Blueberries

It's amazing how much food is growing wild in the city. There's a house about 3 blocks from my apartment that has mint growing wild. I, unfortunately, didn't get to have a fresh mint mojito this year. I waited too long and the plants went to seed but maybe next year. In the avenues, there was a house I use to raid. They had dill growing wild in the front yard, that would spill over into the sidewalk. It was great with chicken. Currently, it is my neighbors house that I get food from. They have a large blackberry bush. It's right next to the alley that leads to my apartment. And thanks to them I had a great big blackberry cobbler. Now that's what I call eating local.

Pioneer Concert

Pioneer Park, on 300 south and 300 west, has had a bad reputation for a long time but things are changing. With all the new condos and businesses in the area, things are looking up. For a few weeks more, there will be free concerts at the park on Fridays from 6 to 9. This is a very nice and relaxing way to spend an evening.

It was great to see families enjoying the park outside of the Farmers Market hours (Saturdays 8 am to 1 pm, in case you needed to know). And yes, there were still some homeless people there. Hard for there not to be since the shelter is only a couple of blocks away. They can be very entertaining though. There was one lady that must have been a stripper in better times because she was working a sapling like a pro. But hell, it is still a public park and if she wants to be a true tree hugger then good for her.

And if, your still worried about hanging at Pioneer Park, don't. The police presence is very visible.

Tree

This is probably my favorite tree and I have no idea what kind it is. The leafs are huge and heart shaped. In spring they have these nice white flowers then the pods come along. The pods are probably a pain to clean up but they are fun to play with. It can be a wand for Harry Potter fans or a painful beating stick to keep bad kids in line.

Inmate

This is even better than the my honor student can beat up your honor student sticker. But even better that this was a very straight forward sticker that I saw last week at the Paradise Cafe on 4th south. It said "George W. Bush is a lying sack of shit". Wow, now that's blunt.

Donate

So, if you are not an organ donor please reconsider. Lives are saved by organ donation. Now a days most people are getting cremated anyways and if they charge by the pound organ donation is a great way to be frugal. Just kidding. But it is a great way to be awesome. These pics are from the annual 5 K run/walk hosted by Intermountain Donor Services. They are the group that coordinate organ retrieval in this area. I'm happy and sad to say that I was beat to the finish by some transplant patients. One of the lung transplant patients even finished in like 30 minutes. WOW.

This group is so cute. The dad of the kids with the sign just received a new heart this year. Very sweet. Now doesn't that just warm your heart? You donate to other charities. Why not give the gift of life? Don't you want to help families be happy? Why are you so greedy with your organs? Donate already. Ok, ok, I'm sorry that I was pushy. But donation is good. Think about it.

In total I think that there were about 500 or so run/walkers this year. Very nice turn out. They even give out prizes at the end. It's a great event for a great cause.

Apricots

I came across this tree going to the gym. It is on about 730 e and 500 s, across from the Wonder Bread factory. When I passed by the following week the signs were gone. I didn't even get to try one. Makes me wonder if someone stole the tool that was left there. It was a nice idea though.

E.P.T.

On a lovely Sunday morning, I decide to enter the 9th and 9th Smith's restroom and this is what I walk in on. I can see so many scenarios. I'm assuming that if a person actually wants to be pregnant, that they are not going to take the test in a public restroom. No this girls is scared and wants it all to just go away. I'm sure that she sat there begging the stick to tell her that she is just very, very late in getting her period.

I imagine that it is Saturday night and a drunk girl stubbles into the restroom, vomits up one of the many drinks that she's had this night. Flush, she then sits down and thinks for a moment. Maybe she cries silently to herself and then takes the test. Sitting there staring at the stick as it slowly, very slowly changes color. Makeup running off her face. Maybe she just recently turned 18. Just starting to go out and spread her wings. Flirting with that cute older guy at the party won't hurt.

Maybe, she is very young 14 or 15. How is she going to tell her mom? They told her he was no good but he had the most amazing hands. No one made her feel the way he did.

Or maybe it is Mrs. Jones. Having an affair after 10 years of marriage. If only she hadn't meet Roberto and been intoxicated by his Latin flair. Her husband Bill is going to kill her. And she wouldn't even be able to pass the baby off as his.

I sure hope that whoever this was that their wish came true.