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It has returned. The attack of the weeds has begun again! My herb garden is becoming over-run, so I have begun my nightly routine of 10-15 minutes of pulling what doesn't belong. (If I do any more than that at one time, my fibromyalgia flares and I am out of the game.) Then I looked in my lawn and realized that the entire summer may be spent with a trowel and digger in hand! Where to start?
Here is what I decided:
- Begin with what can hurt me or the someone else. Utah has these wonders called goat heads. They resemble the caltrops used in the warfare to make a horse go lame, except they are small, wooden, and stick into feet about 1/8 of an inch. OUCH! There are also thistles with spikes, and other stickers of various shapes and sizes. I have no mercy on any of them.
- Move on to the vines which aren't as much a threat to me but will choke my plants. Bindweed looks similar to a miniature morning glory, but isn't as pretty or as helpful. Morning glory has large, gorgeous flowers which follow the sun and climb so that you can plant it and create your own privacy fence or trellis wall. Lovely! Bindweed, on the other hand, creeps along the ground, up the fences, and across everything in sight. It sends out roots that cover the same area underground. The only truly effective way to eradicate it is by hand-pulling it every time you see any. AUGH! No mercy here either.
- Pull whatever else is there which shouldn't be. There are indigenous plants which pop up here and there. One tug and out they come. No big deal. Just not invited into my lawn or garden.
What am I learning as I pull, tug, dig, and yank? My life is also full of weeds. Some aren't necessarily dangerous; they just get in my way if I let them. Others choke out the things I would prefer to have in my life instead. They are the time and/or energy wasters. I just need to be vigilant to keep them at bay or I will find everything I intended to grow and flourish is buried under something much less desirable. Then there are those things which can really damage me or those I love. Anger, worry, judging, selfishness, and vitriol can become so encompassing I lose sight of the beauty and grandure which surrounds me. If I am not careful, they will steal my peace of mind, and make having a grateful heart near to impossible. People are fallible, me included. My garden grows as I accept them for who they are and what they have to share. I grow as I share and accept and love.
Maybe as I weed this year, I can clear more ground than what is outside my window.


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I am a great fan of cracked wheat. I had never tasted it before. However, from the past several months I have been using it regularly. I prepare Cracked Wheat Upma with Cabbage at least 3 times a month.
Cabbage as you all know has many many health benefits. It is also the most cheapest vegetable out there and full of costly nutrients. How about that? 🙂
To read more about what all nutrients cabbage has take a look here.
- 2 cups Cracked Wheat
- 2 cups finely chopped cabbage.
- 4-5 green chillies.
- 2 tsp Vangibath powder(Opitonal)
- 1/4 fresh finely grated coconut
- 4-5 curry leaves finely chopped
- 3 tsp finely chopped cilantro
- Salt to taste
- sugar to taste
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp channa dal, 1 tsp urad dal, 1/2 tsp turmeric, pinch of hing for seasoning
First, in a non stick pan or any deep vessel fry the cracked wheat continuously until it turns golden brown. Make sure it doesn't burn out. Transfer this onto a plate.
Next, add 2 tsp oil. When it is hot enough add all the seasoning ingredients one after another. Add green chillies and curry leaves also. Add the cabbage and 3 cups of water and cover. Let this boil until the cabbage is cooked. Now add the Vangibath powder, salt, sugar. Once this boils as well, slowly add the cracked wheat. While you are adding cracked wheat, make sure there are no lumps, so keep stirring continuously. It should look watery when you have added all the cracked wheat.
Now, cover the vessel, and cook on slow fire for another 15-20 minutes, once the rava is cooked, add coconut, finely chopped cilantro and lemon juice.
Serve with chatnipudi and yoghurt. Enjoy.

subset: commoncrawl


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John 15:4-7 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
1 John 2:28 English Standard Version (ESV)
Children of God
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
Cross references:
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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A simple effective activity that can be enjoyed by children of all ages.
You will need:
- Paper
- Black paint
- Scissors
- Glue
- Googly Eyes
Paint the children's hands with the black paint and press onto the paper. Once the handprints have dried cut around them and glue them together at the wrists, to finish the spider, glue two googly eyes in the centre. Use the little spiders as part of a wall display or attach to some string and hang from the ceiling.
Older children will be able to cut out the handprints and assemble them themselves, but younger children will need more support.
Areas of learning covered:
- Creative development
- Physical development


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Adidas has partnered with one of the world's leading digital music sources, Spotify, to #boostyourrun with personalised playlists.
Runners can visit http://spotify-adidas.com/boostyourrun/ and input location, distance, musical interest and desired workout intensity to create a playlist that opens in a Spotify app.
This will generate a selection of tracks tailored to the distance and music that matches the runner's desired intensity which includes 'easy', 'moderate' and 'push it'.
Unusual opportunity
Boost Your Run marks the first time Spotify will leverage its library of more than 20 million songs to provide a personalised playlist for runners. In a matter of seconds runners can easily enjoy a new Spotify playlist each time they lace up with the adidas Boost Your Run activation.
Boost makes everything about running better and now that also includes the music that millions of runners rely on for motivation
– Adrien Leek, senior vice president of adidas running.
Runners are encouraged to share their experience using #boostyourrun via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Runners who use #boostyourrun also have a chance to be rewarded with prizes such as full year Spotify Premium accounts for their participation.
Adidas Boost Your Run is available wherever Spotify is accessible. Spotify coverage continues to grow globally and for a complete list of areas that offer Spotify and Boost Your Run, please click here.
Keep up with the adidas running story by following www.facebook.com/adidasrunning and www.twitter.com/adidasrunning.
Want your say? Email us at email@example.com or talk to us in the comment thread below – we will do our best to get back to you soon. Follow us on twitter via @womensrunninguk


