Day 3445

I voted today in a local run-off election. The candidates in the run-off weren't the ones I voted for in the general election, but I cast my vote anyway. After years of not voting at all, I've finally become a responsible citizen. My candidates seldom win. Voting these days is mostly about picking the lesser of two evils. Whoever wins, I hope our new mayor is better than the old mayor. I've been saying this for a long time. They all sound pretty good in the campaign brochures, but after several years on the job even people I've voted for usually seem worthless.

I tried somebody else's French Toast this morning. What was I thinking? It wasn't nearly as good as the French Toast I get at my favorite hotel. I don't know why I feel compelled to experiment. I should enjoy the things I like while I can. Sooner or later every restaurant will go either out of business or the chef will move on to greener pastures. I've seen menus go downhill almost overnight. The absolute limit for consistency appears to be around two years. I don't know how much time I've got left, but for now I already know where to find perfect French Toast. I've got Shrimp and Grits covered too. All I need now are some fabulous Eggs Benedict.  I'm never going to find the kind of Migas I like. That ship has already sailed.

I had to wait a while to walk today. It rained off and on all morning. It was too complicated to walk between covered gazebos this time. I just stayed home and balanced my checkbook until the rain was over. Our wet Spring has been good for wildflowers. I'm starting to see late blooming flowers like Purple Horsemint now. This unusual plant has several names as well. Some people call it Beebalm. I'm lucky to remember either of these names.

I do remember that some of the open meadows in the park used to be a sea of reds and yellows at this time of year. Now the fields are mostly white. Invasive species like Queen Anne's Lace have crowded all the other flowers out. The city doesn't mow these native prairie areas anymore. This was supposed to keep the meadows as pristine and beautiful as they were 100 years ago. Somehow I don't think these fields were filled with Johnson Grass and invasive weeds back then. Plenty of beauty remains. You just have to look a little harder. I guess you could say the same thing for life in general.

After I cast my vote for mayor today, I went across the street and bought a new leaf rake at Home Depot. I guess this means that Janet and I are going to clean up the yard ourselves this year. I keep hoping that the leaves will just blow away on their own but they stubbornly persist. We'll see how long it takes before the rake actually gets used.

Amy is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day