MUDI, Zone Retort

I would love to read the MUDI recap from one of the Rackages. Better yet, I wish I could have been there. I keep starting to comment on others' blogs, then remember I wasn't there. I cannot wait until the VB Boys beat Sub Zero- I hope I am able to watch it. No doubt in my mind it will happen. One of the "points" someone had in Lou's blog comments were that the VB Boys stayed in it on layout grabs. Um, yeah, I've played with these guys and those grabs aren't lucky; they just do it. They make it happen.

Right now I am sore, very sore, & hoping it works itself out before the 9 hour drive to Michigan for Motown. I did plyos before pick up on Tuesday instead of on Monday. I ran my slowest 2 mile in years, I think, on Wednseday morning. BUT I had my first layouts for weeks (I was worried abouy this) at league last night. I also had a lot of miscues- TTOs, a missed D, not cutting well enough against Dunlay to give Grant an easy throw. And I had some very well put hucks/pseudohucks. So, yeah, my normal up and down. Please, Lord, let me turn it over less this tournament.

Big disappointment that VB Boys aren't going. I think Rackages is set up to tromp some teams, so we'd have time to watch (as long as we take care of business, of course). This weekend, like probably every Rackages weekend thus far, will see a change in personnel. We've got some gals that haven't even met, yet. The Ames crew is going to be running through our zones this evening, Shel and the Cities crew went through them earlier this week, but with a change to the 3-2-2 that is small enough that it could be incorporated if the disc is getting moved inside upfield on the traps. I want to try to run both this weekend (3-3-1 & 3-2-2, not just variations of 3-2-2); I'll let you know how it goes.

Here is my retort to the zone comments (awesome, by the way, I love comments): first, G. Cooke, great idea to keep both, that's what we'll try to do. To whomever said something about "non-handlers": I love my mark, and I trust it. This trap has the beauty of leaving plenty of space for other defenders to cover- the trapper has a very focused job. I've got a very adaptive mark, a very aggressive mark, and I WILL shut down all but the best throwers (Solarz, baby, that's you). Not only that, but I play with other women like me! I love this trap because it lulls the offense into thinking it really has something going. The tricky job falls to the strong side wing: allow throws to the force side, but no big gainers. The cup, like many defenses, should be adjusting as it goes across the field, in stages and as a unit. On the break sideline, the mark is flatter and the entire cup is flatter. As it moves across the field, the pushing marker gets more and more perpendicular to the thrower, the cup tightens up into a 'C', and trusts the strong side wing to cut off the gainers. The cup in FM is making comparatively large changes on EVERY throw (the crotch and hatchet). I think both cups are workable, BUT both need to be practiced to face up to teams like us (you know, the good ones). Lana didn't post but said she didn't like 2-2 upfield. Here's the thing: it is meant to be less rigid, especially the back 2, than a 3-3-1. It should work more like a poachy, switching person-to-person. The 2 deeps can decide on a short deep/long deep, rather than strong and weak side (although one needs to be ready to play strong side on a trap). I think in either zone we need to get used to having a sideline "partner"- ONE person that is yelling specifically to you.

Here is another item to chew on: does Rackages need another offense besides vertical stack? Nope, we don't have another, yet. I was worried about this, but thought our offense had more problems with throws than with getting open. We worked on what I perceived as our offensive weakness, getting the disc off the sideline. If we could practice a couple times a week, I'd get the circle offense going- I think it would work well with our speed, but it is confusing and not easy to learn quickly. Any ideas, please share.