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Transcript Agroclimatic Zones - Xavier Institute of Management
PRESENTATION ON RPLS • With the 329 million hectares of the geographical area the country presents a large number of complex agro-climatic situations. • 70 percent of India's population lives in rural areas where the main occupation is agriculture having a average farm size is only 1.57 hectares. • 93 percent of farmers have land holdings smaller than 4 ha and they cultivate nearly 55 percent of the arable land and 1.6 of the farmers have operational land holdings > 10 ha • Several attempts have been made to delineate major agroecological regions in respect to soils, climate, physiographic and natural vegetation for macro-level planning on a more scientific basis . • Due to the challenge of feeding our vast population and the experience of food shortages in the preindependence era, 'self reliance' in food grains has been the cornerstone of our policies in the last 50 years. • Agriculture is highly location-specific, grouping the available land area in the country into different agroclimatic regions based on certain identifiable characteristics becomes all the more important. • This may help the country to engage in more rational planning and optimizing resource use for the present and in preserving them for the future Planning of the ACZ of India A. Agro-ecological regions by the ICAR. B. Agro-climatic regions by the Planning Commission. C. Agro-climatic zones under NARP. D. Agro-ecological regions by the NBSS & LUP What is ACZ actually ? • An "Agro-climatic zone" is a land unit in terms of major climates, suitable for a certain range of crops and cultivars. The planning aims at scientific management of regional resources to meet the food, fiber, fodder and fuel wood without adversely affecting the status of natural resources and environment. Crop yield is (FAO, 1983). • The function of many factors like weather, soil type and its nutrient status, management practices and other inputs available . • This calls for collection, collation, analysis and interpretation of long-term weather parameters available for each region to identify the length of the possible cropping period taking into consideration the availability of water . • An appropriate mix of crop production and allied activities including horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry and agroprocessing etc. improved farming systems technologies will replace traditional crop production approach to minimize regional variations in rural incomes. • Previously on the basis of homogeneity in agrocharacteristics such as water surplus and water deficit, India was divided into 11 agro-climatic zones. • Later on it was divided into 15 agro-climatic zones on the basis of water surplus and deficit and cropping system. • Agro-ecological regions is a land unit cut out of the agro climatic region when superimposed on land form and the kind of soils and soil conditions that acts as modifiers to the climate and the length of the growing period. • The classification is on the basis of growth period , rainfall/potential evaporation and soil. There are two components of ecological zones1] Biotic factors viz,Flora and Fauna . 2] Abiotic factors viz. water , minerals , light [Note :At present India has been divided into 21 agro-ecological zones .] . Agro-climatic regions by the Planning Commission • The Planning Commission, as a result of the mid-term appraisal of the planning targets of the Seventh Plan, has divided the country into fifteen broad agro-climatic zones based on physiography, soils, geological formation, -Climate, cropping patterns, and development of irrigation and mineral resources for broad agricultural planning and developing future strategies Western Himalayan Region Demarcated into three states (not exhaustively) J&K, HP, UP, Uttranchal. Average max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 22.6 Average min. temp. (ºC)= Winter 2.6 Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1650-2000mm Climate=Cool and humid irrigation method=Border strip and wild flooding Soil type=( Any special soil condition or other a biotic limitation) Brown hill alluvial (recent), mountain, meadow, skeletal. Constraints in the region=Soil erosion, slides and slips. Important crops=Wheat, Maize, Paddy and Potato. Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial mostly having Rice-wheat, maize-wheat, vegetables-wheat Common pests Pests like Stem borers, aphids, are mostly prevalent in the area. To develop this region emphasis is on: (FAO Guideline) • -Intensification of the soil and water conservation planning. -Land utility planning should be implemented viz. agriculture for 30% sloppy land, horticulture for 30-50% slope, paddy for above 50% slope. -Good storage for transportation, marketing and processing. -Irrigation management like water harvesting technique. -Livestock management. • • • • Some research institutes in the region : Forest research institute, Deheradun -Vivekananda Parvitaya Annushandhanshala , Almora , Uttranchal -Potato breeding and certification station, Shimla The first agriculture University of India GBPUAT, Pantnagar is situated in this area. It caters to the need of the farmers. Eastern Himalayan Region This region includes the states like Assam Sikkim, W.Bengal & all North-Eastern states. • • • • • • • • • • Average max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 22.2 Average min. temp. (ºC)= Winter 8.8 Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1840-3528mm Climate=Humid and sub- humid Average method=Canals are the source and farmers irrigate by either border strip or wild flooding. Soil type= Any special soil condition or other abiotic limitation Alluvial, red loamy, red sandy, brown hill soil, soil erosion, flash floods, steep slopes, denudation and degradation Important crops=Maize, Paddy, Jute, Rapeseed. Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial(Rice-vegetables, rice-wheat, rice-rice, jute-wheat. Constraints=Sloppy terrain and rocky topography and traditional ways of cultivation like Jhoom cultivation and shifting cultivation leads to the low productivity of these regions . Common Pests like Stem borers, aphids and thrips are serious. FAO guidelines for improvement of this region • Soil and water conservation for each watershed. • Educate the people about the harmful effect of land erosion at Panchayat level. • Facilities of good supply of inputs, marketing transportation, processing and storage. • Adoption of Integrated Farming system because of different dietary pattern of local people • Good communication and transport facility. Lower Gangetic Plains Region It includes the areas of W.Bengal and adjoining regions • • • • • • • • • • Avg. max.temp. (ºC)= Summer 35.5 Avg. min. temp. (ºC)= Winter 11.0 Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1302-1607mm Climate=Moist humid and dry humid irrigation method=Canals and ground water are the water sources and irrigate by either border strip and wild flooding Soil type= Any special soil condition and yellow Deltaic. orRed . other abiotic limitation- Soil erosion and degradation, soil salinity and alkalinity Important crops-Rice, Wheat, Rapeseed, Maize and Potato Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial-Rice-mustard, Pulses-wheat,Rice-vegetables, rice-wheat, rice potato, ricewheat-summer rice Common pests and treatmentPests like Stem borers, aphids , Gundhi bug and case worm are prevalent. • Some of the pioneer institute in the regions are : • -Pioneer institute in fiber crop is -Jute technical research institute, kolkata. • -Central inland fisheries research institute, Barrackpore, W. bengal • This region is highly productive in the paddy cultivation as it comes under the lowest Gangentic belt Middle Gangetic Plains Region It includes the regions like UP, Bihar. • • • • • • • • • • Avg. max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 30.5 Avg. min. temp. (ºC)= Winter 16.8 Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1211-1470mm Climate=Moist sub- humid to dry sub- humid irrigation method-Canals and ground water are the water sources and irrigate by either border strip or wild flooding. Soil type. Any special soil like Alluvial condition or other Abiotic limitation= Floods. Important crops-Sugarcane, Paddy, Maize, Wheat Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial-Ricewheat, rice-fallow, maize-wheat, rice-lentil, ricevegetables, rice-wheat-sugar cane-ratoon-wheat/rice Common Pests= shoot borer, root borer, aphids, Temites, Rice weevil are prevalent. Some major institutes are : • Indian grass land and forst research institute, Jhansi, UP. • -Indian institute of sugarcane research, Lucknow, UP. • -Indian vegetables research institute, Varanasi , UP Upper Gangetic Plains Region It includes the regions of Uttar Pradesh and adjoining regions. • • • • • • • • • • Avg. max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 35.8 Avg. min. temp. (ºC)= Winter12.8 Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=721-979mm Climate=Dry sub- humid to sub dry climate irrigation method=Canals and ground water are the water sources and irrigated by either border strip or wild flooding. Soil type.=Alluvial Important crops=Rice, Wheat , Maize and Sugarcane Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial Rice-wheat, sugar cane-wheat, maize-wheat, pearl milletwheat Common pests-Pests like Stem borers, aphids, Termites; Rice weevil, Gundhi bug and various other diseases are prevalent. Trans-Gangetic Plains Region: It includes the regions of Panjab, Haryana, Delhi & Rajasthan. • • • • Avg. max. temp. (ºC) =Summer33.5 Avg min. temp. (ºC)= Winter14.0 Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1100-1300mm Irrigation method=Canals and ground water are the water sources and irrigate by either border strip or wild • Any special soil condition or other abiotic limitation=Alluvial (recent), calcarious, desert, water logging, salinity and floods. • Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial-Rice-wheat, maizewheat, maize-potato-wheat, cotton-wheat, sugar cane-wheat. • Common pests like Stem borers, root borer, aphids, golden nematodes and beetle are prevalent. • -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------• • • IARI [Indian ag. Research institute] Central Institute of post harvest engineering and technology, ludhiana, Soil salinity and research institute, karnal Eastern Plateau and Hills Region It includes the regions like UP, Orissa & W.Bengal • • • • Avg. max.temp. (ºC) =Summer 32 Avg. min temp. (ºC)= Winter 19.7 Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=1000-1050mm irrigation method-Tube wells and tanks are the water sources and irrigate by either border strip and wild flooding. • Any special soil condition or other a biotic limitationRed Shallow soils with undulating topography. • Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial-Ricefallow, rice-linseed/lentil, rice-horsegram /greengram. Rice-wheat, rice-mustard. ---------------------------------------------------------• Indian Lac Research Institute, Ranchi, Jharkhand Central Plateau and Hills Region MP, Rajasthan, UP comes under this zone • • • • • • • • • Avg. max. temp. (ºC) =Summer 34.8 Avg. min. temp. (ºC)= Winter16.3 Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm) irrigation method-Tube wells and tanks are the water sources and irrigate by either border strip or wild flooding. Name of important crops=Jowar , bajra , paddy and wheat Soil type. Mixed red and black, red and yellow, medium black, alluvial. Any special soil condition or other abiotic limitationRavinous lands and soil erosion. Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial, Fallowwheat, fallow-mustard, fallow-gram -Soybean-wheat, ricewheat. Common pests and treatmentPests like cut worm , borer (root and shoot)and sucking pests are prevalent Western Plateau and Hills Region Maharastra, MP & Rajasthan • • • • • • • • • • • Avg. max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 36.8 Avg. min. temp. (ºC) Winter16.6 Average seasonal rainfall (mm)=600-1000 irrigation method-Tube wells and tanks are the water sources and irrigate by either border strip or wild flooding. Soil type. =medium to deep black soils. Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial-Cottonpigeonpea, pearlmillet-sorghum, sorghum-wheat, pearmillet-wheat. Soybean-wheat/gram, rice-wheat. Common pests =Bollworm, aphids and thrips and different borers are also prevalent Development strategy-Management of minor irrigation. =========================================== Cotton Technological Research Institute, Mumbai (Maharashtra) National research centre for grapes ,Pune,Maharashtra. Southern Plateau and Hills Region AP, Karnatak, Tamil Nadu • • • • • • • • • Avg. max. temp. (ºC) =Summer 34.7 Avg. min. temp. (ºC)= Winter21.3 Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=650-1000 irrigation method-Tube wells and tanks are the water sources and irrigate by either border strip or wild flooding. Soil special -Medium to deep black soils, red sandy, and red loamy. Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial Rice-pulses and ricefallow. Rice-rice, Sugar cane and rice-ground nut. ----------------------------------------------------------------Central tobacco research institute , Rajhamundhary,AP -Directorate of rice research ,Hyd,AP East Coast Plains and Hills Region This includes the regions like Orissa, AP, TN,& Pondicherii • • • • • • • • Avg. max. temp. (ºC)= Summer 36.8 Avg. min temp. (ºC) Winter17.2 Avg. seasonal rainfall (mm)=780-1287mm Climate=Semi-arid and dry sub-humid climate irrigation method=Tube wells and tanks are the water sources. Soil type= Red soil and mixed black, yellow, red sandy, laterite, and alluvial soils Important crops=Jower, Bajra, Groundnut, Rice and Ragi. Rich forest wealth is an asset, and shifting cultivation, soil salinity and acidity are the major constraints. • Central rice research institute ,Cuttuck , Orissa West Coast Plains and Ghat Region TN, Kerala, Goa, Karnataka, Maharastra • • • • • • • • The physiographic features are Western Ghats, plateau, river valleys, undulating rocky plains, and coastal plains. The western ghats is humid and the rest of the area is semi-arid. The rainfall = 60 to 200 cm. Major soil groups = black, red, lateritic, and alluvial. Rich forest wealth and Western Ghats suitable for plantation crops are the main assets. Dry farming is prevalent and -a considerable area is irrigated through wells, tanks and rivers. -Salinity, alkalinity, erosion, and acidity are the major problems. Average maximum temperature (ºC) Summer40.0 Average minimum temperature (ºC) Winter11.3 Average seasonal rainfall (mm)600-2000Soil type. • Any special soil condition or other abiotic limitationDeep black, coastal alluvial, and medium deep black • Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial Rice. Wheat is taken after ground nut/pearl millet/rice • =============================== • sugarcane breeding research institute, Coimbatore, TN; central coffee research institute ,Chikmanglur, Kar.indian institute of horticulture research, Banglore Gujarat Plains and Hills Region • This region is exclusive to Gujarat. The following are the characteristics: • Average maximum temperature (ºC) =Summer40.0 • Average minimum temperature (ºC) =Winter11.3 • Average seasonal rainfall (mm)=1000-1100mm • Soil type=Deep black to medium deep black • Cropping systems: subsistence or commercial Groundnut and different types of millets • National research centre for groundnut,Junagarh Western Dry Region Rajasthan comes under this zone • • • • Average maximum temperature (ºC) Summer42 Average minimum temperature (ºC) Winter2 Average seasonal rainfall (mm)600mm Soil type, Any special soil condition or other abiotic limitation-Desert, Gray brown soils • Cropping systems: subsistence or commercialPearl millet-fallow, cluster beanfallow, Kharif pulses-fallow And rotation with Cotton-wheat, Pearlmillet-wheat. =============================================================== -Central arid zone research institute, Jodhpur -Central institute for arid horticulture,Bikaner To develop this region emphasis is on: • Rain water harvesting and its management • Dryland farming and management canal and ground water • Development of agro-forestry and arid- horticulture The Islands Region It comprises the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the East and Lakshadweep in the West • The climate is typified by tropical conditions and the rainfall ranges from 1600 to 3000 mm. • The soils of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are medium to very deep, red loamy and acidic, and that of the Lakshadweep Islands are highly calcareous and sandy. • Most of the area is under forest and the land use is dominated by plantation crops. • Forest degradation leading to severe erosion and inundation of coastal areas leading to saline marshes are the major constraints. • It has greater potential for growing sustainable oil palm plantations. • Average maximum temperature (ºC) Summer22.8 • Average minimum temperature (ºC) Winter14.6 • Average seasonal rainfall (mm)1600-3000mm • Climate=humid;Important crops=Rice and Cocunut. • Central agriculture research institute , Portblair is the major research institute of the zone. Conclusion • Historically, regions were often associated with the crops in which they specialize for various agronomic, climatic, hydro-geological, . But, in the aftermath of technological changes encompassing bio-chemical and irrigation technologies, the agronomic niches are undergoing significant changes. • With the advent new farm technologies, agriculture become drought proof and growth become more regionally balanced. • • There has been a reduction in the instability of agricultural output it can be said that however hard we try to implement the changes in the cropping pattern and other structural changes , the factor of agro-climatic conditions ,perse, cannot be ignored. • Presented by : Deepak Jangid[16] Jayalakshmi [21] PGPRM-I


