Garden

Each year I try to take pictures of my garden so I can remember which things looked good that year. Also nice to look back on in the midst of winter.

This view is directly out the back yard looking East and was taken around 7PM on July 7, 2009.

Table and chair set several years old now and I like it as much as when I bought it. Nice place in the morning and evening.

Do like the coleus this year in the planter.

This is the view to the left of the one above. To the left of the fence is the gate into the yarn. To the right is the entrance to the garage.

Not sure how the plants will last in the "rock" planters but the largest was under $10 so worth a try and the smaller ones were bought last year.

This is to the right of the first picture (sorry I got them reversed) and shows 2 of the large planters I bought 3 years ago. They are concrete but weren't treated so may not last too many more years.

The Swing set you can see a corner of folds down to make a 3/4 size bed and is my Son's favorite spot. He gets not enough use of it though this year.

Flit -- you may notice a few items that you provided. Sorry, I didn't get pictures of all of them.

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International Food Festival

Title sounds very impressive but the reality falls far short.

Too many "flea market" stalls and not enough variety of food stalls.

There were about 2 or 3 Japanese, 8 or 9 Vietnamese, 5 or 6 hamburg & fries, 1 for ribs, 1 for Serbian which had 2 meat choices and that was it, and a couple of ice cream/ drinks. The city actually has a very wide range of restaurants but they are going through a change in who is putting it on and such so guess it will take awhile before they get far more vendors.

They certainly spent lots of money on advertising as they had plenty of signs along the roadway.

There was also some people doing a Chinese Massage. At 10 minutes for $10 I went back to them to try it out. (Had gone to my car, realized I hadn't gone to them and was hurting so walked back to their location.) Was certainly glad I went and only wish I had gotten their card. Would certainly go to them again! They have the type of chair you kneel/sit on and lean forward on the support. I couldn't care who went by or how many stood around -- soon loss focus on them.

There are several more festivals coming up in the same park so will have to watch for them and set my $10 aside.

And take my camera -- this weekend it was in Toronto. I don't like the big one left for me.

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Still reading

Ended up finishing "Remedies". It switched to telling it from the wife's viewpoint and got much more interesting. Got quite interested in the family dynamics but nothing was settled at the end. I am not sure if I really like that but it is better than the "formula" where you learn about the people, there is a problem and then it gets all resolved in the last chapter. In this one, the husband shows some realization that he could make more of an effort and was off to meet the wife.

Also read "Whistling in the Dark" by Lesley Kagen which is about two young sisters in 1959. They are facing a difficult summer with a second murder of a little girl, their stepfather abandoning them while Mother is in hospital. Really found it enjoyable especially since it is actually more suited to teens.

Now have a mystery set in Glasgow that I may start. Yes, the knitting is taking a break but will get back to it soon you can be sure.

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Reading Sunday

Seems like months since I have had one of these. A very quiet, warm, non-demanding day that has been passed quite happily in reading.

Have finished the book "The Help" which seems to be getting a lot of publicity these days and well it should. Written in the voice of both white and black women, it is about a time in the history of Louisiana that seems so far away and like yesterday. If you remember what you were doing when you heard Kennedy was shot, you will relate to this book. Some sections made me cry, some laugh, and many made me exam my own thoughts and reactions to the events.

Read the book "What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty which will be published by Penguin. It is marvelous and raises an interesting question as to what would happen if you had a fall and forgot the last 10 years. Alice was expecting her first child at the time of her last memory and was very much in love with her husband. They were fixing up their large old home and starting a new life together. When she wakes up it is to a totally different life with 3 children and divorcing. Read it straight through without even turning the TV or music on Come to think of it, I didn't even get some munchies or drinks.

Have read one chapter of "Remedies" by Kate Ledger. It is due out the end of August. Think it may be a mistake reading it just now because it is much the same as the other two -- an examination of what has led up to the present situation -- although it is written from the man's point of view. Not feeling very sympathetic so may look for another book and return to it later.

However, first there is going to be some food and drink.

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