Weather log: The temp is 72 with a beautiful sunset. It was in the 80s today-hot and muggy. We can only hope for this beautiful weather next year at this time.

Bird watch: Nothing new.

Garden log: Need to plant my vegetable garden. Weeded a bit this afternoon. The smoke bush got frosted and now its coming back with new growth around the bottom. The snowball bush is loaded with flowers (see photo). I love the chartreuse ball that turns white. Many of the iris are ready to pop. If this weather holds, we will have a grand display of flowers.

Bird watch: No new birds this morning. A friendly black squirrel has come to the bird feeder to share breakfast with the local bird crowd. However, the birds aren't very happy since even the sassy blue jays are flying in and then hopping out. A brave cowbird landed and took a few nibbles, but for the most part, there is very little bird dining at this time. The squirrel is cute, but I hope he moves on.

Garden and weather log: Rain and cold all week. Seems like it would warm up in the afternoon if I went to town. So, because of the unpleasant weather, nothing much was done in the garden. I did trim the lilac bushes next to the patio. Lots of rabbit damage. The bushes should be 5 feet tall by now, but then they would block the view. Thank you bunnies for controlling them for me. I worked a little in the front, so I only have a bit to clean near the big lilac bush in the corner. The lilacs are really pretty this year. They beat the frost. BF's roses look beautiful with all of the flowers. They were nipped, but because we got them from the nursery, they are blooming nicely. The iris are still putting out their flower stalk. It should be spectacular when they are out in the vegetable garden. Some of the early purple irises are open in the south garden next to the house. I think the lupine are the most interesting (see photo). The white candles before the flower opens is really neat. I love a spring garden because it is all new and exciting ( I have forgotten the colors and many times the plants that I have put in). As far as rhubarb goes, Aunt D came over and pulled enough for a rhubarb pie. And, we were invited for Sunday dinner to help eat it. I tell you, it was delicious. Maybe there will still be enough growing for rhubarb crisp. I wonder if Aunt D would make some?

Bird watch: A Rose-Breasted Grosbeak sang his lovely song yesterday while we sat digesting our picnic lunch. I am presently watching an oriole sipping from an orange half that I put on the trellis that leads into the garden. I think he is getting orange juice from all of the rain pooled in the orange. He is very orange and has now flown to the lilac tree just outside of my window. He is singing his good morning song. Now he is pecking at the gas can on the patio. The Brown Thrasher couple are dining on seed that has blown out of the feeder and bugs in the lawn. They have an impressive curved beak. I am really getting a bird show this morning. Very entertaining.

Garden and weather log: Thunder boomers all last night and into the morning. Poor Mudge didn't want to go outside when we got up. I can't blame him. It really poured and then we got hail. Now, if you haven't experienced hail hitting on skylights, well, it is especially loud and disconcerting. At the moment, it is not raining, the sky to the west is clearing, and it is intensely green out. So glad I got the pole barn garden fertilized yesterday. Now my plants will really pop. Everything looks great. The biggest garden worry is frost. We have been known to get a hard freeze as late as the first of June. A few years back, it froze all of the leaves on the trees. It was a disaster for the cherry crop. We watch the weather so we can cover up our plants. Late frost is also one of the reasons why I plant my vegetable garden so late. The iris I planted in the vegetable garden have bud stalks just coming up. I need to pull some rhubarb and find that rhubarb crisp recipe. I need some asparagus plants. Yum, all of that fresh food!

Bird watch: sighted the first Indigo Bunting at the bird feeder on Sat. and a pair of Brown Thrashers. We also have a large flock of white-crowned sparrows. They are really perky. All the juncos have gone until fall. We are waiting for Hummingbirds and Bluebirds. MOTHER KNOWS BEST.

Nice Mother's Day with Mom and the S's. Our usual party fare is grilled burgers and homemade potato salad- my mom's recipe. I know how to make this potato salad from all of the taste tests I did when Mom made it and when my grandmother made it. Mom gave an approving smile today when she took the first bite.

Garden and weather log: The air was a bit cool, mid 60s, but the sun was bright, so it was a beautiful day. Got lots of gardening done this weekend. I have two spots left to clean in the garden next to the road. It's mostly grass that needs pulling, so it is slow going. BF bought five new rose bushes. I got some bright fuchsia geraniums for the window box. And, I'm going to try growing climbing hydrangea in the garden next to the pole barn. Soon I will be sipping mint juleps and watching the the flowers grow. Oh yes, I still have to plant my vegetable garden.

Garden and weather log: Nice showers this morning and turned off in the 70s, maybe 80. At 5:19 pm the thermometer says 66. A thunderstorm has just moved through to the south with big black clouds and distant thunder. I would imagine folks are getting rain in Manton.

