Thursday, December 1, 2022

The Last Day of November

Blueberry Leaves

I texted my friend's daughter in the early afternoon, today, to ask how her mother was doing and letting her know that I was cooking a meal to bring to them, a little later in the afternoon.  I prepared a chicken curry and dhal (lentils) and was waiting for the pot of rice to finish cooking, when she texted back, saying that her mother, my friend A, had passed away a few minutes ago.  It had been a peaceful ending, she texted.  She wasn't sure how much longer they would be at the hospital and asked me if I could stop by their place tomorrow and I said yes.  I cooked some broccoli, too, and packed the food into containers to take to them.

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Self-Seeded Broccoli Seedling

Earlier in the morning, while I was waiting for M, I walked around the back yard and noticed that, among the weeds that were springing up in the planting bed where I had grown peas and broccoli, there were a handful of broccoli seedlings, too, growing from seeds that had fallen!  I pointed them out to M and he weeded that planting bed, around the seedlings.  I have some broccoli seeds that I had collected, earlier this summer, but I have not sown them yet - I guess I should start them in some seed pots and see what happens.  The peas we planted are starting to germinate, too!  

Today, we also did a project in the front garden - the front garden slopes ever so slightly towards the sidewalk and, without any grass roots to hold the soil in place, I've been noticing that the soil washes down to the sidewalk whenever it rains enough, especially in one area.  I asked M if we could put some of the scalloped flowerbed edging to form a barrier.  But, when he dug down to put the edging in place, he discovered that there was some areas with the concrete from the sidewalk extending into the garden so that the edging stones could not be placed flush against the sidewalk.  That left a little gap between the sidewalk and the edging stones.  So, I collected some small stones from the back yard and filled in the gap with them.  

The New Edging in Place

We didn't edge the whole length of the front yard, today, just part of the way.  It might be something to consider doing in the future, to give it a more finished look.  


Looking Down, Along the Edge of the Sidewalk

The back yard is full of small stones - every time we dig another flower bed, we find stones and I've been piling them in places; they are coming in handy!  

When I cooked, today, I cooked a little extra chicken curry and dhal for myself.  Brunch was rice, chicken curry, and dhal.  Dinner was rice, chicken curry, dhal, and broccoli.  There are another couple of servings of chicken curry and dhal left for tomorrow and maybe Friday.  

After dinner, I ran the dishwasher.  Later, I chatted with friend R and video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A's friendship over the years
- She passed away peacefully at the end
- I was able to visit her, several times, last week
- M's help with the garden
- The self-seeded broccoli seedlings!

Today's joyful activity was gardening with M.

Plans for tomorrow include visiting A's family and taking them a meal.  

How was your last day of November?  What are your plans for Thursday, and the start of December?

18 comments:

  1. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. You've are a good friend to her family, spending time with her and now taking them a home cooked meal is very thoughtful.
    The edging on your sidewalk looks very nice. Putting stones there is such a good idea!

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    1. Thank you, Celie. My heart aches for my friend's two daughters. They've gone through so much in the past two years or so since their mom's cancer was first detected.

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  2. I am so very sorry to read the news of your friend's passing. It will be of some relief to know she was peaceful at the end.
    And it is kind of you to cook for her family, I'm sure they will appreciate having one less thing to think about at this time.
    Sending lots of love and know I am thinking of you all. Xx

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    1. Thank you, Jules. Yes, A is now in a better place. I was to take the meal I prepared to the house, today, but, one of her daughters stopped by and collected it, so I didn't have to drive. I figured a home cooked rice and curry meal would be much appreciated by her family. :)

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  3. So sorry to hear about A's passing, but glad it was peaceful.
    Our soil is very rocky, and I've formed a large rock pile around one of our trees. It's fun to look at and handy for when I need a rock (big or small) in a bed somewhere. You did a very neat job filling in with your rocks in the front.

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    1. Thank you, June. A peaceful ending is a blessing, isn't it?

