Saturday, May 26, 2007

"But no one digs like the mighty worm..." - Ralph's World, in "The Mighty Worm"

After I dealt with the overdue fines on the children’s books (they charge fines for books from another district library, but not your home library); returned the books I could find; got a list of the ones we can’t (down to four, now); and resolved the $35-replacement-fee for a $12-book (I am personally ordering a replacement copy for $12 + $3 shipping, and they will accept that as long as it is EXACTLY THE SAME – um, ever heard of this crazy little thing known as an ISBN?), I made Primo lurk in the stacks while I speed-perused the organic gardening books. (He entertained himself by teaching himself about the LC call numbers, with a little instruction from me. I was so proud.)

I emerged from the library with the following books:

The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune, and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden - William Alexander. I fear I am coming on with the fervor of the newly-converted zealot. This book might just put me back in my place.

Portrait of a Burger as a Young Calf: The Story of One Man, Two Cows, and the Feeding of a Nation - Peter Lovenheim. I read Fast Food Nation; it scared the bejesus out of me. I read Ruth Ozeki’s My Year of Meats; also terrifying. So why not go for three? Besides, how do you resist the title?

The Urban/Suburban Composter - Mark Cullen & Lorraine Johnson. I am happy enough contributing to my neighbor’s compost bin; but there’s still stuff I don’t know what to do with. I am hoping this book will provide some answers. (And I have been doing research into the dog waste issue. This concerns me even more than the disposable diapers, as at some point Terzo WILL be potty-trained, but I don’t anticipate Punto ever figuring it out.)

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Chicken of the post: Australorp.
Great layer (avg 5/wk); docile, and pretty, too!
Cluck cluck cluck, cheep, cheep...


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In other, non-gardening, non-chicken-related news, I decided against running this and registered for this, instead. I need longer than a few months to get ready for a half, and my crotchety knees have already begun protesting.
But on the upside, I managed to run two-and-a-half miles this morning without stopping. Well, I PLOD, but I didn’t STOP plodding, is the point.
My brain loves its endorphin bath.

8 comments:

Sarah Louise said...

Ah yes, the processing fees for lost books can add up...

The Great Race...kewl!

Like the chicken. I've heard good things about the $46 Tomato.

Primo is learning about LC? Gah! You know, at this rate, he'll graduate from Harvard at 12 and be the next Doogie Houser, MD. I'm just saying...

Velma said...

Considering that I haven't been on my treadmill for almost two months, I'm quite impressed with 2.5 miles of non-stop plodding.

However? The chicken thing? You are starting to scare me.

nutmeg said...

I'm sure at least two people have told me the Australorp is a very hardy hen and lays prodigously!

Iamthebookworm said...

The tomato book has been on my "to read" list, but I have not gotten around to it. Is it any good?

Lisa Jean said...

The $64 Tomato cracked me up. It will definatly get you to start small.

Caro said...

Two people for thirty bucks?

I'd plod with you if I could.

Anonymous said...

In defense of selective recycling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oloM_dSoW4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvfQ0iffj40

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnoj9MPpi54

chickenhutchman said...

As a longtime chicken farmer I'm on your side. Go for it, you won't be disappointed.