Mid-Week/Mid-Month

 

Piñata Rose

Earlier this year, we dug up this rose plant that was not doing too well in the front garden, potted it up, and moved it to the back garden.  It's still in the pot, but, it seems to be doing better and has bloomed.  

Well, here we are, mid-week and mid-month, too!  Tax day, here in the US.  

This week has been a bit challenging for me and we are only on the third day!

Monday, April 13, was the Sri Lankan cultural New Year.  I had planned to make milkrice for brunch, but, that didn't happen.  My daughter woke up with a migraine headache and leg cramps; she took the day off from work and lay in a darkened room until late in the evening when she felt better.

Shortly after I woke up, there was a knock at the front door - the phone company technicians needed access to the utility pole at the back of my garden.  I hurried to unlock the gate for them and they did what they had to do and left.

Then, I received a phone call from my primary care doctor's office saying there was an issue with my insurance and could I call Medicare to update their records, etc.  Oh, dear!  That got me all stressed!  Seems to me that every time the doctor's office gets a new front office person, they don't know how to process my billing, since it has to go through a medical IPA group for processin

I had an afternoon appointment with the dermatologist and while I was getting dressed, we had an unexpected thunder storm!  It was pouring with rain while I drove to the appointment and most of the intersections were already flooded and several traffic lights were out of service.  I had left the house at 2:00 p.m. for a 2:40 p.m. appointment, which should have been plenty of time to get there, but, traffic was a nightmare and with a road closure just near the clinic, I missed my turn into the clinic.  By which time, I was already about 5 minutes late.  I pulled into a mini-mall parking lot and called the clinic to let them know I was running late.  I was told I had a 15 minute grace period.  But, by the time I drove around and found parking and got to the clinic, it was 3:00 p.m. and I was 20 minutes late; my grace period had ended!  But, they were kind enought to get me another slot that same afternoon, if I could wait half an hour and I was happy to do that, because there's a charge for missed appointments and cancellations without 48-hour prior notice.  Besides, I was already there and I'm used to long waits at doctors' offices.  I had my library book with me and I read while I waited.  It was a longer wait, however, as I was not seen until 4:00 p.m., but, I was thankful that I was seen.  The rain had stopped by then and the drive home was not too bad with just the regular evening commute traffic.  I got home at 5:00 p.m. and had my first meal of the day, which was leftovers and not milkrice!

I took the trash cans out to the curb for pick up on Tuesday morning and spent as relaxed an evening as possible as I felt a bit stressed about things.  The day had not gone quite as I had expected it to.  

On Monday, I was grateful for:

- Rain for the garden
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- The dermatologist fitted me in, even if I was late and had to wait until there was an opening available
- Daughter felt better in the evening
- Leftovers!

My joyful activity on Monday was reading while I waited at the clinic.

The First Blueberries are Ripening

On Tuesday, I emailed my doctor about the insurance issues.  Then, I made roast beef sandwiches and packed a lunch for my daughter and drove her to the airport as she had to leave for a work-related conference.  After I came back from the airport, I received a return email response from my doctor, telling me speak with her front office person, so I called her and left a voicemail.  She called me back and I think we confused each other even more!  I was half tempted to tell her to just go ahead and bill me and I'll pay the bill, myself, out of pocket, but, I didn't.  There's a reason why we pay for insurance, after all.  Anyway, I promised to call her back with more information.  In the past, I've had 3-way conversations with the medical provider's office, my HMO/IPA billing office, and my insurance.  I don't know why it has to be so complicated, but, apparently, it is.

Pineberry
(a type of white/light pink strawberry with red seeds)

I've picked a few pineberries from my plant, earlier, but, had forgotten to take a picture.  This time, I remembered!

Pineberry Close-Up

Then, I made myself a roast beef sandwich for my brunch, went out to the garden to pick myself a few berries to have with my sandwich:

Berries from the Garden

Since I was feeling a bit stressed from the phone call with the doctor's office, I decided to spend a little time in the garden and do some tidying up.  Some of the osteospermum plants in the front garden were spilling over onto the sidewalk and I didn't want them to obstruct the sidewalk.  They needed to be kept off the sidewalk and I decided that a small trellis would be ideal for that:

New Trellis

A few twigs and a broken metal rod and some scraps of fabric to tie things together and I have myself a trellis!

Here it is in place:

Trellis 

Later in the afternoon, the box containing the chicken coop parts (assembly required) was delivered.  It was not scheduled to be delivered until next week, when daughter would have been home to bring it in, but, I have a hand truck and I managed to wheel it on the hand truck to the garden (had to move the car out, first, to get it in, and then, moved the car back).  I also took out a stack of three plastic garden chairs to set out in the garden.

Daughter called after she arrived at her hotel and we chatted for a bit.  She had to attend a dinner for the conference attendees, but, since she wears a face mask when she is out at these events, she brought her dinner back to the hotel room to eat.  We Facetimed so I could see her hotel room.  LOL.

