Supreme Vegetable Oddity

Last year, Fall 2004, I was picking the last crop of carrots, Touchon a French hierloom to be exact, when I pulled this out.

At first I dropped it, thinking what did I pull out of the ground.

I thought about sending it to Letterman as an example of the world's first vegetable p*rn, but changed my mind. I have had a year to think about the implications of such a specimen and have not yet come to any conclusions.

I emailed this widely after taking the shot. Reactions were all over the map: why was it wet? why was it on a towel? did I really pull that out of my garden? Dan Champion said he would need to bathe in a tub of penicillin after looking at it.

Lemme know your reactions to such a specimen.

Resolutions

My Top Ten Resolutions for 2006

1. Start seeds on time this Spring.
2. Weed the beds.
3. Spend more time hiking with the kids.
4. Concentrate on family and friend relations.
5. Pray more rather than admire prayer.
6. Write a Rule for life.
7. Purchase chickens or a dog or both.


I'll come up with some more later.


112. Irritate Tari more.


234. Rent Andy Griffin episodes.




Last one. Don't hold back at the Kids vs. Adults Kick Ball Game at Church this Spring.

Where do they get these people?

If you click on this link you will find an article from the NYTimes on infants co-sleeping with their parents. I am in full support of co-sleeping, both of our kids slept with us and still do some times. Our kids were breastfed, it was a heck of whole lot easier to let them co-sleep with us rather than get up and nurse the child several times a night.

My dig at the NYT article is the the faces of the parents interviewed. They are too happy!! Like I said I am all for co-sleeping but no parent I know wakes up all bright-eyes, bushy-tailed and smiling after a night of a 15lb menance kicking you in the face, forcing you to sleep with a quarter of your body hanging off the edge of the bed, and frequent frights that you have rolled over and flattened the child.

The Times should have had a picture of someone like me who wakes up praying for just 15 minutes of sleep all by my lonesome, grumpy, messed up hair and a face begging for some high test coffee. Where is the accuracy in reporting NYTimes?

Time to Catch Up

It is time to catch up on the December issues of the New Yorker. I start a bunch of articles, finish a few and then leave a pile of them left unread. On top of the reading list is the article from the 05.12.05 issue on Matthew Carter designer of typefaces; such as Verdana, Georgia and Tahoma. I have always appreaciated different typefaces and fonts. I can't stand the ubiquitious Times New Roman.

I admire a book with rough cut pages, gracious feel, intelligent type and proper spacing. Perhaps that is why I like P.D. James books so much, currently reading The Murder Room. Her books always include the type and its history. I wish more theological books went to this trouble, but I dont think the publishers have that luxury.

On the topic of violins

When my grandfather was in his twenties he made a couple of violins. I always wanted to learn how to play one but never got off my tail to do it. This year I have vowed to learn how to play it. The piece, however, needed some attention. This afternoon I took it Karl Dennis' violin making studio for some needed attention. My violin should be ready in a couple of weeks. Here is a picture of Karl working in his shop.

Bee Check up

On Christmas Eve the temperature approached 50 degrees, this caused the bees to come out of the hive, use the bathroom and stretch out their wings. I'm serious about the bathroom break, they hold it until it warms up, then they go out and do their business. My sister asked if I could see their droppings - I said if 20,000 things went to the bathroom you would be able to see it regardless of size. Here is a pic. of them getting some much needed sunshine. I fed them sugar water 1:1 on this day. Last year my bees didnt make it through the winter, they froze. This year I am being more vigilant making sure they are fed and will even wrap the hive if extreme low temps approach.

Birthday Cake

The wife's birthday is the day after Christmas, I feel for her; she tells stories of family members forgetting her birthday, getting presents wrapped in xmas paper and a general feeling of let down following the preceeding day. Last year I pretty much forgot about her birthday too! This year I vowed to make it a special day. I made her favorite cake, german chocolate cake with toasted almond-coconut goo. I obtained the recipe via foodtv - many thanks to Gail Gand.

Shadows

Shadows on the church.

Suits

In seminary one professor made the statement that we were professionals and should dress like it. I took that as my call to shop for nicer clothes. My grandfather was a sharp dresser, I have his cufflinks, his pictures gave me a starting point. Due to monetary constraints and personal taste I do my shopping at Jos Bank, guess what they are having a sale. But this evening on Open Source Radio I heard Thomas Mahon! What a suit maker. I invite you to take a gander at this skilled craftsman's blog.

A New Trinity

A few weeks ago I picked up a copy of Gordon Hammersly's book, Bistro Cooking at Home. This is a gem of a cookbook and one that inspired me to give a whack at French Cooking. I loved it. My favorite course is the cheese course; served after the main course comprised of three or four different cheeses, a nice red wine, and left over crusty bread. This is now my new trinity for food: wine, cheese and bread. You wouldn't think cheese, wine and bread would make a great finishing course - but they do!