14 Random Pics, Updates, and a Mockingbird Serenade

 

 

1. This morning's sunrise - all taken on Salem Avenue on my morning bike commute. (Good ride!)
2. Table display from last night's Heart of Lubbock Community Garden Fundraiser (Much fun - donate!)
3. AJ article from Tuesday about Texas Agrilife's Russ Wallace and his amazing strawberry operation. (Be watching for the Strawberry Edition of the Lubbock Downtown Farmers' Market in the next few weeks.)
4. A blurry pic of our first tomato flower from the new MH Instructable planter.
5. Life springing (from what we thought were) dead prickly pear fragments on our back porch
6. Knippa rocking some cool shades from our epic adventure to the Goodwill Pound Store to get messenger bags for my bicycle pannier project.
7. What's left of my grandfather's armadillo sign (I have loved that sign for years)
8. The geckos are growing (in the compost box)
9. Things are getting cheap at the Sun Adventure Going-out-of-Business sale. It stinks that they are closing, but it is a great time for you to get ready to ride this spring and summer. Do yourself a favor - ride a bike as often as possible.
10. Lost and Found Goat on Lubbock Nextdoor this week
11. Feeling all legit with my new upcycled business cards!
12. West Texas Cycling Association bumper sticker spotted in the Covenant parking garage.
13. This giant soccer ball brought mirth to my Monday morning ride.
14. Little purple flowers from Saturday's Yellowhouse Coffee stroll. 

We have been blessed with lots of mockingbirds this season. This one made my day.

 

May your photos reflect growth, joy, progress, hope, and may they help you to recognize your blessings.

Get Ready for Fresh Veggies in Lubbock!

It's coming!

A friend of mine is part of a long-term cancer study, and she occasionally gets a really big questionnaire to fill out. One sobering part of the questionnaire is the sheer volume of questions about a person's diet. There are lots of questions that deal with fresh/processed, mass market/organic, etc. It serves as a strong reminder that we should all be very aware of the foods we are shoving down our throats, especially if you couple that idea with all the studies of the health benefits/cancer-fighting benefits of eating fresh vegetables. So, snagit!, get out there and start eating fresh veggies!

Yep, you know I am going somewhere with this - we are just 17 days away from the opening round of the Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market. The first one this year is Saturday, June 20th. Remember, nothing can be sold before 9 and most of the really good stuff is sold by 10:30.

And for those of you who whine about living in a lame city (i.e. me yesterday), the farmers market is one of those things that helps hold the lameness at bay, so get out there, have a good time, support your neighbors, and support your health. I sincerely hope to see you there!

May you be the change you wish to see in the world!

Walking, Coffee, Stuff, Minimalism Challenge, Saturday Mornings, etc.

As I get a bit older, I keep thinking differently about stuff and busy-ness.

Some of that fancy latté art

Let's talk about Saturday mornings. I love Saturday mornings. I sleep in a little on Saturdays, almost an hour longer than normal. I get up quietly, throw on some clothes, grab a few things, and walk over to the local coffeehouse. Besides clothes, I have my ever-present phone, wallet, and keys. I also carry a grocery bag, my journal, my bible, a pen, and some cheater glasses. The grocery bag I fill up with trash as I walk the neighborhood and drop it in a dumpster near the coffeehouse. I am usually one of the first to arrive at the coffeehouse. I order a single coffee drink and a whole-wheat cinnamon roll. I sit in the back corner reading, writing, sipping, munching, and sometimes planning blog posts. I am usually there about an hour. As I walk home, I pick recyclables up. When I get home, I usually climb back in bed with my lovely wife - she is not a morning person, and that is probably a good thing.

The thing about these particular Saturday mornings, I have everything I need. I usually spend around five dollars. In our world of stuff and hurry, this is a time of little stuff and little hurry. Weather does not affect it. I can walk in snow, rain, fog, heat, wind. The coffee can be hot, cold, good, terrible. The cinnamon roll can be the same. The temperature inside the building also matters little.

