Mar 25 2008
Five Things
Carol of Knitted Kitty recently asked me to answer one of the “Five Things” memes that make their way around the blogs. I always enjoy reading the answers, but I so rarely think about actually posting any information on my blog. Thinking of five things is pretty challenging, actually. However, I gave it a try.
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In recent months/years, I have taken up a very romantic notion of moving to the countryside and keeping bees. My grandfather kept bees, and now my uncle keeps several hives on his property near the national forest in Alabama. I have read quite a bit on the subject and could probably even keep a small hive on our suburban land (i.e. postage stamp), but I do fear that some of the neighborhood children would disturb the hives and I would have angry bees and angry parents to ameliorate. One day, I will be a beekeeper…
- Friday afternoons are amazing for a whole host of reasons. Of course, there is the whole TGIF/weekend thing… however, my favorite thing about Friday afternoons really has nothing to do with the upcoming free days. I am a huge fan on the radio program, Science Friday, that comes on my local public radio station at 2:00pm and runs until 4:00. I catch the first hour on their website, where all of their shows are archived for free, and usually listen to the second hour live on the car ride home. About 80% of my reading list is based on reviews and author interviews that I have heard on the show… so yeah, I love it. Some of my stand out favorites from recent months: Michael Pollan on In Defense of Food, Diane Ackerman on The Zookeeper’s Wife, Alan Weisman on The World Without Us, Amir Aczel on The Jesuit and the Skull. I read Pollan’s and Weisman’s books the minute I got my hands on them, and the others are waiting by the bedside. Kris and I listen faithfully every Friday – he likes is just as much as I do!
- Indian food is probably my favorite cuisine. I did not grow up eating Indian food, but when I moved to the DC area at age 17, I was exposed to a large number of “ethnic” restaurants that had not existed in the small town that I grew up in. The piquant flavors and spicy herbs are my favorite characteristics of Indian food; plus it is easy to find vegetarian entrees on the menu! Luckily, there are three great Indian restaurants within five miles of my house. We make Indian quite a bit at home too, utilizing our fresh veggies and herbs from the garden and market. We even had a stroke of luck and made a pretty good version of chapati.
- Last year, we headed south - this year we are heading north. We will be visiting Nova Scotia in late May and early June. I have not been to Canada before, so I am very excited about this trip. We are planning to tour the whole province, including Cape Breton Island. Hiking, biking, and lots of photography are planned, and maybe even some camping. We will be spending some time with Ingrid and her family (I am so excited to meet her!) She tells me that May is still chilly enough for a sweater, so I am thinking that my Phyllo Pullover will be a great garment to bring along… once I finish it!
- In grade 7, I began playing the French horn in the middle school band. I actually started out playing the flute (my mother had one from her year’s as a flutist in school band) but my band director told me that my “lips were better suited for a brass instrument” (whatever that means!). So, I made the switch and moved to a very different section of the band. I caught on pretty well, and stuck with it for a few years, even getting “first chair French horn” for a short stint. When I moved to high school in grade 9, I was part of the marching band, where I switched between the trumpet, and the “marching horn” aka the mellophone, and also was part of the concert orchestra with the French horn. The competitions and the marching were a lot of fun, but as the school work and other extracurricular activities ramped up, I decided to quit playing in the band. I played the horn for a little longer, but eventually returned my rental. Now, twelve years have passed and I have not touched the French horn. I did rent a trumpet from a music shop about five years ago to see if I still had it in me… and I learned that I didn’t. So, my music career is now relegated to extensive sing-alongs in the car.
Photos in post from the weekend walk at Centennial Lake. Small signs of spring…
My mom’s best friend kept bees in suburban Mpls. and some kids tipped over the hives and it was indeed a neighborhood disaster, so your instinct is spot on!
You are going to LOVE Nova Scotia – it’s beautiful
Beekeeping, huh? Makes me think of “Pushing Daisies”. And I am jealous that you ever learned trumpet. I always wanted to learn how to play trumpet and trombone.
Yay Nova Scotia! I live in Halifax. Sadly, I have not seen most of this province. I’m from the neighbour province to the north.
You will love Nova Scotia! I’ve been there twice, and I’d love to go again! Actually, I’ve been heard saying that if I had to move to another province, that would be the one I’d choose – coming from me, that means a lot… You’ll find beautiful hiking trails there, and breathtaking landscapes. It will be great to see a bit of Nova Scotia again through your pictures. It will either satisfy me until I have the opportunity to go again, or it will push me to do whatever can be done to go as soon as possible!
