September: Ch-ch-ch-chia!

There are two shipments of plants making their way to my house right now.  I don't remember what I ordered and I'm not going to look it up.  It's fun to be surprised!  In the meantime, I'd like you all to meet my birthday present to myself:

Chia Obama!

I knew I had to have it the moment I saw it.  Some people say it's disrespectful, or racist, or just plain silly.  It's none of these things.  It's awesome.

I'd barely pulled it from the box and I was already giggling with happiness.  I chose "Determined" Obama rather than the "Happy" Obama.  "Determined" still looks pretty pleased with himself.

Check out those cornrows!

I added water to the seed to create a seed-laden goo that looked something like frog eggs. (Chia incidentally is the common name of Salvia hispanica.  The oily seeds were a staple food of the Aztecs and are still commonly eaten in Central and South America.  The first Chia pet was a ram.  My first Chia pet was a pig.)  I had a ton of seeds left over and dribbled them into various houseplant pots.  Meanwhile, Mr. President went for a relaxing soak at the spa.

Next time, I will use fewer seeds and less water!  The seedy goo was too wet and I had a terrible time keeping seeds from sliding down his face and neck.  He ended up with seeds in his eyes, ears, and nose, but I carefully wiped them away and fixed his bald patches.  Don't say I never did nothin' for you, Mr. President.

After refilling his head with water, Mr. Obama is ready to grow his snazzy new hair!  Let me tell you, planting seeds on my president's head has definitely made me feel more hopeful.

Chia Mt. Rushmore?  Yes, please!

Divertissement: September songs

September is my favorite month (not coincidentally it is also my birth month) and for a few years I've been collecting songs about September. Every year I revise and bump the list, with updated YouTube links where I can find them, on my personal blog. Unfortunately the personal blog is taking an extended, possibly permanent, vacation, now that Twitter and Facebook have given me more efficient ways to gripe about the morons on the L and the fact that I frequently need coffee. So, I'm publicizing the list here instead.

September songfest!

Celebrate September with someone you love. I suggest this cuddly katydid:

September: A googol of goldfinches, and a determined squirrel

I have never seen (or heard!) so many goldfinches in my life. Multiple nests have fledged and my thistle feeder is the place to eat and get the latest goldfinch gossip. There were around 12 on the feeder this morning, but of course by the time I got the camera most had retreated, peeping squeakily from every tree and bush and flower in the area. It was most adorable!

Dad and some of the kiddies

Meanwhile, the gray squirrels have rediscovered the feeders and are making nuisances of themselves.

Thistle! Bah, hardly worth the effort.


Sunflowers! That's more like it. Now how do I get in?


*chew*


*grunt*


*gnaw* Aw, forget it. I'll bury some horse chestnuts in her garden instead.