Michael Levin's Blog (510)

Ola, dear Zoobird readers! The Zoobird bookshelf is becoming a lot of fun, so I thought I'd take a minute to talk about it. Powell's Books is a bookshop in Portland, OR. It's one of the largest best independent bookshops in the world. Bigger isn't necessarily better, so I rethought that…

Hello Zoobird gang!

I live in Florida and summertime is HOT here. Hot and balmy - you might say humid. You'd be right. But, these days early in the morning, I can tell the seasons are changing. I can feel it in the air. Autumn is coming. 

 …

I went to our local weed and seed the other day looking for sprouts and ideas for my garden. The guy there helping me suggested I wait until the hot weather subsides before planting anything else. He also strongly suggested using some of their fertilizer on my patch. 

Our community garden is organic, so we use mostly horse manure, bat guano and worm…

(photo from Amazon)

For those of us living in the country (or the woods in our case), keeping the wildlife from consuming your produce before you do, becomes something of a constant vigil. So, you might think wildlife netting sounds like a harmless solution. Think again!

My wife bought some to protect a tiny mulberry tree she had planted. Something was…

If you're thinking of vacationing in America and you'd like to do it on a bike, read this. Jamie and Ryan Aulton and company make their way across the Appalachians and toward Canada. Their blog is full of great info, not only about the trip but about bike trekking in general. Stay…

Hello Zoobird! Yes, here in Gainesville, FL the garden is fine, thanks! I've got lots of plants growing in my patch: my tomatoes, courtesy of Farmer John, are thriving. They have flowered and I'm just waiting for the birds and the bees to do their thing and get the tomatoes going. I planted some spinach and it's doing fine. My biggest challenge is telling sprouts…

Created by: CookingSchools.net
Rachel Mary-Beth Hankins (rmbhankins@gmail.com | CookingSchools.net) contacted us to let us know about this graphic they just produced about the health benefits of sriracha. Plus, it tastes great! Thanks, Rachel!

Not! There are several elements you need for good coffee:

1. Beans

2. Roast

3. Water

4. Grind

5. Brew

All of these are pretty important, but way up there is the grind. Why? Mainly because of brew time. A coarse grind is better for French Press and a fine grind is best for espresso, although opinions differ!

A…

You know that feeling you get as the sun is setting, the weekend is winding down, and you just wanna get out and ride (the Ciocc!) ... and, along comes an article that you just have to read? 

This is one of  'em. Hear the expression "too long, didn't read" tl;dr? Well, try taking your eyes away from the magic that came from Pelizzoli's lips as he failed to…

(Photo from cupcakestakethecake)


Yep, all these peppers you're harvesting just about now have more than just the obvious use. A coffeeshop buddy named Bill told us yesterday that jalapeno lemonaid sounded…

My patch at the community garden has blessed me and my friends and family with lots of broccoli and salad greens this past season. The collards were abundant and I made use of some, but this season my collard tastebuds weren't as attracted to the leafy green collard buddies I usually befriend. 

End of last week I pulled ut the remains of the broccoli and the collard greens.…

There are so many opinions about healthy nutrition. I found this article and the accompanying image very interesting. The comment about influence from big business is also thought provoking. Who can argue with a diet rich in fresh fruit, veg and…

News Flash! Our friend Shmal has been accepted into the writers fold at Elephant Journal! Publisher in chief Waylon Lewis is a member here at Zoobird. You can find Shmal's writing at the following…

Naomi has made a big move. She's gone to Gabon! Yes, her heart beat a different rhythm and decided it was time for a major change. Click here to see her Zoobird profile. And, here's her blog. It's sure to be filled soon with photos,…

I just love this bike. If I my legs were a little longer it would be PERFECT! It's a blue, blue Ciocc and it's a beauty.

I got it a few years ago specifically because a friend told me he was interesting in getting into road biking. I saw it and thought it would be perfect for my friend. He never bit - I told him about it over delicious Korean food one night…

Springtime at the McRorie Community Garden

Plants are blooming, bees are buzzing, and all's well at the garden. We made a delicious dinner last night using the florets from our prolific broccoli. This was an easy meal: we sauteed the broccoli florets in a little olive oil, added some garlic and salt and then poured in a little tomato sauce and pre…

I planted some mesclun mix, carrots and onion seeds yesterday and watered the tomato sprouts. Click on the photo above to see a set of springtime community garden photos I took.

Everything in the garden is green, green, green and blooming. Some things are fruiting. You can see baby beans, peppers and all sorts of produce coming up.

The…

(Photo from wikipedia)

I ran across a patchouli plant at a local, independently owned grocer I love to shop. I'd never seen one before. So, I rubbed a leaf and smelled it. It smelled woody and exactly like the oil so many people wear as perfume. So, I did a little web search and…

(Hershey Trail, West Houston, TX)

Good day, all! It's 75F (24C) and puffy white clouds in a blue, blue sky. The air here in Florida is full of the smells of Spring. Anyone with citrus trees has harvested their fruit by now. The citrus flowers have bloomed and the cycle has begun again. My day is beginning with the sounds…

Some of the finest commercial frames being made are from Soma IMHO

http://www.somafab.com/

They are one of several companies who are bringing back the Mixte frame, which was popular with European bicycle campers back in the 70's and 80's.

Their mixte frame is the Buena Vista and I've…