At Large 1715 days

"Let me get this straight......we're trying to pass a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it, to be signed by a president that also hasn't read it and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke.

What the heck could possibly go wrong? "
Maxine

I had bought some Tomato plants yesterday and had planned on planting them just as the moon went into the new moon March 18. So I added four 40 pound bags of potting soil/top soil mix to the area where I had such success with tomatoes in the fall/winter of 2008 and mixed it in with my garden weasel. The bed looked perfect and I got anxious so I took the picture below with my iphone.

It was really too dark for the camera. This morning as I struggled to get awake I realized that the tomatoes had been planted for a while and I did not know what moon sign they were planted under. I called the Lowes nursery supplier and was told that they had been planted from seed or cutting February 16 so they were planted under the new moon. That is supposed to be the best time for above ground produce. I cannot say I believe in planting by the moon but my dad did and he always had exceptional gardens. The bed is about 9 feet on either side. I planted the tomatoes on the near side and the left side with the broccoli on the other side of the bed. That way the taller tomato plants will not shade the broccoli. The board visible on the left is part of the Water Lily pond structure. The white poles are 1 inch PVC that I will use as a frame for the bird netting.

The only plant that was not frozen down to the roots was one Oleander plant so I bought three gallon size red oleanders. One I planted in front of the vegetable bed. The other 2 will be planted near where I had the bananas in past. I have moved a lot of stuff around in the back yard to allow a better view of the pool.

Tomorrow after Emmaus I will deploy my remaining "Dumpster in a Bag" on the front lawn and try to get most of the pile of debris at the head of the driveway lugged to the bag. I want to get all the junk off premise by the end of this week. During a break I will cut to size the bull nose molding and glue in place in the corners of the dining area.

3/08: Loving Father, thank you that even when I feel trapped and my situation seems out of control, you are still at work in my life. Help me to see you even in the darkest times. Amen. 3/09: Risen Christ, you brought us new life through your death on the cross. May our practices during Lent help make us new people in you. Amen. 3/10: Dear Father thank you for showing us your love in the midst of daily events. Help us to proclaim that you are real. Amen. 3/11: O God, help us to see where you are calling us to take up our cross, and give us power to obey. Amen. 3/12: Lord, help us to see people through your eyes and to reach out to them unselfishly. Amen. I had not realized just how blessed we are until I started driving the church van to bring these Santa Maria women and the residents of Turning Point and Independent Living to Terrace United Methodist Church. My poor health and distracted mind have prevented me from driving since my wife went to hospital. I truly miss the driving to and from church with these troubled women. Please click on a PRAYER LIST for the women of Santa Maria and Bonita House for the week of March 8, 2010. And remember to pray for them.

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HOLIDAY EGG NOG

6 egg yolks
2 c. sugar
3 pt. heavy cream
2 c. milk
6 egg whites
1/2 gal. French vanilla or vanilla ice cream, softened
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract

With Alcohol:
1 pt. bourbon
1 c. Jamaican rum
1 c. brandy
Note: Always add liquor to egg and sugar, NEVER to milk or cream.

Beat egg yolks with sugar until thick. (Gradually add liquors, stirring constantly.) Blend in cream and milk. Beat egg whites until stiff, NOT dry, peaks are formed. Gently fold into egg nog. Add softened ice cream, nutmeg and extract. Blend until smooth. Chill 1 to 2 hours. Yield: 1/2 gallon.
Makes 25 servings.

Note: If after you finish recipe, egg nog is too sweet, add 1 cup whole milk or more to taste. Softened ice cream will blend quicker and smoother than frozen or hard-packed.

The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it.
Thomas Jefferson

How ironic that he should also have been a slave owner who fathered children by one of his slaves.