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OAKLAND – Sonny Gray got back to his old self on Friday night, and his timing couldn't have been better.
The right-hander threw 8 1/3 sterling innings as the A's beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-3 in the opener of a three-game series before a charged-up crowd at the Coliseum.
Gray scattered six hits, struck out five and walked two to win for the first time since July 26. With that, he snapped a personal four-game losing streak and surely sent a bolt of confidence surging through his teammates.
The A's came in having lost eight of their past 10, while the Angels arrived having just swept a four-game series at Boston. Oakland delivered one of its most well-rounded team performances in recent memory and pulled to within one game of the American League West-leading Angels. It didn't come easy, as Sean Doolittle came on in relief of Gray with one out in the ninth and allowed two singles and a walk. The bases were loaded with two outs and the A's leading 5-3, but Doolittle struck out pinch-hitter Chris Iannetta to end it.
The A's broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth when Sam Fuld delivered an RBI triple and came in to score on Andy Parrino's sacrifice fly. Stephen Vogt added a solo homer in the eighth to make it a 5-2 game.
Gray took the mound in the ninth to chants of "Sonny! Sonny!," reminiscent of his postseason starts as a rookie last year at the Coliseum. He retired Albert Pujols for the first out in the ninth but walked Josh Hamilton, and A's manager Bob Melvin called upon Doolittle.
Starting pitching report
Gray allowed Mike Trout's homer on the second batter of the game, and his only other mistake came on Josh Hamilton's solo homer in the fourth. That blast came one pitch after Gray didn't get a call on an 0-2 curve that appeared to be very close.
Bullpen report
Melvin, addressing Dan Otero's demotion earlier today, talked of the belief that his starters could pitch deep into games and save the bullpen in the coming games. Gray delivered from that standpoint, with Doolittle being the only reliever needed as he registered his 19th save, albeit with a bit of difficulty.
[RELATED: A's activate Gentry, option Otero to Triple-A]
At the plate
It was the opener of a critical series for the A's in front of a big home crowd, and Coco Crisp shined.
This is the kind of performance that's been his hallmark the past couple of years. He turned on a 1-2 pitch from Hector Santiago in the bottom of the first and jacked a home run over the elevated wall in right-center, his second leadoff homer of the season. That was big in that it answered Trout's homer in the first.
In the fifth, Crisp laced a ground-rule double to left to put himself in scoring position. After Craig Gentry walked, Crisp came home with the tying run on a bizarre play. Josh Donaldson smoked a comebacker that ricocheted off Santiago and went to second baseman Howie Kendrick. He flipped to second, but Erick Aybar's relay throw to first bounced past Albert Pujols, and the errant throw allowed Crisp to trot home and make it 2-2.
But the go-ahead rally came courtesy of the bottom of the lineup. After Alberto Callaspo's one-out single in the sixth, Fuld split the gap with a triple to right-center that put Oakland ahead. Then Parrino, who entered with just one RBI in three different stints with the big club this season, lifted a sacrifice fly to left. It was deep enough, as Josh Hamilton buried his throw in the ground and Fuld scored easily to make it 4-2.
In the field
Gray got a big lift in the top of the fifth with one out and runners on second and third. Kole Calhoun drilled a liner up the middle, but shortstop Andy Parrino was positioned perfectly to snatch the liner and race to the second base bag to double off Efren Navarro and end the inning.
The A's turned another nifty double play the next inning, this one 5-4-3, as second baseman Alberto Callaspo unloaded a difficult off-balance throw that had enough on it to get the not-so-lightning quick Albert Pujols at first.
Plays such as those helped keep Gray's pitch count down and allowed him to work into the ninth.
A crowd of 33,810 showed up for the series opener.
Up next
Jon Lester (13-8, 2.58) hasn't faced the Angels since August 2012, and he's 4-2 with a 4.44 ERA in eight career regular season starts against them. He'll oppose C.J. Wilson (10-8, 4.59) on Saturday. First pitch is 6:05 p.m.


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Manufacturer: Tad Coffin (View all products by Tad Coffin)
Model: A5 (View all A5 reviews)
Category: Close Contact Saddles
Purchase: I bought it used, only 1 year old, off eBay for about 2500.
Likes: I LOVE this saddle. It has a wider twist than many other saddles of similar cost and quality (ex Butet) which I find fits my wider hips better. The leather is very soft, and "grippy" making the rider feel instantly secure. It fits a variety of horses very well. I've used it on everything from ponies to warmbloods. It does tend to run wide, though, so if you have a narrow or TB-y horse, you may want to use the leather pad shaped to fit under the saddle. The thin leather pad is so nice, I've used it with non-Tad Coffin saddles as well, as it really helps relieve pressure on a horse with high withers. The color is a lovely rich brown, not bright orange like so many saddles found today, and which are so distracting. The dark color looks great on any color horse, and is easy to match to various brands of bridles and girths.
Dislikes: The seat tends to run a bit small. I would recommend purchasing 1/2 inch size larger than you would in a different brand of saddle. The dark leather is soft from being oiled, but it can stain white saddle pads when it is new. I bought this saddle used, thus no wait, however if I were buying it new, directly from Tad Coffin, I would dislike having to wait for so many weeks.
Quality: Well made. Very soft and easy to brake in. No flaws in the leather, and the tree seems strong and straight.
Summary: I would strongly recommend this saddle to anyone who rides in the hunter or eq rings. It's great for a variety of horses, and puts the rider in a great position.
Rating: 5
Author: element
Date: 2007-12-04
Usefulness Rating: 3 out of 5.
1 reader(s) voted.
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Spotted in the crowd, a bride and groom! I love the way Tash, at Palos Verdes Daily Photo, captured the happy couple amongst all the tourists and sightseers by the Tower Of London. Great shot Tash!
Daily photos from Regency Cheltenham, the Heart of the Cotswolds, and surrounding Gloucestershire
Definitely a point & shoot moment. The couple so darling. Thank you Marley for all the photo posts. That is so very nice of you.
life goes on within you and without you!
Now I haven't spotted a bride down here before.
My fav. kind of wedding snap natural and not posed. Well spotted Tash.


