Well, of course, I watched Obama’s first major presidential address. If his Administration fails, it won’t be for lack of noble vision or eloquence.

Gardens and Games.

My real-life garden, thus far, gets about a 25 percent success rating. The collard greens continue to produce a harvest about every four days, a little more often than I care to eat those leaves.

Catnip, too, thrives, and there is finally a cat who enjoys it, seems to love to lie down on top of it and roll around in ecstasy. I’m jealous.

The strawberry plants are vigorous but produce very little fruit, mostly small and sour.

Idiot that I am, I plan to plant some more seeds later today.

Games.

Well, for several months I played nothing but Pokemon games. I finished Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire. Fire Red and Leaf Green, both Blue and Red Rescue Teams. Explorers of Darkness and of Time. I abandoned Rangers because like most touch-screen dependent DS games, it was just too awkward to play. Likewise Pinball and Trozei, but because they were just too silly.

But then I returned to gardening, in the virtual mode, when Rune Factory 2 at last appeared. I played it twice and then passed it on to the boys who were itching to play it.

Then, speaking of at last, Sid Meier’s Civilization arrived on DS.

About time.

I’ve got some comments to approve but this process is a bit complex, so I’ll try to sort it out. Forgive me if yours doesn’t show up. Like I said in the last Tale, quoting the Sleeptalker, I run with lots of stupidity.

I’m still trying to figure out why Kory K said maybe I should move to Denmark. Never been there, but I’m sure it’s a charming country. But why not Amsterdam? I think that would be my European destination of choice.

TCM is devoting this month to films with Oscar qualifications. Not necessarily best film, but with any Oscars. And oh my, aren’t I hooked.

I’m tempted to ask the Landlady if I can have the VCR in the front room (which is never used). Not so much to collect (although I probably couldn’t resist) but to record the films shown after my bedtime.

I’ve finally reached the point where I adhere to Ben Franklin’s ancient advice of early to bed, early to rise.

Doesn’t seem to be making me healthy, wealthy … or certainly not wise.