#homegrown tomatoes are my favorite

[lexsssu]

Again (Uchiha Sasuke)

TAGS: Sasuke/F!reader, yandere, obsession, dirty thoughts, breeding kink, oneshot Ao3 ver.

“Kaa-chan told me to remind you to eat and to give you this! She said it’s your favorite.”

Gingerly taking the bento being offered to him, something flickered within Sasuke’s lone visible eye which disappeared almost as soon as it appeared. Even without opening it, he was already sure of its contents. 

You were the one who made it after all.

“Please give her my thanks when you get home. I’ll drop this off myself once I’ve cleaned it,” the Uchiha makes sure to use his left hand as he receives the lunch box, a small shiver running down his spine as a brief image of you happily preparing this meal for him appears in his mind’s eye.

“Will do, Oji-san! And thank you again for today’s training session. Please come visit us at home whenever you can. Kaa-san always looks forward to your visits. She always says you don’t visit enough,” Shinachiku’s soft laughter reminds Sasuke of how much he takes after you than Naruto.

From the shade of green in his eyes, to the way his smiles aren’t as blinding as Naruto’s and yet exudes the same strength and softness yours does. Shinachiku Uzumaki is his father’s son, but no one can ever deny that he is also his mother’s child.

He could’ve been your child.

All of them could have been yours.

If only you hadn’t been so weak.

If you simply had the power…then perhaps she’d have been yours.

Not Naruto’s…YOURS!!!

When both he and the young genin separate for the night, him to his lively home filled with the happiness and laughter of family, Sasuke on the other hand retreats to the lonely Uchiha compound. He is all too used to the dreary atmosphere of the place he once called home, his steps never faltering as he entered the main house’s kitchen and sat himself at the dining table.

Inside the 3-layer bento were several onigiri with various fillings, namely umeboshi, salmon, and bonito flakes. A tomato salad that definitely was one of your own homegrown ones (because he has never seen, smelled, and tasted any tomatoes more delicious than yours). The tomato soup was still warm and felt even warmer as he ate it as slowly as he could, savoring the myriad of flavors contained in such a seemingly simple dish. 

Though he wasn’t fond of sweets, the avenger couldn’t ignore the slice of strawberry shortcake you packed for him. The first bite of cake reminded him of the sweetness of the youth he spent with you despite his hyperfixation on killing his own brother at the time.

If he’d known the truth that early on then perhaps he wouldn’t have wasted all his time chasing after Itachi.

Naruto wouldn’t have had the chance to take you for himself if Sasuke understood that you were worth much more than his misguided revenge. 

Even though Naruto left for training with Jiraiya, the blonde was more than happy to regale him with tales of how the two of you would do your best to send each other letters despite how they constantly went from place to place. Somehow, you always found yourself to him, and he to you.

It made Sasuke sick.

Don’t even get him started on all the flies that buzzed around you while he and Naruto were gone.

Despite most of the original rookies having settled down, the Uchiha was very much aware of how these same men gravitate towards you before Naruto went and made his formal claim. 

That know-it-all Nara, the arrogant Hyuga, even Gaara of the Sand were almost always seen around you.

Hell, even that damned swordsman from Kiri who’s now currently its Mizukage was too close to you. Don’t even get him started on Haku who’d more or less become your guard dog ever since you saved both him and Zabuza all those years ago during that mission in Wave. 

As much as he despised their attentions on you, he knew deep inside of him that all of them saw the very same thing in you that drew them all in like moths to a flame. 

And he HATED it.

Hated that they all coveted you when none of them deserved to have you.

Sasuke’s last thought as he closed his eyes was that of you.

Always YOU.

The Sakura blooms you gifted him smelled so nice…It was a good thing he placed them on his bedside table, because he could close his eyes and pretend that it is the scent of your hair. 

He could pretend that it is his hands that run across the soft pink strands as you sleep.

He could pretend that he is the one who feasts upon your delicious cunt each night. His cock forcing your soft and pliant walls open again and again as your nails drag across his back, leaving angry red lines that serve as proof of how much he pleasured you. That it is his potent seed that fills your womb to the brim, globs of semen dripping from your pussy as he makes sure to pour loads and loads of his love within you.

Wouldn’t that be perfect?

Not only will he revive the Uchiha clan, but knowing that you carried his seed and nurtured them within you…he could burst from happiness just from the mere thought of it.

Sasuke falls into a deep sleep, soothed by the images of a reality that could have been.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Even though Sensei told us not to have breakfast, I still think the last thing we should do is train on an empty stomach. So I made us all some breakfast and even lunch!” 

Sasuke is once again presented with a bento filled with onigiri, but this time the hands holding onto the container were more slender as slim digits softly yet firmly gripped the lunch box. 

“I’m not sure which filling you prefer, but I have different fillings with me so you can choose which one you like best,” ever the thoughtful person you were, you selflessly offered the last Uchiha the food despite how antisocial he’d been towards you despite the time you’d spend together as classmates at the academy.

In his first life, Sasuke simply scoffed at your attempts of kindness towards him. Batting you off at every opportunity as he believed himself above such camaraderie when his only goal in life was to enact his revenge.

Not anymore.

Without saying anything, the raven-haired preteen grabbed the Okaka rice ball just before Naruto could take it.

“Hey, what’s the big idea, teme?! I was gonna get that one!”

“...Tch. Then you should’ve been quicker, dobe.”

“Why you little…!”

The sound of your tinkling laughter and Naruto’s disgruntled mumbling was music to his Sasuke’s ears.

He may have managed to get you the first time around, but not this time.

Uchiha Sasuke didn’t know who or what had flung him back into the past, but Indra knows he won’t ever make the same mistakes he did before.

