We went to do our rounds and check on the animals and the sheep had a water bucket on his head. I love sheep man and lady goat.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Bucket Head
We went to do our rounds and check on the animals and the sheep had a water bucket on his head. I love sheep man and lady goat.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Weight of Stuff: The Quality-Quantity Dilema
The end of our lease is nearing and we have no idea what to do next. For the past 4 years I have moved about every 4 months and it never gets easier. This last move up here I got rid of a lot of stuff, I mean A LOT of ridiculous and mostly useless stuff. Stuff that was weighing me down. The baggage I was carrying was overwhelming but the idea of getting rid of it was even more terrifying. Now that I let go of so much of it, I want to let go of almost all of it.
I, like many womyn today, have a semi-unhealthy relationship with clothes. I hate shopping but I love free piles. The thing that's more dangerous about free piles is that everything is a good deal so I come out with an exponential amount of stuff compared to if I went to buy clothes. Also instead of coming home with ready to wear clothes everything needs a little love; a patch on the butt, a good hand washing or cut into shorts. These little tidbits often go undone so they go from one pile of unworn clothing to another.
Luckily I have a strong support group aka best friends who help ease and initiate the process of downsizing my life. This doesn't mean I don't get to acquire anything it just means make room for the new. On a recent visit to San Francisco I went through several free piles and got some pretty good stuff but as soon as I got home I got rid of a comparable amount. A trick I learned from an embarrassing source (Sandra Bullock's character in "The Blind Side") is first don't buy something unless you love it in the store because that's when you like it the best and second if there's something that you would change about a garment when you wear it then get rid of it. Clothes are supposed to make you feel comfortable, they hid our shame, so if you're uncomfortable in something why wear it?
I had a hard time parting with many love items but the more I thought about them the more I remembered little things about them that I didn't like. As soon as they were gone I forgot all about them and got to be excited about new stuff. Now as our next moving date approaches I look forward to downsizing again. One thing that has changed about me since we moved up here is the fact that I've become much more of a quality rather than quantity person. Except that we live in a society that often values things the other way around.
I, like many womyn today, have a semi-unhealthy relationship with clothes. I hate shopping but I love free piles. The thing that's more dangerous about free piles is that everything is a good deal so I come out with an exponential amount of stuff compared to if I went to buy clothes. Also instead of coming home with ready to wear clothes everything needs a little love; a patch on the butt, a good hand washing or cut into shorts. These little tidbits often go undone so they go from one pile of unworn clothing to another.
Luckily I have a strong support group aka best friends who help ease and initiate the process of downsizing my life. This doesn't mean I don't get to acquire anything it just means make room for the new. On a recent visit to San Francisco I went through several free piles and got some pretty good stuff but as soon as I got home I got rid of a comparable amount. A trick I learned from an embarrassing source (Sandra Bullock's character in "The Blind Side") is first don't buy something unless you love it in the store because that's when you like it the best and second if there's something that you would change about a garment when you wear it then get rid of it. Clothes are supposed to make you feel comfortable, they hid our shame, so if you're uncomfortable in something why wear it?
I had a hard time parting with many love items but the more I thought about them the more I remembered little things about them that I didn't like. As soon as they were gone I forgot all about them and got to be excited about new stuff. Now as our next moving date approaches I look forward to downsizing again. One thing that has changed about me since we moved up here is the fact that I've become much more of a quality rather than quantity person. Except that we live in a society that often values things the other way around.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Who knew sheep had tails?
We got our little lamby completely intact--balls, tail and all. Seeing a live action sheep tail is pretty rare. Sheep farmers usually cut them off for hygienic reasons. I have never met a sheep tail before and I was surprised at how much emotion they convey like dog tails. I thought they would be more like horse tails, somewhere between animated and expressive. Sheep wag their tails when they're happy. Here is our sheepy when he is happiest, drinking his bottle, for your viewing pleasure.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Looking for a new place to live
We currently live in a Yurt and we're afraid it might be a little less than Santa Cruz winter-proof. We're looking around for a new place, but we're a little confused about the SC codes. I think I might have to call someone down town or something.
SC Code says:
24.12.630 FAMILY FARM ANIMALS.
In any R- District, or in conjunction with any residential uses in any other district, there may be kept on any lot of at least twenty thousand square feet in area, two large family farm animals and ten small family farm animals.
