Conjoined Eggplant

August Bounty: Jimmy Nardello, Provider Beans, and Kale Keeps Coming

Beloved weatherman Tom Skilling says there were 40 days in the 90s by this time last year--nearly six times as many as 2013. Hence the cool-weather-loving greens like the kale above, still sweet and the plants productive.

Apparently we've had enough heat for the Jimmy Nardello peppers, a big producer that's at the top of my grow list. As are those Provider Beans. 

Reminding myself with no tomatoes left (except a few black cherries) that a month ago we picked six pounds of rooftop produce, most of it tomatoes. Planting a month early does shift maturity dates.

Koi Fashion Alert

It's outta control, this koi obsession.

Story of Sidewalk Koi

Before we begin,
say happy birthday to the koi artiste

As he tells it: I saw the koi image first in my twitter feed and went looking for more. Jeremy Novy painted them in San Francisco a year or two ago. I like their calming effect.  Combined with the view not in a pool, but in concrete. Some kind of cognitive dissonance going on. Plus they're cool.

Koi in our doorway, awaiting their final screen of dots

I wanted to bring a bit of that to my block (and now to ours). Serendipity, playfulness.

Slightly risque, as in a little illegal. (H2 notes: but maybe not as risque as looking up pressure cookers online.)

First the pieces are laid out on our floor

A decision is taken on how to start. It's a big question.

 

Outside, positioning the initial spray is key

 We want them to look like they're schooling

Next comes the edging:

black on white or other contrasting color 

See the register holes in the file folders? They're chalked in with pink for the first spray and then the holes are lined up over the pink for each successive spray to ensure a cohesive fish.

Between drying stages we ate chocolate cake with ganache frosting.

T'was an engaging process and a fun afternoon. People stopped to talk, one couple preparing their baby's nursery pondering wall-swimming koi.

The koi are turning up everywhere. Here on a scooter Bruce garbage-picked and repaired for a young neighbor friend. Classy, that.

Sidewalk Koi

How does this...

Turn into this?

Stay tuned. (and click on through)