Tag Archives: gardening

Will the US Ever Become CA?

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At first glance, this scenario appears improbable, even unthinkable. Yet, a careful examination of California’s historical trajectory over the past several decades reveals an underlying inevitability that cannot be easily dismissed.

In my early childhood, my family relocated to California, initially settling near San Jose before moving to Garden Grove, a modest city south of Los Angeles. At that time, the population was barely fifty thousand, and Garden Grove High School stood alone as the sole secondary educational institution. As I approached my high school years, the city’s growth became evident, with four high schools emerging. Today, Garden Grove has expanded to a vibrant community of 172 thousand residents, reflecting the dynamic transformation of this Southern California suburb.

During my teenage years, a popular sentiment circulated: families would visit California for a vacation and ultimately choose to make it their permanent home. This notion wasn’t merely a baseless rumor; I personally witnessed numerous acquaintances who, after experiencing the state’s allure, decided to relocate and embrace the California lifestyle.

Its reputation speaks volumes, rendering further explanation unnecessary. A brief encounter would swiftly illuminate the circumstances, and I’ve already delved into the underlying details previously.

However, lately, people have started going the other way, rapidly, to the point they lost a U.S. representative. There was no way I could have imagined that just 5 years ago. I should have. I left the Golden State over 40 years ago. Although there is much I miss there, I have never regretted leaving the crowds and later, the political climate.

As I consider all I’ve observed, I am starting to see many parallels between CA and the US. Right now people come here and then stay. If not for immigration laws, there would be far more here. And eventually, it too would become crowded. It would lose many of those things that draw people here. Conceivably, all those who decided stay, might decide to leave as have those from California.

I mean, who wants to live in a country that is run by tyrants who call themselves communist? I don’t think I will live to see it. However, I am beginning to think my sons will. I’m beginning to think my generation will be the first generation to leave a worse country than we received. And, by the way, a worse and more dangerous world.

In the Little Known Fact Department

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In the Southern landscape of yesteryear, home gardens were as ubiquitous as the warm, humid air. Tomato plants stood as culinary sentinels, their ripe, sun-kissed fruits gracing every meal from dawn to dusk. I fondly recall plucking a fresh, juicy tomato straight from the vine, its vibrant flavor a testament to the garden’s bounty, regardless of the hour.

Freshly picked from the garden, these tomatoes burst with flavor, a stark contrast to the bland, mass-produced varieties found in supermarkets. On a sweltering summer afternoon, biting into their juicy flesh was a delightful respite, despite the inevitable mess of crimson droplets trailing down my fingers and chin.

It does make me wonder if we might somehow go back to eating two or three vine ripe tomatoes a day might be a good way to avoid many of our modern health problems. Have you ever looked at the heart health advantages of the tasty tomato?

I want to be transparent: my insights stem purely from observation and thoughtful analysis, without any personal financial incentive.

Imagine a world where wellness is prioritized through a simple, daily ritual: a large nutritious glass of fresh tomato juice presented to each person. This innovative health initiative could revolutionize preventive care, offering a delicious and cost-effective approach to boosting public health. While the implementation might seem challenging, the potential long-term savings in medical expenses could far outweigh the initial investment, making it a compelling strategy for workplace and educational institutions.

Now as I think back over it, there is simply no way it would work. Just think of all that would be lost by the doctors, health workers, and hospitals. It might cause the pharmaceutical industry to take a power nosedive. I mean, people must get sick. If we don’t, fourteen percent of our economy would simply go away.

Just Finished Mowing the Front Yard

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I know. You could care less. However, have you not heard the saying, Laziness is the mother of invention? I know. Not accurate. Same thing only different.

I look at these kids with these R/C cars running them up and down the street at breakneck speeds while the kid operating the $40 toy car stands in one place.

I look at it and I shake my head. Why can’t I do that with my lawn mower? I mean, all that is missing is the R/C, right. Then I can sit under my porch on an elevated seat in the shade. Without even working up a small sweat, I can watch as my modern day mower makes short work of shortening my grass.

My first consideration is my doctor. He wants to make sure I get some good exercise once a week. [Now that is almost an oxymoron. How can exercise be good?]

On the other hand, it might be a conspiracy of the lawyers. It’s something of a disorganized thing. The word might already be spread that the lawyers will all be ready to jump on that lawsuit after the first accident. It ought to be worth a few thousand, even if the manufacturer is not at fault. I mean, the manufacturer will need a well-paid lawyer to explain why the machine is not at fault whilst the other is paid big bucks to prove it is.

