The host of the Scattered Life Collective is taking a break for the month of November, but I intend to continue with my Friday Footnotes posts in her absence.
Out the window: I've mentioned before that I live in a pseudo co-op. We recently discovered a neighbourhood handyman who does great work for a decent price and he's just finished off a handful of projects in and around our building. It feels so satisfying to get all of these nagging items off of our to-do list, and now we're all ready for winter to arrive.
On the menu: Broccoli salad. Not sure that I ever want to know the calorie count for this salad, but it sure is tasty.
Out the window: I've mentioned before that I live in a pseudo co-op. We recently discovered a neighbourhood handyman who does great work for a decent price and he's just finished off a handful of projects in and around our building. It feels so satisfying to get all of these nagging items off of our to-do list, and now we're all ready for winter to arrive.
On the menu: Broccoli salad. Not sure that I ever want to know the calorie count for this salad, but it sure is tasty.
Reading: I hoped for great things from this week's pick, but unfortunately, it's proving to be a disappointment. How to Build a Girl, by English funny-woman Caitlin Moran, tells the story of Johanna Morrigan, a teenage girl living in government housing with her dysfunctional family in the early '90s. After an embarrassing incident on local television, Johanna decides to reinvent herself as a completely new character named Dolly Wilde. The rest of the novel describes the escapades of her new persona. I knew going in that there would probably be a shock factor to some of the content - Moran is known for her no-holds-barred, crass humour - but it feels to me like she's trying too hard to be edgy and here it somehow falls flat. Not sure yet if I'll even bother finishing this one.
Watching: Luckily, my viewing choice this week proved to be much more satisfying than my reading choice. I did a little happy dance when I received an email from Netflix telling me that they are now streaming the English crime drama series Scott & Bailey. I'd heard good things, primarily from my internet buddy, Roisin Muldoon, so I was anxious to give it a look. I have not been disappointed. The writing, acting and directing are all top-notch, and I have been riveted by the story lines. This one isn't for the faint of heart - it can get pretty graphic, and they investigate some horrific crimes - but wow, is it well done. Highly recommended.
Listening: I just discovered the Scottish band The Twilight Sad. Here they are with acoustic versions of three of their songs. I love that you can distinctly hear the lead singer's accent. Great sound.
Learning:
This week's Words of the Day:
Out and About:
That's all for this week.
Sarah
Learning:
This week's Words of the Day:
- ventifact - noun - a stone shaped by windblown sand.
- foramen - noun, anatomy - an opening, hole, or passage, esp. in a bone.
- mirabile dictu - adverb - wonderful to relate.
- sneezewort - noun - a kind of yarrow whose dried leaves are used to induce sneezing.
- cromlech - noun - 1. a megalithic tomb. 2. a circle of upright prehistoric stones.
Out and About:
- This writer believes that you should finish every book that you start. (I disagree.)
- A complete double rainbow encircles an Australian town
- A creative way to signal the end of Daylight Savings Time
- 9-year-old shutterbug wins an award
- Baby pandas team up to resist their medication
- A meteorologist's clever Halloween costume
- Is that a couch, or a bird's nest?
- Beautiful beeswax candles
That's all for this week.
Sarah