I did the flute-to-brass switch, too, but I switched to the biggest one: tuba! I had a lot of fun playing it, and I’d be curious to try it again one day, but just for fun and probably just for a few minutes (as I’m not sure it would be fun for much longer than that!) – I, too, know that my music “career” is behind me.
Ooooh! Would you share your recipe for Chapati? Since my almost-13 YO turned vegetarian, there’s a lot more Indian cookin’ going on at my house.
I love Diane Ackerman! A Natural History of the Senses is one of my favourite books, hands down.
I’m in Nova Scotia too…in Halifax. We have a number of large knitting groups throughout the province. I’ve never met Ingrid, but I do read her blog, and her part of the province is one of the nicest. =)
Beekeeping! My fil kept bees and I think the whole thing is fascinating, but I can’t get anyone in my family excited about it. (we already have chickens, sheep, goats, rabbits and dogs so I guess they figure there’s enough animal chores) Bees really are amazing and my fil’s honey was sooooo good. We do have a big, old tree that has a wild beehive living in it. People are always telling us how to kill off the bees, but we leave them alone and they leave us alone.
The “lips better suited for a brass instrument” comment cracked me up. I stayed in band all the way thru college and had a few directors as friends so that I feel I can definitely say that your director was “full of it”. For some unknown reason, most directors want more brass for when the kids get to the marching band phase. Also, there are usually way too many flutes and clarinets when kids start out. It basically boils down to more brass equaling better scores at band festivals, whether marching or not. Its a shame he discouraged you from flute, but on the other hand, look how flexible you were and how many you got to play. I no longer pick up any instruments, but don’t really miss them either. I’m to into knitting now.
Wow – thanks for sharing such interesting things – I had no idea you were interested in bee keeping! But then again it’s not a topic that comes up in casual conversation!
My aunt was a bee keeper – it was always exciting to get some fresh honey from her lake house!
Next time you’re up for Indian – let me know! I’ve been craving some Malai Kofta!!
I’m from Cape Breton. I wouldn’t really want to live there again but it is very pretty.
I Lurrrrrrrv Indian food. It’s very big in the UK where I’m from and very cheap for take-out. I can’t wait to get some when we go home to visit in July (I live in Texas now). When I moved to MD from the UK we went on a search for Indian restaurants, we found a nice one, but it was never quite as nice as the ones back home. There isn’t a nice one near us here either :-/
I’ve been to Nova Scotia too, and Peggy’s Cove
My FIL is a beekeeper here in Delaware and trust me, we will never run out of honey. He has two small hives and he usually spins off about 200lbs of honey every year.
For some reason beekeeping does seem like a peaceful hobby. My father kept bees at the farm and it was really neat tagging along with him to check the hives.
Wow, beekeeping…I don’t think I could manage doing such a thing, I’m so, so terrified of bees. But I do very much appreciate their honey, so I’m glad other people are happy to keep bees!
I really like Indian food as well, despite being raised on pretty boring/typical “American” cuisine. It’s so fantastic to know that you’ll be able to get a good vegetarian meal. Another favorite of mine is Ethiopian food, for the same reason…excellent herbs and spices, and lots of good veggie options.
Thanks for linking to the Science Friday page…that sounds like just the sort of thing I’d like on a Friday afternoon!
We took a trip to Nova Scotia in late May/ early June two years ago with our big Newfie dog. It was a great trip but it was definitely colder than we thought it would be. Bring sweaters! and wool socks! and a raincoat! It was a great trip and is just before the start of their tourist season so we found things pleasantly uncrowded.
We ended up renting summer cabins through the tourism website of Nova Scotia. They were mostly lovely, had many choices that were dog-friendly and provided a good base camp for day trips that had toasty endings by a fireplace. Also having our own kitchen was terrific since it makes it less costly and also, since it was not yet tourist season, some restaurants were not yet open.
Have fun! If you want to know about the specific places we stayed, email me and I’ll be happy to pass along the list. The people we rented from were lovely and adored dogs of all kinds (including wet ones!).
Nova Scotia is awesome!! I had a very memorable roadtrip out there from Toronto a few years ago with my newish boyfriend. He’s my husband now, so something obviously went right! The landscape is breathtaking, especially up around Cape Breton. Take lots of batteries and extra memory cards!
On a somewhat different note, have you ever seen Eddie Izzard’s stand-up? On one of his DVDs (I think it’s ‘Glorious’) he has a bit about beekeeping, and how it’s not something you just fall into; you have to really *want* it. “I am going to be…a BEEKEEPER! I wanna keep bees…I don’t want to let them get away!” But then eventually you realize you’re covered in bees and there’s no one to flirt or get a coffee with. It’s a complicated profession, apparently.
