Here’s Looking At You
Posted on July 31st, 2009
This is what I saw when I looked out my bedroom window this morning … That looks uncannily like an eye, don’t ou think?
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Overflow
Posted on July 30th, 2009
Ah, for a brief, shining moment, I was able to actually CLOSE my knitting back. Alas, it now looks much like it did a few months ago when it was overflowing with afghan. It’s even overflowing with the same yarn!
Well, that and my lace. (And, no, the color isn’t right. I’m finding it almost impossible to photograph this green.) Though the red background doesn’t help. Another 12 rows or so and I’ll have section C finished, leaving just section D.
Chappy, you’ll be pleased to know, is feeling better. His nose is even moist today for about the first time in a week. Woohoo!
He’s even playing. I know it’s hard to see in the picture, but he’s rolling into his left shoulder, with his head almost upside down as he rubs his ear against the towel.
In other words, he’s feeling happy.
Oh, and I’ve got my bobbin of new yarn skeined off. It’s washed and dried, now, and drying in the bathroom, but I took its picture with some of the unspun roving first.
It’s almost silly how much I’m enjoying my Nerd Herd screen saver. It’s fun–the logo zooms in and out, and the little guy in the red circles runs and spins around the screen. A little Chuck amusement to keep me entertained until Season 3 starts up … in March.
Do you use Newsgator as your feed reader? I do, but I won’t for long because they’re shutting down their RSS reader.
You know that granola I’ve been making? The one we’re enjoying so much? Susan claims that hers is better. That it is, in fact, the best granola in the world. Take a look. What do you think?
Mom Demerits
Posted on July 29th, 2009
You know the saying, it never rains but it pours?
Chappy finally seemed to be feeling better, and acting a bit more like himself, and then I think I went and accidentally food-poisoned him.
He’s FINE, mind you, so far as his tummy goes, but he DID spend most of the afternoon throwing up in various places around the house. (Great thanks to Chappy’s Grandma for doing all the cleanup while I was at work.)
Here’s the story of my stupidity. It’s not even a long story. As you know, I cook for Chappy, using the Sojourner Farms food mix, and when I was making his supper last night, I realized I didn’t have enough left in the container for breakfast. So, we quickly defrosted the usual package of chicken/package of beef so I could get a batch on the stove as quickly as possible.
There are a couple problems that came up next. First, our microwave is getting older and isn’t that efficient any more, but since we mostly just use it to defrost meat, it’s not that big a deal. Except that the meat came out still half-frozen, but I figured I was going to be cooking it anyway, so just tossed it in the pot with the food mix and the water, and cooked it as usual.
An hour or so later, after my shower, I was making a cup of tea and Mom came into the kitchen. “What is that smell?” “It must be the garbage,” I said. And it was–because as soon as we emptied it, the bad smell was gone.
Except, the pieces I didn’t put together were that the only thing IN the garbage at that point were the two empty meat packages from Chappy’s food.
The SMART thing would have been to put two and two together and realize that, if the packages the meat came in smelled so badly, chances are there was something wrong with the meat.
But, somehow, concerned, loving mother that I am, I still missed it. The cooked food on the stove smelled like it normally did, after all, and I just didn’t THINK. And so, this morning, I fed him the food and went blithely off to work. He was fine when I came home at lunch, too. About 90% himself for the first time since I found that bug bite last week.
Then, the thunderstorms rolled in, and he got nervous. My guess is that that triggered an already iffy stomach and … well, you don’t really need the gory details, do you? Let’s just say his good, wonderful, loving grandma went through a lot of papertowels.
Obviously, I’ve thrown away that batch of food. And the batch I made this evening? I sniffed everything. I cooked it more thoroughly than usual, too, and chopped up the pieces more finely than I usually need to, when I fed him his (small) supper, too. He was just grateful to be getting supper–you know how dogs are. The minute their stomachs feel the least bit better, they’re ready to eat again!
Now, I guess I won’t miss our Pathmark that much any more. Mom found out last week that it’s closing, and she’s been doing her weekly grocery shopping there since it opened, somewhere around 1975.
On a happier note, I finished plying that bobbin of Cormo last night. And, see the little bit on the fresh bobbin on the wheel? That’s all I had left–not bad for almost-equal spinning for my two plies, huh?
Now, I’ve got some book reviews to write … in between petting my poor little boy, who is sitting RIGHT next to me as another string of thunderstorms rolls overhead.
And, for the record, I’m assuming that if he keeps his supper down and doesn’t get sick again (either vomiting-sick, or just seeming ill), he’ll be fine. If he seems ill again tomorrow, I’ll call the vet. I’m just kicking myself for not realizing what I was doing with that meat yesterday … Mommy Demerits!
Chuck Me Mondays-9
Posted on July 27th, 2009
Today’s mission, if you’re willing to accept it:
Watch episode 1.9 of CHUCK!
Chuck vs the Hard Salami
Chuck finds out that Lou the Sandwich Maker has a nasty person in her past–one that she’s secretly meeting. And, what could be in that big, very secret container with the countdown timer? Is it a bomb?
Since Chuck isn’t slated to come back for Season 3 until March, that gives just enough time for everyone to watch all 35 existing episodes, one week at a time, to be all set and ready for Season 3. If you don’t have (or can’t beg, borrow, steal, or rent) the Season 1 DVD, you can watch season 1 at the WB.com. And … not only should you watch … but if you Twitter, join in and tweet about it to all your friends.
Sunday Update
Posted on July 26th, 2009
I asked Chappy if he’d like to write tonight’s post, but he said he didn’t feel up to it. He’s obviously feeling better than he did on Thursday/Friday. The antihistimine/anti-inflammatory definitely helped and he’s not itchy or stressed, but he’s quiet. Not “quiet” as in glum; not “quiet” as if he feels miserable; not even “quiet” like the medicine is making him sleepy. He’s just … um … quiet. Doing the things he needs to do (cleaning dishes, barking at pedestrians), but he’s napping a little more than usual. His nose is a little dry, he still feels the tiniest bit warm (though not as warm as Thursday). He’s not worringly ill, he’s not unhappy, he’s not apparently in pain or discomfort. He’s just quiet. I’m keeping an eye on him, but am not really concerned.
I got some spinning done today. Two more bobbins of MVFF Cormo … two more to go and I’ll have finally gotten through my Spring 2008 share of wool (grin).
I tried to take a status picture of my shawl for you, but somebody decided to walk in the room just then … and, anyway, the follow-up photo wasn’t really very good anyway, so this is the one you get. The action shot. I just finished my second pass of section C in the pattern last night. One more to go, and then … um, I haven’t actually read ahead to see what comes next!
I did some baking today, too. You know, of course, that our “Grandma Cake” recipe is the family-favorite cake, but every now and again, I like to give another recipe a try.