Of course, I worked, so I haven't been in the garden. The old-fashioned purple lilac bushes have a few flowers open. The crab apple tree in the front is ready to flower. I think I saved the foliage because I got rid of a bunch of tent worms eating the leaves. (I use dish soap on their webs) The cherry trees on the way to TC are in bloom and I see some flowers on our pear trees.

With this heat, the poplar and maple trees have their leaves. I always think what a miracle it is that trees can go from no leaves to leaves overnight. Ready to start the new cycle. With all the trees, it is no wonder one of my favorite colors is green.

Gauging the way the cherry blossoms are out this week, I'm afraid they won't be available if they are to be part of the B and S wedding next year. I know that won't be the end of the wedding world. Just an observation.

Garden and weather log: Monday was cool in the morning and then it warmed up to the 70s by late afternoon. Of course, my garden work time was in the morning and I went to town to visit my mom by afternoon. I cleaned most of the south garden next to the house. The iris are starting to flower. The variegated phlox are really healthy, and the rabbit ravaged rosebush is putting out shoots. I'm excited to see how the allium comes out. Allium is one of my favorite all time spring flowers. By the weekend, I'm sure it will have warmed up and the garden shops will have flats of petunias and marigolds in. I want to get the flowers for my window boxes.

Another sure sign of spring: we saw the first oriole. And of course, the cement block fell through the ice on Joe's Pond in Vermont on May 1. They have the block attached to a cord and a clock to know the exact time. The annual contest is a big deal event that signals the end of winter. For more details of weather trivia:http://www.scenesofvermont.com/joespond.htm

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is a mystery about a young antiquarian bookseller and a mysterious author. When I first started reading the book, I didn't realize that it was a mystery. I thought it was a book about twins. And because it was so bizarre in parts, I almost put it down. At times, it gave me the creeps.

All of the mystery genre elements were present. It definitely had a spooky setting, in England with old dilapidated mansions. The characters were eccentric (to say the least), with love, hate, death, jealousy, and yes, twins. There were many twists and turns as the young bookseller writes the life story of the famous author and tries to find the real truth. There even were a few red-herrings.

What I didn't like is the way it seemed so...contrived: authors writing about authors, clues being within books, I don't know, if you didn't have a heap of literary references in your knowledge base, the clues and ideas would go right past you. I don't like horror stories and this had it's share of horror. Remember, I thought the book was about twins. I guess you'll have to find out for yourself.:)

Garden and weather log: Overcast, in the mid 60s, and windy. I worked in the front garden pulling out grass. It just wasn't that pleasant out for gardening. Clymatis vines are getting leaves and shoots are popping up. Amazing since FB got the plants from California. I'm surprised that they made it through the winter. One iris in the South garden is ready to bloom. The allium flower head is up about 2'. No other flowers yet. Saw a large bald eagle two days in a row. Sat. night we saw the Northern Lights streaking overhead. Hopefully, it will warm up.

Went to the big Ann Arbor to see the Loreena McKennitt concert downtown at the Michigan Theater. It's one of those experiences I have been looking forward to since we discovered Loreena about 10 years ago while on vacation in Canada, which is her home. BF and I really enjoy her Celtic-World music, so of course, when she was booked at the Michigan, we were on the fast track to get our tickets, thanks to our FDIL.

I enjoyed the concert, light show, and the whole ambiance of the Michigan Theater. However, as NB pointed out, much of the music sounded the same. If I hadn't known the words to the songs, I might not have understood a thing, but it didn't matter to me since I was there for whatever came along. The house was crowded with her fans, and I don't think any of the above items mattered. Ms. McKennitt has been away from the touring and recording scene for about ten years since the death of her fiance in a boating accident. http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/listenwatch/0,,466244,00.html

We also enjoyed eating at an Indian Restaurant, poking through Dawn Treader Book Store, watching an old version of The Adventures of Robin Hood, and shopping in the mall. But, the most fun was just hanging out with AS,NB, and TD. A good time was had by all.:)

Garden and weather log: Sunny and in the upper 60s. Grass needs mowing. Everything looks unkept since we have been gone. I hate to look at the front garden. The blossoms are coming out on the apple blossoms I brought into the house a week ago.

Garden and weather log: Another gray, rainy day. Temps in the 50's. Too warm for fleece, but not warm enough for short sleeves. Everything is still on hold.

The front garden, which has not been cleaned yet, is coming on strong. The grass is too. Must get out there.

I've noticed lawns with naturalized daffodils and crocuses. They sure look pretty. I wonder how it is when the flowers have faded and you are waiting for the leaves to dry down before you cut them. Maybe you let the lawn grow up and then cut the whole thing. I don't know, but I'd like to try it.

Garden and weather log: Gray, rainy, and in the 50s. Grass is getting green and tall, but everything else is waiting for the temperatures to warm up. Typical up north weather. These are nice quiet rains, so it is rather peaceful.