More girls than boys

It is just in my nature to be competitive. Small Rackages practice had a much better turnout than The Van Buren Boys, although I don't think we had that many more actual team members present- we just had more extras. Saturday we had 21 & Sunday we had 25. Lana, Jaz, and I made record time: 2 hrs 45 minutes from 13th street, Ames to the practice site in St. Paul. Practice didn't start until 4:30 on Saturday which was nice for 2 reasons: 1, I had time to hang out my laundry that morning, 2, it was really pleasant weather to play. We drilled a lot more this practice on both days than we did last time in Ames. I had drawn up a little more rigid idea of practice- as in, had a printed practice schedule. This helps me a lot because I am spastic and can get focused on my own play and what I want instead of contemplating what the team needs overall. One big thing we worked on was Stanford O, getting the disc off of the sideline. I think it went pretty well, and I did see it used effectively at least once during scrimmage on Sunday. However, I also saw it used inappropriately: during a force middle start from the sideline. It is a SIDELINE BREAK- I can't remember if I mentioned this to everyone or not, I mean the fact that it shouldn't be used in FM b/c there are better ways to start the disc. I am pretty sure there were ZERO layouts on Saturday. I had one that definitely would have been a D- my hand closed on the disc the same time as Gibbs'. I did have a couple Ds and grabs in the air over the weekend that made me happy- I think this is usually my weak point. We had a pull contest at the end of the day on Saturday, and surprisingly, Solarz didn't win either the distance or hang time category- Gibbs got distance, Kara got hang time. Mine were pretty abysmal, which is why I don't pull- not because I am not capable of pulling high and far, but because I can't be counted on to do it consistently. Sunday we started with the cheer contest. Gibbs had the most, and some of the tuniest, Jill was the eventual winner, Katie had some with awesome motions as well as lyrics, and Meghan C. and Swarty had a pretty funny rhyme (with a limmerick feel). I must say, the ex-Bait ladies definitely added to our cheer-power. I am expecting big things from them at Motown. Sunday we did more drilling, then started scrimmaging. It was FAST on Sunday- it looked like everyone was at top speed all the time, but consequently led to some hectic turnovers. The Great Zone Debate between Shel and myself continues: 3-2-2 Trap vs. 3-3-1 Force Middle. Shel, you HAVE to play either crotch or hatchet in the 3-3-1 before you stick with yours- those are the hellish positions that get the most pressure. I think 3-2-2 evens things out a bit- yes, it does allow easy throws. That is the point of the one way force. BUT I would say FM also allows easy throws, right back to the pivot handler, which is where teams usually put their main one, at least at first. The one way force eventually forces the disc to trap a non-handler. Awesome. Also, with the pushing marker playing parallel to the thrower instead of behind as in many traps, the recovery is easier (it is the trapping marker's responsiblity to cut off the dump). The Pushing marker doesn't have to run top speed at all times, either. Rather, she wants to have a SMART approach that denies the return throw (to the break side). The only time the cup needs to truly, truly sprint is when the trap is put on. If the trapping marker waits until the side handler makes ONE MORE THROW, it should be a short sprint. That is actually something I discovered this weekend- don't trap the side handler on the swing unless they are on the line or if it is a short swing from the middle (as in, the middle is playing closer to the trap side)- that long swing makes for a long sprint from the crotch of the cup, who is really covering the most dangerous break at that point. The FM cup relies very heavily on a fast, anticipatory hatchet- I can anticipate, but not get there, as I saw over and over again in Boston. So, next time you play that cup, Shel, YOU play the Hatchet and see what you think. I think teams with strong handlers will break it every time. For people reading & for Shel (who I think already knows it), I love having Shel as a co-captian for exactly this reason: she says what she thinks and has excellent input; we can heatedly argue about points without anything ever turning personal- which hasn't always been the case with other people I've been a leader with. What we need to do is spend a practice on zone. We might do that next time, focusing on one zone, then the other. I think in the 3-2-2, not everyone is yet sure of their job. I also want the next practice (if it occurs) to be Rackages-only. I cannot say how much I appreciate the ISU, Twin Cities, and other extras coming, but the main reason most of them weren't invited to Rackages is because of their inexperience, and it shows when we play. They play hard, but they are facing women with 2, 3, up to probably 8-10 times the experience (really, I've played for 8 years, compared to 1 for some of the gals, and I've had more opportunities to play higher competition). I am itching to coach the Iowa State women again, because I see so much potential, but right now I want to see how things like zone and FM work with entire lines of Racks. There is also the issue of trying to talk to people too much while I am playing- small things are okay, but trying to figure out if they are thinking what I am thinking, if they can get the job done without my help brings down my game. I need to shrug off some of that responsibility, which will happen naturally, if I know I can count on another Rackage. One thing I was disappointed about over the weekend was defense. Not to say it was bad, but it wasn't inspired, there were zero layouts, and not every disc was run down. This includes myself- I can think of 2 specific instances (1 I mentioned, the other I let my player cut in when I could have gotten the layout D) when I didn't give it my all. I did better on Sunday. I said it a couple times, but I want to reiterate that Small Rackages wont' just be A defensive team, they will be THE defensive team. They will have more Ds than other teams, they will have the most stifling team defense, they will be the thorn in every offense's side. On Sunday we also went over some endzone plays and had a 40 yd dash contest. I was not close to winning, never quite breaking 6 seconds. Gibbs won at the end of practice when we finally put the fastest 5 or 6 directly against one another: 5.2, I think. I am hoping at MUDI that the ladies will have a chance to run some endzone plays, maybe some Stanford, and generally get a better understanding of each others' nuances. On one hand, I wish I could be there, but I really love weddings, and as Jon wouldn't let me go to one earlier this summer, it is my first of the "season", a warm-up for the one in August where two of the most amazing peole I know will be united. That's saying something, because I know a lot of people. Lana is a true Warrior Princess, I think of her as The Warrior Princess of God. Kevin has probably had more impact on me than any other male in my life except my father and maybe my brother. My heart swells with gladness that they are in love with each other. And, it will be another Ultimate wedding. The one this coming weekend is also two Ultimate players. Let me know if you'd like me to drink one for you; Rackages, be prepared for a Saturday evening/Sunday morning call (or calls). Oh, we got our artwork in to the printer, so we are waiting to hear back from them with proofs.....there is still an outside chance of having jersies by Motown. Yes, the UPA did approve the name Small Rackages.

