"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation." - Walter Cronkite

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Reading for All Holiday Book Drive

Support our future....Give Children Books!

Why: Because Reading is the foundation skill that makes all other learning possible.
Who: Marion County Children and Families Commission, Statesman Journal and Marion Polk Food Share
What: The purpose is to generate donations of new or gently used children’s books to distribute to children, youth and families in need in Marion County.
When: December 1 to 12, 2010
Where: Marion County and Beyond!How: Find out more at http://www.reading4all.com/entries/view/1

Saturday, April 10, 2010

An egg a day....


One of my ambitions in life is to have a small chicken coup, primarily for eggs, since I simply cannot see myself murdering chickens for meat. It's just not in me. More than likely, my chickens would become pets with names, and I'd become emotionally attached to them just like my cats. Mary Jane's Farm had a great article in this month's issue about raising chickens in urban environments. The article is called "Hatching a Hobby" which I think is awfully catchy. Even better is the humorous reference to the pleasantness of chickens' "fowl language."

Unfortunately my current home is part of a small townhome complex that abhors anything that is not in almost every way conformist, and that includes the ownership of livestock, even though I believe the city permits up to 3 chickens.

But some day, it's gonna happen. I'm going to have my fresh eggs and eat them too. The nearer to home, the fresher the food, and you can't get much nearer than your own back yard.

Here are some online chicken husbandry sites recommended by Mary Jane's Farm :
http://www.backyardchickens.com/
http://www.mybackyardchickenfarm.com/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/backyardpoultry (This one is a daily online radio show featuring the "Chicken Whisperer"....no, seriously!)