      We think that at least some of the bigger rocks in the garden are from when this whole area got flooded, in the early 1920s and 30s, before several miles of the Los Angeles River was channeled with concrete as a flood control measure. It makes the river look like a bit drain, most of the time, except for one section where the force of the water eroded the concrete bottom of the channel and trees started to grow and a river ecosystem developed! The City is now planning to develop that area as a recreational area.

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  4. Very sorry to hear of your friend's passing. Even when expected, it can certainly still be a shock. Your edging solution looks perfect for your sidewalk.

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    1. Thank you, Mary-Lou; yes, we were expecting her death, but, when it happened, it was still a bit of a shock.
      I'm pleased with how the edging worked out. And the rocks will tie everything together once the pebbles are added to the parkway, I think. At least, that's what I hope! :D

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  5. Oh I'm so sorry to hear the news that A has passed away but it's good to hear that it was a peaceful end for her. My thoughts are with you and with her family.

    Your new garden edging with the added stones looks very good and finishes off the border very nicely. Will you eventually do it all the way along? I wonder if your self seeded broccoli plants will be as productive as this year's crop. Good luck with the peas as well.

    I've been searching out more things to sell ... a new camera is a good incentive to get rid of more stuff! I've also been trying to load my food photos but Blogger isn't playing nicely. I have managed to load some to include in a tomorrow's post but the rest will have to wait until I have more time!

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. Yes, we are all thankful that the ending was peaceful.

      I like how the edging with the stones filling in the gap looks! I would like to go the whole length of the front garden, but, since M will have to do all the digging, I will have to work it out with him. :) I've no idea how the self-seeded broccoli will do, but, it's fun to see them sprouting! We might pick up a pack of nursery grown broccoli plants, too, just to be on the safe side!

      Funding a new camera is a very good incentive to declutter! I hope you find lots of things to sell. If you were nearer, I'd have given you some of my things to sell, too, and add to your camera fund! :)

      Hope you can upload your food photos. I'm looking forward to seeing them!

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  6. So sorry to learn that your friend A has passed away, but thankful to know that it was peaceful. I'm sure her family will appreciate the love that went into preparing a meal for them.
    Your edging looks attractive with the necessary stones. They add a little something extra.
    I've been able to drive myself today without any problem and I bought a treat for DH for being so good driving me for 4 weeks! I've been able to do some light housework and my cleaner will do the heavy stuff tomorrow. I want to start a little Christmas decorating day by day and first the angels have to go on the dining room windowsill.

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    1. Thank you, Bushlady; she's in a better place, now.

      Thank you, I'm happy with how the edging turned out. I'm going to see if I can persuade M to continue to edge all the way, but, first, I'll need to find more stones! :D

      Yay, for being able to drive yourself, again! That was very sweet of you to buy a treat for DH for driving you. Doing a little bit each day is the way to go when it comes to decorating for Christmas. I'm going to wait until mid-month, though, I think. :)

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  7. I am very sorry for the loss of your friend A. I'm sure she appreciated your friendship as her family must appreciate your kindness during these times.

    Your stones and edging look very nice along the sidewalk. It does make it more tidy and attractive. Good idea;)

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    1. Thank you, Debra.

      I'd like to extend the edging all along the front yard, but, I'm not sure if the eucalyptus roots will allow me to do that!

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  8. May I add my sympathies on A's death. It's never easy, even if expected. I hope you and all her family and friends are managing to cope as best anyone can.

    The edging with the stones is very effective and looks very neat. Great idea!

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    1. Thank you, Lady Ella. She was a good friend.

      I told M today that I'd like to extend the edging all the way down the front yard. Not sure if the eucalyptus roots will allow that, but, we are going to try!

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  9. I am so sorry to hear of your friend's death. My thoughts are with you and her family and friends. She was well loved. A good measure of a life.

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    1. Thank you, Sharon; yes, she was loved and that is a good measure of a life!

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