World Hunger

I drive past the Ballard food bank every day. I see the lines. What can be done? Here is a link to the world hunger education service. • Even in the United States, 46 percent of African-American children and 49 percent of Latino children are considered chronically hungry. Heifer International has asked bloggers to speak up about this today. Here is a link to that.

Edward Tufte (I took his one day course yesterday), smart and funny; HATES power point:

http://ping.fm/jgBO0

About to hear this man:
http://ping.fm/T7w9U

This is lovely, a collection of thoughts and drawings by Maira Kalman
http://ping.fm/sse22

Shred your documents! In Seattle:


http://ping.fm/Z1RKu

Sewer Warning

This sign warns of sewer overflows in heavy rains...let's see. It's in Seattle! Swimming, anyone?

Here is what the city says about this issue: read this

read this in edibleSeattle Magazine: gardens and gardeners get together to eat local:

http://ping.fm/plZkk

Bad Builder Neighbor

I know this is just a sample...of the current times. This home builder just stopped working. I hope this builder sends his/her crews back around to finish the job, or at least take a dump run.

Organic Gardening at the White House...sign this petition:

http://ping.fm/DnemQ

forsythia

Spring! Sun! Warm weather...

Wowhttp://ping.fm/pfI5d here is a lady who can sing...

Houses on Rocks

This is an interesting article about a summer home in Norway. I see a peek into the sauna in one photo and it had me reminiscing about my years of enjoying saunas. My father immigrated here from Finland in 1947 so we grew up with the (sauna) Scandinavian tradition, at least once a week. Ours included building the fire, and keeping the furnace hot for at least three hours, which gave several hours of sauna enjoyment. This article is all about using available wood, and putting the home on the land with an artist's eye.

Inmates Serving Gourmet Food: could this happen in the USA?

http://ping.fm/K4NVa

Great Meat

Hide your eyes, vegetarians and vegans...



This meat was so terrific, and delivered to the door. They also make gourmet meals, ready to cook.

Color Creativity

Dyeing Fabric in a friend's art studio took a day and many pieces of fabric. Some of us painted the dyes onto paper, others dyed fabric. Much fun, thanks Karen!

Cats

Here are some neighborhood cats, two that are installed in the sidewalk, and include marbles for eyes.

And two actual cats, one waiting with the deliveries, and one looking for more food...

Flowers in the Neighborhood

Make your soda at home! (http://ping.fm/4VDzz)

The coolest new wierd shoes...with toes!
http://ping.fm/C6IZX

Why money messes with our minds: http://ping.fm/MthS9

urban gardening for true beginners (http://ping.fm/tzCH4)

Fences

Some interesting fences. So much better than those six foot tall solid cedar fences that we had everywhere in the 1980's...

Fractional ownership of homes... (http://ping.fm/nIcww)

Plastic in Oceans...not sure about eating fish tonight. (http://ping.fm/Wf9vs)

Banks, money and all that

Here is a little peek into a neighborhood bank branch's weekend remodel.

Garden Chairs

These are a couple of fabulous chairs! One with the willow twigs so tall they disappear into the trees they sit under...the other with fish head and fish tails as part of the design.

Gates

Here are some interesting gates I found in the neighborhood. This one has a light that looks like a fishing pole, with a reel...here's a close up:

Neighborhood Treasures

Taking a walk the other day came upon several interesting art pieces in/on people's homes. This looks like a birdbath installed upside-down, with a bronze bird and beach glass living on it.

This was a little wood/metal yard angel.

This is a bronze installed on a stucco wall. Orcas and waves.

This is what I am planning to eat tonight: http://ping.fm/CtpVV

I had mashed potatoes the other night, but this sounds really fabulous, so here I go with potatoes and greens.

New York Times article about working past retirement: http://ping.fm/Gbec8

This article in DWELL magazine talks about some great green buildings and project frog.

New Rules and Guidlines for Appraisers

Appraisers are the people that the banks hire to give them an accurate value of the house you are borrowing money against. There is a new wind on the horizon:



Here are some varying opinions about the new Home Valuation Code of Conduct,
a change coming to appraisers….

article written by mortgage broker...he hates it


and Reuters says:

I am pinging my update! Who knew? I wonder if this will take more time...http://ping.fm/QSNyU