Recently, while enjoying my favorite pastime, which happens to be shopping, my eyes fixed upon some colorful, seasonally designed aprons in the kitchen department of my favorite store. They were so uniquely attractive — however, I must admit, I’ve never worn an apron in my life. But only because I was entering my "annual cooking spirit" did I consider purchasing one. Some were designed for the season; others were decked out for holidays, and many frilly ones, much too nice to be worn simply while cooking, were obviously designed for entertaining guests or possibly to match a certain kitchen décor. So many choices!
Looking at the fashionable styles, I thought about the aprons my grandmother wore on almost every day of the year.
"Does our younger generation even know what purpose aprons serve or why they came to be?" I asked myself.
The principal use of my Grandma’s apron was to protect her dress. Having a bib and wide shoulder straps, it was considered very practical, being much easier to wash and iron than a dress. Additionally, aprons required less fabric and were frequently made from remnants or feed sacks. However, her apron also served other needs, such as a potholder for removing hot dishes from the oven and wiping perspiration from her brow as she cooked in the heat of the day. Kindling for her wood stove was also brought into the house in that apron, and it made an ideal hiding place for shy kids, like myself. Her apron was handy for carrying eggs from the chicken coop and was always available in chilly weather, should she need a wrap for her arms or a temporary baby blanket. It was perfect for carrying freshly harvested vegetables from the garden, and after the lima beans had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. When unexpected company was spotted coming down the drive, it was amazing how much furniture could be dusted in a matter of seconds with that apron.
Yes, Grandma’s apron served many purposes, but one I remember best was how it was used to wipe the tears from her grandchildren’s eyes or to hide a piece of candy in the pocket as a reward for a really good boy or girl. Who cared if it was a bit soiled from the day’s chores? Who noticed that it was worn and faded? Germs? What germs?
Over the years, aprons have changed, but they’re still around. Even men are wearing them. Of course, men’s aprons are masculine looking, giving an air of professionalism whether worn in the kitchen or on the deck. Masculine or feminine, aprons of today have become a fashion statement. Being the "trendy" grandmother that I am, I just may need to purchase a frilly one, or one personalized with my name or a quote, but mainly one to serve as a reminder of how they were once used by my grandmother, as a tool for, long before we even understood the now "in" term, multi-tasking.
2011年10月25日星期二
Grantwood Village roosts its case
Grantwood Village recently hatched a plan that was eggs-actly what chicken lovers wanted.
The village will allow residents to keep chickens in their backyards. The hens will scratch out a living by providing their owners with fresh eggs.
"We feel that this will be a good law," said Cathy Forand, chairman of the Grantwood Village Board of Trustees. "We were looking for ways for people to have chickens without disturbing their neighbors."
Households will have a limit of four hens with no roosters, so as to keep down the noise. They must be kept in a covered, fenced enclosure with the chicken coop inside of it. The area and coop must be kept clean to avoid fowl odors.
Finally, the enclosure must be attached to the back wall of the house.
"One of our concerns was not violating the city's out-building law," Forand said. "In Grantwood Village, it is against the law to have an unattached structure on the property."
By attaching it to the back wall, the coop and cluckers also will not be seen from the street.
The village's board of trustees approved the plan at its Oct. 18 meeting. An ordinance to pass the plan will be on the Nov. 15 agenda.
Since none of the trustees knew anything about chickens, they turned to resident Elise Vandover, 43, who became the unofficial "chicken commissioner."
Vandover has raised chickens outside of Grantwood Village for much of her life. She sometimes serves as a consultant for groups interested in raising chickens. Working with the trustees, she helped put together the regulations that will be part of the upcoming ordinance.
"We've asked people to have an open mind," said Vandover at the trustees' meeting. "Chickens are quiet, but they need work to keep them clean. The goal is not to enrage your neighbor."
Florence Stalley, 80, is a longtime resident who earlier objected to the proposal.
Her concern was people having a large group of chickens in their backyards. During World War II, her family kept 50 hens on their property for eggs and food. She knows how messy chickens can be.
However, after hearing the proposal, she was pleased at the limit of four birds.
"They've got some good restrictions here," Stalley said. "I'm fine with it, now. My only concern was the number. A lot of people have shown interest, so I expected the village to approve it."
The issue came up in September when the village discovered that a resident had kept three hens for over a year in her backyard. However, a look at the village's code showed there were two contradictory ordinances; one said chickens were considered to be a pest while another said they could be pets.
Passage of this new bill will wipe the old ordinances off the books, freeing chickens to have a new home to come to roost.
The village will allow residents to keep chickens in their backyards. The hens will scratch out a living by providing their owners with fresh eggs.
"We feel that this will be a good law," said Cathy Forand, chairman of the Grantwood Village Board of Trustees. "We were looking for ways for people to have chickens without disturbing their neighbors."
Households will have a limit of four hens with no roosters, so as to keep down the noise. They must be kept in a covered, fenced enclosure with the chicken coop inside of it. The area and coop must be kept clean to avoid fowl odors.
