Earlier this year, we
were sent two articles
which appeared in the January
19, 2009 edition of the
Oil & Gas Journal. And
while this is obviously not a
publication we read on a
regular basis, we did find
the two articles of interest.
The first, entitled ``CNX
Gas drills record Marcellus
shale well’’ and written by
Nana M. Rach, Drilling Editor,
concerns ``...hundreds
of coalbed, methane wells
in the Appalachian basin...’’
which were drilled in southwestern
Pennsylvania.
We gather from the article
that these wells, which
were the first horizontal
Marcellus shale wells
drilled by CNX, have proved
to be quite successful. In
fact, according to the article
``On Dec. 15, CNX reported
that the well was producing
6.5 MMcfd of natural gas.
``A record daily production
rate for any well in the
company’s history and believed
to be among the
highest reported by any
Marcellus shale producer,’’
said the company in a press
release.’’ We suspect that
those in this area of the
world opposed to natural
gas drilling would not find
this news of particular comfort.
In the second article, entitled
``US, world possess
rich resource base’’ and
written by Khosrow Biglarbigi
and Hitesh Mohan,
both of Intek Inc., Arlington,
VA and James Killen,
US Department of Energy,
Washington, DC, we
learned that ``Oil shale is a
hydrocarbon-bearing rock
that occurs in nearly 100
major deposits in 27 countries.
In-place hydrocarbons
contained in the shales
may exceed 10 trillion bbl.’’
The article quite clearly
points out that in the United
States, the best shale
deposits for oil shale production
in the immediate
future are found in the
western states of Colorado,
Utah and Wyoming.
However, the article also
concludes that ``...eastern
shale has the potential to
become an important addition
to US unconventional
fuel supplies.’’ It further
adds: ``With processing
technology advances, for
example the addition of hydrogen
to the retorting process,
potential oil yields
could approach those of
western shale.’’
We must say we were
most interested in the conclusions
reached by the article
concerning gas drilling
in the east. The article
reads:
``Eastern shale has some
advantage over the western
shale. Five of these are:
1. Eastern shale is closer
to major demand centers
and this would reduce
transportation costs.
2. Companies could
move the liquid produced
by barge to a refinery for
processing. This would
eliminate the need for local
upgrading and for constructing
large new pipelines.
3. Because the resource
is diverse, eastern shale development
should have
fewer associated environmental
problems.
4. Because the eastern
area is more populated, the
area should have fewer infrastructure
and socio-economic
problems than in the
west.
5. The eastern states
also have numerous coal
mines and industrial
plants, so that public acceptance
and permitting of oil
shale facilities may be easier.
We must say that we
had several responses to
this set of conclusions.
However, insulting is the
only printable one. For
those who may be interested,
both of these articles
can be found online at www.
ogj.com/index.cfm.
We were somewhat surprised
at the response we
received to our thoughts of
last week concerning the
teaching of grammar. We
were amazed at the number
of people who told us
they felt their grasp of
grammar was inadequate.
We were equally surprised
by those who told us that
blaming poor grammar on
the internet was a cop out.
We must say we hadn’t
given a great deal of thought
to the internet angle when
it comes to grammar. However,
having now done so,
we must say we find the argument
somewhat offensive.
After all, we, and all
the other columnists who
write for the Cooperstown
Crier, can be found on the
internet. And we would truly
like to think that none of
us present a poor example
when it comes to writing.
Naturally we all make mistakes.
But overall we think
all the columnists do a good
job, presenting the columns
in a straight forward, easy
to read and understand, informative
and, hopefully at
times, humorous fashion.
And although we certainly
cannot speak for our fellow
columnists, we would not
like to think our offerings
should be used as part of
the explanation for poor
grammar in the school system.
In fact, there are times
when we would tend to
think that simply diagramming
our sentences would
be most challenging. At
least we hope that would be
the case.
