Accidental Gueurrilla

I promised myself some time to reading this weekend and I'm working away at 2 books. I'm loving Three Cups of Tea, and almost delaying the end of it because I am enjoying the experience. I'm also munching my way through the Accidental Guerilla by David Macullen.

I'm not sure why I choose to read this, however I am. It's not fiction, so I was a little worried it'd be a struggle, but it's not too difficult to read. It is however political, challenging, but really informative. I did a little search and found a couple of other bloggers reviews, and then realised that I am not such a political savvy. I think I was just hoping to learn more about this current war, as I never learned anything about previous world wars or conflicts.

I believe it is important to understand the forces at work in the world, in order to change it. Generally I have worked towards change more at a local level, working with communities, or organisations. But with my interest in international volunteering, I feel I would benefit from a more global undertsanding of my world. Anyone with other insights either into Macullen's work, or other work I could read - please make suggestions.

Zombie Chicken Award

Isn't this gorgeous?- Karen at Bookbath has awarded me the Zombie Chicken Award. This is a hoot!

“The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all…”

Thank you so much Karen. I'm honoured to think you would 'brave a pack of Zombie Chickens' to read my blog (although I don't believe it for a minute! Chook lover as you are). So I take this honour and name my 5 worthy bloggers.

1. Jacquie @ Life in the Dome: I don't have chooks yet, but Jacqui is inspiring me to prepare the way for the future.
   
2. Michelle @ Alpaca, Chook, Garden, Travel and Michelles Musings: Michelle's musings are about life, and we can always learn from each other.
   
3. Jess @ This Delicious Solitude: Jess reads books I probably never will, and writes beautiful reviews so I feel I have read the book itself.
   
4. Robin @ A Fondness for Reading: Robin shares her wisdom and thoughts through photo's, quotes and ponderings. Her words inspire and challenge and encourage.
   
5. The Hardworkinghippy & Fabrice @ La Ferme De Sourrou: I wish I was Hardworkinghippy, this blog transports me to other dreams.

Thanks to all the bloggers that I visit, and I promise, if a pack of Zombie Chickens were to cross the road in front of me, I'd wait for them before I procedded to your blogs!

The Other Hand (Book Review)

Once I started this it was difficult to put down, and today I just forgot time as I lost myself in this amazing book. The back cover says 'We don't want to tell you what happens in this book. It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it'. In my opinion, it is a truly special story. Further down the cover it says 'Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. when you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds'. So there you have it - I cant tell you much more, but I can recommend it. The Other Hand by Chris Cleave.

Banana News

Banana from my garden

We can now celebrate our first banana crop. One by one we're picking the green banana's off the hand and they are ripening in the fruit bowl. By doing it one by one, we're hoping to reduce the waste that occurs when they all come off the tree at once. It seems to be working. The banana's are very sweet, juicy and really nice colour. Maybe next season we'll get two hands??

Other garden updates:
This weeks plantings: beetroot, bok choy, and broccoli and lettuce seedlings went in, along with a new bean and snow pea patch.
This weeks pickings:celery, beans, bok choy, spinach, icecream beans, guava, and basil.
This weeks pests: fruit fly, snails, slugs and brocoli loving grubs....

Condolences

Jindii and Pepper, 3rd April 2009

We only just met Max a month ago, and now he's gone. Max was a border collie who lived in France at La Ferme de Sourrou. Max died on March 24th in his 14th year. Pepper just turned 13 and she has been part of our family for 12 of those. We can not imagine the grief and loss that Le Freme de Sourrou are experiencing, and pass on our deepest sympathies.

Book Shopping

I have taken the day off to catch up on a few things that seem to be preventing my progress on other things. But I was distracted... Its raining at the moment, and my usually independent partner, who rides his bike 20kms to work asked for a lift. Succumbing to the request, I rewarded myself with a trip to my local favourite independent bookstore - MacLean's Bookseller. Just the thing for a wet and grey day. So now among my 'to read' list, I've added Emergency Sex and other desperate measures, the Accidental Guerrilla by Kilcullen, Blind Willow Sleeping Woman by Murrakami, and Valley of Grace by Marion Halligan. I also recently borrowed Unaccustomed Earth and The Hour I First Believed from my friends personal library. I am looking forward to my Easter and following weeks holiday in the Blue Mountains!

Currently reading an E book titled 'Three cups of Tea" about Greg Mortensen and his mission to change the world one school at a time, and a real book The Other Hand by Chris Cleave.

Gee, when I look at the books on the list, there seems to be a theme. War, Social Justice, Change, and love... April will be a challenging month for me.