**Post Surgery Limerick**

The upside of getting cut open
Is the reward of seriously good dopin'
Pain free stupor got sacked,
With a stomach so wracked,
So I limp through the house just a mopin'

**There is a reason why some things are free**

I was given the most delightful gift from #1 son this week - a Kindle.

I learned rather quickly that I live in a bubble - free of irritating electromagnetic waves that would allow me to take advantage of the wireless downloading of Kindle books. So I must either walk down the road about a 1/2 mile or take the Kindle to work and let stuff download there. So it won't be subscribing to the NY Times, but I have downloaded a bunch of "sample" chapters to try before buying the books.

I also learned that there are Kindle books available for free. So I grabbed a freebie - just to see if I like reading on this device (I do). Now I understand why the book was free - it was a Harlequin Romance. You get what you pay for. And now I am willing to pay. Next step: learning how to delete books off the Kindle.

**Thumbing One's Nose at the Hamptons**

Okay, this is NOT how it is done.

The NY Times published an article and slide show today of a house on Long Island that is decorated as a response to the excesses of the Hamptons. Lots of vintage stuff - a "schoolhouse" look, if you will.

The article stated, "The schoolhouse décor, which incorporates elements like linoleum, mop sinks and graffiti-covered classroom chairs, is their “tongue in cheek” way of countering “the excess we were seeing in the Hamptons."

Interesting idea, but give a looksee at the slide show and the incredible prices they paid for furniture and accessories. If one pays $1300.00 for a floor lamp or $3500 for a wall sconce, or $510 for some industrial metal shelving, or $1500 for 8 vintage classroom chairs, this is NOT thumbing your nose at the Hamptons. Just because it is not "overstuffed couches or antiques," does not mean it is still not insanely excessive or low maintenance. You want to thumb your nose at the Hamptons, then shop at Goodwill (and not the one in the Hamptons)!

**yo, summer!**

Where are you, for Pete's sake? I am no hot weather fan, but we have yet to hit more than 82 degrees here this summer. I love the cool temps, but it has been coupled with an AMAZING amount of rain. I am watching it come down steadily as a write. It is reminiscent of living in Central America. All this cool weather gave us a bumper crop of snap peas and a long lettuce season, but the squash plants are barely growing, we pulled all the tomatoes and potatoes (thank you late blight). Everything green is growing like crazy (think jungle), but there is not enough sunshine to produce fruit.

I have kayaked three times this summer, the two most recent this past week on the two sunny days we have had in a long time. We have sunny weather predicted for Saturday, so a long bike ride is in order. Taking Monday off work to kayak again. School begins sooner than ever this year. The summer (the one I was supposed to have off, but didn't really have off) is almost over.

The upside of the rainy weather is that I managed to read a book. No small feat given the hectic summer. It was an interesting waltz through a Title IX lawsuit at a small liberal arts college. Being familiar with Title IX and some of the players in this story; it made for interesting reading. Now I am diving into the Accidental Time Machine - pure brain candy. Having only read a few other nonfiction books (plus a weekly dose of Newsweek, monthly dose of Outside, and more Internet new sites than I care to reveal) this year, I am laying claim to the most poorly read person I know. Must find a way to put up that "Good Reads" feature on the blog - maybe that will get me reading.....

**Ahhh, Duh....**

Way ahead of the curve on this one. I keep them in my office to help students stay healthy during the school year. Don't want spinal injuries keeping them out of class....

From the UK Telegraph...

Blue M&Ms 'mend spinal injuries'