Who knew gardening had such a learning curve?

Granted, it's only my second year trying my hand at gardening (more specifically, veggie gardening) & it's going swimmingly well for beginner status, but I learn something new every day.

Mother Nature has been on a roll... Blackbirds are eating our sunflower seeds, slugs are enjoying my tomatoes (ick), & grasshoppers have been living very well off our garden. We've never used chemicals on our gardens, but next year I'm going to look very seriously into organic insecticides/pesticides.

P.S. I read beer was a great way to get rid of slugs - put a few saucers of beer in the garden & the slugs, attracted to the yeast, will fall into the beer & drown a happy death. Well, apparently Busch Light is not their choice of drink. I went out the next morning hoping to find slugs in the beer & off my 'maters, only to find them happily munching on the 'maters. Damnit.

I dream of owning several acres tucked away in the mountains in which I can have large garden plots some day - in the meantime, I'm working on my gardening education...
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And not too far off topic, as weather has played a large part in our crazy gardening season (& my desire to wax philosophical for a bit)... What are your thoughts on the idea our weather patterns have moved months ahead of their previous patterns?
For example, winter typically falls in the December/January/February range. However, last year, we really didn't experience winter until February/March/April (which are usually spring weather months). Summer typically falls June/July/August, but this year, we had a very cool, wet June/July/August. Now, in September, we're experiencing typical summer weather in a typically fall weather month. As though Winter, Spring, & Summer moved ahead by several months. So will we have our Summer now in September/October/November (which used to be fall weather months) & our Fall in December/January/February?

Something to think about...

Steve's new toy

Steve has been on the hunt for a new vehicle & found this 2007 Dodge Dakota (only 40,000ish miles) in great condition & for a great deal. He was past due for a new vehicle, as the Blazer is ready to be retired to an "around town" set of wheels. Luckily, the Blazer is paid off so we can take our time selling it.

If you look closer in the first picture, you will see a pack of wild beasts in the bed of the truck. We were in the yard & upon hearing a commotion, we turned to see these three ferocious animals had made their way into the open gate. Looking at their faces, you can see the crazy look in their eyes - we were quite frightened & decided to leave all well alone. After 20-30 minutes, we realized these bloodthirsty criminals were not going to leave the comfort of their new residence. We decided to take them for a ride & all calmed down once we went through the Dairy Queen drive-thru & they received a treat from the DQ employee.

Workouts

Sat
4 mi run w/Steve

Sun
11.3 mi run w/Steve

Mon
Cycling class

Tues
Strictly Strength class

5X 100 ft walking lunges, 15 20# dumbbell swings, 15 s/ups, 15 back ext

Wed
3 mi run w/Steve

2 cycling classes

Workouts

Sun
2.1 mi run w/Gidget & Brewer
1.5 mi run w/Guinness

Mon
Rest

Tues
0.5 mi wu
4 X 800M
0.5 mi cd

Wed
3X 100 ft walking lunges w/20#
30 stair jumps
Cycling class

Thurs
0.5 mi wu
9 X 1 min on, 1 min off
0.4 mi cd

Fri
3X Row 500M
50 squats w/20#
Row 1400M cd
Cycling class

More pictures of our dogs than of us

Foot rest!

And now you know why we call him a goober...

Workouts

Mon
5.8 mi run

Tues
1 mi run
100 knee pushups
100 jumping pullups
200 squats
1 mi run

Wed
0.75 mi wu
4 X 800M
1.75 cd

Thurs
1000M row
21 35# thrusters & back extensions
500M row
15 35# thrusters & back extensions
250M row
9 35# thrusters & back extensions

2 mi run

Fri
Rest

Sat
1 mi run w/Gidget & Brewer
1 mi run w/Guinness
9.1 mi run w/Jessica & Georgia