Where have I been? Water for everyone.

Last night I headed to the store to pick up family groceries to carry me and my wife over for a few days. Drinking water was not on my grocery list. As I drove down the road about 9 PM, my default radio station was on NPR and I listened to BBC Radio, World Hacks, The Sun Water Solution and I asked myself, Where have I been?  Why didn't I know this?  What can I do so share this information to the masses?  Perhaps this is a start.  Please listen to the story or check my sources.

This is a story about how the most amazing ideas do not always work how you would like in practise. In theory it is so simple. You put disease-ridden water into a two litre plastic bottle, screw on the lid and leave it in the sun. After six hours on a cloudless day, almost all the bacteria and bugs that cause diseases like cholera and diarrhoea are killed or inactivated by the UV light and gentle warming. Professor Kevin McGuigan has proven this in the lab, but for the last 20 years he has been trying to get it working in rural African communities. It has not been anywhere near as easy as you might think.

Sources: 

• About the author of this article Dr. Kevin McGuigan, director of the RCSI Solar Disinfection Research Group, Ireland,  Link
• Wikipedia, Solar Water Disinfection, Link
• SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) started as an initiative of Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Sciences and Technology. Link
• SODIS from the CDC (U.S, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Link

Maps for Going Afield

Navigation has always thrilled me using maps, a compass, GPS or the stars. Using a standard USGS topographic map is especially a pleasure because it is like hiking through the woods holding a piece of art. They are as beautiful to me as the surroundings themselves and often contain treasures on the landscape that do not show up through other methods of navigation.

About 1976 I learned this skill of laminating the map on a piece of natural cloth, making it more durable and I've always wanted to do it again and share it with folk like me. so here it is...

Maps for Going Afield

An original article by T. Fegley, Field and Stream Magazine, 1971. Reproduced verbatim, and by permission for preservation of this skill.

With more and more people taking to the out of doors and many wishing to get away from it by all exploring new territory, topographic maps have gained a new popularity. Similarly, hunters, fisherman, hikers, backpackers, snowmobilers, and Jeep-born navigators rely on their maps in the field and constantly use them for reference. As new trails are discovered and plotted, the map becomes a tool matching the compass in value. 

Although the cost of a topo map is small, constant replacement of heavily-used maps is unnecessary if you take 30 minutes or so to reinforce them with a cloth backing. It is easy and inexpensive and will give more mileage to your valuable silent guides. 

Basic equipment for mounting your topo includes scissors, a yardstick, razor blade cutter, two pans, commercial wall paste, paintbrush, and backing material such as an old starch-free muslin sheet. The sheet must be larger than the map since it is stretched and tacked along the edges. A smooth, tight surface can be had by fitting the sheet over a straight edged piece of plywood and tacking it on the opposite side after stretching. 

Fold the map so that it fits conveniently in your coat pocket. Unfold and cut the map carefully along the folded lines with a razor blade. Since the larger 7 1/2 minute maps may require more folds to get to pocket size, only the creases of the larger sections need to be cut. It is unnecessary to divide the map into too many small segments. 

Float the pieces in a pan of warm water for about a minute. With a brush, apply the paste to the back of each section and position them on the sheeting about 1/8 inch apart. The paste should be completely free of lumps before applying. 

After mounting the sections in their proper order, clean off the excess paste with a damp cloth. A gentle pressure will assure a contact between the paper and cloth. The map must be allowed to dry slowly and thoroughly for 24 to 48 hours depending upon drying conditions. 

When the map is completely dry, cut it from the board and trim along the papers edge to keep the cloth from fraying. Should any of the maps edges lift after use, a bit of white glue will do the trick. 

Your reinforced map is now ready for many hours of use and should stand hundreds of foldings. Along with a compass it will provide pleasure and safety for your travels into the wild. 

