Thursday morning I cut yet another final bouquet. Each cut stimulates more flowers and Wednesday night's heavy rain seems to have woken them up.
And the orchid against an early morning backdrop, is still blooming.
The print information about the heatpump arrived. I'd squinted at it online on a little screen, so now I was able to see better what was what.
Scary total. Rubicon sized.
I made my choice after finding out about all kinds of stuff such as SEER ratings, which are not about second sight, and what units the heating and cooling power is counted in.
Then I called the heatpump people, and Marty, the HVAC man, and I had a nice chat, and I learned more things. He thinks he can get it installed next week, meanwhile I have to do some e-signing.
This timing is good, because the weather is still mild so it's good to get the installation done. One working day will do it.
Then I needed to get out and walk before Misfits arrived.
Self portrait, looking surprisingly tallThese shrubs are full of fruit probably for the birds and squirrels
Right across the pond there's a whole congregation of turtles shining in the sun
Look at these wild shapes overhead
Goldenrod is really at peak now, pollinators are happy to note.
Eventually Misfits arrived, on the regular van but evidently it's being repainted, not yet its usual pink
Is this fruit a thing of beauty or what? American fruit in American pottery bowls.
Today's resistance was a message to ABC-TV condemning the sidelining of the Kimmel show over a mild comment.
I note that Disney executives were in on the decision, since D is the corporate owner. I can't boycott something I don't use, but I'm just sayin, there's other things to watch and other places to go.
Happy day everyone, here's the continuing sock, the heel turned, and soon to bust out in stripes, mainly because I'm seriously short on sock yarn and I'm eking it out.
That means I'll get to one and a half socks before shrieking "Eek!"
Thar she blows, sez Ted and Big Ursy
I really liked the pieces you're providing for the art show. The Red Orchid is wonderful, but I like the simple lines of the hibiscus even more.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be comfortable (though financially pained) with your heat pump decision, having Marty to talk it over with. Long-standing relationships with tradespeople are invaluable.
Your shadow portrait is very dapper, and yes, larger than life. Those turtles are larger than dinner plates. Speaking of which, have you read Sy Montgomery's book "Of Time and Turtles"? It gave me an even greater appreciation of these ancient creatures. I've enjoyed all her books.
As Ms. Moon's old friend always said, "Look up". You do, and what dramatic patterns are up there above our heads.
I look forward to seeing your culinary creations from this Misfit haul! Love the sock colors, looking forward to seeing the stripes.
Chris from Boise
I'm not familiar with Sy Montgomery, noted and thank you. The company I'm going with installed the current heat pump, literally the only people who could -- tricky small condo, wiring etc -- and they gave me great advice then. It was much more comfortable when they installed the correct size pump. The builders had used same size for every unit, no matter what size, way too big for mine, like being in a wind! I don't know if these guys are the same ones, but they're old enough to be!
DeleteI really like the luxury of cooking what I like, when I like.
Today's bouquet is very pretty and I love the green/blue sock yarn.
ReplyDeleteThe bouquet is a surprise, sudden new growth when I thought it was done. I'm glad I didn't pull out the zinnias too soon.
DeleteI love your eking skill with the sock. Your shadow photo is absolutely wonderful and I like the placement of the “fig leaf.” $12,262! Yikes! My parents first HOUSE cost $16,000!
ReplyDeleteYou can go mad comparing costs over time! Our first house was $32,000. Three bedroom brick faced, acre of land, etc. Mortgage $200 monthly. Our joint earnings were correspondingly low though.
DeleteUsually I do contortions to keep my shadow out of the picture, but I liked this one.
You reminded me that goldenrod is flourishing here, and the asters too, sometimes cheek by jowl.
ReplyDeleteYes, yellow and purple are fall colors. We have just a few wild asters.
Delete'Gulp' at the heat pump cost, but it will be a relief to have it installed.
ReplyDeleteI will be glad to have it in place so that Handsome Son will have dependable heat this winter.
DeleteWhat a bountiful food delivery! I reminded my friends the other day that those who have allergies in this season aren't getting problems from Goldenrod, but from ragweed (which looks similar.)
ReplyDeleteAnd they grow close together, so goldenrod is blamed for what sneaky ragweed is doing.