Joking aside, beekeeping is awesome. I think honey is slightly magical.
Thank you for sharing the Random Five with us! Bees – who knew?
Mmmm…paneer makhani.
I played the french horn in junior high. Similar to you, I wanted to start with the flute. However, my band director told me that he already had enough flute players and suggested the french horn! I played for a couple years, entered a competition where I was told I had a “deep German sound” (whatever that means!), and quit soon thereafter. I just didn’t have the ambition to practice:)
I too love Indian food – and now that’s growing to include Thai, Japanese, Korean…. I think I was born on the wrong continent
Anyway. I know how much you love cooking so I wanted to recommend a book by Madhur Jaffrey – It’s just called “Indian Cooking” and each and every recipe that I’ve made from that book is fantastic! There’s definitely plenty of veggie options, but she also has a whole book that’s just veggie. I first heard about her on an NPR bit and I can’t recommend those books highly enough.
AH… I too played the french horn and I always use it as a reason of why I’m a good kisser. My response was always (and still is to my hubby), “They don’t call it a french horn for nothing.”
I love curry and didn’t discover it until I moved from hillbilly Arkansas (love Arkansas mind you, and will probably return, but it is pretty hillbilly and therefore I too am pretty hillbilly) to the largest metropolis ever, Tokyo, in August. I never had curry before but now I could eat it weekly, if not more. Not to mention the other Indian goodies.
Thanks for sharing!
Great list Lolly!! I hope you get the chance to become a beekeeper. That sounds fascinating. I loved the photo with the tall naked trees. Very peaceful. Have fun on your trip north!!
Lolly we live in PG County on 1/2 acre and we have bee hive in a suburban setting. If your yard is fenced in I would say go for it and get a hive. If not, you might be right about worrying about neighborhood children. We have only had the hive 1 year and have not got honey yet but should this spring. The bees have never bothered us and in fact we think they go places other than our yard to do their thing. If you are interested you should definitely investigate further.
Fantastic list!
My Hub also wants to keep bees, and we have the same issue you do (small yard in the burbs) . . . hopefully someday, though I’m not sure either he or I are suited for Country Life.
And yay Canada!
I welcome you to Canada in advance! We have a beautiful country, I’ve only been to Halifax (out east anyway) but have driven west from Ontario. You will have a wonderful time.
I too, have often thought of keeping bees. The whole process fascinates me. Once all the kids are grown and gone maybe we will move to the country and I will have bees. Maybe.
Years ago, I read A Book of Bees by Sue Hubbell, and decided that someday I would keep bees. Someday, when I’m not in a city apartment! (Here’s a link to the book: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Bees-How-Keep-Them/dp/0395883245/ref=pd_bbs_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206535932&sr=8-10)
Sue Hubbell has a few books, and they’re great.
One of my good friends is a beekeeper, you can see the website we made her here: http://mamabeehive.com
She loves it and has convinced me take it up (although on a smaller scale) when I have a garden for the bees to pollinate (must first have a house and a lawn!).
I too, am dreaming of the romance of moving to a rural little plot of land where I can grow my own veggies, eggs and wool!
Lolly, I love all of your five things and enjoyed learning new things about you! Nova Scotia – YAY! I can’t wait to see the photos and read about your trip.
I didn’t know about the Science Fridays– I usually listen to NPR during my commute, but by the end of the week I like to give my brain a rest and listen to music. It sounds good! I’ve never read Weisman or Aczel, but I do love Michael Pollan and Diane Ackerman.
Funny, my cousin and I were just talking about how hard it is to find good cheap Indian food in DC. I came from New Jersey, where Indian restaurants are abundant, so I think I’m spoiled. Can you recommend any that are not in the suburbs? I’ve really been craving it but haven’t had the time to make it.
Coming out of lurkdom for another YAY for Nova Scotia . I’m not from there but have visited a nimber of times and just loved it . We camped at Kedgimijugik National Park on one of our visits and had a wonderful experience. As mentioned previously the weather can be a bit cooler than you’re used to so bring the sweaters and wool socks . There’s so many great places to visit you’re bound to have an awesome vacation .
