I was going to use "debris" in the title, but that would mock the people in Southern California who have real rain-caused debris in their streets, yards, and homes this afternoon. I just went through the photo gallery on the LA Times site. What a mess.

There's still not much going on in my yard yet, but I did clean up the plastic we put over our raised beds last year. Lesson learned: If you have plastic outdoors that's starting to break up, get it out of the yard before it disintegrates into a bunch of little pieces you'll be finding all over the place for months. I think I caught it before it got too out of control.

Lesson I hope my neighbor learns: If you put up a wall of plastic foliage, the leaves will turn blue and then blow into your neighbors' yards every time there's a windstorm.

As I vowed last year, I'm not trying to start any seeds inside this year. However, I did buy some sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes, or Helianthes tuberosus) at the grocery store the other day. I bought them just to plant them (I'll worry about recipes when I get my first harvest—wouldn't want to rush into anything). I was surprised to see in the Sunset guide that it's in the sunflower family. It "spreads readily and can become a pest," so it might have a chance under my care. I think this is the time to plant it (outdoors).

I have another new vegetable on my list for this year: parsnip. I bought one a few weeks ago just to see what it tasted like, and I was pleasantly surprised. If it's sweet, it's for me. Geez, if Mom had been feeding us parsnips when we were kids instead of canned peas and lima beans, maybe we wouldn't have all grown up hating vegetables.

Last but not least, I've set up a Facebook page for my blog, and I'd be very flattered if you became a fan.I think I'll post quick updates there more often than I write full-length posts. (If the link doesn't work, search for Rabbitbrush Ranch.)

I enjoy rainy days because they remind me of my home state of Oregon. I think now I'm going to go have a cup of tea and appreciate the fact my home is warm and dry.