On Tuesday, I was grateful for:

- Daughter had a safe flight and ride from the airport to her hotel
- I had a safe drive to the airport and back
- Fresh berries from the garden
- Being able to put together a small trellis from bits and pieces I found in the garden and my scrap basket

- Being able to chat with my daughter when she's away

My joyful activities of the day included making the trellis.

On Wednesday, I called my medical insurance and spoke to an agent to find out what was going on.  He then transferred me to Medicare, but, apparently, to the wrong section as the person I spoke to said she couldn't access my information!  So, I called the number on the back of my Medicare card, which was, apparently, the right number to call and spoke with a very helpful person, who confirmed that they had all my information on their current records (doctor's office person had said that Medicare had said they didn't have all my information; maybe they, too, called the wrong Medicare number?) and that they had received the billing and processed it in just five days after my doctor's visit and there was only the matter of my deductible which my secondary insurance should process.  I asked her if she could send me a copy of the payment they made and she said she will do that and it should arrive in the mail within 15 days.

Then, I called my medical insurance people and spoke with another very helpful agent, who explained exactly what needs to happen - the doctor's office needs to bill the HMO/IPA directly for the amount that Medicare didn't cover and they will, in turn, process it, and notify the insurance company.  I thanked her and said I'll call the doctor's office to let them know and she offered to call them herself if I give her the number, which I did.  But, I also called and left a message for the doctor's office, just in case.  I hope that will take care of the matter, but, I might call them again tomorrow (or, they might call me).   But, I am glad I was able to get that matter attended to (hopefully, to the satisfaction of all involved).

The box containing the chicken run was delivered in the late afternoon, ahead of schedule, again!  This time, I managed to push it into the house, waiting for daughter to deal with it when she gets home (she'll be back home, tonight).  For now, it is on the living room floor.

M was here in the afternoon; he said he got delayed because a nearby intersection was closed due to police activity and he had to take a detour!  I had heard helicopters flying when I was out in the garden, earlier in the morning, but, this time there were no announcements to go indoors, so I just ignored them.  M brought me a pineapple plant he had removed from his pineapple plant and a variegated "Fortnight Lily" (Dietes iridioides), also known as African iris that he had rooted for me.  I will take pictures of them, later.  He also did some watering and pruning and I made sure to hand him his pruning saw!

I had some leftovers for brunch and I put a fresh pot of rice to cook for dinner.  I picked up daughter from the airport around 8:30 p.m. and came home.  We had rice with kale mallung and leftover beef curry, etc for dinner.  

On Wednesday, I am grateful for:

- Helpful insurance agents/assistants

- Getting some procedural answers, myself, which will help me in the future

- M's help with the garden

- M sharing more plants with me

- Daughter had a safe flight home

Today's joyful activities included spending more time in the garden and bringing daughter home from the airport.  She was gone for only one night, but, she said it felt good to be home, again!

Cabbage White Butterfly on the Lantana

How is your week coming along?

On Thursday

Peach Tree in February (2/9/26)

 Remember how the peach tree looked in February?   Well, all the flowers are faded now, but, look what's there in their place: 

Baby Peache (3/1/26)

I woke up to gusts of Santa Ana winds blowing on Thursday morning.  I kept looking at the eucalyptus tree, anxiously, but, fortunately, nothing happened to it.  Some potted plants, including the passion fruit vine toppled over (with the vine still clinging to the trellis), but, no broken tree branches, etc.  Thank goodness for that!

In the afternoon, I went to my doctor's appointment, accompanied by my daughter who took time off from work to go with me.  I left early, at 12:15 p.m. for a 1:30 p.m. appointment, in anticipation of traffic, but, I didn't have to go all the way to the very center of downtown, and traffic was fairly light.  As a result we were early for the appointment, but, I prefer to go early and wait rather than feel rushed.  The appointment with the doctor went well enough.  I had lost weight since my last appointment at the beginning of December and my A1c level had come down to a very good level.  I had also, apparently, shrunk at least one inch since my height was last measured!  No wonder I've been finding it harder to reach the higher shelves, recently!  

We experienced some traffic on the way back and I stopped to pick up a pizza, some breadsticks, and a coffee drink for daughter once we got nearer to home.  We got home around 3:30 p.m. and daughter went back to work.  

After daughter finished her work for the day, we went to the pharmacy to pick up a medication my doctor had prescribed.  I received another $2.00 Extra Care Bucks coupon so we picked up yet another box of cereal that was still on sale for $1.99.  Afterwards, we stopped by the dollar store because daughter wanted to look at their craft items, but, they didn't have anything she wanted and we didn't buy anything else.

On the way home, I passed by the same gas station where I filled up on Tuesday.  The gas that was $4.69 per gallon on Tuesday was $5.09 today!  It went up $0.40 per gallon in just two days!  Makes me feel very glad that I filled up when I did!

I made us cups of tea after we came home and watched the evening news.  

We had pizza for a late lunch and we had pizza again for dinner, too.  There are two more slices of pizza left for daughter's brunch, tomorrow.

