Name That Bug!

Dale came across this critter the other day. Points on color and design, but geez, WTF is it?!?!? No wonder our night blooming jasmines are looking ragged--this guy looks hungry.

Yay Brewers!

Best of luck to the Milwaukee Brewers, who will play in the post-season for the first time in 26 years.

Farming in Torrance and the South Bay

The other night I attended a book talk and signing by fellow South Bay blogger, LA Farm Girl, Judith Gerber. Judi's passion is small and family farms and she just published a book, Farming in Torrance and the South Bay.
I always knew that this area had a rich farming history, even into the 1960's and 70's, but I never realized just how BIG it was. Gardena was the strawberry capital, Redondo Beach was known for carnations, Lomita for celery. The area was dotted with dairies. Torrance even had a rodeo!
The book is loaded with great photos of times past and provides an interesting narration of what the "rural" South Bay was like. From pioneer families to still-operating urban farms--it's all there.
Check out Judi's blog for the latest information on California family farms, farmers' markets, and other farming topics. If you are interested in picking up the book, she's provided a link on the blog.

Twenty Years of The Simpsons

Can you believe it? America's favorite dysfunctional family turns twenty! It is interesting to note that we are coming into an era of the possibility of a Simpsons' writer not knowing of a time when there were no Simpsons.

Sarah Silverman Gets The Vote Out

The always entertaining, always (in)appropriate Sarah Silverman has a unique take on getting people to vote for Barak Obama.
(Disclaimer: you KNOW this is gonna have swears and might be offensive to some)

Polysics Or Die!

Yahoo! I am so excited to hear one of my favorite bands--POLYSICS--is coming to LosAngeles next month. They've got a new album coming out at the end of the month as well. I've heard one song from it so far and I love it.
How to explain the madness that is Polysics.......?!?!? One way to describe them is the Japanese equivalent of DEVO on crack. The live show is insane (and really 'effin LOUD).  They will be performing on Oct18 at the Roxy. (Dang, the last time I was there I saw OingoBoingo!)

Check out their MySpace to get a few songs and more info. Watch the video....!

Yard Haunt Prep Update

One of the new props for this year is "The Wailing Tree". The first step was a chicken wire form over a PVC frame. Sunday we started papier-mache-ing the "skin". Once the skin is completed, we'll slap some paint on it. So far, we're very excited about how it is coming along.

That is a six-foot ladder next to it, so you can get the size. 
I haven't done papier-mache since kindergarten, so if anyone has any tips, I'd be happy to hear them.