As an alternative, the map may be mounted in one piece by applying moisture to the back with a damp cloth to soften the paper before pasting. The map is then mounted and cleaned by applying pressure from the center toward the edges with the moist cloth. When dry, the map is folded to fit into the pocket. - Tom Fegely

References for Topographic Map Lamination to Cloth:

• Tom Fegley, “Maps for Going Afield”, Field and Stream Magazine, June 1971, page 150.
• William Hillcourt, “Your Hiking Pals”, Boy’s Life Magazine, October 1947, page 11. “I’m happy when I’m hiking, pack upon my back, I’m happy when I’m hiking off the beaten track…”, an old Boy Scout tune.

24 Hours of Blessings

I'm feeling extremely grateful today so I decided to start my own campaign.

For the next 24 hours, (about) on the hour - around the clock I am going to list a blessing, and Tweet it under the hashtag #24hoursofblessings.

Feel free to join me by continuing it on or or commenting here.  Just for a day.

January 19, 2017 Tweets by @guskoerner

8 AM I am thankful for a job serving the public.

This morning I was greeted by Eastern Gray Squirrels.  Love these little guys, they brighten my day.

9 AM Grateful for work colleagues who are diligent and kind. Good people.

10 AM Grateful for my children who are politically aware and civically engaged.

11 AM Grateful for a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich now and then.

NOON. Grateful for a wife who's supportive, encouraging and loving.

1 PM I'm grateful for school crossing guards.

2 PM I’m grateful for smartphones that help us stay connected with loved ones far away.

3 PM I’m grateful for forgiveness that allows us to start over.

4 PM My time as a prison CO and GED Instructor was a blessing that taught me so much.

5 PM Rational-Respectful discussions of opposing viewpoints are a blessing.

6 PM Books that uplift and inspire are a blessing.

7 PM Supper is a blessing not all enjoy. Thank you Lord, please bless those in need.

8 PM Adoptive parents are a blessing.

9 PM Firewood stacked and food in the cupboard are a blessing.

10 PM Nurses are a blessing to us all.

11 PM I’m grateful for a bed to sleep in.

MIDNIGHT – I’m grateful for a cushy pillow.

1 AM Ceiling Fans

2 AM I’m grateful for indoor plumbing.

3 AM I’m grateful that someone cares enough to control mosquitoes.

4 AM I’m grateful for diabetes education and the JDRF.

5 AM Nightlights are a blessing.  Thank you Thomas Edison.

6 AM My Snoozebar is a blessing.

7 AM Chickens are a blessing I appreciate as I eat my Egg McMuffin.

May your day be blessed too.

gus

Rust, A Metaphor To Consider

Recently I've had this fascination with the removal of rust by electrolysis, which is simply the passage of an electrical current through a liquid. In the process, positive and negative ions go back and forth between electrodes for the purpose adding or removing surface metal. My purpose is to de-rust old tools making them usable again. It is an easy and fascinating demonstration of chemistry in action!  See my instruction story August 13.

Also lately, through discovery of my unawareness, I found rust is also a commonly used metaphor for slow decay due to neglect, since it gradually converts robust iron and steel metal into a soft crumbling powder.

Similarly to iron, men and women can go through their own process of degradation when exposed to toxic elements that come our way such as chemicals, toxic thoughts and unhealthy relationships.  The Bible, other holy texts and sound advice from wise people warn us about this, but sometimes we become tainted and tarnished before we even realize it.  Then what do we do? 

Given sufficient time, oxygen, and water, any iron mass will eventually convert entirely to rust and disintegrate. Surface rust is flaky and friable, and it provides no protection to the underlying iron, unlike the formation of patina on copper surfaces. See the examples of rust accumulation on the tools below and the four descriptive stages. As you read the stages, consider the human rust equivalents.

Stage One - Deposits on the surface of the metal with a red, black or white coloration will form. This will be partnered with a small amount of etching and pitting. At this stage, the rust is attacking the surface of the metal. The rust can be treated easily with either sand blasting or chemically cleaning.