When the sun gets out, it will be time to hunt for morel mushrooms. These mushrooms are tasty morsels found around our swamps and woods. Once we found a big patch near a fallen poplar tree. Folks seek them and fix gourmet meals with them. We even have a local Morel Mushroom Festival. I am not a fan since I usually find a quantity of bugs in them even after I soak them in salt water. It does get people outside. I enjoy the hunt, but give my mushrooms away.

Garden and weather log: Monday the weather cooled off and we had a nice rain. The grass really shot up and so did the flowers. Today was in the 50s and was gray toward evening. Looks like it might rain again. Hot, cold, hot, cold. Definitely Michigan weather.

I found another sure sign of spring- the gopher that lives under our deck was out running around and antagonizing the dog.

The poplar trees in the backyard have their wormy looking things before the leaves come out. They are making a big mess on the patio-I just sweep it off.

No new flowers, but the wild columbine is growing fast. I brought some apple branches in the house to see how long it takes to force the flowers. The branches are quite lovely even without flowers or leaves.

Garden and weather log: 86 and breezy. Just haze around the horizon. Yard looks really nice since BF worked on the main garden and I sweep the deck and the brick patio. Raked next to the house and under the river birch and the poplar next to the water outlet. BF turned the water on and picked up the leaves and grass with the lawnmower sweeper. What a helpful purchase (at the time I was skeptical)! So, we are moving along.

We took the wire off the roses and shrubs. Not much varmit (rabbit) damage on the covered plants, but the lilacs off the patio are ruined and so are the three new shrubs I planted last spring. I won't be planting any new shrubs unless they are protected by wire next winter. All in all, we had far less damage this year and the plants look very healthy.

The goal is to make the garden look really nice without buying a lot of new plants. Of course, with that said, I know very well that I will see a plant I have always wanted and I will bring it

One happy surprise is that the blue poppy CT brought me from Bainbridge Island came up looking strong. I hope it blossoms.

Garden Log: With temps in the upper 60's today, the garden plants are up and coming through the leaves. The miniature daffodils are in bloom, the last of the crocus are finishing ( earlier flowers got snowed on), and grape hyacinths are just forming their flower. Leaves are popping out on the lilac and honeysuckle bushes. Grass is really green. We will be ouside all Sat. doing yard work.

I have to post the weather and the state of the gardens so I can make some predictions for this time next year. You know, the big wedding.

I'm always looking for a tasty and inexpensive wine and I have found one. Alice White Lexia 2005 is the product of South Eastern Australia. The wine is sweet, but not too sweet, and fruity. It went well with meatloaf and baked potatoes. I tried it blackberry pie and it was good, but not excellent. I thinks it would be yummy with chocolate.

The wine is named after Alice White who is an adventurous, fictional, English woman who explored the Australian Outback in the 1800s. The bottle label has an excerpt from Adventures in a New Land. This is an interesting idea for selling wine. The wine cost about $7.00 and I got it at the Fast Break gas station.

At one time our family was really into fine wines, blue bottles, estate wines and all that. We had wine tasting parties here at our house. I learned that a good wine is what you like. If it costs $4 great. So, here is a wine that I have easy access to and it fits my budget. I chilled the bottle for about twenty minutes before serving. I think it is a winner. And cute popup!

I love good fantasy and Mercedes Lackey has been serving it up. I just finished reading Fortune's Fool and One Good Knight which are part of the Five Hundred Kingdoms series.

I like these books because they are based on traditional fairy tales and mythology. Both of these books have kings, queens, princes, and princesses. They also have dragons, witches, godmothers, wizards, sirens, mermaids, brownies, and unicorns. The stories contain creatures that I've rarely heard of so I might have to get out a mythology reference book. It all depends on the setting as to the creatures that inhabit it. Sea King's realm involves sea creatures. Land kingdoms involve birds and beasts. You know- Baba Yaga, Sergei the Humpback Horse.

And because they are based on traditional tales and magic, they come with traditional plots like the evil stepmother and the dragons who are given virgins for supper (supposedly). As in any good story, there are many twists and turns and some modern ideas in the events that move the story along. There is the common use of three wishes, three tasks, three obstacles. Lackey is uncommon in the use of women as clever, beautiful, leaders, and main characters who have an unusual gift. Not to say that the evil woman is left out. No, she is just as evil as her male counterpart.

Lackey is right in step with Tolkien and J.R. Rowlings in bringing back the old evils of Greece, Europe, Russia, and Japan. Fortune's Fool was a great set up for the next book in the series. It involves the seventh son of a king of the land and the Sea King's seventh daughter. What a way to go? This is the Five Hundred Kingdoms series.

Back to soup. I was already to get the grill going last weekend when the weather was so nice, but with the blizzard weather, it's soup for supper.

