Almelina

Back from NYC

2009-10-15T16:35:53Z

Wow. Legs still sore from walking, walking, walking. Still not hungry from eating, eating, eating. But, it was a great trip. I left altogether too many items on my "see next time" list. But, that cannot be helped. Perhaps the most surprising "pass ups" were the art museums, but I wanted to see the AMNH, and the golden orb spider silk tapestry took top listing for me. I'm also a great, life-long fan of meteorites, gems, and minerals. Too bad, artists--maybe next time. Did the Central Park Zoo to see the Snow Leopards and was also enchanted by the monkeys and the penguins.

Bottled Water

2009-10-06T15:23:20Z

OK. I know it is a no-no environmentally and I don't buy it for home; I do, however, drink the bottled water delivered to work.

Recently, Aquafina, in a show of environmentalism, redesigned their bottle with 50% less plastic. However, they have still not worked out personal environmental issues. Opening these fine, new, thin plastic bottles is virtually guaranteed to baptize you with purified water. Lots. Don't open a bottle near keyboard or so clothes, rugs, and furnishings can get wet.

Better yet, don't buy or use bottled water. It is the latter option that is "fail" for me at work.

Don't like the bottle either? Let Aquafina know; they are owned by Pepsi Cola (Pepsico, Inc.)

Olympic Madness

2009-10-03T15:04:25Z

No, this post is not about who got the 2016 games, it is, instead, a plea to come to our collective Olympic senses.

The hosting costs are out of reason. Yet countries want to host; some who get the games will require decades to pay off the cost (Montreal - 3 decades) and some may never be able to pay off the cost. Further, it is unclear what the long-term financial success of having hosted the games might be.

And, the costs spiral upward.

So, create Olympic centers on different continents. We can spread the Artic and Antarctic to other locals--unless they are "hot" to host the winter games. With summer and winter games, there would be at least 10 permanent sites.

Yes, it would be a political nightmare to select--but it might actually save the games, if anyone cares.

House and Thoughts

2009-10-02T18:20:27Z

As some of you may know, we live in a 1950s rancher. As such, it is designed for the "necessities of life" as defined by the 50s. Small closets and unlovable bathrooms are probably its worst features. But, there will never be walk-in closets and the bathrooms will not grow into luxurious spas. Rather than complaining, I've decided to rethink what I can do. Specifically, my closet.

Ever since childhood, I've been a clothes-horse--at least on the mini-scale of collecting. But, it is time to rework my wardrobe and its cloth-sprawl. I think I can do this, though for time reasons, it may not get done till the second week of December. I *know* I have too many clothes. In doing some sorting, I found two identical sweaters (I shop the thrifts)--one will be re-donated. I've already sorted my everyday shoes; if they hurt feet, out they go.

But, taking a new approach to a closet means reviewing my philosophy as well. Am I being un-American by changing from "Buy, buy, buy?" or "Spend, spend, spend!" Will the whole economy go downhill if this attitude takes fire?

So, sorry HGTV. Walk-in closets, granite counter tops, and stainless appliances are passe. We don't need to remodel our bathrooms and kitchens every 5 years.

Boycott Palo Alto

2009-09-22T19:00:19Z

I've about "had it" with the city to the south of where I live. Not only is it "business unfriendly" but now it has taken a turn at being people unfriendly. I'm, of course, referring to the clear-cutting of the holly oaks on California Avenue. What we get (or got) is "Replacing street trees with maple trees for a uniform tree canopy that will provide seasonal interest and color". Uhm, maples are deciduous. I really prefer some trees that are evergreen, like the holly oak.

Perhaps, you'd like to read what the city has in mind for California Street:

http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=1394&TargetID=268

Note that they are reducing the lanes. Why? We do need cars to get to shopping areas. If it becomes too difficult, we go elsewhere to shop. Like I'm going to do!

Captain Jack

2009-09-02T15:23:31Z

Our new kitten is being introduced to the house slowly. His private retreat is still Rick and Deirdre's bathroom, but I've been taking him out for some monitored exploration. First to my bedroom (making sure the closet door was closed!) to orient him to a safe place to be. When he got down off the bed, he immediately found the small bureau to hide under. Later, in the evening, I took him into the den, where he got a chance to be petted by Deirdre and to see Scruffy. So far, ok, but the little guy is quite easily traumatized.

