Round Up

R.I.P. Bette Paige

R.I.P. Forrest J. Ackerman

Obama, I think you are the bomb, but RICK WARREN and ARETHA FRANKLIN. I don't want to get into a long diatribe about Rick Warren (and believe me I could). I like Re Re, but there are so many others you could have selected.

Every holiday season I buy a new ornament for the tree or some other decoration for the house. This year I thought I would make these gorgeous ice luminarias. Beautiful, festive, economical and ephemeral.

These pendants are so unusual.

And more Etsy shops I like: Edelweiss Vintage, Mayberries Vintage, Red Leaf, AngeLfood's Shop, Vermont Maple, Bottled Up Designs, Lily & Coco, and Faerie Made Soap. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of Etsy shops. If you are holiday shopping, why not buy something handmade.

I really, really like this Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper.

This Christmas Tree in a Box is a hoot.

What to give-What to get by some of your favorite authors (love Penguin)

Click on the different drawings to view "I Am What I Ate".

Submit your favorite word to Powell's and win the 20 volume Oxford English Dictionary (OED).

A conversation with Toni Morrison.

Oh my goodness-Goofus and Gallant.

Unesco has selected Iowa City as a City of Literature.

The 3 best cities for bookworms.

This is a short post, and will be my last post for 2008. I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season. May your days be merry and bright, and may you have a happy, health and fun 2008.

"Remember This December,That love weighs more than gold!"~Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

"Whatever else be lost among the years, Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing: Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears, Let us hold close one day, remembering Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men. Let us get back our childlike faith again."-- Grace Noll Crowell

Bookstore Blogs

I often wonder if people really, really know how totally obsessed I am with books, and anything to do with them. I spend hours reading book reviews, book recommendations, book catalogs and going to bookstores and libraries. I must say that my book buying budget is not what it used to be days, but I certainly love browsing and finding titles that I can borrow from the library.
I even love reading bookstore blogs. At the beginning of the year I started keeping a list of bookstore and publishers blogs that I came across. I am leaving out the university press blogs,which I will list in another post (those are a plethora of information as well.) What follows is a listing of those that I have found thus far. If anyone knows of any others, please let me know.

Abbeville Press-The Abbeville Manual of Style

Amazon

Atomic Books

Beacon Press-The Beacon Broadside

BookCourt

book culture

Books, Etc. and their children's literature blog

Book Passage Bookstore

Burkes Bookstore

Chronicle Books

Countryman Press

Gulf of Maine Books

Ignatius Press

Inkwell Bookstore (one of my faves)

Literary Life Bookstore & More

Maine Coast Bookshop-newsletter and blog

Overlook Press

Penguin

Powells

Raincoast Books

River Run Bookstore

Rocketship

Seal Press (groundbreaking books by women, for women)

Vroman's Bookstore (another favorite)

Fresh Eyes Now and Shelf Awareness (their archive rocks) are excellent if you want to know what's going on with books, bookstores, publishing or anything else in the book trade.

And remember Buy Books for the Holiday.

"From every book invisible threads reach out to other books; and as the mind comes to use and control those threads the whole panorama of the world's life, past and present, becomes constantly more varied and interesting, while at the same time the mind's own powers of reflection and judgment are exercised and strengthened." ~Helen E. Haines

Round Up

Allen Weinstein, the Archivist of the United States, has resigned due to health reasons.

This is fun and educational: The Spy Fact of the Day.

The Steve Leveen, the CEO of Levenger has a blog.

52 Books: A Year Long Reading Project (too bad I didn't find this at the beginning of 2008).

Top 10 Holiday Uses for Wine Corks.

I've been enjoying reading all of these end-of-years lists. I really like the Top 10 Most Irritating Phrases of 2008. Can you add any more?

PC Magazine has listed their Top 100 Classic Websites and Top 100 Undiscovered Websites. A few of my favorites from their lists are How Stuff Works, Fix Ya, Instructables, SnagFilms (for all of my kindred spirited documentary lovers), and Truveo.

Since I have been collecting unusual names for quite a few years now, I am always interested to hear what the most popular baby names are for a given time period. Nameberry has it all- a name of the day and a nice blog. I'm sorry but some of the names for babies that these celebrities are coming up with are just ridiculous.

Citeulike is a free service for managing and discovering scholarly references.

I've been spending some time searching on Hakia. I like it.

In my last post I mentioned the book Scrapbooks: An American History by Jessica Helfand. I think I forgot to mention she has a blog entitled The Daily Scrapbook. (and if I did mention it, it's certainly worth being mentioned twice).

Halfbakery is a communal database of fictitious inventions. People are incredibly imaginative.

Love this list of colors.

The Starfish Project collects the unused portion of people's antiretroviral drugs and sends them to Nigeria to people suffering from AIDS. They collect all sorts of medications so their site to see what they need.

Wonderful ice carvings.

Okay, May I live in one of these treehouses?

That's all for this week. Have a nice weekend.

"Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got." —Janis Joplin

Round Up

R.I.P. Odetta.

If you are looking for hourly employment go to Snagajob.

I found this so interesting. Former Attorney General Janet Reno masterminded the Song of America, a 3-cd set contains new versions of American classics performed by artists such as Take 6, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and Harper Simon (Paul Simon's son).

The Brooks Brothers Non-Iron shirt was one of Oprah's picks. She swears that it really does come out of the dryer ready to wear. Would make a nice gift.

I am aching to read Scrapbooks: An American History by Jessica Helfand. I fell in love with her book Reinventing the Wheel, which was all about volvelles or information wheels.

I wish that I still had my scrapbook from when I was growing up. I can still see it. It was chock full of all of my girlhood detritus, and I could kick myself for not saving it.

Two other books that I would like to spend some time with are Road Trip Journal by Steven Shore (but at $250.00 who am I kidding), and the New York Times: The Complete Front Page: 1851-2008. I was in Costco the other day and started perusing the New York Times book and I even with all of the hustle bustle in the store, I became totally immersed in this wonderful tome.

If you are a dog lover, you must read the Boomer Chronicles 12/04/08 post.

I've said this before and I am saying it again. I wish I could retire and tour factories, visit small towns and their libraries and cemetaries, read Presidential biographies and the Rivers of America series. I would also like to be able to bake a different bath of cookies every single day. Since I can't I have been visiting Martha Stewart's Cookie of the Day site.

