Ed's Experiments and Stuff

Long time readers may remember that I have overwintered Swiss Chard in my basement under lights for the last several years.  This fall I started my winter Swiss Chard from seed to compare it to digging the old roots from the garden. I also had some collards that I bought from Home Depot that were originally planted out in the garden but with a cool, wet fall, the slugs, and the deer they weren't going to get a chance to do anything so I dug a couple of them up and planted everything in a window box.  As you can see the chard is pretty tight.  I was going to thin them but they seem to be more productive the way they are.  They don't make as many big leaves but there is a lot more stem production and since we eat both the leaves and stems I am getting a better harvest this way.  In this 6 x 8 inch area I am getting a cutting (for 2 people) a week.  It took about 6 weeks to get started though.  I think the best approach is to plant some seed and transplant the older garden plan

Where I live there is an annual vehicle safety inspection.  On this go around the mechanic said he would pass my wife's 2002 Accord this time but the headlight covers would have to be replaced because they were so yellowed and cloudy they were blocking enough light to become unsafe.  It was going to be pretty expensive for new headlight covers so I figured I would try one of the headlight restoration kits.  The local auto parts store carried a few different types but I settled on  Mothers on sale for less than $20.  The kit comes with 2 small sandpaper pads that are different on each side and numbered 1 to 4, a bottle of polishing cream (PowerPlastic ® Polish) , a Powerball polishing pad to use with the cream, and a microfiber towel.  Other items you will need are a drill, some tape (blue painting tape is easiest to use), a small pan with some water in it, and some paper towels. For headlights as bad as mine you use the 4 small sandpaper pads first.  However before you begin