virtualDavis

Last fall Susan and I were roaming Old Montreal when we discovered several artichokes plants alive and thriving. I couldn’t believe it. So I did a little research. Lo and behold, I discovered that the Imperial Star Hybrid Artichoke is able to grow and produce as an annual even this far north. So, in addition to the Cuore di Bue tomatoes, Artichoke Imperial Star Hybrid Artichoke are on my “Must Plant” list.

Burpee has the seeds, and I’ve just placed the order. Here’s what they say: “Grow your own artichokes and enjoy the large, edible flower buds at their prime. Attractive plants with grey-green foliage grow 4′ tall with a similar spread.Grows best in full sun. Produces buds the first year. High yields of sweet, mild tasting flower buds, 4-1/2″ in diameter, which are very slow to open when mature.”

Image via Wikipedia

I’ve started ordering vegetable seeds for my garden this summer, and Cuore di Bue Tomato is new to me. I tasted these tomatoes grown in a friend’s garden and decided to add Cuore di Bue to my “Must Plant” list.

Here’s what they have to say over at Territorial Seed Company where I placed my order: “This curious and striking tomato is guaranteed to turn heads as well as satisfy appetites. Its name is simply Italian for oxheart, although this selection (Riviera) is an exotic twist on the oxheart tomato type. These big tomatoes have a bottom-heavy shape reminiscent of a pouch with a gathered top. They measure 3 1/2 inches wide and 4 inches long and weigh in just under 1/2 pound each. Cuore di Bue is one of the tastiest saucing types with dense flesh and lustrous, orangey-red skin.”

Related articles

• University Of New Hampshire Considers Tomato Plants Holiday Decor (proflowers.com)
• Heirloom Tomatoes Contain Health Benefits and Taste Best Fresh from the Garden (indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com)
• How to collect heirloom tomato seeds (giantveggiegardener.com)
• A Sufferer from TDS (Tomato Deprivation Syndrome) Dreams about the Days of Brandywines and Roses (politicsoftheplate.com)

“I hope by now the whole question of ‘should I self produce/publish my work’ has been settled. Of course you should. Is there a catch? Of course there is.” (Adam Thurman, January 27, 2010, Mission Paradox)

“Great companies, great entrepreneurs [sic], force industries to change. The best way for you to create a better, fairer, more robust theatre/visual arts/dance/indie film world is by building your own thing and building it well. Your success will put pressure on the rest of the field. They will change because you and your fellow entrepreneurs have left them no other choice.” (Adam Thurman, January 27, 2010, Mission Paradox)

Some unfettered wisdom about self publishing from Adam Thurman over at Mission Paradox (via@chriscasquilho) that reminds me of Gary Vaynerchuk’s (@garyvee) Crush It!

Related:

• Self-publish with Borders and Barnes & Noble
• Ryu Murakami Bypasses Publishers, Opts for iPad
• Self-publish with Apple’s iBookstore
• Publish and Distribute with CreateSpace
• Economics of Self-Publishing
• Inverted Publishing Funnel

“There’s no better way to experience a culture than to stand at the stove with a wonderful cook.” ~ Ruth Reichl

So long, Gourmet. We’re going to miss you.

Chocolate via flickr.com

Posted by virtualDavis via web from virtualDavis’s posterous

Uncle Sam and I (and you) are now invested in Tesla Motors. What? That’s right, according to gas2.org, every tax paying American citizen is helping keep one of the slickest green automobiles alive. Tesla Motors announced the $465 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy in June 2009, and the deal is now official. “This loan will allow us to further accelerate the production of affordable, fuel-efficient electric vehicles,” said Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Production is scheduled to begin by 2011.

This evocative image, created by Gene Aker, a friend and former colleague in Santa Fe, transforms a lonely road in Lamy, New Mexico into a quasi-inebriated dreamscape. Or maybe a stormy sunset when the skies are tinted with soot from forest fires? Gene explains how he created the image: “shot old school. 5×7 Korona camera (100 years old). Hp5 sheet film, D76 developer… I selenium toned the print. Then when I scanned it, I hit the sepia button — then cranked up the shadows to darken. Everything digital is a lie! but the print looks pretty cool–a 5×7 contact print.”

Today’s Heron Dance is haunting and mysterious. Artist and via Heron Dance founder, Roderick MacIver, shares some journal excerpts about his creative process, and Archibald Campbell plunges into the snowy forest…

via adsoftheworld.com

“Before it’s too late.” This advertisement from the WWF is on Ads of the World http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/wwf_lungs and was brought to my attention by Nicholas Patten (@nicholaspatten on Twitter) in his tweet: “52 Most Interesting and Creative Advertisements.”http://bit.ly/8Mxizm

Posted by virtualDavis via web from virtualDavis’s posterous

via webdesignerdepot.com

I’m beginning to feel a theme emerging. What is it about books as the raw material for creativity? For art? I’d love to see these in person!