July Post

I noticed I had yet to post in July. It has been a busy month already, although the Ultimate is lacking. We moved pick up in Ames back to 6 pm, hoping to get better turnout. There was also the usual summer e-mail sent out about pick-up kind of sucking. It has been somewhat better, but no where near where it should be given the overall quality of Ultimate players we have. Last night, I had a woodworking class instead of going to pick up. I'm making a cutting board.

I went to Freedom Fest this last weekend. On the city: Duluth seemed like an awesome community- very outdoorsy, hippy, and lots of dogs (not just at the tournament, either). On the tournament: Team America, the open team Gibbs, Tai, and I played on placed 3/4. I have to hand it to Gibbs and Tai, they certainly have the legs to run the guys on offense, and stay with them on D- even getting a couple of Ds. I played pretty mediocre defense, even though I was trying pretty hard. I am screwed in women's if my player goes deep (shouldn't be saying this in a public forum!), so in open, it is doubly so. I hate playing behind my guy- it didn't help if they actually cut deep, and while I could be there to mark, had no chance at cutting off any in cuts. I can turn pretty quick, but in a dead sprint, I am not really in the "fast" category. In women's, I think my strength lies in the fact that my speed at the end of Sunday is usually right with my Saturday morning speed, and in each point I can cut and cut and cut (or am getting back to that ability). Normally I could get open and move the disc on offense, so that was bolstering. I think I had one drop and one throwing TO, but probably more throwing turns than that. Yep, I just thought of 2 more that I don't know if they were my throw or receiver error, but could definitely have been better. I had plenty of throws that most likely would have been TOs in women's, but athleticism rescued them. Thanks, Team! To do: fix your damn throws (not probably easy after 8 years of Ultimate). Oh, I had one partial handblock that probably would have been a score if I hadn't deflected it mostly out of bounds (the offense almost made an amazing toe-drag catch). Yea, hard marks! I didn't know Ian was really good. He is; I hope he revives UNI's program and makes it competitive.

Update on my pepper plant: it is back! No blooms, yet, but it is over a foot high. Feel free to send chile rejeno recipes!

I had a conversation with Jake last night about losing weight. I kept coming up with excuses for not jumping on his idea to do 20-40 minutes of excercise in my "target" heart rate (134) three times a week. Then I remembered the actual reason: TIME! I do sprints on M & F, play Ultimate on T,W,R, and the weekend. I am starting to work out twice a day to get a distance run in. I think when it comes to Ultimate, time spent trying to lose weight would be better put to use throwing or running. This is for me, personally. This suggestion is also coming from the guy that thought I was silly for running at 6:45 this morning. Oh, and my heart just totally overpowers my legs. After my bike ride this morning, my heart rate was 98- that is with a hill at the end and my inner quads hollering for me to quit. After my 2 mile run it was 112. What the hell am I going to do hard enough for even 20 minutes?!! I could keep up that 2 mile pace for 20 minutes, maybe push it a little faster (after the first 3/4 mile when my legs quit bitching about being sore from Monday's plyos), and I really don't think I'll top 120. Besides which, I tend to "reward" good workouts with things like cheeseburgers and ice cream. So, if I want to lose weight (yes, Jake, I'm sure a 5 pound lighter Rachel might gain a step in a long point against Fat Rachel on Sunday), I think it will have to come with a change in mindset: ease up on the beer and pizza ridden weekends, stock up on fruit and veggies, learn to say NO! However, if I can fit in three 20 minute sessions of "something" during the week, it needs to be throwing. I played some of the best (and most consistent) D of my life in Boston, and I think it will get even hotter. I also lead the team in turnovers, I'm sure. No stats needed, I threw a lot away- most were good ideas, but craptastic throws. I've said it before, and I'll say it again,"I have the worst throws of any handler I've ever seen." But such good ideas! :)

Women's practice this weekend in The Cities. I've got big plans. I'll let you know what happens.