#lexsssu writes #naruto #uchiha sasuke #sasuke uchiha #sasuke uchiha x reader #uchiha sasuke x reader #sasuke x reader #sasuke x you #sasuke x y/n #crossposted on ao3 #yandere x reader

[hampink]

so kaku twitter space Q&A highlights (5/14/2023)

was casually listening to so kaku’s (kaguragi) twitter space while i was drawing, so here's some fun kingohger related + personal questions he answered that i noted down and translated!

(unfortunately i didn't record the stream though so you’ll just have to believe me)

 (source: bro just trust me)

Q: who’s your favorite king in kingohger?

probably yanma. he’s very cool and manly, and i like how high energy he gets

Q: do you guys come up with the kingohger tiktoks yourselves?

we have a social media manager who suggests which audio to do, and we (the actors) decide how we'll act it out together

Q: anyone from the cast you talk to/hang out with the most?

all of them, but maybe because we’re shooting a lot of scenes with jeremy right now recently i talk to masashi ikeda a lot

Q: does kaguragi know what kuroda looks like?

oh but of course he does~!

Q: what's your favorite sentai?

dairanger! it's such a cool show

Q: a question from my 5 yr old son: does kaguragi like flowers? he says he wants to go flower picking with kaguragi

ahh, flower picking, how nice! yes, kaguragi likes flowers!

Q: does kaguragi have a favorite place?

he does, but i can't say what it is yet. there’s a really good scene (about it) so look forward to that

Q: how much of kaguragi’s hair is a wig? also how long does the hair and makeup take?

the entire thing is a wig. it used to take a lot longer to get into hair and makeup, but the makeup artists have gotten used to it/have gotten better at it so the process is a lot faster now, which i’m really grateful for

Q: i heard shiokara's actor does a lot of adlibs. do you do that a lot as kaguragi too?

“sukonbu piiman” (”sour konbu peppers”, kaguragi mishearing “sukopi”) was an adlib

Q: are kaguragi's geta (wooden sandals) hard to walk in?

it was at first, but i've gotten used to it now

Q: what’s your favorite anime?

code geass, gurren lagann, higurashi no naku koro ni. i like intense anime

Q: favorite musician?

BUMP OF CHICKEN

Q: favorite flower?

pansies

Q: favorite food?

curry, sushi, and yakiniku

Q: i love how hachi ohger incorporates kabuki movements in his fighting style. what's your relationship with kabuki?

i really like kabuki. it wasn’t a traditional kabuki production but when i was younger i saw a performance of “super kabuki” and thought it was really cool. as for kaguragi/hachi ohger, the suit actors and i would watch videos of kabuki actors and try to mimic their movements.

Q: we want to see the fruits of your (muscle) training!! please let kaguragi wear a tank top!!

hopefully we get to do a scene like that hahaha

Q: do you look up your name online?

i do... so please don’t say mean things about me ;w;

Q: what's kaguragi's favorite vegetable? my nephew who’s growing vegetables at home would like to know!

wow! kaguragi would love anything homegrown. but maybe in particular he likes tomatoes, or eggplants

Q: what’s your favorite thing about kaguragi’s outfit?

the haori (coat), definitely. it’s when i put it on that i really feel like i’ve transformed into kaguragi. but the outfit weighs 5 kilos... so heavy...

Q: tell us about the "H" incident

the what....? *suddenly remembers* OHHHH HAHAHA

so during the roll call scene in episode 10 where aoto (yanma) said "eichi no ou, yanma gasuto! (king of wisdom, yanma gast!)" i thought he said "eichi" as in the latin letter “H” (in japanese, H = hentai/ecchi, in other words he thought yanma said he was “the king of perverts/sex” LOL)

Q: what's kaguragi's color? (asking for light stick reasons since there’s no black color setting on a light stick)

it's orange, i'm pretty sure!

END

i joined in kinda late so there’s probably some questions i missed (and sorry if i remembered some details wrong, i was multitasking and not fully focused, but i did take simple notes) he also talked abt things like how he plays valorant and how great his muscle training is going etc (he lamented that kaguragi wears so much clothing and he doesn’t get to show off his muscles lol). i think i remember he also teased something about kaguragi and rita as a duo and something ~maybe~ happening with them in the plot

it was his first time hosting a twitter space and he gave off very boomer energy because he had No idea what he was doing. people kept trying to help him understand how to let in other speakers but he gave up lol xD he was kind of nervous but it was still a lot of fun! himeno and shiokara’s actors were there too, and he might do a twt space with the both of them next time ^^

#kingohger #king ohger #ohsama sentai kingohger #kaguragi dybowski #translation #so kaku #the flower picking question...my Heart

[maculategiraffe]

still not over the mcu moon knight show. there was SO MUCH interesting stuff it could have been like four of my favorite stories ever

-the relationship between steven and marc. marc suavely asking steven's crush out on a date to try to get the poor guy some companionship and then fucking it up. steven connecting with marc's wife on a level marc doesn't. FASCINATING DYNAMIC I literally yelled when they hugged for the first time in the afterlife that's some good shit!!!

