Thursday, February 10, 2022

Midweek

 

Freshly Picked Garden Greens

It's Wednesday, already!  We have been having a week of really nice, warm weather, with the daytime highs in the mid to upper 80s (F).  My kind of weather, as most of you know.  

Monday was the 16th anniversary of my mother's death.  I had dreamt of her, early that morning, and in my dream, she was asking me what there was to eat because she was hungry.  I woke up feeling very unsettled, but, later, I called the Temple and spoke with one of the monks (he's the most senior monk at that Temple, similar to a Christian abbot, I suppose, and he's also one of the monks my mother taught English to when he first arrived in the States).  He assured me that he and the other monks will say a prayer of blessing for her during that evening's puja (prayer service).  I fretted about not being able to bring some alms to the Temple due to Covid, etc., but, he reassured me that I can do so at a later date, when things are better.  

Later, at noon, I picked up my groceries; I had bought a bouquet of flowers to take to the cemetery, so, after I put away the perishables, I visited my mother's grave.

After I came home, I made some egg salad for our lunch, watered the back garden, picked more peapods, called and spoke with cousin P, and chatted with friend R.  My daughter picked a bunch of greens from the garden - purple mustard greens, purple mizuna leaves, some chard leaves, some beetroot leaves, and a few Japanese spinach leaves.  She made a salad for us, but, the purple mustard greens are a bit too peppery for me when raw.  Later, I took the rest of the leaves she picked and sauteed them to have with dinner (the cooked mustard leaves aren't that peppery).  

On Tuesday, I did two loads of laundry, watered the front garden, brought in the trash cans (I had taken them out to the curb on Monday for trash pick up on Tuesday morning), spoke with friend A, spoke with friend R, too,, boiled mung beans for brunch and cooked ground turkey and a vegetable stir-fry for dinner, did the dishes, cleaned the litter box, and swept the bathroom.  Watched some Olympics, too.  

Today, Wednesday, M came to do the garden in the late morning.  I enlisted his help to clear the garden shed.  The shed had been on my "mile long" to do list for a long time.  I had listed it with my monthly goals several times and each time, it got postponed.  I put it back on the list this month and after Eileen at A Bracelet of Days had asked me if there were any outdoors work I can get done since I can't do some of the indoors work on my to do list because of my reluctance to have workers come inside due to Covid concerns, I decided that I will focus on the shed clearing.

The garden shed has lots of empty planters, some odds and ends, and a heap of aluminum cans and glass bottles that I had been collecting to take to the recycling center!  Taking these items to the recycling center meant you got paid a certain amount per pound (rates depend on whether it is glass, aluminum, or plastic).  I used to collect several months' worth of cans and bottles and receive enough money to make it feel worth my while to do so.  But, I hadn't been able to take them to the recycling center for at a year before Covid and I have now decided that I will not be taking them to the recycling center any time soon.  So, they will be put into the blue recycling bin that the City collects, instead.  Today, M filled the blue recycling bin with some of the cans and bottles.  There are at least enough cans and bottles to fill another bin, but, I have to wait until this lot is collected, next week!  After the recycling has been removed, we will sort through what else is in the shed.  M asked me what my plans were for the shed - I think I would like to have all the garden supplies stored in it, including the bags of potting soil, etc., that are stored in the garage!  Cleaning the garage is next on the agenda!  

In the afternoon, I picked a small bunch of osteospermum flowers and took them, along with a bag of lemons and some oranges, to friend R.  It was another curbside visit, with both of us wearing our masks.  She returned some of my food containers together with a bunch of celery she had picked up for me at the Armenian store.  She wouldn't accept any money for the celery, though.

In the evening, I spoke with my half-sister and watched more Olympics coverage.

For dinner, my daughter and I had leftovers as planned - salmon, rice, green beans, sauteed greens, with some zucchini chutney.  Cherries for dessert.  I might have had some potato chips for a snack, later!  LOL.

