Thursday's Happenings

 

"Stinky Flower" Stem

Going by the mottled stem (which is really a pseudo stem) and the tiny white flecks along the veins of some of the leaves, I think I have identified the stinky flower as Dracunculus vulgaris, which has several common names including dragon arum, snake lily, stink lily, and voodoo lily.  I'll have to confirm it with M when he is here, next.

Today, I practiced the piano a little when my daughter took a lunch break, but, a little later, neighbor S (who is my piano teacher as well) called and by mutual agreement, we have decided to postpone the lessons for another couple of months, until mid-April.  This will work out best for us both for various reasons.  I will continue to practice the pieces she has assigned me and she has encouraged me to review some of the older pieces, as well.  Plus, there is the new piano music book that I bought myself, which I can learn to play on my own.  

According to the latest information, daughter's office is still ironing out the logistics of people returning to the office in person and Covid safety measures; it looks like she will not need to return to Berkeley until the end of March or early April!  I am more than happy to have her company a little longer!  

In the afternoon, I called the new pharmacy because I had a question about one of my medications.  I had been notified that the medication was available at CVS and I was wondering what was going on.  Apparently, this one medication was not transferred to the new pharmacy (although I remember giving them the information).  Perhaps when they sent their forms to the doctor's office, the doctor's office went ahead and sent the prescription order to the old pharmacy instead?  Anyway, I found out that there won't be a problem if I did pick up this prescription at CVS.  Then, I called CVS and the pharmacy staff asked me if I wanted it mailed to me!  What?  I thought they didn't do mail delivery anymore!  Isn't that what they said earlier this month and wasn't that the entire reason why I changed to the new pharmacy?  "Oh, no, your insurance covers the mailing", I was told!  Well, in that case, please do go ahead and mail it to me!  I am half expecting a phone call or text saying that it could not be delivered, but, so far I haven't heard anything!  No news is good news?

Kufta, Pita Bread, and Ice Cream Cake from Neighbor S

Neighbor S asked me if I would like to have some kufta and pita bread, and I said I'd love to have some.  She also included a piece of ice cream cake to share with my daughter.  I shared some of the homemade marshmallows that friend S had given me, in return.  I froze the kufta because I needed to cook the ground beef I had bought on Tuesday, since I had kept it in the fridge.  Such a blessing to receive this gift of food from neighbor S.  

I browned the ground beef with some diced onions and garlic, then, added a packet of my homegrown zucchini pieces that I had frozen (I thawed it a bit in the microwave, then, ground it up in the food processor, along with some frozen bell pepper pieces), added the rest of the can of diced tomatoes that I had opened earlier, when I was cooking the sausages, and finally, some frozen corn.  I used some spices (cumin, chili powder, dried basil, etc.) and it turned out really well.  Adding the zucchini and other vegetables not only extended the ground beef but, also, increased my vegetable intake!  Some celery would have been good, too, but, I didn't have any to add.  We had some of the ground beef mixture with the pita bread for our dinner.  Leftovers are in the fridge for future meals.  

After dinner, I did the dishes, cleaned the litter box, etc. 

Today, I am grateful for:

- Neighbor S sharing some of her delicious kufta along with the pita bread and cake
- Being able to postpone resuming piano lessons
- The pharmacy saying they can mail me the current prescription, after all!
- Phone chats with family and friends
- My daughter might stay with me a little longer!

Today's joyful activities included receiving more delicious food from neighbor S and enjoying a piece of the ice cream cake with my daughter.  The rest of the cake is in the freezer! 

Plans for tomorrow include my appointment with the oncologist in the afternoon and tending to the garden with M in the evening.  

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?