crazy

Today I am a serial killer.

I quit counting at 13. Absolute insanity.

But on a happier note, 2 of our hens began laying very small eggs this weekend...just not in the hen house. 

perceptions

Three ladies from the gym took a trip to England back in May. This morning I actually had a chance to ask them what they liked and saw. One of their reactions was similar to my Mother's when we toured Montgomery: excessive waste.

I guess for some reason I expect governments to have large opulent buildings. It seems everywhere I've been they do: China, Ivory Coast, DC, Raleigh. Granted, some are more extravagant than others, but it seems the capitol and government buildings are always well crafted and ornate. My mother was mortified. Why are we wasting so much tax payer money on huge buildings when smaller ones would suffice? Why does the old capitol not used any more? And if we truly did outgrow, then why not use the empty spaces for offices or classrooms instead of building more schools? (At that one I could hear historians gasping and clutching their hearts.) I understand where she's coming from, but there's a small part of them that appreciates the fact we can have something nice to represent us.

Evidently, in London there is a Victorian Museum that showcases many of the royalty jewels. The ladies reaction was very similar to my Mother's. Why do they need so many diamonds and jewels? Wouldn't one or two tiara's suffice? Just how much jewelry and wealth does the royal family truly need? Don't they realize there are hungry people in their country?

Sell all you have and give to the poor.  It was a command Christ gave to a seeker. Honestly and realistically, I'm not sure I could do it. I enjoy sharing much of what I have, but there are also times selfishness is not a problem for me. Why should I share with someone who doesn't work and forfeit a vacation?  I watch people who are asking for handouts and assistance taking trips they can't afford and buying things they don't really need. And it makes me wonder, where some of those jewels or opulence of governmental leaders gifts from people? I wouldn't normally get rid of a gift someone gave me. Even if they sold the jewels or buildings and bought food or housing for the poor, how long would it be before the ones the benefacted be right back in the exact some spot? Or decided what they had been given or loaned, suddenly wasn't good enough for them?

I don't think I could live an excessively extravagant lifestyle (many people think I do because we eat out once a week and have a big house for 2 people). But I also struggle with knowing how much to share with the poor, and where the line is between enabling and helping.  I remember clearly what it was like to get up at 5am to get ready for work in the school cafeteria, rush to class, then rush to be a nanny, then rush to Taco Bell to work another 3 hours, then study until midnight. Those were hard days I don't want to repeat again. I remember watching the girls who didn't have to work goofing off in the library or student center, and wondering what it would be like. I agree with Louisa Mae Alcott, that the poor are always with us, and just as Christ wasn't opposed to expensive perfume being poured on him, sometimes I think it's okay to splurge a little. Sometimes.

all things outside

In honor of today's three-digit forecast and air-conditioning (where I'll be), today's post is about the great outdoors. 

First up: the incredible effects of wasp spray:

 This picture doesn't quite do it justice, but the spray ate/dissolved 1/2 the depth of the nest, including the white cells.

Second: Arborvitae

 The above picture is of a healthy, dwarf arborvitae.

 It wasn't supposed to get over 5' tall. I'm 5'2.5"  I think somebody in the labeling department goofed.

And this picture is an unhealthy, dwarf arborvitae.

 

 A year or two ago we noticed these little pine cone thingies on the tree. I thought perhaps the tree had finally matured from the little funny looking ball seeds to miniature pine cones.

 I was wrong. Turns out these are bagworms. They build the bag out of the material they eat and silk they spin. Even while eating, they stay in their bags (as you can see in the above picture). During the winter they hibernate with their eggs. The females stay in place. The males become moths and fly to the females, mate, then die a few days later. One bag can hold a huge amount of eggs. So now we know why we had so many moths this spring. And while we can hopefully save the arborvitae next to it, I fear this one is too far gone. I spent two hours spraying 1/6 of the tree yesterday, but I fear it won't make a difference. Reference articles on line recommends to simply pull them off one at a time during the summer season, but there are simply too many to that. The more I learn about outdoor plants, the more I realize the seriousness of diseases and predators.

And last: speaking of predators, stray dogs. Someone put out a starving dog Sunday afternoon. Our chickens were out and he never bothered them. Bobby was all for trying to lock him up with food and keep him. Yesterday I heard the most awful racket, and discovered the dog going after one of the buffs. I managed to the run the dog off and the bird got away, but judging by the pile of feathers I wasn't optimistic about finding her in good shape. I did a quick scan of the yard and discovered all the feathers for one of our "babies" and all the other birds either camping out on the back porch or hiding under the ramp. On my second trip around the house, I found the terrified bird in hiding. Other than having all her rump feathers pulled out, she appears to be okay, and even joined the rest of the birds later. (I was afraid for that to happen due to hen's pecking problems, but she seems to be okay.)  Animal control came out last night but were unable to find the dog, though we saw him later that evening. They're supposed to come back again today with a cage trap. Meanwhile, no more free-ranging for the Bryan birds, and they are NOT happy about it. I know the dog was just hungry, but we can't have a dog around that will kill our birds.