I really should give up on my quest to being able to identify every tree, flower, bush, weed, etc., etc. I let this obsession go for awhile and then it comes back with a vengeance. I have been spending quite a bit of time on this nifty Tree Identification site.

Look who is behind all of the cool Google Doodles?


I really like these outdoor Christmas presents. Very festive. I am also crazy about these signs.

If I were a little girl, or had a little girl, I would want to shop at Matilda Janes. Such adorable things.

Remember, if you are looking for gift book recommendations, or book recommendations of any kind, hop on over to Flashlight Worthy.

Have a nice weekend.


"The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools."~ Henry Beston

Stuff

This is a short post about a couple of things I heard on the radio.

1. This woman called in exasperated because she asked her daughter what she wanted for Christmas, and her daughter said gift cards. Her daughter is 7 years old. She said she didn't even say what store she wanted the gift cards from, she just wanted gift cards.

2. Papa Johns Pizza has whole-wheat crusts. I am thrilled. Does anyone know of any other pizza place that has whole wheat?

3. I read this and heard this. If you have to buy a teacher's gift, please don't get them a mug or tote that says WORLDS GREATEST TEACHER. They have tons of that stuff and are sick of it. They want gift cards just like the 7 year old mentioned above.

Gotta go. Have a nice day.

"The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that's the essence of inhumanity." - George Bernard Shaw

Round Up

I think these Oreo turkey treats are just too cute, and very easy to make. There feet are cracking me up. Here are the instructions for making these gobblers.

And I have to include these too cute pilgrim hat cookies.






Gourmet magazine is 67 years old this year. They have published online their favorite cookie recipe for each of the last 67 years.

Yippee!! A daily radio science program-Everyday Science.

Change.gov is the official site for the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team.

Love these knitted teacups.

And these 100 Good Wishes necklaces. (wish they came in gold though)

The New York Times has their picks for the Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2008 online.

I keep finding more and more of these swap sites: Zwaggle, Swaptree, and SwapItShop.

2 books that I would like to get my hands on are American Farmer: The Heart of Our Country by Paul Mobley and The Oxford Project byPeter Feldstein. In 1984 photographer Peter Feldstein took photographs of every single person in his town of Oxford, Iowa (pop. 676). In 2004 he did the same thing. The book contains these people's stories, plus their side-by-side photographs. Can't wait to see this one.

Approximately 2 million images from the Life photo archive have been digitized and are available online through Google search. The remaining 8 million (yup-8 million) will be digitized in the coming months.

Get ready from some cute overload. Both the hat and the babe are adorable.

If I were forced to study a war, it would be the Revolutionary War. I just find all of the players so interesting-Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry and all of the others. I just found out about the American Revolution Center, and I can't wait until it is completed so I can visit.

I can't explain it, but I have become obsessed with felt in general, and in particular felt flowers. And look what I found a felt flower kit.

I won't be posting until after the holiday. Have a wonderful holiday.

"I celebrated Thanksgiving in the traditional way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house; we had an enormous feast. And then I killed them and took their land." Jon Stewart

"He who thanks but with the lipsThanks but in part;The full, the true ThanksgivingComes from the heart." J.A. Shedd

Round Up

If you have read Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, then you are already acquainted with the very innovative Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Check out her 17 things I made and The Beckoning of Lovely videos.

Barney must be upset about leaving the White House.

Nice list of library ghosts in the Northeastern United States.


R.I.P. Miriam Makeba "Mama Afrika" passed away last night at a concert she was giving-I adored this woman and she will be so missed. More about this incredible woman here. I will be humming her Pata Pata song all day.

R.I.P. Tony Hillerman author of the Chee/Leaphorn mystery series, and Michael Crichton.

Another Walt Crawford list of library blogs.

A co-worker who knows my fondness for hobo signs sent me this link for the "candy code." Very clever.

Last Wednesday (November 5, 2008) was only the fourth time that the New York Times used 96-point type with the header OBAMA.

WOW!!! The Rare Books and Manuscript Library at the University of Pennsylvania is allowing the students to actually touch the books.

I've always had a thing for aprons and these are very Ooo, la la.

If I were a kid, I would have to insist on having these boots.

Fun items made with corks.

Interesting new search engines-MSE360 and SearchMedica, a medical search engine.

That's all for today. Have a nice day and a nice week. Enjoy the autumnal splendor.

"And why is our music called world music? I think people are being polite. What they want to say is that it's third world music. Like they use to call us under developed countries, now it has changed to developing countries, it's much more polite. " Miriam Makeba

Round Up

This will be a short round up this week folks.

If you love making lists and you love books, I have found the perfect site for you-Flashlight Worthy (i love the name). Flashlight Worthy is a site with numerous book recommendation lists. You can also submit your own list. Are you someone who has read every golf mystery that has been ever written? Submit a list. It's a lot of fun and I've already found some books that I want to read.

The Union of Concerned Scientists and Penguin Classics have created a unique partnership to educate the public about the dangers of global warming and the solutions at hand. Bookstores across the country are displaying easels and bookmarks about the project and encouraging the public to submit stories to be included in the new online book, Thoreau's Legacy: American Stories about Global Warming.

We have Verizon Fios, which is great. Turn the computer on and bam-you are on the Internet. We have a ridiculous amount of channels including National Geographic and the Science Channel. Dare I ask for one more? I would love to have the Sundance Channel so that I can watch Iconoclasts.

Red Room-a social network for writers and readers.

I have said this after every election since 1980, "If my candidate doesn't win I'm moving to Canada." Granted, I love Canada so I would like to live there anyway. To get myself prepared I've been listening to this Musical Guide to Canadian music.

Just in case anyone was wondering-A synecdoche is figure of speech putting part for the whole, or the whole for part. For example, 'All hands on deck' is an example in which 'hands' is used to mean 'people'.

The Museum of the American Cocktail looks like a cool place to visit.

The find.com is supposed to be a directory of merchants that accept PayPal. I haven't tested it yet, but I thought I would provide the link.

Because of the difficult economic times we are having some of the stores have brought back layaway. Now the online merchants are taking a cue from their brick and mortar counterparts with eLayaway.

First of all next Tuesday you must, must, must VOTE. I can't stress enough how important this is not only for this election, but for every election. People have fought and died for this right, so please do not take it for granted. Why not take your camera with you and snap some photographs? The Polling Place Photo Project is attempting to create an online photo archive of the voting process from all across the country.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!

