Good evening to George and Pam,
Pam, thanks for the description of the cucumber beetle.  I haven't seen those yet, but we sure do have those squash bugs and beetles.  Ugh.  I am glad it is the end of the season.  I tried spraying them with soapy water today.  I don't think it had any effect.  I picked two more beefsteak tomatoes.  My garden buddy got some more cherry tomatoes.  I picked a few more hot peppers.  Then he watered while I harvested basil.  I just pulled them out.  Shook out the dirt and cut the roots off at the compost pile.  After I picked the good leaves, I ended up with 3 cigar rolls of basil.  Mom shared that with me.  I can't recall if I explained already.  You wash and pat the leaves dry and then spread them out on a sheet of plastic wrap.  Then starting at a short end, you roll it up like a cigar, place the basil rolls into a freezer bag, and pop them in the freezer.  Then when you want some basil for cooking, you cut off thin slice(s), let it defrost and pull the plastic strip out and you have small pieces of basil!  I found it works quite nicely.  I shared the idea with several people.  I shared one roll too.  I kept two for myself.  I had already given one to my garden buddy earlier.  I should be able to make a few more for the other garden team members.  Although I did learn today that the gang would like one more bruschetta lunch.  We still have more basil out there but much of it is the spicier varieties.  I also started pulling dead plants out today.  The cucumbers have about had it.  I got back in from the garden and patted my face and the back of my neck.  It was hot out there.  I plan to take tomorrow and Thursday afternoon off to take advantage of this little bit of Indian Summer. 

It looks like I won't make it to the vocational school again this week either.  I am invited to an appreciation lunch on Friday at a Japanese steak house.  That should be fun.  I hope everyone had a good day.  Hugs to Jan and Ron!