-arthur harrow's Entire Deal. he used to be an avatar of khonshu until they broke up because khonshu is the fucking worst. now he's an avatar of ammit and runs a beautiful post scarcity commune of homegrown tomatoes and learning all the languages you ever dreamed of. it's great and ammit is great except it's entirely possible she's actually The Worst in more apocalyptic terms and marc who is well aware khonshu is a Horrible Boss has to deal with not only khonshu but khonshu's insufferable ex smiling serenely at him and asking if he wouldn't rather just. be happy :)

-all! the avatars!!! an entire cave system full of humans pledged to the service of various deities! who all know each other! and when marc stumbles in they're like oh. ...hey sweetie you're uh. khonshu's avatar right? and he didn't... um. explain anything to you. clearly. and you are... are you ok? you can say if you're not ok

-and marc being like "first of all no. I am not. clearly I am not ok. but that is BESIDE the POINT"

it was all so good!!! so much potential!!! oscar isaac!!! why did they fuck it up I'm gonna climb a tree and howl at the moon

#moon knight #moon knight spoilers #i haven't read the comics i have no idea if any of this is introduced or developed in them. maybe i should #psir

[princesssarisa]

the 7-questions-ask: Goofy

Three facts about them from my personal headcanons.

His original name, Dippy Dawg, was a screen name, because people told him the name "Goofy" would get him laughed out of Hollywood. But Mickey convinced him to start using his real name.

His love triangle with Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horsecollar is a lot like the Norman/Hannah/Mike love triangle in Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson mystery novels (a guilty pleasure of mine). Clarabelle can't choose between Goofy and Horace, so she dates them both. Even though they would both like to be her only boyfriend, they accept this arrangement with minimal jealousy, are still friends with each other, and sometimes date other women too (e.g. Sylvia in An Extremely Goofy Movie).

His two favorite foods are pancakes and homegrown tomatoes. Sometimes he combines them by making pancakes with tomato sauce, or BLT sandwiches with pancakes as the bread – both of which are surprisingly good.

A reason they suck:

He's all too accident-prone.

A reason they are great:

He's so cheeful, friendly, sweet, and fun.

A reason I relate to them:

I can be goofy sometimes.

(what I consider to be) the top tier otp/ot3 for that character:

OT3: Goofy, Clarabelle Cow, and Horace Horsecollar.

Five things that never happened to the character that I believe should have happened:

There should have been more cartoons showing Goofy with Max outside of the Goof Troop/Goofy Movie universe (besides Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas and Twice Upon a Christmas), letting Max interact with Mickey, Minnie, et al.

We should have learned what happened to Max's mother.

There should have been a cartoon explaining why anthropomorphic dogs like Goofy and non-anthropomorphic dogs like Pluto exist in the same cartoons.

He should have shared more cartoons with Dolores the Elephant besides The Big Wash.

There should have been a cartoon about the "making of" Mickey's Christmas Carol, showing how he came to be cast against type as Jacob Marley, of all characters.

He should have attended the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with Mickey, Minnie, and Donald. He probably would have looked hideous, as Mickey and Minnie did (only the Donald costume looked good back then), but he deserved to be there.

Five people that character never fell in love with and why.

Minnie Mouse. She's too "perfect" – he needs to be with someone who's a little clumsy and silly like himself.

Daisy Duck. Ditto.

Minnie's dog Fifi. Even though she's the same species as he is, she's non-anthropomorphic, and he doesn't go for that.

Snow White. She's his favorite Disney Princess (because his original voice actor, Pinto Colvig, also voiced Grumpy and Sleepy), but she's human.

Pete's wife Peg from Goof Troop – despite the rumors, it never happened.

#disney #goofy #7 questions #fictional characters

[mountain-in-springtime]

For the asks: What is your favorite John Denver song? Because you give off Rocky Mountain High vibes and I gotta know 🫶

hi kasey my lovely!! so i have sooo many favorite john denver songs!! rocky mountain high is for sure up there bc it was my first album of his that i ever got on vinyl!! i feel like it feels wrong to say anything but annie’s song is my favorite song by him, but some of my others are perhaps love, if ever, homegrown tomatoes, grandma’s feather bed, cool an green an shady, thank god i’m a country boy, sweet melinda, love is everywhere, and molly!!!

#i love john denver so much!! #and i love you!!! #mal n friends #andtherestishistory13

[torchickentacos]

So obviously Advance is your favorite gen in the anime but I’m wondering do you have a personal ranking of the other gens by chance? I’ve been a bit curious as to what you think about the rest of the series.

HELLO ANON this is late, as are all my other responses right now, BUT!!! Here's my ranking, with bias. If I took bias out it would be very different, but this is based on my personal opinions and enjoyment of them rather than me in writer brain analysis mode, though there is overlap. NOTE!!! I ADORE ALL OF THESE, AND ONE BEING AT THE BOTTOM STILL MEANS I LOVE IT WITH MY WHOLE HEART <3333

1.) AG. Frankly, nostalgia is a large part of this because from a neutral standpoint, AG is kinda wack, inconsistent characterization, weird pacing, et cetera, list goes on. But it's so full of LIFE. It's vibrant, it's loud, it's got explosions in most episodes, and it has the Hoenn Coordinators, which for me is a huge point. I think it had really compelling characters in Drew and Harley and May and AG Ash. I wish characterization was more consistent across them, but ultimately it just altched onto my brain and hasn't let go for maybe.... 19 ish years now. Also, AG is just WILD. Divorce episode. Kidnapped by skarmory. In Japanese intro, it makes mystery dungeon red/blue canon. TOSSING PEOPLE OFF OF WATERFALLS. I adore it. It's chock full of batshit insane energy. Choose a random AG episode and you'll be getting whiplash from every scene. it's WILD, and they let Harley say boytoy several times.

2.) Original Series. Similar points as above!!! it's so unapologetically FUN and VIBRANT. It's the most iconic, and has line after line after line I can quote from the heart. Frying pan as a drying pan, my beloved. I think it has arguably the MOST consistent characterizations, and a consistent story and plot rather than feeling all over the place like certain other seasons. It's just FUN.

