Author: kmarieclark

Voluntary Simplicity ~ Enjoy where you are

Post author By kmarieclark
Post date April 7, 2015
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Stay Close.

The ‘make the most of where you are movement’ is intriguing. What would I do if I allowed myself only to do things within a certain radius of home? What about a 15-mile radius for two months, a 40-mile radius for three more months, a 75-mile radius for four and a 200-mile radius for the remaining three months? The idea is that I would be limiting the resources I use in travel.

What could I do in 15 miles? I can run and race, hike in the Coopers Rock state forest, cross-country ski, bike the rail trail, kayak the Monongahela, attend concerts, movies and lectures. Poetry events exist often. I can go to art galleries, libraries, eat at fifty plus restaurants, have friends over, go to work, roller and ice skate, play on recreational sports teams, take classes and participate in workshops. Expanding to a 40-mile radius allows me more opportunities to eat, recreate and take class at a second university nearby. I can then visit my in-laws. A 75-mile radius expands my area to include more work opportunities. Ohiopyle and Pittsburgh offer skiing entertainment, competitive running races, Laurel Highlands recreation and architecture. More white-water rafting adventures, biking and hiking trails exist at Wisp and Deep Creek. I can stay with more family members and host dinner for those I miss. More places exist in a 200-mile radius to do what I enjoy but now with the added value to include all of my relatives. The Appalachian Mountains, the Potomac River, and the GAP to the C&O trail allows plenty of movement by foot, bike and boat from Pittsburgh to DC. West Virginia offers spectacular peaks and creeks throughout at places like Marlington, Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob and Dolly Sods. These places have adventures in every season. I can read a book anywhere and try local food restaurants by the plenty. It’s amazing what I realize I can do when I begin to limit the possibilities by only a few miles. Perhaps focusing is the only way to ever initiate the belief it takes to get something done. —

Others who have produced books and films about their sustainable choices are:

No Impact Man is a documentary on a family living in NY who went one year without electricity, without waste of materials, and was an inspiration film to start a project as I am proposing above.

Animal Vegetable Miracle is a book by Barbara Kingsolver who wrote about eating off of her and nearby farmers’ products for one year in Appalachia.

What can you do close to home?

About Me Gift Giving

How to Progress when we need to Regress

Post author By kmarieclark
Post date April 6, 2015
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Simplify Life

Get rid of stuff. Let the thoughts go. It’s time for spring cleaning.

I began writing this last December:

As my husband and I fill up the car for the third time this season we pack the freshly baked bread and the wrapping papered gifts (with bows that fall off into the snow) into the backseat. We ask each other one question. Is this right? ‘Pathological consumption has become so normalised that we scarcely notice it.’

George Monbiot’s article published in December of 2010 The Gift of Death, here, published just before Christmas that year received a lot of attention from me and my sustainable friends.

Just after Christmas this year as I was combing the house for things to purge my husband pointed out that my reaction to the end of the season every year is the same -get rid of stuff! It’s easier said than done. Accumulating everything is easier than getting rid of anything. Cleaning is my way of keeping calm and maintaining the sense that I have control over my household things. I can clear my mind while cleaning my physical environment. I’m always looking for ways of an improved lifestyle, and the less is more mentality has always served me. As I ask myself about an optimum work/life balance this spring I start with this lesson number 1: Simplify Life, Get rid of Stuff.

I’ve started meditating lately. Deepak has teamed with Oprah to offer free 21-day meditations throughout the year and this series has focused on true success. From allowing life to lead with it’s own rhythm to reflection on personal balance, the time I’ve invested to practice with Deepak’s centering thoughts has proven to be rewarding.

Man has always had the reaction ‘I want it all.’ Life is too hectic to believe we should continue down this path. Stick with me over the next few days as I explore a journey to discover my own work/life balance.

Travel

Mt. Lafayette, Summer Hiking in New England

Post author By kmarieclark
Post date March 27, 2015
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In the summer of 2013 my husband and I took a few hikes in New England. The hike to Mt. Lafayette along the Appalachian Trail stands out as one of the most beautiful. With mileage just over 8 miles, we give it an 8 in difficulty.

