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| Peach Tree Where the Top Broke Off |
This is where the top of the peach tree broke off, last year (May, 2021). Although M duct taped it up, the top didn't regrow. Instead, side branches sent up shoots and this is how the peach tree looks now, before we prune it, later this year:
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| The Regrown Peach Tree |
The break in the main trunk is about mid point in the photo. The side branch shoots are about four feet high! M and I are waiting until the leaves turn yellow and fall before pruning it sometime in November or early December.
It's another sunny and warm day, today, with a daytime high of 86F (we didn't reach the forecast high of 90F).
This morning, I called the hospital medical billing department. After a couple of false starts when I selected what turned out to be the wrong option on the list of menu options (I selected "Billing" when it should have been "Other Matters"; apparently, the Billing option was for people who have already received a bill, because they asked for information on a bill statement, which I didn't have), I got through to customer service and someone named Ray, who told me to disregard the notice I received and reassured me that they are in contact with the insurance people and my account does not show any outstanding balance. currently. I didn't ask him why they sent me the letter if they are in contact with the insurance people. I suppose it is a matter of protocol - they are creating a paperwork trail to cover their backsides in case there is a lawsuit, so that someone receiving a bill can't complain that no one warned them that this was pending. I can understand that and after all, the notice did say that no action was required on my part. I thanked Ray for his help and rang off. Then, I said a prayer of thanksgiving that this matter seems to be resolved. Such a blessing!
Shortly after I got off the phone with the billing department, M arrived to tend to the garden. He helped me to hand pollinate the passion fruit flowers that were above my reach. Afterwards, he watered and weeded, etc. We discussed getting some bedding plants such as chrysanthemums and dusty miller to plant out in the front garden for a little bit of color during the cooler months. I try to grow mostly edible plants (chrysanthemum is technically edible, although some varieties are more edible than others and dusty miller is considered a herb), although I don't necessarily eat them.
Later in the evening, I ordered some groceries, online; I mostly need bread and produce, but, I ordered some canned goods to stock up - coconut milk, condensed milk, pasta sauce, etc. Ground turkey is on sale, this week, for $2.99/lb., but, apparently it is available for delivery, only! I'm glad I still have some in the freezer!
Brunch was egg salad sandwiches; dinner was chicken curry and rice with peach chutney.
Today, I am grateful for:
- The medical billing situation seems to be in the process of being resolved
- Answered prayers!
- M helping with the garden
- Being able to order groceries online
- Warm sunny days
Today's joyful activity was tending to the garden with M.
Plans for tomorrow include picking up the groceries.
How was your Wednesday? What are your plans for Thursday?
Sounds like Ray was very helpful and seems he has put your mind at rest. Chrysanthemums are nice will give you some colour in the front garden though I'm not sure about eating them. I have no plans for today but I really need to get some housework done.
ReplyDeleteHe was very helpful and I felt much reassured after speaking with him! I'll still wait and see what happens, but, I think it will be OK. :)
DeleteSome Chrysanthemums will be nice out in the front, I think. I probably won't eat them, though! :D But, there is a particular Japanese variety of them that is grown for eating - it is known as Garland Chrysanthemum or shungiku.
I need to get some housework done, too, Eileen, after I pick up my groceries. Hope your day goes well. :)
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Ray is right and the issue with the billing will be cleared and paid without you having to worry about it.
ReplyDeleteChrysanthemums are very pretty and will add some colour to your front garden. They were Ced's favourite plant, the smell took him back to his childhood as his Dad used to grow them.
I've been shopping this morning to but some extra throws for the living room and am now waiting for L to arrive. xx
Thank you, Eileen; yes, hopefully, Ray is right and the bill is taken care of!
DeleteI used to plant chrysanthemums in the front, more or less on a yearly basis to provide some color. It is a fight between wanting color and being water wise. The latest drought report stated that, unless we have a really wet winter, we will only have enough water for drinking and washing, next summer!
Extra throws for the living room sounds like a good idea! One can never have extra throws and blankets! Enjoy the visit with L. :)
Many if not all billing letters are computer generated and not viewed by a person who could figure out the subtleties. I have gotten much better about ignoring the letters after I do an initial check.
ReplyDeleteI am still amazed how big your fruit trees get in so little time even with the sparse rainfall you get. The peach tree looks so big and was very prolific last year.
Yes, I suppose the letter is a computer generated letter; I've probably stressed for nothing, but, I guess I am a worry-wart! :D
DeleteThe peach tree gets watered twice, sometimes thrice, a week in the summer! If we relied on rainfall the fruit trees will not do well at all (our water restrictions make exceptions for hand watering with a hose and watering vegetables and fruit trees, etc., as long as we are mindful of water use). I'm worried (there I go again!) about next summer - the latest drought report says that, unless we have a really wet winter and our reservoirs are filled, there will be only enough water available for drinking and washing.
I'm glad that the billing issue is finally resolved. I think you are right, the hospital was doing "diaper control"!
ReplyDeleteI have two pots of miniature white chrysanthemums at the front steps and they turn slightly pink as they age.
Thank you, Bushlady; it is a relief to have the bill issue resolved! Yes, that's what I told one of my friends - "diaper management"! :D
DeleteYour white chrysanthemums sound lovely! Two colors for the price of one! :D
I could feel your relief as I read through your interaction with Ray.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it's worked out.
That peach tree is a strong tree. You can't even notice where the lead broke off and the fruit supply this year was very good as I recall.
I wouldn't know how to hand pollinate and would drop over for a lesson if I lived closer :)
Yes, Debra; I was very relieved after I spoke with Ray. :)
DeleteThe peach tree has recovered from the break and seems to be doing well.
Ha, ha, to hand pollinate, you pretend you are a bee and transfer some pollen from the stamens to the pistils. :)
It seems like the peach tree was just a little sapling not that long ago! Wow, it has grown! I hope you get lots of rain this winter. There's nothing to gain worrying about that, though I know it's hard not to!. Glad to read that Ray has put your mind at ease about the letter.
ReplyDeleteThe peach tree is growing nicely, isn't it? It looks like this will be another La Nina winter which means the northwest will get lots of rain and we will have a dry winter! Can't do anything about it other than conserve as much water as we can! Yes, it was very helpful to talk to Ray about the billing notification! :)
DeleteHope all is well with you. :)
A relief that the billing issue was resolved. The peach tree recovered remarkably well. X
ReplyDeleteIt's a big relief to have the billing situation resolved, Jules. Yes, the peach tree seems to be doing well; I hope it will provide me with an abundant crop next year!
DeleteI've noticed that there seem to be quite a few bargains that are 'delivery only' I wonder if they are trying to keep numbers attending down to keep down infection. It's a nuisance for you.
ReplyDeleteYes, Lyssa, more and more of the bargains seem to be delivery only. There is a fee for delivery and there isn't one for pick up (provided you buy for $35 minimum). I am also thinking that the stores actually want you to come and buy the stuff because 1) it saves them having to pay their staff to select your grocery items and thus reduce the number of employees, and 2) people tend to buy more when they are in the store as they see the various items displayed; there's more impulse buying when you are shopping in person, I believe.
DeleteMaybe, after this next booster, I'll feel safe enough to do some in person shopping! We'll see.