PORCH PONDERINGS

!{e:grasshopper} {e:grasshopper}{e:grasshopper}!

I've been invaded, friends. The enemy has arrived. They have taken over part of my space and now I'm sure will be breaking down my doors soon. Unfortunately, it's too late to call the law. Damage has been done. I'm doomed.

Grasshoppers. Hundreds of them have descended upon the garden. We do an organic garden so don't use pesticides. So I discover Neem oil and diatomaceous earth may work. But they munched on my kale, were cavorting in the corn, and prancing among the potato plants. ARGH!!!!!! Little rotten buggers! I am mad about it, my hubby says, what are you to do? You've made a jungle out of the garden space, it's all your fault. So now we have a little feud about that, not the grasshopper issue.

So this morning I'm sitting on the porch fuming about this. But it's a nice day, the sun is shining, the sky is blue with a few clouds. What is normally a quiet place to sit is now noisy. The main street through town, a block over, is being torn up for water pipe replacement. And what a mess this is. All the water pipes in town are original, from the 1910 era. Our water is horrid, corrodes pipes, appliances. You can't drink it. We drink reverse osmosis water and have an elaborate filter on the house water besides. ANYWAYS, my quiet interlude is not so quiet this morning.

I did see my neighbor out. I hadn't seen her outside for weeks. I do see her dog out, so I know she's around. She has neck problems after a car wreck some time ago, so she has pain issues. It was good to see Janet outside.

An interesting fellow just rode by on his bike. His name is Tim. He lives several blocks over. He never made it past the 3rd grade in school. He lives alone and does interesting folk art. He is always unkempt, untidy, disheveled. Those adjectives don't really describe him. He is one of those people that once he starts talking, you can't get away from them. He also carries a purse and wears a bra. I try not to judge. But I guess by writing those lines I just did. Every town needs a character and I guess he is Roundup's.

I should go check the garden. But I am mad. I don't want to lose all the potatoes. We ate potatoes for months last year from what grew last summer.
Perhaps I should catch all the grasshoppers and serve them for lunch. Chocolate covered.