So far our meetings have all been self-serving. We've had a good time, made ourselves happier. But our minis have not made the world a better place to live. We've gotta change that.
Edinburgh, Saturday night, will be more than just a social event. There'll be SCIENCE goin' on at this mini, folks! Let me explain-
This morning Echo sent the following pic:
It's hard to judge the size of that pile of organic material from looking at this picture, but the chunk of tree you see front and center is probably 42 inches across. This pile of debris has its own area code! Shifty has spent considerable time and effort to gather this material for our study Saturday night. It is our hope we can set fire to this pile and work together to insure it burns efficiently, then watch the news media to see if sensors the world 'round report a significant increase in the amount of atmospheric greenhouse gases and/or temperature levels.
Your help is needed. Be in Edinburgh Saturday afternoon/evening to help prod, poke, and study this fire to insure every last twig is consumed. Then watch, read, listen to as many media sources as possible for the outcry. We'll report the post- bonfire data here at VK as soon as we can get it all organized.
See ya Saturday!
12 comments:
It is illegal to burn trash in Indiana, even for the sake of science. Also not good for the lungs of cute animals and humans. Oh, then there's that global warming thing. Burn at your own risk.
Don't believe that I saw the word "trash" in the description. I think that I read "organic material", although it just looks like what I'd call a pile of firewood.
It's been a while since I've been back to Indiana, but I hope that my homestate hasn't got so uptight that they've made it illegal to burn firewood. If that has happened I guess I'll have to start telling folks I'm from California or sump-thin'.
You are right. If no trash is included in the organic matter there is no problem, especially if the fuel is clean wood products.
Your local Hoosier fire and health departments like to be notified in advance, before the fire is lit. There are limits on the size of fires and the length of time they may burn.
The important thing is these fires may not be used
for disposal purposes. No trash, no problem.
Sorry for any misunderstanding.
Enjoy the fire!
I'll check the Atlanta Sunday newspapers for an increase in greenhouse gasses. Ya know, VK's could some day earn a peace prize or a similar honorable award if these types of studies continue.
Bo
A couple ideas I've found that you might commit to memory, Asoka- They've made my life much more pleasurable:
1. It's sometimes easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
2. Stupid rules beg to be broken.
Thanks, GreyBeard.
Spoken like a free man not bound by rules.
Reminds me of the rebellious spirit of my mother (who is still alive) and her refusal to use seat belts. She has never used seat belts because she says "the government is not going to tell me what to do in my own car"
asoka,
No it is NOT legal to burn TRASH.
But if you look closely at the picture there is No TRASH in the pile.
We have (7) dogs and none have been harmed but the annual bonfire. Also trust me we have an over abundance of squirrles, rabbits, chipmonks etc. and all are running around perfectly healthy. We also have a 16 point buck and his 14 doe's who bed down around the meadow.
Shifty is Blackfoot and Cherokee and I don't remember hearing that any of his ancestor's died from sitting around camp fires. Come to think about it I haven't heard of any Boy Scouts having lung problems either.
These large chunks are from the same tree that we have been cutting fire wood that we burn in our fire place (in the house). The miscellaneous branches are what nature dropped from the trees in the meadow and we are using for (natural) kindling.
t is legal in Shelby county to burn firewood.
So for all attending trust me you won't need gas mask's for this fire. So bring your lawn chairs and enjoy.
Echo & Shifty
Asoka, I think I'd like to meet your Mother!
About seat belts-
I agree with her that the government has no right to tell me what to do with my personal life, but that presents a problem:
can we expect others (taxpayers) to pick up the huge medical tab when we are vegetabalized after bein' ejected and squashed by our automobile?
I'm still amazed by the split personality exhibited by our government-
It uses our tax dollars to subsidize the growth of tobacco products, yet wants us to fasten our seat belts?
Someone please explain how that makes any sense at all!
Echo and Shifty,
State law does allow some open burning activities.
(This comes from state regulations in 326 IAC 4-1 and IC 13-17-9.)
Recreational or ceremonial fires, such as barbecues, campfire and fires for scouting activities.
Some types of burning of vegetation from a farm, an orchard, nursery, cemetery, tree farm or drainage ditch.
In Shelby County there are some other rules (which, of course, may just be begging to be broken!)
Regarding open wood fires in Shelby County:
Only clean wood products may be burned.
Burning must be done during safe weather conditions.
Fires must be attended until completely extinguished.
Burning must be done during daylight hours and extinguished prior to sunset.
Fire fighting equipment adequate for the size of the fire must be nearby.
Burning on the ground is illegal. Use a noncombustible and ventilated burn barrel.
Open burning is not allowed at mobile, home parks, apartment complexes, or buildings of more than four dwelling units.
Fire must be extinguished if they create a fire hazard, nuisance, pollution problem or threat to public health.
Burning must comply with all other federal, state and local laws, rules and ordinances.
Those are the laws in effect in Shelby County according to the County Health Department 317-392-6470
Greybeard,
Yes, my mother is an amazing Hoosier! She is a rebel. Won't read the Bible ("too many contradictions"), won't believe in God ("a loving God wouldn't allow innocent newborns (who have committed no sins) to suffer and die"), and won't allow the government to tell her what to do.
Now, I love my mother, but I disagree about the disparaging use of the phrase "the government" this and "the government" that.
According to what I was taught by Mr. Hoop in civics class at Center Grove, we are the luckiest people in the world because WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT.
We are fortunate not to have been born into and Islamic theocracy or a communist dictatorship. In America we have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. (Thanks, Mr. Hoop!)
The result is we don't have to bitch, and moan, and complain, and whine because we have the freedom to speak and to persuade and vote (or run for office) to make changes for the better. We are free to make the system work for the common good, for all of us.
I love my government. Many corporations try not to pay taxes, and many individuals try to avoid paying taxes. I pay taxes gladly because I appreciate what good luck I have to be an American and be able to pay taxes to support my government.
asoka,
One of the benefits of getting old is that you can say what you want an be damned what other think.
So, here goes.
Where are you going with all this??
I think that you are getting way to carried away on what we do/can do on our property. It's nice that you have the time to research the laws/rules/regulations of a bonfire in Shelby County. But I think you are carrying it father than it needs to go.
So please let it drop.
We are not buring trash, we are not endangering wild life, domesticated animals or human beings. We are merely have a damned bonfire and weiner roast.
And trust me it is well supervised and under control. If I sound ticked off it's because I am. I think you have stepped out of bounds here.
Echo
Echo,
Thanks for sharing and expressing your feelings.
I wasn't going anywhere. I had closed the chapter when I wrote several posts earlier, with an apology:
"No trash, no problem.
Sorry for any misunderstanding.
Enjoy the fire!"
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