We spend the night in Lincoln, New Hampshire at an Inn and brewery called The Woodstock Station and Brewery. From here the White Mountains beckon. We began our day at the parking lot off of Falling Water Trail. The trail for the first hour was sandy with large sunken rocks. We hiked along the many falls up a comfortable grade before the tree roots of the spruce forest created natural stairs. We crossed rocky streams of clear water and then the forest receded, thinning out as the sky became big, blue and unobstructed.

-Map from 4000 Footers

We summited Haystack and then Lincoln, realizing that Lafayette was beyond another 1.8 miles. Species of low growth plants were blooming with the rock outcroppings. The climbing up and down wasn’t easy, and one must be sure-footed at all times. Mounting Lafayette proved to be amazing after waiting 15 minutes for the grey windy clouds of midst to pass. The trip down was the most difficult as large rocks were loose along the trail.

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) hosts hikers at the Green Leaf Hut, though it is a significant amount of mileage off of the AT. It was nice to sit there to take rest within view of the Franconia Ridge.

–Backpacker Image

A well-stocked hiking book bookstore in Lincoln provided us with an idea of what to hike the next day. Check out Mountain Wanderer in person or online. We hiked Mt. Chocura the following day.

I’ve been working on a poem to pull together a few hikes from that summer. We were caught in a storm the day before hiking Mt. Lafayette while attempting to summit the Beaver Creek trail nearby.

Mt. Lafayette

The Appalachian range takes the sky to see

it was known to my ancestors, taller

before feet and storms crossed the spine and half the range crumbled

so unlike the stability it promises to hikers.

In my blood, my body aware, is drawn

ten hours from home

I travel far to find something of myself

a new life in New England

where the Presidentials are laid out

the White Mountains –Washington, Mt. Adams, Jefferson.

I’ve come to climb the peaks at Mt. Lafayette where

I follow many footsteps

those that link Georgia to Maine

And what did I find–

the wind

A storm came quickly, shaking the magnetic rock

waterfalls began to pool together

to make streams of clear water

over the faces of flat-paved rock.

At haystack, the base

the trees claw and stretch their legs like a relaxing spider–

the earth is soft between them. The fingers

drying after the morning storm.

An accomplishment of the 3,800 feet at the top, the exhaustion

a New Hampshire day in view of the distant mountains hiding their heads above the clouds

standing through the rain

letting the juice seep into the bones and nourish the desperate feeling of necessity when it is given.

This is what enters the mind at fatigue

the importance of simple food drink exercise

and at the root of it–

determination of the self

this is what enters the mind at fatigue

the things that don’t matter are driven away

allowing more important things to enter.

Tags Mt. Lafayette NH Hiking

Food & Exercise

Morgantown Marathon

Morgantown, West Virginia is hosting it’s first Marathon! View the site here. The course, which promised to include all of the neighborhoods of Morgantown before being published in March, is certainly not to be taken lightly. With over 1600 feet in elevation gain, the language of the site warns the competitive person against trying to achieve a personal record. It’s close to home for many seasoned and new runners in the area. Begin training from Mile 1 as late as May and still have time to participate in the Half Marathon. Other races that weekend include the Mountain Mama 8k and the Inaugural Mile. My husband and I look forward to being a part of the inaugural Half Marathon race September 20th!

Tags Morgantown Marathon

Travel

Hiking Big Schloss via Wardensville, WV

Post author By kmarieclark
Post date March 23, 2015
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Welcome to Wardensville, WV -a quick weekend getaway from Morgantown.

My husband and I planned a late fall hike on the border of WV and VA. It’s getting warm enough to begin planning hiking trips for this spring and summer!

In a town of a few hundred people we were pleasantly surprised to find the elegant atmosphere of a thriving brewery and restaurant – Lost River Brewing. What we’ve discovered since then is a group in the northeastern U.S. that call themselves the Views and Brews Club. Members pair a hike with a local brewery and call it a day. Well, that’s what my husband and I have been doing for years. We were excited to find out that this hike has not been added to their list yet.

Places to Stay: See’s Motel for the night before the hike. The next night, in Winchester, VA stay at the George Washington Wyndham hotel for a treat.

Places to Eat: Star Mercantile in Wardensville or anywhere along the pedestrian way in Winchester.

