Links, Hot Friday Edition

It has been deathly hot this week - then again, it's been deathly hot everywhere this week. I'm a bit stressed by the idea of July being so close to done. I've fallen short on my dissertation goals for the month, haven't canned a single thing, and those twenty pounds I lost? Oh, they are back. With a vengeance. So this week has been a week of prep: clearing out the items on my To Do list that are impeding on working on my dissertation, making lists of what is in season for the farmer's market this weekend, and locating a gym in my new town. 

And? Links. Things that have been in my browser that I've found completely fascinating. 

...or just kind of sad. Having lived in the Ann Arbor area while teaching, I'll miss Borders. 

Just when I thought I couldn't love Al Franken any more, he does this. 

This seems like a good plan, in conjunction with the exercise. 

Facebook's got nothing on Ravelry. 

Anne Lamott's reminding me to find time. 

And just so I don't misplace it: The Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota has an awesome portfolio collection re: The Giver. 

And now? Off too Bloomington for the day. 

I still knit. I swear. Just not as much as I would like to. This baby sweater has been on the needles for the last few weeks and reminded me why I extremely dislike fair isle knit flat. (Oh! the pain!) 

These are in process photos - the sweater is now blocking. More photos once buttons have been procured.

Recidivism

Noun. "A tendency to lapse into a previous condition or pattern of behavior; especially, a falling back or relapse into prior criminal habits." 

And that, my friends, is the word of the day. 

More Silverware

I bought more starburst silverware while thrifting over the holiday weekend. I couldn't resist, really. It was six pieces for a dollar and there were tons of forks and soup spoons and, well, I thought I didn't have enough of them. 

One look at my silverware drawer (and the look on Manfriend's face when he found me at the checkout, silverware in hand) reminded me that I was wrong. 

But! (There's always a but when thrifting, isn't there?) But! There were patterns that I didn't have: 

I'm particularly loving the closest pattern, with the nebulous stars. I wasn't able to track down much information about any of the patterns, save for the one farthest away. It's a pattern from Hull called Enchanted Star. I only know that much from the stamp on the back. 

So: I have too much silverware. 

But: I will be prepared for the next large gathering. That's it. Eco-party planning. That's what I will call it. 

In the Meantime...

The past week and a half has been something of a blur: I moved into the new place, met an academic writing deadline, and started teaching my summer class. I've had an apartment with no Internet, a new class of students to get to know, and really no time to be here. Huge surprise, right? 

The Manfriend and I left for Michigan the weekend to visit my aunt and just returned this afternoon. Five days, a limited amount of work that could be done in the Internet-less country. There were many games of cards played, three (THREE!) whole (WHOLE!) books (BOOKS!) read, and lots of laughter. It was just what was needed. 

Hope the Fourth was good for you and yours!