Horse Hound & Farm Rescue

Ommegang Brewery

I have not commented on this issue

"Fracking, short for "hydraulic fracturing," is a process for extracting natural gas from shale rock by pumping millions of gallons of pressurized water, sand and proprietary chemicals down a well...linked to earthquakes, sick people and livestock, poisoned water. "

I read arguments on both sides of the issue and have not sided with one nor the other.  

My life is modeled in adoration and reverence for nature.  So let me say this:

I understand the need for national security as it involves energy, and the comfort it provides.  We have ways to reduce and innovate energy utilization from all sources - coal, wood, gas, oil electric.  Landowners  have rights - eminent domain surpasses those rights - our choices are  regulated to protect neighbor's rights ie. noise ordinances, zoning laws etc.   the common good prevails.  Until there are no NEGATIVE impacts to people near gas drilling - we should not do it.  
Many small farmers LIKE ME have their lives built into their farms.
Everything we do has impact.  What will our footprints leave for future generations?

Talk about the weather! and Groundhogs!

We are  in Zones 3-4.  The groundhog predicts an Early Spring - a long time resident says if an early Spring than we'll have a wicked 15th of March - snow and frost etc.  ...are Groundhog predictions reliable? NO!

The river is choppy due to strong winds in January - but the ice is melted completely - very unusual.

Now it is Memorial Day weekend and 30 degree temperatures are in store for us Yet...

The beauty up here is endless but so are the cold and wintery months.

US Census of AGRICULTURE

Statistics reprinted from newsletter on US 2007 Census data published every 5 years:

"In 2007, farmers reported a total of 36,352 farms, spanning across 7.17 million acres. This shows a 2.4 percent decrease in the number of New York farms from the previous Census in 2002. New York’s farms accounted for $4.42 billion worth of farm products sold in 2007. The leading counties for cash receipts in 2007 were Suffolk and Wyoming with $243 million and $225 million, respectively. "

I never tire of Goats! Such Funny Animals!

Steve Perry is 64 years old - today - do you ever get too old for rock and roll?  I love his vocals - never saw Journey in concert - but love being able to see live performances through the internet.  It brings some nostalgia.  Such talented musicians are always inspirational.  I hope kids are encouraged to play instruments.  In our early years, my sisters took piano lessons and we got some of the greatest pleasure at family gatherings in their playing and my cousins talents too.  We played "records" of Journey, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Bachman Turner Overdrive, James Taylor, Neil Young et al and I still have many original albums.
In an interview Steve Perry states how difficult being on the road non stop was for them.  Thank-you music makers!  Here are some of Steve Perry's music recommendations - "Sam Cooke, Robert Plant, Marvin Gaye, Janis Joplin, Diana Washington, Kitty Lester and so many great singers I love,...I love Sarah McLachlan's voice and her writing very much. She's really something special. I also love Diana Krall, Joni Mitchell and many old R&B girls like Diana Washington, Aretha Franklin, and others. ...".  may their music live on forever.