Mittwoch, 25. Februar 2015
bog blog: FAIRTRADE and other Interests
bog blog: FAIRTRADE and other Interests: Usually I follow a good few interests. Actually most of those I treasure since many decades. That makes me look very ancient ... . Now as I...
FAIRTRADE and other Interests
Usually I follow a good few interests. Actually most of those I treasure since many decades. That makes me look very ancient ... .
Now as I m early 'dinosaur stage', like being over 50, I must agree, age doesn't hurt, if you are healthy, doesn't matter and anyway, who says that you have to act your age.
Coming back to my 'hobbies' or 'passions' I can say that I love farming ( I was 4 when I decided to become a farmer ), gardening, animals and plants, flora and fauna in general, but also swimming and cycling, hiking ( all leisurely ), traveling, writing ( amateur ) and controversial enough also motorbiking. But on some topics I will compose a special ode ... :) at a later stage.
This blog should highlight especially one topic, which is close to my heart since the late Eighties:
From 23.th of February till the 8.th of March, Fairtrade International celebrates 'Fairtrade Fortnight' 2015.
Since 2007 Tubbercurry has been officialy a Fairtrade town and it used to be for some years the smallest Fairtrade town in Ireland. I joined it maybe a year later and we used to be a bunch of different people meeting up regularly and planing events especially around the annual Fairtrade fortnight. But then 2012 things changed drastically and apart from myself all other members either moved away or had other priorities. At a meeting where I wasn't present, I was elected to the new chairperson ..... . Suddenly I found myself as the 'captain' and all the crew had been gone ... .
But as Fairtrade has become one of my 'inner circle interest' over the last 27 years, I gave it a try and we are now a small and rather active group again, but with no particular structure.... it's a group where everybody is welcome and to say it formally, we haven't reached our capacity yet ... ( hint, hint ).
This week we are especially excited, as on Friday, the 27th of February, 'Chief Adam', a Cashew nut grower from Ghana, also a member of Fairtrade International and an UN climate change advocate, will come to Tubbercurry, together with Dunstan, a member of Fairtrade Ireland. We asked them to speak at three venues, which I m aware off, is quite a lot. But kindly they agreed and so he speaks first in front of National School Children, then Transition Year students at the local Secondary School ( which already has Fairtrade status ) and finally there is an open talk at the North Connaught College, our local third level institute. It should be of great interest to hear from a person, who's own life, the life of his family and community has been positively influenced simply by receiving a fair price for his goods.
Today at a talk in the Secondary School, a student related Fairtrade to collecting money for charity and asked how we send off the money we collected. But the great thing is that its none of this rattling of buckets and asking for contributions business .... it is simply working by getting a fair price. Often small farmers with only a few acres have no change to compete with big Multinational Companies who dictate the global market prices. But they work hard, have pride in their product and deliver a delicious product, often even with organic standards. I believe, we as their consumers owe them a fair price, it is as simple as that, it's not hard to understand and there is no excuse.
If you are interested in this subject, why not click onto www.fairtrade.ie or fairtrade.net. There are videos, campaigns, products and also guidelines if you want to get involved.
There is a wide range of products available in most retailing outlets, but there still has a lot to be done. My favorites are tea, coffee, sugar, cadburys dairy milk, maltesers, cocoa in general and the best chocolate you ever get is clonakiltychocolate.com. Then surely bananas and if your local retailer doesn't have them join in this years campaign, online or there are also postcards available. Maybe your town is Fairtrade too?
It was a bit different when I first got in contact with an early form of fairtrade. In 1989, I attended a solidarity protest in aid of Nicaragua in the former German capital of Bonn. That time Nicaragua was boycotted by many western governments, mainly the USA ( Reagan area ), because they intended to establish a left wing, communist government. A kind of a civil war between the pro american Contras and the Sandinistas not only claimed the lives of 30000 people, but an international boycott weakened the economy and made it difficult for farmers to sell their main product (coffee) internationally. At that demonstration there was also a stall with coffee from Nicaragua and I bought some and subscribed to get that coffee delivered monthly. Even though I have to admit, that the coffee was very strong, deep black and had a bitter note, I felt I did the right thing and kept the standing order until we moved to Ireland.
In the early Nineties, there was a pre-fairtrade organization active within Ireland. It was called 'traideireann' and sold their products in very few outlets throughout the country. During the annual 'old fair day' in Tubbercurry I used to rent a stall together with a friend of mine. We were also both members of the Ballina Amnesty International Group and divided the stall in two half's ... one with petitions and information of Amnesty and the other one we sold fair traded goods.