"Backward, turn backward, O time in your flight, make me a child again-just for tonight." Elizabeth Akers Allen

Round Up

I just found out that one of my favorite poets passed away-Hayden Carruth.

I hadn't posted anything about the passing of Paul Newman. Generally I'm not ga-ga over the leading men. I tend to go for the character actors, but there are some exceptions and Mr. Newman was one of them. What incredible gifts this man possessed-easy-on-the-eyes looks, great acting talent and a huge heart. I have read quite a few tributes about this incredible human being, but I like what Dahlia Lithwick (just love her name) at Slate had to say the best, "Married to Joanne Woodward, his second wife, for 50 years this winter, Newman always looked at her like something he'd pulled out of a Christmas stocking. He looked at his five daughters that way, too. It was like, all these years later, he couldn't believe he got to keep them."

I missed World Animal Day (October 4). Look at some of these incredible images. I think my favorite is of one of my favorite animals, the narwhal (photograph #16).

Who is the cat who won't cop out, when there's danger all about-If you don't know perhaps The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain can refresh your memory.

I have wanted to learn how to quilt for a long time, but I think I am just too lazy to start. Maybe I could start off by making one of these recycled scarf blankets. Of course, I may want to purchase a sewing machine first.

I have used honey for different things for years. It makes a wonderful facial mask and it is also great for healing wounds. Now someone has capitalized on what farmers and rural folk have know for years.

Classification of animal cookies, animal crackers and related taxa.

The 2008 MacArthur Foundation Genius Grants have been awarded. Meet the Fellows.

These seasonal pinwheels are cute.

I remembered reading that Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of everyone's favorite redhead, Anne of Green Gables, had suffered from depression, but hearing that she committed suicide was a bit of a shock.

Polyvore-Mix and match images from anywhere on the web, to create outfits, interior designs, or any kind of collage. Of course there is a blog.

Oh, so I'm a member of Generation Jones.

Whoppi has a new book out-Sugar Plum Ballerinas.

I'm not a Francophile, but I would love to read, French Milk, by Lucy Knisley,a graphic travelogue about her time spent in Paris.

250+ Killer Digital Libraries and Archives.

Charlie Kratzer decorated his basement with $10.00 worth of Sharpies. Incredible.

Have a great weekend. It looks like it's going to be a good weekend to sit by the fire with a good book, some nice hot cider and to go with it all how about a couple of apple cider donuts. Here's a recipe for these delights, and eat them while they are still a little warm. Heaven!!!

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." Pericles (attributed)

Round Up

Enter your surname into the World Name Profiler site and find out about yourself.

The last remaining survivor of the Titanic is auctioning off some of her relics to pay for nursing home fees. This is interesting and sad all at the same time

A blog about Ampersands.

I think everyone knows that Martha Stewart loves Halloween. That's actually what sort of drew me to her in the first place. She loves Halloween, as do I, and she and her staff come up with all of these very creative ideas. Her website has loads of Halloween decorations and recipes for some spooktacular treats. Last week she had a woman on her show that made these very cool shrunken heads out of apples. They had all of these heads floating in a big pot of cider. Here is the process (very simple). Everyone would get a kick out of these.

These witch hats are adorable and super easy to make. They would be easy even if you used your own scratch dough.

I would love to attend, well anything, where the Global Elders were speaking. Here is a list of the elders.

The incredible shopping penguin.

Are your children concerned about this economic situation. Here are some books to read to your children about hard economic times.

The VPI Pet Insurance Company has a list of wacky and unusual pet names.

American Libraries (magazine for the American Library Association) has a blog-AL Inside Scoop.

Check out Jay Walker's incredible personal library (Wired Magazine article).

WOW!! A German court ruled that the use of thumbnail images in Google is copyright infringement.

Safeway is promoting public libraries on the back of cereal boxes.

I saw this idea in some magazine, but can't recall what magazine it was. When you make somemores, what about using ginger snaps instead of graham crackers. Yummy!!

Now I would probably go into a coma if I ate these, what with all of my problems with sugar lately, but these homemade Snickers bars look crazy good. I bet they are fun to make as well.

This 2008 Presidential Search Engine was created by the University of Kansas Library. It's a Google Custom Search Engine.

Have a good weekend.

"Normal is getting dressed in clothers that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for-in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it." Ellen Goodman

Eyesight

I was talking to someone about eyesight today. I have always been mystified by the fact that most of us become affected by the big P-presbyopia. It seems that most people suffer from this, but I was wondering about those who don't. Just about everyone I have ever known ends up wearing glasses. Both of my parents started wearing glasses I think when they were in their 50's. They didn't wear glasses before that. If memory serves it was the same for my grandparents.

I, on the other hand, have been wearing glasses since I was in 3rd grade. I have astigmatism in both eyes and am nearsighted(myopia) in one eye and farsighted (hyperopia) in the other. The astigmatism is the worst of all three. I have had every kind of glasses there are and they all press on my temples and end up giving me headaches. I wear sunglasses all year round because of light sensitivity, but I tend to put them on and take them off a zillion times (no exaggeration). I started wearing contacts and those also got on my nerves. About 15 years ago I started wearing one contact. It worked for me for awhile. For the last 10 or so years I have worn nothing.

When I went to get my drivers license renewed a couple of years ago I ran into some problems so I had to go and get glasses. The optometrist told me that since I have not been wearing anything for so long my eyes have somehow overcompensated for each other. She went into vision medicalese, but I thought COOL!!!. I stil l had to get glasses to pass the eye test at the horrid DMV, and I have to wear glasses to drive, which I don't do that often.

Now the OLD AGE eyes are bothering me. I know that I am going to have to bite the bullet and deal with this, but I am dreading it. I have loved being glasses/contact free for all of these years.

Have I damaged my eyes because I have been free of optical aids all of these years. Who knows? I was hoping (fantasizing) that because I have all of the other things wrong with my eyes I would escape the big P, but of course not.

"The ear tends to be lazy, craves the familiar and is shocked by the unexpected; the eye, on the other hand, tends to be impatient, craves the novel and is bored by repetition." W.H. Auden

Round Up

Just in time for Halloween-Gothtober.

Complete Planet: deep web directory.

Some Etsy finds. Love this bawdy jewelry, collective names of animals tees and unusual wine charms (scroll down)

See what some newsmakers and newsbreakers have for breakfast.

