Composing compost

I am trying to grow worms, or more like, make compost. We have the chicken wire structures for leaves in the backyard, but we haven't harvested any compost yet. The leaves are from last fall but admittedly we left them scattered about the yard throughout the winter and didn't gather them for composting until this spring. So we wait.

But today, as I was expanding the garden beds (still need to get large stones or some other edging material), I found a bunch of worms. I have the general idea that our yard is really unhealthy so I'm surprised that there's actual life! Ever since my friend shared her compost setup with me, I've wanted to try the same thing. So I made a mini version of http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/easywormbin.htm using those rectangular plastic takeout containers. I only put in maybe 5 worms with the hope that they'll reproduce and if things don't quite work out, I won't be responsible for a major worm massacre. I also don't want to undo the good work that these worms have been doing outside. Hopefully I don't commit worm-cide or track unwanted pests with this but we'll see how it goes.

Royal Service

I watched parts of the royal wedding yesterday, mostly recapped through news features. While people focused on the bride's dress, how beautiful the wedding was, the many different parts of it, the important people that attended, I was focused on the groom's attire. I thought he looked a bit ridiculous but then a news feature talked about how he was wearing his armed services uniform and he will actually continue to work in the force for the first two years of their newlywed life together. Now, here is the prince of Wales, 3rd in line to the throne, proudly serving his country for just 40,000 pounds ($65,000) a year. Prince Harry, a partyer, is also in the armed services and he actually served in Afghanistan until the tabloids found out and made it unsafe for him to serve.

Why is it different in the U.S., where it seems like anyone of any importance to the media does all they can to avoid serving? Celebrities, congressmen and their families, sports figures -- few serve. It is the poor and the "ordinary" people in middle America who often serve. In New York City, it seems to me that the recruiting centers are often in impoverished neighborhoods and people have to be "bribed" with a free education to get people to serve. Is it because the "royalty" in the U.S. -- the Hollywood celebrities -- are all imported from Canada?

Speaking of our "royalty", and red carpet events, the UK just outdoes us completely. Talk about class and elegance. Hollywood celebrities and their celebrations just do not compare.