This one is from the Smitten Kitchen. I will say that the cake part tasted great. Fluffy, moist, tender crumbed, flavorful. I’m not crazy about the frosting, though–this is a Sour Cream Chocolate frosting and I think it was a little too creamy/rich for me. I like buttercream-based frostings better … but that’s just me. One thing’s for sure, I can’t remember the last time I baked such a TALL cake.
I also baked a blueberry crisp to use up the blueberries in the fridge. I know, baking two desserts on the same day is poor timing, but I never have the time to bake on week-days, so this was the best I could do.
We’ve got a PILE of outgoing stuff culled from closets and drawers and such, all due to be picked up by the Lupus foundation tomorrow.
Now, the sad news.
First, my friend Cindy lost her dog this week.
This is Cindy, Princess, me and Katy from back around 2000. Princess was a rescued Greyhound when she was two years old, and she lived for thirteen more years as a loved, spoiled dog. My friend even had a “pampered pet” store for a while called the Greyhound and the Corgi, in honor of her two dogs. We’re sorry to hear Princess is gone, but grateful for her fifteen years here.
I’m sorry to hear about the Yarn Harlot being stalked by one of my fellow Americans who is accusing her of being anti-American because of her Canada Day post. (No, I don’t get it, either.) I admit, I was curious, and I easily found the twitter feed of the woman harrassing her by searching “Yarn Harlot” on twitter and, um, there is kind of a crazy-vibe over at her blog.
Then, more sad news from my favorite shepherd, announced on Ravelry yesterday.
Does anybody have any good news? Anyone?
Update
Posted on July 24th, 2009
Since I know you’re all eager to know how Chappy’s feeling…
Better!
He was still itchy and panting this morning, but I talked to the vet (who was out of the office yesterday), and she prescribed an oral antihistimine/anti-inflammatory. Since I didn’t want him to have to wait until lunch time to get it, I took a break from the office to run over to the vet’s office.
So, by 10:45, I was home. I gave Chappy his new medicine, along with a biscuit (because it’s supposed to be taken on a full stomach). A quick pat on the head, and off I went, back to work.
The fun part? Today my town decided to pave not one, but TWO of the main (well, secondary) roads that I need to get to my house, so I had to take about a five mile detour to get back to work. Worth it though.
When I went back home at 12:30 for lunch, Chappy was already feeling better. Not itching so much. Not panting. Cooler. Able to actually get some rest.
Phew.
The consensus–since he was still acting itchy and distressed this morning, there was really no way that this reaction could be caused by a small amount of ointment from 24 hours earlier. The vet’s best guess was a reaction to whatever bug that bit or stung him. Though, I’m still wondering why, if that bite (judging by the scab) was clearly a couple days old, that allergic reaction would have started NOW.
But, whatever. The antihistimine helped, and we are all–especially Chappy–grateful.
Some links for you?
The Yarn Harlot made Cracked.com’s list of 7 true stories of proof that airlines hate us.
This is as close as I’m EVER going to come to riding this roller coaster–the video is great, but the ride? Crazy!
Chuck fans? Check out this great poster for Season 3.
And, you HAVE seen this video of this fabulous, joyful wedding entrance, right? My sister thought it was marginally inappropriate, but Mom and I think it’s lovely. Weddings are joyful, right? And it was just the walk in to the ceremony, and they’d cleared it with the minister, so where’s the harm? If it had been during the vows? Well, that would be different!
Color
Posted on July 24th, 2009
Would you believe this box is 21 years old? The (c) date on the back is 1988!
(I gave it to my sister yesterday, and she got all excited–discontinued colors! Untouched! I tell you, it’s the simple pleasures in life. My only regret? I only had time to take these two photos.)
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Boo-Boo-2
Posted on July 23rd, 2009
Poor Chappy. He’s not a happy camper.
So, you remember yesterday when I told you about the nasty, expensive bug bite? But, well, figure … bug bite. We have ointment, things should be fine, right?
Except that, he’s been licking at his sore spot. A lot. Because, one, the vet thoughtfully shaved the fur away, making it extra easy for him to reach it. Okay, whatever, that’s what dogs DO with injuries of all kinds.
Of course, then there’s that $20 ointment. The one that apparently makes the shaved area that much more tempting.
And, since he’s been licking at his sore spot, he hasn’t been feeling well.
As in–this morning especially–restless. Clingy, when Chappy is almost never clingy. Itchy. Warm.Panting.
And, oddly, every time he settled down, it was with his right side pressed up against something. Now, his bite is on the left side, so not lying on that side makes sense, but it was weird that he wouldn’t lie down just in the middle of the floor, or curled up on his pillow.
My only guess is that he’s having some kind of reaction to the medicine. Of course, it’s an external medicine and not meant to be taken internally, which could be making a difference.
At lunch time, we were all agreed–me, Mom, Dad, and my sister and nephew who were visiting–that he should go to the vet. I called and got a 3:15 appointment and headed back to work to get another hour or so of work done … but Mom called around 2:15 and said he seemed better. He was sleeping, he wasn’t scratching so much, and he felt cool to her, so I called and cancelled, but I said that I wasn’t planning to use that ointment, and should I use something else instead?
The answer was no, to just leave it alone.
So, $131 later, I’m left with a dog who has greater access and therefore greater temptation to lick at his sore spot. I’ve got an ointment which I’m guessing is making him sick, because yesterday, he just had a boo-boo; today he’s acting ill. And, anyway, I can’t use the ointment, so … I’m doing … nothing.
Yep. That makes me feel just great. Like I’m really doing my job as a mother.
On the plus side, Chappy hung out with his cousin this afternoon, and followed him around the house, which apparently made Chappy more relaxed and made Tyler feel pretty good about himself–it’s nice to be appreciated, you know? (Thanks, Tyler, for making Chappy feel better, too!)
Hopefully by tomorrow he’ll be more himself.
Hey, the Fall Interweave Knits preview is up!
Boo-boo
Posted on July 22nd, 2009
I haven’t shown you an update on Chappy’s blanket in a while. I’ve got two sides done, and just rounded the second corner. The tricky part? I just started a new skein and I have two left, which is going to cut this pretty close. I THINK I might have enough left, but … maybe not. I’ll know better when I finish this skein and see where it ends.
Chappy approves, though. He came in and tested the softness and comfiness of the knit, and says it’s a very nice, head-rubbing knit.
Which is good, because he deserves a pick-me-up today.
Because he has a boo-boo. I wasn’t sure what I was seeing on his side today, but I spotted it at lunch when I gave him a belly-rub before heading back to work. I looked more closely (always challenging with all that fluffy fur) and found a black lump. I didn’t know what it was! I thought it might have been an embedded tick, but really didn’t know…
Turns out, it was a scab on top of a really BIG bug bite of some kind. Like, the size of a pea. I know this because I took him to the vet this afternoon.
Turns out, it was an expensive bug bite, but that’s okay. It’s worth it for the peace of mind in knowing it’s not something serious, and it’s not a permanently-installed tick.
