Hester

Hey Ransom, I wouldn't say that the Steampunk Forum is addictive, but my bathwater went cold while I was browsing there! I found those books just by Googling around, but now I've started a thread asking for fiction suggestions on the Steampunk Forum, and I've already got a couple of responses: http://www.brassgoggles.co.uk/bg-forum/ind...hp?topic=9479.0

... in my stockings

Ta very much, Patrick! I love the fact that, in the Steampunk Forum, under the topic heading "Anatomical" the subheadings list... ...Vivisection, Personal Grooming, etc... I guess in the Steampunk universe, vivisection could be considered a really extreme form of personal grooming!

Could you provide a link to that Steampunk board, please, Blackjohn? You may be right about Steampunk being the next trend. For some mystifying reason, today the second "O" in Google is a very ornate hot air balloon. Clicking on it takes you to pages relating to the history of hot air balloon flight, such as this one: http://www.eballoon.org/history/history-of...ballooning.html Perhaps Google is tapping into the general interest in Steampunk era technology. And of course, there was the recent ill-fated record skydiving attempt of Michel Fournier, who intended to use a hot air balloon to take him to the edge of the stratosphere: Hot air balloons and airships are definitely floating through the popular imagination these days: For summer reading, I'm looking for Steampunk-themed novels. This collection of short stories looks interesting: (Apparently one of the stories even includes a pirate!) And I've just received this paperback in the post: I'm considering getting this "young adult" book: And this more high-brow tome: Any further suggestions for Steampunkish literature (particularly involving dirigibles, time travel, or an aviatrix heroine) please let me know!

flowing locks

Just got home from a physiotherapy session and having an ultrasound done on my rotator cuff. Now, I'm gonna try and squeeze in a nap (and dinner), before I have to rush off to dance class in another hour.

Non, pas moi!

Chinese food at a food court (which was not terrific) Busker duo in the subway wearing matching "prison stripes" and po'boy caps, playing Old-Tymey music on a banjo and a very shiny National guitar. Heather the physiotherapist, Jennifer the ultrasound tech, and Robert the roofer. Mr. H.

Overtired

Pakora Several discarded baby hats on the sidewalk. (Kids apparently hate wearing them and toss them overboard out of their prams whenever their parents aren't looking.) Karen via e-mail The infamous D.

[sorry, apparently my last turn was a bit of a show-stopper. Too obscure to bring any associations to mind for the rest of ya. So, I'll take a second turn to try to move things along.] Vampire

Glorious! 10 more minutes and I'll be out there on the chaise lounge, matey!

Green salad with sesame dressing and leftover roasted chicken Vegetable pakora with peach chutney

CBC Radio One

Waiting for an eBay auction to end, so that I can swoop in at the last minute.

Vegetable-stuffed faggotini in Alfredo sauce with mock lobster and fresh asperagus.

Thirsty!

Huzzah for Pearl on her Natal Day!

I'm about to make myself a tall glass of Pimm's & lemonade and sit out in the back garden in my chaise lounge and contemplate the overly long grass I should be cutting.

I suffered withdrawal pangs!

Roast chicken with Yukon Gold potatoes, baby carrots and zucchini, all in one pan.

Those burrowing owls are wonderful, Jill! You should submit your photos to National Geographic!

laundry

The wine expert on the radio phone-in show. He just described a particular wine as having lychee & frankinsence nuances and a "winegum" texture. Um, no thanks, I'll stick to my rum!

A tad damp. Light rain showers, perfect for nurturing the grass seed that I spread last weekend!