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Schenly Park Watershed Improvements affect bike infrastructure
A third pilot project, also along Schenley Drive, is called "Skinny Street," and would narrow the 40-foot-wide road to 26 feet, install infiltration berms to channel water into rain garden wetlands and construct a porous pathway for pedestrians and bicyclers along the road but separated from it by plants.
Narrowing the roadway, would reduce the amount of runoff from the impervious asphalt surface by more than 3.35 million gallons annually.
"Now the roadway is wide and curvy and there's no sidewalk or barrier between pedestrians, cyclists and cars," Ms. Copeland said. "By making it a 'skinny street' with a porous pathway we'll be able to capture much more storm flow and make the area safer."
Cost of the Skinny Street project, which won't be started until the first two are finished, is about $2.5 million.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pittsburgh-parks-conservancy-takes-aim-at-panther-hollow-restoration-682173/#ixzz2PaeVHgp9
This is a route I use to get to squirrel hill frequently, going up schenly drive instead of forbes ave (I hate riding through all the traffic lights on forbes, and dealing with speeding commuters trying to escape the city during rush hour).
I'm really not so fond of taking what is now a nice paved shoulder, which is bigger than most bike lanes in the city, and having it turned in to a path that I probably won't want to use during the winter, or when it's rainy/saturated with water (the hazelwood trail is nearly unbearable on skinny tires when it's saturated).
In the summer, having to share with pedestrians / joggers / dog walkers makes me avoid it completely during the day. I do think that there should be a pedestrian path adjacent to this road though, it's a definite need. Highland park has trails and bike lanes paralell to each other, why not schenly too?
Thanks for posting this. I'm agreeing with Benzo, this is not a step in the right direction for cyclists. For the watershed, for pedestrians, excellent. But on this road, cyclists need to continue to be directed to, and facilitated, to use the road. In conjunction with this project it seems to me that the whole section should be sharrowed. It's a park road for shit's sake, the speed limit is 25 mph, I believe. Motor vehicles need to clearly be made to feel that they are the "guests" here. And at a 25 mph limit, mixing cars and bikes is MUCH more logical than mixing cars and peds. If you are of an opinion please communicate this to the project planners.
Also, ENFORCEMENT!.
"I'm really not so fond of taking what is now a nice paved shoulder, which is bigger than most bike lanes in the city, and having it turned in to a path that I probably won't want to use during the winter, or when it's rainy/saturated with water (the hazelwood trail is nearly unbearable on skinny tires when it's saturated)."
So why not just ride on the street after it's narrowed? Just because some do-good asshat wants to build a separated MUP doesn't mean you are required to use it. Take the lane and just spinnin!
^I think mainly because the article does specifically mention this being some kind of improvement for peds and bikes. That assertion needs to be shot out of the sky ASAP.
Well, at face value, this would improve the safety of cyclists that are using the park for recreation. Anyone that wants to let their kids ride bikes in the park will benefit from the separation of the MUP from the road.
However, it may or may not improve the safety of cyclists that are just passing through the park. On one hand, narrower roads can result in a reduction of traffic speed, making it generally safer, but on the other hand, I've seen how impatient motorists take issue with a cyclist being in the road when "there's a bikepath right there!" I think all we can do is just keep using the road appropriately and tell the impatient people to go play hide-and-go-fuck-themselves.
This is the only truly beginner / family friendly connector from squirrel hill to Oakland. I plan on taking my 8 year old daughter that way this weekend. It's hard to be blase about sharrows and claiming the right to the road and just claiming it regardless of driver attitude if that, and more autonomous riding when she's not toooo much older is your goal. Lanes PLEASE.
I actually wonder if they might address their paved surface reduction efforts on circuit drive? Same watershed for sure. If you make that bike/golfcart/ped only, narrowing the lanes and making the ped part this more drainage conducive surface then I think you have something that's a pure positive from all angles.
My attitude about path in terms of family friendliness maybe is surprising, but it follows from the comparison of my daughter's feelings about the upper panther hollow trail vs. EFT/HMB. The former was "pretty good", the latter was "awesome".
Can't be the scenery, so has to be the smoothness of the surface. Paved was easy/fast and she LIKED that. She even liked climbing the bridge ramps coming back from the southside. Also, only paved surfaces work with training wheels, which is where my middle daughter is at the moment and maybe for the whole summer since she's not quite 4 yet. I want to take her this way, too, though I have the feeling I'll be pushing her bike pretty much all the way back up the hill.
I certainly don't mind it being separated and shared with peds in this context, but with enough bike lane width (which we have on the current shoulder), smoothness just matters more and is overriding in the case of folks who use this for commuting.
I contacted the folks at Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy with my concerns and the idea of narrowing and serpentine and circuit and making off limits to car traffic.
Someone, somewhere, is going to have a problem with cyclists being both in the "driving" lane and the path. Too bad for them. We road riders, capable of riding 20 mph, will duke it out with the cars. Mom and the kids, toodling along at 6 mph, which is all that little Jane and Steven can manage at age sub-8, will be in the path.
Again, we are back to that we darn well intend to make it more difficult to drive, and that that is a good thing. That's what we have to sell, and it won't be easy.
I'm less sure about little Jane and Steven trying to ride through what amounts to mud. More details here, please?
From the phrasing I'm pretty sure it will be porous pavement, which is becoming a lot more common for stormwater management.
Also emailed my thoughts to PPC, to be constructive.
epkiley wrote:From the phrasing I'm pretty sure it will be porous pavement
For whatever perverse reason, I can't get the phrase "Incontinent Asphalt™" out of my head.
JaySherman5000 wrote:So why not just ride on the street after it's narrowed? Just because some do-good asshat wants to build a separated MUP doesn't mean you are required to use it. Take the lane and just spinnin!
I would ride on the street after it's narrowed, I wanted to point out that for me, it would be taking away space that I'm used to having as a buffer from cars when I'm climbing the hill. The bike lane on an uphill is a strategy used on a lot of Pittsburgh streets like forbes, millvale ave, liberty ave and would like that strategy to be maintained.
I'm not as concerned about a bike lane on the downhill, but I would prefer that be there as well.
If this could be designed as a complete street (using some sort of permeable pavement for a bike lane as opposed to a crushed limestone path) with separation of auto, cycle, and pedestrian users (with some buffering between them) then that would be the ideal solution.
Schenely drive through the golf course – as it is right now- is one of my favorite roads in the city. The painted line separating a one lane wide bike/ped section from the main rod is wonderful. If ther are peds in it, I can slide out to the road.
Going downhill, I can exceed the 25 mph speed limit – and still get passed by speeding drivers.
Improving the watershed is probably a good thing. I'm willing to sacrifice some of my biking pleasure for that.
On the other hand, I don't know if they ferilize the golf course. If they do, doing things like adding a few square yards of porous surface is just plain silly. Kinda like, "I have a fatal disease but I'm gonna make my life so much better by getting my hair cut."
I don't know what kind of runoff (if any) comes from Phipps Conservatory.
I'd take the lane downhill when not riding with the family and not miss having a wide should there one bit. Having an uphill lane would be nice I guess, but I'm not sure whether I'd necessarily even prefer that to the shared pedestrian path, unless the shared pedestrian portion of this were too narrow.
So my first question is, what is 14 feet (difference between before and after as vehicle traffic is concerned) going to feel like? How wide is the jail trail, for instance?
If we don't have enough to work with here, I don't really see why, in what really is supposed to be a recreation area more than anything else, you can't shave at least another foot off per car lane, maybe more. But to be honest I don't see much point to cars there at all.
I commented and asked how many gallons removing the motor vehicle lanes would save. :)
they could depave one half the road to reveal the old blocks for the autos, (which allow water to pass thru) and leave the other half as is for bikes/peds. this whole thing seems really far off, and that they referred to people on bikes as "bicyclers" doesn't instill confidence that they know the ins and outs of our needs
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International Conference On Penal Abolition ICOPA 13
Abolition, Reform and The Politics of Global Incarceration
23 – 25 June 2010
Queen's University, Belfast
Contact: Deaglan Coyle <firstname.lastname@example.com>
Day 1 at the International Conference on Penal Abolition
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Justin Piché email@example.com
Throughout its history (1983 to present), the International Conference on Penal Abolition (ICOPA) has sought to shape debates on penal system policy internationally, as well as locally where the conference has been held, including Toronto and Montreal (Canada), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Kazimierz (Poland), Bloomington (USA), San Jose (Costa Rica), Barcelona (Spain), Auckland (New Zealand / Aotearos), Lagos (Nigeria), Tasmania (Australia) and London (England). At a critical period in the history of Ireland as justice and policing powers are devolved from the UK Parliament to the North Ireland Assembly, ICOPA is being held in Belfast (June 23-25).
As activists, advocates, academics, journalists, ex-prisoners and other fellow travellers gathered for Day 1 of the conference, a number of issues were brought to the table.
Highlights include:
– The opening plenary on the state of prisons in Ireland featured the launch of ActionPrisons, the first abolitionist prison group founded in the North and South.
– Parallel sessions included a panel on women's imprisonment issues and abolition, and a session which focussed on the activities of groups such as the Coordinadora of Spanish Prisoners in Struggle (COPEL), Critical Resistance in the United States, and the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.
– The afternoon plenary featured a roundtable where international delegates discussed their views of what is to be abolished, the strategies used to achieve their aims, and alternatives that have been put into place to address complex harms and conflicts in our respective communities that are commonly called 'crime'.
– The day closed with a panel featuring the work of Inside-Out – a program where prisoners and students take university-level courses together inside prisons, and the work of The Educational Shakespeare Company (ESC) staff members and volunteers including ex-prisoner Sam Henry.
– The evening featured the second public screening of the outstanding adaptation of Macbeth in a contemporary prison produced by ESC (view trailer). It was filmed entirely in Maghaberry High Security Prison, N. Ireland with long-term prisoners who also built the sets. The screening was followed by a documentary on the making of the film, as well as a Q&A session with the Director, Tom Magill, himself a former prisoner, and with Sam Maclean, now released after nearly 30 years inside, who plays Duncan in the film.
With a great day behind us, those of us in attendance are very much looking forward to what the days ahead of us in Belfast will bring. To connect those not present – but who are here in spirit to ICOPA – international delegates on the ground have been filming as many of the presentations and discussions as possible and will be making the videos available on YouTube in the days ahead. Links to these videos will be posted on Tracking the Politics of 'Crime' and Punishment in Canada, as well as other websites.
Day 2 at the International Conference on Penal Abolition
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Continuing the discussion on inside-outside collaborations, Day 2 of the International Conference on Penal Abolition (ICOPA) began with a short presentation on the Journal of Prisoners on Prisons. This was followed by presentations of works authored or co-authored by prisoners and ex-prisoners. One panel held during the second morning session featured presentations on rights inside prisons and in societies more broadly such as England, the Netherlands as well as Trinidad and Tobago. A second panel focussed on the role of abolition in the academy, women's imprisonment and abolition, and the shocking levels of overcrowding and associated issues in South African prisons. Discussion in the afternoon session centered on criminalisation, prisons and communities in Ireland.
The proceedings were followed by a community visit in Belfast where conference delegates participated on a tour of Loyalist and Republican neighbourhoods divided by a two story 'peace' wall led by former political prisoners. The day ended with a viewing of H3 – an award winning film made in 2001 shot in the H Blocks, written by former Hunger Striker Laurence McKeown and ex-prisoner Brian Campbell – which traces the context, circumstances and consequences of the policy of criminalisation of political prisoners, the refusal of the Thatcher Government to negotiate and the 1981 Hunger Strikes. The day ended with a Q&A with Hunger Striker Pat Sheehan held over dinner at An Cultúrlann, culture and arts centre.
Day 3 at the International Conference on Penal Abolition
Friday, June 25, 2010
Day 3 of the International Conference on Penal Abolition (ICOPA) picked-up where Day 1 and Day 2 left off with a plenary on the work of the Australian Prison Project. Presentations in the second session addressed the role of language amongst Republican political prisoners during the Troubles, penal abolitionism and prisoner movements in Western Europe during the 1960s and 1970s, and the increasing use of philanthropic discourses used by the NGO and voluntary sectors to promote the extension of carceral controls outside prison. The afternoon session was dedicated to the life and work of Louk Hulsman, with presentations from Phil Scraton and Jehanne Hulsman.
As the conference winded-down, the discussion turned towards the future of ICOPA. After a few hours of dialogue it was decided that the conference-movement would work towards the launch of a website that would create a space to provide information on penal abolitionism, as well as facilitate exchanges amongst those engaged in abolitionist work and those involved in related struggles. It was also resolved that the next conference would tentatively be held in Trinidad and Tobago, subject to a six month review, and that Ottawa would serve as the event site should it become evident that its abolitionist agenda would be compromised by state interference.
The conference ended with the launch of Justice Action's OUR PICK Report which provides an analysis of the corrupt health industry in Australia, and proposes a pathway for mental health patients and prisoners going forward.
A first series of videos featuring presentations from ICOPA 13 is now posted online (view here). Check back in the days and weeks ahead for new videos from the conference as they are edited and uploaded on the site.


