Gardening

So, the seeds have taken and the herbs are growing: Basil, Cilantro, Lovage, Thyme, Dill, Parsley, Rosemary, Mint, and Lavender.

And to round out this ensemble, tomatoes, a chili plant, and lettuce!

Oh, look! It's the Queen!

Apparently, the Monarchy of England has come under some recent scrutiny. The actual costs of having the Royal Family live (and to some degree work) but have everyone else in the country pay their bills is increasingly viewed with little favour. As unlike a working class family, this one gets the best of everything (nice house(s)!) and works to essentially be able to say they work for a living.

That actual cost of supporting the Royal Family is not outrageous at 66p per person (see it here). And yet, despite a long history and the tradition of a constitutional monarchy, the U.K. is flirting with the idea (as seen with the slow erosion of power from the House of Lords) of having them get off the public dole.

Summer

Summer has arrived in Oxford. Everything I said before now can be discarded. In the sunlight (which comes up very eary 4:30 am and stays up late 10pm), the buidings look beautiful. People put out windowsill flower boxes, gardens are over-flowing, and the sunight makes everyone smile.

Nuffield College

Nuffield College is celebrating 50 years of existence. It is one of the newest colleges at Oxford and was founded by Lord Nuffield, creator of the Morris car manufacturing plant (in Oxford).

Here is the Guardian's short article.