Stage Two - This rust now takes on a powdered or granular condition. Scaling can develop as flakes of metal become loose and fall off. The base metal will still be unaffected at this stage; therefore, the metal can be easily treated with sand blasting or chemical cleaning.

Stage Three - The surface appearance of stage three rust is very similar if not identical to the appearance of rust in stage two, except that the underlying decay will be more severe. The base metal in the areas of corrosion will have been compromised; small pinholes may be present. At this stage, the metal must be repaired after it has been cleaned and primed.

Stage Four - Stage four rust represents corrosion and decay that have developed to a point at which the base metal has been completely penetrated and removed. No metal will remain at the points of corrosion in stage four. Extensive repair will be required after the metal has been cleaned and primed. 

I have experienced that long term ever-so-slow decay in my life and with others.  With God’s help He has been able to reverse that process by divine electrolysis and we can experience spiritual renewal. We must stay vigilant to all things good and uplifting, so as to not become unusable by the Master Craftman. 

In the Bible, book of Matthew 6:19-20 it reads, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (NIV) As Pastor M. Collins, Church of the Great God, SC writes, "Rust" represents anything that "eats into" and destroys things more durable than clothing. In this parable, it has a wider application than mere iron oxide. Once moths and rust settle on an object, they gradually eat their way from the exterior to the interior. Thus, beyond their ability to destroy physical objects, moths and rust represent the decay of a person's life. An 8th century English Clergyman, Robert South, referring to guilt (a toxic substance) says this, Guilt upon the conscience, like rust upon iron, both defiles and consumes it, gnawing and creeping into it, as that does which at last eats out the very heart and substance of the metal. 

May we all be sensitive to elements and situations that will corrode and degrade our fragile humanness, especially the children and others whom we associate and care for.

gus

Interesting and Fun Alternatives to Conventional Freshwater Fishing

The reasons to go fishing are many. It is a time-honored sport that can be relaxing, fun and contribute to a healthy mind and body. A rod and reel are what most think of as the primary tools, but a few alternatives to conventional methods for catching freshwater fish, namely bow fishing, cane pole and survival fishing can also bring another level of fun and excitement. Catching a fish is challenging enough even with the most sophisticated equipment and years of experience. On the other hand, it is a sport that can be done with success by a young child under adult supervision with equipment that can cost less than $25. To the angler who is experienced and thinks they would like to try an alternative, using more primitive methods can be rewarding to connect the fisherman with traditional methods, ways that were once the only means to provide fare for the table. Additionally, the target species of fish caught by these primitive methods are nongame and non-native fish, which are a threat to native game species.

Bow Fishing is done with archery equipment but using a fiberglass arrow with a barbed point, and the arrow is connected to the bow via a mechanical reel or simple spool. Done from land or by boat, during the day or night, this is an exhilarating challenge. Image left is Gus in 1976 with Gar and bow in hand. Photo description below.

Cane Pole Fishing often referred by Florida statute as the cane-pole exemption, because cane pole fishing does not require a license. The law states, “In Florida you must be a resident who is fishing with live or natural bait, using poles or lines that are not equipped with a fishing line - retrieval mechanism, and you are fishing for noncommercial purposes in your home county. However, you must have a valid fishing license to fish by any method in a fish management area.”

Survival Fishing is simply cane pole fishing, but without the pole. Using natural or artificial bait, natural or synthetic string, this method will strip away most of the technology and just leave the fisherman verses the fish.  If successful, it will bring a sense of confidence to the angler that perhaps they could survive in the wilderness with minimal tools. Exciting!

Although Florida fishing laws are used as an example, other states have similar laws and/or exemptions so checking with the state game commission on a regular basis is important. Fishing regulations change so what may be legal this year may not be the next.

Since not all Florida fish can be taken by all methods, clarification is necessary. Florida freshwater fish are divided into game fish that have specific bag and length limits and may only be taken with pole-and-line or rod-and-reel, and nongame fish, which are all others.