1. Such animals shall be specifically for use by the family on the site and not be for sale, except in the case of an approved young farmer project.
2. Such animals and poultry shall under no circumstances be permitted to run at large, but shall be confined at all times within a suitable enclosure.
3. Such enclosure shall at all times be maintained in clean and sanitary condition so as to be at all times free from offensive odor or other nuisance features.
4. No part of any enclosure shall be located less than forty feet from any neighbor’s dwelling, and twenty feet from owner’s property line.
5. Only small animals may be butchered on property.
6. Domestic farm animals (those defined as domestic animals in Section 24.22.050) shall be counted as part of the total number of domestic animals permitted on any one property.
7. Where one or more large farm animals or seven or more small farm animals are to be maintained, an administrative use permit shall be required for all family farms. The following shall be considered in the approval of such permits:
a. The slope of the land and its bearing on the problems associated with runoff shall be taken into consideration with surface of all corrals and animal areas to be graded so as to prevent the accumulation of storm or casual waters;
b. The applicant’s proposed plan for the removal of animal manure from the site and for screening of that portion of the property where animals are to be kept;
c. Proposed measures for prevention of adverse impacts, such as noise, on adjacent properties or the neighborhood caused by the keeping of such animals.
(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).
24.12.640 HORSES, PONIES, DONKEYS, OR MULES.
In any R- District, there may be kept one horse, pony, donkey or mule for each twenty thousand square feet of land area, subject to the following provisions:
1. The minimum contiguous land area shall be forty thousand square feet, of which twenty thousand square feet shall be open space. Contiguous parcels which are leased pursuant to a written or oral rental agreement may not be considered as part of the minimum lot area requirements hereof.
2. The fenced paddock and corral area and structures for the housing of such animals shall be at least twenty feet from the property line; stables and housing of such animals shall be at least forty feet from property lines; and stables and corrals a minimum of one hundred feet from neighbor’s dwelling. Except that, upon written consent of adjacent property owner and tenant, where applicable, the setback requirements may be reduced. In no case, however, shall paddocks, corral areas, stables or animal housing be less than fifty feet from habitable structures on adjacent properties.
3. Such animals shall be maintained in a fenced paddock or corral area containing at least eight hundred square feet of fenced area per animal. All of said minimum fenced paddock or corral area shall be permanently accessible to such animals. Such animals shall be cared for and kept in a manner which preserves the health and safety of the animals and which complies with Chapter 8.18 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code;
a. If fenced paddock area is not provided for such animals, each twenty thousand square feet of land area per animal shall be fenced.
4. The land area shall at all times be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition so as to be free from offensive odors or other nuisance features.
5. The fly-control regulations and other restrictions of the environmental health department shall be complied with.
6. A foal of such animal which is lawfully kept on such contiguous land area and which is under the age of one year shall not be counted in determining the number of such animals being kept on the land.
7. An administrative use permit shall be required for all horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. The following shall be considered in the approval of such permits:
a. The slopes of the land and its bearing on the problems associated with runoff shall be taken in consideration, with surface of all corrals and animal areas to be graded so as to prevent the accumulation of storm or casual waters;
b. The applicant’s proposed plan for the removal of animal manure from the site and for screening of that portion of the property where animals are to be kept;
c. Proposed measures for prevention of adverse impacts such as noise on adjacent properties or the neighborhood caused by the keeping of such animal.
(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).
24.12.650 BEES (APIARIES).
In an R-1 District, there may be kept on any lot no more than two hives of bees.
1. No hive shall be kept or maintained closer than twenty feet from all property lines.
2. An administrative use permit shall be required.
(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).
SC Code says:
24.12.630 FAMILY FARM ANIMALS.
In any R- District, or in conjunction with any residential uses in any other district, there may be kept on any lot of at least twenty thousand square feet in area, two large family farm animals and ten small family farm animals.
1. Such animals shall be specifically for use by the family on the site and not be for sale, except in the case of an approved young farmer project.
2. Such animals and poultry shall under no circumstances be permitted to run at large, but shall be confined at all times within a suitable enclosure.
3. Such enclosure shall at all times be maintained in clean and sanitary condition so as to be at all times free from offensive odor or other nuisance features.
4. No part of any enclosure shall be located less than forty feet from any neighbor’s dwelling, and twenty feet from owner’s property line.
