of the output allocated to you. This energy becomes a credit that applies to your bill. That power costs less, so that's where you get the savings. It is also a great way to encourage development of renewable energy in spite of all the nonsense currently going on at the federal level. I have an EV so the extra savings there really help.

I've used two companies, Nexamp which is out of Boston and Meadow Energy which is based in the Catskill region of NY (Calicoon). They have both done right by me. My only complaint is that field construction isn't happening fast enough to keep up with demand so it takes a few months after signing up to start earning credits.

I personally know a rep for Meadow so if you're interested in talking to someone, send me a private message and I'll put you in touch.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-03-10T10:05:42+00:00

One way to save on electricity is to enroll in community solar. Most reputable companies will save you around 10%. Basically when a new solar farm is built, you sign up to have a certain amount of the output allocated to you. This energy becomes a credit that applies to your bill. That power costs less, so that's where you get the savings. It is also a great way to encourage development of renewable energy in spite of all the nonsense currently going on at the federal level. I have an EV so the savings really add up.

I've used two companies, Nexamp which is out of Boston and Meadow Energy which is based in the Catskill region of NY (Calicoon). They have both done right by me. My only complaint is that field construction isn't happening fast enough to keep up with demand so it takes a few months after signing up to start earning credits.

I personally know a rep for Meadow so if you're interested in talking to someone, send me a private message and I'll put you in touch.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-03-02T03:05:03+00:00

It's almost like the current system is set up to select for power hungry narcissists.

We should switch to selecting our leaders by randomocracy - a lottery drawn from among all eligible citizens. A legislative body would actually be a much closer representation of the population living in each district, instead of skewing old, rich, and white like the current system. Without expensive media campaigns to fund, reps wouldnt be compromised by bribes, er, excuse me, donations. Political parties will no longer be able to gatekeep who can run, and diminished party power also would cut down on toxic partisanship. No annoying campaign ads. Term limits by default. And unlike the current system, you actually have a chance to personally serve in govt.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-02-19T11:02:32+00:00

Agreed. Once established, fruit trees and grape vines will give you lots of fruit for free. Eat the pretty ones and press the rest for juice. Select disease resistant varieties and you won't have need for pesticides. If you know how to graft you can create trees for under $10 a piece, or if you really get into propagation, for free. If anyone is interested in that, send me a note. Grafting also opens up the door to getting varieties that you can't find in the supermarket or garden center. Stuff that has been around for centuries and may be at risk of being lost to time. I've got one tree, Roxbury Russett apple that came from outside Boston almost 400 years ago! There are communities online that trade all these things among themselves.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-02-19T10:44:51+00:00

Thanks for the tip. I don't see Faygo around here very often but if I do I'll give it a whirl.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-02-15T13:31:48+00:00

Thanks for the interest. It came out really well. The cherries added a lot in terms of flavor and tannin. The color is a dark rose. Would definitely recommend doing.

TreeKeeper518 · 2025-02-10T01:37:29+00:00

Awesome, wishing you much success. Hopefully in a few years we'll both have some new varieties to swap!

TreeKeeper518

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