Fantasy Genome Project

2009-09-02T15:06:57Z

OK. I'm a genome junkie. It's mostly just intense curiosity on my part and every day, when new "goodies" are posted from research, I gobble it up. Now Olivia Judson has posted the Fantasy Genome Project. What would you like to have the entire genome sequenced? Her choice is African coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, and she goes on to defend her selection, http://judson.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/the-fantasy-genome-project/. My choice, is the duck billed platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, but my reasoning is not like Judson's: I just think the mammal is so odd, I'd like to know more about it.

A first peak at Captain Jack

2009-08-31T03:55:41Z

http://www.flickr.com/photos/almelina/3873472754/

Watch out for Intelius!

2009-08-19T14:52:49Z

I did order some info from Intelius online, but I did *NOT* sign up for their Identity Protection. So, today, checking banking, I find a charge pending. I call my bank and they evidently have enough queries that they have the merchant's phone number ready. I call Intelius and am put on hold--then disconnected--for about 15 minutes; call another number and cannot get through. I *think* I've canceled the service online, but will need to see. If they put through the billing, then I can challenge it with my bank.

I'm pretty wary online. I did NOT sign up for this service but do recall that their Web site is a mess when it comes to clarity. I think they are less than honorable. Watch out!

Roller Coaster Ride to Remember

2009-08-10T23:47:58Z

Uhm... it's the people stuck on the InVertigo at Great America in Santa Clara. 24 of them stuck 30 to 70 or so feet off the ground. Happened at about 1:30 pm, a ladder with a large basket at the top is on the scene. It can reach up 110 feet. Still, it is now nearly 5 and no news that all are down. Luckily, no one was stuck in an inverted position.

Some thoughts on gemstones and beads

2009-07-14T17:12:41Z

Last February at an estate sale, I purchased some beads (glass, metal, gemstone) and discovered I loved beading. From an early age, I was also a "rockhound" and this old passion fit into my love of creating necklaces. Since then, I've purchased glass, crystal, metal, and gemstone beads to create more necklaces. However, I was not prepared for my reaction to a Bead and Gem Show earlier this year and again this last weekend. Table upon table of rocks and gemstones. Piled high!

I began to think, "What are people doing to the earth?" and "Where is all of this mining taking place?" I still don't have answers, but am near not purchasing gemstones any more, unless I have some answers on how the mining and faceting is done. I do not feel the same qualms about glass and crystal (leaded glass) beads, but know little about the creation of glass beads--I simply assume that the process is less destructive than mining.

Meanwhile, I'm going to try and get more information on these processes: mining, faceting, and glass making. And, I'm going to incorporate more "fair trade" items from women's groups.

Happy B'Day

2009-07-09T14:18:04Z

To daughter! Enjoy LV.

Thyroid and Lymphedema

2009-06-04T17:34:12Z

I've had lymphedema for over 20 years. Left arm hard as a rock and pitting when touched (you press and finger indentations remain). After daughter's study and problems with borderline thyroid, I began to go over the list of my (modest) complaints and noted they all correlated with thyroid (mine are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, inability to lose weight). I recalled that when I was on thyroid medication for several years, I did not have these problems, but was, of course, a lot younger. With some trepidation, I decided to try daughter's ordered-online thyroid in low dosage (split pill). It's only been a few days since I started taking it but, yesterday, I noted something amazing: my left arm was no longer hard as a rock. Wow. Will it last? I don't know, but I do know that this is the first time since 1986 that it has not been hard. Today, no pitting!

So, is the thyroid medication beginning to reverse the cellular mess in my arm? It would seem so.

Fledging Baby Bewicks

2009-05-16T20:03:07Z

This morning we were rewarded as little birds climbed out of their nest on the wicker porch chair for maiden flights. Wow. Don't see that often. [By the way, in Texas Bewick is called Buick, so now we're referring to them as our V8s.

Wren Update

2009-05-11T16:40:53Z

I don't know how long little birds (Bewick's Wren) stay in nest. They are safe there--or relatively so. We've blocked off some access on porch so they are not disturbed by us forgetting they are there. Two birds--mom and dad (probably)-- are now feeding them in a "round robin" style.

Weekend Movies

2009-05-11T16:37:58Z

I usually have too much inertia to go to movies--which is sad, as I really enjoy most. This weekend, I broke a long-standing record by going to two: Star Trek and Little Ashes. Both excellent in their own ways. I love the new "young" Trek cast. Little Ashes was harder to watch, as I'm not a Dali fan; however, Pattinson does a credible Dali. Lorca is by far the more sympathetic character and Javier Béltran's portrayal is excellent.