Thanks to the 'old fair day' committee I m still at it during our heritage week.
Sometimes people wonder seriously what I do get out of this type of activity. Nothing really, because often it is very weary, to convince an adult, why he/she might consider changing their consumer habit. But I have hope yet, especially when a six year old is aware of the Fairtrade logo and picks a bar or tells his Mum to buy Fairtrade bananas because he/she knows it's only FAIR ... don't we all sometimes wish to live in a fairer world?
Now as I m early 'dinosaur stage', like being over 50, I must agree, age doesn't hurt, if you are healthy, doesn't matter and anyway, who says that you have to act your age.
Coming back to my 'hobbies' or 'passions' I can say that I love farming ( I was 4 when I decided to become a farmer ), gardening, animals and plants, flora and fauna in general, but also swimming and cycling, hiking ( all leisurely ), traveling, writing ( amateur ) and controversial enough also motorbiking. But on some topics I will compose a special ode ... :) at a later stage.
This blog should highlight especially one topic, which is close to my heart since the late Eighties:
From 23.th of February till the 8.th of March, Fairtrade International celebrates 'Fairtrade Fortnight' 2015.
Since 2007 Tubbercurry has been officialy a Fairtrade town and it used to be for some years the smallest Fairtrade town in Ireland. I joined it maybe a year later and we used to be a bunch of different people meeting up regularly and planing events especially around the annual Fairtrade fortnight. But then 2012 things changed drastically and apart from myself all other members either moved away or had other priorities. At a meeting where I wasn't present, I was elected to the new chairperson ..... . Suddenly I found myself as the 'captain' and all the crew had been gone ... .
But as Fairtrade has become one of my 'inner circle interest' over the last 27 years, I gave it a try and we are now a small and rather active group again, but with no particular structure.... it's a group where everybody is welcome and to say it formally, we haven't reached our capacity yet ... ( hint, hint ).
This week we are especially excited, as on Friday, the 27th of February, 'Chief Adam', a Cashew nut grower from Ghana, also a member of Fairtrade International and an UN climate change advocate, will come to Tubbercurry, together with Dunstan, a member of Fairtrade Ireland. We asked them to speak at three venues, which I m aware off, is quite a lot. But kindly they agreed and so he speaks first in front of National School Children, then Transition Year students at the local Secondary School ( which already has Fairtrade status ) and finally there is an open talk at the North Connaught College, our local third level institute. It should be of great interest to hear from a person, who's own life, the life of his family and community has been positively influenced simply by receiving a fair price for his goods.
Today at a talk in the Secondary School, a student related Fairtrade to collecting money for charity and asked how we send off the money we collected. But the great thing is that its none of this rattling of buckets and asking for contributions business .... it is simply working by getting a fair price. Often small farmers with only a few acres have no change to compete with big Multinational Companies who dictate the global market prices. But they work hard, have pride in their product and deliver a delicious product, often even with organic standards. I believe, we as their consumers owe them a fair price, it is as simple as that, it's not hard to understand and there is no excuse.
If you are interested in this subject, why not click onto www.fairtrade.ie or fairtrade.net. There are videos, campaigns, products and also guidelines if you want to get involved.
There is a wide range of products available in most retailing outlets, but there still has a lot to be done. My favorites are tea, coffee, sugar, cadburys dairy milk, maltesers, cocoa in general and the best chocolate you ever get is clonakiltychocolate.com. Then surely bananas and if your local retailer doesn't have them join in this years campaign, online or there are also postcards available. Maybe your town is Fairtrade too?
It was a bit different when I first got in contact with an early form of fairtrade. In 1989, I attended a solidarity protest in aid of Nicaragua in the former German capital of Bonn. That time Nicaragua was boycotted by many western governments, mainly the USA ( Reagan area ), because they intended to establish a left wing, communist government. A kind of a civil war between the pro american Contras and the Sandinistas not only claimed the lives of 30000 people, but an international boycott weakened the economy and made it difficult for farmers to sell their main product (coffee) internationally. At that demonstration there was also a stall with coffee from Nicaragua and I bought some and subscribed to get that coffee delivered monthly. Even though I have to admit, that the coffee was very strong, deep black and had a bitter note, I felt I did the right thing and kept the standing order until we moved to Ireland.
In the early Nineties, there was a pre-fairtrade organization active within Ireland. It was called 'traideireann' and sold their products in very few outlets throughout the country. During the annual 'old fair day' in Tubbercurry I used to rent a stall together with a friend of mine. We were also both members of the Ballina Amnesty International Group and divided the stall in two half's ... one with petitions and information of Amnesty and the other one we sold fair traded goods.