Today, I am grateful for:

- M helping with the garden and the shed!
- Fresh garden produce
- Being able to exchange citrus for celery with friend R
- Phone calls with my half-sister
- The lovely warm weather we are having

Today's joyful activity was the curb-side visit with friend R.

Plans for tomorrow include some tidying and cleaning.

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

20 comments:

  1. That's nice that the monks will say a prayer of blessing for your dear mother. You dreamed of her because she is in your heart and mind. It's a big job clearing sheds and garages but you made a good start deciding to send the cans and bottles for recycling. I think we now have to make an appointment to visit our recycling centre so it's off-putting not to be able to just visit whenever but Covid restrictions have changed everything. The weather was beautiful here yesterday and I had a very enjoyable beach walk with Tilly.

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. Yes, my mother is always in my thoughts and heart. :)
      For me, making a start is the hardest part! Once the shed has been cleared, I can start on the garage! There is a lot there that can be tossed!
      I'm glad you are enjoying some nice weather and walks with Tilly. I presume she is fully recovered from her surgery?

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    2. Tilly is fully recovered from her surgery Bless and enjoying running around on the beach again :)

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    3. I'm glad to hear that, Eileen. Give her ears a scratch from me! :)

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  2. I hope speaking with the monks made you feel more settled. Remembering loved ones who have passed on always brings up a mix of emotions.

    Because of the Super Bowl, we've been hearing about your warm weather. Sunday is supposed to be very warm. Good for you, but not so good for the players.

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    1. It did, June; thank you. :)
      Yes, they are saying that we might have a temperature of 87F on Sunday. It's 87F today, too. :)

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  3. Some days our memories are harder to deal with. I have been thinking about and missing Mom terribly for the past couple of weeks,
    It is so wonderful to know the monks will offer a special prayer for her today.

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    1. (((HUGS))) Anne.
      Yes, it is very comforting to know that the monks will remember my mother with a prayer. I can't do anything for her physical nourishment, any more, but, I can do something to nourish her spiritually.
      Then, there was the dream, early this morning, about cooking two ostrich eggs - they had bright blue shells, for some reason, and the one egg I peeled and cut had no separate yolk, but, the whole inside was a pale yellow, like an omelet! Exactly what that is supposed to mean, I don't know! :D

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  4. I'm glad you were able to speak to the monk and that they will say a prayer of blessing for your mother. I hope this brought you some comfort.

    Well done on making a start on the garden shed clearance. Would it be possible to put the rest of the recycling in neighbour T or S's bins, just so you can get it all out of the way without waiting? I bet you'll be glad to get it ticked off the mile long list! Was M impressed that you have made a start?

    Today (Thursday) I moved lots of the pots ready for the fence replacement work to start on Monday. Then watched the Indian cookery for the Egg Dopiaza. It's a useful recipe and she was saying it freezes well so to think about freezing the dopiaza in portions and adding the cooked eggs or cooked meat when you reheat it. I'll have a go at making it as soon as I get some more onions - it'll make for a really quick and tasty meal.

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    1. Thank you, Eileen; yes, it was comforting to talk to the monk and know that my mother will be remembered with a prayer. It's not like I don't remember her in my prayers - I do, every day - but, in my mind, at least, it's not the same as having the monks bless her memory.

      I didn't think about asking either T or S if I could use their bins! But, it's OK; I'd rather wait, I think, and just use my bin. Now that I've started on the shed, I know it will get done by the end of the month. M was asking me what I planned to do with the shed - I've a feeling he thinks it's a waste of garden space! :D

      I like the idea of having the cooked onions in the freezer! It'll be easy to add freshly cooked eggs or vegetables to it for a quick meal. :)

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  5. I'm sorry your dream about your mother upset you. I hope that speaking with the senior monk calmed you and put you at ease.

