Hobby Farming: Straw Used as Mulch-Buy Local

 I’m continuing to work on my garden and get it ready for fall. I recently bought a few bales of straw from a local farmer. Two will be used for decoration and then worked into the garden as mulch in the spring. Another will be used as mulch now, followed by a cover crop.

Illustrative only

Straw can help suppress weeds, add organic material, improve soil structure and aeration, and moderate soil temperature and moisture. I’m trying to buy from local farmers and businesses whenever possible. With so many concerns about policies and economic trends that have hurt downtowns, local businesses, and communities, I think buying local is one small way we can help.

That also ties into the idea of hobby farming. There’s a lot of land around here that used to be farmed but isn’t anymore because smaller farmers have been squeezed out of the market. (That doesn't mean cutting trees. Responsible people plant more than they cut beause the world needs more green.) I’ve thought that when I retire, I’d like to save enough to buy 10 to 20 acres and build a house and hobby farm on it.

I know people who have built their own homes using some pretty interesting techniques. One person showed me a house made largely with cedar logs and firewood mixed with cement, sand, and other materials to create really unique walls. I might consider something similar someday (He said there are four other houses in the area like that and he would take me on a tour.)

The article below also got me thinking about finding crops that are easy to grow and don’t require a lot of watering or constant attention. I had several crops growing last year, but the weeds kept coming back. The yeild wasn't as high as desired. Hopefully, the straw mulch will help reduce some of that work.

Anyway, I thought you might find the article below interesting, especially the discussion of using straw in the garden.

I have a couple
of these for fun
and experimentation
purposes 

Using Straw Mulch in the Garden

• Straw is an effective organic mulch for vegetable gardens because it helps retain soil moisture and reduces evaporation.
• Straw suppresses weeds by blocking sunlight from reaching the soil surface, reducing weed growth and garden maintenance.
• As straw decomposes, it adds organic matter to the soil, helping improve soil structure, water-holding capacity, and biological activity.
• Straw helps moderate soil temperatures by insulating the soil from extreme heat and cold.
• For best results, use weed-free straw and apply mulch about 2–4 inches deep, keeping it away from plant stems to reduce potential pest and disease problems.

University of Minnesota Extension. (2026). Mulching for soil and garden health. University of Minnesota. https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/mulching-for-soil-and-garden-health

An Analysis of The Allegory of the Clan and It's Importance for Preserving Liberty

 Taken as a hypothetical philosophical exercise, the central lesson of The Allegory of the Clan is that constitutional principles are not self-enforcing. A society can proclaim religious liberty and equal protection while institutions simultaneously tolerate discrimination, corruption, intimidation, or unequal access to justice.

The strongest version of the allegory seems to raise several connected duties:

• Protect equal citizenship. Religious or racial identity cannot become a legitimate basis for dehumanization or denial of rights.

• Confront institutional wrongdoing. If officials, judges, politicians, or other authorities participate in misconduct, accountability cannot depend solely on those same institutions policing themselves. We have seen the failures of self monitoring policies in other countries and in history through horrific collective outcomes.

• Protect whistleblowers and witnesses. A system in which people fear retaliation for exposing wrongdoing will naturally conceal abuses. Failure to reform ould be by intent and by insider unwritten value systems.

• Preserve meaningful remedies for victims. Rights are hollow if victims are systematically prevented from obtaining review, compensation, or other lawful forms of redress.

• Reject collective blame. Even when hostility is allegedly encouraged by foreign actors or political movements, individuals should not be treated as guilty merely because of their religion, race, ancestry, or association with a broader group. Leads if allowed to go too far to segregation, second class citizens and in some cases genocide.

• Use checks and balances. Removing people from positions of authority can sometimes be necessary, but it should occur through lawful, evidence-based procedures rather than becoming another form of arbitrary power.

• Remember historical continuity. The progression from slavery through reconstruction, segregation, and the expansion of civil rights illustrates why formal declarations of equality need continuing institutional protection. We already fought a civil war over these rights.

There is also an important distinction in the allegory between vengeance and accountability. “Doing what is right” does not mean reversing the injustice by inflicting injustice on the people who committed it. It means establishing procedures capable of determining what happened, protecting those harmed, holding responsible individuals accountable proportionately, and preventing the abuse from recurring.

That makes the allegory ultimately less about one particular group and more about a recurring constitutional problem: What happens when the institutions entrusted with protecting liberty become participants in its violation?

Its answer would be that democratic legitimacy requires more than good intentions. It requires independent oversight, due process, equal protection, transparency, meaningful remedies, and institutions strong enough to constrain people who abuse public power.

As a hypothetical thought experiment, you can accept, reject, change around the elements and discard if necessary. As long as you took the time to think about it and think about the type of person you are and what values you believe in and pass to your grandchildren. What oaths mean something to you, and which ones can be discarded? Let us encourage and foster what is good and reject and challenge, what is wrong and illegal.

