Hello Raleigh!

This Monday, I purchased a bicycle. I've been in need of/wanting one for a good 3 years, and I finally found one that fit me, worked, and could be afforded. Woohoo!

I need more movement in my life, and I needed a better way to commute the one-and-a-half-ish miles to work than walking (takes way too long) or driving (costs too much/can't park anywhere close to my work buildings).

More seriously, I've been looking for a visible way to be a better Coloradoan. There are so many strikes against me. I do not own any of the following.

-a Subaru (or an SUV more generally)
-a dog
-skis or a snowboard
-a kayak
-Keens/Toms/Chacos
-hiking boots
-specially formulated high-performance wool socks
-specialized, name-brand outdoor activity clothing in tan, gray, black, or dark colors purchased at REI, Jax, or other sporting goods stores, in general
-a Camelbak backpack
-backwoods camping gear
-a home brewing setup
-a McMansion precariously perched on the side of a mountain or plunked down in a housing development surrounded by corn and wheat fields that, until five years ago, was a field
-a ranch or farm

To be a good Coloradoan you should have at least 7 of these things.

The list of possessions in my favor is much shorter.

a ski coat with removable fleece jacket
a garden (rather than a CSA membership)
a guitar

Before I purchased my bicycle, the first list had yet another item in it, and I was truly a Midwesterner posing as a Coloradoan. Well, this bike upped my Coloradoan cred significantly - at least with the hipsters and Tour de Fat crowd. It is a lovely vintage step through Raleigh Sprite cruiser. I think it's older than me - probably a decade older. The only strikes against my cred this bike brings are that it has a new seat and was in excellent working order when I got it, so I don't get fixer-upper points. Bummer.

Maybe someday I'll get this state's uniform and portfolio of possessions pieced together. Maybe someday the cool kids will let me play with them at recess.

:)

Did you know my bicycle was born in England?

P.S. The preceding list was, of course, written somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Still, for those of you who think I made it all up, the uniform/portfolio is real. Come observe. You will find that I am making a credible report of the situation on the ground.

What a difference a day makes

Well, actually, seven days. Of rain.

Remember this?

Now it looks like this.

My babies have all grown up - into gigantic, Medusa-like monster plants! The tomatoes are completely uncontained and unsupported by their ridiculously inadequate cages. This is mostly thrilling, but I do hope that they don't break/split/die because their unsupported branches become too heavy with fruits. That would be sad.

Side note: I realize my blogging has been, well, um, pathetically sparse and completely centered around my garden. I've got nothing else to discuss in my pretty little head, so I guess you'll have to stop reading if you hate  my garden or my one-track mind.

Last week's rain - almost every day! - also encouraged the cucumbers and zucchini to begin producing.

I am predicting that in 2 weeks I will be begging you all to come take some produce off of my hands. There will be much more than a handful of beans and a tomato to harvest every day.

If you're in the area, stop by!