I spent some of the afternoon trying to pick up after the hail storm and flooding.

So depressing. While I’m pretty sure things will recover (except maybe the sweet corn), it’s hard to look at. All the developing fruits I had (zukes, peas, tomatoes) needed to be picked and tossed, they were so damaged. More photos here, if you like looking at shredded plants.

In other Bad Michigan News: the state has cut the amount of aid it gives to public universities, so not only do we have to revise our budget downward at work, tuition is going up. Again.

“From the 2003 to 2008 fiscal years, average state tax allocations nationally for higher education rose 24.1 percent, according to the annual Grapevine report compiled by Illinois State University faculty. In contrast, Michigan cut its higher education tax support by 5.1 percent during that period. Michigan was the only state with lower aid levels for universities and community colleges than five years ago….

Michigan’s public university tuition increased about 11 percent last year, compared with 6 percent at private colleges….MSU’s Board of Trustees in June approved a 6.8 percent tuition and fee increase for in-state students, which will take effect this fall.”

MSU is now expected to raise tuition a third time in less than 2 years in January, since rising energy costs and the loss of income from the state means they are coming up short. No word on what other state schools plan yet.

And don’t forget, Michigan is too broke to offer student loans anymore.

I’m too bummed out to stick to the diet. Bring on the chocolate.