The River Town

Portsmouth, Ohio must have once been a prosperous town along the main artery of the Ohio River.  But now its economy is in shambles and drugs and property crime is rampant.  On the tip of Ohio, and it must have hosted many a river boat in its day.  There is still some remnant of the substantial downtown.  It looks as though community leaders are doing there best to try to revitalize and save it.  We heard from a local that only 15% of the housing is owner occupied.  Much is vacant or rentals.  Oxycontin strikes again.

Beautiful weather here today.  Once you are out away from the crumbling buildings the river valley opens up and it is quite pleasant.

CAFO

The last couple of days working in Mansfield, Ohio the wind carried a distinct smell.  That of a Confined Animal Feeding Operation.  Normally the wind will carry a gentle smell of manure from a farm where animals are allowed to graze on adequate pasture.  But confined the manure smell becomes strong and sour.  CAFOs produce animals full of antibiotics which are given to prevent the diseases passed through them living and standing in their and their neighbors excrement.

So look for locally raised and grazed meat.  You will find the source at your farmers market.  Keep the air smelling sweet and keep yourself happy and healthy.  

The Bees

The other day Dr. Tom came out to work on the bee hives.  In the end he took two hives away that did not survive the harsh winter.  But I still am seeing honey bees on flowers.  I hope Tom will bring some the hives back with new queens.

We are still enjoying the honey from last year even though it was lean.