Blogging with baby and listening to music

Sorry, perhaps a bit gratuitous...pics from yesterday and this morning.

It's challenging to move about and do simple things like typing with the little hanger on. I love it, though. He's already become such a good friend. I fear he's getting a little tired of the same 6 or 7 CD's in the changer. I need to expand some and teach him some of the goodies in the back catalog...perhaps a little Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, the Cure, Morrissey, Modest Mouse, Johnny Cash?

Swiss chard for dinner

Despite Bethany not being terribly excited about it, I made swiss chard as a side for dinner tonight. I like it a lot.

It's simple to make. Buy a bunch from a local farmer or pick it from your garden. Cut out the stems and cut them into smallish pieces, maybe 1/2 to 1 inch. Cut the rest of the greens into strips or pieces. Heat up a little oil in the bottom of a skillet with some garlic and red pepper flakes and saute the stems until they are mostly soft. Then toss in the greens and cook down, stirring occasionally. Use a lid to help the early part of getting them too cook down. This takes maybe 3-10 minutes, depending on how much you mess with it and flame strength. Once they're all cooked down and looking good, pour just a little bit of lemon juice or red wine vinegar over it and mix it up. There you go. Ready to eat!

Highland Park hike with Guthrie

Highland Park has been sort of a knot of roads and trails that I happen across from time to time, but have no clue how they all connect and intertwine. Guthrie and I hiked around for an hour and half the other day, helping to figure some of the park out in my mind. It's a nice park with some very well taken care of areas and some that aren't so. We came across some nice stone staircases that dead end into bushes and trees, or sometimes just nothing. Artifacts of the park's past. Pittsburgh should really be proud of its parks. There are some great parks here.

Besides the mental and physical health of me on these outings this week with Guthrie, I view it as being an emotional reinforcement for him. I want him to know he's still Supremo Dog #1 in my book, and that Silas won't get in between us. There's enough love to share, but he's not really bought into that idea yet. So, I'm trying to keep him engaged and happy.

Running with Guthrie

Guthrie and I have run twice this week. It feels good to get back on the trails/roads after a week or two off. It's also good to see Guthrie get some exercise. He gets so pent up when we get busy. I feel terrible for him sometimes. He's such a wonderful dog of action. Monday was a 2.5 mile jaunt around the neighborhood, and Wednesday was a 2.6 mile run through Highland Park (both the park and the neighborhood).

Jill comes to Bloomfield for lunch

Yay, Jill! Thank you for letting me take your picture. I'm honored that the woman who is not photographed consented for a picture with Silas.

Guthrie is warming up to Silas

He's making progress. They both love couch time.

Need to catch up

I have been spending too much time ogling my kid and haven't been doing my daily updates. I'm not complainin', just sayin'

The next few posts are a catch up from the past few days.

Book club and brunching

the empty chair was Bethany's seat

Despite Silas and me not having read a single word of the book club book this month and Bethany only having read about 2/3rds of it, Kate, Matt, and the rest of the group were kind enough to let us come and partake in a tasty, tasty brunch and hang out while everyone else discussed the book. The book, chosen by Kate, for this round of the club was The Yiddish Policemen's Union, by Michael Chabon.

Matt and Kate's house in Morningside is really nice and has a much homier feel than Bloomfield. Mature trees, setbacks, some brick structures, relatively well taken care of front yards, and whatnot make for a much friendlier neighborhood than Bloomfield feels sometimes. I get the same feeling in Brighton Heights at Becky and Tim's house.

What's in the CD changer - 10 August 2008

Periodic posting of what's spinning in the 5-CD changer:

Talking Heads Sand in the Vaseline (2-disc set) [1976-1992]
The Avett Brothers The Second Gleam [2008]
Death Cab for Cutie Narrow Stairs [2008]
Flobots Fight with Tools [2008]

alternates:
Animal Collective Strawberry Jam [2007]
Tapes 'n Tapes Walk it Off [2008]

Friends and Family

We're blessed to have such great friends and family. Everyone has been so supportive during this time. We're humbled with gratitude.

Here are some of Silas' visitors and his program to increase the arm strength of the people of the world. I missed getting a pic of Karen. :(

I apologize to the family that there is so much distance. Travel plans have been made, though...