Started this book last night and have already decided to recommend it.
The characters are well developed, the settings painstakingly described, you can practically smell the place and its denizens. It feels real, painfully real. It is certainly "ahead of its time" and treats its subject, prostitution, without glitz and glory and without a lot of moral lecturing.
I wonder why we hear so little of Kuprin?
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Those little black seeds
Kalonji.
Readily available at the Indian grocers, they are a godsend for me. The Maximalist has been a migraine sufferer for many years and so is my younger child. When said younger child was working abroad she had a dreadful migraine and sought help. Contrary to what you here about every country but the US having fabulous healthcare and easy access, she was essentially told to gut it out. On her way home she stopped at a grocery and spice stall where the old merchant handed her a small scoop of black seeds and said "use these, a pinch everyday, they will cure anything but death"
They did cure the migraine and kept the headaches at bay. I use them too now. Is it the nigellone? The thymoquinone? The beta-sitosterol? Is it just a marvelous placebo?
It has worked for me and is the subject of numerous studies with some holding out the prospect that it will be deleoped into an anti-tumor medication.
The trick is to use it sparingly. A pinch in the morning yogurt or a pinch on your salmon at dinnertime.
The Maximalist is a firm believer in the power of nature to provide superb medications, we just have to find them.
Readily available at the Indian grocers, they are a godsend for me. The Maximalist has been a migraine sufferer for many years and so is my younger child. When said younger child was working abroad she had a dreadful migraine and sought help. Contrary to what you here about every country but the US having fabulous healthcare and easy access, she was essentially told to gut it out. On her way home she stopped at a grocery and spice stall where the old merchant handed her a small scoop of black seeds and said "use these, a pinch everyday, they will cure anything but death"
They did cure the migraine and kept the headaches at bay. I use them too now. Is it the nigellone? The thymoquinone? The beta-sitosterol? Is it just a marvelous placebo?
It has worked for me and is the subject of numerous studies with some holding out the prospect that it will be deleoped into an anti-tumor medication.
The trick is to use it sparingly. A pinch in the morning yogurt or a pinch on your salmon at dinnertime.
The Maximalist is a firm believer in the power of nature to provide superb medications, we just have to find them.
Things I love today
Chainsaws. Really cuts down on time wasted on cutting weed trees and allows me to maximalize peony planting and adding perennials to my garden. Fewer weed trees means more light and a neater garden
Safety glasses. While the Maximalist believes in letting people make their own mistakes and thrash their way through the jungles and forests of life, she is adamantly opposed to letting them injure their eyes in the process. Vines especially are tricky things and prone to lash about when torn. I love tearing vines, it rids me of so much hostility, but I always protect my eyes. Trips to the opthalmic surgeon are not to me maximalized.
Purposive exercise, you know, like gardening. Running on the treadmill is rather dull and you have only limited pleasure on accomplishing a few miles. Gardening and clean up offers you a better feeling of gratification and wins you the admiration of your neighbors. Women walking by were very impressed by the Maximalist and her skills, especially with that chainsaw!
Safety glasses. While the Maximalist believes in letting people make their own mistakes and thrash their way through the jungles and forests of life, she is adamantly opposed to letting them injure their eyes in the process. Vines especially are tricky things and prone to lash about when torn. I love tearing vines, it rids me of so much hostility, but I always protect my eyes. Trips to the opthalmic surgeon are not to me maximalized.
Purposive exercise, you know, like gardening. Running on the treadmill is rather dull and you have only limited pleasure on accomplishing a few miles. Gardening and clean up offers you a better feeling of gratification and wins you the admiration of your neighbors. Women walking by were very impressed by the Maximalist and her skills, especially with that chainsaw!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Weed tree chainsaw massacre! The Maximalist yells TIM-BERRRR!!!
The Maximalist had every intention of tackling the foul mulberries that clutter up parts of the yard with power tools today. I woke up bright and early expecting that Mr. Maximalist would be ready to teach me this skill and that I would be well on my way!
Sadly, I must report that after breakfast he went back to bed.
Perhaps it's my age and exposure to chainsaw horror movies but I have always found the buzzing things to be terrifying. I imagined accidentally maiming myself as it seemed that these things have minds of their own, a la Stephen King. Anyway, I found some old blue saw in the garage and decided to try my luck the old fashioned athletic way. Luck was on my side and I quickly felled several large weed trees and dragged their carcasses out to the road. Lumberjack to the max.
If I had know sawing down things was so easy I'd have started before. The only thing I have trusted myself to use is lopping tools and sharp pruners. This is a revelation of sorts and rather empowering.