At one time I had quite the cookbook collection. I have weeded it through the years so now I have maybe 4 or 5 that I use all the time. Whenever I am in any bookstore I have to try and control myself anyway, and I really have to drum up some self-discipline in the cookbook aisle. I have been having a ball perusing Old Cookbooks.com.

I have been using Paperback Swap for awhile now, and I love it, but I also came across another book swapping site called Book Mooch. I think these are both great ideas.

Elton Mabry is a homeless man that moved into an abandoned building when Hurrican Katrina struck New Orleans. He kept himself going by writing a journal of sorts on the walls. This is an amazing story of survival and an indomitable spirit.

Speaking of journals, George Orwell's diary (1938-1942) is online in blog form. Why not? We already have Samuel Pepys' diary in blog form.

I did not know that the real Winnie-the-Pooh was living at the New York Public Library. He sure is a long way from home.

I'm always on the lookout for a new documentary to watch. I think that I would like to see Trumbo. Dalton Trumbo was an American novelist and screenwriter, and one of the Hollywood Ten. He and 9 other individuals refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1947. The HUAC were investigating Communist influences in the film industry.

Since Trumbo would not tell the HUAC anything he was convicted for contempt of Congress. He was blacklisted and spent 11 months in a federal penitentiary. When he was released from prison he moved to Mexico and continued to write screenplays. One of the more famous ones was for the movie The Sandpiper starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.

Another group I read about in the music issue of American Legacy-the Sherrie Miracle and the Diva Jazz Orchestra. I've been enjoying their sound on YouTube. Here is another article about the divas.

Look at these Pea Hoodies.

Do you need to see who owns a particular domain name? Whois.net may provide the answer.

2 Cat Studio carries a lot of state and city-themed pillows, tea towels and other items. I love the North Pole pillow.

I won't be posting again until after this horrid holiday. Yes, I like having a day off. No, I'm not thrilled with the Christopher Columbus.

Have a good one.

"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter - 'tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning." - Mark Twain

Round Up

This has to be the absolute best library parking garage ever. This library is located in Kansas City, Missouri.

Woo Hoo-the pope is installing solar panels.

Oh, now the toddlers have their very own You Tube-Totlol.

Just in case you were wondering if there are any Sasquatch in your area-the Database of Bigfoot Sightings.

I'm not much of a pretzel or chip person, but it might be fun to try and see if one can make microwave potato chips.

Two cool wikipedia lists: List of famous trees and the list of eponymous laws.

These lists generally make me want to retch, especially with whats going on in this country. No wonder these people have no concept of what it's like out here for most of us-the 50 richest members of Congress.

Go ahead and send your name around the Earth on NASA's Glory Mission. Here is the actual sign up page.

Attention zombie lovers out there. You now have your own social media portal.

The University of Nottingham has created the Periodic Table of Videos. Click on an element and you will see a video about that element. Very cool.

Very cool Poet Laureate Map of Canada.

Pick a genre of music and there's generally someone that I like. I never give much thougth to folk music. Oh sure, I know some folks songs, and some of the famous folk singers like Pete Seeger and Odetta and even Tracy Chapman. I'm saying even Tracy Chapman because I don't know if she categorizes herself as folk or not.

I was reading the summer issue of American Legacy magazine. The entire issue is devoted to music. I came across an article about the Carolina Chocolate Drops and now I am spending all of my time listening to them on YouTube. The Drops are an African American (Americans of African descent) String Band. Rhiannon Giddens, the only female member is a treat. This woman was kissed on the cheek by the universe and is an amazing talent as well as being physically stunning. She sings opera as well as a host of other styles. Listen to her singing this Gaelic medley acapella. (I'm having issues posting videos today)

If you are an Edna Lewis fan watch this short, charming video about this amazing woman.

"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness." ~Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name

Finally

This will be a short post. October, my favorite month is finally here. It's still a bit too warm for my tastes, but I'll take it. I am going to go home, light my new Harvest tart, and have some cider.

And because I just can't get enough of this stuff. Just click on the video: If we were republicans, we’d vote for him: this is the palin who should be running

"October, here's to you. Here's to the heady aroma of the frost-kissed apples, the winey spell of ripened grapes, the wild-as-the-wind smell of hickory nuts and the nostalgic whiff of that first wood smoke. "- Ken Weber

Round Up

I am finding so many cute Halloween decorations. I love this witch shoe candy bowl. It's available from Sur la Table. I think I would heap my bowl full of Hershey's Kisses, mini Kit Kats, mini Snickers and maybe I'll splurge and throw in some Lindt Chocolates.




Or maybe some Godiva Chocolates, mini Peppermint Patties, Peanut Butter cups and some special-made Virgin Run Fudge.





Or some Buns (which they don't make anymore), Smoothies (which they don't make anymore), Peanut M&M's and some Werther's Butterscoth (reminds me of my Grandparents).



Okay, I'm finished.

Next week, September 27, 2008 through October 4, 2008 is Banned Books Week.

Having problems with your co-workers stealing your lunch. Try these anti-theft lunch bags.


I love the moxie of the castor bean plant.

I have not watched ER in years. I really enjoy medical shows, but I get my fix with House and sometimes Grey's Anatomy. This is the 15th and final season. I ended up catching it last night, and I was crying my eyes out. It was already upsetting that Mekhi Phifer's character Dr. Gregory Pratt, was dying. It was Troy Evans' character Frank Evans that got me, that probably got everybody. When they were taking Pratt's body down to harvest his organs, and the very gruff Frank Evans went and pushed the elevator button, and then put his hand on Pratt's shoulder as they wheeled him onto the elevator. Good Grief.

There are so many really fine character actors out there and Troy Evans is one of them. Here is a site with some other great character actors. Here is another list of classic character actors.

This Karl Lagerfeld Steiff Bear is freakin' me out. It looks just like him.

It's useless for me to try and be apolitical on this blog. I came across Librarians Against Palin and cheered, and also the McCainPedia. McPainPedia is a wiki that is documenting all of the oddball things McCain is doing in his campaign. This wiki is not publicly edited. It is run by the (Democratic National Committee) DNC's Research, Communications and Internet teams.

The Bush administration has done some crummy, horrid things, but this has to take the prize for one of the crummiest.

And while I am on the subject: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv6CRObROV0. Oh my heavens!!!

Rhyme Zone-a rhyming dictionary, thesaurus, and word finding tool all-in-one.

