Striiiiiiiiing Beans

After I had my garden all planted, my Dad gave me a couple extra bean plants that he had and wasn't going to plant. I think he said they were some Italian variety that yielded really long beans (yes, I initially thought he may be pulling my leg...but I figured time would tell). Well, these two bean plants along with my pole beans have taken FOREVER to yield mature plants...so I committed gardening sin number 4: I stopped checking for beans for a whole week or so. After all, I had been out there daily...digging through my acorn squash vines that had taken over the homes of my "Italian" beans, seeking for these long beans that I had been told are hard to find because "they are so long they look like the stems of your plant". I had seen a HUGE purple flower or two, so I knew they had to be there...I just couldn't find one. Not one.

Well, as you can see from the picture, I found them yesterday. The one closest to the ruler is what I think is the optimal size. The others are...um...a bit overgrown and inedible. But of course, I had to get a picture. :)