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As an emerging crop with only a very recent history of cultivation and domestication, there are tremendous opportunities to improve the efficiency, reliability, sustainability, and economics of shrub willow cropping systems. We are conducting the following applied research projects aimed at expanding the options and improving the sustainability of shrub willow crop management.
Single- vs. double-row spacing
The current commercial practice is to plant shrub willow bioenergy crops in a double-row spacing configuration with plants every 24 inches (0.61 m) within rows that are 30 inches (0.76 m) apart in each double-row. The double-rows are separated by a 5 foot (1.52 m) alley, resulting in a stand density of 5,808 plants per acre (14,351 plants per hectare). In 2009, we planted a trial with 10 varieties to compare the yields, growth habit, weed management, and harvesting efficiency of a single-row spacing arrangement (18 inches (0.46 m) between plants in rows spaced 5 feet (1.52 m) apart) that results in the same stand density as the conventional double-row spacing (see Figure). This trial was coppiced at the end of the 2009 growing season and will be harvested at the end of the 2012 season.
Herbicide trials
Successful establishment of plantations of shrub willow bioenergy crops requires effective weed management, especially during the first two growing seasons. While a number of pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides have been regularly used in academic research trials and demonstration fields, there are no commercial products labeled in the United States specifically for use on shrub willow bioenergy crops. We have initiated trials to identify products that can serve in the management of weeds in commercial shrub willow fields, based on low phytotoxicity and efficacy in the control of typical problem weeds in willow plantings. In the spring 2010, field trials were established on three sites: at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY by Larry Smart's group; Fredonia, NY by Dennis Rak of Double A Willow and Rick Dunst of the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Lab; and in Escanaba, MI by Ray Miller of the Forest Biomass Innovation Center of Michigan State University. Using the same experimental design for each trial, seven commercial willow varieties in six-plant plots were planted in four replicate blocks at each site. Eight individual pre-emergence herbicides were applied at two rates each: a typical labeled rate for each product and double that rate. Two additional treatments were mixtures of two different pre-emergence herbicides. Approximately 30 d after planting, five post-emergence herbicides were applied at two rates each. Mid-season and end-of-season stem growth measurements were collected that together with a second year of trial results can be submitted for supplemental labeling of desirable products for use in commercial shrub willow bioenergy crops.
Cover crop trial
In addition to trials testing herbicides for weed management, we are also testing the efficacy of planting cover crops to suppress weed growth during the establishment year. In 2010, we established a pilot trial in Geneva, NY with one willow variety (Salix sachalinensis x S. miyabeana 'Sherburne') to compare efficacy of weed suppression and potential for competition with willow of two cover crops, Dutch white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), relative to plots sprayed with a mix of pre-emergence herbicides (Dual Magnum and Prowl H2O). We will assess the growth and percent weed cover in these treatments relative to hand weeded and untouched plots.
For more information on cropping systems, contact Larry Smart.


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Incredible drone footage gives great perspective. August 2016
Shaka Shakedown Episode 105
Shaka Shakedown is an innovative 30-minute action-comedy show featuring talent from all around the Pacific Rim.
Shaka Shakedown Episode 104
http://shakashakedown.tv Send us a video you'd like to see in Shaka Shakedown!
Amazing! Paper Art by Li Hong Bo
Amazing paper sculptures by artist, decease Li Hong Bo. For more images of his work visit http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=hongbo+paper+art&qpvt=hong+bo+paper+art&qpvt=hong+bo+paper+art&FORM=IGRE
Peter Schneider on Pure Pacific
Coming Soon to Pure Pacific. One of the world's greatest underwater camera operators, Peter Schneider presents his high definition video series of dive trips off Yap and throughout French …
Life is Good – In Places Too Beautiful to Exist
Thank you to a friend on facebook who sent me a pic from this great blog post http://www.boredpanda.com/amazing-places/ (Bored Panda) with 22 photos of places you won't believe could be …
Parkour – Hawaii Sports Profile 1
Ozzi Quintero's Hawaii Parkour group at Ala Moana Beach
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Man Booker International Prize preview
Eileen Battersby surveys the shortlist of six titles ahead of tonight's awards ceremony
The six shortlisted titles
Slowly the minutes appear to drip by, yet finally a result is in sight, and whatever the destination of the Man Booker International 2017, now in the second year of its reinvention – fiction in translation, the standing army of world-class literary translators and we, the readers, are the big winners.
Joining us of course will be the winning author, the chosen one of the four men and two women – or, to be even more exact, one of the three Europeans, two Israelis and a lone South American. Each of the six competing novels has been translated and published in English by British publishers. Equally, each of the six books has been well received; two of the shortlisted authors have been tipped as potential Nobel Prize in Literature laureates.
One of the novels to survive to the final out of an original submission of an initial, highly impressive 123 titles, is most accurately described (okay by me but I am not alone) as perfect; a second, the only debut, has been hailed as mysterious; a third as engaging and likeable; a fourth as a literary confection of anecdotal delight; a fifth could break your heart; and the sixth, written by an acknowledged literary giant, takes on the contentious and painful history of his troubled country.
Interested? Why not have a look and see how writers can make a very big world appear very small, vulnerable, utterly human and all things considered, not such a bad place to be. Literary translators are opening the world to readers and this list includes works originally written in French, Spanish, Danish, Norwegian and Hebrew. The winning author will share their prize, 50/50, with their translator, all too often the invisible conduit but not according to Man Booker International.
Tonight's contenders
The Unseen by Roy Jacobsen, translated by Don Bartlett and Don Shaw
Why not begin with perfection? This is the story of a family living on an isolated island off the Norwegian coast. The central character is Ingrid Barroy, born on the island which bears her name. Her father is a dreamer; her mother looks on in stoic resignation. Life is hard, the sea is lord and a change in the weather can prove fatal. Roy Jacobsen was shortlisted for the Dublin International Literary award in 2009 with his beautiful wartime story of one man's defiance, The Burnt-Out Town of Miracles, which earned him a devoted readership. He has a huge following in Ireland, and his subsequent novels Child Wonder and Borders also impressed. The Unseen was my Book of the Year last year and it is also included in the forthcoming Irish Times selection of books for Dad on Father's Day. This novel is already widely admired – no, make that deservedly loved.
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell
Unsettling, fluid, elusive, as strange as the human mind, Schweblin, from Argentina, the youngest contender at 39, as expected made the final six with her intoxicating debut novel, brilliantly translated by the outstanding Megan McDowell. The good old Gothic does its thing in this mesmerising narrative which charts the tragic descent of a young woman as she lies dying in a rural hospital, sharing a fragmented conversation with a boy who is not her son. And to think all she did was to dare to enjoy a country vacation with her small daughter while her husband stayed on in the city, working. It is a devastating feat of translation conveying all the menace and ambivalence of the original.
Mirror, Shoulder, Signal by Dorthe Nors, translated by Misha Hoekstra
Supremely sympathetic Everywoman Sonja is the Danish translator of Swedish crime fiction; she is very lonely and very human. Now 40, she is single, her sister is decidedly unsupportive, but Sonja decides to fight back and attempts to learn to drive. Should it be that difficult? Well, for Sonja it is. Nors is clever and in tune with the small hardships, often the most painful, of life. The first Danish writer to have a story published in the New Yorker – and let's be honest this has become a calling card, as if she needs the New Yorker. Author of Karate Chop, a collection of short fiction which you either love or, like me, merely er, like… and the inventive novella, Minna Needs Rehearsal Space, which is a performance piece of sorts and ideal for the stage, she is very popular. Although the only one of the six who most emphatically should not win, and cannot win, Nors has written a book which is impossible to dislike and could leave even the most stony-hearted Grinch (me) with a smile on their face (it did.)
Compass by Mathias Enard, translated by Charlotte Mandell
Everything you may ever have heard or imagined hearing about French flair comes into play in this delightful confection. Arabist, scholar of the Middle East and author of cult wonder Zone (2008), Enard's impossible genius is tempered by his humour. His narrator Franz Ritter, an insomniac musicologist, dreamer and unrequited lover, lies in bed, very ill, possibly dying and revisits the time he spent with the love of his life, a tenacious French woman, also a scholar, who pursed knowledge with a deranged intensity.
The narrative spans one night as his mind and imagination race. It is simply gorgeous, anecdotal and eccentric without being bombastic. It makes one recall Ivan Goncharaov's classic Oblomov (1859). Rich in ideas, digression and historical fact, with a cast of colourful, often comic characters, Compass is also profound. Enard's theme is the ongoing conflict of East versus West. He is contemplating the ransacking of Middle Eastern culture by countries who built up impressive museums filled with loot, theft passed off as intellectual endeavour. Most poignantly, Compass will encourage a reader to pause and consider the plight of the Syrian people. To read it is to wander in a treasure house. Be warned.
A Horse Walks into A Bar by David Grossman, translated by Jessica Cohen
Bold, brash, angry and heartbreakingly tender, with flurries of exasperated humour, here is a novel to take one by surprise. David Grossman, widely tipped as one of two major Israeli writers capable of winning the Nobel Prize in Literature, has a body of fine work to his name. He is an impassioned, courageous writer and commentator. This novel does announce itself with strident, uncharacteristic intent. Even Grossman's many admirers might be taken aback at the tone – if only initially. One of my books of 2016, it is also included in the forthcoming Irish Times selection, A book for Dad on Father's Day.
Dovaleh G is a veteran stand-up comic – desperate, perhaps even unhinged – but on a mission to tell the truth. He regales an audience at a small-town Israeli nightclub with the story of his past. Not everyone chooses to stay. As the long evening unwinds, so too does an account of childhood pain. A demanding and gloriously rewarding novel, in it Grossman confronts the business of being alive.
Judas by Amos Oz, translated by Nicholas de Lange
Also regarded as a potential Nobel laureate, the legendary truth teller Amos Oz, Grossman's countryman and senior by 15 years, looks back to his earlier work with Judas. It is a novel of ideas as well as a story of an Everyman figure, Shmuel, a student whose tendency to shout out his ideas is stalled by the departure of his long-suffering girlfriend. So upset is he by this that he abandons his thesis and persists in replying to an advertisement requesting a willing listener to an elderly man's thoughts. Set in the winter of 1959-1960, it is vintage Oz. The subsequent love story between the young man and a world-weary older woman of dangerous appeal may set teeth on edge, but Oz is always worth heeding. It is an important work and as ever Oz's translator Nicholas de Lange attends to the power, intensity and nuance Oz brings to every idea.
Who will win?
Don't bet your house on this one – only Nors looks a clear outsider.
Who should win?
Compass is a delight; comparable to finding you have inherited a chocolate factory. I love it. Can Roy Jacobsen's perfect novel stave off the weighty challenge of the Israeli duo? This will be close. A great deal depends on how much you need a house….
Lest we forget: firstly, the current and growing interest in the wealth of international fiction in translation owes a debt to the Dublin International Literary Award which has since 1995 pioneered and consistently showcased international fiction in translation. This year's winner will be announced on June 21st from a short list of 10 titles, six of which are in translation.
Secondly, many outstanding novels did not make the shortlist including Bricks and Mortar by Clemens Meyer, translated by Katy Derbyshire which was long listed, while neither Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag, translated by Srinath Perur, nor Kruso by German poet Lutz Seiler, which was translated by Tess Lewis, even made the long list. Back in January I thought Kruso would win this – I still feel it should be in there, battling it out in the final six. You could spare a thought for the judges but then again why? What a wonderful job, getting to read such a range of remarkable novels.
The winner of the 2017 Man Booker International Prize for Fiction will be announced at 10pm on Wednesday.


