Thursday, April 30, 2009

No Swine Flu in Cache Valley...Yet

I might have thought Utah would be protected more than other states, particularly out of ski season. But I guess the locals have been high tailing it to Mexico for mudseason and they've brought back pandemic flu. Swell. The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that there are 5 cases in the state. Here in Cache Valley, we take our threats seriously. A coworker just went out to grab some hand sanitizer and it's getting hard to come by.

It's hard to know what to make of it. But 20 people here, 6 people there, surely there are more people with flu than that on a typical day anyways. I sat in a pandemic flu preparedness workshop when avian flu was going to strike about 3 years ago. The worst case scenario is bad...way bad. Just what we need to follow the subprime crisis. Shutting down schools, businesses and airtravel (part of the typical worse case scenario) is sure to do us in if the flu doesn't. It did make me think what's worse, the flu or our reaction to it? That's actually what I'm most worried about. Everyone freaks out - won't travel -won't go outside - service industries have no one serve - maybe no employees - recession becomes depression.

Since I figured I couldn't in good conscious not be prepared for pandemic flu after spending a whole day learning about it, I each went so far as to get an N-95 respirator mask at the time. Two actually. I used one just last week when sawing (before the threat of pandemic flu reared it's ugly head again). Thank goodness I have one stored in a safe place. I wonder if I should use it on my flight next week.

Economic observation: I give it two days before someone says that pandemic flu is going to have a positive impact on the economy (just like WW-II and the great depression!). Then perchance the economy turns around some time within the next year. For the next 75 years people will speculate about how disease or natural disasters are just what you need in an economic downturn (since war isn't working as well as it used to).

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Mountainous Cake

My friend Becky made a very cool cake for her boyfriend for his birthday. It was a volcano, errupting raspberry sauce, with dinosaurs all around. For some reason when Carrie started talking about what to do for Scott's birthday cake, the inspiration came back. Here's what happened:



It's a 9x13 cake, with cake in a bread loaf pan on top as the base of the mountain range, then a large cupcake and a mini cupcake for each peak. It's all covered in chocolate frosting, a drizzle of ganache at the peaks, coconut for snow, food coloring and coconut for grass, and swedish fish.

Scott likes to fly fish, among his many outdoor activities. Carrie looked and couldn't find a biker or skier. Good thing, because we would have run out of room on the cake.





Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Sprouting Spinach!

A little over a week ago, I planted some spinach. Sunday I noticed a little sprout, but thought there was a good chance it was just grass creeping into my spinach bed. The test for sprouting spinach is many little sprouts that look basically the same. Yesterday afternoon, they were there. They each look like two little sprigs of grass growing together. Less than 40 days left until I have my own home grown spinach.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Upcoming NewComers Events and New Website

Logan NewComers has a new website. You can check out upcoming events and join the club through the website and RSVP for events. This actually gives members the functionality that we've been asking for a while.

In gearing up for the NewComers' season (most people move in during the summer) - there are a couple Meet & Greats coming up. If you're new to the area, this is a great way to get linked up with people of similar interest. If you've been around for a while, and would just like to meet some new people, you're also welcome.

For the latest upcoming events check out the club's new webpage at:http://new2logan.ning.com/events

April 11 Saturday Settlers of Catan Cache Valley Championship
April 12 Sunday Vegetarian Potluck
April 14 Tuesday Yoga
April 16 Thursday Meet and Greet - Firehouse Pizzeria
April 22 Wednesday Book Club
April 23 Thursday This American Life - Live! (Radio Movie)
May 2 Saturday Girls Night Out - Spa Day
May 12 Tuesday Meet and Greet - Black Pearl

Logan Canyon - Sites and Spots

Googling around to update a link, I ran into this nice overview of Logan Canyon. It provides 31 "sites and stops", including campgrounds and trails. It's useful for play in the canyon if you're not familiar with all the typical landmarks and place names.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Fundraiser in SLC

If you're going to be in Salt Lake on this Saturday, April 11th, check out the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraiser at Piper Down. 1492 South State St., SLC.


Monday, April 6, 2009

Flocks of Phlox?


The first bulb plants are starting to poke out. As yards are filling with the early signs of spring, I'm kicking myself for not being able to commit to a location for hyacinth, crocuses and irises last fall.

In the mean time, I'm wandering around my yard, inspecting the apple trees for signs of budding and wondering if the daphne has just gone off and died. I'm also inspecting everyone else's plants to see if mine are keeping pace. Or perhaps someone else has planted a hydrangea, so I can safely plant the one I've been nursing inside for a month.

In a welcome sign that spring is finally here for me as well as everyone else, this morning I happened upon these little babes.


There are in fact two clumps of them, right where I planted perennial phlox last autumn. In fact, that's the only reason I have for believing that it is phlox. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's not a clever weed, tricking me into watering and feeding it.

It had also somehow escaped my attention that the coral bell has been underway for quite sometime, camoflauged against the mulch. Sneaky little bugger.