Planting New Trees

Last month, Austin Energy crews had to remove three trees and trim another one in our backyard because they were interfering with power lines. Now, this worked out for us -- they were all fast-growing "trash" trees (if any tree can be called such a thing) and we didn't want them there anyway.

When the crew head left, he handed me a brochure about the removals. I was beyond excited when I saw that the city offers free replacements when they have to remove trees from your yard. Free trees? OH YEAH. I did so much research on the native tree replacement options they offered, you would not even believe it. Ask me about the desert willow's foliage patterns. Go for it.

On Friday, the FIVE amazing trees arrived in their five gallon buckets. I actually skipped outside to see them, no joke.

A waterproof-cased iPhone is optimal for taking mediocre photos of new trees when you have muddy hands.

So we spent this beautiful Sunday wandering the aisles of Natural Gardener, bagging our own mulch and turkey compost, and then relocating five nandina bushes and digging one hole and planting our brand new Mexican plum tree in our backyard.

(Digging 12" x 30" holes in 86 degrees is actually harder than it sounds. I guess these baby-carrying arms aren't as strong as I thought.) We also made room for the common tree senna in our front yard.

Tonight, I came across this quote in the engaging book "Home" by Bill Bryson:

I do not know whether I am singular in my Opinion, but, for my own part, I would rather look upon a Tree in all its Luxuriancy and Diffusion of Boughs and Branches, than when it is thus cut and trimmed into a Mathematical Figure.

Joseph Addison, "The Pleasures of the Imagination" (1712)

Indeed, Joseph. Indeed.

An Ounce Each Day

People say to me, 'Oh, you're so prolific.' God, it doesn't feel like it — nothing like it. But, you know, you put an ounce in a bucket each day, you get a quart.

--John McPhee, who has published more than 25 books but rarely writes more than 500 words a day.

Worst Nightmare

When I first heard about this story from Orlando, Fl, I thought to myself, "This is every parent's worst nightmare." But let's be real -- this is every parent of a black child's worst nightmare.

Zimmerman was carrying a a 9 millimeter handgun. Martin was carrying a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea. [ABC News]

--"What Everyone Should Know About Trayvon Martin (1995-2012)

If anyone tries to tell you that we live in a post-race society, please remind them just how wrong they are.

My heart goes out to Trayvon's family and friends, who have lost so much. And my great fierce prayers go out for non-violent justice in this and every case like it.

How to choose kid's toys

Smart list of criteria for selecting a child's toy, from Dr. Sears. I (of course) especially like #8: "Can it be played with by both genders?" To be technical, all toys can physically be played with by all genders (pretty sure there's no "My Little Tampon" or Pretty Pretty Penis Accessories... these would be problematic for, uh, a million reasons), but I appreciate that he identifies gender-neutrality as being a good quality for play.

As a counterpoint to the idea of even buying toys at all, I offer Wired's list of top five toys of all time.

Open Letter

Dear "Up All Night" Creators,

Stop watching us. It's just creepy. You change just enough that it's not obvious, but I know what's going on here.

You do get one major thing wrong - that baby is way too convenient. Especially at one year. Has she not popped any teeth? Had a cold? Gotten croup? Real life babies are much messier.

Love,
Jennifer