Therefore, instead of
trying to figure out who or
what is responsible for the
lack of grammar in our
schools, we would think it
far more productive to discuss
how best it might be
improved. To that end, we
would like to suggest that
improvement in the area of
writing would be greatly
helped by both more reading
and writing on the part
of students.
Reading broadens one’s
exposure to all sorts of writing
styles, whether they are
fiction or non-fiction. And
writing gives one the opportunity
to explore how sentences
fit together to express
ideas and support
positions. Understanding
the rules of grammar will
only help to make the process
more pleasant.
We would also suggest
reading one’s written work
out loud. If it sounds bad, it
probably is. But knowing
that gives one the opportunity
to rework the piece and
improve the writing. And,
perhaps, most important of
all, we would suggest sleeping
on any written piece.
Going through it a second
time, working out any
problems, will always make
for a better written piece.
And, of course, we always
find that proof readers can
be most helpful as they
tend to read what we write,
not what we think we write.
And sometimes that does
make a big difference.
In closing, we must admit
that we have found ourselves
to be quite taken
with the 2008 movie ``Mamma
Mia.’’ In fact, we
watched it three times this
past weekend. We thought
it to be a riot. We found it to
be too funny. And we felt it
made us feel like we were
29 again. And watching the
movie, which included the
ABBA song ``Dancing
Queen,’’ was definitely better
than reading the e-mail
we received which renamed
a number of songs including
``Dancing Queen’’ which
became ``Denture Queen.’’
That made us feel like we
were 129.
We remain,
In these Otsego hills,
The Ellsworths
The Ellsworths may be
reached by mail at 105 Pioneer
Street, Cooperstown,
NY 13326, by telephone at
607-547-8124 or by e-mail
at cellsworth1@stny.
rr.com. They look forward
to hearing from you.
Columns
In These Otsego Hills
- Columns
-
-
From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
My handwriting’s always been an embarrassment. Way back in elementary school, while most of the others were developing a clear, sometimes graceful hand (especially the girls), my penmanship showed no improvement.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: This and that ...
We have found the weather so far this year to be on the unusual side. And while we have no problem with the fact that we have received very little snow, we are of the opinion that what we have had instead is not particularly to our liking either. In fact, we are very hesitant to venture out much as we live in fear that the rain will turn to mixed precipitation which will freeze into a sheet of ice. And we are definitely opposed to encountering a sheet of ice underfoot. In fact, we are so hesitant that we now have taken to canceling our participation in events based on what just might be a dubious forecast.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Feinstein’s latest is sheer enjoyment
Most people who follow sports have probably heard of John Feinstein. As a nationally known author, sportswriter, pundit and broadcaster, he has brought a unique angle to sports journalism. His groundbreaking book on Bobby Knight’s 1986-87 Indiana University basketball team, “A Season on the Brink,” still resonates today as an all-time classic.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: No Trekkie should miss Shatner’s books
It would be hard to find a television phenomenon as popular as “Star Trek.” Even though it was only on television for three seasons and 79 episodes (1966-69) it attracted viewers and devotees that still follow it passionately 45 years later. The fanatical supportspawned several movies and television spinoffs. Star Trek conventions continue to this day. There has never been anything like it.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Making sense of things
A book I have been reading investigates the various ways over time that we have made sense of the world. It carries the reader through to the present via several seminal classical texts and ultimately aims to suggest a strategy for “ finding meaning in a secular age.”
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: ‘Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.’ − John Adams
Last week we were asked if we would be interested in previewing a documentary, “The Empire State Divide,”produced by the Foundation for Land & Liberty. And we were more than happy to do so as we understood the documentary dealt with the problems that continue to face family farms.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Now wait a minute!
On the ninth day of Christmas, driving down Cooperstown’s Eagle Street, I saw something astounding! No, not “nineladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans” etc. I saw one jogger jogging. And puffing on a cigarette.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Goals of the past and goals of the future
We have long subscribed to the concept that we are always more successful if we, number one, set a goal and then, number two, meet it. And this was our thinking when we decided before Christmas to watch at least part of every college football bowl game. It was perhaps an odd, if not completely nonsensical, goal.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Not to our liking ...
