News flash: Water essential. Who knew?

Fair is not the rating I would give today. Blistering and brutal would be more accurate.

It took me a quart of water per hour to be outside today. I wasn't running, practicing football, or doing physical labor. I was just standing in the shade wearing a big hat and telling folks about pollination, metamorphosis, decomposition, erosion, evaporation, nutrition, and the location of the nearest restroom.

It was scary to me how many visitors arrived mid-afternoon with one little water bottle for a whole family. Of course there are drinking fountains.


If you are coming to the Garden this weekend, plan to start your science adventure early in the day and bring lots of water. Watch for symptoms of dehydration and salt depletion. Pay special attention to the youngest and the elderly, and don't push anybody past the point where the outing is fun. Come back again a cooler day!

  © 2014 Nancy L. Ruder

Summer reads and listens

Stayed up until one reading Roz Chast's graphic memoir about MY LIFE. It sure seemed like my life caring for my dad. I chuckled, wheezed, and got teary.

Listened to Ann Patchett's State of Wonder on my new, longer commutes. Fits in well with my current curiosity about fungi. The audio book was very well read.


And for something light but intriguing, the reprint edition of Jean Echenoz' I'm Gone.



Now it's time for a classic, Sissy Spacek narrating To Kill a Mockingbird. Aren't libraries wonderful?










© 2014 Nancy L. Ruder

Do you know the way to spell sachet?

It has been quite the day. Please excuse me while I haul my chassis up to the chalet.

Sachets are small fragrant bags of herbs used to perfume your lingerie and handkerchief drawers, should you be old enough to remember cloth handkerchiefs.

Sashay is a dance step etymologically mangled from to hunt, chase, catch.

Chassé is a gliding dance step...

But what about chassis? 

That seems to be a box of eye sockets, jewel settings, snail shells, or the base frame an automobile. 

And cachet? Something can lend a certain cachet, a bit of prestige, as sachets lend a certain fragrance..

I will not be gallivanting or sallying forth. Quite likely a snooze will come on just sitting here at the computer. Traveling in the Amazon and wrestling anacondas on the automobile audiobook takes a lot out of a girl.

Do you know the way to San Jose?
I've been away so long
I may go wrong and lose my way
Do you know the way to San Jose?
I'm going back to find some peace of mind in San Jose

L.A. is a great big freeway
Put a hundred down and buy a car
In a week, maybe two, they'll make you a star

© 2014 Nancy L. Ruder