Help Cameron get his degree:
Monthly Archive for June, 2005
Page 2 of 3
In the spring in Arizona, we start seeing packages of lady bugs at the nurseries. I always think about buying some, but I never do because I figure they will all fly away before they lay their eggs and my expenditure will be for naught.
As I was reading blogs today, I ran across Liz’s trip to a winery. They sprayed the lady bugs with sugar water and then the plants with sugar water, and apparently the lady bugs are attracted to the sugar water. Pretty neat.
I did some research on the net, so take it with a grain of salt (or sugar, if you want to be punny), but it appears to work. A couple of different universities have done some research on the matter. Who knew. I’ll have to try it.
Sugar is Crack. I know because I haven’t eaten any in almost a week. It is the one thing of all the things that I can’t eat right now, that I really miss. I’m dealing with not eating dairy, I don’t really miss it all that much. I’m not dreaming about french bread or other yeasty, wheat-y products; I’m dreaming about SUGAR.
Have you seen the movie Chocolat? Do you remember the part where Alfred Molina’s character breaks down and breaks into the display at the Chocolaterie? They find him in the window the next morning, rolling about in the display with chocolate all over his face. That will be me. I am a sugar addict.
I’m thinking so much about sugar that I am devising recipies in my head that will allow me to taste sugar without actually having any. The problem is, that I can’t eat refined sugar or anything related to it. I can eat fruit, though, so I’ve come up with an idea for wheat-free cookies made with fruit juice, applesauce, and perhaps some fruit preserves (with no added sugar, of course).
I probably just need to find some fruit juice that is organic and doesn’t have any sugar in it. That would probably help. But I want SUGAR!
I have to rant for a moment on the use of the word “at”.
“At” is a preposition. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “at” is appropriately used primarily (though not exclusively) as a function word to indicate a relationship of one thing to another.
“At” does not belong at the end of a sentence (Prepositions never do, as far as I know) . “Where are you at?” does not make any logical sense. The “at” at the end of that sentence is completely irrelevant. You have already asked “Where are you?”, which is completely sufficient to determine where the potential respondent is located.
“At” is appropriately used to respond to the question “Where are you?”. I am:
…at the bus-stop.
… at work.
… at the movie theatre.
… at the end of the street.
There are other uses of “at”, but I am too lazy at the moment to go into the complete discussion.
Before anyone comments about my grammar, I *know* I am not perfect when it comes to grammar, but I *try* to use it properly. It just irks me when we Americans use extraneous words just to make ourselves sounds smart – making ourselves sound dumber in the process.
And there you have my rant for the day.
I got RAOKed on Friday:
The lovely Aileen sent me some Classic Elite ‘Flash’ in the Lotus Blossom colorway. It’s beautiful (The picture is kind of sucky, but it’s night so I had to use the flash.)! I love the card too, it’s so cute and flowery. I have it above my computer to remind me to have a nice day. ;D
Thank you so much, Aileen!
Not so much…
I found out on Wednesday that I had to go on a no dairy, no wheat, no corn, no sugar, no yeast diet. My doctor and I are trying to figure out what is causing some of my allergies. She thinks that some of my problems may be related to what I am eating. I was pretty upset about having to give up cheese, bread, and ice cream, but at this point, I will do anything not to have to take drugs for the rest of my life. Please God, let me not be allergic to dairy!
My secret pal sent me a meme last week. Sorry, pal-ly for not getting to this sooner.
1. Total number of books I own?
Um… that’s a really good question. Based on what is currently on the shelves in the den, I’m going to guess about 500.
2. The last book I bought?
It was either the Time Traveler’s Wife or The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. I can’t remember.
3. The last book I read?
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. I’m just about done with the 2nd book in that series.
4. Five books that mean a lot to me?
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. The first book that I could read by myself. I found a copy in my dad’s things when I had to go through them. I kept it.
Mother Tounge by Bill Bryson. I nicked it from my dad. I gave it back when I was done, though.
The Marble Cake Cat. Another kid’s book… It is about a cat who is marble-ly colored and is sad because he looks different from everyone in his family. And then he discovers how much he is loved and how is being different makes him that much more special to everyone. I related to it as a kid… I guess I still kind of do.
The Kite Runner. I know, I know, everyone is reading this now. It was tragic, beautiful, ugly, and wonderful, all at the same time. I cried the entire time I was reading it. My mom gave it to me for Christmas last year and I read it (and cried) on the plane back to Arizona. She said it is one of the best books that she has ever read. (That’s saying a lot since my mom edits books for a living.)
The Joy of Cooking. I love to cook, and this is the book I remember most from my childhood. Perhaps not the ultimate book, but I have several standards that I remember making out of the Joy, including quiche.
5. Tag five people and have them fill this out in their blogs.
Kim C., Pam, Nancy, Kim D., and Melanie.
Have fun!
Kelli is going to Mozambique and would like to bring knitted items to the children of an orphanage for children with AIDS, where she will be working. If you would like to help, go here for more information.
I bought weird plants.
I didn’t actually buy this one, but I haven’t yet taken pictures of what I did buy. It’s cool though, dontcha think? Of course, now I’m kicking myself for not buying it. Grrrr!
I knit(ted?) in public.
Pam has the details on our exploits. I chatted with Tawny and her daughters for most of the knitting part. A group of us went to NYPD afterward. I still have about 3/4 of a spinach calzone left. Hmmmm… dinnner?