It is with sadness that we note the recent death of Steve Nagel. The son-inlaw of our late husband’s cousins, Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek, Steve was married to the Ecklers’ oldest daughter, Gail. We had the pleasure of spending Christmas Eve with the Nagels and the Ecklers in Fly Creek, greatly enjoying the delicious food and delightful conversation.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Of birds and faith
I watch birds quite a bit. Every five days or so I send in a report to Cornell as partof its annual Project Feeder Watch program. The data, collected from volunteers from all over the country, enables scientists to track population trends. I would spend quite a bit of time checking out the visitors to our feeders anyway. Participating in the feeder program makes a personal pleasure that much more meaningful. It is rare that aesthetical and scientific endeavors work in tandem.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Christmas and varied blessings
I’m still astounded! The last farmers’ market before Christmas, I was sitting up front, directly under the ceiling heater, shmoozing with the hoi-polloi. (That’s an awkward linguistic mix,but let’s let it go.) As I sipped my hot coffee, a gloved hand came to rest on my shoulder and a warm voice said, “Merry Christmas, Jim.” I looked to my left—it was Santa Claus!
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Always a learning experience ...
We must admit that we thoroughly enjoyed our 2011 Christmas celebration. We partook of Christmas Eve dinner at the home of Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek and Christmas Day dinner at the home of Sandy and Al Bullard of Milford. We had our usual Christmas Day brunch at home on Pioneer Street, although we must admit it was a tad bit later than usual as, what we enjoyed most about Christmas, namely our granddaughter Abby, took a great deal of time opening her Christmas presents.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Coming up ... 2012
Difficult as it seems, 2011 is fast coming to an end. And it is always our hope that as a year draws to a close, the issues which have been in the forefront during the year will be resolved. Unfortunately, we suspect that will not be the case this year. Instead, we are fairly certain that many of the issues that plagued this year, will continue to plague next year. Thus we will find ourselves still musing about the same issues we have spent time with already. And while we have not come toany conclusions about many of the issues, we do think they would all likely benefit from both sides thinking critically about perspective, risk assessment and possible solutions.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Circularity
When she was a puppy my dog Gabby would run in what I described then as “circles of joy.” She celebrated her15th birthday a few weeks ago and despite the inevitable frailties that old age imposes upon all of us, she is doing pretty well.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Grisham doesn’t disappoint
John Grisham is one of this country’s most popular authors. Every time he publishes a book it’s an instant best-seller. He appeared on the scene about 20 years ago with his tense legal thrillers, “A Time to Kill” and “The Firm,”and hasn’t stopped producing top-notch novels since.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Still singing, beyond our hearing
This column from Christmas 2001 still speaks deeply to me, and perhaps will to you, too. Take it, please, as my Christmas gift.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: The 2011 Cooperstown Carol
Since 1984, with the exception of one year, 1999, we have looked forward at the end of the year to going through all the issues of the paper in order to glean those news items which have been worthy of note throughout the year and which should make their way into our annual Cooperstown Carol.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Dear Santa ...
Although we tend to think Christmas is for children and thus rarely think about what we might like to have, this year we have decided to let Santa know what might be left under the tree with our name on it. Of course, we fully understand if our list is a bit long, a bit expensive and a bitlate. However, we have just finished reading our November issue of Health and so have just realized what we need that we do not currently have.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Irony abounds
These are querulous times. Dissent and disagreement, as uncomfortable as they sometimes are, are essential components of a viable democracy. Democracies are always messy because everyone has a right to speak his mind and because whenever a majority is able to gain the numerical upper hand it pretty much runs the show. Several political philosophers have written quite persuasively of what they characterize as the “tyranny of the majority.” Get enough people on your side and you have the opportunity to get your way so long as you are able to maintain power. I suspect that most thoughtful people would agree that wisdom is hard to come by.
Continued ...
-
From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
