First Tomato of the Season

After letting our garden plot lay fallow for two years, we decided to plant something in it this year. We were mainly encouraged by Kate's parents buying us a "grow your own vegetables" pack that included onions, potatoes, and garlic. We opted to not try the lettuce, carrots, and tomato seeds that came in the pack.

At the beginning of the season our neighbor, Dennis, was nice enough to till the land for us, which made it so much easier to plant. He also provided some corn seed, which has done amazingly well. We bought an assortment of tomato plants from Lowe's, which seem to have done very well.

Our first tomatoes were ready for picking this week. Here is a picture of one of the first tomatoes to come off the vine. We have not yet sliced one to taste the summery goodness.

Wailin Jennys come to Jim Thorpe

Kate and I headed to Jim Thorpe on Friday, July 30, 2010 to see the Wailin' Jennys at the Mauch Chunk Opera House. I had first heard the Jennys on a Prairie Home Companion broadcast a few years ago. I was attracted by their hauntingly beautiful three-part vocal harmonies. When we heard they were coming to Jim Thorpe and tickets were reasonably priced, it was a no-brainer.

The opening act was Mike and Ruthy, a folk-rock group from Woodstock, NY. They were talented musicians and a fitting act to share the stage with the Jennys.

After about four songs by Mike and Ruthy, the Jennys took the stage. The venue was small enough that the performance felt intimate. The Jennys were familiar with the Opera House from a concert they had recorded there in August 2008.

Towards the end of the concert, I was able to snap this picture of the Jennys. From left to right are Heather Masse, Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody, and Jeremy Penner.