DeleteWell, my new unit is 6kw and it looks like yours is 10kw. Your weather is more extreme, so you need the extra kw. But around AU$20,000 seems to be a very high price, but as I've said, I don't understand your heating and cooling very well.
ReplyDeleteI love the pond reflection photos.
It's in fact level 4 of 5 in price, level 1 of which can be $20,000, ouch. But the last one went for 23 years, so there's that. This is the right size for a small condo.
DeleteI love making pictures at the pond, never get tired of it.
Hoo boy. Life is expensive. Good for you for making that decision. I know it wasn't easy.
ReplyDeleteI believe I have found my favorite tofu recipe and part of that is the preparation and part is the sauce (dressing?) which goes over it. I truly did eat it three nights running this week and loved it every time. I should send you the recipe for the sauce/dressing/goop. You may like it too.
Yes, do. Always ready for a new sauce idea, thank you.
DeleteI'm glad your son will be set for the winter with the new heat pump, and glad you're able to afford it. It's a different financial world when you retire I'm finding.
ReplyDeleteThat sock is amazing. I have tried, briefly, to knit socks but with no success. I am picking up some wool today to start crocheting in the evenings again to keep my hands busy.
The cost of the pump is coming out of my emergency retirement fund, sigh. I can pay it, but I don't know about affording it.
DeleteSocks aren't too difficult but you might need an adviser handy when you start them.
Whew, well, good on you for making the HVAC decision. I hope it goes well. Wonderful shadow picture! I saw people on Spoutible discussing the Kimmel situation. Many said it was his Epstein-related talk, not his briefer GOP/Tang comments that were the main cause, which seems credible. I haven't seen/heard what was said, but I do know that Kimmel has been a thorn in Tang's side for years.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure it was Epstein related. Also the K murder.
DeleteWe are really in the thick of it, aren't we? I already called my 3 members of Congress this AM!
DeleteMy head hurts from seeing the cost of the heat pump. I think I'll focus on the beautiful orchid.
ReplyDeleteGood idea! Art helps.
DeleteI love seeing your sweet bouquets. The photo of your shadow is terrific! Like your hat! Hope you have a nice weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteI like the hat, too. That and the sunglasses make me look mysterious.
DeleteAs my luck would have it, I just found out yesterday that I too will be replacing my heat pump. I really appreciate the information that you just shared on the Carrier, which is one of the units that the company that I use sells.
ReplyDeleteIt's so expensive! Carrier makes a decent product though, do with any luck it will last.
DeleteYour catalogue of the Misfits box and meal plans inspires me. Although not a bad cook, after a day of manual work I sometimes struggle to find the motivation to spend a long time on food prep even though I want to eat well. Eating well is vital not just to physical health but to mental wellbeing isnt it
ReplyDeleteI typically spend maybe half an hour max, often less. I think the planning saves a lot of deciding, that and prepping. You definitely need to keep up your strength for the labor you're doing daily.
DeleteYour fruit in the bowls and your flowers are lovely. I'm beyond disgusted by what's happened to Jimmy Kimmel. Hope everything goes well with the heat pump.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I love to just admire the fruit in bowls, like an extra thing. You and I on the heat pump
DeleteWow - heat pumps certainly aren't cheap are they!! As always your Misfits box looks great. Wonder if their van will remain pink after they finish painting it.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if they're doing a van makeover.
DeleteGood eatin', sez I. And good goods for the food pantry. 👍🏻
ReplyDeleteI like to share. Because that could be me.
DeleteWonderful post but I can't get over how much the heat pump is. The photos are wonderful and that fruit looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteYes, expensive, and I'll get about $500 rebate for cash.
DeleteHeat pumps are much more expensive than the gas furnace like at my house, because the installation is much more technically difficult, needing much better certified installers. This was the only company that knew how to do it. Everyone else was unable to supply any evidence they'd ever done it. They knew other types but not heatpumps.
DeleteOur national broadcaster over here is ABC (no relative) and they have been bombarded with Kimmel messages from both sides apparently! It's quite ridiculous. Good luck with the cooking and the heat pump and the day off. My first Heyer was powder and patch
ReplyDeleteI suppose people don't check. One of my friends has the same last name as a famous car mfr, absolutely no connection, and they have had calls complaining about "their" cars! Doh.
Delete