The only variable that ever messes things up for me is noise level. If the music is too loud and distracting or the patrons are too loud and distracting, then I get nervous and don't enjoy the morning so much. I go there seeking a reverential contentment, but noise can melt that away. (I should probably re-think the ever-present cell phone too.)

For me, contentment is the important word. I am not seeking joy or happiness. On Saturday mornings, I work at being content. When I find that - happiness, joy, patience, even a tiny bit of wisdom - things all seem to fall in place. The week is better, and I have more resilience to face it and to care for those who need me.

After having read this far - pat yourself on the back for attention-span endurance - here is a nifty little pair of links to help you if you are trying to slow down a bit to seek a bit of contentment:

Green Livivng Ideas article about the minimalism challenge

The 30-day Minimalism Challenge

I am a big fan of days 1, 4, 10, and 24. I dont think I will struggle much with days 9, 17, and 23.

May you find some contentment in your days. Thank you, as always, for reading this blog!

Let's Talk Coffee: Conservation, Creativity, Composting, and Learning

Acorn coffee?!!! Keep reading....

Do you ever have those weeks when the world seems to be pointing you at some topic or other? I am having one of those, and it's pointing me to coffee this week. So, here we go!

A guy from work (Hi Matt!) was lamenting the poor flavor and the waste of K-cup machines. The conversation turned to more flavorful - and less wasteful - methods of brewing. These days there are lots of choices: French presses, old school stove-top espresso makers and coffee percolators, pour-overs, chemexes, etcetera ad nauseum. Oy vey! It's overwhelming. (I think I'll get the percolator out tomorrow and bubble up a cup or two.)

9 low-tech ways to brew great coffee with minimal waste

Refillable cups and mugs: My wife was turned away from another place this week. (She and I have been striving to get away from disposable dishes, but we both love our coffee.) I am needing to do a little research to find out what the local regulations are. When we are turned away, the issue is always blamed on health codes - never on company policy, but all anecdotal evidence leads to that not being the case. I'll update this when I have an answer. Until then, check out this Ask Umbra response:

Which is worse, a K-Cup or a throw-away coffee cup?

Other stuff

Have you always wanted to roast your own beans (That sounds inappropriately painful.) I read about this a while back and discussed it with Mad Science Rusty. As always, he was way ahead of the curve and had used this method for quite some time until stepping up to a real roaster. If you strive to be like MS Rusty (and you should) here is an Instructable to help you get started and help you find unroasted beans.

Roast Your Own Instructable (using a popcorn popper!)

How else would you expect a mad scientist to dress?

Devoted readers of this blog (Hi, Keith) may have seen a mention of Yellowhouse Coffee. Yellowhouse, J and B, and a few other coffee places around town freely share their used coffee grounds with local gardeners and composters. If you are intrigued but don't know what to do with those grounds, here is an article for you:

Composting Coffee Grounds

Free coffee!

Speaking of Yellowhouse, if you want to become one of those discriminating coffee connoisseurs who drink with their pinkies sticking out, Yellowhouse is offering another coffee class next month. Be sure to sign up soon - the spots always fill up fast. Tell them that the Mesquite Hugger's pinky sent you.

Sign up!

And now for something completely different for those of you overwhemled by acorns:

Acorn Coffee Instructable

I raise my cup to you, Dear Reader! May you drink joyfully and sustainably!

The Simplest Aquaponics Setup I Have Seen - elive aquaDuo Aquarium Filter

There we were standing in line at Mr. Aquarium this weekend when I looked over and saw a photo of a plant sticking out of a power filter. I admit I was intrigued. So, I left my wife and her new fish Luna (half-moon betta) in line and went over to check it out. The elive aquaDuo is just what it appeared to be - a power filter that incorporates a live plant as part of the filtration system.

The elive sell sheet

Online reviews for it are a bit spotty - pretty equal on the love and hate. I am wondering what plants would be most appropriate since the roots would stay constantly submerged. [I read the manual - they recommend peace lilies, arrowhead plants, pothos, and lucky bamboo.] At this size (and price point) I can not see it feeding a village, but as a novelty item, I am pretty tempted.