Now, I just need to get him to stop licking the ointment off. If I need to, I’ll go downstairs and get the Tea Tree Oil. Not only is it great for healing on its own, but it smells (and apparently tastes) terrible–that’ll keep his tongue away!
Poor little guy. He’s kind of tired, after his busy day. I just wish I knew what kind of bug that was, and where it bit him. The vet saw a little bald spot about an inch away from this bite, as if it had been there before … that’s worrying! I think tomorrow I’ll be washing his bedding, just to be safe!
Fast
Posted on July 21st, 2009
Jack’s Beach
Posted on July 20th, 2009
I told you the other day about buying that custom MVFF-based Gradiance colorway from the Unique Sheep?
Guess what arrived today?
No, really, go ahead and guess!
Six skeins, 200 yards each of light fingering weight yarn, specifically designed to be knit from one skein to the next, to the next, to make a shawl.
I’m pretty sure this picture I borrowed from the MVFF site is the picture the yarn is based on. They’re very beach-y colors, and it’s lovely. I admit I thought they were going to be a little more … saturated … than this, but that doesn’t mean it’s not gorgeous.
The next question is to decide which shawl to make. I can do the Secret Garden Shawl, whose clues are showing up in my mailbox every Friday. I’m a member of the Ravelry group and am enjoying watching other people’s shawls appear. And the mystery part is pretty cool. But … and I knew this when I bought the pattern … I don’t usually LIKE circular shawls! I mean, to wear. I do, however, like square ones, so I’m thinking about doing something like that, instead.
Although then it could end up looking too much like this, my very first lace project ever.
It would make a good Pi-are-Square shawl, too.
Or, well, yeah … something round.
Take a moment today to remember that 40 years ago today, Mankind walked on the moon for the very first time. A feat that was inconceivable for most of our history as a species, and one that required such vision and imagination that it still blows my mind. I wrote a whole post about dreaming the Big Dream over at Punctuality Rules today.
What would you dream for, if you were shooting for the moon?
Check out these unseen pictures from Apollo 11.
This editorial about the Two Moonwalks is interesting. Michael Jackson’s and NASA’s–both mind-blowing.
Have you seen the Flock to Sock spinal0ng?
Have a college kid heading off to school? Check out Dorm in a Box! (Convenient and really a pretty good deal!)
Did you know that tomorrow, July 21st, is Free Pastry Day at Starbucks? With this coupon, you can get a free pastry with a cup of coffee before 10:30 tomorrow morning.
How about this couple? Two people with identical names getting married!
Do you find cooking porridge too time-consuming? Check out this no-cooking-required porridge. (I can’t be the only one who loves porridge year-round, can I?)
Typeface by Toyota. Really, a font “designed” by a car.
Remember when I raved about this song by the Proclaimers? Yep. I still love it.
(Man, I love Twitter for finding good stuff to share with you all!)
Chuck Me Mondays 8
Posted on July 20th, 2009
Today’s mission, if you’re willing to accept it:
Watch episode 1.8 of CHUCK!
Chuck vs the Truth
This episode starts the arc with Lou the Sandwich Maker, which is fine, as is watching Chuck freak out at the first real intersection between his real life and his spy life. But what really makes this episode wonderful? Watching Chuck, Casey, and Sarah dealing with the effects of truth serum … every snippet of conversation once they are infected is just wonderful.
Since Chuck isn’t slated to come back for Season 3 until March, that gives just enough time for everyone to watch all 35 existing episodes, one week at a time, to be all set and ready for Season 3. If you don’t have (or can’t beg, borrow, steal, or rent) the Season 1 DVD, you can watch season 1 at the WB.com. And … not only should you watch … but if you Twitter, join in and tweet about it to all your friends.
Cleaning Out
Posted on July 19th, 2009
So, as we dig through over three decades’ worth of stuff stashed in closets, drawers, boxes, baskets, bags, and so on, we’re finding some pretty interesting things.
Now, obviously, a lot of it is stuff we don’t need at all. Like, say, the negatives to a vacation we took in 1997 (because, really, what can you do with photo negatives these days, anyway?). Or the calendar I had on my wall in 2001. Notes from college classes don’t generally come in handy later on in life, either. Or letters from friends you don’t hear from any more.
But, still, there are memories attached to a lot of this stuff, so, before we toss or recycle a lot of it, we’re taking photos. Not to mention coming across interesting old photos, like this–one of my very, very early knitted sweaters.
(And yes, I know, it’s a bad photo of a bad photo of a bad sweater.)
And, no, I don’t remember what yarn I used, but I think it was Rowan something or other. I got the cabbage rose for the body of the sweater out of, I think, the Edina Ronay book, but wanted to do something resembling a lattice on the sleeves. … Um, it was worth a try, anyway. The picture is from somewhere around 1988-89.
Then there were these two shawls. Mom and Dad brought them back as gifts for my sister and me from some tropical vacation or other. They’re woven out of ribbons and are really quite lovely, except for being very slippery and heavy, so that they were impossible to wear without them falling off. You could try tying a knot into the front ends, but it would just come undone, and the whole thing was forever trying to slip off.
There’s no question that they were lovely, though, and I was never able to figure out how they were put together. Up until I put these in the recycle bag with some old clothes earlier, I’ve had both my sister’s and my shawl. Hers was the pretty, shimmery cream one; mine was the matte gray one.
Mind you, gray has been one of my favorite clothing colors for years, so I’m not complaining about the color, but I was always just a little bit jealous that my sister’s shawl had that pretty sheen to it (not to mention longer fringe) than my dull gray one–even though they were both equally intricate.
Otherwise? I cleaned out the desk that I’ve been storing receipts and bank statements in for years. I cleaned out all the old calendars. I got rid of notes from college, old letters from old friends. Note paper. Ink bottles. Old perfume. Old photos. And I still have yet to sort through all the books. (The logistics and the sheer weight of all that paper keeps discouraging me.)
Right now? I’m making a point of ripping all the CDs that I haven’t already ripped to my computer so that I can get rid of the physical CDs. Or, at least, get rid of the ones I don’t like as much as others, or that I haven’t listened to in years but still might want to some day. Having just a digital copy of those sounds reasonable. And the CDs of the music that I still love or still regularly listen to, I can just stash away in a box somewhere. It’s not like I actually USE the CDs any more. Except for keeping a couple in the car for days when I forget my MP3 player, or when its battery dies, I haven’t actually listened to a CD for years. Or at least, not for any longer than it takes to get it upstairs to convert it to an MP3 for the player.
So … kind of tired now!
One more picture of the new yarn, all dry and clean and fluffy from its bath.
Spun
Posted on July 18th, 2009
Just a little spinning eye candy for you. My MVFF fiber, straight off the skeiner. I’ve since washed it and it’s drying in the bathroom as we speak. It looks like ocean waves, doesn’t it? (Hey, work with me, here.)