I made a big kettle of cream of cauliflower soup from a recipe in the Joy of Cooking cookbook. It was really easy except I didn't have thick cream so I used milk and my half and half. You have to improvise when the driveway is plugged and you haven't been to town in two days. So soup and cheesy biscuits. Pretty tasty and it keep the kitchen warm all day.

The grill will have to wait for better weather.

Spring snow. Just as predicted, it's too early for spring. We have blizzard warnings up until 8 am tomorrow, with winds gusting up to 45 mph. So far, there isn't the snow that they predicted 10-12 in., but that could still come by tomorrow. The poor frogs and robins!

My aunt and uncle just returned from Florida and probably brought this storm just like they did last year. Burrr- I hope they didn't put away their long underwear.

But, I'm cozy-listening to CATS, cleaned the bathroom, made the bed, tried on some spring clothes ( I actually fit into them), and have spagetti sauce in the works.

So much for being on Spring Break. I envy the folks who made a mad dash to warmer climes, but I bet they will hate coming back. Darn Spring, you do this every year!!!

Yes, FROGS! We heard the peeper chorus last night. The grass is greening up and the temps are holding in the 50s. How long will this last? We, in the northern climes, are very skeptical.

Village men carrying lumber for their school when roads were blocked with landslides.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin is an amazing account of how one person can make a difference in the world. Greg, a mountaineer, was saved by a Pakistan village in the Karakoram mountains after he failed to reach the summit of K2. He promised to return and build a school for the children. This is the story of his struggles to build fifty-five schools in the area. The title says it all- One Man's Mission to promote Peace... One School at a Time.

Greg should win a Nobel Peace Prize. His efforts are so much more productive than fighting terrorists by going to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Reading the book made me more aware of the fact that ordinary people pay the price of arm chair warriors.

I came across these remarks from Brigadier General Bashir Baz, a close confidant of Musharraf, who helped Greg fly into the many hard to reach villages.

Bashir is watching CNN from Baghdad showing bombed buildings and wailing Iraqi women. He says," Your President Bush has done a wonderful job of uniting one billion Muslims against America for the next two hundred years." Mortenson says, "Osama had something to do with it, too." Bashir roars," Osama, bah! Osama is not a product of Pakistan or Afghanistan. He is a creation of America. Thanks to America, Osama is in every home. As a military man, I know you can never fight and win against someone who can shoot at you once and then run off and hide while you have to remain eternally on guard. You have to attack the source of your enemy's strength. In America's case, that's not Osama or Saddam or anyone else. The enemy is ignorance. The only way to defeat it is to build relationships with these people, to draw them into the modern world with education and business. Otherwise the fight will go on forever."

Chew on those ideas for a while. That's what stands out in this book!

More signs of Spring!!

The Red-Winged Blackbirds are back. So are the Cowbirds and Grackles. And we saw a pair of Sandhill Cranes at the pond on Schichtel Rd. Pussy Willows are blooming. Still no frogs or snakes.

I think it is too early for all of this. The birds have their own systems, so who am I to tell what is what.

China Fair is usually one of my favorite places to get Chinese food. But, today the meal was terrriibbllee!

We had the lunch buffet. The fried rice was cold, the sweet sour chicken's coating was very greasy, the honey coated shrimp seemed like it was missing the shrimp, and the hot water had been shut off on the tea machine, so they couldn't even serve tea. Everything seemed greasy and old. Besides, a slight air of grease hung over the whole place.

Maybe they were having a bad day, but I don't need poor food. I won't be heading their again for some time. Boo, China Fair.

The Tender Bar A Memoir by J.R. Moehringer is a tender story. Moehringer relates how he craved his father and found replacements at Dickens, the bar, where his Uncle Charlie was a bartender. He explains the influence the men, who frequented the bar, had on his life. The bar itself takes on life. It is a joyful haven and a den of failure, grief, and vice. The bar and the men are his nannies.

The book sometimes seems redundant because it is about the same people and the same place. It is a giant character sketch as he tries to understand each of the men and sees them change as he changes. It is also about his New York City neighborhood after 911.

The story is thoughtful, sad, searching, and emotional. The basic idea is that J.R. is trying to find and understand his dad who left him when he was a baby, trying to take care of his mother and succeed in her eyes, and trying to find himself through all of the muddle.

TA DAAA! Announcing. The finished bedroom. Mauve walls and ceiling. White wanescotting and woodwork and gray nubby carpeting. Big Fred did a great job and the results are beautiful. Very restful. The pictures don't do the room justice.

It's Spring! It's started. I saw my first robin this morning. It was sitting in the blue spruce tree directly out the window from my desk. A second sure sign of spring is that the male mourning doves are constantly pestering the females, like they won't leave them alone. Bunches of skunks are road kill, so they are coming out of hibernation.

