The Diller Family Garden

Back in the fall, Hannah and I rounded up the kids and planted a vegetable garden. This time I was determined to keep squirrels, chickens, coons, kids with shovels, etc. at bay and MAKE IT HAPPEN. Thrice weekly doses of water from the rain barrels, diligent weeding, and a careful eye have resulted in a full and productive garden. From left to right in the photo are mixed lettuces, beets, three rows of broccoli, and two more rows of beets.

What's most exciting is that finally the broccoli plants have all flowered, and we are not far from having garden broccoli on the table. The plant on the right in the photo below is about half the size of a head of broccoli you might find in the store, and it is growing daily.

Off to the right of the top photo is a raised bed were there is Swiss Chard and more lettuce. 

There's really nothing quite so gratifying as putting effort into a garden and then eating from it at the table. I've had a lot of fun watering and weeding it with the kids, and of course their favorite time is planting time, when they like to go crazy with the seeds. I usually give them a row to do on their own. In this garden, it was the lettuce row, and although it is massively overcrowded in spite of much thinning, they have ownership and at least one is slowly but surely getting a green thumb

Biking Date!

My parents kept the kids overnight last night, so Hannah and I got to stay up late watching movies, sleep in this morning, and then go for a bike ride together! Look at us!

Inauguration

I have to offer my own little contributions to the flood of inauguration posting...

First of all, there is a very cool photo at CNN (click here) of the national mall during the inauguration event. It's interesting to see how the lines of sight to the Jumbotrons shape the crowds. Here's what it looks like without the crowds.

Next, I'd like to point out an opinion piece in the New York Times (click here, it's a free sign-up to view) which says a lot about the character of President Bush. The short story is that Mr. Bush's transition of power has shown a level of grace and dignity that has been unprecedented in recent history. He has been cooperative, gracious, and accommodating, in rather stark contrast to other recent transitions. He has done some work with the Congress to set the stage for Mr. Obama, and has kept his last-minute executive orders few and very open. (Contrast that with Clinton.) Transitions have been notoriously tricky for those involved: even the transition from Reagan to Bush Sr. was uncomfortable and awkward. Although he is unpopular and incompetent in the eyes of many, you cannot doubt his character and integrity. He has shown a lot of class during the last two months. Read the article for details.

Finally, and I'm saying this without any hyperventilating, it was really cool to be in the lobby of the Mechanical Engineering building with at least 100 other students, staff, and faculty during the ceremony. I noticed several heads bow during Rick Warren's prayer. We all shared a good laugh during the swearing in, and I never saw a room clear so fast as when the national poet stepped on the stage...