Archive for ◊ April, 2007 ◊
• Monday, April 23rd, 2007
I’ve been quietly following this case for a while. I was shocked to see it on CNN a couple minutes ago when I was checking the news…
Wiccan symbol OK for soldiers’ graves
I’m honestly not surprised it took so long to get this approved, but at the same time, I was astonished at how absurd the VA was in dealing with the families of these men and women who sacrificed their lives for this country. Well… no, I’m honestly not.
To say no, you can’t have your own religious symbol tastefully put on your marker. Why? Because it’s a pentacle. And therefore, it’s bad. *snort*
In my less than official opinion, someone who has died defending this nation should have the right to put any symbol they want (or their family wants, on their behalf) on their gravemarker – whether it’s a cross, a star of David, a pentacle, or the Discordian apple.
Hell, let them put the Flying Spaghetti Monster on the stone.
I think they’ve earned at least that small little right for what they lost.
Category: Faith, News & Politics
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• Monday, April 23rd, 2007
Spring arrived quickly this weekend. Trees that were barely more than dead sticks at this time last week – hell, last Friday even – are now covered in blooms or the light green that only comes with newborn leaves. The magnolia trees opened in two days – I’m honestly not sure where the hell they came from. And the forsythia are absolutely amazing this year after days of rain to give them some added oomph.
It was an absolutely beautiful weekend here in New England. Mid 60′s to low 70′s, cloudless skies, light breezes. Erich and I opened up every window that has working pulley strings to let the house air out. We’ve slept with the windows open, and save a couple of nights, will continue to do so now until oh, late September or so. 
We’ll be going back over to Lowes to buy new grass seed – I imagine that everything Erich spread last Saturday is long gone, thanks to the Nor’Easter last week. He’s convinced it all washed into the garage. I’m also itching to buy plants for my outdoor pots, but I know that I need to wait maybe two more weeks. Come May, the risk of overnight freeze will finally be over. Especially with how weird this year was. And honestly, the selection of pansies, pansies, and more pansies don’t appeal to me all that much.
A landscaper came out Sunday to give us a second estimate on our yardwork that needs to be done. His evaluation of the yard was much more thorough, and involved pulling down 14 of the 16 maple trees along our side yard. Erich and I have talked about having them removed for the better part of a year anyway – we keep losing major branches from them (suggesting that they’re diseased). They’re not the pretty maples that turn red – they’re scraggly, honestly. The landscaper pointed out to Erich that they had insect infestations – woodpeckers all over them and such. We’d be able to keep a couple of them, plus the linden tree at the corner. It makes me a bit sad to pull them, but in reality – they don’t look good, and if they’re diseased trees, we really should remove them to prevent the damage from spreading further.
And it’s not like we won’t plant new trees, of course. I’d love to add a magnolia or other flowering tree to the yard. And we’re already planning on planting at least a couple Japanese maples because they’re just so pretty and delicate. A few trees to add some texture to the yard will go a long way to make it prettier.
Ultimately, I just want to create a yard that looks pretty, doesn’t look too organized or landscaped, and fits the house. The Japanese maples are probably the only real trendy tree that I’d add. I’d love to include a lot of older, more traditional plants in that fit the house, too – one or two additional hydrangeas, bleeding hearts, spring bulbs (tulips, crocus, daffodils), etc. Preferably things that do need some care, but not constant maintenance to keep them going strong.
Any ideas of other things to include?
Category: Life, Work, and all the Rest, New England
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• Friday, April 20th, 2007
Time is not definite- but I’m planning to host Doctor Who Stitch ‘n Bitches at my house on the following dates, if anyone wants to come. Bring your crafty supplies and get comfy on the couch.
Said Stitch ‘n Bitches will be open for viewings of Series Three (and any backlog you need), so if you’re trying to stay spoiler free until the Sci-Fi airings, these are not good times for you (but I’ll be hosting happily through the summer because… well, I have A/C).