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BIANCA Waterproof Printed Shower curtain ( 12pc plastic hooks included) (SC99)
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Content & Size
1N Shower Curtain : 1.80 m X 2.00 m
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Enjoy a bubble bath in your tub while hiding yourself behind this opaque shower curtain. This BIANCA contemporary shower curtain is ideal for all modern day homes.
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- In case of any complaint please write to in charge as address stated above or email@example.com or Call 022-26843131.


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Once again our annual trip to the Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend, one of our favourite shows, started with disaster! As we have done for the last few years, we booked in the Caravan Club site at Cragg Vale in Mytholmroyd. One of our favourite sites, which would probably be our all-time number one site if it had toilet and shower facilities and Wi-Fi. It's just over a mile from the show site and an idyllic base for a weekend. Well on the way there, I put my foot down in the motorhome, to overtake a bus which was pulling in, and the exhaust snapped! I arrived at the site sounding like the truck from Duel chasing down Dennis Weaver! Fortunately the AMC Pacer fared better and made it over without a hitch.
As seems tradition with the Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend, rain was never far away and we had a downpour overnight. After drying the car off and getting ready to go to the show – it rained again! This time we came prepared and took along a fishing shelter and a couple of folding chairs – just in case – Of course we needed them. However by lunchtime the rain had all but blown over. As ever the Saturday was for classic cars over 21 years old and once again there was an excellent selection of exhibits, even if the weather kept a few exhibitors away. Due to the 21 year and over rule, there was a pleasing absence of modern cars with the exception of a few Rolls Royce, Bentley, replicas and military vehicles.
On the Sunday, the weather stayed dry and we took a drive into Hebden Bridge for a spot of lunch and a walk round the quaint Yorkshire town. If you have never spent any time in this little gem, you really must. We walked across the canal bridge and onto the showground to take a look at the 'vintage' pre1972 vehicles. Again an excellent selection of exhibits and the largest turn out of Jowetts I have ever seen.
This show, organised by the Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge is in its 32nd year and is going as strong as ever. As well as the vehicle exhibits, there was a selection of auto jumble, charity stalls, crafts and food. There was even live music by a jazz band and an excellent vocalist. I'm looking forward to booking for the 2015 show.


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HMNIM PROTOTYPE Series BLACK HandsHi My Name is Mark
Our first release for 2019 is the HMNIM x Vannen Prototypes. Our logo in gloss black on matte black watches with 3 different color hand sets, black, white, and gray hands. These are very limited as they are a Prototype series of watches that won't go into full production.
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- Box Art Image: Vannen Prototype Graphic


