2015_Day 61: Lettuce is really hanging in there

Lettuce on the left after it was thinned on Feb. 14; on the right is the lettuce after a week of some really cold days and nights.

Lettuce on the left after it was thinned on Feb. 14; on the right is the lettuce after a week of some really cold days and nights.

After numerous days last week where it barely reached freezing during the daytime, let alone the nights, my lettuce is still alive. How, I don’t know, given the ice that coated the tarp that stayed over the containers for 48 hours straight. Continue reading

2015_Day 60: 50 and fit is my goal

imageIn a little more than two months, I turn 50. I don’t know exactly what 50 is supposed to feel like, but I’ve come to the realization over the past few months that I want to feel better about myself physically. That means it’s time for me to get my butt in gear and get back to a regular exercise program. Yes, I’ve gained a few pounds over the past couple years, but the thing that bothers me most is that I’m out of shape. Continue reading

2015:_Day 59: Freezing rain, shopping and the DMV

Waiting in line with daughter to check out at the always popular Ikea.

Waiting in line with daughter to check out at the always popular Ikea.

It’s hard to think about Spring and gardening when you look out your window and see freezing rain and a coating of ice on everything. So I didn’t. Continue reading

2015_Day 58: Net neutrality or a stupid dress?

imageSo the week ends with a couple of silly stories about a dress (is it white-gold or blue-black?) and a llama chase.

I guess the stories, especially the dress one one, were ones you had to be in on from the beginning. I didn’t, so not unlike coming to a party where everyone but you is already drunk, I didn’t really find either of them fun.

Which is okay, because there was another story this week that I found much more interesting — and should resonate with every American.

The Federal Communications Commission Thursday approved the policy known as net neutrality, with NPR quoting FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler as saying the policy will ensure “that no one — whether government or corporate — should control free open access to the Internet.”

Basically, “the Open Internet Order helps to decide an essential question about how the Internet works, requiring service providers to be a neutral gateway instead of handling different types of Internet traffic in different ways — and at different costs.” NPR reports.

Good in theory, but if you believe it will actually happen, you’re crazy. And you need to watch this June 2014 video of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” This 13-minute video is worth your time. Says Oliver, “Cable companies are trying to create an unequal playing field for internet speeds, but they’re doing it so boringly that most news outlets aren’t covering it.” Watch him explain the controversy in terms you’ll understand. He’ll have you laughing until you’re crying. Oh, and if you have to pee, do it before you start watching the video. If you wet your pants, remember I warned you.

If you can’t see the video above, here’s a link for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpbOEoRrHyU&sns=em

Enjoy. Then call the FCC and everyone else you know to voice your opposition to the so-called net neutrality policy.

2015_Day 57: Too late to sow seeds indoors, but outdoors awaits

From dokity.com

From dokity.com

For as much as I’ve been looking forward to Spring and the prospect of an earlier gardening season in central Texas, you’d think I would have paid closer attention to last-freeze dates. Continue reading

2015_Day 56: Spring can start anytime now

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My poor lettuce! How can it be expected to grow when the temperatures have been struggling to reach the mid-30s during the day earlier this week, not to mention hitting the high 20s/low 30s at night? Continue reading

2015_Day 55: Vicious cycle of job cuts continues

Layoffs. Job eliminations. Restructuring. Call them what you will, they’re one of the most painful processes I’ve ever had to go through as a former employee of a large media company. It doesn’t really matter who the employer is, the cycle has been happening at many companies, large and small alike, and in numerous professions for years now. Continue reading

2015_Day 54: I don’t like the Oscars – am I in the minority?

I think I must have been the only person not watching the #Oscars last night. Or so it seemed as I rolled through Twitter, from before the red carpet “oohs” and “aahs” until at least 10 p.m., when I turned off all electronic devices and went to sleep. I’m sure the hoopla continued. Continue reading

2015_Day 53: I see pink in my future

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I often look through gardening books and make the rounds at garden centers to see what’s available for my yard and garden. Then I come up with a list of what I think I want to plant, many times writing about it. But when it comes down to actually buying the plants, there usually are deviations from the list. So it should come as no surprise that my latest visit to the garden center yielded similar results. Continue reading

2015_Day 52: Not giving up on lettuce yet

On the left is lettuce Feb. 14, after it was thinned. On the right, the lettuce this morning.

On the left is lettuce Feb. 14, after it was thinned. On the right, the lettuce this morning.

I know it’s only been a week since I thinned my lettuce containers, but if I didn’t know any better, I’d say some of it is going backwards. Continue reading