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yay banned books
thurs 4 oct 2012 | |
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Permalink: http://www.static8.com/journal/2012/20121004.html | |
Yay Reading! So, the eight books I listed the other day came from the Challenged Classics list, which was taken from Radcliffe's Rival 100 Best Novels. In other words, of the 100 best novels of all time, 46 have been banned or challenged, and I have read 8 of those 46. Here's a list that actually makes sense... 100 most frequently challenged books from 2000-2009
4. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
And then, if you want to look at the books that have been challenged every year: Frequently challenged books of the 21st century These lists are interesting. Plenty of very popular books here: Hunger Games, Twilight, His Dark Materials, and Harry Potter... all made into movies. (I've read all but the Harry Potter books.) And then there are the classics that show up over and over: The Catcher in the Rye, Of Mice and Men, Brave New World, To Kill a Mockingbird. (of which I've only read Brave New World... and it's been a very long time since I read that.) So much to read, so little time... |
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good things - Toby the stray
fri 5 oct 2012 |
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Permalink: http://www.static8.com/journal/2012/20121005.html |
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um. So. D is the guy who owns one of the buildings where I work, and he cares for a few stray cats. We feed them every day, and D takes care of all their medical needs: they are all fixed and they get shots and whatever else they need. Currently our group of cats are Amber, Mr. Blue, and Toby. Toby is a TNR cat who showed up one day earlier this year. Unfortunately, Toby is a lover AND a fighter. and he shows up this morning with an abscess swelling up half his face. and at the end of the day D shows up with some antibiotic cream. I'm all, "That is not going to work." The cut is at the top of Toby's head, and his entire cheek and jaw, down to his neck is swollen... there's no way the abscess can drain properly and the cream is going to be next to useless... In the past, I've worked in a vet clinic: they typically lance and drain and clean out with saline, and then some antibiotics. The animal is always calm and accepting and it is not a big deal in the least. K, who works in the office, gives us an alternative... she has tons of real life experience with animals. Not only does she have her own critters, she also fosters dogs and kittens, and has for many years. She says the abscess will resolve on it's own, using the antibiotic cream and the vet trip is not necessary. I remain skeptical about the antibiotic cream thing, but that's what everyone has decided. I thought I was just going to be there for moral support, since I didn't want to go into the weekend with scratches and bites on my hands! But my friend S was holding Toby, and D was just standing there with the little tube of antibiotic cream.
Sheesh. Toby was good, yes there was a small amount of pus involved and I'm really glad S didn't throw up or anything! (especially since she insisted afterwards that there was A LOT of pus.) heh. D stood back and took pictures to show his wife. And then I explained to him to do this twice a day over the weekend. I guess we'll see how it goes for poor, sweet Toby. And the Good Thing for my "friday list" of one: Toby the Stray Cat has a whole team of people who care for him. I only wish this for more animals. Not just cats and dogs and guinea pigs. But goats and cows and sheeps and pigs and chickens and and and. |
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garden
sun 7 oct 2012 |
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Permalink: http://www.static8.com/journal/2012/20121007.html |
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We brought home about ten pounds of tomatoes this weekend! Yes, literally. I didn't actually weigh it, but I have a good idea of what 10 lbs is... and the bag we brought home might actually have been more than that! ha. But the garden is definitely shutting down for the summer and I've got some over wintering plans. This is the 4th year that we've been in our Community Garden, and we have done several winter strategy experiments in that time. One time we laid down black plastic. That seemed to work okay, from what I remember. But I didn't like it. Plastic is definitely not going to save the world, and I do not want random toxic chemicals leaching into the dirt where I plant my food! Another time, we laid down cardboard boxes. This did not work out at all. The boxes were supposed to disintegrate over the winter in the rain... but they were still 80% intact in the spring, and our plot neighbors complained about the slug haven we created. *sighs* So this year, I've decided on a cover crop. The idea is that you plant the seeds in the fall, they grow throughout our very mild and very rainy winter, and then in the spring you fork them over about a month before you plant and they provide nutrients in the soil as they break down! I got some Berseem Clover from Territorial Seed. And we have already cleared out a small space to plant them. We are weeding as we go... a lot of grass has sprung up in the last couple of months. Stupid grass. Well. The grass I can deal with. I am happy to report that "The Bane of My Existence" -- that invasive weed that I never did identify -- has not returned in strength. There have been a couple small plants, but I murder them in cold sap as soon as I see them! |
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the "Yikes" list
fri 12 oct 2012 |
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Permalink: http://www.static8.com/journal/2012/20121012.html |
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Just behind me, I hear the screech of tires coming to a sudden stop... and a thump. I was terrified at what I would see if I turned around to look. But of course I had to turn around.