And speaking of birds, maybe one day this week I can introduce you to our newest addition.

flippant, sad, and disturbing

A few weeks ago I saw the following bumper sticker:

Jesus paid for my sins,
so I'm making sure he got his money's worth!

I could just picture a few boys from high school laughing as they said something like this. The very concept makes me cringe, and also makes me wonder if they just think it's a funny comeback at those who make them feel uncomfortable for considering their sins, or if they truly haven't thought through the implications of the payment (which I don't think they have), or if they simply just don't care. I want it to be the first one, but I fear it's just mockery and flippancy at it's worst.

 

antique

Friday we made the opportunity to do something I have always wanted to do: attend Raleigh's Antique Extravaganza. They had a wide array of things for sale, such as:

Toys - from miniature metal soldiers to old wooden rocking horses and horse sticks, there where a few booths had toys on display. There was also a doll collector vendor who specialized in restoration, but I don't consider Raggedy Ann & Andy to be antique. :)

Linens - I love looking at linens and think they look nice, but since I don't use tablecloths or linen napkins or fancy hand towels, those are just nice things to look upon. A few booths I couldn't help but wonder if the linens were new but made using antique methods (tatted lace, hand embroidery, etc) I didn't stop to ask so I guess I'll never know.

Furniture/repurposing - There were a few booths that had antique furnishings, some fancy, some plain, and thoroughly enjoyed looking at those. Prices were all over the place, and many "showers" were more than willing to bargain. Too bad we weren't in the market for anything.  One of my two favorite repurposed pieces (both had me wishing I had taken my camera) were made into hall trees. One of them was made from porch railings and slats. The coat hangers were actually door knobs off of old doors. I thought it was very creative, though with its bulkiness you'd need a really large entryway to house it. The other was a smaller hall tree, but it was made from a feeding trough. That cracked me up.

There were a few things that made me a little sad, like bronzed baby shoes and yearbooks. Personal items in sales such as those always scream "unloved" to me, but it was also a good reminder that we waste way too much money on frivolous things that the next generation or two will simply get rid of.

A few things that I found funny and not antique - rotary dial telephones. Those were the first phones we had in our house (that I remember) and seeing them in an antique sale was strange. Metal cookie cutters - exactly like my Mom's. Not only where they metal, but the had little lever handles on top made from the same sheet of metal. I debated whether or not to get one that she didn't have, but decided since she so seldom makes cookies anymore (if ever) I'd pass. I started to tell Bobby those weren't antiques, but knowing that my parents got those as a wedding present and they'll celebrate 49 years of marriage this winter, I guess those cookie cutters are antique.

It didn't take as long to walk through the displays as I had anticipated, but we had fun anyway. It helped that it was very crowded. We may not ever make it back to another one (which would be fun), but it's one of those things I can cross off my "it'd be nice to do but don't know if I ever will" list.

jump rope

My first grade niece was VERY excited this past year to be the only first grader to reach the first level in the jump rope club. I don't remember if it was 100 jumps or to jump non-stop for 1 minute, but she was elated. 

And then I read one of those magazine articles listing all the "short of time" exercises you can do that will help. You guessed it: jumping rope. Evidently 10 minutes of jumping rope will burn 100 calories.

Now, bear in mind, in elementary school, Jump Rope Days in PE were torture. They ranked right up there with relay races and running. And when I complained to Mom about it, that meant we had to PRACTICE jumping rope at home. Who else had pe homework but me? I did manage in middle school to go 6 or 7 jumps with tripping.

Bearing that small success in mind, I went to the toy room and untied the jump ropes I have from the cars and stuffed animals. I lasted all of thirty seconds before deciding another broken bone was not worth 100 calories and took the dumb string back inside. I'd rather usurp my time and walk the track. That can actually be almost enjoyable. Almost.

what is educational?

Evidently in the mmmm, sigh, 15 years+ since I started college, things have changed. No, I'm not talking about  the laptop requirement and textbooks on computers. Yes, that has changed from back in the day, as well as many other things, but students now have to read a book BEFORE they arrive for orientation. Several years ago UNC's selection made quite an uproar. I don't even remember what it was now, but that was the first time I had ever heard about reading requirements before you even started classes that wasn't for a class (except for my AP English class in high school).

The N&O released the required reading list. Most of the schools had chosen either biographies or books about true stories that had current cultural significance, or dealt with an alumni, the history of the school/faith, etc (Here's the article with the list: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/07/03/1315108/provocative-reading-from-colleges.html#storylink=misearch ) Imagine my surprise when I get 2/3 through the list and see this:

Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill: "Eating Animals," by Jonathan Safran Foer. An examination of the stories we use to justify our eating habits.

Say WHAT? I'm going to read the book, just to see what it says. I could be wrong. I shouldn't judge a book by it's title. But seriously, how is this going to help students with their college education? Granted, I have no idea what criteria are used in the book selection process, but it seemed wildly out of step with the other listings.  I suppose this book could be educational, but unless you're studying nutrition, I think a person's eating habits are PERSONAL, not educational.

Thoughts anyone?