~ The Hike ~

In the south central edge of West Virginia’s eastern panhandle where Virginia meets it’s border, the Wolf Gap Recreation area offers a point from which to begin hiking the Great North Mountain Trails. One hike comprised of out-and-back hikes comprised our 7.6 mile day. A climb to the Big Schloss view (meaning ‘castle’ in German) is to the north, while the Tibbet knob trail southward leads you along the same ridge line to a view 1.6 miles away. -P & K

Tags West Virginia Hiking

Food & Exercise

The Tini Testers

Pascal’s Bistro

We visited Pascal’s Bistro on a Tuesday to enjoy drinks with French fare. As the three of us -Mariah, Caitlin and I approached the restaurant with a camera in hand, Pascal stepped out from the kitchen.

We were seated in the upper dining room, next to the open span of new windows along the front. As the evening darkened the traffic light from the passing cars provided a natural connection to where we were, that is, in the Cheat Lake area of Morgantown, WV.

The interiors are being filled with art, and more from a local artist is soon to come. The bar area was managed by a friendly gentleman who introduced himself as we stepped inside. The red bistro seats aligned the built-in banquet painted black. The wood floors slid to the far wall where a fireplace nook was ablaze with glass and candlelight.

The built-in book shelf/ wine glass display spans that entire far wall and has french accessories mixed in as well. Small pictures are set in gilded frames throughout the restaurant. Once in our seats, we ordered a Pear and Port Martini and a glass of red French wine. (You’ll need to enjoy this at one of their BIG RED events!) The difficult part was deciding what to order for dinner.

The tiger shrimp appetizer began our meal. We all ordered something different, and chose the steak, the chicken and the salmon for entrees. For dessert we chose the marmalade special soaked in rum, the steaming chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, and of course, the creme brulee. We topped off the night with french press coffee and left at a time when there were only a few people remaining at the bar.

images

Before leaving though, Pascal offered us a tour of the kitchen. We went downstairs into the bright new white room where the stainless steel appliances shone. The space looked like a wonderful place to work within view of the outdoors through the glass garage door. The transformation has been amazing and credit is due to the general contractor. Mills Group provided architectural services and Allegheny Restoration did a beautiful job pulling the space into it’s new use.

We all left lightly filled and excited for our next visit of a Tuesday night escape!

Check out Mills Group’s recent spring newsletter where Pascal’s is featured! Below is the full story.

What once was a split-level home is now a fancy French restaurant in the Cheat Lake community of Morgantown. Owners, Katie and Pascal met in New York over the same sort of circumstances, in the kitchen. The kitchen is definitely the focus here, as an all-glass garage door at-grade greets the well-heeled guests. The interior takes on the same sort of atmosphere, sparse, clean, and completely focused on the food.

Mills Group assisted the couple on their search for a place to host their talents and decided on this location because of the surrounding community of homes along the lake and position away from Morgantown. Pascal’s Bistro is removed from the saturated number of restaurants in downtown. Their location at 186 Fairchance Road, just off of Route 43 is a destination and that’s the type of aura Katie and Pascal plan to host all of their guests within.

Allegheny Restoration was contracted to make the transformation. Led by Pete Heydon, the interior plan opened as walls were taken down to provide two dining areas, ADA compliant restrooms, and a new bar. Food storage areas and a full commercial kitchen are below grade, providing tricky solutions for fire protection and hood exhaust requirements to be incorporated into the plan. The building is very visible from nearby interchanges, and Mills Group designed a new front entry complete with large second story windows to attract visitors. Future plans to develop the rear patio area for an outdoor dining experience are in the works.

Enjoy Big Red wine as offered by wine steward and hostess Katie, the savory escargot persillade and crispy crème brûlée for desert as prepared by Pascal and his staff. Or, sneak a peek through the all-glass garage door to see a view of the show and partake in the important knowledge of knowing where your food comes from.

~ Enjoy! ~

Photos by Mariah and Caitlin!

Environmental

Our Fair Share

7 1/2″ of snow fell overnight.

The morning provided a quiet walk between Westover and Morgantown.

The river is high, and flooding is causing a state of emergency in West Virginia.

~ Morgantown, March 5th 2015 ~

Environmental

Buddhist Economy – Schumacher

Post author By kmarieclark
Post date February 19, 2015
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This reading by Schumacher asked me to reflect inward upon thoughts of living locally, my material wants and what work could be. J.C. Kumarappa says [work] ‘nourishes and enlivens the higher man and urges him to produce the best he is capable of.’ This is in line with one of Schumacher’s three Buddhist points of view on work: ‘to give man the chance to utilize and develop his facilities.’ What does this mean for me and on the larger scale of my office and community?

