I Got Out The Broom And The Dustpan

Today was a day to take care of a few small things in town. I felt like I do when the kitchen floor has a leaf over here on it, a piece of cereal over there, an escaped bit of chopped celery all the way across the kitchen, and although the floor isn't that bad, I still need to sweep it, gather up all those little bits and throw them away to clear the area and create at least a sense of order. 

But the bits and pieces I needed to clear, so to speak, were things like getting a birthday present, taking dresses to be altered, dropping OFF birthday presents, going to Publix. I didn't need much at Publix but I needed a few things like birthday candles, and eggs, and bittersweet chocolate for the frosting I'm going to make for Lily's cake. 
And of course because I'm an agoraphobic and generally anxious person, the thought of just doing these simple things was a bit overwhelming for me this morning and it took me awhile to climb out of bed although it wasn't that late when I did. 
Still, I piddled about and procrastinated doing laundry and trying on old dresses and treating the wounds I'd received from Maurice not only this morning but also last night while she was in bed with me and she wasn't happy about me reaching down to give her a little scratch between the ears. 
I'm back in my Fuck This Cat And Why Do We Have Her? mode. 
Because she's so sweeeeeet. That's why. 
Sure. She's adorable when she comes outside to accompany me while I'm working in the yard or hanging the clothes. Otherwise, no. Just no. 

Anyway, I didn't really treat my wounds. I never do. I just blot the blood and get on with my life and yes, I am quite aware that cat bites can cause horrible infections but I suppose I am now completely immune to anything Maurice has due to constant exposure. 

Finally I got dressed for town and ate my lunch before I left, having at least learned something from my trip to town on Monday, and what I ate was even more leftover tofu, and spinach and rice casserole and that may have been the straw that broke this camel's back when it comes to those two particular foods, despite the fact that last night I claimed to be "obsessed" with that tofu and the sauce that goes on it and I was! But maybe I still like it and can eat the rest of it, at least. It's hard to tell due to the fact that my stomach is having issues and I finally figured out why when I paid attention to the intermittent stabby pain in my side and the dull ache in my lower back. Oh boy! Kidney stone activity again! Why does it shock me every time that when this happens my stomach goes into "no thank-you" mode? 
I am a slow learner. 

But. I went to town and the first thing I did was to take two dresses that I really love to the lady who does alterations for me, or at least who has done them in the past. She does good work but my god- she's so bossy. I am completely intimidated by this tiny woman. Her English is not that great and of course I don't even know what her native tongue is and am an ignorant American so trying to relate what I want her to do is next to impossible and all she wants me to do anyway, is to put on the garment that needs altering, come stand in front of a mirror on a little step, and hold my arms exactly as she shows me. And don't try to show her where YOU think the dress needs to be taken in. She KNOWS. 
She'd already worked on one of the dresses last year because it was too big when I bought it and now it is too big again. But not to worry- with her two pins and innate and learned knowledge, she will once again make it the right size for me. 
"No! Don't move! I do it!" she says as she circles me with her pin cushion attached to her wrist like a porcupine bracelet. 
I would not dare disobey here. Or disagree. It would be pointless. 

So I changed back into the dress I was wearing and she turned all smiley and gave me a receipt and told me she'd see me on Monday. Although that seems a little presumptuous of her (I could have plans on Monday!) you know I'll be there. Hopefully. 
And like I said, she does good work and is exceptionally reasonable in her prices. 
I'd say I sort of love her but I really don't. I'm too scared of her for that sort of emotion. 

And then on to Jessie's where I surreptitiously slipped in and left a birthday present for Vergil and one for August. When I listed all the birthdays we're having in the next few days, I completely forgot August whose birthday is Monday. I had already gotten him a present at Costco when Jessie and I shopped there last week. So that was good. And Glen got Vergil's present. I wrapped them up and put them in a bag and quietly left them on the counter in Jessie's house because she worked last night and will be working again tonight and was getting some much-needed sleep. Sophie came out and said hello to me but did not bark. She went and got one of her toys to show me which is what she does. She is a very sweet dog. 

Then on to the place where I got Lily a present and that didn't take long because I got her something easy and fast. And finally- off to Publix.

I was so glad to drive home and the drive was made even better by the fact that it was raining. When I got to Lloyd, it looked like we'd gotten some good rain here although when I went out to check the garden cart rain gauge, I was disappointed to see that no, not really. Still, better than nothing and the temperature has dropped so nicely. 

We will all take what we can get and the birds seem to be talking about it and the firespike seems a little happier. 

I went out to the garden to see what was going on there and the marigolds really are going crazy.

When the sun is shining directly on them, the intensity of their colors is almost blinding. And the beans behind them are still putting out good pods and fattening up as they should. August's rainbow chard has broken ground but the sproutlings are so tiny as to be almost invisible. I can see them though. 

Life. And this is why I garden. It's not the food we get so much as it's the thrill of planting tiny seeds and watching them grow into brave tiny seedlings and then seeing them grow into something that can give us nourishment. 
Every year, every season we get to experience that all over again. 

As I say, the pragmatic miracles of life. 

I guess I'll go cook something that isn't tofu. 

Love...Ms. Moon