Mid-August Catch Up

Calamondin (Calamansi) Fruit

Mid-August, already!  

I picked some calamondin (also known as calamansi), which is a type of citrus, a cross between a kumquat and another type of citrus, from the tree in my backyard, the other day.  It is rather small, sour fruit, but, I've made marmalade with it, in previous years.  This time, I just picked a couple of the fruit that were within my reach to add to a glass of water to make some infused water to drink.  

Remember that blood test I did on Friday (when I first encountered the new parking machine)?  Well, on Saturday, I received a notification from my primary care physician's office that there was an update to my medical record and, although I logged into the website, I was rather confused because I didn't know why she had made any updates to my records.  It took me a while to realize that I had been an idiot!  I had two lab test requisition forms - one to be done for my upcoming appointment with the oncology nurse practitioner, and one for the November appointment with my primary care physician. I usually get my tote bag ready the night before, with the lab requests and a granola bar and a bottle of water, etc.  But, last Friday, I had forgotten to do that and had almost gone to the car without the lab requisition and hastily grabbed the form from the file folder at the last minute.  It wasn't until the lab test results had been posted on the primary care doctor's website that I realize that I had taken the wrong blood tests!  I had done the labs for the primary care physician (which weren't due until November) instead of the oncology tests, which were needed for this, upcoming Friday!  Yikes!

After I spent some time berating myself for being stupid, I quickly made another appointment for the oncology blood tests (the earliest I could get was Tuesday morning) and hoped that the results would be ready by Friday!  If not, I would have had to reschedule my appointment.

Then, on Monday, I called the primary care physician's office, explained what I had done, and asked if I could get another lab requisition form for the November appointment.  Yes, I was told, it will be ready to be picked up, later in the week.  I will pick it up on Friday, on my way to the oncology appointment.  I apologized for the mistake, but, I was told not to worry about it.  

On Tuesday morning, I woke up early for me (7:00 a.m.) after a rather restless night of sleep and went to have my oncology blood tests done.  I was told that the test results would be available on Thursday, so I won't have to reschedule my appointment, after all.  I had another opportunity to use the new parking machine and this time, I was able to scan my ticket and swipe my credit card like a pro!  LOL.  I was very proud of myself!  

After I came home, I ate some peanut butter toast for breakfast and then, I took a nap in the afternoon.

I had watered the back garden on Saturday evening and again, on Monday evening.  On Tuesday evening, I watered the front garden.  I watered the back garden, again, on Wednesday, evening.

Broken Eggshells 

Chicken Little had been sitting on her eggs all this time, but, when I checked on Monday, I saw that there were broken eggshells in the nest and no signs of any chicks.  I don't know if the eggs hatched and Chicken Little took her brood to another location or if a possum had found the eggs and eaten them.  I haven't seen Chicken Little around, either, so, I don't know quite what has happened.  

In the meantime, it looks like Mama Cat, too, has left the garden and moved on.  The last couple of times I saw her, she had moved away from the back garden and gone to the front, where she'd sit on the driveway and wait.  But, she would come to the back to eat.  Then, she didn't come to the back to eat and I didn't see her in the front, either.  I asked M if he had seen her when he was cleaning up the front garden and he said no.  It's been over two weeks since I last saw her, and I've called her, but, she hasn't come.  I am assuming that she just left.  She never did accept Patches being here and maybe she decided it was time she left.  I hope she found herself another safe garden in which to be or, maybe, she went to that big field of catnip where all garden cats go to rest.  

Mama Cat in the Squash Patch Last Summer

In mid-August, I am grateful for:

- Realizing I made a mistake with the lab tests in time to redo them before my appointment
- Being able to use the new parking machine without any problems
- Access to medical care
- Water for the garden
- Memories of Mama Cat

Joyful activities have included watching the Olympics and the Closing Ceremony, picking more okra, green beans, and corn from the garden, and reading library books online.

How are things with you?