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Martin Gonzalez of La Milpa in Chesterfield County
Martin Gonzalez was suicidal.
Everything he had worked for since coming to the United States was slipping away.
In 2006, Gonzalez and his business partner had split — the partner taking the two Latin markets that they had started together and Gonzalez assuming sole ownership of restaurant and cultural hub La Milpa.
As the nation began digging out of its biggest financial crisis since the Depression, Gonzalez was buried in $100,000 of debt, his long-distance marriage was beyond strained, and he had a 10-year-old son whom he saw only twice a year.
"Everything was wrong," he says, "Personal, business and spiritual."
Part I. A New Life
Aztecs were master observers, especially when it came to their land. They created exceptional agricultural systems based on the combination of environmental factors and human creativity.
Gonzalez was born one of 14 children in Mexico City. To escape the chaos of his crime-ridden neighborhood, he often would ride the subway to a southern suburb called Xochimilco — an oasis of canals and chinampas, floating, man-made islands created by the Aztecs in the 1300s.
On those islands, filled with hummingbirds, residents grew vegetables and flowers, and from those islands, they fished in the canals.
Gonzalez would find solace in watching those tending the islands for hours, gravitating to the agriculture and nature as if an external force was guiding him.
"Even though I was from the city, I enjoyed the country, what you could learn," he recalls.
Gonzalez and La Milpa employee Carmen Sanchez prepare tomatoes for salsa.
Gonzalez left Mexico City in 1985 at the age of 18. He didn't tell a soul. He knew that his mother, Margarita, would try to stop him, but he also knew that no opportunities existed there and his path — he had been in a neighborhood gang for four years — would've led to violence.
Gonzalez and three friends entered the U.S. illegally, driving 3,600 miles to Virginia. He had heard Richmond was affordable, central, not too big and not too small. He saw a future.
Good fortune came a year after his arrival. President Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act, which allowed Gonzalez to apply for legal status after paying $1,000 in fines.
At night, Gonzalez took classes to learn English at Crestview Elementary in Henrico. During the day, he worked construction and various restaurant jobs, washing dishes and waiting tables.
He eventually enrolled at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College while working at Mexico Restaurant, where he became close with owner Raul Garcia and his cousin Fidel Villasenor.
Villasenor, 50, a longtime friend of Gonzalez and co-owner of Mexico Restaurant, came to Richmond in 1992 from Guadalajara, Mexico, and he says Gonzalez had a dream from the get-go.
"Ever since I met him, he always wanted to have his own business,"
Villasenor says. "Anything he puts his mind to, he does it, and when I met him, he said, 'I want to bring Mexico to the U.S., so they know who we are.' "
Day of the Dead celebration at La Milpa
Garcia and Gonzalez discussed starting a business that would connect the growing Latino community, and in 1994, they opened up Mexico Mini Market No. 1 in Henrico at 6904 Rigsby Road, a store with a small kitchen — Gonzalez's first business.
"It was a big challenge," Gonzalez says. "First of all, I've never owned one, and secondly I was dealing with two different markets — Latino and American. I was learning everything so fast."
Three years later came Mexico Mini Market No. 2 on Jefferson Davis Highway in Chesterfield County. The Mini Market was a community-focused business in an area that was then mostly known for prostitution, drug dealing and vacant buildings.
That same year, 1997, Gonzalez traveled to Mexico for a month-long trip to see family and friends. While there, he met a woman, Irma Cervantes. They got married before he returned to the United States, and Gonzalez would return to Mexico nine months later for the birth of his son, Tonatiuh, or "sun god" in Aztec culture.
Irma and Gonzalez quickly realized that their hasty decision to marry was a poor one and found themselves arguing frequently. One thing they did agree on was the importance of their son growing up in Mexico, surrounded by family and Mexican culture, while Gonzalez focused on his businesses, a decision he says he doesn't regret.
"Being born in Mexico is important," Gonzalez says. "The family tradition, and everybody will take care of you and teach you. He needed to have his roots in Mexico first and then whatever he wants later."
Gonzalez and his son would speak on the phone every week, and he traveled to Mexico once or twice a year.
In 2000, Gonzalez became a U.S. citizen, and he and Garcia opened their biggest venture, La Milpa restaurant and market in Chesterfield County.
A salsa bar is a focal point of La Milpa's dining room, where customers order at the counter.
Aztec life revolved around the milpa — "plot or cornfield" — an agricultural system in which "the three sisters," corn, beans and squash, are grown together.
"I was really feeling like this is the American dream going on," Gonzalez says.
His vision — a life spent sharing his culture with other people — was materializing.
La Milpa's sky-blue building on Hull Street Road near the city line became a Latino oasis, a comforting place, a spot that bridged a gap between what many left behind and what they were starting here. Cactus plants went in outside the building, and images of artist Frida Khalo, singer Pedro Infante, comedian Cantinflas and Aztec pyramids were placed on the windows.
Flamboyantly colored traditional Aztec headdresses adorned the walls. In the background, the television would be tuned, sound down, to soccer while Mexican music played. Display cases housed religious memorabilia.
Carne asada taco at La Milpa
Customers also could find Mexican ingredients and authentic dishes — corn husks for tamales, prickly pear and dried peppers, and beef tongue and tripe tacos.
In 2001, La Milpa participated in the first Que Pasa Festival, a showcase of Richmond's Latino community that still occurs today along the Canal Walk.
La Milpa also hosted "Dia de Los Muertos," or Day of the Dead, one of the most important Mexican traditions — a three-day celebration from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 of those who have passed.
"I like that celebration because it puts everything in balance, and you can think of the stuff you're doing and remember your teachers and your parents," Gonzalez says.
Part II. The Crash
An Aztec legend says, "Continue your search after the rainy days have passed, follow the small rays of sunshine clad with tiny flower suckle lances."
Although La Milpa was attracting customers, in 2006 business behind the scenes was starting to crumble.
The new wife of Gonzalez's partner, Raul Garcia, wanted to be involved in the businesses, and Gonzalez disagreed. The two decided to split their businesses — Garcia took the two established mini markets, and Gonzalez bought Garcia out of La Milpa for $30,000.
Going into business by himself was the biggest risk of Gonzalez's life. Then in 2008, the economy crashed — and so did he.
His bills were overwhelming. He owed thousands in back taxes, and he was being harassed by debt collectors daily, with every call intensifying his anxiety. He had to take out a second mortgage, but it wasn't enough. He had no one to turn to. He was by himself with a family in Mexico.
"He was trying to do more than he could handle," Villasenor says. "If he had another owner, it would've been better — you need a partner. He didn't have the right people to help him."
Gonzalez couldn't escape the feeling of failure and found himself in a deep depression. A man who had always prided himself on having something to share felt like he had nothing to give.
At work he disguised his unhappiness, masking the truth about his failing business from his employees.
"I never talked about these kinds of issues," Gonzalez says. "I didn't have anybody dealing with this but me, so it was a big, big, big stress. I didn't want it to show to anybody that I had these kinds of issues. I didn't want people to get scared and run away and leave me alone."
It didn't work. Gonzalez lost employees; they went to other Latino businesses that were beginning to pop up.
He was also losing customers.
"People would come in, and I wouldn't have things [meat, seasoning, drinks]," Gonzalez says. "I would have to act like it was OK and tell them to come back, but the food and restaurant were suffering. I didn't know what to do."
Instead of being involved in the kitchen and focusing his energy on quality cuisine, Gonzalez was merely trying to stay afloat.
The restaurant that local chefs such as Jimmy Sneed had frequented because of its authentic cuisine had taken a steep decline.
The community hub that linked Latinos to their culture was lacking the spirit that had created it.
"It was going to be devastating for my way of thinking if I let this business go," Gonzalez says. "If I could keep this business going, I could keep going."
Gonzalez suffered in silence for five years. Every day brought the same dilemmas. Not enough income, not enough customers, no one to turn to and an overwhelming sense of failure.
While his wife and his son, Tonatiuh, then 12, moved to Richmond from Mexico City in 2010, the relationship between Gonzalez and Irma was distant. Tonatiuh, now 20, doesn't remember his mother and father ever spending time together alone.
"There was no end of the road, and knowing that from the beginning of the day was difficult," Gonzalez says.
"I thought about taking my own life."
Straw art by Martin Gonzalez
Part III. Rebirth
Aztecs believed that fallen warriors, after traveling to the world of the dead, would be reincarnated as hummingbirds and accompany the Sun God.
Gonzalez had to find answers, and he reached back to high school — to art class, to popotillo, an ancient art form made using stalks of dyed straw. His school had offered workshops, and back then he found himself drawn to creating something with his hands that was not only artistic, but cultural.
Gonzalez now would retreat for hours at the end of every day, sitting in silence and focusing his energy on art. It was an escape, a meditation. Over and over, he would delicately break the brightly colored straw into tiny pieces with his fingernail and press the pieces onto paper lined with a beeswax called campeche.
As he worked on forming his pieces, Gonzalez was able to organize his thoughts, clear his head.
"I was no longer thinking of running away and creating a bigger problem. You feel like an engineer when it's done. You say, wow, you don't remember doing that because you are in a trance.
"It gave me peace and saved my life."
"It gave me peace and saved my life." —Martin Gonzalez on art
But there was a second savior — a financial guru — who came his way.
In 2013, Monica Chavez visited La Milpa on the recommendation of her Honduran real estate agent.
Chavez and her son, Pablo, and daughter, Danny, came to Richmond on tourist visas from Puebla, Mexico, after Chavez's divorce.
When Danny entered the store, she exclaimed, "Mom, we can find the same brands here that we can in Mexico — it's like being home."
"I want to bring Mexico to the U.S." —Martin Gonzalez
The second time Chavez visited La Milpa, she was in search of walnuts to create chiles en nogada, a recipe from Puebla, Mexico, made in celebration of Mexican Independence Day. It features poblano peppers stuffed with meat and candied fruit and smothered in a walnut cream.
Gonzalez and Chavez struck up a conversation about pambazos, a popular Mexican street food with chorizo and potatoes; living in Richmond; and the experience of being a migrant in America.
"We made a connection," Gonzalez says.
Two weeks later, Chavez brought the pepper dish to Gonzalez, and he revealed his business problems, mentioning the thought of applying for a loan. An accountant in Mexico, Chavez had a strong financial background from working for her own company, GI Consulting. After talking, they both realized she was far more qualified than he was when it came to the numbers side of business.
"I said to her, 'I'm looking for a partnership,' " Gonzalez says. "I knew if I didn't do that, I would lose everything. We really put my vision and her vision on the table. She was the rescuer."
Chavez said yes and offered a $250,000 investment. In 2013, three months after the two met each other, Chavez became a business owner for the first time in America, and Gonzalez was able to hold on to his dream — they split the business down the middle. Chavez now resides in the U.S. on an investor visa, which she has to renew every two years. "He trusted me, and I trusted him," she says.
They paid off the back taxes and La Milpa's debt, including Gonzalez's second mortgage. The duo then purchased four vans for catering events and a trailer with a food truck that would sell 100 pounds of carnitas, cooked by Gonzalez, every Saturday and Sunday.
While they first became business partners in December 2013, eventually the two fell in love. Gonzalez filed for divorce last year.
"I found a whole new life when I came here," Chavez says. "He's my partner in life. I love his passion and the joy he has for life, and he is so intelligent, and we have a lot of fun together. We are dreaming of the future, and he offered incredible support for me, so I support him always."
After experiencing what popotillo did for him, Gonzalez realized he didn't simply want to make art, he wanted to share it. He has already taken his work to Chesterfield, Petersburg and Henrico schools and demonstrated the technique to students.
By 2017, Gonzalez and Chavez began to make a profit again. That same year, they closed the doors of La Milpa for "A Day Without Immigrants," along with a dozen other businesses in the area, in response to President Trump's immigration agenda. It's part of La Milpa's mission to let the community know that immigrants are strong threads in the U.S. flag.
"When you show support, people appreciate it, and we showed that people have to talk about [immigration] and that everybody can play an important role in this country," Gonzalez says. "The foundation of this country is immigrants; we cannot change history. It's accepting people that are looking for a better chance of life, better opportunities. We deserve an opportunity to have a second chance in life, and most of the people coming here are Latinos. They leave the place they're born because their life is in danger."
Gonzalez at Colibri, the garden he hopes will be a source of produce for La Milpa and struggling Latino neighborhoods.
A new venture that is a direct flashback to Gonzalez's fascination with Xochimilco's farmers is an 8-acre garden he is planting less than a mile from La Milpa.
Gonzalez's soft brown eyes are full of light and brightened by a royal-blue button-up embroidered with La Milpa's logo as he discusses plans for his garden, which he hopes will yield produce for the restaurant, for the store and eventually, he hopes, for struggling Latino neighborhoods in the community.
"Paso a paso, poco a poco — step by step, little by little," Gonzalez says.
When Gonzalez and others finish planting the garden, there will be nearly 5,000 plants, including cilantro, Roma tomatoes, jalapenos, serrano peppers, corn, zucchini, squash and onions. He will plant two to three times a year and build greenhouses for the winter. Down the road, he hopes to create small ponds for tilapia, just like he saw in the water at Xochimilco. He wants the community to get the best from the field and from the market.
"I want to make something that starts in the beginning … selling and providing food and learning how everything starts in nature and through the earth," Gonzalez says.
Last year, Gonzalez and Chavez contacted Virginia State University's Small Farm Outreach Program, which is led by Leonel Castillo.
Castillo, 69, is from Chiquita, Mexico, and he worked 45 years for Dole and Chiquita before coming to the U.S. last year. Castillo connected Gonzalez with Rosa Nunez, who took over managing Dodd's Acres Farm in Mechanicsville after the passing of Robert Dodd last year. Nunez and her husband, Carlos, who now manage the farm as Rosa's Garden, serve as Gonzalez's agricultural mentors.
In late April, Nunez gives a tour of her garden to Gonzalez and Leticia Austria, a longtime La Milpa customer.
Gonzalez plans to plant his garden on nearby land owned by Austria.
Gonzalez and Austria ask questions, take notes and laugh as Gonzalez takes pictures. He is one step closer to cultivating his garden, which he named Colibri, the Spanish word for "hummingbird," a good luck charm in the Aztec culture.
Although the garden will not supply all the produce for La Milpa, it could yield about 75 percent.
This means the freshest ingredients for his restaurant, incorporating healthier options, eliminating some fried Americanized items and getting back in touch with cooking roots that he had long neglected.
Gonzalez will introduce esquites, toasted corn with onions, fresh herbs, chilies and lime juice topped with mayo or sour cream, and verdolagas, an edible green also known as purslane, stewed with pork in a tomatillo sauce.
Gonzalez envisions cooking demonstrations that will feature his produce. Gonzalez and Chavez also want to sell La Milpa's 10 different salsas at farmers markets.
The couple started a live music program called La Casa del Artista in which musicians play on their renovated patio, which opened on Cinco De Mayo, and they plan to collaborate with chefs from throughout the Richmond region, while keeping their loyal customers happy.
Since 2000, when La Milpa opened, the Latino population in Chesterfield County has increased 234 percent.
"It's difficult to understand the Latino community because we are very different in culture and the way we think is different," Chavez says. "We believe we should honor our culture and explain to people that we are not drug dealers, we are not gang members, we have other values and delicious cuisine, and an ancient culture, and good music, and nice places to visit in our country, and that for Martin and I is so important — for you to know us like that."
"This is a time for things to change forever," Gonzalez says. "I want to cook the right way, like Mom used to cook."
Gonzalez's mother, Margarita, passed away two years ago in Mexico, but she passed down her cooking skills to Gonzalez. La Milpa's empanadas are made from scratch; the Mexican sausage and steak is butchered in house; the pork rinds take two days to achieve their traditional flavor and crunch; tortillas are made on site from Maseca; and the 200 gallons of salsa made weekly are from his mother's recipes.
And tacos will always be a staple at La Milpa — steak, al pastor, beef tongue and tripe.
"I don't even like tripe," says chef Jimmy Sneed, a longtime fan of La Milpa's cuisine. "But at La Milpa, man, they do them right."
Doing things right is what Gonzalez wants to focus on. At the end of the day, all he wants is to leave behind a piece of himself by which to be remembered.
"We have been here since the beginning, participating in developing community here," Gonzalez says.
"If I know I've been changing people's thoughts and life for good, that's what I like to work for."
Aztec information sources: whc.unesco.org/en/list/412, en.mxcity.mx/2015/06/hummingbirds-in-mexico-city/, britannica.com/topic/Huitzilopochtli


