My garden, as of yesterday. I took the picture so I can remember next Spring where I grew things this year. * * * * * * * Not a highly successful gardening year. Grades for my efforts: Currants: A; Blackberries: A; Cherry/Grape Tomatoes: A; Chard: A; Herbs: A-; Cucumbers: B; Spinach: B; Broccoli: B-; Tomatoes: B-; Beans: B-; Kale: C+; Watermelons: C; Pumpkins: C; Grapes: C; Strawberries: C-; Peas: D (though a nice-looking Fall crop might pull up this grade); Yellow Raspberries: D-; Red Raspberries: F; Brussels Sprouts: F (though I'm hoping for a big harvest in a few weeks, which could pull up this grade). * * * * * * * I'm not a survivalist, but I don't see anything wrong with some precautionary measures, hence the garden. But if you're a survivalist, this (very) well-written article lists the ways you benefit your community. * * * * * * * I get a lot of email solicitations for legal advice. I'm thinking one I received on Saturday might, just might, be a Nigerian scam. Excerpt: "My names are Mr. Nelson Taylor Jr., I send you this mail to discuss with you about Taylor's deposit assets for overseas investment." * * * * * * * I guess some law firm (in Minnesota, if I recall correctly) actually fell for one of these scams. I was incredulous, but I guess the firm lost six figures . . . and proceeded to sue their bank for not protecting them better. * * * * * * Hey, it's 9/11 days again! My parish is no longer running the saccharine "This is God" audio two or three times a year, but we did listen to it for the eleventh straight year this weekend. I was kicking myself for failing to remember it would be this weekend, so I instead walked out. It wasn't an angry exit or a defiant one. But Mass was over and I have better things to do than listen to a pop theology recording for the 11th time. I went to the parking lot and checked the Michigan score. * * * * * * * For readers who aren't acquainted with my views on 9/11 days, I direct you to this post from five years ago (the post links to an article I wrote six years ago, but has since been removed; a cropped version can be found here).
