The newest gadget to catch my eye

If you are an avid reader, like me, and I know some who are even more avid, then you are probably always looking for a way to carry more books with you on trips or even just on your every day travels. A long time ago I started using e-books on my Palm to make life a bit easier on my back. My pack can only hold so much paper. Don't get me wrong. I love books. For every e-book I have, I also have a paper copy. Most likely I read that book partly electronically and partly by paper. While reading on the small screen on my Palm doesn't bother me, I do know that it is a problem for many of my friends.

So, when something comes along that is an electronic gadget, that allows me to be able to carry my entire library with me if I so desire, and that will be much easier on the eye than my current method for e-book digestion, I take a good long look at it. I liked the Sony Reader and others that I have seen, but somehow I feel more attracted to Amazon's Kindle. Read the latest press release here.

The only thing I didn't like about the Kindle was that there currently doesn't seem to be anyway for me to put Kindle e-books on my Amazon wish list. Gosh. Can someone fix this oversight?? Pretty please.

Trek Day 3 Photos

The very few photos I have of day 3 of the Mont Blanc trek are up on the photo page, as of last night.

It will take me a while to get days 4 and 5 edited. I have quite a few there, though no group shots.

Mont Blanc Trek Day 2

I know it's taking me way longer than it should to sort through the photos from my last trip, but there truly are a few thousand.

At any rate, the photos from day two of the trek are up, without text narrative (sorry--it will come later).

Day 3 to follow soon.

How to cook a Thanksgiving Turkey

It's that time of year again. The time when many of us are facing the task of preparing the holiday turkey for the first time. It seems a daunting task for those who have never taken on the duty of preparing the main dish for the feast. I know, I've never tackled the bird either, though I have seen it done many times. It truly isn't much different than roasting a chicken or a cornish hen.

I won't be stuffing my oven with a turkey this year, but if I was, I think I would like all the advise I could get.

So, step 1) want to avoid all the work and just warm the bird? Go to your local Honey Baked shop and order your turkey well in advance. Or you could order your entire meal from one of the many local grocers that offer special menus this time of year.

Or, Step 1a) go to the grocers and purchase a turkey of the appropriate size for your dinner. You need to know how many guests will be attending and then assume about 1 1/2 pounds, per person, of whole fresh or frozen bird. It doesn't hurt to get more than you think you will need. There are many different ways to make use of the leftovers, and always someone who will take them off of your hands is you prefer.

Step 2) if frozen, thaw the bird according to the instructions on the package. Don't forget to remove the bag of guts (gizzards, neck, heart, etc) from inside the cavity of the turkey. Rinse out the cavity, and salt and pepper or spice inside accordingly.

Step 3) Follow your recipe of choice, or do a simple roast in a oven set to 350 degrees, allow 15-20 minutes per pound. Baste frequently with melted butter, or you could try pineapple juice or chicken broth.

Links that will probably be much more helpful than anything I can tell you are below.

Roast Turkey with Cranberry Orange Glaze

How to Cook a Turkey

Deep Fried Turkey