adventures with the BLM

So Josh has been working for the Bureau of Land Management for a total of 6 days (that's including 2 unpaid training days). For anyone curious about what the BLM does here in Arizona, here are a few things Josh has done so far:

1. Assessed water on BLM land: the shape, size, pH balance, volume, use, location, etc. of any and all water present.
2. Dug out tires that had been dumped on BLM property.
3. Walked part of the Mormon Battalion Trail (ok, so that was more because his boss thought it would be neat for him to see--including the 150 year-old cans and square-headed nails [since it's illegal to remove anything from the site some of it is still there]--than because it was part of the work).
4. Read User Guide to Assessing Proper Functioning Condition and the Supporting Science for Lotic Areas. I think lotic areas have streams, rivers, or lakes. At least that's what google says.
5. Mapped invansive plant species (read: weeds) by GPS.

So there you have it. I wonder what he'll be doing today. It always sounds more exciting than it probably is, but he enjoys it. Well, all but #4. That was more boring than it sounds and he did not enjoy it at all.

as promised

P.S. I think it is a freckle. It hasn't gone away yet, at least, and I'm sure I've washed his face at least once since then.

author stalking

I've been reading Robin McKinley's blog and it's giving me a bit of a headache. Movies that play up on the differences in American and British English must stick to the same examples (I know that a nappie is a diaper not a napkin, duh) because I am really confused. I've looked up 6 or 7 words already and just skipped many others. Still, it's weird to imagine an author as a real person. It's not by any means the wittiest (or most interesting) stranger's blog I've read, although I do love that she mentioned Leontes in the middle of a story about her dogs and that I knew why the reference worked.

Someone sent her this link to a ABC spot on choosing the perfect book for kids this summer, in which the expert calls Sunshine the "greatest vampire book ever written". It's a bit dull but my mom and Janssen might be willing to stick it out (no guarantees for anyone else as my attention wandered and I'm in a book mood). The librarian also says she's never met an 11th grader who didn't like it (Sunsine, that is). So, I guess this puts me around 11th grade according to this librarian. That's about 3 years older than I was going to give myself, so I should feel complimented?

Ah, and she mentioned The Diresputable History. Mmmm...

To Robin McKinley's credit (or not) her only response (other than posting the link, which should say something too I guess) was "Still, I guess Stephenie Meyer can laugh her way to the bank." Eh, authorial feuds have never been my thing, so I'll assume it was meant kindly. I had a professor at BYU who all semester detailed his academic disagreements (played out in some obscure but highbrow literary journal) with a Harvard professor. He was delighted at his latest jab (inserted in an otherwise harmless article about Dante) and I remember feeling a bit disgusted. I guess even the greatest people have petty streaks.

P.S. I know there have been no pictures in the last 4 posts or so. I'll do what I can to remedy that situation. "Too many words; not enough pictures" would be Josh's critique.

slightly depressed

There's nothing like finishing a really good book. There's the inital let down when there's still adrenaline (okay, I read faster the closer it is to the end), then there's the weird dreams where you are in the book (again, I hope not just me). Then you tell everyone you know about it, even finding ways to insert it into unrelated conversation (sorry, Quintin and Katie). Then there is the 4-day lull. I don't know if it's always 4 days, but for the last 3 1/2 I've moped around the house wishing there was more to Sunshine. I've stalked Robin McKinley's website looking for more books (only a few) and possible sequels (not likely) and half-heartedly added some books to my queue at the library. About 30 minutes ago I realized the only cure was another good book.

So, I've lost myself in 12 tabs of book blogs and the library website. Especially since Josh will have the car all next week, let's hope the shelves are stalked tomorrow. Is it wrong to wish for summer to be over so I can have the YA section to myself again during school hours?

Sunshine

Title: Sunshine
Author: Robin McKinley
Rating: 5 stars

I haven't read a book I couldn't put down in a while. I mean, by the end of a book I usually don't want to put it down, but this one I wanted to read in one sitting. I don't even know where to begin. I think of Robin McKinley as a YA author but the main character is 26-ish and while it's certainly not inappropriate, I also wouldn't give it to a preteen nephew to read. Disclaimer aside, can I start gushing now?

Sunshine lives in a magical (but believable) world where werewolves are far more rare than werechickens or wererabbits and almost everyone has (but hides) some part-demon blood. It can keep you from getting promoted or landing a sensitive job, for example. Still, the waitress at the coffee shop who always pours perfectly hot coffee is a favorite (and everyone tactfully keeps mum about the pointy ears). Despite the stigma, most Others are well enough accepted in the right circles. The only Others that are universally despised and who do not assimilate even partly are the suckers, or vampires. When Sunshine is kidnapped by a gang of vampires and lives to tell about it, her concept of the world is upended. I'm not going to give any more summary than that because, to be honest, you deserve to read it without any preconceived ideas.

