Garden Musings

In early spring, I fixed up the little two zone sprinkler system in the front yard and laid sod. I'm glad now I did it, even though I have to mow that grass weekly. One unintended value to the whole project is that when I water, I get all the neighborhood birds. This is a rural area, so suburban lawns and regular water are the exception. All kinds of birds stop by for a drink and a bath in the puddles, and they seem to stay and eat bugs in the lawn, as well. They're interesting birds and I'm not always familiar with the various species, but eventually I'll learn them.

I was reading up about growing eggplant, and I probably planted them a little early, as the nights were still cool in April and May. Eggplant is probably the least cold tolerant plant that I'm growing. No real harm done, as they are now developing flower buds. I'm watching the pollinators in the garden, and I do have honey bees, but also these huge fuzzy black bumble bees that love the many squash flowers.
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I sowed oregano seeds and planted a single hot red chili pepper plant in a space near the Stewart avocado. This is it for the planting for now. Oregano is a perennial, and when you grow your own, you have the luxury of only picking the buds, which have the best flavor. The red chili will probably be smaller and hotter than the jalapeno plant that's producing right now. With both the hot peppers, I can air dry the surplus and easily keep them for later.

The McChrystal Thang

Why would a four star general give an interview to Rolling Stone and dis Obama and his cohorts? We know Army generals rise through the ranks by being loyal and professional. It doesn't make sense. If he wanted out why didn't he just resign? There is some backstory, some hidden context here.