"Happy Birthday to You" Appendices, Documents and Sound Recordings. This site contains to PDF document files (and a few mp3 sound files) relating to the history of the song "Happy Birthday to You," as well as of several appendices to the article "Copyright and the World's Most Popular Song." This is fascinating information.

Interesting post on book jackets and copyright over at the LibraryLaw Blog.

Ex-Boyfriend Jewelry-you guessed it. A place to unload jewelry given to you by your ex. I think it should be just called "Old Lover Jewelry" or something like that, but good idea nevertheless.

The Hip Hop Chess Federation. Who knew???

The Diagram Prize is an annual award given to the book with the oddest title. This years winner is Greek Rural Postmen and Their Cancellation Numbers. Here is the Bookseller's news release that also includes some of the titles that did not win.

A. and I have done quite a lot of work on our humble abode this year. We still have some major renovations to do, but we've gotten more accomplished than I thought we would. The next project is the master bathroom. We have already started buying the tile, and have picked out the bowls, vanity and new shower. It's going to be awhile before we can start doing any demo, but at least we have started. This is the biggest master bathroom I have ever seen. Why they made this room so big is beyond me. I don't have a linen closet, which has been a gigantic, scratchy, annoying burr under my saddle since we purchased this home. I don't have a linen closet (I say it again), but I have a master bathroom I could use as a ballroom. Where's the logic in that.

Who builds a house without a linen closet anyway. I grew up in a home with a wonderful linen closet and an even better cedar closet. Now that I think about it they should have built the linen closet as a cedar closet too, but they didn't. My parent's owned that home for over 20 years and the cedar smell never dissipated. I miss that closet, the house, and some of the great times we had there especially this time of year. I've lived in numerous places since I left my parents home and guess what? Every place I have lived except dormitories had a freakin' linen closet.

Stories behind 10 Dr. Seuss Stories at the Mental Floss blog.

It's a nice, cool, gray day. Love it.

"Well done is better than well said." - Benjamin Franklin

Round Up

Manual of Traffic Signs

If someone comes knocking on your doors on Saturday, September 20, 2008, it might be the Million Doors for Peace.

Already getting geared up for Halloween-the Fright Catalog.

3 bookish links-Just Free Books , Lost Titles and Forgotten Rhymes and an article Found in Books.

It's great to see some positive things happening in New Orleans since Katrina.

Read this beautiful, thoughtful essay on why Sarah Palin is no friend to children with special needs.

It's been awhile since I posted an interesting reference book, so here is one I just found out about yesterday: The Elvis Encyclopedia.

These "jacket potatoes" are adorable.

Interesting blog, but not for the squeamish-Morbid Anatomy.

And something else not for the squeamish is the Unidentified Decedent Reporting System (UDRS) site.

Whenever I find out that something is extinct, or becoming extinct, that thought always gives me this sad, hollow feeling. I don't care what it is that will no longer exist, I just find it a bit heart breaking. I feel that way about these 10 endangered languages too.

Oh, I like these vintage map necklaces.

Randomness from around the globe.

Yarn from old newspapers. I love the recycling aspect, but I wonder what this feels like. I wonder if it's extremely knitable. Hmmmm.

Wonderful, wonderful images in the Science and Society Picture Library.

Learn to identify the flora in your own neighborhood and take part in The 100 Species Challenge.

I leave you with this image of what's to come.

This quote is from the Einstein quote of the day: "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." Albert Einstein

Round Up

I am in the process of reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. What a delightful, vivid and charming novel. It is written in an espistolary format and the authors didn't shy away from some of the darker subject matter like the lack of food and other amenities on the island after the Nazis occupation of Guernsey, both the the terrible treatment of the people by the Nazi soldiers and also some of the kindesses displayed by the Nazis.

What makes this novel even more poignant is that Mary Ann Shaffer worked on this book for years, and when she became to ill to finish the novel she asked her niece, author Annie Barrows to finish the book. Annie Barrows is the author of the Ivy and Bean series for children. Unfortunately, I just read that Ms. Shaffer passed away earlier in February of this year. This book is sure to win your heart. How the islanders not only exist, but grow to depend on each other and love each other during this horrible time is told from the viewpoint of approximately 20 characters. I borrowed it from the library, but I must have my own copy. If you are a fan of 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, I think you will love this novel as well. You can listen to some excerpts from the book here.

Author groupie-that's me. I have a friend who is a politician groupie, but it's writers all the way for me. I like reading about their process, how long it took them to get published, and even very personal tidbits like where their average day and where they write. I guess other folks are interested in these things too. The Guardian has a series on Writer's Rooms.

Oops, I forgot to get the some of the new 42 cents Latin Jazz Stamps.

The universe sure is purdy!!! We should not muck it up the way we do.

The Benedictine monks of St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota.University, and the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library (HMML, or “himmel”) are the monks who are working on the St. John’s Bible, a project commissioning the first handwritten, illuminated Bible since the printing press made its appearance in the 15th century. Watch this video and see some of the other manuscripts at the library.

Follow the journey of a USGS specialist as she writes about her time spent in the Arctic with scientists who are mapping the sea floor-Arctic Chronicles.

Walt Crawford, who really should be called Mr. Library, has compiled a list of over 600 library-related blogs.

My beloved tartans are in the news. The Jewish people who live in Scotland now have their very own tartan. The tartan was certified by the Scottish Tartans Authority.

I didn't always have a fear of heights. In fact I was always quite the daredevil. The higher up the better. I will never forget the day that I realized a new fear had taken over my body. I was walking across the Key Bridge from Rosslyn to Georgetown. I happened to get close to the rail and was looking down into the Potomac River and bam. It was like the river was coming up to me and I was getting very dizzy. I can't even watch a commercial or program where someone is up high without my knees feeling weak. It's terrible. I'm better if I'm sitting down, but standing forget it. I will never, ever be dining here.

Shakespeare's Den, the home of very cool gifts.

A publishing primer.

Cool Halloween doormat. More of Frontgates Halloween decorations.

Have a good weekend.


"Why are not more gems from our great authors scattered over the country . . . .Let every bookworm, when in any fragrant, scarce, old tome he discovers a sentence, a story, an illustration, that does his heart good, hasten to give it. " Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772 - 1834)

Round Up

The Top 100 Liberal Arts Professor Blogs.

Why are pencils yellow? (I don't know how correct this is, but it is interesting if it is true)

Another pedia-Medipedia.

Interesting articles about diaries and diarists.

