Monday, May 23, 2022

Return to life, apologies to Dickens

 Yesterday was like this


And here's today

Windows open, out early,  tending to seedlings. I've removed the crates now, so I needed to put squirrel deterrent in place.




The peppermint essential oil is not peppermint food flavoring. That won't work at all. It's therapeutic grade, expensive and worth it.

It doesn't hurt anyone. Squirrels and other small mammals just hate and avoid it. Birds are indifferent. So let's hope my newly peeping Italian basil survives, along with the others. If all else fails I can buy plants, but I do like adventures with seeds, too.

And yesterday, after an afternoon of warnings of severe thunderstorms and mayhem in the sky, a bit of rain, then this



Fading quickly, gone a minute after the second photo.

And here's why I often don't bother dressing salads

The beauty of a ripe tomato, glistening with juice and sunshine. Fresh greens, bit of cheese, wholewheat pita with it. To me, it doesn't need anything more.

Like walking. I abandoned listening to books or music on my walks years ago,  when I realized there was already so much to see and sniff and observe, without being distracted. There's plenty. 

Some days I have trouble remembering this when I read about other people's families and partners and travels, such rich and connected lives compared to mine. 

Then I remember that I'm only seeing from the outside, and don't know all their lives and their wishes and dreams. 

I know my neighbor sees my life as idyllic because I can make art and can live alone, two things he longs for. He doesn't see inside it. So I need to remember: I have plenty to enjoy.  Play on!





15 comments:

  1. By tomorrow I'll know if it's working.

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  2. Like you, I want the full outside experience with the noises, the movements, the smells, the colors, the feel of air, the taste of the wind. My head can supply a soundtrack as needed! Good catch of the rainbow.

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  3. Seems we might have been having similar sort of days - a time to take stock and be grateful.

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  4. Thanks for the tip about the peppermint oil, Boud!

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  5. Wise words.
    Weather. I have a local TV channel's app for weather alerts. The notification sound style I chose adds drama to my life. It has a sort of who-is-it-now feeling. Thus, it sort of extends my connections. lol

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  6. Exactly! I have a friend who is takes the most amazing trips with his wife and sometimes his grown children. They are on their way to Milan, Florence, and Venice right now. Part of me yearns for such adventure and part of me would so much rather just be here, living my tiny life. I guess what I really wish for is a more adventuresome spirit.
    Meanwhile, my kids, my grandkids, my chickens, my garden, my husband, the life we have here is a good one, and I know it.

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  7. That's a great use for peppermint oil. I believe it will also keep bugs away. I'm like you when I take a walk, I want to see, hear, and sniff everything! It's often like an orchestra!

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  8. I'll have to try the peppermint oil when I put my bird feeders out again. Lots of storms out there the past few days. My tomato plants have been a big disappointment this year. Just not doing well, two not setting fruit or it fall off, another plant they keep getting blossom end rot. My big problem is not squirrels digging things up but the resident possum. At least I think it's him.

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  9. Good point, we don't see inside. I like my tomatoes with a little olive oil, salt and pepper.

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  10. It has been brutally cold here. Down to near forty overnight. Hoping for sunshine soon.

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  11. Weather patterns are totally off thanks be to global warming. One wonders what else we're in for. Will be interested to see the results of the squirrel deterrent. Our walk today involved seeing some of the damage from the storm.

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  12. I haven't heard of that solution for squirrels! What a good idea. I really need to try that. Does it work on slugs too? :)

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  13. I don't think slugs are mammals!

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  14. Your life sounds wonderful. I don't think you need compare yours to others adversely. Glad you survived the heat.

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