Paying tribute to Public Radio

What a busy couple of weeks!  I really don't have time to write, but I feel guilty about keeping a blog and not updating it regularly.  Who the heck knows where I got this guilt complex in all matters of life, but I do, so here's a quick run down of the past week (just think of all the future blog posts): 

Cricket died.  Mochacino was welcomed into the family.
Paper on prions just going dandily.
Pork is delivered and so is the lamb.
We hope you enjoy your bacon and ham.
The Dems swept the elections, at least around us.
Say "no" to hydrofracking, let's be sustainable and just!
"No" on prop 26 in Mississippi came through by a wide margin
In-vitro, and women's rights pulled through yet again (although it shouldn't have to be a fight).
A weekend well spent at a doula training course.
You can learn more about doulas at www.dona.org.
The weather has been surprisingly sunny and mild.
I hope this doesn't mean we're in for winter, wet and wild!


And I believe I have just used up all of my stores of poetic creativity!  Sorry, I'm not an English major (or minor).

So, as I was driving in my new Mochacino (2009 Subaru Legacy, AWD, manual) to Boston for the aforementioned doula course, I was able to enjoy not one, not two, but three public radio stations.  I had gotten out of the habit of listening to NPR because my local station (WSKG, 91.7FM) just doesn't carry a whole lot of variety.  It has the news, Fresh Air with Terry Gross and All Things Considered with Michele Norris and Melissa Block, Cart Talk and Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me,  all of which I love.  I also enjoy listening to the BBC to get a more objective perspective of what it going on in the world.  But mostly, during the day, and in the evening, the station plays classical music.  I certainly have an appreciation for classical music (having played it for 10 years in my youth), but I need some variety when driving the very long stretch of I-90. 

Sadly, central upstate NY just doesn't have the population to support 24 hours of quality programming from NPR.  When they have membership drives, the station is asking for 600-1000 new or renewing members and maybe tens of thousands of dollars.

When I reached Albany, I was able to switch to WAMC, 90.3FM.  When my darling husband was courting me way back when, I would drive home Sunday evenings listening to a Celtic music hour and then a World music hour, neither of which I think is on the air now.  I also enjoy catching the Round Table, although sometimes I got so frustrated I have to turn the radio off. 

Coming up past Worcester, MA I  finally was able to get in WBUR, 90.9FM which I believe is the pinnacle of public radio.  When WBUR does fundraising drives, it asks for millions of dollars.  I was enjoyed approximately 6 hours of NPR radio over the weekend as I was commuting from Cambridge to Beverly for my doula course.  I particularly enjoyed The Splendid Table, which is about all things culinary (including what to do with that winter squash glut), and Living on Earth, which I believe was discussing the vortex form that sphagnum moss spores take when they burst from the moss at 65mph (making them among the fastest moving plant particles).  The programming made me appreciate what Public Radio can achieve if it is supported by listeners.  I know I sound like I belong in a fundraising drive, but I do honestly believe we need to support this organization.  If you do listen to NPR (and this includes you satellite listeners), please consider paying your dues so that the fabulous programming can continue. 

First Fridays: November

I was having a difficult time thinking about what crafty item to showcase this month.  I will get to the fiber-art eventually, but this month I think I'm going to introduce you to an international program for students called TREPS.   It teaches kids entrepreneurial and business skills; skills they can use for a lifetime.  One of my largest grumblings over the state of our education system is that kids are just taught content and seemingly (to them) abstract skills.  They aren't really taught why these skills are important nor how they can apply them.  This is where TREPS can help.  When the  program was first introduced, I was initially skeptical, but the results  (the products, the enthusiasm generated and the business acumen developed) have shown me how valuable this program (and others like it) can be.

Our local school's PTO introduced and ran the program.  For six weeks, kids went through a series of workshops to develop a marketable item.  At the end of the workshops there was a Marketplace where the kids sold their products.  The young brain harnesses so much creativity and if they are given a positive framework in which to channel that creativity, great things happen.

At the Marketplace last year (which coincided with the Village's winter carnival weekend), middle schoolers were selling all sorts of amazing products that they had made themselves.  Some were constructed from scratch, while others were value-added products. Here are a few of the more interesting ones to get your creative juices flowing in time for the holiday season (photos are from more professional websites, but the kids' products were just as good).

*Recycled and sculpted LPs in the form of clocks, napkin holders, coasters

www.retroclassics.etsy.com

*Lip balm made from local honey

*Wool felted animals

www.needlefelting.brighterplanet.org

*Homemade dog biscuits

*Homemade fudge

*Beaded jewelry

www.engravable-jewelry.com

 So, if you think you are crafty, creative or industrious, think again! Unleash your creative powers!