Oh, September grass is the sweetest kind, it goes down easy like apple wine

September 30, 2009 | Apples,Garden,Iowa

The red and white and starry blue

September 29, 2009 | Stuff

This is on our new flagpole.

Hey, Popeye, tryin’ hard to bum a ride

September 27, 2009 | Garden,Iowa

My tomato had an appendage. Or something. A horn? A thumb? I don’t know, but it sure was tasty.

Music: The Snake Charmers, Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis, oh my!

September 23, 2009 | Music,Twitter

I’ve been following Marie of The Snake Charmers on Twitter (@Snakecharmers) and Facebook for a while. I’m not sure how I found her, but she’s fun. I’d sampled her music here and there, but I just bought her CD, “Been Gone too Long.” (I first read that, “BEER Gone too Long.) Good stuff. Good, good stuff. Next time I’m in Houston? I’d love to see them live … and buy Marie a margarita.

As for Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis, I bought their CD the same time I bought The Snake Charmers. I tell you what. They go well together. Both sing the blues. And, wait … what. You didn’t know Willie & Wynton had a CD? Yeah, OK. I laughed when I first saw that. But I tell you what. YUM. That’s what.

I met Wynton Marsalis in Thomasville, Georgia, when I was living in Tallahassee, Florida, after what was — I swear — THE BEST CONCERT EVER. It was in the auditorium of the old grade school where my dad taught fifth grade during the first year of integration in the schools there. I hadn’t been in that school for 20-some years, but I remembered being in the auditorium the minute I stepped inside again. It was a small venue. Comfortable. Intimate. Memorable.

In any case, if you like the blues, go get some from Marie, Willie & Wynton. They serve it up … hot.

For the colors, they are a-changin’

September 22, 2009 | Iowa

Make a wish, make a wish, make it come true

September 21, 2009 | Iowa,Winter

No winter this year. Please?

Wild, wild, like the deer and the dove

September 18, 2009 | Iowa

I had some visitors yesterday morning. I wonder if they’re twins. I figured they were looking for snacks in my garden, but they wandered around my whole yard, letting me get close and take pictures. They’re SO quiet. They finally ran off into the corn.

Happiness is …

September 17, 2009 | Friends,Stuff

… a friend who gives you zucchini bread, still warm from the oven.

Is that a carrot in your pocket?

Garden,Iowa

The rutabaga and carrots? Huge! And tasty!

The canteloupe? Ripe! And tasty!

And all around me a voice was calling, this land was made for you and me

September 11, 2009 | Iowa

Remember Keep America Beautiful? And this guy?

So why do I have to pick up trash in my yard? I live in the country. Don’t make me go near those cornstalks.

Listen. You don’t even have to be literate. Just look at the fries box. See where it tells you to toss your trash? NOT out the car window.

C’mon. Don’t make that guy cry anymore, huh?