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- There was no damage due to the Santa Ana winds
- Access to medical care
- A safe drive to the doctor's office and back
- The availability of medications
- Daughter was able to take time off from work to accompany me

Thursday's joyful activities included playing Sudoku and watching videos.

Plans for Friday include the follow-up appointment with the oral surgeon and tending to the garden with M in the evening.

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

We Had Rain

 

Raindrops on Aeoniums

We've had quite a bit of rain this week.  It rained almost all day on Monday and part of the day on Tuesday.  The garden got a good soaking.  Several roads and intersections in my neighborhood got flooded, but, we were okay.  I was glad that I didn't have to drive anywhere, though.  Wednesday was a sunny day, but, there is more rain in the forecast for Thursday.

Things have been pretty quiet at my home, so far, this week.  I've been taking it easy due to sciatica pains, doing minimal housework when I feel up to it.  My current project is mending an old quilt.

On Monday, daughter had the day off (Presidents Day holiday) and she did some cooking and I cleaned the kitchen a little bit.  In the evening, during a break in the rain, daughter took the trash cans to the curb for pick up in the morning.

I brought the trash cans back in on Tuesday afternoon, when the rain had stopped, and took the above photo of the raindrops on the aeonium plants.  There weren't any raindrops to be seen on the one rose that was in bloom, but, the rain had beaten down on the flower and it had gone from this:

Rose - Before the Rain

To this:

Rose - After the Rain

We had very heavy rain on Tuesday night, but, Wednesday was sunny.  Gardener friend M was here to tidy up the garden a bit and he did some weeding and clearing.  He brought us a slice of his homegrown pineapple he harvested:

M's Homegrown Pineapple

It was delicious.  I served him a bowl of the zuppa Toscana daughter had made and he enjoyed that.  

I baked another loaf of no-knead bread:

Bread

I really need to lower the temperature when I'm baking because my oven tends to get too hot!  

I also baked some sugar cookies:

Sugar Cookies

We had bread and beef curry for our evening meal and cookies for dessert!

Bread and Beef Curry

I am grateful for:

- The rain!
- M's help with the garden
- M sharing some of his pineapple with us
- My new Dutch oven to bake crusty bread
- Making cookies with my daughter

My joyful activities include baking and gardening.

Since Thursday is forecast to be another rainy day, I plan to stay indoors and do a few things around the house.  I have been tidying the linen closet, on and off, recently; maybe I'll finish tidying it on Thursday.  There is just one last shelf to do.  

How is your week so far?  

Settling into the New Year

3-D New Year's Card

My friend K (late neighbor T's daughter) sent me this, 3-D paper hasket of flowers, along with a little matching card, as a New Year's gift.  Isn't it lovely?

Sunday was another rainy day, with heavier showers in the late afternoon.  I slept in, tidied the dining table, watched news and videos, knitted and unpicked and knitted, again!  I'm working on the front of the sweater; and halfway through the front, I decided that I didn't want a plain stockinette stitch for the front, too, so, took out all the knitting and started again with some simple cables.  Except, I forgot to twist one of the cables and didn't notice the mistake until later, so had to unpick again and reknit!  

My friend S called and we chatted a bit and exchanged New Year's greetings.  

I had leftover uppuma for brunch, toast with peanut butter at tea time, and leftover potroast for dinner.  Daughter had pot roast sandwiches.   

On Sunday, I was grateful for:

- More rain!  The garden has been well watered.
- Online videos to watch while I knit
- My yarn supply
- Working appliances
- Phone calls and emails from friends

Sunday's joyful activity was knitting.

Monday was mostly clear and we even had some sunshine!  I walked in the garden, a little bit, and checked on things.  And I picked a few lemons and some salad greens:

Garden Produce

I made myself a sort of omelet and a salad for brunch:

Monday Brunch

Later, I had some yogurt with some of my homemade cranberry sauce and granola.  Daughter had a salad, but, didn't want an egg.

Once again, I spent the afternoon, watching videos and knitting.  I called K to thank her for the 3-D paper basket of flowers and chatted with her for a bit.

Daughter returned to work (remotely) after her winter break, but, after she finished working for the day, she changed my bed sheets for me and did a load of laundry.  

For dinner, I cooked some rice with green peas, and warmed up previously cooked and frozen chicken curry, green beans, and garbanzo beans.  We had tomato chutney with our rice and curries.  I had dates and a chocolate for dessert; daughter is trying to avoid sweets as she wants to lose some weight.

On Monday, I was grateful for:

- A break in the rain
- A walk in the garden
- Lemons and salad greens from the garden
- Daughter changing my bed sheets and doing a load of laundry for me
- Working appliances

Monday's joyful activity was spending time in the garden.

Plans for Tuesday include ordering groceries for pick up.  

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

 

Rainy Saturday

 

Asparagus Fern Berries

It's been raining on and off all day, today, with the heaviest rain falling during the afternoon.  The rest of the time, it was either drizzly or cloudy and grey.  There was a flood watch during the afternoon, but, there was no flooding in my area.  There is more rain in the forecast for Sunday (1 inch of rain is what the forecast is saying; to put that in context, our average annual rainfall total is just under 15 inches).