a silver mini-van was stopped in the intersection. a few minutes of this, and the friend waves me off. They move the bikes out of the way, and the cars go on their merry. The silver mini-van drives past me and I see a dent and I think "that lady got away with murder!" Yeah, that guy may have been okay? and the bike may have been okay? but my god! you're driving away two minutes after you hit someone! So wrong! Park it and examine the bike while you talk to the guy you almost killed! Exchange phone numbers! Something! Do Something! Don't just drive away! *deep breath* And the update on Toby the stray cat. D did a great job, last weekend, caring for Toby and putting the antibiotic cream on Toby's scratched up face. Monday, Toby looked great! But on tuesday, toby's face was swelling up again and wednesday, he was worse. The cut on the top of his head had closed up, and the abscess was growing again since it had nowhere to drain. So they decided to take him to the vet. On thursday morning, the abscess broke open under his jaw. This was a good thing! But it looked ugly and he went to the vet anyway. I haven't seen him since, but I'm sure he's fine. and D has promised to try to find Toby a home. |
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Vegan Month of Food
sat 13 oct 2012 | ||||
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Permalink: http://www.static8.com/journal/2012/20121013.html | ||||
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One of my favorite blogs, It's Easy Being Vegan is celebrating the october Vegan Month of Food by posting photos of everything she eats. It's quite interesting, so I decided to that today!
Always start the day with some coffee. I buy the MimicCream at VeganEssentials. It's really good, but I usually drink my coffee black with tons of sugar and some cocoa powder. That's one of my favorite coffee mugs, too. Greenhill Humane Society was a way station for Rhino the guinea pig!
A great brunch: Tater Tots, tomatoes from the garden, and some Yumm! sauce. Yumm! sauce is the best thing ever. Unless you live in the area, you can't get it easily. But that's okay...Yumm! sauce is very similar to Annie's Goddess Dressing, which you can buy at your grocery store!! I _highly_ recommend you try this out, if you haven't yet! 
A few cherry tomatoes from the garden... where the plants are dying and the wild flowers are taking over! 
And we stopped by Divine Cupcake on the way home. This is a new flavor for me, Jasmine Berry. I got it because it is beautiful. But it tasted good as well. 
And pasta for dinner, with the ever present garden tomatoes! heh. This is "flavored" rotini pasta with some crunched up whole wheat thin spaghetti thrown in. Oregon Spring tomatoes and Early Cascade tomatoes. Two sheets of ripped up nori (the seaweed they use for sushi) (I love that stuff!). And some Oil and Vinegar salad dressing by Paul Newman. The taste test happened after the photo... and it was a little too "tomato-y", so I added some green peas to sweeten it up.
And for supper? I'm not sure yet... There is leftover fried brown rice, which Significant Other made for friday dinner. It would be wonderful with tomatoes and Yumm! sauce. Or I have a bit of leftover baked tofu that I've been eating on a sandwich for lunch most of the week... This was actually the best tofu I've ever made: I sliced up the tofu block, loaded my baking tray with Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette, a bit of canola oil, and big handful of diced tomatoes (of course). After coating the tofu, I broiled it on high for 15 mins, flipped the tofu and broiled until it just started turning dark. very simple. but wow, put the results on bread, and I was looking forward to lunch time every single day! But! Supper is probably an hour or two away... I will post pics of whatever I chose to eat, later! |
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