Finding Ulysses » Life in Ulysses

Hotter Than Birmingham, Alabama

Jonathan Cook — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:38:16 +0000

How hot is it here in Trumansburg, today? We’re warmer by three degrees fahrenheit than Birmingham, Alabama. We’re four degrees hotter than Atlanta. We’re five degrees above Miami.

Mayapple

Jonathan Cook — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:47:42 +0000

Among my favorite blooms at this time of year is the mayapple, for its habit of understatement.

80 Degrees At Noon

Jonathan Cook — Sun, 02 May 2010 16:15:34 +0000

At noontime today, the air temperature had already reached 80 degrees. We had similar heat yesterday. Area farmers and horticulturalists say that plants are growing something like three weeks ahead of schedule.

I grew up in Central New York, and in my memory, a day in early May where the temperatures reached the high 80s was extremely rare. I’m wondering what the memories of Trumansburg natives are, and how they’re living differently in warm years like this one has proven to be.

Record Heat

Jonathan Cook — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 09:32:11 +0000

There’s record heat in Trumansburg this weekend. We sent the kids to school wearing sweaters on Thursday morning, but they switched to short sleeves for the afternoon and begged to wear shorts to school on Friday.

It seems like a good day today for a wade in Taughannock Creek. Other animals are taking their own dips as well. The mosquitoes are already breeding, and last night as took a walk in the woods, I heard the sound of the spring peepers calling out for mates.

It seems early for that. The eggs they lay could still be frozen solid in the side of a pond. Still, I’m not sure of their historically normal time of emergence. It seems worth taking note.

Trumansburg Home Values Stabilize After 2008 Slip

Jonathan Cook — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:18:09 +0000

According to Zillow, the value of homes in Trumansburg has leveled out, and even improved very slightly, after a significant drop in 2008. Zillow’s calculation of our village’s average home value is now at $175,900 – about $14,000 lower than it was at the height of the market in 2008, but still a 4.3 percent increase from last year’s low. This statistic was most recently calculated at the beginning of March.

There are 18 homes for sale in Trumansburg now, and 13 homes have recently been sold. The median listing price for homes currently for sale in Trumansburg is $234,900.

36 Percent Of Trumansburg Completes Census So Far

Jonathan Cook — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:23:33 +0000

According to the Take 10 Map from the US Census Bureau, 36 percent of Trumansburg households have “participated” in the U.S. Census. The national average right now is 34 percent. The New York State average at present is 29 percent.

In 2000, the census return rate for Trumansburg was 80 percent.

Sustainability In Trumansburg

Jonathan Cook — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:46:12 +0000

This video was uploaded to YouTube yesterday, providing a quick survey of efforts, mostly agricultural, to move toward sustainable local economy in the area around Trumansburg.

Overcast Backyard Security

Louie the Local — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:22:38 +0000

Security light
flooding my back yard stars from
one quarter mile off.

Zombie Cruised: Trumansburg Creek Mood of the Day

Jonathan Cook — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:03:01 +0000

Just below the parking lot of the NAPA auto parts store, on the bank leading down to Trumansburg Creek, there’s a half-buried wreck of an old car. I don’t know my old cars, but it looks like it’s from the late 50s or the early 60s to me.

It’s available for viewing for a limited time only, between the melting of the snows, and the budding of the leaves on the blackberries growing around its rust.

Taughannock Gorge Coated In Snow

Jonathan Cook — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:32:42 +0000

By now, following days of thaw and nights of refreezing, the snow has become much more crusty. Last week’s snow days, however, brought a soft, warm, clinging snow that frosted the entire gorge surrounding Taughannock Falls.

Fort Closing

Jonathan Cook — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:38:23 +0000

Yesterday, it was over 4 feet tall, with a couple of walls of nice looking snow bricks made by my young assistants. Today, it’s profoundly eroded, ruins of a lost civilization.

With rains continuing today, seek higher ground. The gorges will be filling up nicely.

Hot Chocolate For Haiti

Jonathan Cook — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:07:43 +0000

The people of Trumansburg are some of the best people I’ve met, and a family down the street is providing an excellent reminder of that this morning. A mother and daughter team are standing out next to the street, bundled up next to a little table with insulated pitchers. The daughter is holding up a sign announcing that they’re selling hot chocolate, at a dollar per cup, with the proceeds to benefit earthquake victims in Haiti.

They’re still out there, on Cayuga street near Millspaugh hardware, as I write this. If you’re coming through town, make a detour that way.

Also keep in mind that the Rotary Club is holding a chicken BBQ today to benefit people Haiti. It’s a great day that can be yummy and compassionate at the same time.