I slept in this morning and spent a rather relaxed day as my daughter is still insisting that I rest!  

I checked my blood pressure twice, today; the first time, it was slightly elevated, but, it was better when I checked the second time.  

I put away half my load of laundry that daughter washed and dried for me and I managed to turn the clothes hangers on one side of my closet the other way around before she came to see what I was doing and got upset with me for not resting!  

So, I spent the rest of the day knitting, watching news (lots of news happening!) and videos online, playing some Sudoku online, catching up on blogs, etc.  Later, I called friend R and chatted with her and wished one of my cousins for her birthday.  And still later, daughter helped me to put away the rest of the laundry - I folded the items while seated on the sofa and she put the piles away for me!  LOL.

I cooked uppuma with semolina, adding cashews to it, along with curry leaves and chilie pieces, etc., for brunch.  I had a guava strudel at tea time and had more of my pot roast for dinner.  Daughter had egg salad sandwiches for her dinner and a guava strudel.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Daughter being so caring and concerned about me
- Rain for the garden
- It didn't flood in my area
- Working appliances
- Electricity to run the appliances

Saturday's joyful activities were knitting, chatting with friend R, relaxing, and plenty of "me" time.

Plans for Sunday include more relaxing and taking it easy.  

How was your Saturday?  What are your plans for Sunday?

On Christmas Day and Day After

 

Christmas Lunch

On Christmas day, the rain paused for a period of time.  Late friend A's younger daughter called my daughter around 9:00 a.m., asking if we could make it to Christmas lunch, after all.  Daughter asked me and I said, "Yes".  It was supposed to rain later in the afternoon, but, we were hoping we could manage to make it there and back before it resumed raining.  However, just in case it rained hard and the roads flooded, I decided we could spend the night at their house and put a change of clothes in the car ( I've decided to leave it in the car along with the sleeping bag that I've kept in the car since the January fires, in case we need to evacuate in an emergency) 

There was no rain on the way to our friends' house, but, as soon as we pulled into the parking lot, it just poured!  Hard, heavy rain, that sounded almost like hail as it fell on the car.  Two minutes later, the rain stopped!  I guess we had a cloud burst of sorts.  It rained on and off while we were at our friend's house, but, we left when it was just a ight rain and that stopped just before we reached home.

Our friends had prepared a feast for Christmas lunch: Ham and gravy, corned beef brisket, chicken curry, vegetable rice, cheesy mashed potatoes, salad, bread rolls, and Christmas cake, pumpkin pie, and ice cream for dessert.  

While we were there, my friend S called to say that her husband and daughter were on their way to my house to drop off something for me and that usually means food.  I told her that we were not at home.  But, apparently, they were making a drop off at friend R's too, so they said they'll leave my parcel with friend R, if I could pick it up from her place.  Then friend R called to tell me that friend S's daughter had called her saying I was not at home!  I confirmed that I was not at home and I will stop by to pick up my package on my way home.  Which I did and I handed over a package that had arrived for R just as we were leaving the house and which I had with me in the car.  

As I suspected friend S had sent us a dinner!  Rice, cashew curry, beef curry, eggplant moju with fried dried salted sprats, Sri Lankan mixed pickle, cutlets, slices of fresh pineapple, and homemade marshmallows for dessert.  Daughter and I were too full from our Christmas lunch to eat a full dinner, so we kept it in the fridge to enjoy on the following day and over the weekend, too.

It started to rain quite heavily in the night.  I was glad we came home before the heavy rains started again.

On Christmas day, I was grateful for:

-  Our friends inviting us to Christmas lunch
- The heavy rains let up while we were driving to our friends' home and back 
- Safe driving there and back (we avoided the flooded roads and intersections)
- Time spent in the company of friends
- Friend S sending us dinner; friend R keeping it for me

My joyful activities included enjoying Christmas day with my daughter and friends and cuddling a new puppy that one of late friend A's daughters has just adopted.

Puppy Wants Christmas Lunch, Too!

We generally don't open gifts at the end of the gathering so we left our gifts to them under their tree and they handed their gifts to us as we were leaving.  

One of the girls is an avid hiker and we got her a hiking journal and a set of pens:

Hiking Journal

The other girl has asked daughter to teach her how to crochet, so we got her a crochet instruction book and a set of crochet hooks and stitch markers, etc.

Crochet Book

Daughter also made them each two beaded bracelets.

Their father received a jar of homemade peach chutney.

I received a lovely set of kitchen towels as the girls continued their mother's tradition of giving me towels each year, as well as a gift card.

Set of Kitchen Towel

I love the colors and the fact that it is suitable for year round use and not just at Christmas.  

Daughter received a selection of reading themed gifts and a necklace.

Speaking of necklaces, my daughter made me this wrapped wire pendant as one of her Christmas gifts to me:

.  