Escanaba City Council Regular Meeting (October 1, 2026): Zoning, Housing and Homelessness

The meeting sparked an important discussion about homelessness and the resources available to those in need. The issue remains complex, with a variety of perspectives and challenges that make quick conclusions difficult. Rather than rushing to judgment, it is important to consider the different viewpoints presented and take time to better understand the broader issues surrounding homelessness and community assistance. 

There are of course many other important things going on and topics covered. 

Summary of Oct. 1 2026 Escanaba Agenda

Escanaba City Council Meeting Minutes and Zoning Discussion

• The Escanaba City Council addressed municipal business, including event approvals, hiring for alley paving, and MDOT project funding.

• The council evaluated Ordinance No. 1328 to rezone 113 S 10th Street from Commercial E to Residence C for a transitional housing project operated by Hope on the Horizon 906.

• Staff recommended denying the rezoning due to potential inconsistencies with downtown revitalization goals and the Master Plan.

• Community feedback was mixed, with supporters emphasizing homelessness needs and service access, while opponents and nearby business owners raised concerns about neighborhood impact, property values, and location suitability.

• The Planning Commission ultimately noted that the property's intended use could potentially be handled via alternative zoning mechanisms, leading to a recommendation against the rezoning request.

Escanaba City Council. (2026). City council meeting agenda and minutes (Media No. 31006). City of Escanaba. https://www.escanaba.org/media/31006

YouTube Transcript Summary

Here is a summary of the main points discussed during the City of Escanaba City Council regular meeting regarding the proposed rezoning of 113 South 10th Street for transitional housing:

• Call to Order and Administrative Updates: Mayor Mark Ammel called the meeting to order, noting the absence of Council Member Moore. The council approved agenda adjustments, notably removing new business item number one regarding DDA music plans, and corrected previous meeting minutes (changing a street reference from 11th Street to 13th Street for a special event application) [02:25].

• Public Comment and Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 1328: The majority of the meeting centered around a public hearing for Ordinance No. 1328 (the rezoning of 113 South 10th Street from "E Commercial" to "C Multifamily" to establish transitional housing) [22:00].

• Arguments in Support:

  • Supporters, including various residents and community members, emphasized the critical need for a transitional living center to help unhoused individuals and families find stability, jobs, and permanent housing.

  • Advocates noted that the building has been vacant for nine years and that the proposed facility would operate under strict "high barrier" rules (including zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol) similar to successful models in neighboring towns like Marinette.

  • Proponents cited the city's master plan, arguing that supporting diverse housing options and infill development aligns with local guidelines.

• Arguments in Opposition:

  • Opponents, including downtown business owners, nearby residents, and representatives from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), raised concerns about removing limited commercial property and tax-base land for residential use.

  • Concerns were expressed regarding the location's proximity to downtown businesses and potential negative impacts on surrounding property values, safety, and tourism.

  • Some community members questioned whether other alternative locations or existing social services were already sufficient and asked for clearer details regarding the target population and ongoing operational oversight.

City of Escanaba. (2026, October 2). City Council regular meeting Thursday, October 1, 2026 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx8AzZY61TU

Autumn Photography: probably would look good in a lobby.

 Photography can be a lot of fun because you can do it just about anywhere. The chances of making a big sale or selling a lot of art, however, often have more to do with marketing than skill. You can't sell something that nobody likes, but at the same time, you could be a Picasso painter or an exceptional photographer and still live in poverty your entire life. Then, conveniently, after you die, your work becomes incredibly valuable. Unfortunately, that's not a particularly useful business plan while you're alive.

Apple Farm

There are those who create and those who sell, and occasionally, someone is lucky enough to be good at both. My problem is that I create fairly mediocre art, and I put almost no time into selling it. So clearly, my strategy needs some work. Perhaps I should make better art—or, even more radically, actually try to sell the stuff.

The photograph below is of several different gorges, and I think they have a particularly festive fall and autumn feel. I could actually see one of these prints looking pretty good on somebody's wall. I'm even debating whether I should print one for my own wall, which would make me both the artist and the customer. That's what I call a guaranteed sale.

If you're a hotel, I think these photographs could also look fantastic in a lobby this fall. At the very least, they'll give your guests something to look at while they're waiting for the front desk to find their reservation.

If you're interested in making a purchase, let me know. I have a contact form to the right, and I promise not to use any high-pressure sales tactics. Mostly because I don't know how.

Art Gallery (Painting and Photos)

$70 Purchase Painting Pay Pal

$60 for photos (Rights to Use or Printing)

Art Gallery eBay (Paintings)

Firefighters Want More Training in 2026

Thinking about firefighting and the value it provides to our local communities, it’s important to recognize the challenges many departments face. Strained budgets and other issues can make it difficult to maintain large, around-the-clock departments.

That’s why part-time firefighters and volunteers are so important. Their commitment helps provide greater safety coverage and ensures that the people as well as businesses in our communities have the protection they rely on (Beyond insurance cost).

