Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Cluck!

I have stayed abreast of the backyard chicken trend and have often said that if we lived in a town that allowed it and hard the space I would love to have a few chickens. So, when I saw this blog post about the chicken trend on one of my favorite econ blogs I had to read it.

I think the author makes and excellent point about the safety factors while ignoring the "freshness" or "nutrient" arguments that I often hear about backyard birds. I don't buy his argument that if you ar raising the bird for humane reasons that it isn't a paradox. I think part of the point of this movement is getting closer to your food source. I think a bigger problem is that once you raise a bird for eggs and it becomes a family "pet" you won't want to kill it.

Anyway, just presenting this as food for thought.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Bike ride

10.5 miles into DC around pentagon and Arlington cemetery and home.

(that is the Lincoln Memorial fyi)

Swelter

This summer has been a hot one I think no matter where you were living. The past week in DC has been hot, humid and often unbearable.
Yesterday, I went to see Captain America because I think sitting in a cool dark theater would be a reprieve. Too bad the AC is still broken (was broken last weekend for Harry Potter too) at this Regal Cinema and it was about 90 inside the theater. Now being a customer I have a choice, but I cannot believe that a corporation can in good concience keep a place like that open requiring workers (mostly high school students) work in those types of conditions.
Because of the heat I have not taken my bike out, because lets face it I am not crazy about exercise and trying to get into a workout in this heat takes dedication (like my wonderful and crazy friend CB). Instead my exercise has be lounging by the pool, sitting in the AC, and trying to sleep-in. However, the heat wave is supposed to snap and we should be in the cool low 90s this week. So I hope to get out for a ride sometime this week.
In a book update, I have read the Study in Scarlet, Sign of the Four, and am almost to the conclusion of the Hound of the Baskervilles. Good summer reads if you like mysteries. I especially love reading these on my kindel, because anytime I see a word that I don't recognize I can look it up with the flip of my toggle.
Halfway done with the internship and am not getting antsy to get home.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

book review

Since this summer began I have tried to read some fun things here are some of the books

Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingbird Jay
This series was very thought provoking. Written for teens and not appropriate for children I think this series was short but really got me thinking. It is the type of series that had me revisiting the characters and story lines weeks later. And the first movie is coming out next year.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, Double Comfort Safari Club
I love the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. It was the first series that I read by AMS and the characters are so loveable. It made me mad that they didn't continue it as a show on HBO. These two books did not disappoint.

World According to Bertie, Unbearable Lightness of Scones
Yes, I have read a lot of AMS this summer but his fun witty writing combined with lovable characters and great stories just brings me back for more. These are part of his 44 Scotland St Series

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag
While perusing a bookstore in Hydepark this spring I saw this series - mystery books written for adults from the perspective of a preteen (Flavia). I can wait to read the more recent one (was hoping the price on kindle would come down)

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
The only stand alone book I have read this summer. I have to say this book had me a little scared during the climax (I am a wuss when it comes to scary stories). I really liked the writing and the wonderful pictures (though those would be best viewed in print not on a kindle). To see a trailer made by the author go here.

I am back to Sherlock Holmes for the time being and then might move on to some more recent fiction.

garlic yr 2

Bill was a good husband and harvested the garlic yesterday -in the dark, after visiting me all weekend.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

love it!

The millennial budget

the boy who lived

I am so excited for this last movie. To add to my excitement Bill will be coming in to see it with me. I finished re-reading the last book (for the 5th or 6th time now) and am super excited to see it in film.

I can't say why I loved this book so much, but I have been so happy with the casting of these movies. They have made the books come alive, even if they skip some of the best details.

Monday, July 11, 2011

glow in the dark puppies

Last night I was taking Winnie out for the last time and I was wearing a sweatshirt despite the heat/humidity. Whenever I wear sweatshirts in the summer, I think of camping as a kid. I think it is because of all the mosquito bites I would get, but I took to wearing long sleeves no matter how warm it might have been at night. (i would also wear jeans, socks and hats - anything to keep those bugs from biting me).
When I was very young and we would go camping I had a kids sized sleeping bag. This sleeping bag I thought was soo cool because it had glow-in-the-dark puppies on it. Of course a year or two after I got the sleeping bag I became incredibly embarrassed by it. And some how, that was my thought progression last night. I fell asleep to the happy memories of family camping trips.

Monday, July 04, 2011

happy 4th of July

Our country isn't perfect, but I consider myself so lucky to live in the Land of the Free

Friday, July 01, 2011