Metrics

Thomas Jefferson was one of the first Statesmen to propose metrics for a common system of distances, weights and temperature. He spear headed a campaign in 1790 with the French, and ironically he was probably responsible for France adopting the the system in 1799. Since then almost everywhere else in the world has adopted this system (NZ in 1967) and somehow America missed out.

This causes some really peculiar situations. Everything has a kind of duality here. While on the surface metrics is not practised it confronts you in really interesting ways. Its almost as if a conversion has happened but no one wants to admit it.

For instance: When you get your takeaways you are given the option of a 2 liter bottle of soda to accompany your meal. Not 2 quarts or half a gallon but 2 Liters. In fact all soda bottles are made in liters and the imperial measurement given in brackets.

With temperature. Everyone speaks in Fahrenheit, but whenever you pass a electronic bank sign telling you the time it usually also gives you the temperature in Celsius. Every car with a temperature gauge lets you convert to Celsius, and for that matter Kilometers are shown right along side the miles as you check your speed.

Food packaging always quotes the grams along side the ounces, the liters along side the quarts, and even the m2 along side the square feet. Of course somethings are not converted. All the road signs are only in miles and bigger weights are always in pounds. But it is like they meant to change over or want to change and yet they cant.

I was really concerned about the boys and their ability to deal with imperial measurements, how would it affect their schoolwork, and their ability to interact with their peers in some subjects. I needn't have worried. Most of the maths and science are already in metric, the system so much easier and all the formulas are metric that, kids here have to learn them as part of the course.

To be fair America was a world leader in decimal currency, having used cents from the outset for their money. Maybe this is why the US dollar has been the currency of choice for trade for so long. It is so surprising then that they weren't early adopters of the metric system as a whole.

Will the US ever be metric? I am not sure. Certainly not in my time here. For now I will rely on the handy conversion app on my phone to translate for me and try not to look too dumb when confronted with a measurement which makes no sense whatsoever.

Patriotic Pilgrimage

One of America's greatest successes is its devotion from its citizens. American people are extremely diverse, and very polarised in their thinking. Intense arguments about religion and politics are common and dominate both the dinner table and the nightly news. Because of this most people are fiercely patriotic, and defend 'their' version of what it is to be American, vigorously. Devotion is encouraged, celebrated and even required.

US flags dominate everywhere. On buildings, down main streets, in offices and on peoples properties. They are both a form of decoration and a statement of intent. Each classroom is adorned with a flag, and the kids pledge allegiance, hand over heart each morning as they start school. Most sporting events start with the national anthem - again pledging hand over heart. These symbols of devotion coupled with daily and weekly rituals cement a strong collective identity.

From its declaration of independence roots and its inspired constitution. America has a idolised history of good triumphing over evil. The original 13 colonies first shaking off its British oppressors and then going on to victories over France, Spain and Native peoples in a significant claim over the New World. It makes an inspiring story and an important common thread that most wish to participate in.

Woven into this story are locations all over the States that celebrate America, Parks, Forests, Monuments, and also Dams. These government administered areas provide important internal tourism and champion the national cause and collective psyche. Scores of visitor center movies spout the same rhetoric, a national treasure preserved and protected - you should be proud of your country.

Some of these places have a sacred status, and pilgrimages are made each summer by millions of Americans as they share in the story. This past weekend I visited such a place, Mount Rushmore, touted as the 'shrine of democracy'.

Mt Rushmore is spectacular. A monument fit for an empire. The granite carved heads of four great American presidents rise from the rugged Black Hills of South Dakota. Their faces stand majestically poised, seeing out into a world they have personally altered. Sculpted by working class hands, a triumph over extreme weather, towering mountains and the harsh economic conditions of the Great Depression.

Here you participate in a fundamental American ideal. An America full of honest, decent God fearing men and women who do all that their country requires of them. It is an ethos that citizens cling on to, a past desperately needed right now. President hopefuls appeal to this longing, promising a revolution and return to government underpinned by good honest values, no more hijacked by corporate greed and corruption.

As you leave the boardwalk sufficiently inspired, hopeful that America can be great again. You can visit the gift store and buy a tee-shirt or a plastic Mt Rushmore replica. Those three comforting words imprinted on each item ........ God Bless America, Made in China.

Harvest

The green fields surrounding Powell are fast turning brown. As each crop is harvested the remains quickly turn yellow and then the paddock is ceremoniously ploughed. Trucks buzz in and out of town laden with produce. Mini mountains of sugar beets rise above the flat expanse.

It has been a bounty for us, fresh zucchini, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, peppers, raspberry's, and apples. I have made some pretty tasty salsas. Add that to our raw milk and free range eggs, we feel we are (somewhat) living off the land.

As the fields change so do the trees, turning yellow then orange and red. The fall colours are breathtaking especially in the mountains where the alpine meadows undergo the most dramatic transformation. The first snows have fallen there and as the sun sets the white glistens in the distance.

Peoples houses change too. The once lush grass is starting to die, returning the lawn to its mountain desert reality. Bright orange pumpkins are starting to adorn doorsteps and dark decorations fill windows and door fronts. All eagerly anticipating Halloween.

Autumn is a celebration of the plenty. I will do my bit - carve a pumpkin, build a scarecrow and scare my boys a little. A long American tradition.

Home sweet home

One of the big extremes in America are the houses. I have been in Mansions that are so big that you could yell in one end and not be heard in the other, and trailer homes where a couple of steps will put you in another room. I love being in people’s homes it gives me a feel for what is important to them and a real sense of their character. I am constantly amazed at how different and how creative space can be used. Whether it is mounted kills and animal pelts or nicknack's and artwork. You realize pretty quickly that regardless of the size, shape and location people are generally trying to do the same thing - raise their families and live with as much comfort as possible.

Of course your home can become a trap too. We have family and friends who built big new homes when the economy was good and now are trapped with a mortgage more than the house is worth. They cant sell, work multiple jobs and generally feel on the edge. Some have walked away, handed the keys to the bank, and reinvented themselves elsewhere.

Ironically some other friends have prospered exceedingly during the same period. One of my friends is building a cabin in the mountains. I went with him to help for a morning. The canyon was beautiful with the fall colours yellows, oranges and reds, against the ever greens. The contracting crew were hard at work, their beat box loudly pumping the sounds of……. ‘Taylor Swift’????!!!!  My friend has 5 daughters so he is well acquainted with Taylor and if I am to be honest I have most of her albums, but this did take me by surprise. I  guess he is fortunate that even his second home was been made with a lot of love!

Autumn in the Mountains