I just read this and kept thinking, oh, me too… my dad has always wanted to keep bees, it still surprises me that he hasn’t built himself and apiary yet. Science Friday – cool story – they were doing a show on “green” building and areas last year and ended up broadcasting from here in my building – I work at the Genzyme Center (google it – way cool building – Platnum Rating from the LEEDS Council and all) and Ira was right there with the others in our lecture hall! It was so neat to be able to sit in the audience and see just what happens! Indian food – I have even gotten my hubby hooked on it too… yum! And finally, Nova Scotia – we were planning on visiting there this year too, but may put that one on hold with the price of gas (OK, so we’d only be going from Massachusetts, but still…) We almost always head north on our vacations – NH, ME, VT – we so need to cross the border again one of these days. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy reading your blog – I guess I’m another one of the lurkers coming out today. (oops – that was a long comment – sorry!)
I am so excited that you will visit our beautiful, wonderful country…and one of the most exquisite areas too!! Can’t wait until you can tell us more!!
Your story about the flute, French horn etc made me smile as my oldest dd took up the flute at an early age to play in a wonderful band. there were several “levels” of bands in the organization and as she grew in musicality and ability, she was moved “up” the ranks. The older kids were more into the marching band and her band leader said once, Lori you might consider giving up the flute…the flags make more noise than a flute in a marching band!!”. She never did and now one of her dd’s is playing the flute in school. ah memories, how they twinkle in the light..
You have such a lovely blog. I find it so inspiring. My boyfriend eats honey (aka bee spit) by the bucketful. It’s a food staple. We’ve talked about getting a little rural home at some point. I think i’ll have to mention the bee-keeping thing to him. I think he’d love it! I tried to play the french horn for two weeks. I couldn’t pitch. So I find playing and marching truly impressive. Thanks for the Science Friday link. We like to download lectures and podcasts off the internet and listen to them in the car. We did just that on our road trip to Halifax a few months ago. You might like Nova on PBS.
Last night the boy and I were dreaming – I said ‘I want chickens and a sheep’, he said ‘bees’. How strange that you should blog about it the next day….
Well, first we’ll have to finish those stupid degrees. Who needs three? We should have stuck with two.
Then we need to find jobs
Then we need find a place with a garden.
Then a place with a big garden.
And then we can move to the farm we have in mind
I played french horn too! I took it very seriously for a long time, actually, and even got a scholarship to play in college. Alas, my music career didn’t last either and my horn is now in storage. I have played it a few times in the past couple years, but now that i’m in a tiny new york apartment with neighbors all around, I don’t think playing it at home is an option.
You will love Nova Scotia! We went to Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland for our honeymoon. Make sure you give yourself enough time on Cape Breton – we loved hiking the highlands! And, be prepared to want to return and keep going north!
When my dad was alive, my parents kept bees back when I was still a baby and they were still hippies haha. I think it sounds awesome.
Have you ever checked out Radio Lab on NPR? My husband and I listen to their podcasts and absolutely love the show. It’s very science based as well. I’m not sure when it’s on locally, but check out the web site and you can listen to their hour-long shows. I highly recommend the episode about sleep and the episode about memory. VERY entertaining!
I’ve always wanted to visit Nova Scotia (probably since I first read Anne of Green Gables), so I’m looking forward to hearing your report! I’m sure it will give me some great ideas for my own someday trip.
Indian restaurants in DC – Rasika downtown is delicious! And my friends like The White Tiger on Mass near Union Station.
Indian food is my absolute favorite! In fact, my mouth is watering right now just thinking about it
I am dying to read “in defense of food.” I’m on the request list for it at the library. I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I think I found out about it from a different public radio program, “to the best of our knowledge.” Much of my reading list comes that that show. I’ll have to check into Science Friday..I’d probably like it!
You’ll love Nova Scotia. I spent a summer there as a child (most of my maternal family lives there), and I’m hankering to get back to the Maritimes…maybe even live there someday.
It seems that everyone I know who is a beekeeper (which is surprisingly more than you might think) is extremely intelligent, articulate, politically active, creative, and independent. I think it must be a beekeeper thing—and I think you fit the bill perfectly. Since we each have beekeeper friends, the Tailor and I always have more honey than we know what to do with (I think we’ve got eleven different kinds currently), and we’re always blessed with thoughtful, challenging conversation with apiarists. May you find your way to the bees soon!
Rasika is good, but kinda swanky… I was looking for more of a hole-in-the-wall place.
I really like your answers to this meme. Sometimes, it’s good to have a reason to talk about some of the topics that you really wouldn’t have a reason to mention otherwise. Bees sound like a very good addition to your menagerie, and I’m sure they would be great for your garden, too. I’m glad that your plans for the Canada trip are in place. The real question, however, is when you’re going to take a trip west….
Thanks for your blog. I enjoy it every time you post something new. You have a great knack for descriptive writing–keep up the great work.