Boston Invite

I'm coming down off the high of the weekend, now. I've also recovered, I think. We got back from the bar about 3:30 Monday morning, and Jake woke me up with his staring at 3:55 to catch our flight. Most people (who read this blog) know, but we ended up 4th in the tournament, with losses to Brute Squad (2), Loose Cannon, and Backhoe. Brute Squad played better than us, although in the second game, I thought we performed much better. Our offense needed to be cleaner, for sure, to beat a team like that. We also need to work on deep defense, and really utilizing our own deep game. The loss to Loose Cannon was really upsetting. We should have pulled that game out, no doubt. The D plays weren't there, and our offense started to make some stupid mistakes, right in the stretch. We were at 9-8 when the cap went on, they scored, then they scored again. We answered and it was a win by 2 situation, so even thought they scored the next one to make it 10-11, we were okay. Then came a really bad decision with no hope for our girl to make the play, and an unguarded deep cut to finish off the game. These are the kind of games I EXPECT to win 3 months from now. Our defense can and will win us games, and so will great receptions. I had my first truly difficult captain moment with Rackages after that game. I was PISSED. After a couple of moments, we were able to huddle up, and that heartened me. It looked like other people felt similarly- not pouty or sad, but mad, wishing they could have done more and wanting to perform better on Sunday. I was still angry, but felt better that others were angry and determined, too. We came out on Sunday to roll Layuma 15-3. It felt like we were almost hitting stride, and in the next game, we did. We beat Lady Godiva 15-5. I think for me one of the best moments of that game was an upline pass Lana had to me that was perfectly placed. I layed out for it, caught it easily, and wound up for an upwind forehand huck to Meghan Conrad, which she caught easily. It was pretty (not the forehand, just the whole flow). That was early in the game, and after that, we were on a roll. Our offense looked about 14 times as clean as the day before, our defense was in shutdown mode. We were up and excited to face Brute Squad in the semis. (We had looked like poopola the day before when playing them) I think they scored the first couple and kept their lead until we were tied at 9s. I couldn't stop smiling, even when we were down 11-14 (Final 11-15). It was awesome to be playing Ultimate- it was fast, it was smart, I was ready to hit the ground, I knew my teammates were, too. It was FUN. Their offense was much cleaner than ours, and once they got a backhand break, if they were within 20 yards of the endzone, it was in. We still had some pretty offense, but fewer quality deep cuts, and WAY too many turns. I think some of our co-ed players (me included) aren't used to throwing the disc so often. We had way too many throwing turnovers. I had 0 drops, which is pretty unusual for me, but we still had plenty to go around. Man, they are a killer, and so hard to work on. I had some throws that didn't get caught that were that thrower/receiver blame combo. I really, really want us to be catching those.

Loose Cannon was probably my favorite team we played- they were scrappy and intense on the field yet laid back off. Brute Squad was fun to play, but not into the sideline heckling/joking. Why play? Backhoe almost didn't play out the 3/4 game. We should have beaten them, losing on universe 10-11. I'll look forward to seeing their full squad face our full squad in Sarasota.

Things to work on (team): Zone. We have to get an effective one working. I think it will be a big focus at practice in a couple weeks. Offense: we need something besides center stack, something that uses our speed. THROWS, THROWS, THROWS!!! Deep: our handlers have to huck, our cutters need to cut deep. On defense: cutting off good breaks! At least force a poor throw. Actually shutting down the sideline; I KNOW we can. there are a few ladies that I think are worried about being beaten deep so play conservedly-that's monkey poo. I know we could play a last back defense that would allow us to shut down that force side.

A few big plays: Tai was pretty big all weekend, usually guarding "the short fast girl", and doing pretty well at it. She had an especially nice snag in the Loose Cannon Game, and a play in the air against, I think, Nemesis. Lana had some money makin' hucks, especially in the Loose Cannon game; as usual, she was open whenever she was needed. Swarty (Dikeman) came up with a huge grab from (sorry Tai) an awful forehand that I think really pumped up the team. Michelle had an awesome layout D bid where the disc was being swung, went high, and both Michelle and her girl turned, ran it down, and laid out for it- it was pretty. Jill had some great grabs on fading discs and a super sweet D on a dump (3/4 game?). Our zone O tended to tear apart the defense- hooray! As I predicted, we placed higher then the VB Boys (6th). I didn't get to watch them play hardly at all, which was a big disappointment; they showed their support during their byes, which was appreciated. A few of us guys and gals did get to hang out on Sunday night- that was fun. Big "play" from that evening would be M.E. decribing his "spin move" after having worked out a lot.