I think it would be great to be able to sit beside Ben Franklin and read a book and maybe even strike up a conversation. Gary Lee Price's sculptures are amazing.

I just found out the other day that Lois Nettleton died this year. She was a wonderful character actor. I loved her sort of honey-whiskey voice.

Two more Etsy favorites- Signs by Diane-for the shabby chic lover and Seasonal Celebrations-love the Eat, Drink and be Scary sign.

The Linus and Ava Helen Pauling Papers are located at the Oregon State University (OSU)Libraries . (Linus Pauling was an OSU graduate). All 1800 boxes of them. The staff has created a blog to document items about the Paulings as well as information about cataloging and preserving this important collection. There is an amazing amount of content contained in this well-written blog. Oh, just in case you may have forgotten who Linus Pauling was, here is his wikipedia entry. He has always been one of my personal heroes so I was thrilled to come across this blog.

I am going to try and refrain from writing too much about the election. However, I did come across a very interesting point about that vicious, ultra-conservative, skanky,overpopulationist, gun-toter Sarah Palin. Is there another woman on the Earth that could possibly be the total opposite of me? I don't think so. It makes me sick to my stomach and also terrified to think that someone like this woman could possible be walking around in the future with codes to nuclear weapons and may have some opinion as to the next Supreme Court justice(s). Good Grief!!! And believe me if one of Obama's daughters were pregnant (yes, they are both much younger than 17) his entire family would be excoriated. And yes, I am holding back- a lot. Also, what taxes is she talking about? I thought Alaska did not have a state tax or sales tax. Read the Boomer Chronicles September 3rd entry.

I'm not a coffee drinker, but I love how this blogger has combined coffee with the environment, specifically birds. Visit Coffee and Conservation.

The Digital Scriptorium is an image database of medieval and renaissance manuscripts that unites scattered resources from many institutions into an international tool for teaching and scholarly research. Look at the pretty images.

Uh-oh-Woman arrested for overdue books.

A good library preservation blog called, what else, Library Preservation.

That's all for today. Have a good week.

"Satisfaction of one's curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life." Linus Pauling

Interesting Bus Ride

I'ts 5:30 on Saturday morning, and yes I am up. Sleeping is not my best thing these days, and besides, during the week I am usually on the metro bus on my way to the subway station at this time of the morning, so I am use to being up at this time.

I had an interesting discussion on the commuter bus last night. I take the commuter bus home (after the "incident" on the metro bus). The commuter bus is so different than the metro bus. It seems like all of these people have been riding the bus together for years. I tend to sit near the front and all of these people are carrying on discussions with the bus driver and laughing. For the last few nights the discussion has settled on politics and sports. I don't chime in of course. I am just to introverted for that. I do listen, and sometimes smile to myself at some of the things being said. I generally read or sometimes just enjoy the ride. The beginning of the ride is through a great section of WDC. After all of these years I still enjoy seeing the famous buildings and all of the various architectures.

Last night a woman sat down next to me and she was one of these people who seems to be very friendly and a chatter. She started talking about this and that, and then she launched into a big discussion about her job. I think she is a bit younger than I am, but her situation is fairly similar. We started talking about what we wish a place of employment would be. Here are some of the points we both touched on.

1. Fairness, fairness, fairness

2. Opportunities for advancement. Why do employers continue to go outside to hire people instead of looking closely at the employees that are already there.

3. Managers who have taken some sort of management courses. Just because someone is credentialed in their field, and good at what they do, does not mean they should be managing staff.

4.If you do not have the credentials, you shouldn't be in the GS-12 category, or the equivalent for non-government jobs.

5.This is one of my peeves. I know that when I started my current position, I wasn't treated that great by some of my co-workers. Where I work is sort of strange anyway because it's not just the library, we are co-located with another department. And I will never work in a place that is set up like that again. Anyway, everyone has problems, but is it too much to ask for people to try to treat new hires respectfully. Try and remember when you where new and how that felt. Good manners and common decency are all that's needed. Good grief! I thought, like I always do, that I was being treated terribly because I'm a black female. I still feel I am being limited to certain things because of that, but that's another post. I don't even think that had a lot to do with it. The last new hire, who is actually more credentialed than any of these people, but she took a non-professional position. Quite a few people do that just to get in the government, and then I guess they think they will be able to move around. Not so easy to do that. Anyway, they treat her like crap. They watch her like a hawk, and it's ridiculous. This woman is always on time, and she works hard. She has been befriended by someone on the library staff so at least she has someone to talk to and go to lunch with. I want to ask all of the hawks that watch her, what the hell do you think she's going to do? Is she in prison? The only thing that she and her library friend do is go across the street and get coffee every once in a blue moon. The hypocrisy of this is that the rest of the staff does what they want to do so I don't know why they are treating her this way. I hope she doesn't put up with this nonsense for too long. I'm amazed she has lasted this long with what she has to go through on a daily basis. I could go on and on even more than I have already, about this, but I'll stop FOR NOW. We are all hypocrites to some degree, and at times I just sit back and laugh at these folks, but the situation that this woman is so blatantly unfair, it's sad.

6. Employees who are making a boatload of money, should do a boatload of work.

7. Employees who have set a pattern of not doing their work, not meeting deadlines,etc., etc. should be fired. I'm sorry, but that's fair. It is very demoralizing and dispiriting for the employees who do everything that they are supposed to do and more, but are treated the same as the malingerers.

That's all we came up with. If I see her again, and we continue our discussion I'll post more. What's your idea of a great workplace?

I just thought of this. The female bus chatter-I didn't even exchange names with her.

Even though I went to Catholic schools I am not Catholic or any religion for that matter. I just love what the following quote has to say.

"Because each human person has inherent dignity independent of his or her economic value, work is designed to benefit the person, not the other way around...In this era of economic globalization, it is all the more important to remember that people should always take priority over profit. Workers, in the Catholic social tradition, have essential human rights: to a just and living wage that will support workers' families, to organize and bargain collectively through trade unions, to safe and to humane working conditions, and to leisure time to spend with their friends and families. Employees have a responsibility to hold up their end of the bargain, but so too must employers take an active role in protecting these essential rights." (p. 27.)" A Nation for All: How the Catholic Vision of the Common Good Can Save America from the Politics of Division, by Chris Korzen and Alexia Kelley

Round Up

Just in case you were curious as to the real identity of Flo the Progressives Insurance woman.

National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections.