And my “Thinking About Fall” yarn came out just lovely. I got this last year at the Garden State Sheep and Fiber Festival from Jessica. It was such a cold day, Mom was wearing this braid of roving around her neck as a scarf … I wonder if she’d like it made into a real scarf, now that it’s yarn?
Sad news about Walter Cronkite, a man whose death is generating lots of well-written and touching tributes, like this one from Roger Ebert. Cronkite was already a legend by the time I was born, but I grew up listening to him give the evening news, and am sad to think he’s gone. I mean, 92 years old. It’s not like it was a tragically short life, but still.
Actually, the tragic, short lives right now are the ones that Susan at the Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm lost this last week. I had known that they lost Agnes to listeriosis, but she posted yesterday how they’d lost more goats, including one of the youngest set of “O” twins born in May. She said that they didn’t know where the bacteria came from, but when the flock on Martha’s Vineyard got sick, along with the flock in the Hudson Valley, the figured out it was from the hay–a bale that had gotten moldy. Talk about heart-breaking! It sounds like the rest of the flock is responding to treatment, but to have lost three animals when she so obviously loves every one of them? So sad.
One more link for you–if you read books at all, of any kind, check out this post from the Bunch of Grapes about the importance of buying books, where you buy them, and what kind you buy. With the ironic “disappearance” of some Kindle books by George Orwell, author of 1984, it’s that much more interesting.
Big Bobbin
Posted on July 16th, 2009
Yep. That’s a biiiiig bobbin of yarn. And it’s not even full! But still, a lot of yarn. My MVFF cormo, you’ll remember, dyed by Jessica.
For comparison’s sake? Here it is next to the two bobbins that my singles were on. And with my bobbin of “Thinking of Fall” sitting on top.
Please note the two empty bobbins. Yes, you can see the leaders, but do you see how much yarn was left on the left bobbin when the right one emptied?
Not too much. Considering the amount of yardage, I’m pretty happy with this. Maybe 10 yards leftover.
Next step? Skeining and washing. This is going to be pretty!
He Can Call Me Debra
Posted on July 14th, 2009
I had a lucky start to my day. I kind of sort of accidentally went through a red light on my way to work … the light was amber and I didn’t think I had time to stop without slamming on my brakes, so I sped up instead and … the light turned red just as I crossed into the intersection. Right in front of a police officer on the other side of the intersection.
I wasn’t even to the other side when he had his lights on, and I pulled right over and started reaching for my insurance information, chanting, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Because I was. It was a stupid thing to do, I was clearly in the wrong, and I knew better … no excuse possible. I just did something stupid at the worst possible time. My own fault. So, when the officer came to my door, I was smiling and handed my paperwork over with a sincere apology.
“You went through that light pretty quickly.”
“Yes, I know. I’m so sorry, it changed from amber faster than I thought.”
“Well, Debra,” (Looking at my license). “How’s your license? Any points?”
“No, none. Ever.” (with an apologetic, rueful smile)
“Well … just be more careful next time.”
And he handed me back my stuff and let me go. Phew! I am SO thankful! I’ve been driving over 25 years and haven’t gotten a single ticket … and this one really would have been my fault. SO. Grateful.
I never let people (other than my parents) call me Debra, but this nice, friendly, helpful police officer? He can call me Debra.
How about some pretty, handspun yarn?
This bobbin–they plying bobbin on my Little Gem–is probably about half full, and I’ve still got a ways to go.
These are the two bobbins of MVFF Cormo that I finished somewhere around April/May and have been sitting on my desk waiting for the wheel to be free so I could ply them. Since both bobbins were so very full, the only possible way to ply them was on the plying flyer. And, good heavens, that bobbin is huge!
The yarn’s looking awfully pretty, though. This is the last of the pound that Jessica dyed for me. I’ve still got 8 more ounces of undyed cormo from the Spring 2008 share … and haven’t even touched the Fall 2008 share yet!
Clearly, I need to spin more. The only problem is that I’ve been busy with bunches of other things lately, and am lucky I’m finding time to knit. One hour a night, while watching TV with Mom. I can’t even swap and spin instead for that hour, because the whirr of the wheel bothers her ears. (Mom’s got tinnitus, so has a permanent ringing in her ears, and white-noise-ish kinds of noise irritate it.)
I got something in the mail today, too. I’d almost forgotten this! I pre-ordered it on Amazon months ago.
No, sadly, it’s not the Season 2 DVD set … that’s not due out until August (it’s rumored). And, oh, I cannot wait for that set to come out!
No, this is the Chuck comic book.
You heard me! Did you not know that my favorite tv show also had a series of comic books? Well, I don’t have them as individual comics. (I haven’t really read comic books since my Archie and Jughead days.) But … last Spring when I was going through Chuck withdrawal and I didnt know if it was going to come back? Seeing them bring all six (?) comics together into one book sure was tempting. So, I pre-ordered it and then forgot all about it.
Until yesterday when I got the email telling me it was on its way. Now, I admit, I prefer the actual show to the comics, but I couldn’t help myself. You can get previews on the NBC site, but this volume has the whole, silly thing… (grin).
Yeah, Chappy can’t believe it either.
How about another look at that yarn?
Chuck Me Mondays 7
Posted on July 13th, 2009
Today’s mission, if you’re willing to accept it:
Watch episode 1.7 of CHUCK!
Chuck vs the Alma Mater
One of my favorite season 1 episodes because it starts looking back at the backstory … Here, Chuck has to go back to Stanford, the university that kicked him out for cheating (which he didn’t) because Bryce, his best friend and roommate betrayed him by saying he had … or did he? The big question, though? Do you attend YOUR reunions armed to the teeth with guns in case there’s a “toga party?”
Since Chuck isn’t slated to come back for Season 3 until March, that gives just enough time for everyone to watch all 35 existing episodes, one week at a time, to be all set and ready for Season 3. If you don’t have (or can’t beg, borrow, steal, or rent) the Season 1 DVD, you can watch season 1 at the WB.com. And … not only should you watch … but if you Twitter, join in and tweet about it to all your friends.
Hidden Talents
Posted on July 12th, 2009
Because I don’t have any interesting, new photos of anything else to show you, I figured I would give you yet more evidence that Chappy is a clever dog.
You already know how resourceful a thief he can be, but did you know he’s musical, also?
Yes, Chappy plays guitar.
When I pulled out my old guitar for photos a few weeks ago, he decided that it looked scary and threatening, so he barked at it.
Which, since this IS a musical instrument after all, and designed to resonate, it … thrummed right back at him.
So he barked again. And it thrummed again. Bark. Thrum. Barkbarkbark. Thrumthrumthrum. It went on for a while, really, and was highly entertaining. He took great pleasure in his performance. It’s really just a shame that the guitar wasn’t remotely in tune.
But, there’s more.
He’s also obviously a sculptor of some talent. Look what he did with his blanket.
Now, you have to make allowances for the medium (a blanket) and the fact that he doesn’t have, you know, thumbs, but this is pretty impressive.