There were so many things practically perfect about Sunshine:

1. The characters are believable. Sunshine expresses the approprate amounts of doubt and fear for interacting with vampires just as well as her frustration with the regular coffeehouse customer who complains about the cinnamon rolls every day but is so heartbroken when they are sold out (evidenced by more complaining) that they set one aside for him in the morning. Who wouldnt love to hate and also sort of depend on, an old man like that?
2. The magic doesn't take over the novel. Now, I wish it were longer or had a sequel so she could go deeper into the workings of this fantastical world but I admire that she didn't. This isn't a book about a world where vampires exist. This is a story about something that happens to a woman who lives in a world like that. We get enough details and explanation to follow along but it doesn't get bogged down with the mechanics of how the magic works. I've read plenty of science fiction in my day and although it's interesting, the story often gets lost in an effort to cover every angle. I respect an author who can cut through that.
3. On the same note, it's perfect first person limited. If I look at myself in the mirror, I rarely think, "I stand about 5'3'' with short brownish hair, brown eyes, and a smattering of freckles" but I might think, "is my right eyebrow higher than the other one?" Limited point of view (first or third person) should do the same. Thank you creative writing for ruining it for me, but I really savor books that have it right.
4. It ends well enough. I'm never ready for a good book to end, but as the major event of the novel wrapped up I remember being shocked that there were 40 pages left. It was nice to see what happened in the aftermath rather than ending with "they saved the day and lived happily ever after." There are enough unanswered questions at the end to be like a real life without so many as to be annoyingly obvious that's what they're going for. I get tired of every book making a statement with the last few paragraphs.
   

I realized now that most of my positive remarks have to do with the actual composition of the book or story, but that's what studying literature will do to you. Trust me on this one, it's a good read. In fact, it's I'm-going-to-renew-it-so-I-can-read-it-again-before-I-take-it-back-to-the-library good. Quintin, I think you would like it, if you can get your hands on it up there.

six words

Quintin reminded me of a spot on NPR he heard a while back where they had people submit their lives in six words. What would yours be?

why salmon are pink

One dark an stormy night, a summer many years ago, a large truck delivering sweet summer cherries was driving through Idaho on the highway that runs along the salmon river. Suddenly a large crash of lightning and gale-force winds caused the driver to swerve suddenly and he careened off the road and crashed into the river. His truck was dashed to pieces on the rocks below (that make up the rapid now called Cherry). Cherries went everywhere. That year, the salmon were all cherry flavored and their flesh has been pink ever since.

How was that, Q?

something Jonah likes

How can I tell he likes it? It could be the laughter, the kicking legs, or the wide-open grin.



Or it could be that when we were done filming this he tried to climb up Josh's legs, arms, and torso to do it again (but that's just a hunch).

P.S. I think he has a freckle? It seems a little soon, but some of his spaghetti didn't wash off. More definite answer to come.

Idaho, in superlatives

This was in response to Allison's prompt "give us your ultimate river guide face" (this is also her picture). It also is, Q says, very close to his "paddle or die" rapid face. Now, on to the superlatives. Josh's answers are green; mine are purple.

Best: camping on the beach between days
Worst: return flight
Best: camping
Worst: spider bites
Most fun: Time Zone
Least fun: not scoring a single point in horseshoes (I kid, a little bit. The game was fun even though we lost)
Most fun: either day 2 rapids or camping
Least fun: traveling
Best meal: salmon ala Q and Josh
Worst meal: nonexistent snack on flight
Best meal: salmon
Worst meal: Red Robin (the new steak sliders are not worth ordering, he says)Biggest surprise: Jonah loving the cold water
Least welcome surprise: the number (and variety) of spiders on the beach
Biggest surprise: nice weather
Least welcome surprise: amazing amounts of spiders

The first day crew hiked up to cave with hot springs and bats (!) and then left Dad in a patch of poison ivy. On day two we hiked up to an old cabin that housed many people but most recently (I think) a mine owner whose workers (think, slaves practically) killed him and covered it up so as to avoid being buried alive in the mine (it was cheaper to buy new labor than to move it from mine to mine). We also learned why salmon is pink and how Eskimos came to be.

I was really happy to see Quintin and to have a picture of what he does and where he is when we talk. This job has been such a big part of his life for the past 3 years and even though it took me until this year, I was really glad to finally be there in person. It was especially great to meet his friend Josh who he thinks of so highly and I've heard so much about. He was really nice and welcoming to all Q's crazy family and friends.

I was also surprised by the sheer amounts (and amazing quality) of the food. The website says "gourmet dinner" which it was. But it was also gourmet lunch, more drinks than we could consume, snacks, chocolate, homemade cookies, bacon/pancakes/melon/eggs for breakfast...you get the idea. It was delicious and fun to watch Quintin show off his cooking.

Check out Epleys.com for more information or this picture which is a favorite despite the fact (or because of it?) that Josh is only partially visible because he just fell off the front.

twaddle

I was reading this blog post on children's literature and came across my new favorite term: twaddle. Coined by Charlotte Mason, whose name meant nothing to me at the time, it covers terrible children's books that talks down to kids, offers no room for imagination, pushes a particular agenda or is a poorly disguised advertisement for a particular product. We read a lot of books (albeit the board books without much story at this point) here, but I have to tell you, there's a lot of twaddle out there. Here are my favorite under 1 books so far, so if you're looking for a good baby shower or birthday gift for an itty-bitty, try these out:

Can't You Sleep Dotty? by Tim Warnes (cute book, but the best part is the dog howls awoooo! and now Jonah does too)
Counting Geckos by Charline Profiri
That's Not My... by Fiona Watt (we have the dragon book, but they're all cute)
I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti

No twaddle there!

book ends

We're back from Idaho! We had a great time. Still, I'm pretty sure it will be more fun as soon as I sleep in my own bed tonight. I still need to collect pictures from everyone who had cameras and develop the film from my waterproof camera that I took on the boat, but here are the first and last pictures from my memory card:Jonah tries to climb into his car seat (on the airport floor) one too many times, so we just let him chill in it.Boys waiting for the luggage to arrive.

Jonah traveled better than I did (the turbulence that made me sick made him laugh) and hardly peeped on any of our flights. My glasses broke on the last leg of the trip, but all things considered, that's not too bad. I need new glasses anyway, right?