My Zucchini have Squash Bugs. This is an annoying and rather gross part of Gardening. Annoying because now I really need to pay attention to how my plants are doing. Gross because I need to squish all the bugs (and their eggs that I can). I don't normally get skirmish, but the idea of needing to squash as many squash bugs as possible does not really sound like fun. Of course I could just dump them all in a bucket of soupy water... Either way I'm about to go on a murderous rampage to defend my Zucchini.
Murderous rampages aside (or actually an update on past murderous rampages), the weeds have finally been made to behave themselves. Of course it took a lot of cardboard boxes and more then a lot of mulch. At least the flowers look better now. Tonight I'm looking forward to doing some killing (for bugs), eating dinner with friends (this is one case were I'm not going to be eating what I killed), and just enjoy being outside.
The only thing I have to do now is figure out what to do with all the Zucchini that I have in my fridge. I've have Zucchini almost every day (sometimes twice a day), for the last two weeks. I'm running out of different ways to make Zucchini. I might have to freeze some. I've made squash with cheese, squash tomato sauce, Squash and parm filled crescent rolls (using Pillsbury rolls), and my roommate made an amazing chocolate squash bread (which is more like cake). Idea's anyone?
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Where Ever the Wind Do Blow
I thought that I had once found love
that in that lightness I would find wings
but my love left me grounded here
and took those wings I thought to gain
And traveled into the vast sky following
where ever the wind do blow
And oft I have wondered with ever breeze
when he will come flying back to me
But the wind does not blow here as oft it should
And without wings to follow, I wait
For him to come back traveling while following
where ever the wind do blow
I fear oft that his wings have been clipped
like I should have done years before
Yet clipped wings would do him good
If only he was here and in my arms
not traveling hence while following
where ever the wind do blow
Oft I have heard, in the mid-night
a great gust which bangs on my door
and flinting down the stairs I run
to hear the wind blowing upon the door
As I open the door, I wish for wings to follow
where ever the wind do blow
that in that lightness I would find wings
but my love left me grounded here
and took those wings I thought to gain
And traveled into the vast sky following
where ever the wind do blow
And oft I have wondered with ever breeze
when he will come flying back to me
But the wind does not blow here as oft it should
And without wings to follow, I wait
For him to come back traveling while following
where ever the wind do blow
I fear oft that his wings have been clipped
like I should have done years before
Yet clipped wings would do him good
If only he was here and in my arms
not traveling hence while following
where ever the wind do blow
Oft I have heard, in the mid-night
a great gust which bangs on my door
and flinting down the stairs I run
to hear the wind blowing upon the door
As I open the door, I wish for wings to follow
where ever the wind do blow
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Air Conditioning
I finally broke down and purchased an air conditioner. Part of me is already annoyed at how much the electricity bill is going to jump. But mostly I'm just excited that tonight I'm going to be sleeping in cool conditions rather than hot ones.
Yes I could survive without air conditioning. In fact I would rather not be freezing my @ss off while in the office, bundled up more then I am in the winter. I could survive like I did last summer, sleeping (or not sleeping) with two fans directed my way sweating. I do not need sub-freezing temperatures like some people. I just would sleep better if it was slightly cooler. Thus the Target purchase of an air conditioner, delivered today by wonderful UPS. Take that Heat Index!
If I was at my parents house in Upstate NY, I would not be writing this post. We don't really need Air Conditioning. Ok maybe a couple of times during the summer it is hot enough that you might wish for it a little bit. But my room was in the basement so it was nice and cool during the summer. And even when we were little we survived under fans. The truth is that we probably don't need to super cool our air. Our bodies would after a little bit get used to the hotter temps.
The problem is that now that people have air conditioning... its very hard to live without it. The only reason I did last summer was because I just did not have the money. I don't exactly have that excuse this year (although I still am trying to save money). So I'm looking forward to being comfortable tonight, which will be nice since tomorrow is suppose to feel like 105... or something crazy.
Yes I could survive without air conditioning. In fact I would rather not be freezing my @ss off while in the office, bundled up more then I am in the winter. I could survive like I did last summer, sleeping (or not sleeping) with two fans directed my way sweating. I do not need sub-freezing temperatures like some people. I just would sleep better if it was slightly cooler. Thus the Target purchase of an air conditioner, delivered today by wonderful UPS. Take that Heat Index!
If I was at my parents house in Upstate NY, I would not be writing this post. We don't really need Air Conditioning. Ok maybe a couple of times during the summer it is hot enough that you might wish for it a little bit. But my room was in the basement so it was nice and cool during the summer. And even when we were little we survived under fans. The truth is that we probably don't need to super cool our air. Our bodies would after a little bit get used to the hotter temps.