Have you wondered what happened to the Quinn Cummings, the little girl that starred in The Goodbye Girl, the original with Marsha Mason, not the latest version (not as good IMHO) with Patricia (overpopulationist) Heaton. Well, she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance, and now she's an inventor and a blogger. Ms. Cummings invented the Hip Hugger, a sling-type baby carrying device. Her blog is the QC Report.

If you are a fan of Moleskinerie, then you may also enjoy Notebookism. Notebookism is a little scant on posts, but what is there is interesting. We had this discussion a few times in library school, but is it true that most library workers are office supply junkies? I know I am.

I don't know if anyone watched The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr when it was on, but I did and I loved it. It was a combination of western with a science fiction/pop culture bent. And it starred the irrepressible Bruce Campbell as lawman Brisco County, Jr. One of the supporting characters was Lord Bowler, a bounty hunter who would team up with Brisco County to hunt down the bad guys. I just found out last week that Julius Carry the actor who portrayed Lord Bowler passed away. He died from complications of pancreatic cancer. He was 56. He was a fine character actor.

Dark Island, the home of Singer (sewing machine folks) Castle, is for sale for only $22 million.


Martha Stewart bloopers. You must watch these they are very funny.

Have a great weekend and a good Labor Day.

"Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow." ~Douglas Pagels

Peeves and Stuff

Is it too much to ask that people show decent manners? I'm not speaking of exemplary manners or anything, just decent.

Why oh why do people blow their noses when they are sitting at their table in a restaurant? Get your behind up and go to the rest room to do that. Good grief!!! I don't have a weak stomach by any stretch of the imagination, but some folks do. Plus, it's just good manners.

I will be so glad when summer is over. Yes, yes, yes I do go on a bit about the heat, but I suffer more than anyone can possibly imagine. A. says if we could swing it financially I could go to Tuktoyaktut for the summer. Then I could fullfil my dream to be an ice road trucker.

I also will be thrilled to not have to see flip flops, people and their ungroomed nasty feet, way too much skin exposure and blasting car radios because everyone has their windows down. Also, I don't care what shape your body is in, women of a certain age should leave the Daisy Dukes to the young'uns. Nobody wants to see middle-age thuttocks. Of course, I also don't care for long hair on women over 30(your face and head seem to change, and the long hair makes most look too haggard) but that's just my opinion.

Also, is it too much to ask for people to say please and thank you. Since I am taking public transportation now, I see so much bad behavior. I also have seem people go out of their way to show politeness to someone, and it's sad to say, but I am always shocked to see good behavior. I heard that Usain Bolt, the just-turned 22-year old Jamaican track and field wonder gave $50,000 to the earthquake victims in China, and that brought tears to my eyes. I am just incredible touched when I see people doing good things. I sort of veered off subject here, but you know what I mean.

A couple of years ago I gave a book to a co-worker for her son who I guess was maybe 10 or 11 at the time. He wrote me the nicest thank you card that I will treasure always. It shows that he has good home training. These gesture mean something to people and I don't care if I am considered old school or not. Good manners, thoughtfulness and courtesy should never be considered old school and never go out of style.

My next bunch of peeves are under the heading of insensitivity. They are also a subtle form of racism. Here goes: 1. I am a black woman. Guess what? I know some of the things that you know and I know things that you don't know. So stop looking so shocked when I know what you now or have already been there, down that, or feel you have to explain something to me. I have an IQ way the hell up in the triple digits. 2. I have things that you don't have and I don't have things that you have. Don't assume!!! 3. No, I don't know every black person in Pennsylvania, my home state. I also don't know every black person with my last name. Get real folks. 4. Also, when you first meet me don't assume that I am a nitwit because I am ethnic. I see so much of that. Or don't expect much from someone because they are ethnic. That falls under the soft bigotry of low expectations so STOP IT.

I think I am finished for now.

"What annoyances are more painful than those of which we cannot complain?" Marquise De Custine

Marquis De Custine

Round Up

Please Save Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. I confess. I think I may have been a bit to old for his show when he came on the scene of children's programming, but I still think in this day and age he has a lot to say to the young folk of today.

I am thoroughly amazed and captivated by this house, including it's totally appropriate name- Clingstone.

More places, like the federal government, should institute the 4-day week. I have been saying this for years. Better for the environment, more than likely better for the workers. I would not have a problem at all working a 10 hour day. As I sit on the bus looking down into people's vehicles, and yes I am still seeing loads of SUVs and even worse, Hummers. And guess what, most of the vehicles that I see on my twice daily commute have 1 person in their car. It just makes me want to SCREAM!!! Sorry, I got on my soapbox, but it just aggrevates me so. We talk a good game about the environment, but how many individuals and places of employment are willing to make the big changes. 4-day week and telecommuting are the way to go as far as I am concerned.

Index to Railroad Historical Societies. (yes, I like trains)

Doesn't this Chesapeake Hammock make you want to stretch out with a good book and a cool drink? You would think they would have used a Chesapeake Bay Retriever with this hammock, but I guess they thought the Golden Retriever was more photogenic.

If you live in or are visiting the Washington, DC area you must visit President Lincoln's Cottage. The cottage located on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC. I think most people call it the Soldiers' Home. Quite a few interesting tidbits in the 100 things list.

Also, if you have kids and live in the Baltimore area, and the Washington, DC area as well, you might want to visit the Kid Baltimore blog. This blog is full of things to do with the kiddies in the Baltimore area.

I love this. Calling all Frida's.

Cute idea for a kids party-Party Dotts.

I've been hearing so much about the wonders of bamboo charcoal, so I decided to research it a bit. Here is one article about this wonder material, and another, and one more article.

Martha Rich and Esther Pearl Watson are driving across the country creating a multi-media project on beauty. Their blog records their travels.

I like the products that Yellow Owl Workshop creates.

I 've been watching quite a bit of the Olympics and I have seen some amazing feats and also a lot of heart break. I feel that Nastia Liukin was robbed of the gold medal and that the age of some of the Chinese female gymnasts are questionable. Watching Usain Bolt, Dara Torres and Michael Phelps has been incredible. I'm glad that Misty and Keri got the gold again, but I am kind of tired of the way woman's beach volleyball is handled. I 'm not going to go on and on about it. I don't know what is going on with American Track and Field. Both the men and the women's relay teams dropped the baton-YIKES, which leads me to Olympic Torch designs from 1936 to the present.

