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Books of 2014

I was not able to get a ton of reading done this year, though I did spend a lot of time reading algebraic geometry texts, which is not reflected in the list below. Certainly the book I enjoyed the most this year was Edward Frenkel’s “Love and Math: The Heart of Hidden Reality”. The subject area itself is fascinating. Definitely read this if you want to know what the Langland’s program is and how it fits in with the bigger picture of modern mathematics. I also loved the way that Frenkel weaved his personal story into the math story in such a smooth manner. The most surprising book for me this year was “A Calculated Life” by Anne Charnock, which I really didn’t like for the first few pages, but which grew and grew into a beautiful story, touching, story.

Non-fiction, ordered by most to least recommended

Fiction, ordered by most to least recommended

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Snow Pictures

Pictures from our Thanksgiving trip
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sledding outside the back door
sledding outside the back door
frozen chain
frozen chain

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Mt. Gardner
Mt. Gardner
above the fog
above the fog
fire about the fog
fire about the fog
abovethe fog
abovethe fog
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The Return of Test Dog

2 years ago we took Test dog to the Methow valley and she spent the weekend running crazily around the property and loving life. Sadly shortly after that she came down with diabetes and lost her eyesight. Until our last trip there were still open trenches around the property, so we hadn’t been able to bring her along, but now that they are filled up, she got to return. Welcome back Test Dog!

Waiting for telescope time
Waiting for telescope time
Bed hog
Bed hog
Head tilt
Head tilt
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New Caelifera Gets Furniture

Moving furniture in
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Oh, and this is a huge door!IMG_20140914_123225578_HDR
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Not a bad place to sit and enjoy the view
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A nice place to sit beside the outdoor shower
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The telescope is out. Max was beyond excited to go outside and use it.
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Shelves are being loaded
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Main bedroom
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Another giant door
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We picked up two more outdoor chairs
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Door with handle
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Morning light on Mt Gardner
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View from the bathroom
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Pantry and ladder to storage area above kitchen.
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Outside.
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Posted on

New Caelifera Gets Furniture

Moving furniture in
IMG_20140914_123657818_HDR
Oh, and this is a huge door!IMG_20140914_123225578_HDR
IMG_20140913_115241929_HDR
Not a bad place to sit and enjoy the view
IMG_20140913_192719853_HDR
IMG_20140913_165123562
A nice place to sit beside the outdoor shower
IMG_20140914_122148484_HDR
The telescope is out. Max was beyond excited to go outside and use it.
IMG_20140913_165131111_HDR
Shelves are being loaded
IMG_20140914_123430185_HDR
IMG_20140913_170419339_HDR
IMG_20140914_123415877
Main bedroom
IMG_20140914_121931495_HDR
Another giant door
IMG_20140914_122640079_HDR
We picked up two more outdoor chairs
IMG_20140914_140205702_HDR
IMG_20140913_192628429_HDR
Door with handle
IMG_20140914_140523673
Morning light on Mt Gardner
IMG_20140914_064634406_HDR
View from the bathroom
IMG_20140914_083153490_HDR
Pantry and ladder to storage area above kitchen.
IMG_20140913_165209047_HDR
Outside.
IMG_20140914_140241566_HDR

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Labor Day Weekend Photos

Nothing say celebrating Labor day holiday cleaning the floors! Here are some photos during and post cleaning. Kitchen with island all spiffed up:
IMG_20140830_154514737_HDRA nice place to enjoy a summer dinnerIMG_20140831_191308208Ladder from Max’s bed to a secret play area aboveIMG_20140831_163455819_HDROutdoor bed, ready to be hungIMG_20140831_163134030Aspen and mirror imageIMG_20140831_182334793_HDRGreypants lightsIMG_20140831_195159243_HDRHard to get tired of this viewIMG_20140831_175906701Light from GraypantsIMG_20140831_203601332What happens when you haven’t yet bought a wine openerIMG_20140831_164147847Outside, now, with tableIMG_20140831_175842339_HDR

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Heading Towards the Final Push

Over this last weekend to run the 11 mile and 2000 ft climb Cutthroat Classic. I survived. Meanwhile New Caelifera is itself starting to see the finish line. Notice some new changes?
IMG_20140822_191234810_HDRThe Argentine grill is in:
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And the patios are in:
IMG_20140824_093812096_HDRIMG_20140824_094003870_HDRIMG_20140824_093513115_HDROutdoor shower read for installIMG_20140824_094112029_HDRNot just a fan, a “Big Ass Fan™”IMG_20140822_172803319_HDRAccent tile in bathroomIMG_20140822_165247496Bath tub in, tile nearing completionIMG_20140822_201519658At night the garage looks like it might be about to lift offIMG_20140822_205221652From down the hillIMG_20140824_100915824_HDRThese (slightly dusty) pendants are awesome. At night they reflect against all the glass in a crazy patternIMG_20140822_174009925_HDRStove and counter tops are in. Dusty!IMG_20140822_194021877Hand railIMG_20140822_171345182NighttimeIMG_20140822_204933430

Posted on

Heading Towards the Final Push

Over this last weekend to run the 11 mile and 2000 ft climb Cutthroat Classic. I survived. Meanwhile New Caelifera is itself starting to see the finish line. Notice some new changes?
IMG_20140822_191234810_HDRThe Argentine grill is in:
IMG_20140822_164849143_HDRIMG_20140822_171004744_HDR
And the patios are in:
IMG_20140824_093812096_HDRIMG_20140824_094003870_HDRIMG_20140824_093513115_HDROutdoor shower read for installIMG_20140824_094112029_HDRNot just a fan, a “Big Ass Fan™”IMG_20140822_172803319_HDRAccent tile in bathroomIMG_20140822_165247496Bath tub in, tile nearing completionIMG_20140822_201519658At night the garage looks like it might be about to lift offIMG_20140822_205221652From down the hillIMG_20140824_100915824_HDRThese (slightly dusty) pendants are awesome. At night they reflect against all the glass in a crazy patternIMG_20140822_174009925_HDRStove and counter tops are in. Dusty!IMG_20140822_194021877Hand railIMG_20140822_171345182NighttimeIMG_20140822_204933430

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Smoke

A few captures of what it’s been like to visit during these fire laden times. Smoke and construction:
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Smoke creating “God” light:
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Smoke where smoke should not be. This is the “Rising Eagle Fire” just outside Twisp. We watched as a few puffs turned quickly into a huge plume. My Everyday Photos has photos from her home, which was in the middle of that smoke.
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A part of the plume just as things began to really explode
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I think this last one will be imprinted in my head for a long time, and can’t even image the images imprinted on those who lived and lost much closer to the fire.

I promise: positive photos next up!