Note to Self: Teach Iain to Stay Put

Joshua Childers is safe at home. After - mind you - 50 hours lost in the woods.

His dad said: "I'm going to put him up for the Grizzy Adams Award, send him bear-hunting with a stick." When found, Joshua apparently said he was fine and then asked for milk. What a tough little guy!

This article about how to survive (and how to find lost people) suggests one important message for Iain: if you get lost in the woods, find a sheltered place and wait there.

Happy Birthday, From Mommy

These are my birthday gift to Iain. It took a while to get the frames (square frames are not commonplace), but now all is well. They are beautiful prints by Maine photographer Allison Trentelman of Rocky Top Studio, found through the addictive Etsy.

My plan is to give Iain art for many birthdays (maybe all of them), so that he grows up surrounded both by our favorites and by things that belong to him. These are beautiful, and child-like without being child-ish.

News Flash: Maine Devoid of Blueberries!

I got home this afternoon to find a huge box from Stonewall Kitchen. I'll admit that for a moment I thought, "OMG! They read my blog and they loved it and they sent me free stuff! I'm famous! In a tiny town in Maine!"

But, in fact, it wasn't for me at all. It was for Iain. It was a gift from his Not-So-Secret Admirer, my old friend 'Fer in LA.

What did he send? Take a look:

"Who's this from? Huh."

"Wow! Wow! WOW! This is a lot of blueberry jam, Mom!"

"No, seriously, Mom. This is 10 jars! Did they strip the hillsides or what?"

"I think I'll just lay here for a while and look at my jam. Pretty, pretty jam. My precious."

I think we'd call that a home run, Dr. Green.

Mine That Bird

This is the race Iain watched on TV Saturday night:



Holy, dookie. That's some horse.

Dissertation Fodder

There is enough fodder for a dozen dissertations in this short article. The only question I have now is whether I should apply in mathematics or economics. Perhaps philosophy?
http://io9.com/5241252/physicists-prove-that-vampires-could-not-exist

Blooming

Above is my new mystery flower. It's called Torenia, and it looks like a sort of iris/pansy mix. It's apparently also known as "Bluewing" and "Wishbone Flower." Who knew? I think it's purty.

The clematis is also in bloom. It disregards the fact that Charles dislikes it and blooms every year, each time with more abandon. I might actually have to build it a real trellis one year.

Meanwhile, the budding master gardener felt he should take a hand to my fig.

"I believe this pebble is in the wrong place, Mother."

"Indeed, this is clearly northern granite, while what you want for a fig is striated feldspar."

"Not going to take my advice? Fine. We'll see how it turns out, I guess."

Wazzat?

The sun is shining. I hardly know what to do with myself. Of course, it's only for a little while.

We enjoyed endless rain for the last 5 days. The forecast for the next 3 days? Rain.

Thanks.

Is this a preview of England? Except without the fish-n-chips, strawberries and chicken tikka?