3.) Diamond and Pearl. I really like DP because it tried something with Ash and Paul that I really liked. Rivals before Ash and Paul were generally friendly, or at least could come together in some situations. May and Drew had their whole thing, Ash and Gary argue but are there for eachother, Ritchie and Morrison existed, I guess, even Harley, who is the most sinister rival up to this point, was only sinister because of his own personality stuff and not any deeper reason. But Paul shook it up. Paul challenged Ash in ways he hasn't been challenged before- it was largely ideological in nature, challenging everything Ash knows and believes in, and i LOVE that. It's a GOOD RIVALRY. I would change many things about paul, he is my IKEA shelf to fix, but I find that one of the most compelling character relationships. AND THIS ISN'T EVEN GETTING INTO HOW MUCH I ADORE DAWN!!!!!!!!!!! Also Brock had the best characterization here, IMO. And, hot take, Conway is SO FUN when he isn't... you know. in creepy conway mode. unfortunately. sigh.

4.) BW. Do I ever watch it? Not particularly. Are Cilan and Iris in it? Yes, therefore, higher spot on the list. Also, good battles, fun gym leaders, fun meowth plot. Nothing super specific to say about it, I just like it!!!

5.) Orange Islands. just good vibes, not much to say. I like it but would consider it my least-watched along with SM, unfortunately. HOWEVER it has Tracey, and for that it goes here because I love Tracey. <3333

6.) XY. I had a DIFFICULT TIME placing XY because it is riddled with issue after issue for me personally. But I think its art style and music and pacing and animation is my favorite of any season. I liken XY to the following: Imagine you have wagyu beef, expensive brioche bread, fresh homegrown tomatoes, and fancy ass cheese. You put them together and somehow end up with a mcdonalds cheeseburger. It has ALL THE PERFECT PIECES and yet when put together it, uh, had issues. But I do really love all the individual pieces and the potential of XY.

7.) Sun moon, but only because I know it less. I do find some of the voice acting rather grating in this season specifically, and from everything my sister has said the entire lusamine arc was, uh ??????????? weird?, and I don't UNDERSTAND some decisions made, but I do know it has a well-deserved cult following who adore it!! I just never quite joined, but I do still love it from a distance.

8.) I am so sorry, but Journeys. I want to love it. I do. I truly do. However, I just... have thoughts. I have not seen as much of journeys, but I do think that it felt incredibly jumbled and all over the place. I love Goh and Chloe, but ultimately in my personal ranking, they don't save Journeys.

#taylor's tag #pokemon #pokeani #anipoke #taylor talks

[mmmichyyy]

michelle!!! i am woefully behind on fic and very regretfully not caught up with your genius words, but watch that bad boy cut to front of the line at talk of baby milkovich’s growing up on tomato soup?!?! 😭😭😭 someone scoop up those kids and love up on them please. 💔

but just imagine the fist time ian makes him homemade tomato soup from his homegrown tomatoes. he probably has no idea of the significance of tomato soup to mickey. and suddenly his husband’s crying at the dinner table and he’s so confused. until mickey managed to choke out the whole story.

ian swears he’ll never make it again. no need to be brining back those memories. but mickey likes it. it’s nostalgic but also different. this life has come full circle moment. he even makes them pack up some leftover to deliver to mandy. it becomes his comfort food whenever he’s feeling sick or down. the soup he thought he’d never want to see again suddenly his favorite thing because his husband makes it with love and the labors of their stable life.

okay sorry to continue the heartache but i had to. 😭

hi tina 💘 thank you for gracing me with your words in my inbox! what an honour! 😩

but excuse me how dare you make me emotional over tomato soup 🥺 who gave you the right 🥺 but yes! i love the idea that things that were associated with mickey & mandy's childhood could now be reclaimed as feelings of love, comfort and stability. a testament of how far they've come and a 'full circle moment' for sure ❤️ they deserve every good thing in the world!!

fyi it's just a brief mention in my childhood friends fic 'growing pains' and also mandy's go-to meal for the both of them when there's nothing else to eat in the house 😔

Mickey’s chest tightens and his immediate reaction is to punch out every guy who has mistreated his kid sister, but mostly he feels conflicted because he knows exactly what she’s talking about.

“I’m not takin’ him from you, okay? You… you can hang with us whenever,” Mickey mumbles.

Mandy nods with a small smile and the two of them continue to slurp the disgusting tomato soup in silence, a mutual connection established between them only siblings will understand.

🍅🍅🍅

#❤️❤️❤️ #new gallavich headcanon?? #now i'm craving some tomato soup 😇✨ #ask

[clatterbane]

Oh yes, reminded with the germination trays, we now finally have some tomato plants!

Since we do have the essentially sunroom glassed-in balcony with a supplemental space heater set up--so less growing season time pressure!--I decided to go head and start some from seed. Even if it is at least a month after I would normally expect to so that to have ready to set outside in this climate and get any kind of harvest with luckl.

Actually ended up ordering a small assortment of seeds fairly cheap from Poland (yay EU Customs union!), including these couple of tomato varieties. Showed some restraint with it, at least. 😁 And also tried to avoid (my favorite) giant indeterminate heirloom varieties this year, at least.

The Malinowy Ożarowski caught my eye elsewhere. It's apparently a pretty popular older variety there, supposed to be both early and tasty. (Interest in another Polish variety that looked intriguing was what got me looking there.) Some type of cherry or baby plum tomatoes seemed like a good plan too, so I opted for Mascot. Which is supposed to give full-flavored fruit on a compact plant good for containers.

(Even seeds saved out of grocery store plastic mystery tomatoes will give you something totally edible homegrown, though. Based on some previous experiments! I'm mainly glad to be able to get any going this year, tbqh.)