No frogs gurping in the swamp across the road. No pussy willows or forsythia. They're next.

But, it won't be true spring until I see the first snake in my basement or under my kitchen table. Snakes come out when the ground has warmed up enough for their cold-blooded body. Believe me, I don't let them stay in the house if I can help it. I have a snake stick that NB rigged up for me and I catch them and take them across the highway. Anyway, that's another story.

I can't wait-yea, Spring! :)

The VCR crashed. We haven't had a TV in our household for over twenty years. So we got my mom's old TV and NB's old VCR. We have been watching videos off and on since Christmas. On Saturday, I actually went to the video store and rented two movies. We watched Hook and enjoyed the rerun. I think we saw it at the movies.

At any rate, when I rewound the tape, the reject buttoned wouldn't work. Big Fred had to take the machine apart to get the tape out. Boy, what luck. Now we have to get a new VCR or VCR-DVD combination in order to see the other video.

I don't see it happening for a while. It will probably take another 20 years and then who knows what type of technology we will have. If we hold on to our VCR collection, they will be collectibles and we can make our fortune. OK, don't hold your breath.

I sat straight up in bed. Straight from being sound asleep to listening intently. A shiver went through my whole body. Yes, I heard it right. Coyotes!

We opened the bedroom window last night, because the room was stuffy after a warm day here. I didn't look at the time, but there was a whole lot of yipping going on out there. My mom always said that coyotes yip and howl after they have made a kill. I know it is very freaky and can wake me up out of a sound sleep. I haven't heard the coyotes since last fall. They had a den just back of the house in the big pine trees up on the hill.

I wonder if they will be out hunting tonight. I noticed that something got one of the rabbits that comes to the bird feeder just off of the brick patio (blamed it on the Great Horned Owl). If it's coyotes, they are coming reaaally close to the house. Watch out, Mudge.

You know, I vowed not to talk about work, but I'm so excited about the student art work on our school web page (remember I'm retired- part time). I have a 6th grade Escher post and a 5th grade Paul Klee post. I even have a link on my Escher post. I have wanted this to happen for at least ten years. I'm proud and so are the kids. This is a first for our school. I just have to brag a little. Check it out: http://www.buckleyschools.com/

Teeth grinding. Even though I vowed not to post about medical problems, like who gives a *** ***, I'm going to anyway. I am really wondering about getting an apparatus to stop the grinding. Now, being in the job I was in, I clenched my teeth daily and at night. At this point, the surfaces are worn flat, no little bumps on the teeth.

It was suggested that I buy five athletic mouth guards from the locate Rite Aide and try fitting my mouth. Probably after a few tries, I would get a reasonable fit and I could wear the thing at night. And for $5, what a deal.

It was also suggested to get on the Internet and buy a kit that has the cement, make the form, and send it in for about $80 to have a professional company make the guard. I have noticed lots of advertising, but who would know the professional.

Each of these options are reasonably prices and painless. I guess I'm wondering if anyone out there has had experience with this. Or do I have to break down and go to my dentist and pay big bucks?

A really good, intense book is Madame Curie by her daughter Eve Curie. This book explains Marie Curie's fantastic career and life with Pierre Curie. It lists her many prizes, books, papers, awards, and credentials.

The biography tells of her brilliance, sacrifice, and role in bringing education and scientific acclaim to women. Her life had little pleasure, but she found pure joy in scientific discovery with her husband, Pierre.

As a young woman, in Poland, she suffered many hardships to get an education and to be recognized for her genius. Her life, as told by her daughter, is a prime example of perseverance and dedication to a field claimed by men. She didn't seek fortune or fame. Instead, she did her work, raised a family including a Nobel Prize winning daughter, and literally gave her life to the study of radium and radiology. She is the only woman to be given two Nobel Prizes, one for Chemistry and one for Peace.

Her story is inspiration for all women. She was a truly amazing human being.

Aunt B Eats. Yesterday was a blustery, snowy day, but we went to town. Had to get out of the house (when I start cleaning the drawer under the kitchen stove, you know it is time. It's called cabin fever). Anyway, we ate out at Scallywags downtown T.C. This is basically a fastfood fish joint where they take your order at the counter and you get your drinks. I got the whitefish basket $7.29 and BF got the perch. Food was good, large portions of deep fried fish and fries with a little tub of creamy coldslaw.

The decor is really nautical. Half of a boat hangs on the wall. It has lots of vintage boatmotors, posters of fish, bait buckets for lampshades overhead (BF wondered if they met code), decoys and fishing rods, a mural featuring fish that would be out in the bay, and advertisements for fishing gear. Even the salt and pepper shakers were red and white bobbers.

