Paul's Garden 2008

Once again, our garden has been a big hit this year! Paul always plants everything from seed and all of our friends and neighbors are amazed. This year's planting date was May 3rd. We were really lucky that we did not have one of those late May frosts that we often get in Northern Illinois. As you can see it all turned out really well.



This is a picture of the Zucchini that is taking over the bottom half of the garden. As you can see from the next picture, it is about to overwhelm the brussel sprouts.



Here is a good shot of the whole garden and one of Paul in front of the garden. So far this year we have already harvested radishes, the leaf lettuce and some of the zucchini and onions. In addition to these, we have planted baby carrots, iceberg lettuce, and lots of tomatoes (more about the tomatoes in a moment).




Now for the story of the tomatoes. Last year we planted way too many tomatoes. So this year we decided to do just one row. Perhaps 4-5 plants. Next to the tomatoes we planted peppers. All was going well until one day Cindy took a close look at the peppers and announced, "These sure look like tomatoes to me!" Sure enough, they were, so now we had two rows of tomatoes. Then a few days after that we were examining a mystery plant that had sprouted up amongst the carrots. You guessed it another tomato plant. Later we discover another tomato plant amongst the onions. So, now we have 11 tomato plants again this year. Here is a close up of the one growing with the carrots.



Finally, there is this mystery plant growing with the onions. Anybody have any guesses as to what it is? We don't have a clue.



Ain't gardenin'fun?

A Trip to Nauvoo

A week ago Cindy and I took another trip down to Macomb to visit Warren and Marianne in their new digs. After all, we had to pick up the cell phone and credit card we left with them when they moved in to their new place. While there we went to Nauvoo and took in a temple session. We also saw the new Nauvoo Pageant. Both were wonderful. Nauvoo is a special place. There is such a tremendous spirit there. And if you have not seen the new pageant it is really worth it. It is so much better than the City of Joseph (affectionately known as Mormon Hee Haw by those in the know) pageant was. Well, here are a few pictures from that trip.

Warren and Marianne's Miracle Move

Last week Cindy, Chase and I helped our son, Warren, and his wife, Marianne, move to Macomb, IL where Warren will be attending Western Illinois University in the fall. What an adventure! If any of you want the full (it is rather long, but worth reading)story on this move just send me a message with your email address and I will forward it to you. It really was rather miraculous.

For this post, however, let me just say that when we arrived at the house they had rented over the internet in Macomb, we discovered that it was right in the middle of the trailer park from hell. And this after they had been assured that it was in good condition and in a safe neighborhood. Here are a few pictures. In the first one notice all of the trash next to the house and the weeds in front of the house. You should also know that the front porch was so slick from mold that it was unsafe.



This next picture shows you the trees that were growing out of the rain gutters. I doubt the gutters had been cleaned in years.



The front door was far from secure and looked like it had been kicked in several times as did the side and back doors.





The kitchen was covered in cheap contact paper and the kitchen and bathroom were filthy. The living room carpet was not secure and had not been cleaned or even vacuumed in a millenium or so. The house reeked of mold.





And these pictures are my favorite. A furnace that had been jerry-rigged to a wall outlet and looked like it would explode if it was turned on.





Well, Warren and Marianne spent a sleepless night there on Friday, and Cindy and I could not sleep either in our motel. I prayed for Warren and Marianne throughout the night and received very specific direction that we were to get them out of this place. I also received instructions on how to get this done. On Saturday, with the help of a good bishop in the Macomb Ward we were able to get Warren and Marianne out, get most of their money back, and find them a great, new place to live. Enjoy the slide show of their new home and remember, Miracles still do happen.

And finally, here is a great shot of the exterior of their new place. They live in the townhome on the end.