We've got sunshine and blue skies in February, here in Tucson. But what we don't have is grass.

Tucson frowns upon grass, and here in the Old Pueblo it's considered politically incorrect to have a lawn. We have xeriscape, instead. Xeriscape is cacti and mesquite and rocks and pebble mulch. It's pretty, in its own way. And utterly authentic. But it's not much use when Bao wakes up at 2 am with tummy rumbles and wants to go out and eat grass.

The last time this happened was several weeks ago, and it was freezing. And dark. I stood in the back garden wretched and shivering and looking out for bobcats and coyotes while Bao minced fretfully to and fro trying in vain to find something green to eat. He ended up munching on a frost bitten lantana, which helped not at all. And I was up the rest of the night.

The next morning, I wrote away for a Pet Grass Growing Kit. Yes, there are such things. The kits come complete with everything you need, including soil. (We don't have that, either) Follow the directions and the stuff grows practically before your eyes.

Looks delicious, doesn't it?