Well, with such an interesting decor and tasty food, you would think I would be satisfied. Nope. When we walked in the air was thick with the smell of grease. Apparently, in this new building, the exhaust fans are not adequate. And, I hate the smell of grease! So, it really put a damper on my total eating experience.

I do think Scallywags will be successful when tourist season hits, since it is in a good downtown location, next to a hotel, and a quick, casual way to eat fish. That is, if they get that exhaust fixed. Although, I probably won't go there again.

Aunt B Drinks. Yes, coffee. Have I ever told you I love coffee? I just finished my 4 o'clock coffee break with two cups of coffee, with cream plus a few cookies. It is a very luxurious habit.

Now, there was a time when I only drank black coffee, but trying cream in my coffee while on vacation changed that. And there was a time that I favored flavored coffees like vanilla and Irish cream. We even went through a time when we would buy Kona Blend or Hawaiian and have it ground. For awhile, we ground our own coffee. But, no more. Our house coffee is Gourmet Supreme by Folgers. This is a coffee you can find on any grocery store shelf. We like it!

How about coffee pots? We've had a large number over the years. Hard water will do them in every time. We even had a Braun and top names, but no use. Still they get corroded. When we recently cleaned out the basement, we found six coffee pots. I think they were multiplying down there. We now stick to the cheapest Mr. Coffee, and when it starts slowing down, we get a new one.

At any rate, Big Fred takes two thermoses to work each morning, so we go through many a canister. I try to buy extra when it is on sale, but that is rarely the case lately.

I found out how much I love coffee when I was in the Canadian blackout a few years ago. When all of the lights went out and people on the streets were speculating about terrorists, I was in a shop getting what might have been my last cup of coffee. I sometimes have to drink decaff, but I prefer full leaded. And when I'm old, I sure hope I don't have to give up my java and drink Sanka. Bluucckk!

I hate the new blogger. I can't get it to take my comments on other blogs. So, Frannie Farmer, I have commented on the last five or six posts, but I can never get it to take. Are you cutting me off? Am I too belligerent?

For the longest time I couldn't get pictures to work. And I hate the way it looks. I guess I'll have to find a new format. So, hang in there, I don't know what I'm doing. And just when I got comfortable with the old blog.

The Higher Power of Lucky, by Susan Patron has won the Newbery award and has been banned by some librarians and schools. The problem is one word. The offending word is "scrotum". So, the book is being banned because of one word taken out of context. The reasoning is that children should not read such words-one complaint was that quality children's books don't deal with "male genitalia".

Well, oh gosh, I agree, it is hard when vocabulary words come up in school and it has to be explained. I've seen ways to handle that, just go through every book with a permanent black marker and cross it out (no, I didn't do that). Not to worry, with all of the publicity, teachers won't have to explain, because kids will know all about it including the page number where it is found.

So, this book will be placed along with the famous Harry Potter and Judy Blume books. If you read Harry Potter, you will know about witchcraft and Satanism. If you read Judy Blume books, you will learn about menstruation and question religion. Furthermore, if you read about it, you will do it. So goes the reasoning. Maybe that's why Judy Blume books are mostly read by girls.

I don't get it. Let's protect our children from these words and thoughts, but we'll let them watch T.V. nudity and bedroom scenes, listen to profanity in music, and bring all of this to the big screen with violence and the bizarre. And, how about the actions of sports heroes, politicians, movie stars, and parents. Again, I don't get it.

I know, I'm too open-minded. What do you think? Here's the news about it: http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/childrens-book-stirs-battle-with-single/20070217193109990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

With so much bad news these days, hurray for good news. I'm talking about the book, The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner. This book is about three women, a Muslim, a Christian, and a Jew, who come together to understand each other's religion.

Of course, the first meetings were to dispel stereotypes. Stereotypes popped up over and over. This seems to be one of the biggest problems in defining religion. They were out to examine the other religions as well as their own. They addressed prayer, the holy text, heaven and hell, being American and dealing with their religion, and holidays. As they discussed, more and more issues were brought to the table: Who does the Holy Land belong to? How can the Israeli and Palistinian conflict be resolved? How can the voice of moderation counteract the extremists? What can a quiet minority do? How can we obtain peace in this complex world?

The women became friends and spread what they had learned to others. Their greatest challenge was sticking up for each other in their own communities. The book lays out how to start a Faith Club and an extensive bibliography for study. It is a great model to bring people together and not to continue creating differences.

Wishing for peace on the earth, I will pass on a website that I find helpful in my day-to-day living. http://www.peaceisthewayglobalcommunity.org/Masters/7Practices.aspx

House of Fields, by Anne-Marie Oomen is a definite read. Her portrait of life in Northern Michigan could be a picture of farms across the country. You could change the time and setting, but you would still have the fears and loneliness of growing up with a worldview that is made up of the fields and farms of your home. Oomen's use of language, it's confusion, and it's way of broadening the universe, was intriguing. I could especially relate since, I was raised on a farm with little knowledge of what the world had to offer. I didn't have the language to understand. It was a great mystery.