The problem is that now that people have air conditioning... its very hard to live without it. The only reason I did last summer was because I just did not have the money. I don't exactly have that excuse this year (although I still am trying to save money). So I'm looking forward to being comfortable tonight, which will be nice since tomorrow is suppose to feel like 105... or something crazy.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Falling in Love
I never expected to fall in love. Sure I had wanted too. I wanted love. I read about it. Watched it in movies. Of course what I expected was not exactly what I got. Love can take you by surprise and you don't really have any power in the situation.
Love can make you do some really crazy things too. Leave home, live with people you don't know, and even change your dreams.
I fell in love with Philly. Yes a city. Me an awkward country girl with big dreams and expectations. I did not move to Philly to find love or because I was in love with the city. I moved here to do what I love, theatre.
I fell in love with Philly. Its dirt and grim, its sadness and its hope. Sure there is a lot I want to change. I want to change the hurt and the pain. I want to heal. I want there to not be garbage on the sidewalks. But I'm not waiting to love this place till its perfect. I'm in love with it right now.
Philly might not even deserve this love, but its got to deal with that. Because its here, and love changes everything.
Love can make you do some really crazy things too. Leave home, live with people you don't know, and even change your dreams.
I fell in love with Philly. Yes a city. Me an awkward country girl with big dreams and expectations. I did not move to Philly to find love or because I was in love with the city. I moved here to do what I love, theatre.
I fell in love with Philly. Its dirt and grim, its sadness and its hope. Sure there is a lot I want to change. I want to change the hurt and the pain. I want to heal. I want there to not be garbage on the sidewalks. But I'm not waiting to love this place till its perfect. I'm in love with it right now.
Philly might not even deserve this love, but its got to deal with that. Because its here, and love changes everything.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Vacation Part 2: The Trebuchet
I wish that I had photos on me of the Trebuchet that I built with my brother and Dad. There are photos of the end project some where at my parent's house on a digital camera. So I'm sure that at some point I will be able to share them with you all.
There are three things you should all know if you ever decide to build your own Trebuchet.
1) free plans on the web are great, but my require a lot of guess work and may not give you all the measurements you need.
2) Good wood that is not warped is a plus. Making things Square with warped wood is almost impossible.
3) projects like this always take longer then you expect them too.
I was really glad that I gave myself a project for Vacation. If I had not had work to do, I might have watched a lot more TV and done absolutely nothing productive. That is never a good thing. I need to be busy. I need to have something to do. If I don't my brain turns mushy. I'm also really glad that my Dad could help me out with the project. Its always good to have someone to bounce ideas off of. Also its easier to nail/screw things in when someone else is holding the boards for you.
My Dad taught me a lot about power tools and building things while I was growing up. So doing projects with my Dad is really fun. Of course my brother was more interested in the final project then the actual building. Funny how I like building things and my brother would probably be the best at explaining and selling the Trebuchet to someone else. I think his favorite part of using it once it was done.
Oh and then there was watching the Dog waiting for the tennis balls to come shooting out so he could run after them. All in all a good Vacation project that too a long time to complete and a lot trying to not cut off fingers while using my Dad's table saw (I still have all 10).
There are three things you should all know if you ever decide to build your own Trebuchet.
1) free plans on the web are great, but my require a lot of guess work and may not give you all the measurements you need.
2) Good wood that is not warped is a plus. Making things Square with warped wood is almost impossible.
3) projects like this always take longer then you expect them too.
I was really glad that I gave myself a project for Vacation. If I had not had work to do, I might have watched a lot more TV and done absolutely nothing productive. That is never a good thing. I need to be busy. I need to have something to do. If I don't my brain turns mushy. I'm also really glad that my Dad could help me out with the project. Its always good to have someone to bounce ideas off of. Also its easier to nail/screw things in when someone else is holding the boards for you.
My Dad taught me a lot about power tools and building things while I was growing up. So doing projects with my Dad is really fun. Of course my brother was more interested in the final project then the actual building. Funny how I like building things and my brother would probably be the best at explaining and selling the Trebuchet to someone else. I think his favorite part of using it once it was done.
Oh and then there was watching the Dog waiting for the tennis balls to come shooting out so he could run after them. All in all a good Vacation project that too a long time to complete and a lot trying to not cut off fingers while using my Dad's table saw (I still have all 10).
Thursday, July 14, 2011
My vacation: Part 1
Since I'm sure that you are all waiting with baited breathe for my summary of my vacation, I'm splitting it in two parts just to make it more interesting (insert evil laugh here). No actually the two parts is because I'm sure that I will not be able to actually fit all 10 days into one post. I could but it would be annoying and I would leave a lot out.
This vacation was filled with a lot of plans and a lot of unplanned but totally cool things (or not at all cool things). The building of the Trebuchet is going to be in part two. Yes my Dad and I built a Trebuchet, yes its amazing, yes my little brother helped a little bit and complained a ton, yes you still have to wait till tomorrow to read about it (again evil laugh).
