Beavers win CWS

Oregon State University wins College World Series

Yes, I voluntarily turned on ESPN this evening (usually the only time ESPN is on in my house is when my dad is visiting) and cheered the Beavers onto their victory. Not saying I'm a baseball fan yet, but it was fun. Lots of horn honking and firecrackers going off around town tonight.

Congratulations to the National Champions!

Math can be interesting

Last week I was at the SLA Annual Conference, and my division had a One Division/One Book dinner. Since we are mathematics, physics and astronomy librarians, and wanted the book to fit our subject areas, we went with Six Kids Vie for Glory at the World's Toughest Math Competition by Steve Olsen. This was a book on the 6 American teenagers who competed in the 42nd International Mathematical Olympiad. Fascinating peek into the minds of math geeks - but you don't need to know any math to enjoy the book.

I had a lot of fun at the book discussion and dinner. We ate at Luna Del Sea, a bistro across the street from the Baltimore Convention Center.

Proud to be a grammer snob

I recently finished Grammmar Snobs are Great Big Meanies by June Casagrande. An amusing little book, with some good guidelines to good grammar, but I have to admit I have alot of sympathy for the grammar snobs she makes fun of so well - I have a lot more in common with Lynn Truss (author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves - one of my favorite books). Still worth checking out if you enjoyed Truss' book.

As long as I'm writing about words and language, I'd like to promote my favorite language-oriented podcast - A Way with Words with Richard Lederer and Martha Barnette.

Lyda Rose

Last year I planted a Lyda Rose from Heirloom Roses. It bloomed for the first time this week. I love wild roses and the Lyda Rose reminds me of the many wild roses that bloom around Corvallis. An added benefit of the Lyda Rose is that it is shade tolerant - a necessity for my yard, which gets limited sun between the evergreens, black walnut tree and ornamental cherry.