Not For Arachnophobes

The golden orb weavers are beginning to stake out their web sites (haha) on the front porch which seems to be their favorite place to settle down. I am very good at not noticing these things until I bounce off one of the webs. Seriously. If you're moving at a normal rate of speed and unknowingly walk in to one of them, you are not just going to walk right through it. You'll hit it and back off. Those webs are strong. 
The spider ladies are still small yet but in a month they will be fully grown and very large. That does make it easier to detect where the webs are but still- I can't begin to tell you how many times I have tried to walk through one by accident when stepping off the top step to the porch. They love to build their webs between the porch posts. Those I have to tear down because although I like to give them free access to most spaces outside, I really do like having free access to the porch.
Live and learn, Ms. Weavers! Sharing is caring.

So I got my second shingles shot today. I figured that there's really nothing I have to do tomorrow which was an important part of my scheduling because I know I'm going to feel like shit. That's just what happens when I get immunizations. I talked to the woman who gave me the shot today at the Publix pharmacy about reactions to this second shingles vaccine and she said it can be miserable. I have heard that from quite a few people. And on top of that, the damn shot hurts. Generally that part of the whole procedure doesn't bother me but in this case, it burns. I mean, it's tolerable, but not pleasant in the least. The pharmacist said it's true and she always feels bad when she has to give these shots but she knows it's better than getting shingles. 
Amen. 
She put the band-aid on my arm and I said, "Thanks, Hon!" and went off and did my shopping. I am really struggling with what to put on the table. Although I am still liking salads, I am not craving them twice a day anymore. They are still going to be a regular around here though, both as sides and main dishes. Just maybe not quite as often. You're supposed to eat a lot of protein when you're taking these GLP-1's and I am trying to be very conscious of that. As I said earlier, meat doesn't seem to have the appeal for me that it did and I am eating a lot of beans and tofu and seafood and cottage cheese. I'm not going to lose my mind counting grams of protein because that's just way too much like all the diets I was ever on- weighing and measuring all the foods to figure out calories or points, if on Weight Watchers. Like I've said, it was the idea of ever having to measure out a tablespoon of peanut butter again in my life that made me finally just give up. The joy of Zepbound is, I can eat what's probably a tablespoon of peanut butter, be fine with that, and screw the lid back on the jar. I do not want to start drinking protein drinks or eating protein bars. That just seems so processed and weird and kinda fake. I guess peanut butter is too but I'm really not eating much of anyway.

At the store today I bought more cottage cheese and I got some quinoa which I haven't eaten in a long time, and I got chicken, canned salmon, shrimp and tofu, of course. I feel certain I am not going to die for lack of nutrition. That is one thing that my years of dieting has given me- a good idea of what gives you the most bang for your buck when it comes to getting the most necessary nutrients out of the least amount of food. I also do not fool myself when it comes to what sugar is and where it is found and how the sugar in fruit is seen by the body just about the same way as sugar in a bag. Of course in fruit it's coming with fiber and other things we need and probably in a less concentrated form than most of the sugary things we eat or drink but a mango has a lot of sugar in it. So do carrots, by the way. I just looked it up and a mango has about 46 grams of sugar in it while a 16 oz. coke has 55 grams of sugar so...
I am sure it is far better for us to eat a mango a day than drink a 16 oz. Coke a day but we need to be mindful of the realities of what we're consuming. Not that I ever really ate that much sugar. I wasn't even enjoying fruit. I tell you what though- I sure am using a lot less butter and eating a lot less cheese and it's not bothering me in the least. 
Again- thanks, Zepbound! 

I think I may have poison ivy on my face. Yippie! No, seriously. It is quite likely. It is so itchy and is getting red and bumpy. Another joy of life in Florida. I know poison ivy when I see it but I'm sure I don't always see it. I get it on my hands and then on my sweat rag and then I wipe my face with my sweat rag...
So far it's all on the lower part of my face and I just as soon it stayed that way. I have no desire to have poison ivy around my eyes. 

Here's what Mr. Moon sent me a few minutes ago.

The windowless bathroom, stripped to the studs. Gone is the horrible wallpaper and hideous towel racks. That tub may be out already and the sinks and vanity will be going too. I wrote back, "Fantastic!" and he said, "I promised you it wouldn't look the same. Hopefully it'll look better."
"It already does," I said. 

So things are moving apace. 

I picked beans for another hour after I got home from town. That added up to four and a half pounds. I gave the rest of the beans I had in the refrigerator to Lily today so I am starting out with a clean slate again. I noticed that some of the vines are dying, probably due to those damn Georgia thumpers but let's be real- whatever. 
I have to tell you though that I still find it somewhat thrilling to find those gorgeous beans in their vines, hiding or dangling in plain sight. It's such a...miracle? Except of course not. I mean, that's what beans are supposed to do. Doesn't mean it's not a kind of miracle though. One of those daily, pragmatic miracles that bring me so much joy. 

I guess I better go see what I can rustle up for my supper. I am thinking I might make some salmon patties with an egg and onions and celery and mustard and a few cracker crumbs. I could even grate up some yellow squash into the mix. That does sound good to me. Steam some asparagus, cook a few of the potatoes we've dug, slice a tomato- yes. See? I haven't lost my interest in food. I just want to eat the good things and not too much of it. What did Michael Pollan say? 
Oh yeah. 
Eat food, not too much, mostly plants. 

I've believed this for a very long time but now, it seems to be how I want to eat. 
Which is another sort of miracle. 

Love...Ms. Moon