May 07
Secrets of Plant Propagation
Great intro to this subject. Got me experimenting with making cuttings and trying to get them to root. I would like to propagate a number of bushes this way: red lake currant and mums from our yard; wild currant found near Teller Lakes on Valmont; Va Creeper from Scott Carpenter Park.
Seeds and Cuttings by H. Peter Loewer
The book is from 1975, so dated. But the art of gardening and propagation has not changed much for the average gardener since then! Good overview of plant reproduction, sexual (seeds) and asexual (cuttings, division, &c)
Oracle Database Essentials 2nd edition, O'Reilley
An old book for its topic (3rd ed is out), but free from the library. Like mant O'Reilley books, gives a great overview of the architecture of Oracle DB which is great since my experience is with Sybase and Sql Server. Good to see what the heck the difference is between an instance and a database! And as I grow more experienced with Oracle, the book remains relevant, so I would recommend this to anyone who uses Oracle databases.
Earlier Readings:
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
A Journalist writes about Dr Paul Farmer and his work in Haiti helping to establish health care system in the poorest nation in the western hemisphere. Farmers' example and dedication is inspiring. Soon after we read this, Paul Farmer actually came to speak at St John's Cathedral in Denver, and we went. The actual man himself does not come off as arrogant as he comes off in the book. Not that he comes off bad in the book, but without knowing him personally, I did associate his dedication with similar dedication that I've seen in other professionals, which can harbor a very annoying arrogrance!
Amazing Grace by Johnathan Kozol
About a neighborhood in the Bronx and the trials and tribulations of the families there.
Compassion by Henry Nouwen
The Working Poor
