Two Good Books

If you have looked around this blog you might have noticed two lists on the side bar titled “What We’re Watching” and “What We’re Reading.”  Captain Y is a big movie buff and basically wants to watch every movie that comes out.   Me?  I like movies but am what you might call a book worm.  I’m always reading at least one book and often times have two or three going.  I’ve read two really good books lately that I wanted to share.  

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Photo from Amazon.com

This book is long, over 500 pages, but totally worth it!  Set in Ethiopia, it follows the lives of twin boys born to doctors at a mission hospital.  The story is unique and very well told.  I would get so lost in the story that when I looked up I would be surprised to find yourself sitting in Texas instead of Africa!  The author is a doctor and he manages to incorporate medical information in an interesting, and not disgusting, way that adds validity and a very interesting aspect to the story. 

The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern

Photo from Amazon.com

This engaging and whimsical tale is set in the late 1800’s in Europe and the United States.  It is a story of love, friendship and magic set on the stage of Le Cirque des Reves, The Night Circus.  It’s hard to say too much more about the story without giving away pertinent details but this is another book where I found myself completely lost in the story. 

If you are looking for a good read pick up one of these books and you will not be disappointed.  

The Giving of Thanks

Gaston, Captain Y, Plant Girl and Sasha all wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving!

A Second Crop

We gave up on our tomatoes.  In August our temperatures never get low enough for tomatoes to set fruit, they will flower and flower but never produce a tomato.  Couple that with a historic drought and it didn't seem worth the water to keep them going. 

Ever since we started our garden people have told us you can grow fall tomatoes in Texas but we have never tried.  But apparently this year our tomatoes had a different idea.  The vines don't look so great...

But if you look closely you will see...

At lease half a dozen green tomatoes hanging on the vines!  We have not been watering so they are on the small size but dang, those are some hardy tomatoes.  Now, we have to wait and see if they actually ripen.

We also have something else surprising growing in the yard.  Please note the dead grass (remember historic drought).  We are pretty sure it's a watermelon vine.  I guess that's what happens when you spit seeds in your backyard and then don't mow.  I'm sure we won't get any fruit off of this but it still makes me happy to see it growing. 

Who would have thought I would have such a positive garden update in November?  All I can say is Sasha, we're not in Missouri any more. 

Shamu

Back in June we bought tickets to Sea World when Captain Y's work offered discounted tickets.  We finally made it there last weekend. We saw a couple of shows and a lot of animals. 

  Look, Shamu...

And baby Shamu! (the little tail in the middle)

Beluga whales (let's all sing now...baby beluga in the deep blue sea...)

 

Dolphins

 

 Sea lions (they smelled really bad)

Penguins (including this very proud guy with the puffed up chest)

Turns out fall is the perfect time to visit Sea World San Antonio.  The crowds are much smaller, the lines are shorter, the temperature is lower and the park is decorated for Halloween.