It's around 5 in the morning, but I've been awake since 4:15. I'm
playing with a new app I've installed that lets you type by sliding
your finger along a keyboard instead of pecking at it. I think it may
be a faster way to type on an iPod though it's hardly necessary if a
full-sized keyboard is available. It allows you to enter personal
names into its dictionary and suggests words you may have meant to
type in a box above the keyboard which can be selected with a touch of
the finger. I think the most limiting feature is punctuation, because
most options are on a second page. Personally, I have a thing for
semicolons and dashes; I get tired of simple sentences and want to
link them for a little variety in looks.
Sent from my iPod
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tomorrow's Garden Plans
Since I goofily bought 2x4's instead of 2x6's for my raised beds, I'm going to stack the square frames double-height using stakes inside (at the four corners) and outside (at the halfpoints) for stability. I'll end up with just 2 beds instead of 3 as I had planned and I'll have some extra "soil". But I can always add another bed next year (or even in the fall if I get a job soon); and it never hurts to have extra potting soil! I think this is the best way (least expensive anyway) to remedy my error.
So, tomorrow, one more frame to build, weed cloth to cut and lay, soil ingredients to mix, and the beds to fill.
As a reward for my labor, I will plant some seeds too: spinach, lettuce, radishes, peas, green onions, and Brussels sprouts.
I may risk transplanting my parsley seedlings, but I'm undecided. If animals eat them or frost kills them, I'll probably cry; I've become attached. I think they'd do fine with cool weather, but I'm not sure they're far enough along yet. One more leaf each? On the other hand, at this point they may grow faster and more vigorously outdoors (given more sunlight than they are currently getting on my windowsill). Can you hear the separation anxiety-- a mother with mixed feelings about parting with her babies? ;-)
I will also risk planting some pansy seeds (including a container of Johnny-Jump-Ups), but if we get particularly harsh weather, I know those seeds may be wasted, and I'll end up replanting. I think I can risk a few seeds-- I don't have much invested in them yet.
Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/95994086@N00/2469367746/
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
So, tomorrow, one more frame to build, weed cloth to cut and lay, soil ingredients to mix, and the beds to fill.
As a reward for my labor, I will plant some seeds too: spinach, lettuce, radishes, peas, green onions, and Brussels sprouts.
I may risk transplanting my parsley seedlings, but I'm undecided. If animals eat them or frost kills them, I'll probably cry; I've become attached. I think they'd do fine with cool weather, but I'm not sure they're far enough along yet. One more leaf each? On the other hand, at this point they may grow faster and more vigorously outdoors (given more sunlight than they are currently getting on my windowsill). Can you hear the separation anxiety-- a mother with mixed feelings about parting with her babies? ;-)
I will also risk planting some pansy seeds (including a container of Johnny-Jump-Ups), but if we get particularly harsh weather, I know those seeds may be wasted, and I'll end up replanting. I think I can risk a few seeds-- I don't have much invested in them yet.
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SFG Progress Report
I can't imagine anyone less suited to carpentry than I. My first square frame has been put together, but it took about 1.5 hours and is only approximately square. (It'll do-- especially considering the obstacles.)
I had to gather the supplies from the various stashing places. It turns out that I let the nice men at Lowe's sell me 2x4's instead of 2x6 lumber because my sense of measurement is deficit, and I assumed my request to them was clear. Apparently not. So, I have a supply situation to remedy-- but I have an idea brewing.
I also had to learn how to use a drill (choose a bit, change bits, reverse directions). At one point, I was absolutely stumped, not understanding why I couldn't get the screw to bite into the wood as needed. After sitting on the ground thinking and petting "our dog" (my brother's nickname for the neighbors' friendly Jack Russell), I picked up the drill again-- only to discover that I had the drill operating in the reverse direction. Can you say "clueless"? I've also managed to burn my hand on a screw that got dang hot from the friction of the drill.
Well, I'll take a lunch break, then it's at it again. Hopefully, the next two frames will come together more efficiently. However, I'm not planning to mix the "soil" today-- I think it would be wiser to tackle that tomorrow. We should still have good weather. Besides, if I'm not careful, I'm going to get a sunburn.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I had to gather the supplies from the various stashing places. It turns out that I let the nice men at Lowe's sell me 2x4's instead of 2x6 lumber because my sense of measurement is deficit, and I assumed my request to them was clear. Apparently not. So, I have a supply situation to remedy-- but I have an idea brewing.
I also had to learn how to use a drill (choose a bit, change bits, reverse directions). At one point, I was absolutely stumped, not understanding why I couldn't get the screw to bite into the wood as needed. After sitting on the ground thinking and petting "our dog" (my brother's nickname for the neighbors' friendly Jack Russell), I picked up the drill again-- only to discover that I had the drill operating in the reverse direction. Can you say "clueless"? I've also managed to burn my hand on a screw that got dang hot from the friction of the drill.
Well, I'll take a lunch break, then it's at it again. Hopefully, the next two frames will come together more efficiently. However, I'm not planning to mix the "soil" today-- I think it would be wiser to tackle that tomorrow. We should still have good weather. Besides, if I'm not careful, I'm going to get a sunburn.
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St. Patrick's Day
Had a good day yesterday. Did some errands-- checked in for 6-week unemployment review, paid vehicle tax and registration fee, and bought the last of the compost for the raised beds I plan to build today.
Celebrated St. Patrick's Day by making Martha Stewart's Irish Beef Hand Pies (okay-- not great) and watching The Quiet Man (a family tradition). The movie has some really funny and charming moments. Definitely enjoyed it!