Finally, the enclosure must be attached to the back wall of the house.
"One of our concerns was not violating the city's out-building law," Forand said. "In Grantwood Village, it is against the law to have an unattached structure on the property."
By attaching it to the back wall, the coop and cluckers also will not be seen from the street.
The village's board of trustees approved the plan at its Oct. 18 meeting. An ordinance to pass the plan will be on the Nov. 15 agenda.
Since none of the trustees knew anything about chickens, they turned to resident Elise Vandover, 43, who became the unofficial "chicken commissioner."
Vandover has raised chickens outside of Grantwood Village for much of her life. She sometimes serves as a consultant for groups interested in raising chickens. Working with the trustees, she helped put together the regulations that will be part of the upcoming ordinance.
"We've asked people to have an open mind," said Vandover at the trustees' meeting. "Chickens are quiet, but they need work to keep them clean. The goal is not to enrage your neighbor."
Florence Stalley, 80, is a longtime resident who earlier objected to the proposal.
Her concern was people having a large group of chickens in their backyards. During World War II, her family kept 50 hens on their property for eggs and food. She knows how messy chickens can be.
However, after hearing the proposal, she was pleased at the limit of four birds.
"They've got some good restrictions here," Stalley said. "I'm fine with it, now. My only concern was the number. A lot of people have shown interest, so I expected the village to approve it."
The issue came up in September when the village discovered that a resident had kept three hens for over a year in her backyard. However, a look at the village's code showed there were two contradictory ordinances; one said chickens were considered to be a pest while another said they could be pets.
Passage of this new bill will wipe the old ordinances off the books, freeing chickens to have a new home to come to roost.
2011年5月25日星期三
Keep presidential frauds out of State House
Keep presidential frauds out of State House
It is no longer safe to dress like a sheep to enter the chicken coop. You could be stripped to expose the rot in the deep recesses of your conscience.
Reform pretentions did not work for judges who wanted promotion as Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice, with Judicial Service commissioners asking dreaded questions.
False pretences should not work for presidential frauds scheming for the Kibaki Succession. They can buy the loyalty of your MPs, but tell them you need more than mere handouts. Tell them you want your country freed from the stranglehold of the impudent.
Presidential aspirants should be similarly interrogated to expose integrity frauds masquerading as new generation saviours. Some presidential aspirants are children and beneficiaries of impunity.
Some are working for ‘impunists’ to reclaim the past. There is a coalition against change expected to come with full implementation of the new Constitution.
Panelists to interrogate presidential pretenders shall be you — the electorate — who often eat fruits of bad leadership. It is this poor leadership that causes infectious sadness. Famine, unemployment, disease, drought, inflation, ignorance, and impunity romp the countryside with the rage of a randy bull. Someone of courage must slay this beast of impunity.
You have a chance to probe reform credentials of this clutter of wannabe presidents. With the new Constitution, and especially Chapter Six placing a premium on integrity, there is a detergent to sanitise public consciousness for greater civic responsibility.
The electorate — you and I — must resolve to ban change frauds from State House. You have to respect this resolution by registering as a voter and making informed choices. A single vote for a national cause counts. It counts because popular vote for change begins with individual citizens who are conscious of their civic responsibilities. You develop a critical mass of change agents by mobilising right-thinking individuals to buy into the cause.
The 2002 election fraud is a good reminder. The con was possible because fundamental questions were not asked. Change of guard at the top did not translate into change of values. Wolves were allowed to dress in sheepskin with impunity. The same wolves are grooming wolverines for succession.
The dream of a rainbow nation working for the national good was hijacked. Many politicians changed coat during the 2002 election, pretending to be what they were not, with promises they did not intend to keep. They signed accords they trashed at the first opportunity. They thanked you on day one, but locked the doors on your expectations once they entered the citadel.
"I feel extremely happy to address you today. I am overwhelmed by your love. I am emboldened by your support and enthusiasm. I am thrilled by your sense of dedication and commitment. You have renewed my hope and strengthened my belief in the greatness of this country. Now, all of us, both young and old, men and women, Kenyans of every ethnic group, race or creed, have embarked on a journey to a promising future with unshakeable determination and faith in God and in ourselves."
Easier said than done. They may not even want you to remember the glowing gratitude to an electorate that, within weeks became victims of unexamined leadership choices.
The sacred cows
If corruption had been slain as pledged, and impunity banished as promised, justice would not be stealing sacred cows from our midst about ten years into a regime that promised a new beginning.
First justice came for the ‘Ocampo Six’ to answer changes related to 2007 post-election violence. And now it is seeking rendition of the ‘Jersey Two’ to answer to multiple corruption charges and causing power outages.
"Corruption will now cease to be a way of life in Kenya and I call upon all those members of my government and public officers accustomed to corrupt practices to understand there will be no sacred cows under my government."
The mess is there for everyone with eyes to see, and ears to hear, about a decade into the new beginning. You know history is littered with leaders who promise new beginnings but end up drawing inspiration from the past. Silas the albino monk of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code cannot be in a safer company.