Anyway, I started a couple of seeds each of both varieties the night of the 28th-29th, on the kitchen radiator for still a little bottom heat overnight. These don't get too hot, and I've got the flow turned down a little.

Yep, food packaging comes in handy again! 😅

Both of the Malinowy Ożarowski seeds were up the morning before yesterday, so I moved that pot out to its nursery spot on the still fairly empty balcony.

With the glass a little fogged up there from my vape glycerin residue attracting water condensation on the cooler outside glass. (Since cleaned off.) The bottom pane right in front of it is also a little frosted. I want to get some plant shelves set up out there.

Yesterday, the other pot had one baby plant up, so also went to join it out there.

The second seed came up in there today, so we're now at 100% tomato germination! 😎

So, we'll see how those fare out there.

Planning to get some suitable containers and soil for growing them on within the next couple of weeks. Not quite sure yet, but possibly just 30L buckets with lids that can double as saucers underneath. A lot more movable than the sack planters like I was using out on the patio before.

I am irritated to need to start completely over from scratch with growing setups after the move, especially when we're temporarily strapped for cash! 🙄 Going gradual with the acquisition, but hey. Then we should be pretty much set for several more years at least.

(Also really not pleased about needing to abandon those few balcony boxes I set up over last summer at Temporary Apartment. Never planned on that, but we ended up moving out with no car and everybody too probably-COVIDed up at the time to get those taken care of. 😑 Nowhere to hang them up with our current setup, but would have been nice to have anyway. Not a huge loss, at least. )

#long post #seed starting #tomatoes #tomato plants #balcony gardening #gardening

[ledenews]

Susan West: Planting Prosperity Seed By Seed

She remembers when things were shiny. It was a time when pedestrians had to look both ways before crossing most roads in Bellaire because the traffic was dense with East Ohio residents joining West Virginians flowing in off the toll bridge to visit a vibrant downtown district complete with everything needed for everyday life. Susan West recalls the bustle of Imperial Glass before it shutdown in 1984, and she remembers storefront after storefront along Guernsey and Belmont streets, Little Leaguers lined up at Dairy Queen, and watching Lance Mehl, Joey Galloway, Ben Taylor, and Jose Davis in the NFL after they starred in their Saturday home games at Nelson Field. And West watched, too, as the All American Town shrunk from city to village at the turn of the century. Why? Well, along witht he loss of industrial employment along the banks of the Mighty Ohio, the Bellaire Toll Bridge was shuttered by the state of Ohio in 1991, and no one with the Ohio Department of Transportation would entertain talks to renovate and reopen. ODOT also constructed the Ohio Route 7 bypass that streaks right by Bellaire, carrying consumers passed a business community that once counted on those drive-by opportunities. None of the negatives - not the population decline or the crime or the fact the village now has more rental units than single-family residences - deter West from her multi-faceted mission of attracting out-of-towners to the Ohio Valley Farmer's Market each Saturday morning from June until October in the large parking lot along 32nd Street. West is a produce farmer who tills close to her hometown, and for each morning market she collects other ranchers and yeomans to mix with local chefs and live musicians to create a nurturing atmosphere in the name of a potential return to prominence. West collects a number of farmers and staff members for the Farmer's Markets in Bellaire and in St. Clairsville each week. Of all the fruits and vegetables that can be grown in this area, what are – in your opinion – the best? Nothing beats a homegrown tomato ripened on the vine! Close runners up are a fresh picked ear of corn and a newly dug potato. You don’t know what you’re missing if you’ve never eaten a potato just after it’s been dug! You’ve watched Bellaire shrink in commerce and population, and yet you are one of the village’s biggest supporters. Why? I thought about this question for quite a while. The one-word answer is “roots.” My grandmother was born in Bellaire of Italian immigrants. Her husband immigrated to Bellaire, and they lived here until they passed away. My father and my six siblings and I all graduated from Bellaire as did my three children. My daughter and her family live on the farm, and my youngest son hopes to build here someday. Even though the farm is outside the Village limits, it’s still in the Bellaire School District so Bellaire is still my hometown. I remember a vibrant bustling town growing up. Generations ago, Bellaire was the center of commerce in Belmont and its surrounding counties and offered dining and entertainment as well. Many things outside the town’s control contributed to its decline. Times have rapidly changed and not necessarily, in my opinion, for the better. I want to be a part of the reason it flourishes again! West spends much of her free time promoting the Ohio Valley Farmer's Markets in Bellaire and St. Clairsville. What sitcom is your all-time favorite, and why? I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I enjoy reruns of “The Golden Girls.” Those ladies are a hoot! And I adore Betty White. When I watch TV or a movie, I want to laugh a lot (or cry because I’ve been touched in a good way). “The Golden Girls” certainly makes me laugh! To what do you owe the success of the Bellaire’s Farmer’s Market? The Ohio Valley Farmers’ Market is a labor of love. Any success is a result of hard work, dedication, education, and support from those who believe in our mission. Those “changing times” I previously mentioned have made keeping the Market successful a challenge. People are reluctant to get up early and head to the Market on a Saturday morning. Kids are involved in so many activities parents find themselves too busy. Online shopping and the availability of produce year-round at the grocery store have given people the convenience they desire and a skewed perception of what is local and in-season. Growing up, corn on the cob was a summertime treat. Fresh berries were anticipated in June and July. I feel cooking with fresh, local ingredients has become a fad rather than a way of life. So, to make the Market successful, we pour a lot of time and resources into adding amenities to draw people in. Our Tasting Tent, local musicians, the Kids’ Corner, free coffee and tea, and educational programs to teach people about the benefits to their health and the community by buying locally are some of the ways we try to make the Market a destination location and increase support. And the social aspect of shopping within your community at the Market should never be undervalued. I have watched my customers become friends with each other, catching up on kids, grandkids, jobs, and more as they mingle each week, and that’s a wonderful thing. It was Bill West who introduced Susan to the farming life just out of the Village of Bellaire. How’d ya become a farmer? Those Italian roots that were the foundation of my childhood and upbringing included backyard gardens. My father’s parents, his sister, and our family lived in a triangle in First Ward. They all had gardens. I never knew life without home-grown veggies. When my husband and I started dating just after our senior year of high school, one of the first things he did was bring me to “the farm.” I think he was relieved when he realized I would love to build a life here. I worked at many jobs over the years, but they were never truly fulfilling, and the pull to get back to the soil was always strong. One day, the urge was greater than my common sense (lol), and I quit my part-time job and decided to become a produce farmer. That was in 2002, I believe, and I haven’t looked back. I’m not sure how many more years I have left in me, but growing clean, wholesome food is a passion that won’t ever fade. Read the full article