The play that will keep me going: In the Layuma game on Sunday morning I was poaching (and appropriately, I stick by that), but got a little tangled up with another cutter, so was a tad late getting back to my girl, who had the disc. I was looping out to cut off her backhand, knew she would throw it, and layed out. It was kind of high (for me) and I just touched it with my finger- I needed one more inch for a solid D. So at Motown, I want to be able to get that disc. I've taken it easy these few days since, but tonight heralds the renewal of hard workouts.

I lost my cleats. I also lost my Worlds cleats in similar fashion- don't know the last time I had them after playing, but they definitely didn't make it home with me.

Central Region: We beat Nemesis when we were still "off" on Saturday. MOJO didn't win any games on Saturday. I am confident we'll fare well when we meet them at Regies (in Tulsa), but we'll see what the season brings. We should be able to see them a few more times before October. Women's Ultimate is still alive in the Midwest, and I can hardly wait to take it to Nationals.

Cuts to make: Still thinking and conspiring with Shel to get a handle on what our roster will be, and what we need overall from the fabulous group of ladies that tried out in Boston. It won't be an easy decision because everyone seemed to have that love of the disc and just be really happy to be there. I think it will be more of looking at roles that we still need, and who can fully adapt to our style from previous styles they've played than any glaring difference in quality of play. The other problem is that there will probably only be 2-4 cuts out of 12 women. IT would almost be easier to take only 2-4 women than cut that number.

Up coming practice: I think we need some intrateam competitions: 40s, pulls, killers, cheers....oh, speaking of which, we didn't cheer this weekend. My bad; I am normally very adamant about that. So, ladies, start working on your cheers. There will be a competition in 2 weeks.

Up and Coming

I've been meaning to post, but have been busy- working out, a class on DNA techniques, and recently a tortoise kidney slide to examine and diagnose. This weekend is Boston, as in The Boston Invitational. We've got 20 women, 11 of whom are trying out. I don't know how many we're taking, I have never had to cut anyone before, but all I can really think about is how THIS weekend will be the prelude to many more awesome weekends of Ultimate this summer and fall. I am stronger and faster than I was even 2 weeks ago, and Tuesday I found the mentality I want for this weekend. There is apparently some girl in Minnesota that I need to take out a hit on for messing up Solarz' hand; I hope she can still play. PDays. It deserves its own post, but alas, probably won't get it. I played very mediocorely, hopefully due to dreadful overconsumption of intoxicants and lack of sleep. Someday I will play sober and unhungover at PDays. It wasn't this year. As noted on Kev's blog, special props to MVPs Matt Ellsworth and Lana Meyer. It is great to have M.E. on the field- we have so many "old" guys/gals, that although we all love to play, Matt is still in that first puppy love infatuation with Ultimate that is refreshing to see. He has a real passion for the sport which really shows, especially on defense. Lana was unstoppable, especially on Sunday in the last 2 games. She also got multiple discs I thought she would miss or drop (no offense, Lana-some of those throws sucked). She also had some nice hucks and only was overly trigger-happy a couple times. That kind of play is much of what I'm hoping for this weekend- good ideas, a little risk to make it spicy, and receivers correcting for thrower error. The last ingredient would be a big layout D from someone, anyone early in the first game, just to get us started. From then on, it should be a chain reaction-somebody just needs to start the chain. I hope it's me. Safe travels to those leaving today- see you in Boston.

