Originally published at todd-wheeler.com. You can comment here or there.

Week two of the CSA brought some of the usual suspects as well as Hakurei turnips. They are described as sweet but I wouldn't agree, at least for this batch. Nice in a salad.
 

There is a mystery item. I'm not well versed in herbs. I think it's an herb. Unless it's a bush. Maybe someone out there can help. What is the item in the photo below?
 

Originally published at todd-wheeler.com. You can comment here or there.

Congratulations to ... everyone for a super week! Six new participants stopped in to raise the total to $9 for CLiF. Nice work friends!
 

Since I don't yet have links working on the reading list page, I'm going to give linky shout-outs here to Camille, Jarrett, Kimberly-Ann, Kristen, Michelle, and Nathan.

 

Along with Chris and Anonymous, you all zipped through a dozen books last week. I bet you could use some more for the summer. Mosey on over to Bear Pond Books for ideas or check out the bargains they have available at their online store.
 

Before I announce the winner for Week #2, let me emphasize that all winners are chosen at random. Just because Kristen is my sister, that didn't give her any advantage over the other contestants.
 

And the winner is ... oh wait, I just announced it didn't I?
 

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Originally published at todd-wheeler.com. You can comment here or there.

I have the good fortune to attend the World Science Fiction Convention about a month from now in Montreal. This gives me the chance to vote for the Hugo Awards. One can also sign up as a supporting member (rather than attending) of Worldcon.
 

The deadline is today and my ballot has been cast. The ballot allows for a ranked choice, that is placing numbers 1, 2, 3 etc. for the various works. Below are my top fiction choices.
 

Hope you all have a great weekend. And for those celebrating Independence Day: long fuses and garden hoses are your friends. ;-)

 

Best Novel: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
 

Best Novella: "The Political Prisoner" by Charles Coleman Finlay
 

Best Novelette: "The Gambler" by Paolo Bacigalupi
 

Best Short Story: "26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss" by Kij Johnson
 

Cambell Award for Best New Writer: David Anthony Durham
 

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Originally published at todd-wheeler.com. You can comment here or there.

This year we signed up for a Community-supported agriculture or CSA. We paid our fee in the winter and can now go to the farm each week and pick up a variety of vegetables.
 

The challenging item this week is garlic scapes, the curly flowering stem. No flowers though there are buds on the stems I picked up.
 

I can use some as garnish like chives. I could saute some as I might with a scallion. But I don't think that will be enough to use them all before they wilt. Maybe I could dry them out. What do you think? I know some of you all are avid cooks.

 

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Originally published at todd-wheeler.com. You can comment here or there.

Last week provided a nice start to the Summer Reading Program. There were three contestants who added $3 for the Children's Literacy Program. Nice work!
 

Above is a picture of the Summer Fun Prize Pack that will be awarded each week^*. It contains:

• A DIY vacation spot, complete with sand and palm tree.
• A squirt pistol, perfect for hot days or feline disciplinary measures.
• Plastic balloon in a tube for hours of fun!
• Assortment of decorative umbrellas, the perfect topping for picnic cupcakes, fruit smoothies, or mixed beverages.
• 2009 SRP commemorative bookmark. A collector's item!

And the winner for this week is: Random Michelle! She certainly put the odds in her favor by finishing five books last week, setting the bar high.
 

As I said, an excellent start. I expect great things from you all in the weeks to follow.

 

^*Certain items may be substituted in the event that I counted wrong at the 5 & 10 store. Hawaiian shirt not included.