My dad and I got the garden planted today. It has been over 30 years since I planted a vegetable garden and my dad probably hasn't had one in 15 or so. At age 93 he was out there in the yard this afternoon for almost 2 hours digging and turning over the soil and making the rows to plant our crops.

We planted onions (red & yellow); beans (yellow and green); snow peas; carrots, beets and kohlrobi in two 4 x 8 raised beds. He also prepared a small plot where Coco's doghouse (I sold it - she never went in her fancy log house) used to be - we'll plant cucumbers there. I also have some tomato plants to put out - one in one of the upside down planters!

It is a good year to have a garden. The drought in sunny California is going to mean shortages and high prices. Then there's the economy in general. The brilliant plan for automakers - let's put 200,000 plus people out of work. That should really help. I know I'm cynical but I'm sad to see the auto business country going to hell in a handbasket. I grew up riding in American cars, have always owned them and it's sad to see all these dealerships losing their brands. My husband has worked at a Chevrolet dealership for almost 30 years. We hope for the best.