First, Altadena Hiker posts this lovely photo (you can read the original post here—it’s quite nice):
Tomato envy is a big deal in these out-West parts. Oh, we feign niceness, we pepper each other with niceties. But let’s face it, the green thumbs out here (I am not in their number) are in pitched battle to grow the Best Tomato West of the Rockies.
I don’t care who’s growing. Tomatoes are better back east. There. I’ve said it.
The Scout has been growing Early Girls and Purple Cherokees this summer, but his plants are too much stalk without enough broad leaf. Is he over-watering? His admiration for the Hiker’s tomatoes resulted in the following (to the tune of California Girls by the Beach Boys):
Well east coast fruits are hip
I really dig the red they wear
And the southern shades with the way they stalk
They knock me out how well they bear
The mid-west beef marauders really make me eat a fright
And the northern looms are the heirs so fair
They keep the palate warm and bright
I wish they all could be ‘Dena Hiker’s
I wish they all could be ‘Dena Hiker’s
I wish they all could be Hiker’s early girls
What The Scout lacks in green thumbery is made up for by clever wordsmithery. He’s my Best Boy.
West Coast Grrlie Blather 