Freaky Weather!

I know, in LA, we are not supposed to complain because LA weather is always, basically the same. But I just heard that Kanan Dume road in Malibu has been closed for hours so that snowplows can come in AND CLEAR A FOOT OF SNOW!!!

We've had a rather mild winter--until this week. For several days now the temperature has dropped into the 20s at night. The winds accompanying the temperatures have made it feel even colder. My aviary is no more (birds blown out, probably now frozen somewhere.) Your assumptions (and mine) about California gardens have just been challenged. Check out this picture of this strangely melted jade plant--in full bloom because of the recent warm weather! My ficus tree is limp and brown, my tree ferns, stiff and shriveled.



Now I know this is minor compared to blizzards and 8 foot snow! Fort Collins has been pummeled!











Anyone else have some freaky weather to share? Send me your tales and pictures if you have them.

Politics! (Take a Deep Breath)

Only kidding, this isn't too bad.

Just saw this little article on BBC "Mexico Leader on Tortilla Pledge" and clicked on it because of the catchy title. Lo and behold, the price of corn is going up because of American diversion of corn harvests to ethanol production.

This is an email newsletter I received from Lester Brown last November:

Exploding U.S. Grain Demand for Automotive Fuel
Threatens World Food Security and Political Stability
Now that the year’s grain harvest is safely in the bin, it is time to take stock and look ahead. This year’s harvest of 1,967 million tons is falling short of the estimated consumption of 2,040 million tons by some 73 million tons. This shortfall of nearly 4 percent is one of the largest on record. Even more sobering, in six of the last seven years world grain production has fallen short of use. As a result, world carryover stocks of grain have been drawn down to 57 days of consumption, the lowest level in 34 years. The last time they were this low wheat and rice prices doubled. Meanwhile, demand for grain to produce fuel ethanol is growing rapidly. (You can read the rest here)

Rise in the price of grain has preceded many riots and revolutions throughout history. But we're beyond all that, right? Well, treehugger though I am, I am wondering if I am even helping by driving a biodiesel car!

These kinds of things are on my mind every day. I'd like to make a difference, any of you have any ideas? Or is this just annoying?

Anyway, the Sink is for talking, so fire away!

P.S. Google purchased Blogger some time ago and they have upgraded the system enough that some of you may even be able to get on the Sink one of these days. Let me know if you want a fresh invitation to join.

Announcement!!

Janek and I would like to announce that Sara and Jef Lamoureux are to be married in July! As of now, the date is set for July 15 and the ceremony and reception will take place in the Duke Botanical Gardens in Durham North Carolina.

Jef (last name La-moor-oh) is the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Psychology and Neuroscience programs at Duke University as well as a lecturer. He also passed some tough family tests (Secret Santa for your future mother-in-law?!) He's a native of Vermont - born and raised on a beautiful dairy farm that his parents still run. He and Sara both love Durham, however and are looking to buy a house before the summer.

We are all looking forward to our family trip in July to Durham to bless this beautiful union.

Tobin _____ Chapman

This is my name...so far. Mom and Dad are working on it. I think the Tobin (aka Toby) is agreed upon because Dad found out that it is actually an old family name. But I know they are still hung up on the middle name. Dad's pushing pretty hard for Tobin Wan Konobe Chapman but I heard "I love you, honey, but absolutely not" so I think Mom is open to more suggestions.

Oh! and by the way, I weighed in at 9lbs and 21 inches of me arrived intact although I tend to remain in my 12 inch ball. But things seem nice and now that I know what all the racket's been about these past few months (something always leaning on Mom's tummy{Imean me} called "sisters"?) I plan on sticking around. Seems like it might be fun! Great family to come into!

It's a Boy!

Claire gave birth at 10:30 pm approximately to a beautiful baby boy. He is big, but don't yet know the weight and length, but he is extremely alert, sucking his hands and nursing.

I'll keep you posted! Name coming soon!

Baby On Its Way!

Whether it will be a December 8th or a December 9th birthday I don't yet know, but since it is late at night I thought I would post rather than wake everyone up!

Claire started labor late this afternoon and by 6pm we were all on to our various duties: Claire doing her thing, Brian fretting over filling the birthing pool, the girls running from room to room, and I finished baking the zuccini quiche for the crowd. The midwives arrived shortly after and Janek and I have the girls at home with us for "dinner and a movie" until their sibling arrives (I hope they fall asleep). Nathie is there with Claire and with Julian, who is sound asleep in Mila's crib.

All is well! I will keep you posted.

Julian at Eight Months

See more recent photos here