Weekend Ultimate

I did not intend to play Ultimate last weekend. It was someone else's idea; in fact, I wanted to run errands, etc. But The People spoke, saying Ultimate was what they wanted. We had an intense game of 4s on Saturday where we were trying to focus on pushing the disc up the field, and cutting as soon as we threw, so as not to leave the receiver with no one to throw to downfield. We did a pretty good job of it, and I must say, 4s is tiring. I had a really close layout D bid on Huckett that really pissed me off- it felt like in open where I know what is going to happen, see it, turn as fast as I can, and still come up a step short. A couple of ladies had to leave after the scrimmage, but the rest persevered: 2 "games" of hotbox (to 1), wherein the highlight was older Meyer taking out the younger in hilarious fashion. I think we also did the "drill" where you try to get 10 passes inside a 10 yd x 10yd box- it is really tiring. The Lana, Noelle, Huckett (I think) combo came within a pass of defeating the Derscheid, Gibbs, Natalie trio, who really looked like they wanted to lose for awhile- a stint of 1 or 2 pass TOs and D always a step behind. Nat tipped away a lot of throws (on D), while Lana ran my ass ragged. Sunday we had 5s and a sub, and what a difference it made. We played a game to 11, then a game to 9. It was windier on Sunday, and there were quite a few more tuenovers, but also a lot of nice layout grabs/bids. Jane Ly had some especially nice ones. I had one bid where I thought I collapsed a lung, which would be fine if I had caught the disc. It was a nice pass Lana had made (in the sense that I could catch it but my defender couldn't), but I paused before turning to run it down to ponder grabbing it in the air (yeah, right, Dersch), so missed it by a few inches. My lung reinflated, but I've got some sore ribs. At about 4-3 there were many calls to end the game at 7, partially because the vBBoys had finished and headed to lunch, partially because people were really starting to tire. It was the 2nd resaon that made me keep the game to 9. I was really close to giving in, then thought, what if this is the Boston final? I'm glad we played to nine, and at least a coule girls said they were glad I made them do it. I got 1 thing on my list done, laundry, the rest I will have to try to cram into this week. Evening festivities were fun- I won at Cricket in darts, which was truly amazing. I thought I was improving, but then we played partner 501 and Jon and I really sucked- i think we were 150-200 points behind at the end. Jon is usually really good, so I blame him.

Sprints yesterday: 5 sets of 2 bleachers in Jack Trice Stadium (home of the most dominant mascot on earth, Cy the Cyclone, who is actually a Cardinal) with 2 jump plyos between each set. I can hardly wait to go back. It really was inspiring to be in Jack Trice, which is funny because I don't particularly care to watch football and haven't been to a game since my freshman year of undergrad....8 years ago. The grass is NICE, and I would love to play a game on it. My quads, abs, and calves are pretty sore today (understatement).

OH! I got the newest sample skirt yesterday! I like it! I am taking it to practice today for women to try it out. If we choose it, it will be the first time in about 6 years that I will wear shorts under my skirt- they are attached. I had originally planned to remove them, but I LIKE them! They are like mesh spandex stuff and make the inside of my thighs feel kind of giggly- I was too tired to run around in them last night as i checked my mail post-sprints. I'll keep you updated.

Last item of note: I am making Carrots Au Gratin tonight, freestyle. And I plan on getting a layout D tonight at pick up, if my calves will agree to it.

A Sad Day

I got this Anaheim pepper plant that I was really excited about because I could then make my own chili rellenos. This is my absolute favorite Mexican dish- It is a big mildly spicy pepper stuffed with melty Mexican cheese, battered, fried, and drenched in a smooth salsa. I got hooked on it at La Fuente, but they started doing something weird- putting what appears to be instant mashed potatoes inside the pepper with the cheese. Wha'? Yeah, I don't get it either. I tried it 3 times thinking it was a fluke each time. Sigh. Anyway, on Wed. night Gibbs, JC, DK, and I went to a Mexican place in Des Moines after a very rainy, pretty fun pick-up. The enchilada sauce sucked (it tasted like canned tomato sauce, like Chef Boyardee), but the chili relleno was awesome AND I saved half of it for lunch yesterday. So I was really excited yesterday about my pepper plant (it is coming back around, now) and thinking how maybe I should look up some recipes, and day-dreaming about handbattering that first delicious cheese-filled beauty. I don't look up recipes as I think it will make me too impatient for my little plant to produce- I don't want to put undue pressure on it. Fast-forward to 4:45: I arrive home and have a lawn-mowing notice on my door (I never mow until they threaten me with a fine- I am a busy person). For those not aware, I live in a trailer park with a postage stamp-sized yard, about 1/3 of which refuses to grow grass, the rest of which grows weird ground cover with clumps of weeds. So I use a plug in weed eater to mow the whole thing. I start weed-eating, and work carefully around my tomatoes- there are already green ones on the vine, I don't want to damage them. My pepper plant is nestled between 2 tomato plants. Or, it was. I think I mowed over my pepper plant 3 times before I realized it. I may be a retarded spaz. Sympathy is welcome and appreciated.