Wrapped Wire, Glass Crystal Beads, and a Moonstone

Later in the evening I called my cousin N and spoke with her mother, Aunt C who is in her early 90s and recently been diagnosed with dementia.  Aunt spoke with me for a long time, rambling a bit as she spoke.  When I asked my cousin if I could come and visit her mother, she asked Aunt C if she'd like me to visit, but, I could hear Aunt C saying no.  So, I told cousin C not to worry about it, I will just drop off a gift without seeing Aunt C.  The last pair of socks I knitted are for her.  I also called friend S for thank her for the meal she sent us.

Today, the day after Christmas day, it continued to rain more or less all day, quite heavily at times.  My cousin V called and I chatted with her for awhile.  Daughter and I are having a relatively quiet, relaxed day as I've been trying to keep my blood pressure under control (it's been fluctuating a bit).  

Daughter is assembling one of the gifts she bought for me; I will post a picture once it is fully assembled.  

I hope you've had a lovely Christmas with your loved ones.

Did you take advantage of any after Christmas sales?  What are your plans for the weekend?

A Rainy Monday

 

Rain Soaked Roses

We had more rain all day, today, on Monday.  I was humming "Rainy Days and Mondays" by The Carpenters, all day.  So far in November, my area has received over three inches of rain since November 13; some other areas have received over 5 inches.  Which is a lot of rain for us.  One year, our annual rainfall for the year was 5 inches!  There's more rain in the forecast for this week.

It's been a bit cooler, too, and last night, we put the furnace on for the first time this season.  We warmed up the house and turned it off when we went to sleep.  I turned the furnace on, again, this evening, too.  

Daughter had work today and meetings; I kept myself busy doing a few little things, replying to blog comments, visiting a few blogs, and trying to get myself motivated to do some "real housework" (wasn't successful; need to try harder!).

Brunch was toasted onion bagels with butter or cream cheese.  I put out a package of chicken thighs to thaw to cook for dinner, but, they hadn't thawed enough, so, dinner was something quick and easy - instant tonkotsu ramen bowl, followed by parathas cooked with scrambled eggs and lunu miris.  Grapes for dessert.  I will keep the chicken thighs in the fridge to marinate overnight and cook them tomorrow.  I haven't made my meal plan for this week, but there will be chicken curry with rice or parathas!  

Friend R called in the evening and we chatted for a bit, which was nice.  Later, daughter took the trash cans to the curb for me, which was also very nice.  

On this rainy Monday, I am grateful for:

- All the rain we are receiving
- A working furnace
- Quilts and blankets on the beds
- Working appliances
- Having electricity to run the appliances

Today's joyful activity was knitting.

Plans for tomorrow include making a meal plan and cooking the chicken curry.

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

The Rest of the Week

 

Pom Pom Chrysanthemums
at the Japanese Garden

Thank you, everyone, for your very kind comments about my visit to the botanical gardens.  Visiting a public garden had been on my Fall/Autumn Joyful Activities List and I am so happy that I was able to do so on my birthday, thanks to my gardener friend M who gifted me with the tickets.  He had been very keen for me to visit the Descanso Botanical Gardens for years, but, I wasn't ready to go until now.  It was a very big deal for me, especially since I generally tend to stay home.  

I needed to take it easy for the rest of the week because I was quite tired after that outing!  First, my left knee complained about the walking (the fact that I had dropped a large glass jar on my left foot a day or two prior to the trip and bruised my second toe didn't help).  Then, my hips protested for a couple of days.  

On Wednesday, M came to tend to the garden and I was able to show him some of the pictures I took at the Gardens and thanked him again for the tickets.  He brought several bags of potting soil I had requested him to buy for me and we planted some herbs and cool weather vegetables such as celery, kale, and carrots.  Later on Wednesday, I had a chat with my friend from university days. and, afterwards, I went to the pharmacy to pick up some medication refills.  We had leftover egg salad sandwiches for brunch and leftover Thai food for dinner.  We applied the vet prescribed flea treatment to Dancer and he seemed to tolerate it.  

On Thursday, I had a follow up appointment with the dermatologist.  It rained just a little bit on my way to the dermatologist's and it rained again on my way back.  I stopped for gas on my way home; gas has gone up, again ($4.69/gal. at the cheapest station in my neighborhood).  Later in the night, it started to rain in earnest - mostly light showers in my area, but, it rained throughout the night.  I was happy we were getting some rain because the garden really needed it.

On Friday, it rained all day and all night!  Once again, mostly light rain in my area, but, every now and then, it rained more heavily.  The garden received a good watering.  I didn't expect M to tend to the garden on Friday, but, he still showed up, moved some of the potted plants out from under the awning in the back and set them out to get watered by the rain, checked on the garden, and left early because I told him to go home.  I didn't want him working in the rain. 

Saturday was another rainy day!  Daughter vacuumed most of the house and I vacuumed my bedroom.  Then, I started on the laundry - my daughter's bed sheets and quilts,  the sofa dust sheets, and our clothes, etc.  There's extra laundry getting done because Dancer is still battling the fleas.  I've been flea combing him, daily, too, and sometimes, twice daily.  I think we are making some progress, but, it's an on-going battle.

