Hi Michael,

 ML> >  ML> It would be hard for me to determine this by reading the
 ML> >  ML> back (or front) cover, nor the jacket flaps.
 ML> > I'll scan them to see what type of a book it is. If it mentions
 ML> robots > or fairies, I'll put it back where I found it. If neither of
 ML> them are > mentioned, I'll check it out a bit further, taking it if it
 ML> looks decent. If not, it stays.

 ML> Heh - sometimes the jacket description is the meatiest part
 ML> of the book.

Most often it's just a bit of a tease, author's bio and some (of course)
favorable reviews. Going inside, scanning the book itself gives a better
idea if it's readable.

 ML> Fairies and robots I tend to agree with you about, though
 ML> there are interesting ethical speculations to be made
 ML> regarding the latter.

None that I've ever gotten into. (G)


 ML> >  ML> I need few books near me. On the desk in front I have 28, most
 ML> >  ML> of them unnecessary. I cannot now read even the titles, but
 ML> >  ML> someday given a little more light or the time to haul them
 ML> >  ML> out one by one close to my face, I will you tell what they are.
 ML> > Sounds good to me.

 ML> Today's dose, from left: Bartok, Six String Quartets
 ML> (miniature score); Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia; Accu-Map Metro
 ML> Manila; Vest Pocket Arabic; Lonely Planet Thai; Rick Steves'
 ML> Portuguese; Collins Italian Phrasebook; Frommer's Berlin;
 ML> Cambridge Italian Dictionary; Teach Yourself Italian; Oxford
 ML> Self-pronouncing Bible, Sunday School Teachers' Edition;
 ML> Winnie Ille Pu; Cox and Forshaw, Why Does E=mc^2?

 ML> Many of these I read or consult seldom, but every one I think
 ML> I have consulted at least once.

None really cathcing my eye; we have a number of Bibles (I do like the
self pronouncing when it comes to names-G-) and commentaries. Forgotten
enugh Latin that I'd rather read Winnie in English. Doesn't look like
we'll be doing much, if any international travel any time soon. If the
last one on your list is technical, not up my alley but if it's science
explained, in reasonably understandable language, I'd consider it.

 ML> > Some professors prefer catering to just an academic audience. Others
 ML> > like to expand their readership and will write other than academic
 ML> tomes > for pocket change.

 ML> This is true, and some professors (this one) see a
 ML> wider range of income sources, er, people to be educated.

True to both, actua;;y.

 ML> >  ML> > Sounds like one that would be best put into the recycle bin.
 ML> >  ML> I thought of tearing it in half (my hands may still be
 ML> >  ML> strong enough to have done so) but figured, why not let
 ML> >  ML> the next reader be disillusioned and do the job.
 ML> > Either way, not a keeper. Figured if it were recycled, maybe a
 ML> better > book might come out of it.

 ML> I thought somewhat along those lines but figured that
 ML> keeping in circulation (with my disparging annotation)
 ML> would prevent at least one possible sale.

One would hope so.


 ML> >  ML> I think the primary frequencies are similar or in the
 ML> >  ML> same range, plus the beans are a lot closer to my ears.
 ML> > Reasonable enough. We picked up some more green beans at the
 ML> farmer's > market today.

 ML> For this reason I have come to prefer well-done string beans.

Hopefully not to the state of mush.

 ML> >  ML> > My grandmother would sometimes do beans this way. French cut
 ML> recipe from my aunt as >  ML> my mom never did it. I > did it most
 ML> recently last week, at my in laws >  ML> but didn't French cut the >
 ML> beans. Still turned out good. (G)
 ML> >  ML> That looks good, thanks.
 ML> > It tastes as good as it sounds.

 ML> >  ML> We're all that way. A couple days ago my friend and I got
 ML> >  ML> in a massive misunderstanding partially based on our being
 ML> >  ML> infantile and stubborn and partially on her claim of "I'm
 ML> >  ML> hard of hearing, not deaf." She's pretty darn deaf.
 ML> > But if you signed to her and she signed back, you might not be able
 ML> to > read it with your eyesight. (G)

 ML> She doesn't think she's deaf, and when I compensate by
 ML> speaking slowly and distinctly (though not loudly), that's
 ML> considered condescending. I'm not sure how to cope with this.

That's a tough one. Sometimes you just can't win, no matter how hard you
try.

 ML> >  ML> > We got it for free, still quite a long shelf life on it.
 ML> >  ML> [chuckle] I'm more inclined to eat it up, and if I needed
 ML> >  ML> it again, get some more for free.
 ML> > Depends, got this from my ortho doctor. Don't know if my primary
 ML> care > one has any on hand or not, and not all problems are ortho
 ML> connected. If > not, I'd not get the honey.

 ML> Isn't it a wound healing thing, not specifically
 ML> ortho-oriented?

Yes, but I was seeing the ortho doctor for the knee and he was the one
that brought up the possibility of using the honey/had some on hand.

 ML> >  ML> Apricot and honey compote
 ML> > Looks good, and easy, once you've got the puree made. We made cherry
 ML> > preserves yesterday. It went fast and easy once the cherries were
 ML> > pitted.

 ML> There are pitting machines; or one could do the
 ML> initial cooking with the pits and then use a Foley or
 ML> just a sieve.

Our pitter works well, just takes a bit of time since you can only do
one at a time. Going to use more of the cherries in a pie.


---
Catch you later,
Ruth
rchaffly{at}earthlink{dot}net  FIDO 1:396/45.28


... Books are better than TV; they exercise your imagination.

--- PPoint 3.01
 * Origin: Sew! That's My Point (1:396/45.28)