Number 80

Today was a special day. Ol' Vince turned 80 and I had the pleasure to spend the afternoon in Santa Maria with my father-in-law. I touched on Vince's expertise on all things medical here and here, but that only gleans the surface of Vince's curiosities. Vince fancies himself as quite the horticulturist, a gardener extraordinaire, the keeper of the Santa Maria Botanic Gardens. His backyard is his domain.Vince hopes for a big harvest from his plum tree. "It just needed a little trimming."

Vince developed a new variety of tomato called "pea tomatoes".

He keeps everything thriving by liberally spreading around his special "compost" which consists of random pieces of vegetable matter, egg shells, and just about anything else he scraps off his dinner plate.

Vince controls weeds by using this old shower door. He moves it around his backyard smothering out those nasty invaders.

These trash cans collect rain water for plant irrigation. During the summer, they serve as mosquito farms. If there is an outbreak of West Nile virus in Santa Maria, you'll know why.


After a hard day, Vince will often sun himself on his deck.
Happy 80th Vince!

Day 46 of Ironman- Brick day- 3.5hr bike, 45min run. First 30 minutes run hard.
Day 47- 75min run, a little sore from yesterday's brick