Ruby Crosses the Finish Line

Well Manual Mater Maker followers, in any race there's merit for crossing the finish line.  I took this photo last night for fear Ruby's first mater would get too ripe over the weekend.

She's a purdy one, the other maters have taken a hint and we now have about 4-5 others blushing.  My peppers and onions have been waiting, so hopefully next week I'll have some salsa!

A Week Late, and a 12-Pack Short

And what to my unsuspecting eyes did appear, why it's Ruby blushing in my garden and pulling up the rear.  

At 9 3/4 she's not too shabby, but not enough to beat my Daddy.

(Ruby was my littlest plant.  I didn't know she had it in her.  Hopefully she'll spread it around to the others and I'll be eating salsa in a few weeks.)

CONGRATULATIONS MATER MASTER!!!

Ode to the Mater Master

To the Mater Master I lift my beer mug,

He’s done a great job; I’ll try not to be smug.

With gadgets, wires, gages and tubes,

(Compared to my design, I look like a boob).

Like a mad scientist he created a fine work of art,

To grow mater babies right from the start.

Too bad the clouds first put him behind,

My radioactive grow lights… I shall remind?

Were quite effective at growing strong little sprouts,

They towered the competition, no one had a doubt.

The Manual Mater Maker maters just had it all,

Great color, great strength and boy they were tall!

They took up my focus, my money, my time,

But watching them grow…  I just didn’t mind.

And blogging the smack, now that was my calling,

Some thought it funny, some just appalling.

I looked forward to dishing out lots of great cracks,

And truth be told, all enjoyed dishing it back.

I had the Mater Master at the FIRST, MIDDLE… but not LAST,

That Investor did me in…  I must put the past in the past.

He will deny it was his fault,  “Round Up Doesn’t Make Maters Dead!”

But we all know the truth, just look at Cranberry and Red.

And let’s not forget the worm tea that he cooked up,

Thousands of pet worms, was it enough?

It helped I suppose, surely it couldn't have hurt,

But did he have to put his hands 13 times in poo dirt?

The first red tomato did grow on his vine,

I really could beat him if I had a little more time.

I teased him with names of Sprout, Shrimpy and Cherry,

But in looking at the tape measure, now I’m not that merry.

Lush Puppy V truly is much much bigger,

At 10 3/8 he’s got me beat I figure.

I guess I’ll have to make a special Yengling run,

Buying beer for someone else is just NEVER fun.

But the time has come, the contest end is near,

I must swallow my pride and award the beer.

It’s been a lot of fun, good jobs have been done,

BUT the Master has finally WON!

CONGRATULATIONS MATER MASTER FOR WINNING THE GREAT TOMATO RACE!

Power in Numbers

You know what they say, "There's Power in Numbers."  

Well if that's true, we've got some real girl power going on here at the Manual Mater Maker.  Not only are many of these amazin' maters competition size, but they are everywhere!  

Don't stare, I think you might be making one of them blush!