This morning I've had my tea but need some breakfast and have a few things to attend to such as filling out & mailing my census form, loading the dishwasher, folding pajamas, etc. But AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I'm headed out to the back yard to build and fill my raised beds with the potting soil I will mix-- while enjoying the "abundant sunshine" forecast for today!!!
Image source (edited): Backgrounds app
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Celebrated St. Patrick's Day by making Martha Stewart's Irish Beef Hand Pies (okay-- not great) and watching The Quiet Man (a family tradition). The movie has some really funny and charming moments. Definitely enjoyed it!
This morning I've had my tea but need some breakfast and have a few things to attend to such as filling out & mailing my census form, loading the dishwasher, folding pajamas, etc. But AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I'm headed out to the back yard to build and fill my raised beds with the potting soil I will mix-- while enjoying the "abundant sunshine" forecast for today!!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sync Me
Today has been another of those times when I can't seem to get my rear in gear. The end of daylight savings doesn't help, and neither do the clouds; I feel like hibernating. I fought off the sluggishness yesterday, but today I caved-- watched movies and played solitaire.
The bite guard still needs work; it's helping my jaw, but it's making my molars hurt. Had to take one dose of Tylenol already today, with probably another in store at bedtime.
Craving SUNLIGHT-- strong, blinding, and hot. A beach sounds ideal, but alas, this is land-locked Kentucky. Got a vacation planned but it's a ways off.
I do have one chive stem making an appearance and my thyme is growing. I'll have to research thyme to learn more about its growth habits, because I'd swear I only planted 3-5 seeds, but I have tons of little leaves popping up. How does that work? Well, it's a good thing anyhow; I like to pet the thyme so that it's fragrance coats my hands.
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The bite guard still needs work; it's helping my jaw, but it's making my molars hurt. Had to take one dose of Tylenol already today, with probably another in store at bedtime.
Craving SUNLIGHT-- strong, blinding, and hot. A beach sounds ideal, but alas, this is land-locked Kentucky. Got a vacation planned but it's a ways off.
I do have one chive stem making an appearance and my thyme is growing. I'll have to research thyme to learn more about its growth habits, because I'd swear I only planted 3-5 seeds, but I have tons of little leaves popping up. How does that work? Well, it's a good thing anyhow; I like to pet the thyme so that it's fragrance coats my hands.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Art Exhibit Video
Someone at my brother's church made a video that scrapbooks their art exhibit from start to finish with a few credits at the end. My brother is the first "angel". The band you hear toward the end is The Welcome Wagon and the song is "But for you who fear my name"-- love it!
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Chariots of Fire
I'd never seen this movie though I remember all the attention it drew when it was released. When I watched it last night, I expected it to be fantastic but thought it was only good. I would watch it again at some future time but don't feel the need to own it.
I couldn't identify with either of the main characters much.
I appreciate Eric Liddell's sticking to his principles, but in my view Saturday is the Sabbath and Sunday is the Lord's Day. His heart was to honor the Lord, but I don't share his beliefs about the holiness of a particular day or about not engaging in certain activities on particular days. I think Christians have greater liberty than that. But in his time and from his culture his views were understandable.
With similar intensity Harold Abrahams felt he had something to prove to the world. Personally, I think that is a battle no one can win. Better to stand confident in what you know to be true and be satisfied with that-- the world at large is too stubborn and bent on its own course to convince or turn. (Not that people can't influence each other, just that such a gargantuan battle is futile.)
The character I liked best was Lord Andrew Lindsay's (who is fictional, based quite loosely on an actual person). He advanced his friends' interests without needing or particularly gaining the world's acclaim. He persuaded Abrahams' girlfriend to stand by him, giving her insight into the character of the man she loved. Then he gave his place in the race to Liddell, understanding and supporting him. In the Bible, we have the example of Barnabas whose name means "one who encourages"-- in this movie, Lindsay seems somewhat like that; for him it wasn't so much about what he could achieve, but what he could assist others to achieve. To me that is selfless, and I admire that trait more than dogged determination or the will to win.
I also enjoyed Ian Holm's performance in the movie. He reminds me of a patron at the library in looks and personality-- knowledgable and a bit of a scalawag.
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I couldn't identify with either of the main characters much.
I appreciate Eric Liddell's sticking to his principles, but in my view Saturday is the Sabbath and Sunday is the Lord's Day. His heart was to honor the Lord, but I don't share his beliefs about the holiness of a particular day or about not engaging in certain activities on particular days. I think Christians have greater liberty than that. But in his time and from his culture his views were understandable.
With similar intensity Harold Abrahams felt he had something to prove to the world. Personally, I think that is a battle no one can win. Better to stand confident in what you know to be true and be satisfied with that-- the world at large is too stubborn and bent on its own course to convince or turn. (Not that people can't influence each other, just that such a gargantuan battle is futile.)
The character I liked best was Lord Andrew Lindsay's (who is fictional, based quite loosely on an actual person). He advanced his friends' interests without needing or particularly gaining the world's acclaim. He persuaded Abrahams' girlfriend to stand by him, giving her insight into the character of the man she loved. Then he gave his place in the race to Liddell, understanding and supporting him. In the Bible, we have the example of Barnabas whose name means "one who encourages"-- in this movie, Lindsay seems somewhat like that; for him it wasn't so much about what he could achieve, but what he could assist others to achieve. To me that is selfless, and I admire that trait more than dogged determination or the will to win.
I also enjoyed Ian Holm's performance in the movie. He reminds me of a patron at the library in looks and personality-- knowledgable and a bit of a scalawag.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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