Productive Monday

Guess What's Growing with the Blueberry Bush?

Guess what's growing in one of the planters with the blueberry bushes?  It's quite well hidden by the blueberry bush, but, I've drawn an arrow to one of the leaves.  Can you guess what it is?

A Slightly Blurry Close Up

A Better Photo

If you guessed, "Papaya seedling" you'd be correct!  I had dropped some papaya seeds into this pot, some time ago, quite accidentally (I had been taking the seeds to scatter in the area behind the shed) and apparently, one of the seeds had germinated and started growing, quite unnoticed until Friday evening, when gardener M noticed it as he was watering the blueberry bushes!  I've no idea if it will survive the winter, but, we shall see!  M asked if I wanted him to transplant it, but, I said no, because I'm afraid that transplanting it now might kill it.  If it survives the winter, we might try transplanting it next spring.  We might have to transplant the entire pot - blueberry bush and all!  

It was a sunny, yet, cooler day (high of only 81F) on Monday.  I started the day doing a load of laundry (bath mats, kitchen rugs, etc.)

Then, I called the plumbing company about the leaky water heater.  They were the authorized repair people recommended by the manufacturer of the water heater I bought in 2018, when a part needed replacing while the water heater was still under warranty.  I called them again in 2021, when the gas valve needed replacing, and I called them, again, today.  They don't do household plumbing repairs, though (I had asked them if they did, earlier).  Anyway, the person I spoke to said she'll try to get the repair person out in the afternoon, otherwise, she'll make an appointment for me for Wednesday.  She said she'll call back, later, to let me know.  She also stated that their service call charges have gone up since I last used them.  Oh, well, that couldn't be helped.  She called me back, later, to say that the repair person will be out this evening, before 6:00 p.m.  He was here around 4:30 p.m. and he said the drain valve, which was plastic, had cracked and he replaced it with a metal one.  It was the same repair person who had come out earlier, too; very friendly and he was quite taken up with Mama Cat and my squash vine!  LOL.  The repair costs came to $170; the labor is guaranteed for 30 days and the part is guaranteed for 60 days.  I hope the repair will last for much longer than that!

While I waited for the plumber arrive, I picked more green beans and cherry tomatoes, and the poor stunted little zucchinis that had started to rot!  

Monday's Harvest

They are about three inches in length and less than one inch in diameter!  I had left them on the plant hoping they would get bigger, but, I guess they were growing in a space that was too shady and damp for them?  Only one of them was still good and that one still had the blossom attached to the end.  I cut it up and sauteed it and that makes for a very sad zucchini harvest, this year!  Considering how well the plants grew, I'm disappointed in my zucchini harvest.  It's a good thing I still have some zucchini in the freezer!

The butternut squash, however, seems to be doing well.  I will place a piece of cardboard under it to keep it off the damp ground.  

Butternut Squash on 10/9/23

There are a couple of other female flowers on the vine, and I was hopeful that they'll develop into more squashes, but, they are already starting to turn yellow and will fall off soon:

Non-viable Female Butternut Squash Blossom

The tomato plants from the 10 year old seeds are growing well, though!  They seem to be cherry tomatoes!

More Cherry Tomato Plants

Today was a productive day when it came to housework.  I swept and mopped my bathroom and put the washed and dried bath mats down.  I swept, then vacuumed, and mopped the kitchen, too, and put down the washed and dried kitchen mat.  I found a box lid to place Dancer's food bowls in to minimize getting the kitchen floor dirty when he spills his food.  The edges of the box lid would also, hopefully, keep the bowls in place - he's been pushing them all over the kitchen floor while he eats!  He's back to eating his canned cat food without too much of a fuss, and I'm glad about that!  Finally, I dusted and vacuumed the living room and dining area (and vacuumed the hallway).  I am very pleased with what I managed to accomplish, today.

I didn't get to the closet, today, but, that's OK.  I wanted to get the housework done while I had the energy and was motivated to do it!  I'll get to the closet, tomorrow.

Later in the evening, I wished neighbor S's younger daughter for her birthday.  Her older sister brought me pizza, cinnamon rolls, and a doughnut for my dinner and dessert, so I updated the meal plan I made earlier in the day and ate some of the pizza and a cinnamon roll for dinner!  LOL!  Brunch had been a pot roast sandwich. 

Today, I am grateful for:

- Another sunny and warm day
- The plumber was available to tend to the water heater today and it has been fixed
- The garden produce, such as it is
- Dinner and dessert compliments of neighbor S and family
- What I was able to accomplish in terms of housework

Today's joyful activity was video chatting with my daughter. 

Plans for tomorrow include organizing my closet. 

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