Mary Roach - Non-Fiction Author

Ruthi has a good book for you to read. Whether you are a space junkie or not; look at Mary Roach’s Packing for Mars, The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Ruthi loved it!! Besides the great science background on space travel, Mary Roach has a great sense of humor and a different way of looking at science.

Stiff, another of Mary Roach's books is also great. It tells about what happens to cadavers left to science for research. Really not as macabre as you might think.

Both Boots and Ruthi are beginning to read through all of her books. Spook is next on the list. Check her out.

Land Line Phones - Santee, CA

Ruthi needed to have some documents faxed. So, she went to the Park office and had them fax them to our own fax number (on the computer). She had forgotten her phone (on which she gets a text when the faxed is successfully received) so she needed to call Boots back at the RV (where Ruthi’s phone was charging).. Ruthi asked if she could use the Park landline to make the call. She remembered to ask if she needed to dial “9” for an outside line. After a couple of unsuccessful tries, Ruthi checked with the clerk and was reminded that she needed to put “1” in front of the long distance cell number. How quickly we forget. We haven’t had/used a land line since we left Alaska in 2008. The cell phone is so so so much easier – just select your contact and push call. If a “1” is needed it is automatically inserted and the call goes through, no minute calculations, no long distance charge, etc. etc. etc.

Library - Santee, CA

We have finally gotten library cards at the local Santee library. The cards allows us to access all of the libraries within the San Diego County, California and some of Nevada. It was so much fun and brought back so many memories when we were at the library. Ruthi commented that she didn’t think she had been in a library since college. Of course, there isn’t a card catalog anymore everything is on the computer but the numbering scheme and locating books in the few stack that they had worked the same way. The big difference is that if the book you are looking for is at one of the other libraries, it will be delivered to the Santee Library and you can pick-up/return it there.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Ruthi just finished this book. It was so amazing on multiple levels – Ms Lacks' life and times before the cell culture, her children’s’ lives, cell culture business, the impact her cells had on science, time/intensity the reporter put in and finally the relationship between Rebecca and Deborah. Ruthi cried at the end.

What an amazing and horrific story!

Car Colors - San Diego, CA area

We have noticed that different towns or metropolitan areas seem to have a concentration of cars that are the same color. Here in San Diego WHITE vehicles by far outnumber the other color choices. Except on week-end, when the RED ones come out in force. Reno, NV seemed to have more GREY cars than any other color. Interesting what retired people notice, isn’t it?