My Hands Grow Witchier Every Day

I caught that picture of a dancing rainbow when I turned on the sprinklers in the garden today. It's as perfect a rainbow as I think I've ever seen, all the colors of Roy G. Biv identifiable. We are still so dry here with no rain in the forecast until a week from tomorrow and we all know that's an iffy proposition to predict this far out. I really do not want to lose my winter greens for lack of water. They are by far the hardiest plants we grow in the garden but even they need some help and attention. 

I spent some time outside today, doing a few little things. I hauled the cardboard and paper products out to the burn pile, making more room in my pantry because that's where we stash those things. I unwrapped the plants I wrapped on Monday and then I watered them too. We are back to more temperate temperatures here for awhile, at least. While I was on the porch I decided to sweep it and so I did. That gave me a lot of pleasure. As I was sweeping, I heard a "Hey! Hey!" and a neighbor from down the road was walking by. I think his name is John Henry. He's a cheerful fellow and if he sees me in the yard, he always stops for a word or two. Today he told me, after pleasantries had been exchanged, that my house needs painting and that he knows how to do that.
"I know," I said. "Talk to my husband." 
"What's his name?" Mr. Henry asked. 
Ooh boy. I know for sure that Glen is not going to hire some guy as old as he is to paint this house and beside that, there's so much work to be done before the first brushstroke. And no, we have not heard from Floyd for quite awhile.
Sigh.
Anyway, I quickly said that we had someone lined up to paint which was sort of a lie but sort of not because Floyd had mentioned that his sister has her own painting company and I'd love to use her if possible so...

Maurice followed me around outside as she does, suddenly appearing as if by magic, always acting as if she had no interest in what I was doing but merely happened to be in the same place at the same time as I was.

She has been sticking close to me, even following me into the bathroom when I get up in the middle of the night to pee. I am grateful for her concern but I am capable of finding my way there and back in the dark. I feel as if I truly have a familiar these days and realize how and why that word came to be associated with the cats of older women. 
Old women. Witches. Whatever. I raise my gnarled hand in solidarity. 

The oddest thing I did today was to online shop. I ordered two more pairs of Duluth's heirloom gardening overalls in different colors than I have now and in a smaller size. Overalls which are too big are not really a problem. I mean- they are, by definition, a fashion faux pas so who cares? 
Then, because all of my denim overalls are actually WAY too big to wear, I ordered a pair of Levi's overalls and while I was at it, I ordered a pair of their jeans but I am almost certain they will not fit. If I think I am going to lose enough weight to wear them eventually, I will keep them. If not, I will send them back without one regret or feeling of inadequacy. I promise. 
And THEN, because I have made peace with Crocs, I ordered another pair of those. Jessie and I laughed yesterday when Lily pointed out that we were ALL three wearing Crocs. I know they are the ugliest shoes ever invented but they are also the most comfortable shoes ever invented. For me, at least. I will wear the ones I have worn for several years now at home and my new ones will be for fancy stuff. 
Well. Going out in public. 

And all of that was a lot. Of money, yes, but I do not feel guilty in this instance for spending it on myself. Of energy- also yes, because it is hard for me to spend money on myself. 
Fuck it. Mr. Moon gets hunting trips, I get new overalls and Crocs. 
Fair is fair. 

A man I've known for about fifty years died yesterday. We were not close in any way, shape, or form, but he made a more recent appearance in my life when Lily and Jason moved to the house where Maggie was born and where Jason is living now because this man lived on the same road. 
I talked to his former wife today on the phone. They have not been married for so many years but remained very, very good friends and she has been one of the main people taking care of him throughout the past many years when he has been sick. As she told me today, "You know I would do anything for Lee."
And she would. 
And she did.
One of the things that has really stayed with me about him is that he told me once that he'd just been on tour with the Rolling Stones. This was at least thirty years ago. He said he had been their weed man and I believe it. He was a grower, not only of weed but of garlic and basil and many other things. He and the dirt had a very good relationship.  I've always wanted to ask him for more details on being on tour with the Stones but never had the chance. I know he did say something about Keith Richards and what a wild man he was. 
I have no doubt. 
I am sorry Lee is gone but he is no longer suffering. He has been released. Sounds like he had a good death, surrounded by people who loved him, whom he loved. We would all wish for that, I think.

As we get old, we go through this more and more- the loss of people we have known, some of them very dear to us, some of them mainly old acquaintances whose stories are intertwined with ours. In a way, it feels like pieces of ourselves are being peeled away, leaving us more vulnerable somehow as the members of what was once our community leave us. 
It is a strange and sad feeling but it is also part of being human. This is how it goes. 

*********

Commenter Beverly asked if I could post the recipe I use for the naan bread and so I shall. I originally got this recipe from the New York Times recipe and cooking app but you can find it other places online. 
The link for one of those places is HERE.
I have found it to be adaptable. If you don't have yogurt, you can use buttermilk or sour cream, for example. Also, instead of making and kneading the dough as instructed, I put all the ingredients in the food processor and just pulse it until it is lovely. 
Lazy? Hell yes. 
Does it work? Quite well. 

Tonight I believe I will cook some salmon and quinoa and asparagus with a salad to go with. When I talked to Mr. Moon a few hours ago, he told me that he'd been the cook for the guys last night and they voted his dinner the best so far. 
He had ordered a calzone in a restaurant for lunch which had been huge. He only ate a small part of it, brought it back to the cabin, heated that up and divided it into fourths and made a salad with many, many vegetables in it. 
I am proud of him. 

Picture from my front yard.

Florida. 

Love...Ms. Moon