A book - two of them, in fact

I just finished reading two books.

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson (Bantam Books, 1993)

In the year 2026, the major countries of Earth launch 100 carefully selected scientists on a journey to establish a colony on Mars. When the initial habitation is completed, and more people arrive to begin expanding to new settlements, social and political issues begin to influence the proceedings. Once the space elevator cable is installed between the surface and a geosynchronous asteroid, new immigrants begin to arrive by the thousands. At the same time, Earth has come under the control of a few global corporations, which intend to profit from exploitation of the resources of Mars, regardless of the desires of the Martian settlers. Eventually, a revolution breaks out, resulting in the destruction of much of the infrastructure on the planet, and the escape of thousands of 'red' Martians into an underground existence.

and

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik (Ballantine Books, 2006)
Laurence, captain of a British warship, captures a French frigate carrying a precious dragon's egg to Napoleon Bonaparte. By happenstance, when the egg hatches a short time later, the dragon choosed Laurence to be his handler. This means loss of his naval career, and a transfer to the Aerial Corps. As time goes on, and Temeraire grows into a 30 ton adult dragon, Laurence grows completely devoted to it and his duty to England. Between training exercises and combat missions against the French dragon fleet, their favorite pastime is reading. This eventually leads to Laurence reading Newton's Mathematica to Temeraire and the dragon in turn explaining the mathematics to Laurence. When Napoleon finally launches an invasion of England, Temeraire and his flight crew exhibit extraordinary skill and bravery in turning the tide of the battle.

Both stories are told with realistic detail, and true portrayal of the human passions involved. Both are the first episode of trilogies. They are excellent and enjoyable books. I highly recommend both.

1820 Calories Doesn't Look Like Much Food

We decided to see how much food you get for a given amount of calories. So we laid out a day's worth of meals and added it up.


Doesn't look like much food, does it?!
Here's the list:

1 c cereal 90
1 c milk 100
1/3 c cherries 130
2 pc toast 140
1 T jelly 50
Breakfast 510

4 oz cottage cheese 90
1/2 c peaches 80
1 slice pizza 340
1 c squash 18
1/4 whole onion 16
1 T olive oil 120
1 oz choc chips 140
Lunch 804

1 c soup 70
1/2 c quinoa 170
2 c lettuce 16
1 T dressing 65
3.2 oz tuna 75
2 pc cookies 110
Supper 506
Total 1820
That's probably MORE calories than needed, given our lifestyle.

Grandcamp East - Day 7

This morning, I had toast and cereal and YoBaby for breakfast. I only ate a little toast.


Before school, I played with my remote control bulldozer. I figured out I can push my other toys with it.


Today was kind of a hard day, but after school Mimi and I went to the Botannical Garden to meet James and play. I played hard.
When we got home, I dug in the dirt a little. Then it was supper time and I asked to eat outside. Mimi said "Yes!" Mimi is always fun. I ate a bunch of pizza.


Tonight I was really tired.

Grandcamp East - Day 6

Last night, I turned myself around in bed so my pillow is at the other end. Mimi and Pa were surprised when they came in my room this morning.


I had a good day at school today. This spy photo (according to Pa) shows that I am having fun running around on the playground.


And I felt happy when I came inside.


I got TWO stars today, so I got to pick out a treat. I always pick a lollipop.


After school, we went to the park near our house.


A little later, James came!


He brought a snack with him. He shared with me.


I brought some juice boxes. James was impressed!


I shared with him.


I can go down the slide and drink juice at the same time.


We played in the sand.


A lot.


We rested. For a minute.


We climbed a lot.


And we went down the slide a lot.


After supper, Pa watched me take my bath. Then I watched ONE Veggie Tales. Then Pa read some books. Then Mimi rocked me and put me to bed and stayed in my room until I went to sleep.

I kept my pillow in the same place again tonight.

Grandcamp East - Day 5

Morning came early today. Mimi had to make some noise to wake me up.


After breakfast, we read some of my Kids magazine that came in the mail yesterday. We counted shapes, like squares, rectangles and triangles. I found them all.


After school, we met my friend James at a fun play place. It has lots of bouncy toys, climbing things, and video games.


While we played, Mimi and James' Mommy watched Andy wrestle a penquin.


Bouncing was fun.


Falling down was hilarious!


But climbing was best of all. Pa said "There you go - see what I mean?"


Sliding down was pretty exciting.


We played some skee-ball. I love to throw the balls into the little gutter at the front.


Mimi and I played air hockey. We found out you don't even need the little puck - you can just slide the handle things.


They had pizza there, too! Mimi said they have the best hot dogs this side of Chicago.


I took Pa for a ride on the ATV racing game. I think Pa was a little nervous.


When we got home, I was ready for some B-ball. But Pa was tired, so I played in the dirt instead.

Grandcamp East - Day 4

After school today, I got a surprise from Pa and Mimi (mostly Pa). But before we could use it, we had to unscrew it from its packaging. 12 screws!


Pa helped me by holding the screwdriver while I turned it.


I think Pa forgets how old I really am, sometimes. I asked him to take the wire off. But he didn't.


Keats was pretty surprised, too.


We played in the garage some more - it was still raining. We found a tube that made a pretty good telescope.


We brought my slide in from the back yard. There are lots of ways you can use a slide.


If you put your ball on top, it rolls down the slide pretty straight.


So Mimi set up a little bowling alley. Strike! Every time.


I found out that the telescope was more fun to throw than to look through. Duck, Pa!


We played catch, too. Now and then, I stopped to practice holding my hands the way Daddy showed me.


I tried going outside to play.


But it was still raining. When I couldn't open the door from outside, I came in the other way.


It was too cold to play in the rain, so I had to use the umbrella.


Pretty soon, it was bedtime. We read lots of books.


Then Mimi rocked me, and I fell asleep.

Grandcamp East - Day 3

Well, Day 3 was a pretty busy one. After breakfast (creamed chipped beef, per my request) I did some more construction in the garage.


Ta-Daahhh!


It seemed like a good time to drive into the house. So I did.


Later, we went to the Mall. There were lots of things for window shopping.


And we took a quick survey of the food court.


After lunch, I made the longest wooden train in the world. It had a tendency to break in the middle on the overpasses.


Then there was more construction work to do. My structures are getting more complex.


So, I got an assistant.


As a follow up, I did some small scale projects using the trucks Grandpa Mike made for me. Pa thinks they are awesome. I do too.


Before supper time, I went to the drive-in to see Veggie Tales. Pa thinks Veggie Tales should be featured at all drive-ins.


The drive-in playground had a nifty slide.


Hey Guys! Watch this!! (Pa says he can 'see it coming...')


Mimi gave me a ride home from the drive-in. Pa said "See what I mean?"


Mimi and I made some cookies. She's a good baker - she didn't even need to use a recipe.


I got to lick the beaters!


After supper, I got a little wild and threw a toy. So I put myself in Time Out. Mimi was impressed. She said "I see what you mean."


The rest of the day was pretty much getting ready for bed. Bedtime was a little earlier tonight, since tomorrow is a school day. I wasn't quite ready, but I had to go to bed anyway.