Shot, weeded, relocated, mourned, chutney

Yesterday I went along and got yet another Covid booster

Waited here on a tiny metal chair, one of two, very small corner of the pharmacy. In came a really ancient Asian lady and her daughter, saw the one available chair and a three sided wheely stool thing, and clung to her daughter, very worried. 

She was clearly unable to manage alone, so I suggested they take my chair and the other, and I'd have the wheely backless stool. They were profoundly grateful, clearly the mom needed to be physically supported by her daughter at her side.  

Meanwhile I in turn was profoundly grateful I didn't have long to wait, balanced uncertainly on this stool, the kind medics use to scoot about. 

Once home I did my arm weights, because I'd been told by a nurse that arm movements avoid a lot of the local pain from the shot. 

Then, since the dove nest is no more, I cleared the general area where it had been, ready for planting something once I decide what 

And on a roll, before I plant, now's the time to move out the ficus for its summer at camp.

Now between the Japanese maple and the butterfly bush next door. This worked out well last year.  

It's strenuous, hauling an eight foot tree in a big pot across the room 

then over the step and across the patio, getting tangled in the maple on the way. It also involves hauling cinder blocks and wedging them to lodge it evenly in the ground so it won't fall over.

Then the living room needs to be swept, quite a bit of debris left.  And it's now summerized 

The ficus will put down roots through the pot into the earth and get a whole new lease of life before it comes in again in October.

Later Gary came over to confer about some vegetables he's planting, and was very upset to learn about the dove. 

I showed him the remaining egg, which had evidence someone had just started to peep

We had a little wake. Meanwhile rambunctious Billy the Pup distracted us, and the chat ranged all over. 

He'd never heard of chutney, and I offered him a sample pot. He insisted on tasting before he accepted, then said, whoa, this is great! I'm putting it on ice cream. 

A good idea, which I hadn't had, thinking more about main courses. Anyway he took away his vegetable plants, Billy the Pup and his pot of chutney. 

In the later afternoon I felt very tired, fell asleep reading and thought, gosh, that shot knocked me out. Then I remembered the heavy lifting and thought ah, maybe not just the shot.

Handsome Son visiting this afternoon, but I'm not doing much physical work, arm a bit tender, poor me. I might make yogurt.

Happy day everyone, tend your garden, metaphorically if you don't have a physical garden plot. 

Happy Mday, dove, dandelion and sage

Happy mother's day, if it applies. Mine will be celebrated Tuesday, since today's a work day for Handsome Son.

Meanwhile yesterday's cooking involved chutney, since I have no pickle related condiments in the house. Apple and raisin, with onions, vinegar, ginger, lemons, cinnamon, apple juice 

Apples cooking down while jars sterilize in boiling water in the background

Raisins added in with cane sugar, lemons, cinnamon, to cook down slowly till thick 

And final product. I'll try it in about a week, after it's blended. This will be good with curried fish, or cheese sandwiches, or practically anything that needs a condiment.

And while I had the raisins out, being all out of breadesque food, I made a batch of walnut raisin scone things, nice for breakfast

Also for a snack for Handsome Son's Tuesday visit.

This morning's dove sighting, nearly vanished under henbit

The potatoes doing well, and the sage starting to flower

While I was picturing the dove, I picked a handful of greens. Probably a bit bitter for salad, but they'll work in today's fish sauce.

Surprising how much cooking I seem to need, always at it. I wonder what other people do? Maybe eat out, or buy prepared food or something, I dunno, but they don't seem to be always in the kitchen. Maybe they're more efficient cooks, too, though, there's always that.

Happy day everyone! Enjoy whatever's cooking chez vous, in any sense.