When I went to college, I made a big joke of flushing the stool and flicking the lights on and off. I was from the "sticks". It was my first chance to see how other people lived: city people, ethnic people, other than farm people. When I went to the reservation in Arizona, I felt like Columbus falling off of the edge of the earth. Anne-Marie reminded me of the love of home and the knowledge that home is such a small dot on this planet. That's where the loneliness comes from.

My mom always said that you had to go away to come back. And so I did, and so I have lived on my family farm next to the big house where I was raised for the last thirty odd years. I am thankful for my travels and adventures around the world, I have language from these places. My going away has made me deeply appreciate my present surroundings. I love the memories that come from trees and hills, and roads and rocks. I cherish my history. I belong here.

Oomen's tale of a rural education has sent me a flood of memories. I would say that is high praise for any book.

A crust of homemade bread with big globs of butter straight from the oven, I've died and gone to Heaven.

With the zero temperatures and no place to go, BF decided to make bread today. A good idea since it takes all day giving a body something to do, the bread baking negates the smoke from the woodstove, the oven warms up the kitchen, and we don't have to buy bread from the store for a few days. I made onion soup, so soup and bread will be on our menu for the week. And hey, how about thick slices for toast?

But really, nothing can beat that first bite of warm homemade bread. BF is top chef in my cook book.

Did I tell you I love wood heat? I do. With a mild blizzard outside, I am toasty warm sitting near the fire. The temp. got up to 14F. today and is now hovering around 5 F. and so it is pretty cool in most homes, but we are feeling a balmy 80F. in our living room thanks to our trusty woodstove. I even took a little nap in front of that little box this afternoon. Just like when I was a kid, I put a blanket down and let the heat radiate over my back. It felt delicious. Ah, the good ole days with wood heat.

Did I say I hate dealing with woodstoves? I do. I was raised with woodstoves. I've had many years of experience. I hate the woodchips and ashes. I hate starting fires and them going out or roaring away in the chimney out of control. I mildly dislike bringing in wood, since I never fail to drop some on the way. Filling the woodbox was one of my big chores as a kid. I mildly hate cutting wood even though I like the outdoors and I have many fond memories of helping my dad. He would cut down the trees and cut up the logs while I pulled back tree branches and helped throw chunks into the pickup box to be brought back to the house to be piled in cord stacks.

My little house has had its share of woodstoves. We once had a fashionable round oak stove in the center of the house that would glow red hot if too much wood was put in. I have vivid memories of BF running out the back door with a flaming chunk of wood. There was no way to regulate the heat. If it got too warm in the house, we would just open the windows. At one time, we had two woodstoves, one in the kitchen and one in the living room. Luckily, I only cooked on a woodstove in my mother's house.

So, with all of that in mind, I love the toasty warm house when the winter winds whip around up here on Wyndehill. I don't worry about storms and loss of electricity because I can cook on my stove top and keep warm too.

Thanks, little woodstove.

Having a manicure is pure luxury. When I worked full time for the last 30 years, I was under the impression that I couldn't afford it. But now that I am partially retired and make less, I feel like I need to get my nails done. Go figure. I don't understand my own reasoning.
Here's the rub, the nail polish lasts about a week and then my nails look chipped and unkept. I am an art teacher so my hands take a great deal of abuse. I try to put a layer of polish at the ends of my nails to make the polish last a few more day. Finally I can't stand the look any longer and take off the polish.
Maybe I should get those French dos. Or maybe I should just do my nails myself. It's just that I like being pampered. Any suggestions?

Potato and Leek soup really hit the spot on this cold winter day. RS and I went to a cooking class yesterday. Most of the recipes we cooked used winter vegetables. I try to make soup each Sunday for Sunday supper. I make enough for one meal during the week. Here is today's soup:

Potato and Leek Soup

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1-4 medium leeks (I used 1 and a big onion)
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
1 lb. red potatoes ( or any potatoes), peeled, cut into 1/2" dice(about 4 large potatoes)
1 small carrot, 1/2" dice (optional)
4-6 cups chicken or vegetable stock or any combination of
1 bay leaf
Salt ( be careful if using bullion since it can be very salty)
Pepper
2 TBSP parsley leaves, minced

Method:

1. Clean and prep leeks: trim away dark green tops and tough outer leaves. Trim away roots. Cut leeks in half lengthwise. Rinse leeks several times under cold running water. I washed the leeks from the middle so the dirt was washed down and out of the leek rather than into the leek. Rinse several times since they can be very dirty. Cut the leek in thin strips and cut the strips into thirds.

2. In a pot, heat the oil over medium heat, add the leeks and saute until tender and just beginning to golden(around 9-11 Minutes). Do not brown.