If I was free from the thought of work enabling a paycheck, and put more focus on the type of work I was doing I would work to promote downtown Morgantown. This city allows density and a walkable community to take care of basic needs: food, shelter, and cleanliness. A farmer’s markets, a food co-op, a drug/general store, clothing stores, restaurants, and plenty of apartments in need of maintenance exist here. Morgantown has libraries, a theater, and a university. Focusing on the place where I’d like to see the change is key. The fortunate thing about Morgantown is that the city is not stagnant. Investors are building apartment complexes and commercial retail buildings everywhere. What if these people felt responsible for the upkeep of their community too? What if for every new thing we were required to care for the old too? The readings for this week all suggest personal focus as a way to start spreading change. Constraint and upkeep play a role in focusing as well. If one place is to become better the answer may not always be found in introducing something new. Evaluating what may already be an asset is a great place to start.

How would I promote work that is utilizing and developing my facilities while encouraging others to do the same? People are more interested if it involves them personally. Encouraging action on what interests everyone by opening discussions is a way to communicate compromise. Working toward an end date so that things get finished is also key. Sourcing local thought, labor and materials reinvests money spent back into the community. Compromise and communication offer opportunities to grow creatively and discover what we are capable of doing together.

—Image of Morgantown from atop of the hill (KLM Properties)

Food & Exercise

Pittsburgh Half-Marathon!

Post author By kmarieclark
Post date February 17, 2015
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The training begins!

Of course, Morgantown received a new 3″ blanket of fluffy snow this morning. We’ll see how day one of Hal Higdon’s 12-week training program goes today.

Architecture Building Sustainably

Day three: Masters of Architecture class

Post author By kmarieclark
Post date February 15, 2015
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By the end of the second class I realized I needed to buff up on my architectural academic knowledge. Books by Vitruvius, Corbusier, and Louis Kahn are going to be my starting blocks.

We discussed Jeremy Rifkin’s Architects of the Mechanical World View in his book Entropy.

Jeremy Rifkin talks about Entropy, the gradual decline into disorder. There are two ways, historically, in which people make decisions he states. Before the ‘mechanical world view’ Rifkin argues that decisions were made based on the afterlife. Societies’ thoughts were altered when they began to be influenced by Bacon’s Novum Organum, Decartes mathematics, and Newton’s ‘tools of how to unravel nature.’ People began to think that gaining an understanding of nature to provide food, shelter and a more consistent living standard allowed them to make more selfish decisions. Humanity launched into a prosperous life that involved ‘controlling nature.’ These thoughts progressed to become more materialistic with Locke and Smith’s beliefs. The idea that man should acquire unlimited resources is deeply rooted in what society believes today -300 years of trying to make our natural resources profitable for personal gain.

Society now knows more about the earth’s limit of materials and what effect the extraction and refinement of these resources have on the health of our world. Did we humans understand nature’s natural order, and try to grow with that? On a global scale, I don’t think so. We grew with a limited view and based our decisions on economic benefit.

Let’s examine how prosperous our world is and what technology we use to supplement expiring practices with energy and material use. Humans understand how to use wind and the sun for electricity. We practice permaculture; that variety of food and a balance of flora and fauna is better than monocrops and overgrazing. According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI – June 2014) about 80% of the world has access to food, sanitary shelter, education, and other quantifiers of a plentiful life. Aristotle argued ‘prosperity becomes a barrier to happiness.’ Bill McKibben writes in Deep Economy that people don’t need to make more than 30K a year -that this income provides sufficiently all that is necessary. (Published 2007, comparing U.S. salaries tbc) The question of how to help the 20% of underprivileged people and how much is enough for wealthy individuals remain. How do the wealthy continue growth and should we provide for the 20%? Who’s role is it to look globally to evaluate when enough is enough for some when others still do not have a good quality of life.

The discussion was engaging, and lasted over an hour and a half. We debated why we (humans) believe what we believe. What governs us? What do we know now that needs to change in order to survive? What is personally important, versus what is important for our world? It was interesting to hear from the generation ten years younger than me.

The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future by Bill McKibben