Monday

Avocado Flower?

M told me that there was a flower on the avocado plant when he tended to the garden on Friday.  Today, I took a photo of it, but, I'm not sure if that is a flower or a new set of leaves!  In my experience, avocado flowers form at the end of the branch in a panicle, not at the base of a leaf!  We shall be watching this "flower" to see if, indeed, it is a flower!  

A partly cloudy, partly sunny day, today.  I spent a relaxed morning, replying to blog comments, reading and commenting on a few blogs, and easing into the day.

There was an issue with the pharmacy, which texted to let me know that one of my medications was ready for pick up.  When I called them to ask them to mail my prescription (something they had been doing, free of charge, since the pandemic began), I was told that they are no longer authorized to do so!  I offered to pay for delivery, but, the pharmacy staff I spoke with said they are not allowed to mail prescriptions, anymore!  Apparently I have to go in person and sign for the medication!  They said that their policy was that a signature was required for prescriptions, but, that policy was waived during the pandemic, but, now, the policy has been reinstated!  Even though the pandemic is still raging on, with our county's new COVID cases number being 45,584, yesterday and 43,582, today?  Yes, even so.  Sigh.  My daughter doesn't want me to go into the pharmacy to pick up my medication (I have 6 of the factors that put me in a high risk group for severe complications from COVID).   My insurance company had sent me a new prescription card at the beginning of the year, saying if I wanted my prescriptions to be mailed, then, I needed to use the mail order pharmacy listed in their letter.  I had been hoping to avoid switching pharmacies, but, that's what I have to do.  We called the insurance company and was informed what we need to do.  So, tomorrow, I have to call my old pharmacy and ask them to contact the new pharmacy to do a pharmacy to pharmacy transfer of all my prescriptions.  I hope they can do that over the phone!  

In the afternoon, I sorted through some paperwork and refreshed my "grab and go" earthquake kit.  The box of granola bars I had in there had passed its 'best by' date by several months, so I put in a packet of crackers, instead.  And I took out the two old bottles of water and put in two newer bottles.  I don't believe that bottled water expires although the bottles come with an expiry date, but, I do believe the taste of the water changes.  This bag of earthquake supplies is kept by my bed, along with the spare bottles of my medications and a pair of shoes and socks.  Next, I checked the batteries in the flashlight (torch) I keep by my pillow!  If an earthquake happens at night and is severe enough to knock out the power, then, a working flashlight is a good thing to have!

Later, I took the trash can and yard waste bin to the curb for pick up in the morning.  Then, I took the kitchen waste to the compost bin and watered the vegetable plants and the citrus trees in the back yard.  M will water the rest of the yard on Wednesday.  I also picked a lemon that had fallen from the tree and picked the first two oranges of the season!  My daughter and I enjoyed the oranges:

First Orange of the Season

I didn't take down the Christmas tree decorations, today, because the bin in which I store the decorations is in the garage and I forgot to bring it inside!  So, that's on the agenda for tomorrow!

Instead, I changed my bed sheets, remaking the bed with the new set of flannel sheets I had bought and washing the sheets that were on the bed.  They need to be folded and put away.  

I also made a pot of tomato soup, with some of the garden tomatoes that I had frozen.  I added a couple of carrots, some onions, a little bell pepper (also from the garden), some zucchini (yes, from the garden) and a can of cut green beans which needed using up.  Once cooked, I blended everything and it turned into a big pot of soup!  There will be plenty for lunches this week and I might even freeze some for another day!

Daughter took a little of the soup (in lieu of canned diced tomatoes) to add to the ground beef mixture (seasoned ground beef, bell pepper, black beans, and corn) she made for the "burrito bowl" that was her dinner, with quinoa, baked sweet potatoes, and avocado:

  

Daughter's "Burrito Bowl"

I had a bowl of my tomato soup and later, a bowl of quinoa with some of her ground beef mixture.  It was a good dinner! 

Today, I called Aunt C and chatted with her for a bit; later, I called friend R.  I also received a New Year's card from my oldest half-brother in Sri Lanka.  He had not mentioned if he had received my card or not, but, he had given his card to his daughter who had visited him over the winter holidays, and she had posted it to me upon her return.  I was happy to hear from him.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Having medical insurance
- Daughter helping me with calling the insurance company to ask about how I go about switching pharmacies
- Helpful customer service reps
- Fresh oranges from the garden
- Daughter cooking part of the dinner

Today's joyful activity was spending time in the garden.

Plans for tomorrow include undecorating the Christmas tree, since I didn't do it, today!

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?