I bought my seeds for this year’s garden today. How exciting! I’d gotten catalogs from several companies: John Scheepers, Seed Savers, Seeds of Change, but not Baker Creek. (Apparently, Baker Creek had more catalog requests than expected, and they haven’t shipped the second set yet.) After looking over the catalogs, I decided to go with John Scheepers, as they carry the specific cherry tomato that I wanted by itself.

Here are some of the things I ordered. If we need any more, or the seedlings don’t do well, I will supplement what we have with transplants from the farmer’s market or garden center. Most of these are varieties I’ve never planted before.

Jade Green Bush Beans

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TAKE THAT, MUSIC INDUSTRY!

I just digitized 4 LPs that you never bothered to put on CD with some help from Toast, mp3splt, and turntables. (I admit some of these are on CD. Still, they are generally HTF.)

Because I have to share my sometimes dubious musical taste, I’m posting a couple blurbs and images here. (images taken from flickr users and linked back to the photo page)

Various Artists: Dance, Be Happy!, 1957

I think my sister originally bought this, either at a thrift store, The Great Escape, or the man I bought lots of records from as a teenager (aka “The Record Man”). I think this was inspired by Swing Kids. Eventually, she tired of it and it drifted to me. It has lots of great songs and well-known band leaders such as Benny Goodman, Percy Faith, Duke Ellington, and Xavier Cugat. Definitely worth a listen if you can find it!

Bobby Sherman: Bobby Sherman, 1969

Oh, Bobby and his gorgeous blue eyes! This album actually belonged to my father. My sister and I just loved the songs: Bobby has a great voice and these are very catchy tunes. It includes the hits “Seattle” and “Little Woman”, along with some tunes written by Bobby himself! One of my favorites is “This Guy’s in Love with You”, written by Burt Bacharach and originally performed by Herb Alpert. (Don’t worry, I have some of his albums to digitize, too!) Just sit back and gaze into the bluest eyes this side of The Sound of Music.

Petula Clark: My Love, 1966

Amazingly, this is the only Petula Clark album I own. I can’t recall where I got it. This has her hits “My Love”, “Sign of the Times”, and other good tunes such as her cover of “We Can Work it Out” by the Beatles and “If I Were a Bell” from Guys & Dolls.

Burt Bacharach: Reach Out, 1967

I remember why I bought this album: I had heard the delightfully strange “Bond Street” (from Casino Royale, I think?) and had to have my own copy of it. This features Bacharach playing his own songs as well as instrumental versions… one standout is “The Look of Love” . I think my favorite might be “Lisa”, which is really quite lovely, even if its lyrics are rather insipid.

As you can tell, I have a great fondness for 1960s pop and music from before then. I don’t say that my taste is impeccable, but I do derive much joy from the music I love. Even if it is cheesy. I love cheese! Now I’m off to find that cd full of Price is Right themes…

WATCHING

Chef! starring Lenny Henry

IN THE BACKYARD

snow

cardinals

chickadees

tufted titmice

various sparrows

a few Eastern Towhees

downy woodpecker

red-bellied woodpecker

brown thrasher

eastern gray squirrel

and all are very hungry!

I am recovering from a 2-day migraine by sitting inside, eating, watching TV, and watching birds.