The rain paused for the day on Sunday.  Daughter helped me order some groceries and I picked up the items in the early evening (I will do a separate post about the groceries).  Afterwards, I drove over to friend R's apartment to hand over a package she had ordered (she gets them delivered to my address because I'm home to receive them).  

Daughter tried a new recipe and baked some scones made with olive oil instead of butter and we both enjoyed the scones with butter and jam or cream cheese and jam.  

We are supposed to get more rain on Monday.  We need all the rain we can get, but, there have been floods and mudslides in certain areas.

As this week ends and another one begins, I am grateful for:

- Living to be 70
- M's gift of tickets to the botanical garden
- A lovely day at the botanical garden

- Access to medical appointments and prescriptions
- The rain we've received

My joyful activities have included a visit to the botanical gardens, planting cool weather plants in my own garden, knitting, and spending time with my daughter.

How was your week and weekend?  What are your plans for Monday?

After the Rain

 

Whiskers on Kittens

In my previous post, I showed some pictures of raindrops on roses and Angela asked, "But where are the whiskers on kittens?" and Dancer was happy to oblige (thank you, Daughter, for taking the picture).  

After Tuesday's rain, Wednesday turned out to be a bright and sunny day.  I put gas to the car in the early afternoon.  Later, M was here to tend to the garden.  He didn't need to water the garden after the previous day's rain, so he weeded and tidied the place a bit. 

Later in the afternoon, daughter and I went for a follow-up visit with the prosthodontist and he went over what he thought would be the best plan of action for me.  Daughter asked some good questions and summarized the treatment plan that was out lined and I think the prosthodontist was impressed by her, because he asked her if she would like a job working at the dental clinic!  LOL.  She declined the offer, saying she already had a job she enjoyed very much.  We are still going to wait until I have my appointment with the oral surgeon, scheduled for next week, before we make a decision, but, I made an appointment to have my teeth cleaned by the dental hygienist.  Not something I am looking forward to!

On the way home, we stopped at a nearby outdoor mall to browse around in the Japanese imports store, a favorite of daughter's.  She got a few things including some snacks.  Then, we stopped at the French bakery to pick up a baguette, which we had, sandwiched with chicken curry, for dinner.

Today (Thursday) was another sunny day.  I did several loads of laundry, including my bed sheets, did a short walk, caught up on a couple of blogs, watched the news, and relaxed.

After the rain, I am grateful for:

- Sunny days
- Daughter going with me to the dental appointments
- M's help with the garden
- Being able to shop with my daughter
- Working appliances

and, of course, whiskers on kittens!  LOL.

Rain on Tuesday

Raindrops on Roses

We had rain all Monday night and all morning on Tuesday.  It rained a bit of Tuesday night, too.  Some areas of the county received over 4 inches of rain and there were concerns about mudslides in the burn scar areas where the wild fires were in January.

More Raindrops on Roses

The rain total for my area was about 2.5 inches.  Which is quite a lot of rain from one rain storm considering our annual rainfall is about 15 inches on average.  Some roads and freeways in my area flooded.  As far as I am concerned, though, it rained enough to water the garden, which is a blessing.

Rain-soaked Rose

In the afternoon, when the rain cleared, I went outside to take some pictures of...you guessed it:

Raindrops on Roses

and...

On Ripening Meyer Lemons

and...

Puddles in the Driveway!

I know, most of you are probably wondering what all the fuss is about, but, any rain is a big deal here, in southern California.   

More Puddles

On Tuesday, I was grateful for the rain we received.

Does it rain a lot in your area?  How much rain do you get a year on average?  Do you get as excited as we do when it rains?  

It's Summer!

On Wednesday

On Wednesday, I went for my lab tests in the afternoon, at 3:30 p.m.  The afternoon high was 97F, according to the weather app, but, this is what the temperature gauge in the car showed when I pulled into the garage around 4:00 p.m., after the visit to the lab.  Admittedly, the asphalt on the road gets heated.

M was here in the early afternoon, on Wednesday, before I left for my lab tests and he watered the garden.  Not the ideal time of day to water the garden when it is so hot, but, it is when he has time for my garden on Wednesdays as he has other clients in the morning and later in the evening.  He promised he will do more weeding once the weather has cooled a bit.  I told him to do it at his convenience.

The rest of Wednesday was spent relaxing and taking it easy.   Daughter had a headache, although she worked through it.  Later, she made us a fruit smoothie using a banana, frozen strawberries and frozen peaches, for dessert.

On Thursday - Indoors

We went up to 97F again, today (Thursday), too.  This was the temperature inside the house; about 85F/29C.  I was comfortable at that temperature, but, daughter had a headache, again, so, after she finished work for the day, we put the a/c on in the bedroom and relaxed there.  In fact, I took a nap!  

It's been another fairly relaxed day.  I downloaded an e-book from the library and started to read it.  I caught up on some blog reading and commenting.  I made a stir fry for dinner and did the dishes.  I also started a grocery order to be picked up over the weekend.