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19 Glitter Nail Polishes That Feel Festive All Year Round
Humanity's interest in all things sparkly may go up tenfold during the holiday season, but unlike our neighbor's Christmas lights, glitter nail polish won't look out of place a few months from now. Twinkly nails take any party look up a notch this time of year, but we're the first ones to advocate for some OTT fingertips on a random day in March too. Shimmery shades also have another distinct advantage: They're beyond easy to apply and touch up, so even die-hard salon-manicure devotees can manage at home without disastrous results, and if they chip, it's usually barely noticeable.
This winter go for a classic metallic like gold or silver, pair a festive red with a plush velvet dress, or indulge your inner six-year-old with sparkly pink or bright purple. That way, next time you're feeling a little Grinch-like—such as, say, when your flight home is delayed for the third time—at least your nails will be in the holiday spirit. Shop 19 of our most-wanted glitter nail polishes, below.
- More from Glamour
- More from Glamour


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French-language resource
Paul decides that the sandbox is snow. With Suzanne dumping sand from her truck, he piles up a huge mound of "snow." When Suzanne enquires what he intends to do with all the sand, he replies, "A snowman!"
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Brandon Christopher Warren via Compfight cc
I don't know what it is about me that makes me want to tell people my life story when I first meet them. Sometimes I wonder why I'm so open, why I wear my emotions on my sleeve, why I have such a strong sense of trust in people I may have just met.
Why do I think my life is so important that everyone I meet needs to know about it?
Take yesterday afternoon for example. Vivian woke up from her nap a complete disaster, so upset that I dared come in her room to get her before she had fully woken up. After fifteen minutes of a terrible-two's-almost-three tantrum, I was finally able to calm her down and convince both kids to let me push them in the double stroller to the playground.
Let's talk about who got the better deal here for a moment. They got to enjoy a tasty snack of a cherry-vanilla cereal bar and a generous handful of sweet red grapes, along with a beverage of chilled water fresh from the fridge in their water bottles filled to the brim by yours truly, while I had the luxury of pushing them for thirty minutes in 85-degree, muggy heat to the playground.
I was happy to do it though. I've made a commitment to myself to be more active in September (and beyond, but I'm taking it one month at a time). My new therapist says I need to schedule self-care into my day or else I will end up neglecting myself and I know this is true. I've felt it lately. I can definitely tell a difference in my mood, my parenting, and my overall enjoyment in life when I take time to do things for myself each day.
So pushing the kids to the playground and back home is my way of having some time for myself (great exercise and fresh air) while also allowing them to burn off some energy.
The bonus was meeting a really cool mom and her two kids who were the only other people there when we arrived.
I didn't expect to strike up a conversation with her. When we got there she was talking on her phone. But as our kids began to interact she wrapped up her call and a few minutes later I found myself asking her the customary playground ice-breaker among moms:
"How old are your kids?"
Her son, a year older than mine, jumped right into my son's imaginary fire-fighter rescue scene, while we pushed our daughters (also close in age) on the baby swings as we chatted. I asked her if her son had started Kindergarten this week and she admitted he was actually repeating it since he had some issues focusing last year. I told her how my husband and I had decided to hold Owen back a year since he was so close to the cut-off for enrollment. "He just needs another year to mature a little bit more," I said and she nodded sympathetically.
Then she revealed that she and her husband suspect that their son may have ADHD and they had consulted a child psychiatrist this summer and he had recommended trying meds, but she wants to see how he does this year. Maybe it's a maturity thing. But she also mentioned his lack of awareness of personal space which he demonstrated a few minutes earlier when he playfully tugged at Owen's arm to get him to follow him over to the slides.
Owen didn't seem bothered by it, although the mom said sometimes her son can be aggressive with other kids. It was at that moment I had to bite my tongue.
Just listen, I told myself. And so I did. And I'm glad I made that choice.
But at the same time I felt a connection to this wonderful stranger I had just met and I wanted to tell her that there is nothing wrong with mental illness, and if he does have ADHD it does not define him and there are treatments that can and will help. I wanted to tell her that it's going to be okay and that she will get through this.
I can't help it. The advocate in me always wants to speak up.
But I didn't this time because I sensed from the way she was telling me all this about her son that she got it. She's on my side. And in that moment it was such a joy to simply watch our kids play pretend together on the playground.
Her husband called and I noticed it was already five-thirty and I still had a half-hour walk home. We had been talking for forty-five minutes like good friends and I hated to have to say goodbye.
My kids reluctantly made their way down the slides one last time before walking over to hop into the stroller. As I walked over to buckle Vivi, my new friend's son ran up beside me and took my hand. Looking up at me he asked in the sweetest voice, "But why does he have to go?"
It melted my heart.
His mom and I looked at each other and smiled. We both said how it was getting close to dinner time but maybe they'd see each other at the playground again sometime.
A part of me wishes I would have asked for her email address and maybe we could have set up another playdate. But for some reason I didn't and now I'll just hope we'll run into that lovely family again in the future at one of our local playgrounds.
Because I'd love the chance to tell her my story. I'd love the chance to tell her why I'm passionate about mental health advocacy and most of all because I'd love to just watch our kids have fun pretending to be fire-fighters again.


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Family Requirements Prompted me to Retire: Zimababwe's Brendan Taylor
Zimbabwe stand-in-skipper Brendan Taylor, who has 5120 runs in 166 ODIs, will be playing his last international game against India on Saturday as he is migrating with his family to Nottingham in England to play county cricket.
It's not an easy decision to quit international cricket at the age of 29 but Brendan Taylor had to take the tough decision keeping in mind his family's needs, which won't happen if he continues playing Tests and ODIs for his home country. (Full World Cup Coverage | Points Table)
Stand-in-skipper Taylor, who has 5120 runs in 166 ODIs, will be playing his last international game against India on Saturday as he is migrating with his family to Nottingham in England to play county cricket.
Asked how emotional he would be when he steps out to play against India for the last time in a Zimbabwean jersey, Taylor said, "Tough question for me to answer because it hasn't been an easy decision to make. I just want to go there and try to better myself as a cricketer, and at the end of the day, we're all trying to provide for families, and to me that's very important," said, Taylor during the pre-match media conference, which was mainly dominated by questions on his decision to quit international cricket.
"Yes, international cricket has always been the pinnacle for me, but it's something that I discussed with my family and my wife, and after two to three months of doing that, I decided to go and play in England," he added. "I think all players tend to try and maximise a little bit. When you've got kids at home, you want to try and make sure they've got the best sort of upbringing that you can give them. That all sort of prompted the decision. It's a three-year decision." (India Ready to Zimbabwe for a Six)
"I don't think everything is lost after England, whether I continue to play on after those three years in England or come back to Zimbabwe. That's all too far ahead," said Taylor giving ample hints that he would go the Murray Goodwin way after signing a Kolpak deal with the Nottinghamshire county agreement and is unlikely to play again for his home country.
Taylor termed his nearly 11-year journey in international cricket as a "thoroughly enjoyable one". "It's been fairly enjoyable the 11 years that I've been extremely grateful for. Every player's dream is to represent him country, and I've been lucky enough to do that. We've had some tough losses, but we've slowly evolved and managed to sneak a few great ones in for us.
"It's been thoroughly enjoyable. Sad for me that it'll be ending, but I'm very proud to be a Zimbabwean, I'm very proud to represent my country on a great stage tomorrow to finish up and hopefully end on a high note," am emotional Taylor said. (Taylor Hopes Zimbabwe Won't Miss Him)
For Taylor, the fondest memory in his international career was Test victory against Bangladesh after being in isolation for five years. "My fondest memory has to be our first Test win against Bangladesh. Being in isolation for five years and coming back and winning our first Test match was an incredible feeling, and then also winning another Test against Pakistan. Those are two that stand out for me personally," Taylor said.