5. Only small animals may be butchered on property.
6. Domestic farm animals (those defined as domestic animals in Section 24.22.050) shall be counted as part of the total number of domestic animals permitted on any one property.
7. Where one or more large farm animals or seven or more small farm animals are to be maintained, an administrative use permit shall be required for all family farms. The following shall be considered in the approval of such permits:
a. The slope of the land and its bearing on the problems associated with runoff shall be taken into consideration with surface of all corrals and animal areas to be graded so as to prevent the accumulation of storm or casual waters;
b. The applicant’s proposed plan for the removal of animal manure from the site and for screening of that portion of the property where animals are to be kept;
c. Proposed measures for prevention of adverse impacts, such as noise, on adjacent properties or the neighborhood caused by the keeping of such animals.
(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).
24.12.640 HORSES, PONIES, DONKEYS, OR MULES.
In any R- District, there may be kept one horse, pony, donkey or mule for each twenty thousand square feet of land area, subject to the following provisions:
1. The minimum contiguous land area shall be forty thousand square feet, of which twenty thousand square feet shall be open space. Contiguous parcels which are leased pursuant to a written or oral rental agreement may not be considered as part of the minimum lot area requirements hereof.
2. The fenced paddock and corral area and structures for the housing of such animals shall be at least twenty feet from the property line; stables and housing of such animals shall be at least forty feet from property lines; and stables and corrals a minimum of one hundred feet from neighbor’s dwelling. Except that, upon written consent of adjacent property owner and tenant, where applicable, the setback requirements may be reduced. In no case, however, shall paddocks, corral areas, stables or animal housing be less than fifty feet from habitable structures on adjacent properties.
3. Such animals shall be maintained in a fenced paddock or corral area containing at least eight hundred square feet of fenced area per animal. All of said minimum fenced paddock or corral area shall be permanently accessible to such animals. Such animals shall be cared for and kept in a manner which preserves the health and safety of the animals and which complies with Chapter 8.18 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code;
a. If fenced paddock area is not provided for such animals, each twenty thousand square feet of land area per animal shall be fenced.
4. The land area shall at all times be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition so as to be free from offensive odors or other nuisance features.
5. The fly-control regulations and other restrictions of the environmental health department shall be complied with.
6. A foal of such animal which is lawfully kept on such contiguous land area and which is under the age of one year shall not be counted in determining the number of such animals being kept on the land.
7. An administrative use permit shall be required for all horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. The following shall be considered in the approval of such permits:
a. The slopes of the land and its bearing on the problems associated with runoff shall be taken in consideration, with surface of all corrals and animal areas to be graded so as to prevent the accumulation of storm or casual waters;
b. The applicant’s proposed plan for the removal of animal manure from the site and for screening of that portion of the property where animals are to be kept;
c. Proposed measures for prevention of adverse impacts such as noise on adjacent properties or the neighborhood caused by the keeping of such animal.
(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).
24.12.650 BEES (APIARIES).
In an R-1 District, there may be kept on any lot no more than two hives of bees.
1. No hive shall be kept or maintained closer than twenty feet from all property lines.
2. An administrative use permit shall be required.
(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Globalization is Delicious
Today for snack I had avocado with white miso paste and olive oil on a piece of bread. I know what I eat is not very interesting to many people besides myself but as I was swept up in the deliciousness of it all my day dream came to a screeching haul with the realization that this moment would not have been possible without a global economy and trade system.
I do my best to support my local economy and blah blah blah but there are some things I can't live without. Luckily I live in central California where seasons are something I read about in a fairy tale and I can eat avocados all year long and there are olive groves spotting the state. Fermented soybean mush probably has to road trip a few thousand miles at the least to end up on my shelf but if it wasn't for a certain Italiain explorer and liberal trade my originally global yet seemingly local meal, along with every other aspect of modern life, would not have existed. Damn you oh so tasty but Earth killing globalization, damn you to hell.
I do my best to support my local economy and blah blah blah but there are some things I can't live without. Luckily I live in central California where seasons are something I read about in a fairy tale and I can eat avocados all year long and there are olive groves spotting the state. Fermented soybean mush probably has to road trip a few thousand miles at the least to end up on my shelf but if it wasn't for a certain Italiain explorer and liberal trade my originally global yet seemingly local meal, along with every other aspect of modern life, would not have existed. Damn you oh so tasty but Earth killing globalization, damn you to hell.
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