My Vacation started as do most (if not all of my trips home) with a bus ride. It was a really boring trip. There are several reasons for this: I know the scenery, I really would just like to be home already, no wifi, and I could not really sleep because I was sore from running 5miles at 6:30 in the morning. I also forgot food and was starving by the time I got to Syracuse. Wendy's helped with that soon after my mum and sister picked me up. After getting food and wandering around Syracuse looking for the on ramp to South 81 (signs they need more Signs!) I got home.
I was met by a happy dog and happy brother. One gave me kisses the other a hug. No sooner did I get home then I turned around again with my sister to go spend time with my best friend Sharon. We started with Coffee (or they did) and we ended by realizing we had parked next to each other. It was fun just catching up, trying on dresses, looking at sparkling jewelery that none of us can afford, and teasing each other. Its nice to just hang out and relax.
The next day my Sister and the oldest of my two brothers headed off to camp and my parents, youngest brother and my self headed to church. Its nice seeing the church family and getting picked on. That night my Aunt came and we had an amazing Bonfire. I also made old fashions for my parents (my father had three). Its always fun and funny drinking with my parents...
On the Fourth, having missed fire works (which was a bummer) my parents, brother, and I hung out and started work on the tribuchet. Actually most of the week consisted of me handing with the brother and building a tribuchet, watching TV, or cleaning.
Wednesday night I went and had dinner with my brother at Boy scout camp. Its kind of nice with your siblings get old enough to hang out with and get along with (at least better then we did when we were little). We went for a short hike and talked about life, eagle scout projects, relationships (awkward!), and nature. I also was nice enough to take him out for Ice Cream, because I'm cool like that.
On Thursday My brother and I joined my Aunt up at the lake house her Uncle and Aunt had rented. I got a triangle shapped burn on my back. My Aunt smashed my brother and I at Risk, went rowing/fishing, cleaned, went swimming, and we visited the Harriet Tubman house (not in that order). The day ended with my parents and dog coming for dinner and us all heading back home late.
Friday my sister called my dad to tell him her car would not start. This was caused by some rodent chewing on the wires in her engine. The end of the story is that I busted my nails reconnection wires in a space my dad could not fit his hands into to get the car started so we could drive it to the shop. (we could have just had a tow truck pick it up. That night my Parents, little brother and I went to see Cars 2 (which was amazing. Not sure if Pixar can do any wrong...).
Most of the rest of the weekdays consider of making a trebuchet, cleaning, running, or watching TV with my little brother.Which he does a lot of...
Saturday I slept and did a lot of work with my dad (more on that tomorrow).
Sunday my dad and I went and ran the boilermaker. 15k road race in an 1:32, which I'm happy with. I could write I whole post on just the race (maybe later). Its kind of crazy. There were 13000 runners. I started a full 5 and 1/2 minutes after the leaders (good thing they have chip time). my dad was a good 3 minutes in front of me and I beat him (if you look at our times). We ended at about the same time.And each had two beers at the end of the race... which was a lot less then everyone around us.
Monday I drove back into the city with my dad, kind of glad that I was back in Philly. Although last night I looked up and saw that I could not see the stars and was really sad.
Stay tuned for Trebuchet stuff...
This vacation was filled with a lot of plans and a lot of unplanned but totally cool things (or not at all cool things). The building of the Trebuchet is going to be in part two. Yes my Dad and I built a Trebuchet, yes its amazing, yes my little brother helped a little bit and complained a ton, yes you still have to wait till tomorrow to read about it (again evil laugh).
My Vacation started as do most (if not all of my trips home) with a bus ride. It was a really boring trip. There are several reasons for this: I know the scenery, I really would just like to be home already, no wifi, and I could not really sleep because I was sore from running 5miles at 6:30 in the morning. I also forgot food and was starving by the time I got to Syracuse. Wendy's helped with that soon after my mum and sister picked me up. After getting food and wandering around Syracuse looking for the on ramp to South 81 (signs they need more Signs!) I got home.
I was met by a happy dog and happy brother. One gave me kisses the other a hug. No sooner did I get home then I turned around again with my sister to go spend time with my best friend Sharon. We started with Coffee (or they did) and we ended by realizing we had parked next to each other. It was fun just catching up, trying on dresses, looking at sparkling jewelery that none of us can afford, and teasing each other. Its nice to just hang out and relax.
The next day my Sister and the oldest of my two brothers headed off to camp and my parents, youngest brother and my self headed to church. Its nice seeing the church family and getting picked on. That night my Aunt came and we had an amazing Bonfire. I also made old fashions for my parents (my father had three). Its always fun and funny drinking with my parents...
On the Fourth, having missed fire works (which was a bummer) my parents, brother, and I hung out and started work on the tribuchet. Actually most of the week consisted of me handing with the brother and building a tribuchet, watching TV, or cleaning.