[mywifeleftme]

304: Guy Clark // Better Days

Better Days Guy Clark 1983, Warner Bros.

I realized two things listening to Guy Clark’s Better Days today. One, is that I’m partial to lyricists who tell me about finding things they’d shoved in a drawer and forgotten about. It suggests they’re old enough to have possessed a drawer for a long time; that they prefer to use concrete imagery to tell me the things they’re repressing instead of blathering about abstractions or using therapyspeak; and that their writing’s concerned with memory and how it’s kept. Guy Clark’s lyrical universe is almost unparalleled in its collection of drawers, work benches, knives, hammers, bolts, and wrenches. He has a song called “Stuff That Works,” and it’s just a list of what it says on the tin.

The other thing I realized is that I’m more game for what I’ll simply refer to as “Jimmy Buffett Shit” than I was ready to admit before I took on this project. My favourite song by forty knots on this consummate songwriter’s record isn’t anything writerly—it’s the marinacore pop rocker “Supply and Demand.” We open with a flip-flop tapping take-off of the “Jack & Diane” intro, interpolate a little Chuck Berry, gloop on some AOR lead guitar, and put anchor in Margaritaville for an easy-drinking near-nonsense chorus that absolutely will not leave my head. It rules. Clark’s always had this gear—the song feels like a throwback to his slightly-underrated second record, Texas Cookin’—and it turns out a lot of my favourite songwriters have it too, from honorary Parrothead Jerry Jeff Walker to lupine Californian Warren Zevon. The problem was always Jimmy himself, it turned out. I’m absolutely down for hedonistic goof rock, but Jimmy was a hack.

Anyway, Better Days will top few Clark fans’ personal rankings, but I’ve never heard a record of his that was a complete miss. Better Days is one of his swings at pop country (1983 style), so there’s a fair amount of varnish on the carpentry compared to rustic Americana-era efforts like Dublin Blues (which contains a superior take on the best song here, “The Randall Knife”) or My Favorite Picture of You, but the craftsmanship is true. Clark offers a gently rollicking version of Townes Van Zandt’s sly “No Deal,” while “Uncertain Texas” finds Clark dueting with sideman Vince Gill, who sounds ready for the stardom he was still a few years off from. “Tears” is probably the most traditional honky tonk Clark ever cut, and “Homegrown Tomatoes” remains a nice little back porch retread of his debut’s standout “Rita Ballou.”

Add this one to Clark’s long list of working stuff.

304/365

#guy clark #'80s music #country music #'80s country #singer songwriter #americana #jerry jeff walker #warren zevon #jimmy buffett #music review #vinyl record #vince gill #outlaw country

[withabackpackandcamera]

August 17th, 2023

Day 2: Exploring London's Neighborhoods

Brunch at Farm Girl in Notting Hill. Our brunch: Ripe Cherry Pancakes and Korean Kimchi Eggs.

Walked along Portobello Road and caught glimpses of the unique antique shops lined up along the road.

Trained over to SoHo area so that Cynthia could meet up with a friend. Meanwhile, while waiting for Cynthia, I roamed around the area and through the cute streets and alleyways until I found myself meandering into Regents Park. A massive park and area of greenery with open fields, gardens, statues, gates, and lots of shaded and unshaded places to sit.

Met up with Cynthia for lunch at a cute Italian restaurant called Circolo Popolare. Super snazzy and cozy inside with shelves of colorful bottles used as decor and hanging lights from the ceiling. For lunch, we shared a Calabrian Flame Pizza (San Marzano tomato, mozzarella fior di latte, spicy spianata, 'nduja and ricotta cream, paprika). Yum!

Walked into SoHo and to the Seven Dials Neighborhood. Met up with Minh and checked out Neal's Yard and Seven Dials Market and some stores and shops along the way.

Strolled through Seven Dials Neighborhood and Trafalgar Square and made our way to the House of MinaLima, a storefront for the design studio best known for its artistic influence on Harry Potter. Cool store with lots of their unique graphics and prints and books.

Walked ALL the way to a church Minh wanted to see on the other side of town that ended up not being the right church. Along the way, we stopped and looked around Covent Garden and its market and shopping mall.

Trained to briefly re-check out the most tourist-y area of town, Westminster, where we finally got to see Big Ben, all renovated and new looking with the scaffolding we saw last time, and Westminster Abbey and the London Eye. Hung out on the green lawn just behind Big Ben for a little, enjoying the views right before sunset.