Bewick's Wren

2009-05-06T00:22:50Z

Has built a lovely little nest in Rick's white wicker chair. She found the chair and a good (to her) nesting spot in it, as it had a big box blocking off most of the seat. I noted the apparent nesting behavior while Rick was in the hospital, but did not pursue hunting for nest. Today, Rick helped me and we spotted the nest with adorable little birds. Quickly, we put the box back and just as quickly, mom returned. Whew. We did not commit ornithicide.

Garden - Veggies Planted

2009-04-14T02:36:46Z

Finished planting the bags of potatoes on Saturday. We have All Blue, All Red, Austrian Crescent, La Ratte, Russet, Red Gold, Purple Viking, Kerr's Pink, and Yukon Gold.

Also planted out - as opposed to "in greenhouse" were several varieties of tomatoes. Not as many as last year; everything got too crowded. One Japanese eggplant and some radish seeds. From peat pots to proper planting in greenhouse were several sweet peppers, cilantro, stevia, and catnip. Can't forget the "three legged one."

Greenery Up

2009-04-09T14:41:40Z

This season, I've resolved to grow more food than just tomatoes. Potatoes, garlic, and onions are three we all use a lot. Late fall, I planted two raised beds of exotic garlic. Exotic garlic? Take a look at these offerings by Seed Savers (http://www.seedsavers.org/Items.aspx?hierId=89). The garlic has been up and growing for some time now and looks good. For onions, I bought a set of yellow onion and have a bed of them. Next, potatoes. I knew I would not dig them, so what to do? I've settled on two choices: wire with black plastic and Smart Pots (http://www.smartpots.com/).

We do have tomatoes - mostly cherry and Roma types. Also we have zucchini, Armenian cucumber, cantaloupe, minutina, scorzonera, green lake beans, peppers (hot and bell), and this weekend I'm going to plant okra.

For seasonings we have basil (I hope; it usually dies.), rosemary, oregano, stevia, and various mints. For catly, we have catnip and cat grass.

Veggies for all!

Cedar Waxwing

2009-03-28T19:23:17Z

These are one of my favorite birds. Usually, I'm only able to view them in flocks as they eat berries on shrubs and trees. So, I was very surprised--and disheartened--to find a newly-dead cedar waxwing on the back stairs.

What I was able to do was pick him up and admire the beautiful feathers and crest. The brown feathers are elegant and on one wing, I could see the crimson feather that is another of its adornments. The tail feathers were finished off with lovely lemon-yellow tips.

Beautiful, beautiful bird.

Haplogroup H2a1

2008-11-11T21:31:47Z

Ok, I'm a genetics junkie. Some years ago, I had Sykes' group in England do my mtDNA and found I was part of the Helena, or H, haplogroup. Now, I've the results from 23andme.com and am a H2a1 group member. The H group is, I believe, the standard CRS for DNA (you do have to start somewhere, then sort out the differences) and I have a difference on 16354 where the Reference is a C, but I have a T. That one difference creates the H2a1 group - who sorta' wandered around Europe and Near East.

Diamonds from Tequila

2008-11-07T12:45:06Z

Nope. Kid you not. Read the summary:

http://www.physorg.com/news145255770.html

Not political

2008-11-04T04:37:57Z

Early Christmas Present

2008-10-19T15:06:34Z

Or maybe it's an early birthday present? Our TV had fuzzy lettering upon start up. Once warmed, it improved, but as old as it was (8+ years), it was not going to last too much longer. So yesterday, we went shopping. The deals offered were so good that I bought a Sony on the spot. Not a huge one, but a *huge* improvement. I also got a Blu-ray player and Rick and Deirdre set the equipment up. Today, I plan on watching at least one scenery-eater.

OK. If we don't spend just a little, the economy will tank. This is my spending of my "economic stimulus check".

Joys of Auctions

2008-10-15T20:43:18Z

Other than being a "cheap but great" junkie, I love auctions for their ability to expand horizons. "Who collects *that*?" Then, I'd find that quite a few people do (bottle cap openers). Why is no one bidding on that? Oh, they don't know what it is (Moroccan cake dish requiring two people to carry). I can plead not guilty to the first and guilty to the second.

Then there are the things you can get cheap: extra silver, Oriental rugs, and CDs. The latter has become my current passion, as I've won 4 lots of Classical CDs -- about 700 albums. In ripping them for my iPod, I've found a lot of composers and performers to add to my list of favorites.

My latest "buy" included about 78 operas. Of course, there are 5 of Elektra and 3 of Salome, but a lot of lesser known, like the one playing at present, Florencia En El Amazonas.