Why I Oughta...

Although it is a bit late in the season, we're finally getting our yard in shape for the year.  All my focus has been on the garden while Nat has had her hands full with our two girls.  The beds will be getting mulch in short order and we'll have two expanded beds in the back to fill out with some new plants and shrubs.

Today we celebrated my dear wife on the occasion of her birthday.  We also got together on Thursday (her actual Birthday) to celebrate along with my Mother who shares the same day, but these celebrations at the Moran Household are always very special.  I certainly don't say it enough, but my God, this is one special woman.  She's an amazing wife, a heroic Momma, and a spectacular Best Friend.  Love her more every single day.

This curvy cuke is the first one off the vine this year.  It was in an odd spot hanging off the net trellis and wedged in against the raised bed barrier.  There plants are loaded with little tiny cukes and they mostly look straight as an arrow.

We're sitting on my niece & nephew's goldfish they've named "Goldie" for a few days.  He's sitting on our counter in his (apparently from this photo) not terribly clean bowl. The Babe has been feeding Goldie every morning and has taken to talking to him.  From a parent's perspective, me thinks this might be enough to tell me that taking on a huge fish tank is just not the right move for us right now.  Who knows...maybe I'll get impulsive, but for now I'm going to stay out of the Petco's around town.

Like everybody else in Elmhurst, we've opted into the switch from ComEd to a different electric supplier through the City of Elmhurst.  They've promised some savings, which would be very nice, but I have a feeling that cities and towns that *don't* switch away from ComEd might get their power back on faster than those of us who've spurned them for cheaper rates on power.  I'll be watching my bill for the savings and bracing for the next outage!

Just two and a half weeks ago, I stuck a variety of pumpkin/gourd seeds into the ground in the far reaches of our yard.  After some TLC (once we got back from vacation), we finally have some nice seedlings that have popped up.  I *believe* these are the Boston Marrows, but all three varieties have sprung up seedlings.  Mid-October is going to come fast and we're not getting any luck with rain, so I'm going to have to babysit these with the hose every few days.

Al's Hobby Shop, a mainstay in Downtown Elmhurst is shrinking a bit.  The store's awnings currently cover three store fronts.  121, 123 and 125 Addison Street.  They kept their model trains in the 125 store - separate from other things - but that space is now vacant.  When I walked by this morning, I couldn't tell if the trains had moved into the other stores, but I've been in there before and they were packed then, so it will be tight if they consolidate.  I have to believe that the Lionel and MTH stuff sells.  Maybe just at Christmastime, but there aren't many places where you can find it, so I'm assuming that Al's cleans up from those involved in the hobby.