    Oh, I love that you are cleaning out your shed! I can see lots of items added to the February declutter list. Between the shed and the garage, it will be nice for you to have things all organized.

    I made my version of egg roll in a bowl yesterday. I use an entire head of cabbage with just 1/2 lb of ground beef and it made a nice big batch. It's delicious and will last us several days.
    The little bite-sized dumplings I've been eyeing went on sale ($5.00 for a 24oz bag so a good deal I thought) and they were the perfect accompaniment. I am glad to finally have a source for pot stickers other than Trader Joe's which is not convenient to where I live.

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    1. Thank you, Debra; speaking with the monk did help. :)
      Ha, ha, I am not counting the cans and bottles, but, yes, I will count the other items I plan on decluttering. I poked my head in there, today, and other than the remaining recyclables, there isn't much being stored in the shed - some garden supplies and tools (a weeder, a rake, etc.) a ladder, some planters (which will come in handy this summer), the old grill (which I plan on keeping), the old push mower (which will probably be tossed), and the old Christmas tree stand (for fresh cut trees). The shed itself is about 10'x12' and metal.

      Your egg roll in a bowl sounds delicious! I'm glad you found the pot stickers on sale ($5 is a good price for 24 oz.) and it sounds like you were pleased with their taste. :)

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  6. The greens look so fresh, and I was wondering how the purple mustard greens would compare with watercress, which is also peppery (and unfortunately not available in Canada as far as I know). How nice that you are able to visit your mother's grave. I have visited my mother's grave only once since her burial in England and I was fortunate in being able to visit my father's grave when I lived in Europe.
    Our weather is above freezing and the air smells rather pleasant when I open the door to look out in the morning. Of course when it was -20°C my nose was probably too frozen to notice what the air was like anyway!

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    1. The greens were as fresh as they could be - the photo was taken within 5 minutes of being picked! I think the purple mustard greens would compare with watercress or arugula. I think they would have been better as an accent leaf in a salad with mostly lettuce or just a single leaf in a sandwich. A salad made mostly with the mustard leaves was a little overpowering for me.
      It is a blessing to be able to visit my mother's grave whenever I wish to. My father and stepfather are both buried in Sri Lanka.
      I'm glad you are above freezing now, Bushlady; hope that spring comes soon and with it the maple sap! :)

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  7. The monk sounds lovely. Sending hugs. It's hard when you are facing the anniversary of a loss.

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    1. This monk always radiates a calmness that is very soothing. Talking with him is like taking a deep breath and relaxing. Thank you for the hugs, Lyssa; much appreciated. :)

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  8. I think the kids of a close loved one always stays with us. I'm glad the monks can offer a prayer. I hope it helps you find comfort today. My best to you, Celie

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    1. Thank you, Celie. My mother is never far from my thoughts and I remember her in my prayers every day, but, it is comforting to know that the monks, too, will offer a prayer for her. I hope all is well with you, too, and yours. Stay well and keep warm! :)

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  9. Those garden greens look exactly like what I bought the other day at the grocery store, and you have them right outside your door. They look so fresh. Mine were delicious though even if I had to drive to the store to get them. I bet it feels good to be cleaning out your shed. We gave ours a good cleaning out a couple of years ago and it felt so good to get rid of so much. We bought ourselves a lot of space in there when we cleaned it out. There's still a few things I'd like to get rid of but it's too cold now, maybe when it warms up. Prayers for you on your mom's anniversary. Happy Friday! Denise

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    1. Thank you for the prayers, Denise. :)
      Yes, the greens are growing right outside the back door! I harvest a few leaves at a time and leave the plants in the ground to continue growing. I'm not sure how well they'll do in our summer heat, but, so far, they are tolerating our current mini heatwave. :)
      I was trying to remember when I last cleaned out the shed - it's been several years! Almost as long as when I last cleaned out the garage, I think! LOL.
      Happy Friday to you, too, and I hope you have a lovely weekend, as well. :)

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