Training will always be a challenge because there is little to no pay for this type of work and so people need to support their families, take care of their kids, etc. Thus departments augment, some are almost always present, others have to take care of business. In our case we train every week.

(The last two weeks I missed because I was on an e-bike while I figured out the car situation. Swim coaches end and I don't have enough time, and unlikely the juice to go completely in the other direction. Now I should be back on track now that I found the right mechanic and have a backup. However, you see the point that things can get in the way.)

If you’re interested in supporting a great local department with many young volunteer and part-time recruits in the UP—one that teaches skills far beyond firefighting and helps develop the next generation of community leaders—please reach out. Tax free donations. I’d be happy to connect you with the right people.

There are a lot of things you may do in your life, especially if young, but few of them are important as protecting your community. That journey can start by joining one of our local fire departments.

What Firefighters Want in 2026: Time to Train

• Firefighters want more opportunities to train, including pursuing certifications, attending regional training, and improving their operational skills.

• Only 37% of surveyed firefighters rated the quality of their department’s training as very good or excellent.

• The biggest obstacle to adequate training is time, with 60% of respondents identifying scheduling conflicts and lack of time as the No. 1 barrier.

• Nearly 80% of respondents reported that AI-driven training makes up little or none of their department’s training, showing that emerging technology remains underused.

• The article emphasizes the need for departments to provide more consistent, relevant training and better align training programs with operational readiness.

FireRescue1. (2026, August 10). What firefighters want in 2026: Time to train. https://www.iafc.org/blogs/iafc/2026/09/02/what-firefighters-want-2026-aggressive-safe-tactics

Psychedelic Assisted Therapy for PTSD and Veterans

This is an interesting report that could be very helpful to our veterans. They served, they are not not rich but they showed up to defend our principles. Some come back with scars they can't shake their whole lives. Anytime we can find a possible solution then we should explore it. We waste money and things that have much lower returns (In some cases antithetical to our values. At least the values I hear from a broader sector of society.) Let applaud the effort in embracing the greater responsibility we have to each other. We only continue our path of freedom by supporting it, and those who protect/ed it, from generation to generation. A sacred oath.

(lllustrative Only)

(As a side note, I have much more respect for these men and women than those who profit off of war. These veterans fought because they were standing for something important. Anyone who puts them at risk for money or investment is not in the same strain of quality. Some are faithful to money, divided loyalties, and other interests while others are faithful to higher principles. I applaud it when people, politicians, businesses and communities stand up to support those who are actively serving and those who are veterans. We need much more thoughtfulness. Double thumbs up for this article. It is informative and helpful 👍👍)

This one is going on another site that does support our veterans. Always faithful. 

Summary and Recommendations on the Safe, Ethical, and Equitable Integration of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the United States

• Psychedelic-assisted therapy may help treat conditions such as PTSD, depression, addiction, and end-of-life distress.
• The report recommends federal, state, and Tribal cooperation to establish consistent safety, training, and ethical standards.
• Patient safety should include informed consent, screening, monitoring, and protections against misconduct.
• The report emphasizes improving access for underserved populations through affordable and flexible treatment options.
• Standardized data collection is recommended to evaluate treatment effectiveness, safety, and long-term outcomes.

Coe, M., Harris-Stephenson, M., & Henningfield, J. (2026). Summary and recommendations on the safe, ethical, and equitable integration of psychedelic-assisted therapy in the United States. Pinney Associates. Article

Apple Orchard and the Industry at Blakes Farm-A Few Ideas

For those who know me, I’ve been talking a lot lately about finding 10–20 acres in the U.P. and eventually building a little retirement hobby farm.

One of the things I’ve already tried was planting a couple of apple trees in my yard. Unfortunately, the deer demolished them pretty quickly! So, when I eventually scrape enough money together to buy some acreage, I’ll definitely need to figure out how to protect the 10 or so apple trees I’d like to plant. We’ll see what the future brings!

Anyway, I was at Blake’s Farm in South Lyon, MI and thought they had a really nice thing going on there. Not that I’m interested in doing something quite like this, but I do love getting out and seeing places like it.

Music, kids dancing, donuts, apple picking, and just a whole lot of fun. 🍎🍩🎶
It definitely got me thinking about what my own little place might look like someday.

U.S. Apple Industry at a Glance

• The U.S. apple industry contributes billions of dollars to the economy and supports thousands of jobs.

• More than 27,000 apple producers grow apples across all 50 states.

• U.S. growers produce approximately 11.1 billion pounds of apples annually, generating $3.2 billion in farm-gate revenue.

• About 67% of the crop is grown for fresh consumption, while 30% is processed into juice and other food products.

• The United States is the world’s second-largest apple producer, with more than 7,000 varieties grown domestically.

U.S. Apple Association. (n.d.). Industry at a glance. https://usapple.org/industry-at-a-glance