Thornfield Steps

Hoover Dam is 726 feet tall; 171 ft. taller than the Washington Monument. At its base, Hoover Dam is 660 feet thick. That’s the length of two footballs fields lying end to end. 4 1/2 million cubic yards of concrete were used to build the dam. That’s enough to pave a two lane road from Seattle to Miami. Lake Mead, the reservoir created by Hoover Dam, is the largest man-made body of water in the United States. If you’ve ever used a drinking fountain in Disneyland in Anaheim or at Sea World in San Diego, then you’ve tasted water that came from Lake Mead. Between 1931 and 1936 when the dam was built, 96 men were killed in industrial accidents. Another 42 workers are believed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning while building diversion tunnels. The cause of their deaths was listed as pneumonia. Contrary to popular belief, there are no workers buried in the concrete.

Butterfly Bush

In the autumn eight years ago, when we bought this house, there was a large forsythia bush near the mailbox. The following April it surprised us with an explosion of yellow blossoms. But when summer came it was less pleasant. It grew to more than nine feet tall, blocking the view of the duck pond from the house. The post office and the utility companies complained that it was in their way as well. We trimmed it back every year, but it always outpaced us. Last year we moved back from England to find it was choked, infested and badly diseased. We cut it back almost to the very ground. In another few weeks we should know whether we’ve killed it or not. If not I suppose it’s here to stay. But if we have, I think I’d like to replace it with something less aggressive. Maybe something that will attract things with pretty wings.

Once Upon a Time

This is National Tell a Fairytale Day. If you decide to share a fairytale with a child today, you may want to proofread it first. Hansel and Gretel are abandoned in the woods by their parents - twice. Then, when a witch captures and threatens to eat them, Gretel pushes her into a hot oven. Several variations of Cinderella have the stepsisters mutilating their feet so the glass slipper will fit. Then they're blinded by birds. In Snow White, a jealous queen hires a hit man to cut out her stepdaughter’s heart.  Later she is forced to dance to death in red hot iron shoes. The giant in Jack and the Beanstalk threatens, “I’ll grind his bones to make my bread.” The Little Red Riding Hood we all know is gruesome enough. But the original French version ends with the girl being eaten. The only one who lives happily ever after is the wolf.

Stone Mason's Puzzle

Last night was the award ceremony for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, better known as the Oscars. AMPAS was created by Louis G. Meyer (the last M in MGM) to promote the image of the film industry. Essentially, the awards are given to people who make movies by people who make movies. So it's as interesting to see who DOESN'T get an Oscar as it is to see who does. The Oscar for best motion picture never seems to go to a science fiction movie, to an adventure or a fantasy, to a romantic comedy or to a family flick. Best actor and actress awards don’t go to stars in these genres, either. Audiences love these films, but the film industry won’t take them seriously. None of the year’s top ten box office draws received a nomination. It makes me wonder how long any industry can survive when it so clearly ignores consumers’ wishes.

Mexican Star

Today is a really corny holiday: National Tortilla Chip Day. You could celebrate by eating a few tortilla chips with salsa, or you could do it my way:

Oven Nachos

About 2 dozen tortilla chips (Are you seriously going to count them?)

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar

1/4 cup canned green chilies, chopped

2 tablespoons sliced black olives

1/3 cup sour cream

1/4 cup salsa

Heat oven to 400F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Spread chips out over paper. Sprinkle with cheese, chilies and olives. Bake about 4 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Transfer chips to platter and serve hot with sour cream and salsa. If you happen to have a little leftover chili, taco beef or fajita chicken, warm it and add it to the chips before they go in the oven. You’ve just made Oven Nachos Supreme!

Four Corners

In addition to drinking more water and eating a more sensible diet, for the next twelve weeks I mean to get more exercise. I’m not really into winter sports (if only they weren’t so expensive) so from November to March I tend to be a little less active than I should be. This winter has been especially hard, as heavy snows followed by bitter cold temperatures and filthy air have made even little things like walking the dog easy to put off. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. I figure that’s a minimum of 30 minutes a day, five days a week. What counts as moderate exercise? I plan a brisk walk, a swim, or a ride on the bike. The fourth thing I intend to do is get a good night’s sleep every night. Why? Sleep deprivation can mess with the hormones that regulate hunger and appetite.