Lilacs

Just a quick post to state how happy I am that the lilacs are blooming! This lilac bush was planted last year (it was a mother's day gift) and I'm surprised at how well it is doing. We built this plant its own small stone wall container.

Earthquake and Mask

I used to make masks. This is one of them with the stones and miscellaneous junk that keeps it company. The phone camera isn't the best but worked alright here, I guess.

The earthquake that hit this morning was sort of an exciting way to start the day. I'm working at home today because I didn't get back from the kitchen and Bloomington Expo stuff till ten last night. The Food Works booth was a fun thing to do, but it was a rather labor intensive day complicated by the FW van breaking down, etc. I have blisters on the top of my feet, of all places. Just from all the standing and walking, I guess. Had two great volunteers, Jessica (who works with CDD) and Jenna.

Anyway, I've rambled again. At 10:13 stuff fell out of one of my cabinets....I guess we had an aftershock. Then at 11:15 there was another very mild tremor.

Dick Cheney and Condoleezza Rice 'authorised waterboarding torture of Al Qaeda prisoners' | the Daily Mail

Dick Cheney and Condoleezza Rice 'authorised waterboarding torture of Al Qaeda prisoners' | the Daily Mail

This link leads you to an ACLU page to send a message to congress.

The White House was directly implicated for the first time last Friday night in the decision to torture Al Qaeda prisoners.

In addition to what the Aprill 11th article linked here explains about Cheney and Condoleezza's involvement in torture decisions, people need to be aware that on Friday night, in a national television interview, President Bush directly admitted that the White House was deeply and intimately involved in decisions about the CIA’s use of torture.

For the first time, George W. Bush acknowledged that he knew his top national security advisers discussed and approved specific details of the CIA’s use of torture. “I’m aware that our national security team met on this issue and I approved,” he said. He also defended the use of waterboarding -- simulated drowning where the victim feels like they are about to die.

How do we explain to future generations that we allowed these "family value" people to establish top-down torture policies and subvert the constitution?

Knots

Anthropomorphic figures.
These are stripped knots of an ash tree. Mark has been collecting knots from the deadwood he cuts for firewood. He said the ash knots stripped their bark easily. These knots demanded to be photographed, so I did.

The Underdcover Economist

I have been reading The Undercover Economist off and on for a while now, and have found it to be an enjoyable way to learn more about how the economy works. Tim Harford's book has whetted my appetite for more. Freakonomics is probably next.

Peas n' a Pot

Burpee's has introduced a pea perfect for container gardening. According to this article the new variety "Peas n’-a-Pot" grows to only ten inches tall and can be planted in an 8" pot. I will be tempted to try it. We don't have that many sunny spots and it would be fun to put these right outside our door.

My friend Charlene

Charlene is a cow skull that lives at the side of my house. I like to take different pictures of her.

Back again.

I'm back. Big deal, I know.

I have finally decided to put some time in on this page. As it says at the top, this page will reflect my garden and book interests with a lot of stuff in between. I'm rather scattered in my interests. My job takes so much of my time, that I feel stretched. I want to be fair to my family and give them time also.

I'm still managing Food Works for Middle Way House. Middle Way House is a domestic violence shelter and Food Works is a catering business they own. This page is in some ways a vacation from that reality, but Middle Way is a wonderful organization and this page will reflect some of my concerns in the areas of feminism, politics, domestic violence, etc. often times through the links I provide at the side of the page. Check out the domestic violence news links and the Feminist daily news.

I've been writing haiku a bit lately....when I'm brave enough I may post some. Enjoy the contributions from others.

Peace and Love to all.