You don’t see it?
Here, I’ll help.
This looks like, well, a sculpture of CHAPPY, asleep in his crate. That’s his tail right by the door, then you can see a back leg, and the front, and the hunch of his shoulders, as if his chin is stretched out in front.
That’s better than *I* could have done with a blanket!
Of course, he might simply be trying the “pillow-under-the-blanket” trick to make me THINK he’s in his crate while he runs away from home. Mom was broiling london broil for supper earlier and that means she had the oven fan on and Chappy HATES that–the smoke from the broiler plus the noise from the fan makes him try to hide as far away from the kitchen as he can.
And, honestly, it looks like he’s planning something to me…
Notes on Notes
Posted on July 11th, 2009
Remember the other day when I talked about Quinn Cumming’s new book, Notes from the Underwire?
Well, I’m here to tell you that (1) this book was wonderful. I enjoyed it more than any other new book in ages. I was laughing so hard, I had to cover my mouth to avoid waking up the family.
But, also, (2) She’s doing a blog tour and came by my Punctuality Rules writing blog today.
Week’s End
Posted on July 10th, 2009
Here’s a look at my Maplewing shawl progress. I know, it’s not really that obviously different than it was last time, but trust me, there IS progress here. I’m into section C, about halfway through the first repeat, but the rows are getting progressively smaller (finally), so I keep expecting that it’s going to FEEL faster any time.
I really need to get this done, too, because I theoretically have another shawl waiting in the wings. I say “theoretically” because (1) I don’t actually have the yarn yet and (2) I only have one, tiny piece of the pattern.
Let me explain.
Last month, Susan at MVFF posted about their special Dyer-of-the-Month offer and showed this gorgeous colorway from the folks at Unique Sheep. A colorway whose picture I didn’t think to save, so I can’t show you what it looked like, but trust me when I tell you it was stunning. It was based on one of Susan’s Martha’s Vineyard photos and was yarn that shaded from beach sand down through ocean blue–because, yes, it’s one of the Gradiance Colors–a series of handpainted yarn colors you really need to see to believe. I held out as long as I could, but you already know that I love putting blues and golden browns together. I also can’t resist colors that blend from one shade to another. It’s a week spot. So I took some of the money I got for selling my Lendrum and bought the yarn. I’m just not sure when it’s going to arrive.
But, there’s more! The Unique Sheep is doing one of those mystery knit-alongs for a Secret Garden shawl. All I know is that it’s designed to be knit in one of their gradiance colors (or some other yarn, if you choose) and that it’s based on the circular Pi shawl. And that the pattern will arrive in tiny, weekly batches in my email over the next however-many weeks. I’ll just be starting well after everyone else because not only has my yarn not arrived, but I HAVE to finish my Maplewing first. You KNOW that I can’t have two lace projects going at once!
I actually got a little plying done tonight, too. I’ve been having the hardest time finding time to spend at my wheel lately, but I took a little bit tonight to work on this bobbin of yarn. It’s not quite done, but it looks good … if a little underplied. I might decide to send it back through the wheel to add a little more twist … or not! We’ll see what I think when it’s completely done. (The fiber is from Jessica, called “Thinking About Fall.”)
You know how I’ve told you how Chappy loves to steal things like facecloths, napkins, and, say, slippers? He hit the mother lode the other night and got FOUR of them. Three of which he carried from Mom’s open closet down the hallway, and one which he left just outside their bedroom. (We’re thinking he was tired by then.) On the plus side, he made his grandma laugh when she came upstairs and saw him with all his loot.
Unread
Posted on July 8th, 2009
I haven’t done a Booking Through Thursday post in ages, so …
An idea I got from The Toddled Dredge (via K for Kat). Here’s what she said:
“So here today I present to you an Unread Books Challenge. Give me the list or take a picture of all the books you have stacked on your bedside table, hidden under the bed or standing in your shelf – the books you have not read, but keep meaning to. The books that begin to weigh on your mind. The books that make you cover your ears in conversation and say, ‘No! Don’t give me another book to read! I can’t finish the ones I have!’ “
This is particularly timely for me, since you know that I’m in the process of winnowing out at least a third, if not half, of my 3,053-volume library, and I can tell you that the long-term residents on this list of Unread Books will definitely be going bye-bye. It’s no reflection on them, I’m sure, just … I’ve obviously lost interest.
So, here they are, the poor 28:
- Angels & Demons, Dan Brown (It’s an old copy, I’m not really sure how it got into my library in the first place)
- Flesh and Spirit, Carol Berg (Definitely a keeper, her books are great. I’m just waiting for the rest of the series.)
- Dark Mirror, Juliet Marillier (Ditto.)
- Stardust, Neil Gaiman (Not sure about this one)
- Windhaven, George RR Martin and L Tuttle (Lost what little interest I had)
- Guinevere: Queen of the Summer Country, Rosalind Miles (Ditto)
- Perilous Gard, Elizabeth Marie Pope (Bought 2 of her books at one time and hated the other one)
- Diamond Age, Neal Stephenson (I tried but couldn’t get into it, which really disappointed me.)
- Household Gods, Judith Tarr and Harry Turtledove (Lost interest–it’s time travel, which I love, but seems pretty depressing.)
- Fresco, Sherri S Tepper (Sadly, Tepper is one of those authors I admire and feel I should love, so I keep buying her books and then, um…)
- Singer from the Sea, Sherri S Tepper (Ditto)
- Beyond Bullet Points, Cliff Atkinson (One of these days I’ll read this and my nonexistant business presentations will sing.)
- Western Canon, Harold Bloom (This was a Christmas gift, and I tried, but honestly, I was bored by the end of the prologue.)
- John Adams: Party of One, James Grant (Really not sure why this one isn’t read yet. I love John Adams and it seems like a perfectly good bio … maybe it’s just that I’m still full from David McCullough’s excellent book?)
- Bookseller’s War, Heywood and Anne Hill (Honestly, can’t even remember why I bought this one)
- Postwar, Tony Judt (A good history book waiting for the correct time)
- Dreadnaught, Robert K Massie (Ditto–though this one is a lot more “warlike” than I usually enjoy. I can only handle so many details about military strategy at a time.)
- Asthma-free Naturally, Patrick McKeown (No idea why this one is still unread–what am I waiting for?)
- Battle Cry of Freedom, James M McPherson (Same as the last history book–it’s excellent by all accounts, I just haven’t summoned up the moral courage to tackle it yet)
- How I Learned to Cook, Kimberly Witherspoon and Peter Meehan (I think I’m still having trouble getting past the typo on the cover.)
- Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte (No, it’s true, I’ve never read this, but feel I should–pity it sounds so depressing. I’m really not a dark-and-moody romance kind of girl.)
- Red Moon and Black Mountain, Joy Chant (A fantasy book I’m not certain why I bought in the first place)
- Ragtime, E.L. Doctorow (Purchased because I adore the musical, but I’m guessing they don’t burst into rousing choruses in the book, right?)