3. Add potatoes, stock, bay leaf, and a touch of salt and pepper.

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender (about 20-25 minutes).

5. Using a spoon or ladle smash some of the potatoes to thicken the consistency of the soup (not all of them).

6. Remove bay leaf. Add salt and pepper as desired and stir in parsley leaves

7. Serve immediately.

Move over Campbells!

Mother Teresa's Prescription-Finding Happiness and Peace in Service by Paul A. Wright, M.D. Even though I am not a church- goer, I am interested in religion and spirituality, to say nothing about the fact that FB has a degree in the Academic Study of Religion. I am especially interested in people who practice what they preach. Mother Teresa has always been an intriguing person.
This little book is, as the title explains, a prescription for finding happiness. Mother Teresa suggested the following ten spiritual attitudes which should guide one's life (they guided her life): Commitment to community, reverence for all human life, compassion and love, contentment and gratitude, faith, humility, tolerance, patience, forgiveness, and honesty.

Dr. Wright, a very successful cardiology, sought out Mother Teresa to discuss his depression, anxiety, and fear that he was wasting his life. His work with Mother Teresa has resulted in his founding the "Poorest of the Poor" program to send clothing, food and supplies to needy in the U.S. and around the world. He developed the "Medical Mission" program to give free prescription drugs to needy residents of northeastern Ohio where he lives. He is also a coworker of the Missionaries of Charity.

This little book gives clear answers and direction to the eternal question: What is the purpose of my life?

Aunt B drinks, yes. Martinis, once in a great while. This post is in response to Patrick who sent a comment and recipe for making a Nutella martini. Now, it sounds really good. And, thanks, Pat.

I must confess, I have had three martinis in my life (that I can remember). I had a chocolate martini, a plaid martini-raspberry and melon, and a regular martini.

The second confession is that I don't like martinis. Maybe it is because one has to acquire a taste. I had this problem when I first started drinking wine. Most of it was cheap wine and not very good. I really like the expensive wines. Maybe it is a question of sophistication, which I admit, I'm not. Or, maybe it has to do with the person who makes it and the ingredients used. I won't know until---Spring of 2008.

Patrick, I invite you to make me a martini, then I will know. It will be a part of the S and B celebration. Waaahooo!

Aunt B drinks beer. Have you ever just wanted some beer because it would taste good? That was the way I felt tonight on my way home from work.

I bought one bottle of Scarecrow Golden Pale Ale for about $4.00 at Paradise Meats. Using my small Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Festival beer glass that NB gave me as a souvenir from the Beer Festival, I poured myself two small glasses of a light, great tasting beer. I shared the rest of the bottle with BF, so won't be able to have any to go with pizza.

Usually that's when I like beer- with pizza. And I usually like beer when the weather is really hot- not today with 14 degree temps.

I will say that I am a little mellow. Two small glasses of beer and I'm ready for a nap. Talk about a cheap date! Boy, did it taste good! Good thing I don't have to buy a case at those prices!

Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai is my latest finished book. Don't be put off by the first few chapters because it does get better. And it has a happy ending. The setting is at the foot of Mount Kanchenjunga in the Himalayas in India.

The title says it all. Each of the characters are grieving over their historical, cultural and personal loss. The characters are bound by Indian culture with the class and caste system, colonialism, racism, and nationalism.

The book is sometimes funny, but mostly sad. The characters are attached, but some are trying to leave to find a better life. The judge sells his soul as he is schooled in England. His grand-daughter is raised in a Catholic school and then is dropped on his doorstep with no idea of anyone's past or her own future. Biju, the son of the judge's cook, has gone to the U.S., but is constantly in fear of being deported. His life is drudgery while his father thinks he is getting rich, because everyone in America is rich.

So much betrayal, so much anger in this book.

Desai has a wonderful way of describing life in India. If you haven't been there, the descriptions are sometimes shocking. The book brought back memories of my brief visit to India.

I recall flying into Calcutta at night and staying with someone who had guests departing that we(Rebecca and I) met at the airport. We were chauffered through the city and stayed in a lovely house so we were in for a shock the next day. We stayed at the YWCA and I thought I would die in the bathroom after eating capers in some sort of beef. No one at home knew where we were. I remember the beggars in the train stations with legs that had been broken and grew turned at the knees so they used their hands and arms to move themselves along. I traveled from Calcutta to New Delhi on the train in what was then known as "cattle car" class. I sat under the Buddha tree where Buddha was enlightened. I went to the Taj Mahal with it's beautiful clean grounds and gave money to a little girl holding a dead baby just outside the gates of this world wonder. I saw the poverty and felt the desperation. When I flew to Greece, I thought it was the cleanest place on earth. And, yes, I felt I was rich.

I highly recommend this book.