Sports Overdose ...

I have found that yes, it is possible to suffer from a sports overdose. The past few weeks have been occupied by the Summer Olympics which swollowed up two weeks and found I was watching things like the marathon, rowing, swimming, diving, gymnastics and assorted other events. Then there was the Little League World Series since there was a Maryland team and a Hawaii team playing and I felt compelled to cheer for both teams. Pile on that the hype for the start of the college football season. Mix in the preseason games for the NFL and you can understand how one could turn into a bump on a log. Seriously, you'd think that the planners could spread these events out a bit better! But now with those events behind me I can now focus all those lovely fall events ... like college football, NFL football pools, and now an election!

Let the Games Begin!

Not sure what it is about the Summer Olympics, but it is the only time that I watch sports like gymnastics, volleyball, swimming and track and field. I realize that the games' host country has a sad record for human rights and an envirnomental record that is less than desirable, but still I find that once again ... like four years ago ... I'm really looking forward to watching the games. So what is it that causes me to sit and watch sports I would normally pay no attention to? Is it the prospect of seeing human drama unfold; is it seeing the best and the worst in sportsmanship; is it chance the witness the unexpected; is it the chance to see glimpses of a country I haven't visited before; is it the chance to be introduced to people I've never heard of; or is it the chance to stay up way past my bedtime? I am not sure what it is, all I can say is "let the games begin!"

Walkin' in the USA

There's a great article on MSN about the most "walkable cities" in the US. With the rising cost of energy, more and more people are walking (or biking) daily rather than on just weekends. Sadly, Herndon is not on either the most walkable city or walkable neighborhood list - but check out the places that did make the list.

For the full article check out: http://realestate.msn.com/buying/Article2.aspx?cp-documentid=8673581&GT1=35000

Read Any Good Books Lately?

Amazing how much you can read when you are trapped in a plane. I did manage to start and finish "A Year in Provence" and "April in Paris". You would figure that I'd read something related to where I was. I'd recommend both books as great ones to read just escape Herndon for a few hours. So my question to you ... what have you read lately? And would you recommend it?

Paris and Avignon Photos

Since some of you have expressed an interest in seeing some of the numerous pictures I took in France. I have uploaded them and you can find them at http://picasaweb.google.com/bornt.susan

I am warning you, there are quite a few of them despite the fact I have actually tried to pare down the number.

Lavender vs. Lavendin

Okay, we'll say the big fuss over the difference is because they are French ... but if you are in France, and especially Provence, you are informed (in no uncertain terms) that there is a difference between the Provence Lavender and the Common Lavender (also called Lavandin). I do think that they lump all other types of lavender under the "Common Lavender" name, but again, that's cause they are French. The Provence Lavender is what is used for medicines that are ingested and cooking because the flavor is not as intense as the common lavender.

The lavender that is grown in the Provence region has one flower per stalk and the coloring is more a bluish-purple rather than the bright or dark purple that you'd associate with the common lavender. The smell is also lighter than the common lavender with much of the scent coming from the flower rather than the leaves.

Common lavender is what is used in sachets, to scent household products, and used in topical rubs and is probably what you have growing in your backyard.

For more on lavender and if you have a burning desire to have the complete experience, check out http://www.routes-lavande.com/home.html

And so concludes my agricultural lesson of the day.

So much to do ... so little time

Back from across the pond and recovering from the endless visits to museums and cathedrals. But got to wander through the lavender fields of Provence without angering the farmers or the bees. Check back later for more photos ... if you are feeling brave.