The adopted orchid, the exterminator and the foster plants

Early Sunday I cooked an unlikely hot weather dish. Baked shells in cheese sauce. I just felt like it. Small shells, cheese sauce with a lot of sharp cheddar and feta crumbles. It's enough for several days, and might also work cold, we'll see.

But meanwhile, back at the house. One of the findings of the insurance contractor was the source of the neverending ant supply in the kitchen. 

They're all over the neighborhood, constant issue. And since the neighbors on both sides have the same situation as well as termite damage, we all had the exterminator come out Sunday morning to see what's what.

The verdict, after Exterminator John's long client education on termites, their life and habits, likewise ants, is that I need exterminating to happen. 

My house needs termite treatment front and back, no activity right now, but it needs to be done. And I'll get the ants treated. I don't like resorting to this, but it's them or me. 

So now it's waiting for an estimate and I'll go from there. I knew there had been termites years ago, and part of the repair in the kitchen involves replacing wood anyway. We don't have the kind of termites that involve tenting. These can be treated by inserting stuff into the ground.

So one thing's under way. 

This writing was interrupted by Gary dashing in to ask me to hold a wire detector thing for him in his kitchen to trace a short that was turning his lights off. He went to the circuit box and we had the usual Off now? Now? Now?  dialog until he found the right breaker. 

Then yet another plant came over to stay with me while he's away. Here's the begonia, which I'd started for him long ago. 

I'd top prune if it were mine, to make it bushier, but he loves its height, so I'll refrain.

And there are other visitors on the deck. I get to water them. 

There's a coleus near the water bottle, which I started, gave to him rooted, he put in a pot and now it's back for a few days.

This is his plant insurance while he's away.

And the orchid his daughter gave up on has started budding, see in foreground 

It's all go. 

I was indoors, too hot out there. 

Stitching my basket, reading Mrs Pargeter and sleeping took the afternoon. 

I'd had a complete walk around the development early morning. I hope I don't take this for granted. There was a time when I really thought I was past it. Evidently not.

The only drawback of this early rising and walking is that I'm done for by about ten am.

Happy day everyone, stay calm, cool, at least that's what I'm trying for.