So, while laziness might encourage invention, it provides no competition to the discouragement of the legal system.

It does cause me a little curiosity of how much more advanced civilization would be without the legal anchor we must drag behind us.

Do you suppose I could mount my own R/C on a mower. Sitting on my porch in the shade with a Diet Coke while the mower gets the exercise my doctor insist I have would be good, right?

Now I ask you, who else do you know who can write a humorous, interesting post about mowing lawns? This while arguing that our society has too many laws and lawyers.

Replaced Electric Mower Blade

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I can’t remember for sure but I bought my 60 volt Greenworks mower about 4 or 5 years ago. I have been putting off replacing the blade because I just knew it would be beyond my abilities. I even considered having it done.

Besides all this, I didn’t have a wrench the right size. (see Wrenches, Wrenches and Wrenches in which I explained that, regardless of my dozens of wrenches, I never have the right size.) I spent a few hours checking the internet in hopes of getting some help.

First, much of the info was contradictory. Second, it was not specific to my mower. Finally, it seemed to suggest a confirmation that it would be too much for an old man.

As for the wrench thing, I resolved that problem by buying a large Cresent adjustable wrench for $8. I’m sure it would be better to use the right size wrench, but the adjustable wrench worked well.

The procedure took right about 15 minutes. If I did it again today, it would take 4, maybe 5 minutes. Indeed, I was surprised how easy it was.

I must truly give Greenworks acalaides for this mower. Other than the blade, it has performed as well as day 1 for me. Even the blade, which has had a lot of abuse was not bad for a 4 year old blade. It still cut, just a little unevenly.

Now that I know how, I will replace the blade every year and I suggest others do the same. If nothing else, it is likely better to cut the grass rather than tear it.

As my aside, I do find it odd that many mower repair shops are too busy to repair mowers, especially in the spring. I guess in a strange way it does make sense. It is why we should get our mowers fixed in the autumn.

It’s a Walk in the Park

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Well, sort of. Sometimes I walk, sometimes I drive especially in the fall. Actually, that’s a two for. Any time I’m driving, then I am also listening to my radio or my music.

I might be listening to talk radio. Sometimes, in vein, I talk back. I might be listening to my 50s and 60s music. If alone I sing along. If my wife is with me, I don’t put her through the torture.

I really miss taking the dogs with me. I really enjoyed watching them enjoy it. No more. The dogs are gone and, given my age, I don’t want to orphan new ones.

Sometimes, in the spring, I will stop and watch a Little League game. I find them more entertaining than the major league games. It reminds me of the days my son played. In HS, he played pitcher and 3rd.

Now let me see. Is that 3 or 4. Let’s just say 2. Don’t want to be accused of cheating.

I like to draw and paint: pencil, pastels and water color. Used to like photography. It’s all so different now. Every now and then I still snap a picture, maybe while walking through the park. Sometimes, I will paint something I took a photo of. Those sunsets always look better painted. Besides, I always leave out the ugly power lines.

As an aside, you ever notice they always put those things in the middle of the most picturesque sites. I often wonder if I took an ocean cruise, they would have them in the middle of a beautiful pic out there. How do they do that?

Used to enjoy writing programs for my computer. I can code in Algol, Pascal, BASIC and to a lesser degree, C. I actually wrote a few useful programs as I have posted a year or two ago. The problem is that MS took my tools from me. I have several compilers and none are any good on the later versions of Windows.

I am sure I could get more compilers but it’s just almost completely different. Really let the air out of my balloon.

I still write books, but my mind is slowing down. Envariably, I find myself rewriting and I am having more difficulty with keeping things flowing right. Mostly, I occasionally get my old books out and try to improve them.

Then of course, in the meantime, I do battle with 5 ft. weeds. It’s not that I like to. If I don’t, they will simply take overtake everything.

It does make me think ahead. Don’t think there will be any weeds in heaven. That, in itself will will go a long way to make it heavenly. I think I will like that. Think of it. Flowers and no weeds. Come to think of it, I strongly expect there’ll likely be no power lines either.

I suspect I have not yet finished but my eyelids are getting heavy. I need a nap.

Bloganuary writing prompt
List five things you do for fun.
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