Critter Hunt, Smithsonian Style

Apparently someone at the Smithsonian reads my epic blog, because they ripped off my critter hunt idea. Only unlike mine, their pictures have actual critters in them. (Sorry insects, you just don't count) Why didn't I think of motion-triggered camera traps?! Ah well, at least they posted some entertaining pictures. Enjoy! 

Smithsonian Critter Hunt website

Travel Blog

http://westwardeastward.blogspot.com/

Wild wild west

I got into Reno last night at about 12:30 Pacific Time and despite the jet lag, so far it has been a lot of fun. The only place we could think of that would be open for food last night when I got in was an all-night diner in the casino Atlantis. So we ended up getting some late night diner food and Dan played a few hands of Black Jack. Winner of $3.50! We raked it in. Today we're going to check out Reno some more and right now we're planning our breakfast adventures. Western themed blog with pictures to come!

breaking the silence!

Look at this critter! It is a marmot- a ground squirrel! I hope you are as blown away by its cuteness as I am. I am going to be on the lookout for one when I go out west this August to see D. Apparently they live around there. Critter hunt part 2? The wild western sequel?

Meet September

I recently got the most amazing gift- a guitar! I named it September and am having constant fantasies about becoming an brilliant folk guitarist. I can't wait to learn how to play it! So far I've learned a few chords and already feel like I'm on my way. I picked up a beginners guitar book today. All very exciting.

Ode to a Pittsburgh tree

Ode to a (fallen) pittsburgh tree

Farewell tree of leaves and shade
Who buckled under a snowy cascade
Tree that housed my tire swing
And sheltered birds that tire-lessly sing

Many great memories! I'm going to miss this beautiful tree! But what a spectacular and dramatic end.

Attention: Non law school book purchase

After trading in a small fortune for this semester's textbooks, I decided to spend just a little more a book that had absolutely NOTHING to do with the law or law school. This is my new book: "Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, a Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese" by Brad Kessler. I'm going to learn all about goats and goat cheese! The book is about a guy and his wife who went from NYC life to raising goats. So, as a warning, be prepared for lots of fun critter facts and possibly some rambling musings about how much I love goat cheese.

In other food news, I've become a dedicated follower of the great and powerful butternut squash. It's so amazing! I was really close to trying to make butternut squash ravioli last night, but I kind of wimped out remembering the great pierogi attempt of '09. (See infra). I'll just have to put it on my life list of goals- right in between 'win the nobel peace prize' and 'see Wayne's World dubbed into German.' ;)

Random thought of the day: Life is a dead end.