See the chart for types of Florida Game Fish. Non-native fish are those that do not occur in Florida naturally; most should be harvested and never released. Florida Nongame Fish includes all freshwater fish that are NOT defined as game fish. A license is required to take nongame fish, but additional gear types are allowed (as mentioned above).

** See regulations for exemptions other than Cane Pole.
♦ See regulations for special region-specific restrictions.

Resources:
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Freshwater Fishing Regulations, 2016-2017.

Photo description: The photo was taken by my Mom when I was 16 or 17 years old in Fort Worth, TX after a day of fishing on the Trinity River, downtown Fort Worth.  My buddies and I would go there regularly to shoot Carp and Gar. Although some were just thrown away (because they eat game fish), most were harvested and given to resident neighbors to the river who ate them.  We made a lot of friends when we gave away our catch. In the background is my first car, a 1967 Rambler American which I kept until 1982.

This article also appears as a University of Florida / IFAS, Brevard County Extension Fact Sheet Number 6175, by Gus Koerner 4-H Program Assistant.

Holiday Greeting To My Friends at B.O.S.S.

Merry Christmas to my friends at B.O.S.S.!

I just wanted to check in and wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I like to check in every year or so, and as I've mentioned in the past - in 1979 I was a student in the month long BYU Youth Leadership 480, Course D-12 under Doug Nelson. It changed my life to this day. I was inspired to attend by my Dad, Karl Koerner who attended two years earlier, and at the time was the oldest person to complete the course at age 56. Wow - I'm 57! Where have the years gone?

Some of my life long memories of the course include:

• My 7-day solo spent in an overhang on the Escalante River. That inspired me to devote much of my adult life to study the outdoors, ecological theology, and share that with others in my career.
• To this day I still remember scrubbing my big #10 can in the river every morning and on my way back up the mesa would collect more Brigham Tea. One day a baby Rattlesnake greeted me by my shrub, so I gave him his alone time and found another bush to harvest.
• I remember laying by my fire, eyes fixed upon Polaris and through the night watch the Big Dipper rotate around that fixed beacon that always points north.
• I remember starting my fire in the first 30 minutes of my solo and while blowing on the embers getting a piece of glowing ash on my arm. I have a scar to this day, and it’s a sweet reminder of my days in the desert.
• Thanks to technology, I've deduced the location of my solo spot is N 37.774437° W -111.423868°
• I remember my ~13 mile run in from the river basin into Boulder. I think I came in 1st or 2nd! When I got to Boulder I called my family from the payphone for a nickel!
• I remember sharing pot holes of water with my brothers and sisters on our small group week. One of my buddies later got Giardia.
• I recall my breath taking traverse through Devil’s Canyon, knowing Butch Cassidy and his gang might have followed the same route.
• I’ll never forget my deep gratitude to God and for the sacrifice the sheep made of his life to feed our large group.

Does any of this ring a bell to you?  Since then I’ve had a number of friends and family attend the course upon my recommendation and it made a profound effect on their lives too. Professionally I work in Youth Development through the University of Florida 4-H Program. Here is a synopsis of the program I developed, in part by my experience with BOSS.

The Youth Ecology Series (YES!) is a unique University of Florida / IFAS / Brevard County Extension 4-H program for youth ages 10 to 16. The mission of YES! is to teach and inspire young people to learn about and conserve their natural outdoor environment with a combination of hands-on, classroom and field activities. The goal of YES! is to give young people a broad overview of our natural ecology and tangible skills to thrive and participate in nature and an appreciation for the methods of sustaining our fragile ecosystem. Side benefits of the program include having fun, meeting new people and getting to know some of our local outdoor treasure sites, organizations and related programs.

If any of you would like to participate in a consulting role to my programs I would welcome it. Feel free to share this letter, or parts of it with your staff and alumni. Give them my best and tell future participants they can do it! and are part of something very significant and that the program you deliver is having a positive effect on its students and beyond. 

Blessings to you all. 

Gus