Good Monday morning to you all. We have clouds and fog this morning with the chance of heavy rain shortly. That line of thunderstorms may be moving in because it is getting very dark outside now. We may or may not get out grocery and other errands done today. We will see if there is a good break between the raindrops.

I didn't have much to say yesterday, as you could tell. Much of what is going on seems to be in the 'same old, same old' category. Nothing much changes.

According to the local (i.e., Chicago) news this morning gardening has retained the increased popularity that began with the recession two and a half years ago. A couple of the anchors mentioned that they either are starting gardens or have been gardening for a while. The pictures showed either a large container or a raised bed. They mentioned the increase in food prices as a major contributing factor for the prolonged popularity. I would also have thought that many people, having tasted fresh grown food, are also doing so because what they grow simply tastes better.

On the gardening front here--I noticed some blossoms beginning to show on my ground cherry. The tomatoes continue to bloom well. The melons, squash, beans, and cucumbers are all rapidly growing up the trellises. I have a couple of pepper and tomato fruits growing. If you look at the spearmint and ginger mint you would never suspect that I just cut a nice lot for drying last week.