Thanks to the 'old fair day' committee I m still at it during our heritage week.
 |
| probably 1991 our stall at the Tubbercurry Old Fair day |
 |
| ...and she is still at it .... 2014 at the Old fair day |
Sometimes people wonder seriously what I do get out of this type of activity. Nothing really, because often it is very weary, to convince an adult, why he/she might consider changing their consumer habit. But I have hope yet, especially when a six year old is aware of the Fairtrade logo and picks a bar or tells his Mum to buy Fairtrade bananas because he/she knows it's only FAIR ... don't we all sometimes wish to live in a fairer world?
Dienstag, 17. Februar 2015
IT SMELLS LIKE SPRING ...
... now that the first daffodils are just opening up at sheltered spots around the garden. Then I know that spring is here ... hopefully to stay. Its just so beautiful to see that stretch in the evening, which slowly extends my days, especially regarding gardening.
 |
| the rhubarb also starts budding, despite some frosty nights |
Leaving soil bare is never a good thing anyway, as mold and fungi develop. Sometimes I clear all the beds in autumn and then spread some winter rye or a mixture of green winter manure on the bare patches... .
In Gardening and in many aspects of my life, I don't keep strict rules and so I don't have a preferred or 'right' way of gardening. I did try out a wide range of techniques, like the moon calendar, the neighboring plants systems, the 3 - field tactic or some ways of 'permaculture'. Every year I do a mix of all 'systems' and the secret is, not to take it to serious. But what I never did is spraying neither herbicides nor fungicides or used any of the 'magic'. artificial fertilizers.... horse-poo in different rotting stages seems to improve the ground best. My motto is grow ( knowledge and experience ) and let grow.
Anyway, once I was sure that I didn't have to go to the A & E, I kept digging our potato patch after all the previous action in the tunnel Again I thought nothing can stop me .... only that I broke the spade after a while. In the end I knew it was just as well, because the next day I could feel the workout all over.
 |
| some autumn plantings of 'Italian kale' start to regrow |
A stroll around the farm at 9 am this morning proves once more, that spring has gently set in. The soft green grass shows some strength against the rushes.
 |
| little new moos cushions spreading all over the old bridge |
 |
| the rooster is making an effort to impress 'a girl', well any girl |
 |
| Maunzi, the 16 year old cat, looks after her coat in the mild morning sun |
Valentinesday was very busy in the flowershop in Tubbercurry, we were totally sold out after a 16 hour shift the night before Valentines. Is the economy recovering or did this early touch of spring affect the male hormone system? Whatever it is, I hope many people who value Valentine's were happy with the attention received. Well, I bet one Lady was very surprised with a Hand-tie of 12 red Roses obviously from her 'Ex' and the card saying 'Gone but not forgotten' ....
Montag, 9. Februar 2015
the weekly update ....
It was a mad week ... and it is even not Valentines-day!
Working in a flowershop is often very unpredictable. There are the usual busy days like Valentines, Mothersday and Christmastime. Also weddings and special birthdays, anniversary's and other celebrations in the locality can be rather busy and challenging, especially if there is an accumulation of events.
But when it comes to funerals, it just hits you and you have to try to manage to support the grieving family the best you can. Some of you might think, well it's their business and it surely is, but in a small town, you know most people you are dealing with and feel with them in their sorrow.
So within a few hours I had four funerals in my order book. I also was on my own and that means you have to still attend the shop, the phone, all the other orders, deliveries, getting a huge load of greenery and try to finish 3 coffin-sprays and loads of wreaths and sprays. As long as I have some bits ready for the removals it is o.k. and it can be finished off by working late, but having enough flowers, was my biggest problem.
I was lucky that my former boss :) was around and helping me out for a few hours helping me to green in wreaths, getting more greenery in 'selected gardens' and sourcing more flowers ... . So we managed and its great if you have a good friend, who knows what she is doing, when it comes to flower arranging.
When I m working, I just do very basics on the farm, before I cycle into town.
That includes feeding all the gang and making sure, they are o.k. for the day. While feeding the hens I could hear some peeping noise up in the hens balcony. It just dawned on me, that there was a duck hatching ..... .
Its a bit complicated with this particular duck. She is a cross between a Muscovy duck and a Kaki Campell and lays herself a tiny little duck egg, which I know, is infertile. I tested it over the last few years and it is not that the drakes don't love her, it is more the fact, that a Muscovy is a different breed of duck altogether. The most significant difference is, that a duck needs 28 days to hatch, but a Muscovy even 35 days.
