Scouting Run

Pictures from a recent excursion to scout out rock hunting areas.


















The pastures were well guarded by the bovine persuasion.


















What wasn't cow guarded was overseen by hay-like sentinels.


















Good luck trying to sneak around with all those hay bales watching.


















Igneous rock in the foreground, coal mine in the background.



















Banded rock formation I need to do more research on.


















Bright spot by the side of the road.
















More interesting banded rock formations.



















Formations rising from the plains.


















With virtually no trees to obscure the panoramic views...


















...unfortunately allows wildfires to grab hold and run.


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What I've Been Reading/Watching/Listening To, Etc.

By request, a rundown of the odds and ends of my life.

What I'm reading: Rereading The Lord of the Rings books. I do this every year or so, and every year I find all kinds of interesting things I didn't remember or missed the last time around. I've finished The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings, working on The Two Towers.

Other reads/rereads:
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. – Imager and Imager's Challenge
Cory Doctorow's Little Brother
Kage Baker – In The Garden of Iden
Jane Lindskold – Through Wolf's Eyes
Naomi Novik – His Majesty's Dragon
Non-Fiction: Theology, geology (rockhounding), psychology (Cognitive behavioral), philosophy (war origins) and poetry (Asian forms and collections).

What I'm listening to: New David Gray album, Foundling. It's a more introspective take than his last album, Draw The Line. For that alone people probably won't like it. Some lovely music, though, good for background to paint or write.

Krishna Das – I listen to some Krisna Das every day, it helps me get through the day. Kirtan-style music. (Indian Devotional)
Janis Joplin – Do I need to explain?
Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison
Cowboy Junkies – Remnin Park
Norah Jones – The Fall
Sara Jarosz – Song Up In Her Head
Leo Kottke - A Leo Kottke Anthology

What I'm watching: When I succumb to the wasteland that is television – Warehouse 13. Love the characters and the premise. Sort of an X-Files light. Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. Pick up all sorts of interesting tidbits about food and culture from this show.

On the DVD front, I picked up a copy of James Michener's 26 hour long mini-series, Centennial. It holds up surprisingly well for a program from the late 1970's. Also rewatched all three movies of Lord of The Rings so I can better compare them to the books. I still think Peter Jackson did a good job with the plethora of source material he had. Another rewatch – Fringe box set. Gearing up for Season Three premier. John Noble is wonderful in this series.

What I'm writing: The occasional poem, but editing the mass of poems I wrote in June-July. A few essays on poetry, backstory for The Other Fantasy Novel, and bits and pieces for the Almost Finished Fantasy Novel. See the previous post for my explanation for the light writing.

What I'm knitting: Just started a knitted lace scarf with some lovely purple and forest green Merino yarn Linda gave me. Also on the needles: Socks – One toe up pair with cashmere blend feet and alpaca blend tops, one Top down pair in a new yarn I acquired on a fiber artists weekend excursion. Also knitting toys, of course.

What I'm spinning: Unidentified mystery yarn Linda gave me. Also a baby camel/silk blend. Waiting impatiently on a different spinning wheel, since the Babe wheel and I did not get along. Defecting to a Lendrum.


What I'm cooking: Chicken Biryani. Lamb Samosas. Naan bread. Red lentil dosas. (see a pattern here? Stuck on Indian food at the moment) Homemade Falafel. Three cheese polenta with garlic.

What Scott's cooking for Me for Dinner: Lobster in Vermouth Sauce with a nice New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Yes, it was awesome. Now I have to come up with something equally awesome, although the polenta was darn good if I do say so myself.


So what's new with you? Any good recipes, patterns, books, movies, music to share? Always looking for something new to explore. Feel free to share your favorites in comments!


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