I am writing this a little after midnight. and the outside temperature has gone down to 76F/24C.  I had several windows and the front door open to air out and cool down the house, but I closed them a minute ago.    The forecast says our highs will be 96F/36F for the rest of the week and there is a heat warning in effect.  But that's summer!  LOL.

Plans for Friday include taking Dancer for his Solensia injection in the afternoon.  Poor kitty is not going to like it!  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Working fans and other appliances
- The room air conditioning unit
- Electricity to run the appliances
- Afternoon/evening naps
- Libraries

Today's joyful activity was reading one of my library books.

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

Mid-Week Update

 

"You wash your left paw first"

I kept Dancer's new pad on the sofa to see if he'll give it his seal of approval and he did so in his own inimitable way:

"You wash your right paw next"

The washing of the paws is a required preliminary step to the ultimate seal of approval - the plop down!

"Then you plop yourself down on your brand new pad and
that's what it's all about!"

Obviously, the new pad has received Dancer's seal of approval!  

We had a day of summer on Monday when the temperature reached a high of 91F!  I took daughter to her follow-up appointment with the podiatrist and he prescribed a supportive ankle brace for her to wear with her walking shoes as he thinks she's ready to stop wearing the walking boot.  So, we went to the Orthopedics department where she was fitted with the brace.  After we came home, I watered the garden, both front and back, as it was so hot.  Later, there were the usual Monday routines of taking the trash cans to the curb, etc.  Brunch was peanut butter toast, dinner was leftover rice, meatball curry, cashew curry, and cucumber salad with ice cream for dessert.

Spring returned on Tuesday, with a daytime high of 76F.  I sewed the cover for Dancer's new pad, brought the emptied trash cans back, picked more lemons from the garden, and made some phone calls to set up medical appointments pending authorization by medical provider and insurance.  Brunch was peanut butter toast, again.  Dinner was boxed macaroni and cheese with tuna and broccoli.

Winter returned on Wednesday with morning drizzle, overcast, cloudy skies the rest of the day, and a daytime high that barely reached 60F.  M was able to tend to the garden around noon, weeding, thinning out the peaches, and fertilizing some of the fruit trees.  In the evening, I made several phone calls and spoke with my sister, with aunt C, with friend R, and with K (former neighbor T's daughter).  We had scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns for brunch and leftover macaroni and cheese for dinner.

This week's gratitudes have included:

- A lovely warm day bringing a foretaste of the summer days to come
- Daughter's appointment with the podiatrist went well and her foot continues to heal
- Water and rain for the garden
- The fabric stash
- Being able to mend and reuse worn out items
- M helping with the garden
- Phone calls with family and friends
- Being able to borrow books from the library

Joyful activities have included sewing, reading, making a birthday card, taking a stroll with my daughter (just up and down the driveway, but, it was good to feel the sunshine on our faces and be together), and chatting with family and friends.

Plans for Thursday include doing some housework, laundry, and more reading.

What are your plans for Thursday?

A Weather Vane!

 

My First Weather Vane

Blog friend Lady Ella (her blog is private, so I am not providing a link) regularly posts pictures of weathervanes she sees over in the UK and I love seeing them.  I started to look for weathervanes when I was out and about, but they seem to be a rarity in this area and I wasn't able to find any until late last year, when I went to the fabric store in mid December and happened to see a building with a weathervane, across the street from the store.  I meant to take a photo of it on the way out, but, forgot to do so.

However, this weekend, daughter and I went back to the fabric store (which is now closing) and this time, daughter reminded me to take the photo of the weathervane before we went into the store!  And I did so!  Which was a good thing because by the time we finished shopping (more about the shopping in another post), it was getting dark and the light wasn't very good for taking photographs.  

The building with the weathervane is a commercial building, built in 1977.  It's an interesting looking building, too, but, my focus was the weathervane.  I have now taken a photograph of a weathervane and I feel ridiculously happy about that!  

Have you seen weather vanes in your area?  Are they relatively common where you live?

More Rain on Friday

It rained again on Friday morning and then, it slowed down to a misty fine drizzle.  I didn't know if M would be able to tend to the garden, but, he texted to let me know that he would be here earlier than usual and he made up for not being able to work on Wednesday.  We checked on the garden together, pointing out things to each other - the kangaroo paw plant was starting to flower, the Asian pear tree seems to be coming out of dormancy, the strawberries forming on the plant seem to have developed mildew with all the rain we've had, etc.  Then, I went indoors and M weeded and tidied up the garden.

I had a long phone chat with aunt C and then, I called the Temple and spoke with the head monk or abbot. 

Later in the evening, I helped daughter with sorting out some of her clothes.  

Brunch was an egg with bacon and hash browns.  I made fresh lemonade to have with our brunch.  Dinner was rice with chicken curry, leftover sauteed cabbage (me), Brussels sprouts (daughter), and tomato chutney.

Earlier, I had considered making a pie for dessert, in honor of Pi Day, but, in the end, I didn't make a pie and we ate fresh apples after dinner, which was healthier than a pie.  I still might make a pie over the weekend.

