De Bate?

Tuesday was cool, but sunny. Actually a perfect Fall day.

I have heard of two confirmed cases of flu here at Spacely Sprockets (not in my building, thank God!) so I went to Kroger's at lunch. I know what you're thinking: Kroger's? Well, yes, because this Kroger's has a drug store in it and they are giving flu shots for $24.99. So, I got my flu shot for this year.

After work, I did the usual, except for changing clothes. It's getting a little too cool to work outside in shorts. So, I went out and watered the neglected container gardens. The sweet potato vines in the tree box were the most stressed. But, everybody got a nice drink of water. I still can't believe I have four pansies still alive and growing in the mailbox planter! Last year all my pansies died off in early July!

I then turned my attention to the rear of the house. I went out and picked a bunch of stuff from my raised bed garden: an eggplant, four Jalapenos (one already starting to turn red), two small green peppers and twelve ripe tomatoes. None of my "fall garden" plantings made it. I think the late summer heat killed both the peas and spinach. I am still waiting for the leeks to look like leeks (instead of green onions) and, other than a bunch of green tomatoes, I think that's it for the year.

We do have a warm-up coming this weekend, so I will wait and see how many tomatoes ripen. Otherwise, when the next threat of frost comes, I will pick them, wrap them in newspaper and see if they ripen inside.

Back inside, I snacked on one of the green peppers and some tomatoes (that's why the picture I posted during "insomnia time" doesn't reflect the numbers listed above) and then warmed up two hamburger patties. Now, as you well know, I normally eat them with just yellow mustard and a bun but, inspired by all the veggies, I added cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and dill pickles to them. Messy to eat, but damn good!

I watched a couple of shows, waiting for the Presidential debate. Here's my take on that: McCain took the initiative early on with his rescue plan for home owners. Obama had nothing to counter with. But, as the "mock" town hall meeting wore on, Obama looked more and more suave and collected and McCain looked older, tired and, well, grumpy. And, (I hate to admit this) while Obama laid out more concrete plans, both of the candidates kept using the Palin trick of ignoring the questions and reciting a campaign speech. I don't like that! Tell me what you are gonna do, dammit!

So my analysis would be, if McCain wins, it will be in spite of these debates, definitely not because of them.

I went to bed after the debate, but woke up at 1:30 AM and couldn't fall back asleep until after 3:00.