Roundup anyone?

So after the operation weed whacker story yesterday, the news did a few minutes examining the changing opinions on marijuana.  It was actually very interesting.  The reports went out asking normal folks walking along about their thoughts on legalization.  They talked to all types of people random age, sex and color yet the answer was over whelmingly the same.  People did not seem to care what others did as long as it was done responsibly.

From there they talked to both the police commissioner and DA of Phila who of course were not pro legalization but both agreed it was time to change laws.  In PA no matter what the quantity you are caught with, you are arrested, charged and taken in to the station.  Why would two men charged with upholding the law and order say they feel that it may be time to at least change some laws?  Well, to start, $320 million  spent in Pennsylvania alone on what they described as small quantity possession charges.  Thousands of arrests, time in court, police that could be out on the streets addressing the violence issues running rampant in the city.

I am not arguing one way or the other on the topic.  I had never really put much thought into it to be honest but those numbers do draw my attention. If nothing else it is a very interesting debate.

 

I’ll have a weed whacker with a shot of swill please

I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade… And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.-Ron White

whiskey_22This seemed fitting after watching the local news today. Two stories that well really put a damper on the party I guess but I just  love the names that are given to big police raids.  You always hear them from the military but when the state governments give it a run they really get fun!

First was “Operation Swill”  the claim is that 29 eating/drinking establishments were allegedly substituting premium alcoholic beverage brands with non-premium brands.  So, top shelf prices for, in some cases, food colored rubbing alcohol.  I mean really?  This is as low as it gets.  Some of the names on this list are actually really decent places.  Sad. The name really makes the story though!

Today we heard about another raid, “Operation Weed Whacker”  You can already tell where we are heading here right?  A massive ring busted today seizing 400 pounds of the mighty green believed to have come straight out of the medical marijuana fields of CA.  They estimated this ring was worth over 14 million bucks.  Imagine if that was taxed revenue?

 

Ladybugs and tiny tomatoes

After planting the garden two weeks ago, the girls decided we should try something a little different.  They asked if we could add ladybugs to the garden.  How did they get such an idea I have no idea but I found the request to be both interesting and possibly fun.  In life I have found there are many things asked of us that are not possible so when I come across those that are I do my best to oblige.

I did think this request would be easier to fill than it turned out to be.  Madison and I jumped into the car last week and headed to a local garden center.  We looked around a little and then asked a woman at the desk.  She looked at me as if I were a bit crazy and said no they did not carry them.  Back to the car and a little bit of a longer ride to the next center.  Right to the desk this time but same result, no ladybugs.  This center did carry them “maybe 2-3 years ago” but no longer.  Interesting, with the rise of environmental awareness that no one in my local area would carry a natural garden insect control.

So to the internet and within seconds many options appeared.  We placed our order with the promise of live ladybugs arriving through the mail.  Madison found this to be rather taxing to think about.  The questions flew, How would they ship them?  How do they get the bugs into the box? Would they still be alive? Are ladybugs really all ladies?  Hmmm on that one :-).Image

Saturday the package arrived in the mailbox.  1500 little red bugs ready to be set free.  We  followed the directions and set the out into the garden.  There were many who did not make it through the trip but even more did.  They scurried everywhere as did we.  With all of the movement in the garden we thought it best to just get out-of-the-way so they new residents could settle in.  While releasing them we did notice the beginnings of cherry tomatoes on two separate plants.  We may be eating from our garden before July!

Image 1I checked the garden today and indeed many of the friendly little bugs are still around.  It is yet to be seen if they will have an affect but we will was with great interest and enjoyment!