The manual

Points for Mr. Aquarium, which is already one of my favorite local businesses, their prices are actually slightly lower than the ones available on Amazon. $24.99 for the 20 gallon version and $19.99 for the 10 gallon version. If I come across any extra spending money this week, I will pick one up and report back to you on it. Maybe the tadpoles would like to hang out under a locally collected semi-aquatic plant...

May your thumb be green and green!

Lubbock Giving: Operation Wishbone - The Haven and Second Chance Dog Rescue

Here is the flyer

 I stopped by Mr. Aquarium yesterday - 34th Street is blessed with a lot of great businesses - Jenny came right over with a flyer and asked me to spread the word. She knows that my wife and I are dedicated to the idea of supporting no-kill shelters in their quest to make life better for the thousands of cast-aside pets our town sees every year.

From this 2013 Avalanche-Journal Article about local adoption and kill rates

We killed almost 24,000 from 2010-2012

In this season of cold and hunger, please set aside a little to help these shelters care for Lubbock's homeless pets. 

Our Condo in his dino pjs

Link to the Haven

Second Chance Dog Rescue (Snyder, TX) can be found on Facebook.

May your life be richer for what you give away.

Combating Lubbock Boringitis: Urban Tech

Imagine living in a place where there is always something to do.

In case you haven't heard, our fair city has once again been voted the most boring town in America. And it is not hard to see why we have such a reputation. If one is not interested in going to a movie, attending a sports event, or heading down to the Depot District to drink a lot of alcohol, well, you are going to have to do some digging.

Don't do it!

But there have been many glimmers of hope in the last few years. Two that stand out happen in the downtown area: the LHUCA First Friday Art Trail and the Lubbock Downtown Farmer's Market. If you have been fortunate enough to visit either of those recurring events, you've had the chance to see local folks out enjoying the place we call home and the company of our neighbors. And it's pretty darned awesome.

Another group that is working in the same direction is Urban Tech. They are an offshoot of the Texas Tech College of Architecture. In their own words:

A place for students to think, draw, design, model and create.
A product of ideas and information in public exhibition in the form of drawings and models and transportable information via digital media.
A process of civic engagement and exploration.
Urban Tech will clarify the public benefits of architecture, promote the creation of new knowledge and serve as a laboratory for ethical professional behavior where community needs supersede private agendas. (I really like that last sentence!)

Urban Tech has been stepping away from the drawing board lately and taking their work and ideas into the street downtown. And if you have not made it out there, you still have time this week to head over to Avenue J to see what's up and to support the idea of resurrecting our downtown to create an area where people would love to live, work, and play. Besides the cultural events, you can check out the functional art, the pocket park, and the prospective graphics on the windows. You can even pick up one of the cool t-shirts for $10.

Bands on Friday Night

Coffee in the morning and live music during the lunch hour and after work

Last night's Broadway & Gourmet on Ave J

If you are one of those who keep complaining about how boring our town is, here is your chance to truly be the change you wish to see in the world. Get out and support a future that can be.

May you live in an interesting place that inspires you!

PS. Be sure to check out a few of the other projects on the Urban Tech website. BIKE!

Lubbock Reminder: Downtown Farmers Market Tomorrow

Farmers Market Season is almost over, so don't forget to check out Christmas and other seasonal gifts at the market while you still have easy access. I know from experience that people love to receive Kell B jams around the holidays. The farmers market is a great place to find gifts that let the people around you know you care enough to seek out something special.

And you need to be consuming more local produce, honey, and Holy Cow beef (if you're into that sort of thing!)

Learn more here:
http://lubbockdowntownfarmersmarket.com/

May you and your neighbors thrive!!!!!

Lubbock: Don't forget the Farmers Market tomorrow (With dog photos!)

Condo loves the peanut butter treats from KDJ Barkery

My wife and I have been enjoying Saturday mornings lately. Breakfast at Aranda's or the Ranch House, and then a trip to the Downtown Farmers Market. One of the foster dogs will go with us. It's very encouraging and fun to see something like this happening in our town. Good stuff!

Mattie went to the FM a few weeks ago and had a great time.