This sounds like fun. New York City in the fall and books. What could be better?

I'm not a science fiction reader, but I have had friends that read nothing but science fiction. Here is a list of the essential science fiction books of the last 20 years. A list plus loads of comments.

TORCH, poetry, prose, and short stories by African American women.

These Springback manuscript binders rule.

Have a good weekend (39 days until my favorite month)

"Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement." - C. S. Lewis

Round Up

Rest in peace Estelle Getty, Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes.

Isn't this beautiful. It's from the upcoming State by State, an anthology due out in October. This excerpt was in the July edition of Travel and Leisure magazine. Louise Erdrich wrote this about her home state of North Dakota, " Shattering, spectacular, inescapable. The North Dakota sky is a former tallgrass prairie heaven tarp that stretches down on every side and quiets the mind. In the summer distance melts off into mirage, a jitter of shaking air on hot dust. When the sun is magnified by a dust storm, it can fill the sky like nuclear dawn. Sounds travel as far as the ear allows. Vision stretches as far as the eye can strain. Pure sky pulls you right out of yourself and yet bears down so close it seems crushing." I swoon at how lyrical this is. Reading this makes me want to take a trip to North Dakota immediately.

Nothing to See Here is a collaborative guide to some lesser-known spots in the world. Most of the post seem to be in the U.K. Fun read.

Bill Moyers has a blog.

I love when something simple like a knife has such a history. Read about the Opinel Knife. There is even a museum.

It's about time. Adhesive gift wrap.

I think I would love to work at the Gingerbread Construction Company.

More publisher and bookstore blogs: Vroman's Bookstore, Schaffner Press, Countryman Press, Penguin and Overlook Press. Vroman's Bookstore has a wonderful website and a great blog, but I am having problems linking to them.

Doris Probst is the first woman to win the annual hog calling contest at the Indiana State Fair. Sueeeee, Here pig, pig, pig.

I love this video Legal Land. The winner will win $10,000 towards attending law school.

Look at these individual pie slice pans. When I get my King Arthur Flour catalog in the mail it is a happy, happy day.

I think that I have been in a Starbucks maybe 2 or 3 times in my life and once was just the other day to use the rest room. I don't drink coffee, and if I did I can't imagine that I could afford to pay their prices. I was shocked in these difficult economic times that the line was literally out the door. (I don't have a link for this comment; I just wanted to comment)

I love this.

Have a nice weekend.

"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want." ~Margaret Young

Round Up (2)

Color-coded blogs: pink and brown love, the chocolate blues, and DecorGreen.

Army Archerd has a blog.

Singers Glen, Virginia certainly has the correct name.

The shopping site Mighty Goods has spawned-now there's Mighty Haus and Mighty Jr.

I love these Pyrex medical jars.

Bookgasm-reading material to get excited about.

I came across Titlepage the other day, and I am in love. Titlepage is a web show hosted by Daniel Menaker. Mr. Menaker interviews a group of authors and each show has a theme . I am such an author/poet groupie anyway, and I am having a ball watching the different episodes.

I was reminded the other day how wonderfully hilarious Benjamin Franklin's Dialogue between Franklin and the Gout is when I was reading the New York Times Paper Cuts blog. The dialogue is included in the August 4, 2008 post on the blog. Here's another link for the text.

The Smithsonian has a wonderful traveling exhibit Key Ingredients: American by Food. Check out the site. I especially like the American Cookbook Project.

This cookbook title cracks me up: Pork and Sons.

That's all for today. Have a great weekend.

"Would I write if I could?
Bet your glitzy ass I would."
~Hayden Carruth (poet)

RoundUp

I might have two round ups this week. I have run across a ton of cool things in the past few days. At least I think they are cool.

As I am typing this I think I might have posted this previously, but what the hell. Lunchology is a very cute idea, and a great way to educate the kiddies. It just goes to show that there might be something that you do all the time that you think is nothing, which might be truly something unique and profitable.

Contrariwise-literary tatoos.

I stumbled across Skyscraperpage.com when I was looking for some examplse of Bermuda Shutters. Skyscraperpage.com is a resource for all of you skyscraper fans out there. Why there was a post about Bermuda Shutters on this page I don't know, but there goes the way of the web. By the way, here is a photo of Bermuda or Bahama shutters. They are hinged at the top and they are prevalent in the Caribbean hence the name. I think with global warming on the rise we might be seeing more of these lovelies. They can be more expensive than regular shutters, but will no doubt aid in decreasing energy bills.

If you are going to go all out for Bermuda Shutters, perhaps you are in the market for some new house numbers. I am sort of a stickler about house nubmers, as I am about any sort of signage. Honestly, you would think I was a graphics designer they way I tend to go on and on about signage. Anywho, I like these Eichler Numbers.

The peace symbol is 50 years old this year. Happy Birthday Peace Symbol. May you never go out of style.

If I were a bird I think I would live here.

If you are a fan of the magazine Everyday Food, as well as the Everday Food program, they have a blog entitled Dinner Tonight.

If I were wealthy would I pay $100 dollars for acake. First of all I like coconut out of the bag. I don't like it in anything. I know WEIRDO. This cake is from the chef at the Peninsula Grill in Charleston, South Carolina. What is it with Southerners and coconut cake. You can order, like I said, for $100 plus shipping. I saw the chef making this cake on Martha Stewart's show and it did look diving. And I've decided that even if were wealthy I would probably attempt to bake the cake or maybe go to the Peninsula Grill and try a piece there, maybe giving a companion the side with the coconut.

Do you still have a beloved stuffed animal from your childhood, threadbare, but still has a place of honor in your home. Alas, I no longer have Mr. Bear, Belly or the Pahs. (don't ask). Cheryl and Jeffrey Katz also have a love for their threadbare friends. They have penned Dirty Wow Wow and Other Love Stories: A Tribute to the Threadbare Companions of Childhood.

Vox features research-based policy analysis and commentary from leading economists. Lots and lots of relevant information on from this site.

It should have been a no-brainer to me that Lorcan Demsey(OCLC and all around information guru) has a fantastic blog.

If you look closely you can see the salt pan homes where the salt workers lived. This photograph is of the Secovlje, Slovenia Salt Pan Heritage Park. Here is some more information on this unique way of life. Here is more information. Here is a link to an image of a close up of one of the salt pan houses.

That's all for today.

“A great empire, like a great cake, is most easily diminished at the edges.” Benjamin Franklin