- Saturday, May 5 (afternoon) – any episodes, and drinking ’cause it’s Cinco de Mayo and that means you must have yummy girly drinks… while knitting… which should make for more amusement as the hours go on.
- Saturday, May 26th (afternoon) – any earlier episodes welcome, later evening episode will be the two-parter Human Nature and Family of Blood. This will be Memorial Day weekend, so if this doesn’t work at all for folks, I can push this until the following weekend.
- Saturday, June 23rd (afternoon) – series finale time! Utopia, Sound of Drums, and Last of the Time Lords will definitely be shown. Any others are welcome.
Category: Fandom, Geeky Stuff, Stitching
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• Wednesday, April 18th, 2007
This 60′s temperatures in January and 30′s temps in April thing has got to go. Seriously. I’m tired of having to crank the heat up every night because it’s below freezing.
It’s mid-April, Mother Nature… we should have some leaves coming out on trees. And I’d like to see some flowers other than the hardcore weeds that are the plant world’s version of cockroaches.
*sigh*
It’s positively gloomy outside. It’s one of those Stephen King Maine weather days– that completely grey, foggy day where every object in the distance looms only as a slightly defined shadow. It’s been this way since Saturday evening, by the way. *sigh* It’s starting to get to me. I’m in serious spring flower and warmth withdrawl. At this point, I actually WANT to deal with my spring allergies, just to proclaim that yes, the weather is in fact beautiful. I’ll sniffle and snort around the house all day. May my eyes and nose water – if it’s 65 degrees and sunny, I’ll take it. (well… for a few hours before I kick in the Sudafed, at least *grin*).
I’m still surprised that the men’s winner of the Boston Marathon on Monday managed to defend his title – a course-breaking time last year – by only adding 7 minutes to his time while running in a Nor’Easter. Call me damned impressed.
Despite the weather, it was a productive weekend. I got a lot done in my office – it’s not complete, but well on the way to getting there. I simply had to stop due to the dust we were kicking up. We also bought grass seed to fill in our ragged lawn – Erich spread it on Saturday afternoon, but I’m fairly certain that the rain washed it all away and we’ll have to do it again. *sigh* I got my taxes mailed off, the last of the Save the Dates mailed off, my final contribution to a stitching Round Robin mailed off, and we bought a new vaccuum cleaner so we can attack the springtime edition of catfur tumbleweeds that plague our house in earnest. I caught up on all of the house laundry. I still have a few of the dreaded pots that need Serious Scrubbing ™ to finish (I’ve had them on “long term soak” for way too long now).
I also did six hours of stitching on Apache Wedding Blessing on Monday, thanks to the craptastic weather. I watched the Doctor Who episode which broke the number of episodes Guinness record, AND… I managed to write about 10,000 words in fanfic on Saturday, aided in part by a goodly dose of Tattoo rum and cokes to loosen me up.
All in all, a good three day weekend.
For some reason, I’m a bit tired. But feeling quite good.
Plans tonight? Erich’s playing Halo 2 online with the guys because two new maps were released last night. I’ll be upstairs stitching and being a fangirl celebrating David Tennant’s birthday with… something he’s been in.
Maybe I’ll go the Harry Potter route tonight…
Category: Geeky Stuff, Life, Work, and all the Rest, New England
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• Tuesday, April 17th, 2007
Amid the news from yesterday’s horrific killing, I’ve come across one piece that restores some faith in humanity. This man’s name and story needs to be remembered – as a symbol for all that is good and right with the world.
Liviu Librescu, 76, was a lecturer in engineering science and mathmatics at Virginia Tech for 20 years. He was well-respected in his field. He saved the lives of several of his students by blocking the doorway with his body from the approaching gunmen.
Mr. Librescu and his wife immigrated to Israel from Romania in 1978 to escape Ceaucescu’s fascist regime and allow him to continue his work freely. He moved to the United States to start a sabbatical in 1985, and stayed to teach at Virginia Tech.
As a child, Mr. Librescu was sent to a labor camp in Russia, but was saved by the townspeople. His father was deported by the Nazis.
Category: News & Politics
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