Besides the local veggies and eggs, here is our shopping list this week

• Wolf Creek Farms - Laundry Soap
• Chocolate & Beyond - Blackberry Cobbler
• KDJ Barkery - Peanut Butter dog treats (Condo endorsed)
• Solar Chef - say hi to Janie (and talk her out of a free cookie)
• Apple Country - Local Honey!
• Yellowhouse - Ice coffee for my wife
• Yoga Bean - hot coffee for me

Kylie went with us on the rain-out day.

May you have a great Saturday morning too!

Lubbock Local Arts and Food: Jacob McCoy Burton Performance Friday Night

(Photo from Visit Lubbock)

The re-scheduled performance is Friday night at Yellowhouse Coffee (3017 34th St, Lubbock - September 19).

While you're in the 'hood, why not plan to try some local food 34th Street for dinner:

Chinese/Thai: Uncle Chein's 3004 34th St

Mexican: Aranda's 4001 34th St or Picante's 33814 34th St

Innovative Cuisine: The Vine 2623 34th St or the Crafthouse Gastropub 3131 34th St

Texican: The Caprock Cafe 3405 34th St

Indian: India Palace 3021 34th St # A

May your soul and your stomach be satisfied!

Lubbock Lake Landmark: Be a Tourist at Home!

So, it's a concept that I don't understand, but I am definitely guilty of this one. Why would people drive or fly hundreds of miles to be tourists when they won't visit the tourist sites in their own home town? How many times have you heard that there is nothing to do around here?

My wife and I were fortunate enough a few years back to spend a few days in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. And we had a great time! Sioux Falls is a town of a few hundred thousand in a flat area surrounded mostly by plains. They have a very cool arts district. They have an airport. The people are pretty friendly. In essence, it was a town very much like Lubbock, but further north.

We hit every tourist site we could find. We visited a butterfly house, the local nature interpretive center, the local brewery, and the arts district. We ate in local restaurants. And we had a great time! Sioux Falls, in many respects, is another Lubbock.

All this is to say that I am a slacker - I have never visited the Lubbock Lake Landmark. But I hope to fix that problem soon. There are two walks scheduled at the LLL in September, a Walk 4 Health and a Night Walk!

I am hoping to catch the night walk. We have some beautiful nights around here in the fall! And this is a great excuse to get out and enjoy one.

And I am going to hit up the gift shop for Christmas this year. Don't be surprised if you receive a cuddly plush animal from the Mesquite Hugger - they have prairie dogs, jackrabbits, and armadillos, oh my!

PS. Don't forget the Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market tomorrow.

May you enjoy being a tourist in your home town!

Another Mesquite Hugger Milestone: the 300th Post!!!

First and foremost, THANK YOU! For everyone who takes the time to read this blog, thank you! Thank you! Thank you to the loyal readers who read every post, and thank you to those of you who just pop in once in a great while.

Second, I apologize. I apologize because I am being lazy on this post - we are having a flashback post today. I have picked 5 of my early faves and the one that explains what headed me down this environmental path. I hope you enjoy them (and this blog) as much as I enjoy writing it.

Number 3: That prairie dog just said you're fat!

Number 8: Professing vs. Practicing

Number 9: Hang Time! (Or Who Needs Fluffy Softness?)

Number 10: Mesquite Beans!

Number 19: How far do you live from _____?

 Number 24: 11 September 2013 - Brace yourself - it's a long one and there are no pictures or links.

May you have a better day!

PS. If you have comments, requests, etc. that you do not care to post publicly, please shoot me an email: spraycan440 at gmail.com

Downtown Farmers Market - and It's National Farmers Market Week!

(Not the actual goat - learn more about this one here: Cowboy Bebop)

I just received the email listing this week's vendors, and I found this literary jewel:

Honeys Farm Fresh - 
Eggs, rabbit, duck, chicken, soap, laundry soap... and a Pet Goat to promote!


 A pet goat to promote! (In a boat? On a moat? Does it like oat(s)?

