Isn't the internet grand?

This is why I love the internet and email. I read an interesting article about the writer and poet Dorothy Parker the other day and decided I want to read a biography. I looked at the usual bookseller sites but was unable to determine which bio would be most true to its subject. And I hate wasting time on an unsatisfying book. So, I did the tiniest bit of sleuthing and now just two hours later I have an author, a title, and a strong recommendation. Thank you Mr. Kevin Fitzpatrick, boardmember of the Dorothy Parker Society located in New York for your helpful email!

Bit of trivia, Dorothy gave us the line "Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses."

Now I have one more book - What Fresh Hell is This? by Marion Meade - to add to my neverending list. I'm going to have to live to 150 to read them all. And that's only if they stop publishing books today. Otherwise, there will be another few thousand to add to the list over the next 120 years!

Roadkill

My dog and I almost got in an car accident last night. We were out running errands and a car coming towards us in the other lane made an abrupt lefthand turn, forcing me to slam on my brakes. Abby was standing in the back seat looking over my right shoulder so when I instinctively threw out my right arm it was met by 62 pounds of dog flying forward. Judging by the cuts and bruising on my arm, I think she won the collision. If I hadn't put my arm out, though, I honestly think she would've ended up close and personal with the dashboard. I guess it's a good thing she wasn't in her normal position with head out the window, tongue flapping because hitting her neck against the window frame wouldn't have felt too great either. And if she'd bitten her tongue and there'd been blood...well, we all know I would've been useless. Some stranger would've come upon us with me passed out in the front seat and a bloody-tongued dog licking my face in concern. Here's a picture of Abby in happier times for all of you who haven't met her.

Employee of the Month

Ugh. Is there anything worse than having to come in and work on a Saturday? At least I don't have to deal with phone calls or other employees coming to me with questions. As much I dislike coming in on my day off I certainly get a lot accomplished!

To Market, To Market

This morning, I got up nice and early (for me) and went with a friend to the Beaverton Farmer's Market. It had been months and months since I'd been. I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy wandering up and down the aisles admiring the produce and marvelling at the beauties found in the flower stalls. Need berries? We've got 'em. Lettuce? Comin' right up. And let's not overlook the peaches and plums and hazelnuts and beets and beans and onions and squash and corn and all the other things I can't call to
mind. There were even stalls selling halibut and salmon that had been caught just hours before.


And the flowers! I saw the most beautiful dahlias I think I've ever seen today. They were simply amazing in their perfection. I'm a very tactile browser - honestly incapable of looking at plants without reaching out and feeling the leaves and the flowers. Fortunately, the stall keepers don't seem to mind!