On Friday, I was grateful for:

- More rain for the garden
- M was able to tend to the garden, after all
- A working heater and a warm and dry house
- Phone calls with my aunt and with the monks at the temple
- Emails from friends

Friday's joyful activity was spending time in the garden.

No big plans for the weekend.  I will probably order and pick up some groceries and maybe bake a pie?

How was your Friday?  What are your plans for the weekend?

On Thursday

 

"Blood Worm Moon" - March 13, 2025
(Photo taken by daughter's friend P)

Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, it poured with rain and there was a strong wind blowing, too.  But, Thursday was quite sunny, if cool and windy, with a high of only 56F.  Daughter had a migraine and I almost had a headache, myself, dealing with tax documents, but, I managed to get a portion of it to my tax preparer with my daughter's help.  I need to get the rest of the documents to the tax preparer in the next day or two.  

In the afternoon, I walked for a little bit in the driveway and checked on the garden, afterwards.  After our evening tea, I cooked a chicken curry, rice with green peas, and sauteed cabbage for our dinner.  I made a fruit salad for dessert with the last portion of mango, half an apple, an orange, some green grapes, and some raw cashew pieces.  

From about 8:00 p.m., I kept going outside to take a look at the moon to see any signs of the eclipse, but, I was unable to see anything till about 11:15 p.m. when the eclipse was about three quarters of the way to being complete.  Then, daughter and I went out at almost midnight and we saw the full eclipse.  My phone camera doesn't take good enough pictures when it is dark outside and I was disappointed.  But, my daughter's friend P sent her some pictures of the total eclipse and I am posting one of those pictures with P's consent.  

On Thursday, I am grateful for:

- The rain we received Wednesday night and Thursday morning
- There was no major damage in my area due to the rain
- A day of sunshine on Thursday
- Being able to see the total eclipse of the moon
- Daughter's friend P sharing his photos and allowing me to post one on my blog

Thursday's joyful activity was watching the eclipse with my daughter.

No big plans for Friday other than getting the rest of the tax documents to the tax preparer and maybe tending to the garden with M, if it doesn't rain (forecast calls for rain).

How was your Thursday?  Were you able to see the lunar eclipse?  What are your plans for Friday?  Will you be baking a pie to celebrate Pi Day?

More Rain

Cut Up Mango (Tuesday Night's Dessert)

It rained most of the day on Wednesday.  Light drizzle, for the most part, but, I told M to take the day off.  I did a couple of loads of laundry, mended another knitted sock, did a little knitting, did a little paperwork, and, in the early evening, walked a little in the driveway.  

Brunch was a toasted bagel with scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh oranges.  The cut up mango in the picture was Tuesday night's dessert.  For dinner, I baked chicken drumsticks and spicy potato wedges and made a cucumber salad.  

We had some heavy rain late at night and the forecast calls for more rain on Thursday and Friday, too.

On Wedesday, I was grateful for:

- More rain for the garden
- Working appliances
- A working heater and a warm and dry house
- Time spent with my daughter
- Electricity and natural gas to run the appliances

Wednesday's joyful activities included walking, picking oranges from the garden, and knitting.

Plans for Thursday must include getting my tax documents together to take to my tax preparer.

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

Another Rainy Day

 

Crocosmia

Thursday was another rainy day.  We had light rain on and off all day.  I went out into the garden to pick some fresh oranges when there was a lull in the rain and took a picture of these beautiful orange crocosmia, as well.

Brunch

I made scrambled eggs and sausages on toasted bagels for brunch, along with cut up freshly picked oranges.  Dinner was left over soup from daughter's birthday lunch.  

It was a relatively cool day for us.  I folded and put away laundry, did some paperwork, watched some videos and the news, read a few blogs, and did a few things around the house.  

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- More rain for the garden
- Fresh oranges from the garden
- A working heater
- Working appliances
- Garden flowers

Thursday's joyful activity was spending time with my daughter.

Friday is supposed to be sunny according to the weather forecast.  Plans for Friday include tending to the garden with M.

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

Rain on Wednesday

 

Raindrops on Nasturtium Leaves

 

It rained practically all day on Wednesday.  Not a very heavy rain in my area (although M said it was raining quite steadily about two miles west of me), but, a light rain which was good for the garden.  M was unable to tend to the garden due to the rain, so, I told him to take a "rain check".  

I had a fairly low key day, mostly due to a lack of sleep (I slept for about three hours on Tuesday night) and took a nap in the afternoon.  I made more pancakes for brunch with batter leftover from Tuesday, (the rest of the day's meals were assorted leftovers), watched some online videos, caught up on a few blogs, and generally relaxed. 

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:

- The blessing of rain for the garden
- A warm, dry home in which to shelter from the rain
- An afternoon nap
- Access to the internet
- Emails from friends

Wednesday's joyful activity was taking a nap!

There's more rain in the forecast for Thursday, too.  Hope it won't cause mudslides and debris flows in the burn areas.

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