The final stop of the night was dinner in Fulham. Trained To Fulham to meet up with my cousin Vi for dinner at her favorite local fish and chips restaurant, Fishers. We ordered some Butterfly King Prawns and two white-fish fish and chips plates. So yummy!

5 Things I Learned/Observed Today:

In the summer, spending time outside under the cool shade of a tree in a London public park seems to be the popular thing to do.

One should stand on the right side when not walking or running up or down the escalator to the subways and trains. On the other hand, there is no rhyme or reason to which side people choose to walk on when walking down sidewalks or streets. In crowded areas, it's totally random where people walk so be careful!

MinaLima is the design and graphics studio that helped bring Harry Potter to life. They designed a lot of the popular and iconic graphics associated with the Harry Potter franchise.

Back in the day, the Seven Dials neighborhood played an important role in commercial trade and commerce. There were many markets in this area and at that time, a lot of the buildings were used to store a bunch of imported tropical fruits and vegetables. The building in which Seven Dials Market sits used to house a bunch of bananas. Other storehouses in the area held cucumbers and pineapples among other things. Until this era of imported fruits at the beginning of the 1900s, British people only knew of apples, pears, and homegrown fruits.

London has a rich history and tradition of food markets. There are many many food markets around town. The oldest food market in London is Borough Market, dating back to 1014, and the newest food market is Seven Dials Market.

#withabackpackandcamera #huyphan8990 #travelblog #travel #blog #London #England #UnitedKingdom #Summer #August #2023 #shotoniphone #neighborhoodsofLondon #foodmarkets #SoHo #NottingHill #SevenDials #Fulham #worldtravels

[princesssarisa]

Character ask: Goofy (Disney)

Favorite thing about them: How funny he is, obviously, but also how sweet, friendly, and earnest he is, which makes him truly likable and more than just a one-note bumbling idiot.

Least favorite thing about them: Probably his well-meaning yet questionable parenting choices in A Goofy Movie that make Max miserable. Though of course the moody teenage Max is at fault too, and once they finally have a heart-to-heart talk, they come to a beautiful resolution.

Three things I have in common with them:

*I'm friendly most of the time.

*I can be clumsy.

*I'm at least a little eccentric.

Three things I don't have in common with them:

*I'm not tall or skinny

*I'm not nearly as accident prone as he is.

*I'm not an anthropomorphic male dog.

Favorite line:

From one episode of Goof Troop:

"If there's one thing I don't like about falling off a roof, it's the pain involved."

As Marley's Ghost in Mickey's Christmas Carol:

"And so as punishment, I'm forced to carry these heavy chains for eternity!... Maybe even longer!"

From A Goofy Movie, his response to Max insisting that he's grown up and has his own life now:

"I know that! I just wanted to be part of it! You're my son, Max. No matter how big you get, you'll always be my son."

From Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas:

"Of course there's a Santy. Otherwise, we'd have a lot of jobless elves running around."

And from Lonesome Ghosts, a line that either inspired Ray Parker Jr. when he wrote the theme for Ghostbusters, or else is a hilarious coincidence:

"I ain't a-scared of no ghosts!"

brOTP: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and his son Max.

OTP: Max's mother, whoever she might have been, and sometimes Clarabelle Cow. (Yes, I also know about Sylvia from An Extremely Goofy Movie, but I've never actually seen that movie, so it doesn't feel quite right to list her too.)

nOTP: Max.

Random headcanon: His two favorite foods are pancakes (since he sings about them at one point in Mickey and the Beanstalk and eats them in the breakfast scene in A Goofy Movie) and homegrown tomatoes (since he sang a cute song about them on the '90s kids album Funny Food Songs). Sometimes he combines them: for example, he makes BLT sandwiches with pancakes instead of bread, or griddled tomatoes with butter and maple syrup.

Unpopular opinion: I'd like to see an explanation of what happened to Max's mother that didn't kill her off. I know it's generally accepted fanon that she died, but in the first place, there are too many dead mothers in media, and secondly, the idea that a character as happy and silly as Goofy should be a widower feels so sad and wrong. But then, the alternative of a divorce that ends with Max's mother no longer in his life might be worse. The only explanation that wouldn't be incredibly sad for Goofy would be if Max was adopted and Goofy was always a single parent. But that doesn't seem likely: all evidence points to Max being Goofy's biological son, since he has his buck teeth and his laugh. Maybe it's just as well that Max's mother has never been mentioned at all.

Song I associate with them:

"The World Owes Me a Living" (although it was first sung by the Grasshopper in The Grashopper and the Ants, who just happened to be voiced by Pinto Colvig using his Goofy voice, it later became a signature song for Goofy himself)

"On the Open Road"

"Nobody Else But You"

Favorite picture of them:

#character ask #goofy #disney #ask game #fictional characters #fictional character ask #goofy (disney) #cartoon characters

[chappythegardener]

