I heart Norcal

There is nothing in the world like being "home." I almost died on a plane yesterday (or at least I think I did -- diverted to Columbus, GA b/c we were running low on fuel and couldn't land in Hotlanta...). I am glad to be on the ground.

Anyhoo.

I've spent a lot of time over the last few days reading many garden blogs. I met a photographer on the flight from Atlanta to Sacramento, and she gave me some pointers on pictures and told me why so many pictures look so saturated with color (PhotoShop or iPhoto)... So that's the secret! She also told me to shoot RAW since that also seems to help. Larger files though....my Picasa is already swollen with 'em. This weekend we're moving our thousands of pictures to DVD.

World's perfect drink
1/2 grape juice
1/2 club soda

hey...It's a slow day today.




My "yellowjacket" trap caught a honeybee. At least I think that's a honeybee.








A watermelon is ripening and perched precariously on the fence. This is 'Crimson Sweet' and is ripe at 20-25 lbs, "when the rind dulls and bottom yellows." Great. Now we have to guess.





My assassin bug is still alive and well on the bee balm. I got into a fight with a hummingbird when I was trying to stake this plant to prevent it from flopping over before I went to NC, and it kept buzzing my head, chirping angrily at me. Dude, I was trying to help you! Unlike Robin's Nesting Place, I wasn't quick enough to snap a picture at all!




I love coreopsis! My amazing reseeding pink is blooming right now. It is contained in a pot until we can unleash it on the side of the yard and let it go wild.






Watermelons are growing large and fast.
Tomatoes are putting on a show.
Peppers are falling over with fruit.
More and more eggplants are ripening.
The last of my Sage 'purpurea' plants is dying suddenly.
Pumpkin vines are just beginning to set fruit...finally after 20'.
Sheared basil, oregano, italian parsley, and chives are regrowing.

That's all I have to update at the moment.