- Bucking the Sun, Ivan Doig (I’ve only read one other book of his and adored it, so this one is waiting for just the right day)
- Eventide, Kent Haruf (I don’t know why I’m waiting on this one, except the fact that there are no capital letters and quote marks for the dialogue keeps putting me off)
- Infamous Army, Georgette Heyer (Um…)
- Trivium, Sister Miriam Joseph (A little too school-textbook-y, but still sounds interesting.)
- 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel, Jane Smiley (Yes, I really do plan on reading this one day!)
Interesting variety, huh? And, honestly, every other book in my library is one I’ve read or at least read part of, for the ones that I hated and couldn’t finish. You know, not counting the dictionaries because I will NOT try to make you believe I’ve read every single word in the dictionaries. Or in every knitting pattern, either, but you know what I mean!
And, um, so what if it’s not Thursday yet. It’s my blog, I can post when I want to (grin). Besides, since I took Monday and Tuesday off from work and had a short week last week, I’m not really sure WHAT day it is. But I DO know that I worked hard today and am tired! So, take what you can get and be grateful… (bigger grin)
Eight.
Posted on July 7th, 2009
It’s a serious thing, turning 8.
In sharp contrast to the frivolity of the weekend, Chappy spent the day in quiet contemplation of the responsibilities an eight year old must face….
Okay, maybe he wasn’t THAT serious, but he has been kind of quiet today. I had the day off from work, you’ll remember, but he’s spent most of it napping. Except for the walk, of course. And that period when the thunderstorm with the heavy rain went through, when he huddled in the corner of the dining room until it was over. I don’t know … maybe he’s not enjoying this “getting older” thing. Or maybe he’s just stiff from all that romping!
Check out the loving post his Grandma wrote today.
And, go wish Amy a happy birthday, too!
I got two things in the mail today, though, which is always a plus.
Three Rowan magazines (#25, 27, 29)–which count as one item–which I won from Claudia’s MS Ride contest extravaganza. Woohoo! I never expect to win anything, so this was a special treat, even if I AM in the middle of trying to get rid of books and magazines. (Irony, anyone?)
The other was my copy of “Notes from the Underwire” by Quinn Cummings, of the QC Report (a hilarious blog you really should be reading). I will further attest that–even though I’m only on page 55–this book is so darn funny, my parents were complaining that I was laughing too loudly. By all means, you must check this out! Wondering why? (If my opinion isn’t good enough?) Check out the first stop on her Blog Tour and note the witty, funny answers and then try to tell me you’re not curious.
And, darn it, now I’m in the mood to watch Goodbye Girl again.
Speaking of old movies, Mom and I watched 1972′s What’s Up Doc the other night, with a very young and good looking Ryan O’Neal and a very young, good looking Barbara Streisand. With the exception of poor Madeline Kahn’s hair and wardrobe, it stood up remarkably well. SUCH a funny movie, with the obligatory car chase up and down the hills of San Francisco.
Did you hear the Knitting Song? Sweet and folksy.
Okay–have a good night, everyone!
Weeding
Posted on July 6th, 2009
I took the day off from work today but did NOT spend it lounging around on the couch with Chappy (as much as he wanted to). No, I spent a good portion of it sorting through books and trying to figure out which ones I’m willing to get rid of.
This is NOT an easy process. And I’ve only just begun. I sorted through the books in my bedroom closet, and through the cookbooks, but have yet to touch the rest … part of the problem? The sheer logistics of where on earth do I PUT all the books I’m willing to part with until they’re actually out of the house?? The table in the office is, as you can see, already pretty full, and I’ve only barely begun. We’re talking 1,000 or more books, you know?
Once I sort a little further, I WILL be offering some of these to you folks, because I’d like to see them go to friends.
One thing I must do, though, before parting with any knitting or spinning books? I absolutely MUST write reviews for them first for Knitting Scholar. Because, of course, anything else would be just … short-sighted.
I’m enjoying looking at all the books, though, and I find some of the categories to be interesting. Like, I have quite a few books about homes, architecture, and what makes a HOME. Not to mention the importance of having space of your own. I have books on decorating, even though I’ve never had a home to decorate. Books on manners. Books on etiquette. Books on hair styles and makeup. Books on fashion, even though I’m not remotely a “fashionista.” Not to mention knitting, spinning, sewing, embroidery, quilting, weaving, beading, dyeing, and bobbin lace.
And that’s JUST from the closet in my bedroom.
(And, um, we won’t discuss how I knocked over my sewing basket and spilled all the thread and straight pins on the floor, right? But if we WERE discussing it, I’d be sure to tell you how very, very good Chappy was in not coming near the pile to check out the thread while I scooped up pins. Would you believe that I have spools of thread that date back to my grandmother? The one who died when I was 9?)
I actually got some spinning done yesterday, by the way. (One of the advantages to pot roast and baked potatoes is that all the hard part is done way before the guests arrive, so there’s plenty of time to sit and relax.) I finished the second bobbin of Jessica’s “Thinking about Fall” that I bought last autumn–the braid of roving that served Mom as a scarf on a chilly, NJ day.
I techically started to ply it last night but that pretty much means I dug out the next bobbin, threaded the leader, and spun a few yards to get it started, and then more or less stopped. Because, well, I’m a little tired!
One other thing I found in the closet? However many years ago, I had one of those 365-page calendars of New Yorker cartoons and I kept a stack of my favorites. Mom and I went through them today and chuckled and chortled, and well, here are four of my favorites (which, yes, belong to New Yorker magazine). I love the Mrs. Coffee one, and Mom almost fell over laughing at the one with the cow bell…
1. Top Left, 2. Top Right, 3. Bottom Left, 4. Bottom Right
Look! New baby lambs–Dakota and Delaware!
And, you know, of course, that tomorrow’s Chappy’s actual birthday, right??
Chuck Me Mondays 6
Posted on July 6th, 2009
Today’s mission, if you’re willing to accept it:
Watch episode 1.6 of CHUCK!
Chuck vs the Sandworm
One of my favorite season 1 episodes–as Halloween approaches, Chuck meets a fellow nerd who’s escaped from an underground CIA bunker and tries to help him begin a new life … except that Lazlo is not what he seems. And, who put an ejector seat in the Nerd Herder?? (One of the funniest scenes in the entire series.)
Since Chuck isn’t slated to come back for Season 3 until March, that gives just enough time for everyone to watch all 35 existing episodes, one week at a time, to be all set and ready for Season 3. If you don’t have (or can’t beg, borrow, steal, or rent) the Season 1 DVD, you can watch season 1 at the WB.com. And … not only should you watch … but if you Twitter, join in and tweet about it to all your friends.
Birthday Party (Not Mine!)
