We're going to the coast for a few days.  Can't wait, been two years since out there, too long.  It will be a nice break from the heat we've been having.  Here's Ruby ready to go...

The new Smithsonian exhibit about soil opens July 19.  I would love to see it.  I am very excited by the fact of how many school kids are going to see it.  When I was a TA for the soils department (sorry crop and soil sciences department), I had the unique opportunity to teach non-science majors the wonders of soil science laboratory.  Now most of you are thinking something about how exciting can dirt really be, and that's the first place to start!  It's not dirt!  One thing that I am proud of about teaching middle school is that all of my students knew the difference between dirt and soil.  Dirt is something you get on your shoes or in your eye, not the complex ecosystem that makes terrestrial life possible.  I love soil!  And if you would like to discuss it further I am happy to. 

Here's the new rig.  Well the bike isn't new (8 years young now) but the trailer is.  Just an entry-level trailer that can hold two kids with adapters to make it a stroller (thanks Gainers!)  One thing that really helps keep Ruby's head from falling forward is a rolled up blanket behind her back. You see the seat is straight up behind her but the helmet she wears sticks out in the back so it hits the seat back forcing her head forward.  The blanket provides some room behind her to make space between the helmet and the seat back.  Another trick with the helmet is to put a tight fitting stocking cap underneath; this helps keep the helmet in place on her head. 

I haven't been able to go mountain biking yet this year (bummer), but I take Ruby out in the rig on the weekends once or twice.  The first two times she cried while getting in then settled in okay once we were rolling.  Today I put her in and she did this hip dance letting me know that she wanted to go.  Great!  I was hoping that she would take to this and she loves it now.  I ride on a paved trail next to the Willamette River.  She enjoys the view and loves watching all of the birds.  Since we usually go in the morning is it quite peaceful since no one is out and about yet.  Actually, I have never seen that trail used much at all (except by the homeless), pity since it is so nice, a bit short, but nice. 

Last weekend before I went to KY, I installed a drip irrigation system for our yard.  I ordered the heart kit from Dripworks and then added on the garden kit and one other one that escapes me right now.  We have two beds of herbs/perennials and then 3 small rows of veggie stuff, totally about 30 feet.  The system went in pretty easily, only minor cursing involved.  I have a combination of emitter tubing (a small hose with openings at regular intervals) plus some drip emitters that are essentially little spouts right in the main tubing, these are good for individual plants while the drip tubing is good for veggies in rows.  I was a little worried that the rate of water coming out of the two types of emitters would make the system unbalanced, with the perennials getting too much water or the veggies not getting enough.  But maybe the perennials need more water anyway?  There are a lot of factors that come into play including which areas are mulched or not.  Needless to say I didn't put much thought into it and just went for it.  All the plants seem happy so far but we are just getting into the dry season here in western Oregon, where it won't rain for 3 months or so (very dry).

This is a the emitter tubing that has 12" between emitters, next time I would probably go with the 6" spacing.

Working from Louisville this week with eXtension, the umbrella organization that eOrganic is publishing with (in the near future).  There was a great speaker that taught us about really great web 2.0 tools like netvibes, kaltura, jott, among others.  Check out the awesome website he set up for his class here.  Here's the eXtension website, check them out. 

I'm sitting in the PDX airport this morning.  I had to catch a cab at 4:10 this morning to catch the HUT shuttle to the airport to catch my plane at 8:45a.  Early start to say the least.  I step on the HUT and I see a former fellow soil science student, so we catch up and chat for a bit.  This is one reason that I love living in a smallish town, running into folks.  The sunrise behind Mt. Hood this morning was amazing!  (not my picture, but it looked like this)

I managed to get some work done on the HUT.  When I opened up my little notebook a message from Meg fell out.  She always leaves me little notes when I travel, which I love.  They are always so thoughtful.  Thanks babe!

it's just Ruby and I again tonight.  Megan is down in Eugene at the craft show that she helped start with her friend.  She's still sleeping from her 2nd nap today and it's getting late.  I should probably wake her up soon so she will go to sleep tonight.  Although it's hard to break the golden rule of never wake a sleeping baby.  She will have to go to sleep without nursing once more before bed. 

It's now 8:30p and after 6 attempts of Ruby going to sleep she is still fighting it.  She'll sleep for 5 mintues and then wake up screaming.  Hopefully things will calm down soon.  Here's a picture of us that I really like.  I need to remember some good times right now.

It's 9:30 now.  Ruby just had a piece of bread, half a cup of water, read some books, and now it's time for bed again.  Here's hoping.

It's my second father's day.  Ruby was just born before the first, so that was real special.  This one is a lot more fun with Ruby since she is so active, playful, all-around fun.  Megan has made this dad's day super great.  Last night she surprised me with some unbelievable dessert that was a big sheet cookie, like 1.5 inches thick, with chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, marshmallows, and caramel mixed in.  So good.  She went out late to the store last night so we would have bagels in the morning.  Plus we are getting ready to go out to lunch in a few minutes (a real treat around here.)  Then she gave me some fun gifts including this awesome book she made (it's from Ruby).  I was cracking up!  It has my face pasted on to of magazine cutouts of "me" doing things like biking, baking, hugging a tree, all kinds of stuff.  We I read it with Ruby, she was cracking up too!

One other thing I'd like to mention is how disturbing I find the way father's are portrayed in the TV media.  When you watch TV shows these days the dad is always some unthinking, unfeeling, incapable of almost anything idiot.  Where are the good role models for kids to see on TV these days.  Growing up we at least had Bill Huxtables and the dad on Family Ties.  I guess it's good we gave up our TV.  I highly recommend this practice.  It is so freeing!  Of your time, your mind, and space in your house. 

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!  (especially mine!)