Big Zebra Tomato Seeds | Organic | Open-Pollinated

Introducing Big Zebra Tomato Seeds, an organic and open-pollinated variety personally recommended by Chappy the Gardener. These remarkable seeds offer a unique combination of visual appeal and delicious flavor, making them a must-have for any organic vegetable gardener. Visual Appeal: Big Zebra Tomatoes stand out in the garden with their stunning appearance. Their vibrant, striped pattern of green and red creates a visually striking display, adding beauty to your garden landscape. Grow these tomatoes and impress your friends and family with their eye-catching appearance. Delicious Flavor: Beyond their beautiful appearance, Big Zebra Tomatoes deliver a delightful burst of flavor. Their sweet and tangy taste makes them a favorite among tomato lovers. Whether eaten fresh in salads or used in sauces and sandwiches, these tomatoes will elevate your culinary creations to new heights of deliciousness. Organic and Open-Pollinated: As an organic gardener, you prioritize sustainable practices and preserving heirloom varieties. Big Zebra Tomato Seeds are organically grown and open-pollinated, allowing you to save seeds from your harvest and enjoy the same exceptional tomatoes year after year. By choosing these seeds, you contribute to the preservation of diverse tomato genetics. How do I germinate Big Zebra Tomato seeds? To germinate Big Zebra Tomato seeds, start by planting them in a well-draining seed-starting mix, about 1/4 inch deep. Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain a temperature between 70-85°F (21-29°C). The seeds typically germinate within 7-14 days. Once the seedlings have grown a few sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted into larger containers or the garden. Are Big Zebra Tomatoes suitable for container gardening? Absolutely! Big Zebra Tomatoes thrive in containers, making them an excellent choice for those with limited garden space. Choose a large container with good drainage, fill it with rich potting soil, and provide sturdy support for the plants as they grow. Container gardening allows you to enjoy these unique tomatoes even on balconies, patios, or small urban gardens. Can I save seeds from Big Zebra Tomatoes? Certainly! Big Zebra Tomatoes are open-pollinated, meaning their seeds can be saved and replanted in subsequent seasons. To save seeds, allow some fruits to fully ripen on the vine until they are soft and ready to eat. Scoop out the seeds, rinse them clean, and let them dry thoroughly on a paper towel. Store the dried seeds in a cool, dry place until you're ready to plant them again. I'm concerned about the maintenance and care required. While Big Zebra Tomatoes require regular care like any other tomato variety, they are relatively easy to grow. With proper watering, fertilization, and support, you'll be rewarded with abundant harvests of delicious tomatoes. The unique appearance and flavor of Big Zebra make it worth the effort. I'm not sure if these tomatoes will grow well in my climate. Big Zebra Tomatoes are adaptable and can be grown in a wide range of climates. They perform well in both warm and cool conditions, making them suitable for various regions. Just ensure they receive adequate sunlight, proper watering, and suitable temperatures, and you'll enjoy a successful harvest.  I prefer organic gardening and preserving heirloom varieties. Big Zebra Tomato Seeds are organically grown and open-pollinated, aligning perfectly with your organic gardening principles. By choosing these seeds, you support sustainable agriculture and the preservation of heirloom tomato varieties. Grow them in your garden and experience the joy of organic, homegrown tomatoes. Are you ready to grow your own delicious and visually stunning tomatoes? Click to purchase your organic Big Zebra Tomato Seeds and embark on a rewarding gardening journey. Read the full article

#beesteaktomato #bigzebra #bigzebratomato #blackzebra #GreenZebra #organictomato #redzebratomato #tomato #tomatoseed #tomatoseeds #tomatoes #zebratomato #zebratomatoseeds

[jensownzoo]

So the Florida weave for supporting the tomatoes in front is going...okay. There is definitely a learning curve, a fair amount of plant adjusting seems to be needed in this growth phase, and it is KILLING my back. But the tomatoes are upright, looking fantastic, and this little fella (a Sungold) is already setting fruit:

BUT when I was researching ways to trellis tomatoes, I came across a method that I thought would work in the raised beds in back, particularly since I was already halfway doing it. I had all the supplies except for tomato clips, which I ordered and they came in a few days ago. So I spent yesterday tearing out the old, rotting support system and rebuilding the wooden supports (stronger and better) and adding metal conduit to span the bed instead of pvc pipe. I had to use a circular saw sideways and at shoulder-height to shorten some of the posts, which ended up throwing sawdust directly into my cleavage. Sawdust in your bra sucks so much (hair splinters from shaving animals is worse, but not by much)—I’m sure I gave my neighbors quite the show trying to shake most of it out.

This morning I’m working on getting the lines in and clipping the tomatoes to them. Mason line gets tied to the overhead conduit, then tacked to the ground with a landscape staple (I tied it to it) near the tomato stem. Then the clips go around the main stem, making sure the line is pinched in the “hinge” of the clip so it’s locked in place on the line. I am really liking this method so far. After I fixed my previous macguyvered supports, it is a cinch to install, though my short self did require a step stool. But no back pain! And see how nice and tidy it’s looking:

I think I could adapt this to the front yard if I got a few elbows for the conduit to make a frame that I could attach to t-posts. May do that next year if the Florida weave doesn’t work out.

Also saw my first snap pea this week (sorry for the blurriness), so I may get some before the heat kills them. Last year we had 100F heat the last week of May, so crossing my fingers.

Also the nasturtium interplanted in the front are popping up. They’re some of my favorite flowers/leaves so it’s an event. Many of the other things are coming up too—clover, zinnias, marigolds, etc.—all since we had some rain this past week (that filled my rain barrels, hurrah!).

And finally the new rhubarb seedlings are really liking their new spot. They get shaded out by the sunchoke patch in early morning, but have tons of blazing sun after noonish. Moving them was a great idea *pats self on back* and worth the effort of preparing a second site.

Next project is constructing trellises for the container cucumbers, which I’ll likely do this afternoon. Their huge insect-excluding bags should get here mid-week. The diy ollas appear to be working great, so I may get homegrown cucumbers yet this season!

#gardening #tomato trellis #tomatoes #spring garden projects #nasturtiums #snap peas #rhubarb

[mountain-in-springtime]

Anon Ask: what’s your favorite John Denver song?

omg i love this question!! i think i have to say it’s annie’s song, just bc i think it’s objectively one of his best songs (if not his best) and it’s very dear to me. some of my other faves off the top of my head are perhaps love, homegrown tomatoes, and if ever

#thanks for the ask my love <3 #mal n friends #anon