Friday, March 29, 2013
What I'm Watching #299
Received this CD as a premium for my sustaining membership to National Public Radio. I support two stations: WAMU in Washington, DC and WNYC in New York City (Home to Radiolab, one of the best shows on the Radio!) to the annual tune of $624.00 If you listen to NPR where you live and don't contribute, shame on you! But I digress. This CD is of a live show that they did on stage and that was broadcast into theaters around the world at the time. So more than just just stories, and music (OK GO and Taylor Dayne), there are cartoons, photographs, dance--and when Longtime contributor, David Sedaris, is the weakest thing in the show? Well, Hon, that's a Homerun! Exactly what this show is. I think you can only get it if you contribute to an NPR station, so what are you waiting for?
Another Surprise In The Mail
A lovely postcard with a note and a book of poetry from a friend. Life is good.
New Stoop
Something happened yesterday that was a pleasant surprise. In the replacing of the curbs, the city is also taking great care to replace landings to walkways that lead up to front doors. Whatever you have they are faithfully returning. I had a street stoop that was made of ornamental concrete pavers (cheap ones), because it was easy for me to assemble and the cement portion of my front steps and walkway stopped before reaching the curb. A couple of days ago the city engineer stopped by to assure me that they would return pavers as best they could, and I thanked him. But low and behold this morning they had a change of heart and gave me a concrete slab! Nice.
This has freed up the pavers for other uses like a little lip under the new gate on the garage side of my fence, and even enough to create a platform for my recycling bin and garbage can to sit on! Waste not and want not, eh?
So while I was out moving the pavers, a young black man came walking up the street and engaged my attention. He had a distinctive accent and so I learned that he was new to the United States from the Cameroon. It seems his car over heated, and he was in need of water for the radiator. No problem. I got him a plastic pitcher and helped him to fill it a couple of times--his car was pulled over on the next block. Each time he returned he was so grateful. How humbling, to be thanked repeatedly and sincerely over something as simple as a little water...
This has freed up the pavers for other uses like a little lip under the new gate on the garage side of my fence, and even enough to create a platform for my recycling bin and garbage can to sit on! Waste not and want not, eh?
So while I was out moving the pavers, a young black man came walking up the street and engaged my attention. He had a distinctive accent and so I learned that he was new to the United States from the Cameroon. It seems his car over heated, and he was in need of water for the radiator. No problem. I got him a plastic pitcher and helped him to fill it a couple of times--his car was pulled over on the next block. Each time he returned he was so grateful. How humbling, to be thanked repeatedly and sincerely over something as simple as a little water...
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
March Surprise
Four images from yesterday's snow fall. Most snow we've received all season, and it's gone now.
Kitchen Renovation Up-Date
The drywall has been finished and primed, now I am painting it so that the floor can go in as early as Wednesday.
Two New Bushes
The addition of the fence has reconfigured some of the possibilities in the backyard and have given me two new places just screaming for something special and showy. My choices? A Camellia: Japanese Fantasy #3, and A Lilac, The Beauty of Moscow.
Global Gardening
I bought some of my seeds via Wayfair.com and for $7.00 US I purchased 5 varieties of seed from the company and paid using Paypal. Imagine my surprise when they arrived a week later in this envelop from China!
Puitting In Some Seeds
Time to start the planting. These have all been started in a plastic seed starter kit for later transplant to my gardens.
BLUE HONEYWORT, Cerinthe purpurascens
BURNING BUSH, Kochia scoparia
CHINESE LANTERN, Physalis alkekengi
SWEAT PEA, Lathyrus odoratus v Black Knight
SWEAT PEA, Lathyrus odoratus v Azureus Electric Blue
BLUE HONEYWORT, Cerinthe purpurascens
BURNING BUSH, Kochia scoparia
CHINESE LANTERN, Physalis alkekengi
SWEAT PEA, Lathyrus odoratus v Black Knight
SWEAT PEA, Lathyrus odoratus v Azureus Electric Blue