Anyway I usually use this duck as a natural incubator for hatching out any egg. So it must have been 3 weeks ago, that I placed a few hen eggs under her, when she started clocking ... .
So up I went on the balcony and what did I find: 3 rather upset chicks in the nest and one was on the way, but still caught in the egg. As it was freezing and 'Mummy' must have been for a splash at the river, I decided to take them in under a lamp, as I knew they wouldn't last otherwise. The weak one just had come out and was only lying there .... He needed most of all body heat and as I was in a rush, I took him, wrapped a bit of tissue around, as he was still moist and packed him in my bra. Its not the first time I did that and sometimes it works out alright. However, while cycling up the hill to Tubbercurry, I knew he was still alive.
The first customer was not noticing anything and I nearly forgot my little chick. But while serving the next customer he started peeping rather loud and the Lady just wondered 'did I hear a bird'?
A bit embarrassed,I pulled him out and showed him to her ..... .
He was slowly drying off and somehow I wasn't happy with his performance. The Lady from the Credit Union next door came in too and admired the tiny little creature as well. We decided to put him in a little box and Marie went into her office and shredded some paper. To keep him warm and cosy we bedded him into the paper mix and placed him on the radiator. Every now and then I checked on him, but unfortunately he didn't make it .... .
The other 3 chicks are doing great ... :) and the crossbred Muscovy changed from hatching mode into being 'available' and is hanging out with the lads again.
Working in a flowershop is often very unpredictable. There are the usual busy days like Valentines, Mothersday and Christmastime. Also weddings and special birthdays, anniversary's and other celebrations in the locality can be rather busy and challenging, especially if there is an accumulation of events.
But when it comes to funerals, it just hits you and you have to try to manage to support the grieving family the best you can. Some of you might think, well it's their business and it surely is, but in a small town, you know most people you are dealing with and feel with them in their sorrow.
So within a few hours I had four funerals in my order book. I also was on my own and that means you have to still attend the shop, the phone, all the other orders, deliveries, getting a huge load of greenery and try to finish 3 coffin-sprays and loads of wreaths and sprays. As long as I have some bits ready for the removals it is o.k. and it can be finished off by working late, but having enough flowers, was my biggest problem.
I was lucky that my former boss :) was around and helping me out for a few hours helping me to green in wreaths, getting more greenery in 'selected gardens' and sourcing more flowers ... . So we managed and its great if you have a good friend, who knows what she is doing, when it comes to flower arranging.
When I m working, I just do very basics on the farm, before I cycle into town.
That includes feeding all the gang and making sure, they are o.k. for the day. While feeding the hens I could hear some peeping noise up in the hens balcony. It just dawned on me, that there was a duck hatching ..... .
Its a bit complicated with this particular duck. She is a cross between a Muscovy duck and a Kaki Campell and lays herself a tiny little duck egg, which I know, is infertile. I tested it over the last few years and it is not that the drakes don't love her, it is more the fact, that a Muscovy is a different breed of duck altogether. The most significant difference is, that a duck needs 28 days to hatch, but a Muscovy even 35 days.
Anyway I usually use this duck as a natural incubator for hatching out any egg. So it must have been 3 weeks ago, that I placed a few hen eggs under her, when she started clocking ... .
So up I went on the balcony and what did I find: 3 rather upset chicks in the nest and one was on the way, but still caught in the egg. As it was freezing and 'Mummy' must have been for a splash at the river, I decided to take them in under a lamp, as I knew they wouldn't last otherwise. The weak one just had come out and was only lying there .... He needed most of all body heat and as I was in a rush, I took him, wrapped a bit of tissue around, as he was still moist and packed him in my bra. Its not the first time I did that and sometimes it works out alright. However, while cycling up the hill to Tubbercurry, I knew he was still alive.
The first customer was not noticing anything and I nearly forgot my little chick. But while serving the next customer he started peeping rather loud and the Lady just wondered 'did I hear a bird'?
A bit embarrassed,I pulled him out and showed him to her ..... .
He was slowly drying off and somehow I wasn't happy with his performance. The Lady from the Credit Union next door came in too and admired the tiny little creature as well. We decided to put him in a little box and Marie went into her office and shredded some paper. To keep him warm and cosy we bedded him into the paper mix and placed him on the radiator. Every now and then I checked on him, but unfortunately he didn't make it .... .
The other 3 chicks are doing great ... :) and the crossbred Muscovy changed from hatching mode into being 'available' and is hanging out with the lads again.
Abonnieren
Posts (Atom)