Oh my God, I have The Zookeeper’s Wife on hold at my library! I heard about that on NPR myself!!!
Let me second the Madhur Jaffrey suggestion, I’ve got her Eastern Vegetarian Cookery. Another of our favourites is a chef called Das Sreedharan who has written a couple of books. Lots of glorious fresh ideas and beautiful photography too.
I played the tenor horn all the way through school, so can totally relate to your french horn adventures
I’ve often thought about picking it back up… you’ve inspired me to give it another try! L x
We went to Nova Scotia and PEI in June a few years ago, it’s beautiful you two will have a fabulous time. A beekeeper, really? As am aside, Chuck on Pusing Daisies keeps bees. I think I will stick to the pies though. The bees freak me out. I took up the flute in 6th grade, but it is such a delicate instrument and I always felt like a giant playing it. In 8th grade I switched to the tympani drums…great for working out all that pent up middle school angst…
I learned how to make chapatis when I lived in Kenya–I never knew they were also Asian until I started to eat Indian food. In Kenya, they were such a treat, especially when wheat became expensive. My Maasai friend, Vero, made the best chapatis (she could even get the whole wheat ones to stay together–mine always fell apart!). In Kenya they would eat them with “sukuma wiki” (literally translated to “push of the week” when money got tight and they would use up the leftover kales and cabbages), beans, and other soupy meals. It’s best to make them on a cast iron pan.
Thanks for sharing your memes–it’s always fun to learn more about you and there’s always something about what you share that makes me remember a good memory from long ago!
Thanks for sharing! I always like learning more about people and you are all that more interesting to me!
I love learning more about my online friends! These things are so fun to read…
Nova Scotia is going to be a blast, and I’m waiting with bated breath to see the photos you two will bring back with you.
Mmm, Indian food!
My husband has a romantic notion of me keeping bees .. which is only made more amusing because bees are one of my really big fears. I really freak out if they come anywhere around me .. and he forgets this all the time.
Indian food never appealed to me. But have you tried authentic Ethipoian food? A dear friend introduced us to it when we visited Tornonto a few years back, and while I won’t say it became my favorite cuisine, I will admit that it was one of the most interesting culinary experiences I’ve ever had.
I’ve been to most places in Canada (with the exception of the Arctic) and I can easily say that Cape Breton is my favourite place on the planet! It is not only one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen, but the people, the culture there just make it a very special place indeed. And what fun, you’ll meet Ingrid. I’m hoping to hook up with her when she comes to visit Ottawa.
But yes, bring lots of warm wind and waterproof clothes!
I enjoyed this post, Lolly! You are a very interesting person, to say the least. I believe it was on your site that first heard about the book, The Secret Life of Bees, which I thought was an enjoyable read. Although keeping bees does not entice me I am always a bit enthralled by those who do it!
I’m so glad you decided to share these with us! I especially love the bee keeping idea. That would be SO cool! When you are a beekeeper, I will have to come and visit you.
I was a French horn player for many years – from 5th grade till a year or so after college, then life got in the way and I haven’t played very much since. I take the horn out a couple times a year, try to get back into it, find I’m out of shape and that it’s difficult, put it away. I’m really trying again these days; I’ve played twice in the past week and will probably play again today. I’d love to get back into it and get good enough to be in an orchestra again!
I don’t know what kind of comedians you like, but Eddie Izzard is one of my favorites. He has a great sketch about being a bee keeper. Check it out here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs-tl6GBOBo
Funny… I’ve started knocking around the idea of beekeeping as well. Especially because the bee sickness is causing so much trouble and because bees are such an important part of our ecology. Of course, this wouldn’t work so well in brooklyn… it’s a lovely idea, though
Yay! I’m very much looking forward to your visit to Nova Scotia.
Beekeeping also seems so romantic to me. I imagine it to be such a simple, relaxing way to make a living.
ha It probably means he had too many flutes. Lovely photos as always Lolly!
I saved this entry in Goggle Reader for a time when I could comment because I want to echo what Marlena said about Sue Hubbell’s books. I think “A Country Year” is the best but “A Book of Bees” is great too. I really, really, really love her writing. She used to write for the New Yorker but I haven’t seen anything recently. Anyway, go check out A Country Year – it will be the best book you’ll read this year.
Regarding your Nova Scotia vacation, have you seen this website:
http://www.thespinnersloft.ca/index.htm
She is on my “to-do” list one of these days when family health issues resolve!
HA! too funny! When I was little, I wanted to play the saxaphone, but they told ME I had FLUTE lips! {{sigh}}