Posted on July 5th, 2009
You know that I don’t dare throw a birthday party for myself, but that doesn’t mean that Chappy doesn’t get one! Although, really, it’s just family.
There was a new toy (made out of fire hose–but with a squeak, which Chappy considers absolutely vital in a toy).
Followed by romping. (Can I just tell you how much I adore this not-altogether-perfect picture? Mostly because it embodies sheer happiness.)
Romping in the yard with Tyler (here, apparently explaining the rules to Chappy).
Romping in the yard with Tiffany.
Followed by a brief hiatus when the tennis ball rolled juuuust under the fence.
There was even romping with his Uncle Mike.
Not to mention pot roast for dinner.
And lemon pound cake with fresh berries for dessert. (Yum)
Chappy really enjoyed his.
There were games, too.
And knitting! Here’s my niece working on her Ingenue (which I made last year). Isn’t it nice to know that I’ve got somebody else in the family who knits?
Really, everybody had a good time.
Especially the birthday boy!
Honestly, I don’t know how we’re going to top this on his actual birthday on Tuesday… Though it should help that I’m taking the day off from work.
Added:
Mom snapped this picture of me and said I should add it to the post to show that I was there and having fun, too … which means Dad is the only one NOT shown, but trust me, he was here, too!
Fourth
Posted on July 4th, 2009
Mom and I took Chappy out for coffee this morning, as a birthday-weekend treat. Although, of course, WE are the ones who drank coffee. He drank water. But he shared my cinnamon roll and her scone while we sat outside on a lovely July day. Then we walked to a new, gourmet kind of dog store and bought Chappy a bag of pizza-flavored biscuits, baked right there at the shop.
After we came home, I ran out again because somehow the cream cheese I picked up at the store yesterday disappeared between the checkout counter and the refrigerator, and I absolutely had to have some for his cake … which I baked once I got home. (Lemon pound cake , from the best recipe for lemon pound cake I’ve ever found. The lemony scent just from mixing the lemon zest with the sugar makes me swoon. Then I gave Chappy a bath and threw together some supper from some chinese food leftovers the other night.
Oh, and I squeezed in a nap in there, too.
Tomorrow, my sister’s family is coming down for Chappy’s birthday “party.” No barbeque, though. I think we’re the only family in America that not only does not own a grill but who has no desire to own one! We’re having pot roast and baked potatoes, followed by lemon pound cake with fresh berries …. mmmm.
(I know, no pictures … I don’t know how that happened, either!)
Hope everybody is having a wonderful Saturday, whether or not July 4th means anything extra to you!
106
Posted on July 3rd, 2009
Today would have been my grandfather’s 106th birthday. (And yes, I know, he probably wouldn’t actually have lived that long.) As it is, though, he didn’t live nearly long enough. He passed away in 1967 when I was about 10 months old.
Obviously, I didn’t have much of a chance to get to know him, but sadly, neither did my mother or my older sister, because he died of Alzheimer’s back before they even knew it was Alzheimer’s, and when Mom started dating Dad and met his family … well, according to Dad, his father was already not the man he had been.
Still. I’m glad that he and I overlapped, at least a little. I hope he and Susan are having a great time up in heaven, with my other grandparents, and our other dogs. (Of course I believe that dogs go to heaven!)
Speaking of Grandpa, I let him inspire my guest post today about communication over at Joyful Jubilant Learning, if you care to go read it.
So, what have I been doing today? The office was closed, which is always a plus for a holiday, and this morning, Mom and I went into town. Well, first, we went for coffee. Then I called (after calling home to ask Dad to look up the number) my hair salon to ask if my stylist was in today because I needed a little adjustment to my haircut. It was too long around my face, especially on the right side, and just needed some tweaking. They said to come by at 12:30. Which was fine, but … our other stop for the day was going to be the grocery store, and we couldn’t leave the milk in the car, so … we dawdled some time away by doing a little shopping instead.
After we got home a little after 1:00, I cut up some berries for dessert for Sunday, and threw together a Banana-Blueberry Bread (Blueberry Banana Bread?) to salvage the three, dying bananas in the fruit bowl. I sat with Chappy in our favorite chair and read for a while, and then I made tomato sauce for supper.
I really like homemade sauce SO much more than any sauce that comes out of a jar. No comparison. I have no objections to starting with canned tomatoes (much easier than trying to peel and dice them myself–especially since I don’t love lumpy sauce), but I like the actual sauce to be fresh. It’s so easy, too. Saute an onion and some garlic–maybe some pepper, celery or carrot, too. Brown some meat if you want to add it. Then add two big jars of crushed tomatoes, some basil, some oregano, salt-and-pepper. Maybe a little sugar to counteract the acidity of the tomatoes. Or, another trick, a little baking soda to do the same thing. A splash of red wine is good, too. But, ultimately, it’s easy. The most strenuous part is cutting up the onion.
Actually, that IS the most difficult part. A couple years ago, my niece and I made a batch of French Onion Soup, and cutting up that many onions made my eyes tear dreadfully, and ever since then, they’re really sensitive to onions. Except for using contacts (which I don’t wear), I’ve tried all the tricks, but still … Even if my eyes don’t tear while chopping them, they’ll sting while stirring them as they begin to cook. One of these days I’m going to cave and buy a pair of those ridiculous onion goggles … (grin).
(And, no, sorry, I don’t have a picture of the tomato sauce.)
Tomorrow? I’ve got a birthday cake to bake for a certain, almost-8-year-old gentleman we all know. (You know, the furry one stretched out on my floor.) He also needs a bath, but first, Mom and I plan on taking him out in the morning for some coffe… er … some water and maybe a few bites of a cinnamon bun or something like that. He’ll enjoy that. His actual birthday is Tuesday, but we decided that the whole weekend should really revolve around him!
Remember last Fourth of July when one of my favorite independent bookstores burned down? Well, they just, finally, reopened a few weeks ago and then yesterday–the very start of Independence Day weekend–they got hit by lightning! What are the odds?
Olds
Posted on July 3rd, 2009
And, yes, this instrument I was really able to play. Lessons for years in elementary and middle-school, though I stopped when I got to high school, where the only “band” to play for was the one that marched.
As further evidence that I really DO take good care of my things–does it surprise anybody that I have the original “How to care for your Flute” book from when my parents bought this for me when over 30 years ago?
Chappy, however, is a music critic. I tooted a few notes (badly), and he BARKED at me. I think if he could have put his paws over his ears, he would have. I am SO insulted…
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Scanning
Posted on July 1st, 2009
See? I finished Section B of my Maplewing shawl last night. (And no, that shade of green is NOT accurate. One of these days I’ll try taking a picture of it in daylight and see if it’s any closer.)
I know, it just looks like a big blob, as lace shawls tend to do while being knit. On the plus side, since the needle is at the top, I can spread the bottom out to get an idea of what the lace really looks like … or, well, I can try. I’m not fooling myself, though. I know it’s only going to look like it should once it’s done and blocking. But at least progress is being made.