The ultimate goal is to spare the ancient pussy willow and rehabilitate it as best I can, while destroying the opportunistic mulberries and whatever those sour smelling things were that are now gracing the curb side waiting for collection. I cannot realize my dream of the cottage garden "look" without removing these nasty intruders and if I cannot successfully enlist male support I must take things into my own hands.
These hands are more capable and stronger that I had guessed.
Coffee break over. Back to work!
Sadly, I must report that after breakfast he went back to bed.
Perhaps it's my age and exposure to chainsaw horror movies but I have always found the buzzing things to be terrifying. I imagined accidentally maiming myself as it seemed that these things have minds of their own, a la Stephen King. Anyway, I found some old blue saw in the garage and decided to try my luck the old fashioned athletic way. Luck was on my side and I quickly felled several large weed trees and dragged their carcasses out to the road. Lumberjack to the max.
If I had know sawing down things was so easy I'd have started before. The only thing I have trusted myself to use is lopping tools and sharp pruners. This is a revelation of sorts and rather empowering.
The ultimate goal is to spare the ancient pussy willow and rehabilitate it as best I can, while destroying the opportunistic mulberries and whatever those sour smelling things were that are now gracing the curb side waiting for collection. I cannot realize my dream of the cottage garden "look" without removing these nasty intruders and if I cannot successfully enlist male support I must take things into my own hands.
These hands are more capable and stronger that I had guessed.
Coffee break over. Back to work!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Maximalist goes to the used book store
Actually it's a favorite place. A bookstore devoid of calendars, coffee, music and crowds. In fact I think it bans beverages and ou must hold the kiddies by the hand.
It's cheaper and has an interesting selection.
I bought a 1929 copy of Alexander Kuprin's Yama, the Russian realist's work on prostitution.
A 1959 copy of Alice B Toklas Aromas and Flavours. The Maximalist loves to cook and I am eager to try her Perfumed Goose.
A 1941 copy of Robert Nathan's The Darkening Meadows as I did not have one.
It's cheaper and has an interesting selection.
I bought a 1929 copy of Alexander Kuprin's Yama, the Russian realist's work on prostitution.
A 1959 copy of Alice B Toklas Aromas and Flavours. The Maximalist loves to cook and I am eager to try her Perfumed Goose.
A 1941 copy of Robert Nathan's The Darkening Meadows as I did not have one.
What's the point?
Of writing a blog with few views?
Just to keep a record
To practice blathering about myself and my interests until I find a way of writing that I like
Do I really need one?
I used to keep a written journal, but I would get bored or my penmanship would deteriorate to the point that I had trouble reading it! So I am trying this...for the past two years. Just as with paper and a pen I keep putting it down and picking it up and reviewing my thoughts and views.
Harmless and actually I have a better average with the computer as it is rarely misplaced and I am frequently using it for something else
Just to keep a record
To practice blathering about myself and my interests until I find a way of writing that I like
Do I really need one?
I used to keep a written journal, but I would get bored or my penmanship would deteriorate to the point that I had trouble reading it! So I am trying this...for the past two years. Just as with paper and a pen I keep putting it down and picking it up and reviewing my thoughts and views.
Harmless and actually I have a better average with the computer as it is rarely misplaced and I am frequently using it for something else
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Chainsaw lesson
Well cutting down a 20ft tree is one thing and dragging it to the street is another, but making the lieces small enough to please the township is crazy...and required the dreaded chainsaw.
Reluctantly the Maximalist donned her safethy glasses and fired up the beast. The tricks it seems are to hold saw with BOTH hands there by keeping them away from blade, AND holding legs apart so that when the saw cuts through and goes forward that you miss your legs entirely. Seemed very sensible and the MAximalist was able to cut up the boughs in no time flat.
Another empowering experience.
This apparently was a "small" chainsaw. Seems the person who makes a truly petite versions woud have a hit on his/her hands. I could see using this more frequently if it were lighter and if the blade/chain were about a foot long instead of closer to two. Nevertheless, chainsaws aren't just for men anymore.
Reluctantly the Maximalist donned her safethy glasses and fired up the beast. The tricks it seems are to hold saw with BOTH hands there by keeping them away from blade, AND holding legs apart so that when the saw cuts through and goes forward that you miss your legs entirely. Seemed very sensible and the MAximalist was able to cut up the boughs in no time flat.
Another empowering experience.
This apparently was a "small" chainsaw. Seems the person who makes a truly petite versions woud have a hit on his/her hands. I could see using this more frequently if it were lighter and if the blade/chain were about a foot long instead of closer to two. Nevertheless, chainsaws aren't just for men anymore.
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