Get your butt out there:

• eat healthy
• support local farmers, craftspeople, and artists
• talk to Janie about the Solar Chef oven (she gives out free cookies!)
• Do the taste test challenge for great 34th St coffee - the Yoga Bean/Yellowhouse challenge!)
• Say hi to the lovely and delightful Kelle B
• Check out Baron Batch's really cool welding masks
• Buy the silverware road runner and donate it to the Mesquite Hugger Foundation
• Promote a pet goat!
• Do not tell my wife about the pet goat thing!

A little advice - if you want the good produce, get out there before 10:15!

Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market

By the way, it's the 15th Annual National Farmers Market Week!

May your goat be gotten!

Simplicity

There are days in life when you feel as though your existence on this earth is based strictly on doing laundry, trying to pay the bills, and driving stuff from here to there.

I am thankful at those times for good coffee and local wildlife!

Thank you Randall at the Yellowhouse for this beautiful Americano this morning.

And thank you to this young ringneck dove for preening itself on the office windowsill.

May you have a few minutes today to enjoy what surrounds you! And may you have a great day!

Lubbock Coffeehouse Art and Graphiti (I like this spelling better.)

A few little somethings to keep you thinking while I get around to a real post.

I rode my bike to J&B Coffee Sunday morning and took these three photos:

A little MLK for your reading pleasure

Samantha Wilson art for sale (very reasonably priced) at J&B Coffee

(I snuck in a Batman and a Lovecraft portrait for a few dedicated readers!)

Love me some motivational local wildlife graphiti!!!

May your Monday be a blessing!

Lubbock: Support Your Local Farmers Market AND Eat Local Foods Year Round

(Find this image and lots of cool canning info at awaytogarden.com)

In case you are headed to the Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday morning AND you are looking for a productive and tasty indoor activity for the hot hot hot afternoon this week, here is a Treehugger article on canning that I found pretty inspiring:

9 Reasons to Try Canning this Summer

Personally, I was really impressed with six of the nine reasons, but I know that many of you wish I'd get to the point a little quicker, so, here are my top three - 1, 3, & 5.
1. Canning is almost zero-waste
3. Canning at home allows you to keep additives out of your food
5. Canning helps you to support local farmers and reduce food miles



Bonus for those of you still reading: my favorite is #6!

6. Canning can save you a lot of money

May you get off your can and can soon!

Lubbock: Food Truck Fans Have Spoken!

Hundreds line up on Sunday for an opportunity to sample food truck cuisine!

Will our city council respond?

If you did not make it out to the food truck rally, you missed droves of smiling people showing up to support the growth of small local businesses opportunity in our town. A huge success!

May you live in a place where the government is by the people for the people.

Good news, Lubbock Food Truck Fans! (Be there or be hungry!)

Food trucks legal in Lubbock?!!! Well, not yet, but the revolution seems to be underway, and you can join in on Sunday.

Lubbock Free Food Truck Event and Petition Signing

Sunday June 29th

12:30-3pm

Garden Ridge Parking Lot

4304 West Loop 289

May local businesses find a welcome in your town!

Bonus link: The First Mesquite Hugger Post on Food Trucks in Lubbock

PS. Don't forget the Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday!

Lubbock Alternative Shoppers: Mark Your Bike/Junk/Food Calendars for Saturday (June 14)

Check out those bikes!

The one I am excited about - Bicycle Swap Meet! I am trying to raise funds for an electric bike project and hope to take a vintage Schwinn cruiser some other cool stuff to sell.

Funky Junk Roundup  I will admit it, this one scares me a bit. It may be the word "bling" on the artwork, but words like vintage," "reloved," and "junk" bring me back around a bit.

And of course, the Downtown Farmers Market is happening again!

May you relove something in a good way!

Please tell everyone the Mesquite Hugger sent you!

Lubbock this Weekend (June 6th and 7th, 2014)

The First Friday Art Trail is tonight.

LHUCA First Friday

The Downtown Farmer's Market really does kick off tomorrow morning.

Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market

May you find inspiration, health, and a good bargain or two!

PS - Say hi to Yellowhouse Lance and Kelle B from the Mesquite Hugger!