I’m very excited that, starting with section C, the rows get smaller with every one knit–that hasn’t been the case so far. The idea of being able to knit more than two rows a night is making me giddy.
So, since I AM going to be getting rid of bunches of magazines, knitting books, and cookbooks (not to mention all sorts of other books), one of the things I’ve been worrying about has been that most of them have at least ONE article/pattern/recipe that I’d like to hang on to. But, I don’t have a scanner at home, and judging by the one I have at work (and the Adobe scanning/pdf interface), scanning anything more than a page or two is a laborious process. but, still … it would be paperless, right?
So, I bought a new scanner today. Wanna see?
Yep. I’m tricky like that. That’s an 11″x14″ sheet of glare-resistant glass from the local framing shop. It cost me $10, and laid on top of a book or magazine, it keeps it flat and cuts down on glare. Then all I need to do is snap a picture–SO much faster than scanning it! And as long as the camera’s resolution is high enough, the text is definitely clear enough to read. If I had real, photographer’s lighting, I’d have it made.
But see what I get? Here’s the glossy cover of the latest Spin-Off magazine–the only glare is a little reflection from my window in the top left corner. It’s not perfect–since the magazine was lying flat in front of me, it’s got that perspective thing going on–the top is narrower than the bottom in the photo, but this was just a test of the system, and I’m encouraged.
I need to play with this idea a bit to figure out the best configuration. Use a tripod for the camera? Maybe with my handy-dandy remote to take the pictures? Prop the magazines/books on something so they’re straight in front of the camera lens, rather than lying flat? Can two pages be photographed together, or should I focus on just one at a time? What IS the best (available) lighting? Ideally, I’d have two, neutral lights on each side, but will have to make due with what I’ve got.
Encouraging, though, huh? And I can made a pdf from the photos in Adobe (though the test print of one on the black-and-white printer was less than ideal, since the background of the pages in the picture printed as gray). But, again, I’m fine-tuning, but you’ve got to admire the do-it-yourself-scanner, right?
I’m really tired tonight. I had to actually WORK today. (grin) The office internet was down almost all day, so I couldn’t amuse myself by checking in on my email or quick looks at Twitter or Ravelry. I hadn’t realized how much I actually use that as a way of taking a break or relaxing. I even took a shorter lunch because I had to leave a little early, and so … well, tired! Of course that was even before my extra errands, like feeding the car, picking up my “scanner,” and getting my haircut.
Because, yes, my hair had a busy day, too. This was my first haircut since January and then colored it after supper. I think it’s in shock. My checkbook is, too. I don’t know about your salon, but the one I go to (after trying a multitude of hair-stylists before finding one I liked) prices their cuts according to the “level” of the stylist’s skill. Well, the woman I go to has been promoted since the last time I was there, so my cut cost $20 more than it did in January. (Sigh)
On the plus side, I found out that she and Chappy share the same birthday. And, interestingly, she and her three-years-younger sister have the same birthday, too! July 7th is a GOOD day for birthdays.
Okay, some links for you:
I thought this post at the QC Report was hilarious in a “God, what a bad date” kind of way. How can you not love a post that includes the line, “I’d love to go out with you again. You’re exactly the kind of woman my analyst has been hoping I’d meet.”
Much as the carving apart of books grieves me, you’ve got to be impressed when it’s done with as much artistry as these. Beautiful!
Did you know you can get a chance to win a Macbook Pro … just by Twittering about it?
Books from June
Posted on July 1st, 2009
Here’s what I read in June:
1. The Eyre Affair: A Thursday Next Novel by Jasper Fforde (374 p.)
2. Lost in a Good Book (A Thursday Next Novel) by Jasper Fforde (399 p.)
3. The Well of Lost Plots (Thursday Next Series) by Jasper Fforde (360 p.)
4. Something Rotten (Thursday Next Novels) by Jasper Fforde (393 p.)–Yes, well it’s FUN reading all of the Thursday Next books, one right after the other. Granted, I think the first one is still the funniest and best, but the second is nearly as good. The third is the weakest, in my opinion, but the fourth is a good comeback. And, regardless, they are ALL wacky, creative, and totally unlike anything else that’s out there.
5. The Unicorn Hunt: The Fifth Book of the House of Niccolo by Dorothy Dunnett (656 p.) The 5th Nicholas book, and a heart-breaker, as Nicholas tries to track down Gelis and find out whether her child is really his …
6. Archangel (Samaria, Book 1) by Sharon Shinn (390 p.) One of my long-time favorite books, part sci-fi, part romance, and purely wonderful.
7. The Tall Pine Polka by Lorna Landvik (440 p.) I like so many of Landvik’s books, but this is the one I go back to most often. Something about the Hollywood fairytale of Fenny being discovered and making a movie, alongside a delightful cast of characters … and I still want to know what’s in that Cup O’Delight!
8. A Place of My Own: The Architecture of Daydreams by Michael Pollan (301 p.) A charming book about the author building his own “hut” to use as an office when his son is born. Bits and tidbits about architecture and construction, and wholly entertaining. I don’t know what it is about this little mini-niche-genre, but I just love reading books like this.
9. Highland Laddie Gone by Sharon McCrumb (209 p.)
10. Paying the Piper by Sharon McCrumb (179 p.)
11. Windsor Knot by Sharon McCrumb (217 p.)–Light weight little mysteries with Elizabth MacPherson getting mixed up with murder investigations. The Highland Laddie book is a hoot, with the murder taking place at a Scottish Games weekend. (Love when they try to replace the ducks used in the herding competition with wild ducks. And the scene where the sheriff–who happens to be a Civil War reenactor–rides over the hill in his 1860s uniform to confront a bunch of scots in kilts is delightful.) I love the Windsor Knot, too, which has Elizabeth throwing together a wedding at the last minute to make herself eligible to go to the Queen’s garden party … and this was my first introduction to a “travelling gnome.” I’ve still never forgiven the author for killing off Cameron in later books.
12. Patriot Games by Tom Clancy (540 p.)
13. The Cardinal of the Kremlin by Tom Clancy (547 p.)
14. Clear and Present Danger (Jack Ryan) by Tom Clancy (688 p.)
15. The Sum of All Fears by Tom Clancy (914 p.)
16. Debt of Honor by Tom Clancy (990 p.)
17. Executive Orders by Tom Clancy–Yes, well, everybody needs a Jack Ryan fix once in a while, right? And yes, these ARE huge books and I read a lot of them, though I’ll confess to you that I mostly skim over the military battles–all that techno-babble military jargon pretty much goes over my head anyway. I stick to the spy stuff and the actual ‘story’ parts. Really, for such door-stoppers, these are pretty quick reads, you know!
18. Spin Control by Amy King (119 p.) Another excellent, intermidiate book about spinning. (Review here.)
19. Knit it Together by Suzyn Jackson (144 p.) A look at social knitting in America–past and present. (Review here.)
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