Wednesday night I went and had dinner with my brother at Boy scout camp. Its kind of nice with your siblings get old enough to hang out with and get along with (at least better then we did when we were little). We went for a short hike and talked about life, eagle scout projects, relationships (awkward!), and nature. I also was nice enough to take him out for Ice Cream, because I'm cool like that.
On Thursday My brother and I joined my Aunt up at the lake house her Uncle and Aunt had rented. I got a triangle shapped burn on my back. My Aunt smashed my brother and I at Risk, went rowing/fishing, cleaned, went swimming, and we visited the Harriet Tubman house (not in that order). The day ended with my parents and dog coming for dinner and us all heading back home late.
Friday my sister called my dad to tell him her car would not start. This was caused by some rodent chewing on the wires in her engine. The end of the story is that I busted my nails reconnection wires in a space my dad could not fit his hands into to get the car started so we could drive it to the shop. (we could have just had a tow truck pick it up. That night my Parents, little brother and I went to see Cars 2 (which was amazing. Not sure if Pixar can do any wrong...).
Most of the rest of the weekdays consider of making a trebuchet, cleaning, running, or watching TV with my little brother.Which he does a lot of...
Saturday I slept and did a lot of work with my dad (more on that tomorrow).
Sunday my dad and I went and ran the boilermaker. 15k road race in an 1:32, which I'm happy with. I could write I whole post on just the race (maybe later). Its kind of crazy. There were 13000 runners. I started a full 5 and 1/2 minutes after the leaders (good thing they have chip time). my dad was a good 3 minutes in front of me and I beat him (if you look at our times). We ended at about the same time.And each had two beers at the end of the race... which was a lot less then everyone around us.
Monday I drove back into the city with my dad, kind of glad that I was back in Philly. Although last night I looked up and saw that I could not see the stars and was really sad.
Stay tuned for Trebuchet stuff...
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
So I lied
I said that I would update you all on my adventures during my vacation last week. But of course I lied... It will have to wait till tomorrow now... if I ever have any end to meetings.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Long Time No Post
I'm not really sure what my problem is. I used to write during my lunch ever day. 1 hour to write something slightly crazy, bad, or weird. Easy. But my resolve to write during lunch at work has kind of disappeared. Is it the new position at work? The fact that my internet at home sucks? My addiction to Facebook games? Or just the fact that I've hit a big wall when it comes to writing?
Correct answer? All of the Above and probably all the lame excuses I could have added to the other lame excuses I normally use.
Of course I was home (parents house) the last week (just got back in the city yesterday). And I've realized that I'm very glad to be back in the city. Home serves as a kind of re-boot for me. I'm not sure if it is the crazy family, the weird situations I always get thrown into, or just the home cooking (probably the home cooking). I come back into the city from being home and suddenly my brain just seems to be back on track. Writing? Check. Crazy? Check. Good Sense of Humor? Check. Rested? Maybe...
Home means a lot of things to me. And the definition has changed since the end of college (a lot). The fact that I now call Philly and my Parents House, home, is confusing. The fact that Philly feels more like home sometimes is surprising. The cliche is 'home is where the heart is'. The problem is that my heart is split between the house I grew up in (where my family is) and Philadelphia.
I'll write more about my crazy adventures during my vacation (including a trebuchet, running, beer, and repairing the damage created by rodents in my sisters car) tomorrow. But right now I'm thinking about my two homes and my need to write more. When I'm traveling to my Parent's I want to be at my Parents, when I'm traveling to Philly I want to be in Philly. If only I could be in two places at once, maybe that's a good start of a story?...
Correct answer? All of the Above and probably all the lame excuses I could have added to the other lame excuses I normally use.
Of course I was home (parents house) the last week (just got back in the city yesterday). And I've realized that I'm very glad to be back in the city. Home serves as a kind of re-boot for me. I'm not sure if it is the crazy family, the weird situations I always get thrown into, or just the home cooking (probably the home cooking). I come back into the city from being home and suddenly my brain just seems to be back on track. Writing? Check. Crazy? Check. Good Sense of Humor? Check. Rested? Maybe...
Home means a lot of things to me. And the definition has changed since the end of college (a lot). The fact that I now call Philly and my Parents House, home, is confusing. The fact that Philly feels more like home sometimes is surprising. The cliche is 'home is where the heart is'. The problem is that my heart is split between the house I grew up in (where my family is) and Philadelphia.
I'll write more about my crazy adventures during my vacation (including a trebuchet, running, beer, and repairing the damage created by rodents in my sisters car) tomorrow. But right now I'm thinking about my two homes and my need to write more. When I'm traveling to my Parent's I want to be at my Parents, when I'm traveling to Philly I want to be in Philly. If only I could be in two places at once, maybe that's a good start of a story?...
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