As we pedaled down the rail trail I was thinking two things:
1) It is far easier to see things as they must have been in colonial america in the fall
2) Who broke my bicycle bell?! I need a new bicycle bell.
Typewriters
Since I have a typewriter, I think it's safe to say I'm probably an expert, and I'm going to tell you how to choose and take care of one for yourself.
A typewriter is an important thing to have, and choosing one is a life impacting decision! Typewriters these days are hard to find. If you are determined to own one, you must sleuth it out. Much like stalking the evasive wild boar, acquiring a typewriter takes patience, hard work, and stealthiness. You must peruse all the places that need perusal and more besides. Walk the isles of antique and thrift stores. Watch e-bay and check on craigslist.
Buying a typewriter is buying a new, better, and more clacky way of life. You have to find just the right one in order to be satisfied. I looked on this website to find the kind I wanted, but of course could not afford to buy the shiny, refurbished No. 4 Smith Corona in mountain ash red. Once I had determined the make I most wanted, I obsessed over it for months. I dreamed about it at night.
I routinely searched e-bay for a similar typewriter to the one I dreamt of but to no avail until one night my mom discovered a beautiful Smith Corona, the exact model I wanted, on e-bay. It was destiny. My parents bought it for me as an early birthday present for which I am eternally grateful.
Now, don't think that you're going to find exactly the typewriter you want. That's just my story. But, chances are, it could happen to you too!
When choosing a typewriter you should keep in mind what it's purpose will be. Do you want a typewriter that you can jam away on for long periods of time? Then you'll need to look for something in good shape that will hold up. If you want something that's a little lighter and less serious, go for a portable typewriter like mine. And if you just want something for decoration than just do whatever. If you are buying on e-bay or craigslist, make inquiries as to the condition of the typewriter. Make sure all the keys are intact, that they are all in working order, and that it can still take a ribbon. When an ad says ribbon included, don't get too excited. It usually means an old crusty ribbon without a drop of ink.
Typewriter upkeep is important as well. My typewriter came with this brush for cleaning the keys and inner workings. One of the benefits of a portable typewriter is that often the outsides are not completely incased in metal, which makes the inside accesible for cleaning.
It is very important to know the flaws of your respective typewriter, especially if it's an antique. For instance, my typewriter's ribbon doesn't raise after typing a capital letter, so I have to raise it myself. It's a very simple fix. Also, it's handy to have your typewriter's manual. Mine came with the remnants of one, but if you can obtain a whole one, so much the better. This website sells manuals for almost every model.
Anyway, for more typewriter questions you can email me. I buy my ribbons here, of course.
Wayward Goose Farm
Our farm website is here. A fantastic video of the farm is here. I'm the one with the nicest boots.
Today was rather tiring. Here is how it went:
1) First thing is milking, which I had to help with because we are short on hands (or elbows). Dad has cellulitis in his elbow, because he injured himself while catching a run away heifer, and it was all full of fluid. He had to go to the doctor's today to have it drained, so my brother and I did the milking. After all the milking was over I took the cows up to pasture. Little did I know then how my life would be drastically altered in a few short seconds. I had forgotten to put the gates across, thereby leaving the entire driveway (which is very long) and front lawn completely open and begging for cows! I handily put up the one wire I could to keep the cows from the road, but that was the only good thing I did. After that I screamed for Peter to help and cried a little bit and generally had a small tantrum. I was very overwrought! Peter finally came out and we secured the cows after eons of herding them. A group of cows is a very intimidating thing, no matter the size, especially when they are excited. Our cows are exceedingly friendly, but they seemed extraordinarily devilish and basically I hated them at the time. They were in the garage!
2) After this Peter and I rode our bikes to Margot and Alex's house to play darts. I was horrible at darts and broke two of them. Also my bicycle bell broke!
3) I rode back home and took a 3 hour nap. When I woke up I ate yogurt, Peter and his girlfriend Abi left, and I did my homework while Mom and Dad went to milking.
4) I am now writing this post and it is almost time for dinner. Expect a special feature on the blog tomorrow, but please, don't be put out if it doesn't show up. As you can see, I have been exceptionally busy of late. Even if it does show up, please, don't expect much, because we all know things are rolling further downhill around here on a daily basis.
Bonne nuit!
Today was rather tiring. Here is how it went:
1) First thing is milking, which I had to help with because we are short on hands (or elbows). Dad has cellulitis in his elbow, because he injured himself while catching a run away heifer, and it was all full of fluid. He had to go to the doctor's today to have it drained, so my brother and I did the milking. After all the milking was over I took the cows up to pasture. Little did I know then how my life would be drastically altered in a few short seconds. I had forgotten to put the gates across, thereby leaving the entire driveway (which is very long) and front lawn completely open and begging for cows! I handily put up the one wire I could to keep the cows from the road, but that was the only good thing I did. After that I screamed for Peter to help and cried a little bit and generally had a small tantrum. I was very overwrought! Peter finally came out and we secured the cows after eons of herding them. A group of cows is a very intimidating thing, no matter the size, especially when they are excited. Our cows are exceedingly friendly, but they seemed extraordinarily devilish and basically I hated them at the time. They were in the garage!
2) After this Peter and I rode our bikes to Margot and Alex's house to play darts. I was horrible at darts and broke two of them. Also my bicycle bell broke!
3) I rode back home and took a 3 hour nap. When I woke up I ate yogurt, Peter and his girlfriend Abi left, and I did my homework while Mom and Dad went to milking.
4) I am now writing this post and it is almost time for dinner. Expect a special feature on the blog tomorrow, but please, don't be put out if it doesn't show up. As you can see, I have been exceptionally busy of late. Even if it does show up, please, don't expect much, because we all know things are rolling further downhill around here on a daily basis.
Bonne nuit!
Hello!
Things have been very busy of late. School has started and last week we went on fall trip to Lake George, which was fun. We each got to choose an activity and I chose hiking which was no fun at all. It lasted forever and rained the entire time. Also I stepped on a rock that didn't need to be stepped on and face planted in the mud like a codfish. It was funny but also sad. I have had two soccer games so far and both have been less than satisfactory. In the second one a girl on my team broke her ankle which was upsetting and scary.
I like all of my classes so far. I have a fun art history class and an acting class and a design class and two study halls.
So long!
Dust and Shadow
I was skeptical at first about this book. I love Sherlock Holmes, so a knockoff Holmes story seemed absurd! But actually, it was written almost flawlessly in typical Conan Doyle style.
In the book, Sherlock Holmes, the famed private investigator, is intrigued and horrified by the strange killings taking place in the bowels of London. The mutilated bodies, the mysterious notes written in blood, and the meticulously planned out murders. How can a monster such as this roam about completely unnoticed? In order to find the answer Holmes must delve deep into the blood spattered under belly of London, risking his own life in the process, and facing hidden fears.
What's different about this book is the fact that Holmes seems more personable. In past stories he is a cold automaton, lacking much feeling, whereas here he shows compassion throughout the book. I really enjoyed it. It was a bit frightening falling to sleep imagining muddy gaslit streets and a terrifying killer wandering about with long knives, but it was worth it for such an exciting story. Also there is quite a twist in the end.
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