It is you to decide whether to continue doing the same things the same way, and still expect different results. A people get the leaders they deserve. Several times bitten, we should know better.
The culmination of the greatest leadership fraud was the nation-wrecking violence that followed the mangled 2007 presidential election. Wolves had discarded sheepskins.
Status quo established its dominance, with security agencies defending party and ethnic interests. Impunity had stamped its authority. Corruption and abuse of office become the dominant ways of life.
There is hope the past could be locked out, with probity gaining momentum to wash out wet wax from the ears of the voting masses.
Rank outsiders are gaining acceptance as antidotes for impunity and the Judiciary could admit two fire-spitting reformers to the Bench. It is the turn of wananchi to interrogate reform credentials and integrity of politicians nursing presidential pretentions.
Never again should we allow ourselves to be manipulated.
Writer is The Standard’s Managing Editor, Quality and Production.
It is no longer safe to dress like a sheep to enter the chicken coop. You could be stripped to expose the rot in the deep recesses of your conscience.
Reform pretentions did not work for judges who wanted promotion as Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice, with Judicial Service commissioners asking dreaded questions.
False pretences should not work for presidential frauds scheming for the Kibaki Succession. They can buy the loyalty of your MPs, but tell them you need more than mere handouts. Tell them you want your country freed from the stranglehold of the impudent.
Presidential aspirants should be similarly interrogated to expose integrity frauds masquerading as new generation saviours. Some presidential aspirants are children and beneficiaries of impunity.
Some are working for ‘impunists’ to reclaim the past. There is a coalition against change expected to come with full implementation of the new Constitution.
Panelists to interrogate presidential pretenders shall be you — the electorate — who often eat fruits of bad leadership. It is this poor leadership that causes infectious sadness. Famine, unemployment, disease, drought, inflation, ignorance, and impunity romp the countryside with the rage of a randy bull. Someone of courage must slay this beast of impunity.
You have a chance to probe reform credentials of this clutter of wannabe presidents. With the new Constitution, and especially Chapter Six placing a premium on integrity, there is a detergent to sanitise public consciousness for greater civic responsibility.
The electorate — you and I — must resolve to ban change frauds from State House. You have to respect this resolution by registering as a voter and making informed choices. A single vote for a national cause counts. It counts because popular vote for change begins with individual citizens who are conscious of their civic responsibilities. You develop a critical mass of change agents by mobilising right-thinking individuals to buy into the cause.
The 2002 election fraud is a good reminder. The con was possible because fundamental questions were not asked. Change of guard at the top did not translate into change of values. Wolves were allowed to dress in sheepskin with impunity. The same wolves are grooming wolverines for succession.
The dream of a rainbow nation working for the national good was hijacked. Many politicians changed coat during the 2002 election, pretending to be what they were not, with promises they did not intend to keep. They signed accords they trashed at the first opportunity. They thanked you on day one, but locked the doors on your expectations once they entered the citadel.
"I feel extremely happy to address you today. I am overwhelmed by your love. I am emboldened by your support and enthusiasm. I am thrilled by your sense of dedication and commitment. You have renewed my hope and strengthened my belief in the greatness of this country. Now, all of us, both young and old, men and women, Kenyans of every ethnic group, race or creed, have embarked on a journey to a promising future with unshakeable determination and faith in God and in ourselves."
Easier said than done. They may not even want you to remember the glowing gratitude to an electorate that, within weeks became victims of unexamined leadership choices.
The sacred cows
If corruption had been slain as pledged, and impunity banished as promised, justice would not be stealing sacred cows from our midst about ten years into a regime that promised a new beginning.
First justice came for the ‘Ocampo Six’ to answer changes related to 2007 post-election violence. And now it is seeking rendition of the ‘Jersey Two’ to answer to multiple corruption charges and causing power outages.
"Corruption will now cease to be a way of life in Kenya and I call upon all those members of my government and public officers accustomed to corrupt practices to understand there will be no sacred cows under my government."
The mess is there for everyone with eyes to see, and ears to hear, about a decade into the new beginning. You know history is littered with leaders who promise new beginnings but end up drawing inspiration from the past. Silas the albino monk of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code cannot be in a safer company.
It is you to decide whether to continue doing the same things the same way, and still expect different results. A people get the leaders they deserve. Several times bitten, we should know better.
The culmination of the greatest leadership fraud was the nation-wrecking violence that followed the mangled 2007 presidential election. Wolves had discarded sheepskins.
Status quo established its dominance, with security agencies defending party and ethnic interests. Impunity had stamped its authority. Corruption and abuse of office become the dominant ways of life.
There is hope the past could be locked out, with probity gaining momentum to wash out wet wax from the ears of the voting masses.
Rank outsiders are gaining acceptance as antidotes for impunity and the Judiciary could admit two fire-spitting reformers to the Bench. It is the turn of wananchi to interrogate reform credentials and integrity of politicians nursing presidential pretentions.
Never again should we allow ourselves to be manipulated.
Writer is The Standard’s Managing Editor, Quality and Production.
订阅：
博文 (Atom)