So I've been doing Blue Apron since late August. Overall, I like it. I don't think it's too expensive or a bad value, the vast majority of the recipes have been delicious, the ingredients are both fresh and unusual, and it saves me from having to go to the supermarket (something I hate) so often.

At first I struggled with all the steps on the recipe card, and with the amount of dishes generated. But after a couple weeks, I figured out how to streamline things and use some of my own methods, instead of theirs. I also have been able to use ingredients for something else, when I suspect the recipe will not work for me.

A few times there have been missing ingredients, but customer service has been great about issuing refunds. I took the opportunity to give feedback, but I don't think they are using my suggestions. As a vegetarian, the recipes tend toward too much reliance on carbs (pasta especially) and do not include ingredients like seitan. Only twice have the recipes been things I consider truly inspired from a vegetarian perspective (both were lentil dishes). I did a little looking on the 'net, and there does not seem to be any vegetarian or vegan service. Or rather, there are, but the recipes sound no different than Blue Apron.

My most significant criticism, and it is quite a serious one: the packaging. They use far too much plastic, and it is mostly, if not entirely, unnecessary. Every little thing is in a film plastic bag. Why? I don't need 10 red pepper flakes in a plastic bag. I don't use the red pepper anyway, but I would feel this way even if I loved it. I don't get it. If I discontinue the service, this is likely to be the reason why.

Trees for Tribs was a success!

This video is coming up as a memory post from three years ago on Facebook and a friend shared it this morning. It's still great, possibly even better now, because in the end, we won! We fought to the point of being a-holes. We tortured @garydake and @StewartsShops on the net -- and were rewarded by being blocked from their Facebook page. We boycotted. (No easy feat when traveling from Castleton-on-Hudson to Samsonville on the Thruway!). We took our protest to the Village, and used the momentum to grab two board seats 18 months later. Some people, even close friends and family, laughed at our intensity and thought we were crazy. But our advocacy caused Stewart's to lift their usual deed restriction of no convenience store, and three years later, we have a better privately owned shop at the location (as @chris_churchill announced in the Times Union) and Main Street is revitalizing!

Two upcoming events!

I'm sure the two people in this story are / were wonderful human beings, and it's sad the man died. I was extremely relieved the dog was saved by police.

More commentary on something that is contentious on Facebook, and I am not joining in. Full disclosure: I can't stand football. I find America's obsession with it like a scene from Idiocracy. The only reason the "athletes" are (far) less sympathitic than in the "sport" I disdain even more (horse racing) is because they choose to play, and they are paid handsomely. I could not care less whether they streak, do cartwheels or set themselves on fire on the field. What gets my attention is when a scum like Vick is still given kudos by his former team and that team's fans, rather than called out for the jerk he is. I also am appalled at people's understanding of the First Amendment. The Bill of Rights is all about limiting government power. "Congress shall make no law..." The First Amendment has absolutely nothing to do with fans boycotting, owners threatening to fire players, or keyboard pundits yelling about it on Facebook. Finally, I am shocked how little attention anyone pays to this issue. The players themselves don't care, and the team owners, beer and car companies, media and fans certainly don't. We may as well still be watching a spectacle dating from Roman times.

I think it says a lot that I am only comfortable sharing this brave and excellent column here (I saw it on FB).

Happy Birthday to me!

In 2014, when Stewart's announced they would close, I dreamed of an article like this one in the Times Union. Pinch me.

I am in the midst of a very unpleasant situation with a contractor. In all my years of home ownership (30 in Castleton-on-Hudson and 18 in Samsonville) I have never had a bad experience, much less anything like this happen. It is not over yet, and I have no prediction for when or how it will resolve. I consider myself unmaterialistic, and so I know it is only a house, but it's a significan part of my retirement portfolio, not to mention a source of relaxation and stress reduction, a place to get away from the demands of professional life. Bob is proud of the work he has done on the house, and in fact, only finished his every-three-year maintenance of the exterior finish a couple weeks ago (and this time it took two summers to complete). Since he received the startling news from the contractor while he was at work late Thursday afternoon, we have discussed and brainstormed and theorized about "Why?" Why is this happening? How could it happen? WTF? We want a logical explnation, one that makes some kind of sense. Sometimes there is no rational explanation I guess, and that's hard to swallow. Maybe the dude is just plain crazy, or a liar, or a cheat. Last night we postulated, perhaps he is a drug abuser, and is addicted to opioids. That would explain his behavior, and make more sense than anything else we have formulated.

I refuse to comment about this story on Facebook, because a mob of commenters would call me an idiot or worse for saying this, but there is something very wrong with this story. The detective in me says "Screw up and Cover up." How did the officer get shot in the abdomen? He was facing the cop who shot him? And they still can't figure out who it was? What BS. I'll bet they freaked out when they learned the victim -- who they shot six times -- did not have a gun and was a beloved elementary school teacher, and they had to work very, very hard on spin. Most people gobble it up, of course, and are fine with blaming the victim. Suicide by cop is only supported because cops killed him. Death by cop is way more accurate. The take away for me? Stay far away from cops, especially local ones.

Finally picked the first tomato!! Isn't it a beauty?

So many things happening: End of summer & back to campus (summer class ends this week), and in the Village, Repair Cafe, farmer's market, and I finally got a grant! Despite writing nine so far, I've had success with only two, and both are not money, but things (seeds for community garden and the latest, plants for the park).

I wish I had time to write more, but someday this blog will be a priority again.

The Village of Castleton-on-Hudson will be hosting Repair Cafe at the Village Hall, 85 South Main Street, on Saturday, July 15, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Bring your beloved but broken item and volunteers will do their best to fix it for free.

Getting psyched!

Instead of a cartoon, I made this

I have been spending an enormous amount of time doing research and writing grants for the Village. I enjoy it, and it has garnered compliments from reviewers, but unfortunately no actual $ awards to date. Yesterday was a demoralizing day, so I think I'll pick myself up, dust myself off,  draw a cartoon, and move on.

Spring grades are done! (Deadline is tomorrow.) Just have to enter them. Summer session begins May 31...

About the last post, apparently it was open & shut guilty. And, I continue to be revolted by the defense attorney.

I've been finding the quest I've been on for a year - getting access to the Hudson River for the village -- very demoralizing. First, all the grants I've written have come to nothing except compliments from the state (about how excellent the writing was). I'm changing my focus from "keep your word & build us a bridge" to "just open the gate because it's equitable." I'm not very optimistic about that approach either.

Riveted by this trial. Maybe because I can't stand rich entitled punks who are enabled by their foolish families. Also because I've found the defense attorney repugnant ever since she sported an offensive Halloween costume at a party, and was in the DA's office, prosecuting the shooting at UAlbany in the 1990s. And most importantly, I know I am not on the jury hearing the arguments (and not hearing some evidence that is public) but it seems open & shut guilty to me.