jarandhel

Over the course of the years, we all tend to accumulate the odd rare book for one of our specialized interests. They're the books we keep with us no matter what, and often refer back to. I've kept one such book for over a decade: Gem Stone Tree and Picture Creations by Bev Carroll. It's a very rare book that I happened to purchase from Bev Carroll and her husband at a rock show many years ago. It's my understanding that Bev Carroll has since passed on, and I don't believe this book is available anywhere any longer. I haven't been able to find a source for purchasing another copy, at any rate.

Unfortunately, last night there was an accident. I had this book with me, and at some point in the course of the night it dropped into the snow as I was getting into or out of the car. I have reason to believe it stayed there, in the snow, for several hours undiscovered. I eventually noticed it was missing and managed to locate the book. It was soaked. I took it home with me and very carefully used the oven set to "warm" (less than even the lowest setting of 200 degrees Fahrenheit) to dry the book out, with paper towels between each page so they wouldn't stick together. It worked quite well, and though the book is still slightly damp in spots I think it's been saved. I am worried, however, about the possible onset of mold and mildew. To help preserve the book even in this eventuality, I've spent today making a digital copy of it in pdf format. Anyone who would like to read it is welcome to do so at The Library, here. Username and password for The Library are the same as always.

So, I liked the Dresden Files tv show so much that I've started the books. Audiobooks while I'm at work, as I rarely have time to sit down and read fiction in my "free time" anymore, but I mentally vocalize when I read anyway so the experience is largely the same. I've just started Storm Front, and I'm already loving it.

"My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure it by your own risk. I'm a wizard."

(Yes, I am at work today. Overtime is a good thing after the holidays.)

I got two more books in the mail today! :) The Permaculture Book of Ferment and Human Nutrition, and Mad About Mead. This adds to my growing pile of books on fermentation and meadmaking. So far, in addition to the new pair, I have:

• The Joy of Pickling


• Wild Fermenation


• Making Mead: a complete guide to the making of sweet and dry Mead, Melomel, Metheglin, Hippocras, Pyment and Cyser


• Making Mead (Honey Wine): History, Recipes, Methods and Equipment


• The Compleat Meadmaker

I'm still waiting on five more:

• Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers: The Secrets of Ancient Fermentation


• Preserving Food without Freezing or Canning: Traditional Techniques Using Salt, Oil, Sugar, Alcohol, Vinegar, Drying, Cold Storage, and Lactic Ferment


• Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats


• The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America's Underground Food Movements


• Making Sauerkraut and Pickled Vegetables at Home: Creative Recipes for Lactic Fermented Food to Improve Your Health

I'm also waiting on a shipment of synthetic quartz crystals and 1 bismuth egg from http://www.teachersource.com and while I was out yesterday I picked up Seekers of the Healing Energy and History of Energy Transference at the metaphysical shop (Special Treasures) in Old Town Gaithersburg, and the Mushi-Shi Starter Set at Suncoast in the mall out there by Rhianna's.

This has been a very good holiday season. :)