Anna Karenina

I recently finished reading Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I knew nothing about the book and read no descriptions, reviews, or opinions on it before reading it, but I knew it is considered a classic and that I would like to read it. It is quite a long book, at almost one thousand pages, but it is very well-written and interesting. I was amazed throughout the book at how well Tolstoy describes many various human emotions and so accurately describes the realistic feelings of the characters in so many varied situations.

Tolstoy puts forth many ideas on the characters relations to Russia, to agriculture, to religion, to morality, to society, to government, and to the purpose of life. There were many times when I thought I should copy down or underline this or that sentence, but I was too busy reading to stop and do that. In all, there is too much food for thought in Anna Karenina to read it only once. I think I will probably have to buy Anna Karenina for my collection so that I can reread it someday and take more notice of the eloquent truths that Tolstoy points out. I give it five stars.

Picnic in the Park

We had a very lovely Saturday afternoon at the park. Even though it was overcast and stormed both Friday and Saturday night, it was pleasant enough to allow us to have a cookout at the park with some friends.

After eating, we played a little Kubb. For those who don't know, Kubb is a Swedish lawn game where you throw wooden dowels, attempting to knock over wooden blocks. Wikipedia describes it as a combination of bowling and horseshoes, which I think is pretty accurate. We had a good time and it was definitely nice to be outside at a time when it isn't too hot or too cold.

I'm still getting used to my new camera. It is definitely a vast improvement over our 7 year old cameras that it replaced. These probably all would have been blurry and out of focus before, instead of just the one that Jeran took! :)

The boys team

The girls team

Adam was cold, having come straight from a basketball game without a jacket, but the blanket did not hinder his throwing.

Jeran attempts to knock down some blocks

Random Thoughts

I have the weirdest dreams. And sometimes I have the weirdest ideas while I'm sleeping. And I'm quite good at remembering both the dreams and the ideas. This morning I woke up and, still half-asleep, told Jeran that I had an idea to improve organ donation process by making a machine that you would hook the donated organ up to that would pump blood through it so it can be transplanted later, instead of immediately. I have no idea where this came from and once I woke up I realized it was a ridiculous idea disguised as a logical-sounding idea. On so many levels.

But still, the fact of the matter is that my mind is going a million miles an hour while I sleep. Sleep is amazing! How often have you gone to bed trying to figure something out and woken up with the answer, or at least a possible idea? Happens to me all the time.

On another note, I went for a good long walk today (with a little jogging for good measure). The weather was perfect (sunny but not hot). It was nice to be outside and active, and until it gets too roasting hot I will try to do it more. I like to look at all the houses and yards.

We have a few carrot sprouts coming up in our new garden. It's exciting. We also planted marigolds, corn, and green onions, but no signs of life there yet. We're also going to do some tomatoes, bell peppers and jalepeno peppers when they get the starts at the garden center.

I'm reading Anna Karenina. It is long but interesting. I'll post more on it when I finish.

Anyways, this is getting boring. Sorry.