This is stand alone mini-blog page --- to display the summary list of the latest blogs or the blogs for a given year/month/date

Here you would customize this template with your normal header and menu and footer

Note: You can also use SSI include for header and footer and they will be processed by mini_blog.cgi

If you want to display a permalink page (i.e. the full entry of a single blog post) then use themplate mini_blog_permalink_page.tmpl instead

A permalink page is a single page with a single full blog post.
It is called permalink because the URL to this page will not change
and someone can safely link to it from another website

You would include your normal header/footer and menu on this page

This is a permalink page

Here you would customize this template with your normal header and menu and footer

A permalink page is a single page with a single full blog post.
It is called permalink because the URL to this page will not change
and someone can safely link to it from another website

You would include your normal header/footer and menu on this page

Category: Fun Things

America's Cornucopia of Summer Fruits and Veggies (06/18/2018) I think sometimes we forget the sheer variety of fruits and veggies produced by this "great" (sorry, I've always thought of U.S. as great) country. But given its massive size and varying climates, it should come as no surprise that America produces quite a cornucopia of agricultural crops that feed far more than "just" 310 million Americans. That then begs the question: what can I expect to find at my local farmer's market? Or, if you travel this summer: what can I expect to find at a Southeastern or Northwestern farmer's market? Well, below is just a sampling of what you might find in each region of the country. New England - The six states that comprise this rather rocky, cold region produce more crops that one might think. Obviously, what's grown here is dictated by the area's short growing season, but it still allows for a wide variety. New England does produce massive amounts of maple syrup, led by Vermont, but add Maine blueberries, Massachusetts cranberries, Connecticut apples, Rhode Island potatoes, and New Hampshire summer squash and you're in vegetarian heaven. The region is also known for its carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, snap beans and, surprisingly, garlic. Mid-Atlantic - Known as the "breadbasket" during our colonial and early days, this area, which stretches from New York in the north to Virginia in the south to Pennsylvania in the west, offers traditional as well as unique crops. Yes, a D.C. farmer's market will have plenty of tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, and carrots, but it will also have fresh rutabagas, beets, Brussel sprouts, watermelons, onions, and greens (mustard, collard, and turnip) on display. Finally, Pennsylvania and New York are also known for their grapes and, by extension, wines. Southeast - It seems that Jimmy Carter being a Georgia peanut farmer prior to becoming president wasn't all that unusual for the region. Just about every southern state grows these crunchy legumes. I suppose the Peach State does sound better than the Peanut State. Crops unique to this area and bound to be found at a southern framer's market include citrus crops (oranges, lemons, grapefruits) of course, but also cantaloupes, sweet potatoes, rice, soybeans, various types of peppers, and yes, peaches. Upper-Midwest - You know, OH, MI, IN, WI, MN, IL, MO, ND, and SD (time to learn your two-letter state abbreviations). Yes, it's known for its grains (wheat, corn, barley, oats), but the upper Midwest offers shoppers fresh sunflowers, beans (kidney, red, pinto, navy) cranberries, tart cherries, blueberries, pumpkins, cauliflower, kohlrabi, and pears. Midwest - Yep, more grains... miles and miles of corn. However, many smaller, family owned and operated midwestern farms grow a panoply of fruits and veggies. Hit up a Kansas farmer's market and you'll more than likely find fresh raspberries, plums, zucchini, cabbages, basil, broccoli, turnips, arugula, blackberries, and eggplant. Southwest - Other than Texas, this area is known for its drought resistant crops. There are two growing seasons separated by a long, hot, dry summer in the southwest. And yes, you can grow traditional crops provided they're adequately irrigated, but who wants to read about traditional crops? Crops unique to this region include chili peppers (New Mexico considers itself the Chile Capital of the World), lima beans, green onions or scallions, tomatillos, fennel, mizuna (an Asian mustard), and chayote or pear squash. California - This state is so large and its climate so varied, it is a region unto itself. If it can be grown, chances are it can be grown somewhere in Cali. Of course, the state produces its share of grapes (and thus, wine), but it also grows just about every kind of nut known to man, especially almonds. In fact, it produces such a variety, Cali couldn't decide on a single state nut, so it went with four...the almond, pistachio, pecan and walnut. Next time you're at a California farmer's market, keep an eye out for apricots, avocados, edamame, figs, horseradish, kiwi, kumquats, okra and pomegranates, among other things. Northwest - Sure, sure, Idaho is known for its potatoes and Washington for its apples, but that is a partial agricultural story of the Northwest at best. The area also produces copious amounts of shallots, leeks, parsnips, fava beans (which apparently go well with a nice chianti and human liver according to Hannibal Lecter. I'll take his word for it.), huckleberries, watercress, and Jerusalem artichokes. So, if you travel this summer, be sure to check out a local farmer's market. You are certain to be surprised by what you find. And do NOT be afraid to try something new.

below, you would make a nice little CSS presentation to invite visitors to view the blog category page

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