Reading: I have been reading a lot lately, just not blogging.

I finished Lance Armstrong's second book, Every Second Counts, which I found equally as interesting as the first book. We discussed Lance and his books at bookclub last night and as one person says, even though you know what happens (as you are reading about his chemo or about the 1st, 2nd or 3rd Tour de France victory) you still feel yourself on the edge of the seat, reading frantically to see how it turns out. The descriptions of the the Tour are gripping and interesting, even for those who have never seen bike racing or the Tour. I was cheering for Lance as he battled the French press and the anti-doping trial, as he struggled to have a happy home life and a successful career. Inspiring and interesting, even if you don't personally like the guy.

I also finished the last 2 books in the Series of Unfortunate Events: The Penultimate Peril and The End. I love this series. These are supposedly kids books but they are so fun to read. There are hints of philosophy, lots of cultural references, tons of great vocabulary words. I especially like the development of Sunny, the youngest Baudelaire orphan. In the course of the 13 volumes, she learned to walk, talk, and cook gourmet meals. Even her one-word phrases convey a lot of meaning (if I could find my book right now, I would give an example). I love that the Baudelaires are intelligent, well-read children, who demonstrate time and again how they can think for themselves and survive the idiocy of the grownups around them. I think in that way, they can allegorically represent all children - surviving, even thriving, despite the idiots raising them, teaching them, even those who are entrusted to care for them.

Coming soon: commentary on The DaVinci Code and A Thousand Splendid Suns; food items including salmon cakes and pesto; gardening info including tomatoes, peppers, and drought.