Sam Woodfin's Micro

My Ideal Garden

This should be titled "My Fantasy Garden", because I have neither  the skill nor the soil to grow this beauty. (It should also be noted that a good part of the inspiration for this comes from my friend's garden, which is currently pushing out enough tomatoes to keep Chef Boyardee afloat.)

But if I had the skill, and if I had the soil, my garden would bloom out something like this:

1. Tomatoes. Not just because of my friend's garden, but because they're so versatile. You can put tomatoes in damned near anything. Hell, you can even satisfy a pizza craving with just a raw tomato, a bit of basil, and some parmesan cheese.
2. Green beans. They aren't as exciting as tomatoes, but that's a good thing. The underwhelming nature of green beans makes them the universal side dish.
3. Cantaloupes. Because they are awesome! No one in this house will ever turn down cantaloupe!
4. Fuji apples. The huge, sweet ones that I can't get at my local supermarket. Why? See "Cantaloupes". The same rationale applies.
5. Garlic. Left to my own devices, I'd use garlic in place of salt. Also: vampires.
6. Basil. To eat with raw tomatoes.
7. Oregano. Because, for certain dishes, oregano is a better fit than basil.
8. Cherry peppers. For pickling. And for stuffing olives.
9. Spinach. Raw or cooked, it's my favorite leafy green. And the best salads always replace lettuce with spinach.
10. Butternut squash. You've never cooked a chuck roast with butternut squash? You've missed out!
11. Pumpkins. Just because they're so damned cute! Also: pumpkin rolls and jack o' lanterns!
12. Peppermint. Just in case I ever learn to make my own soap. 
13. Sunflowers. In part because I like the look of them. But also because sunflower seeds help with giving up nicotine.
14. Arugula. I've eaten this green on very few occasions, but it certainly left a strong impression. I crave it, now, from time to time.
15. Honeysuckle. For when I leave the windows open.
16. Privet. See "Honeysuckle".
17. Evergreen trees. Just because.
18. Olive trees. For brining olives. Preferably big, green olives.
19. Mushrooms. Butter, salt, pepper, meal. Also: on pizzas, stuffed and baked, or raw in salads.
20. Brussels sprouts. With lots of butter, my favorite side to a nice eye of chuck.
21. Cauliflower. The Potato Replacer!

Now, the real driving force behind this post: I had leftover macaroni, cheese, and pinto beans for breakfast. The idea of a rich, varied, healthy, and sustainable food source is monstrously appealing to me, at the moment!

Lawn Porn: Tools of the Trade

My Lawn Tools: Hand-reel Mower, Two Knives, and a Disembodied Grasswhip Blade

I realized, yesterday, after reading this Steve Jobs quote, that if I really were at death's door, I'd be quite happy to go out and slash or hack something down with that serrated knife.

So, yeah. I've titled this post category "Lawn Porn". It really does apply.

Is This Clear Enough?

I found a small evergreen growing by the central air unit, this morning. I was in the process of cutting down saplings and small trees that were growing too close to/under the trailer, but I couldn't quite bring myself to slash away at this one.

It wasn't in a good spot for me to dig, either, so I just pulled it out of the ground, and moved it to a better spot. I gave it better soil, too. I have no idea if it'll grow, or not; but I figure that if it was hardy enough to get started on it's own, surrounded by hoses, pipes, and metal, maybe it has a chance of taking off, here, too.

Of course, nothing stands a chance of thriving if people people just mow it down. And, since I'm not the only one who mows my yard, I thought a few precautions were in order.

So? How about it? Do you think this makes it clear enough that I don't want the little tree cut down?