I have not been taking many pictures lately and I'm sure that's because I haven't been doing anything lately that would merit a photo-worthy attempt. I took that one on Saturday I believe, when I was attempting to work in the garden. Mostly what you're seeing there are the field pea plants. Also, some marigolds which Glen planted by the tomatoes in the belief that marigolds somehow prevent the tomato killing bugs from taking over. I'm pretty sure this is not true but I will admit that our tomatoes didn't get destroyed by pests this year. I don't think we saw one tomato horn worm which is fine with me as those things are uglier and about as big as Georgia thumpers.
Here's a picture of one from the internet.
Here's a picture of one from the internet.
Talk about your aliens...
Anyway, here are two pictures I took today of the field pea blossoms.
Very feminine, very demure. Am I right? They are fairly large and sturdy. Almost waxy in appearance.
Mr. Moon left this morning to go back up to the lake house. So I'm a dock-widow again. I always feel a strange mixture of being abandoned while at the same time I'm used to it and enjoy being alone so it's a conundrum.
I guess.
I just talked to him and there's no water up there right now. We're on a well so it may just be an electrical problem. They've been doing a lot of rewiring and stuff so perhaps in the process, that particular line got cut off. He said he'd called the electrician but the electrician is out on his boat.
This is how things work frequently around here.
I know that if he doesn't get water back by tomorrow, he'll be home early. Water is extremely important. Not just to boat on, to fish in, but to drink. And shower in. I don't think I've ever met a man who takes as many showers as Mr. Moon. I do not believe it's an obsessive or compulsive behavior as much as it's just that he really does not like being sweaty when the work that made him that way is done.
Having an ultra-clean husband is hardly the worst thing. He also gets his dirty clothes in the laundry basket. He had good home-raising as we say around here.
This is how things work frequently around here.
I know that if he doesn't get water back by tomorrow, he'll be home early. Water is extremely important. Not just to boat on, to fish in, but to drink. And shower in. I don't think I've ever met a man who takes as many showers as Mr. Moon. I do not believe it's an obsessive or compulsive behavior as much as it's just that he really does not like being sweaty when the work that made him that way is done.
Having an ultra-clean husband is hardly the worst thing. He also gets his dirty clothes in the laundry basket. He had good home-raising as we say around here.
I did something crazy today. I went shopping. I went to Marshall's just for a look around. I haven't been shopping for a very long time. Not shopping like for new things. I even looked at clothing which is something I haven't done in a million years. I didn't buy any clothing because I didn't like anything they had but it is an odd feeling knowing that I am smaller than I was some months ago and most likely will become even smaller. It is a slow process but it is happening. I ritualistically try on old clothes that I have not been able to wear in years almost weekly which is a pretty good gauge of where I am. There are some dresses that were getting too tight which are quite loose now. And a few dresses I haven't been able to wear at all that I can. And this brings up a rather funny issue- I know that many women, when we gain weight as we almost all inevitably do as we age, hang on to so much clothing that we love and probably have strong emotional attachments to. And there is always that little voice in the mind that says, "You know, you might lose weight and then you could wear this again..."
In my case, at least, that's always been dreaming the impossible dream, or at least it has in the last fifteen years or so. But now, I am finding myself actually believing I will be able to wear some of these clothes and I am not exactly thrilled with myself for getting rid of things I loved. I am mostly talking about things like men's cargo shorts here so it's not a big deal. All the really good stuff has gone to one of my kids or the other. And that makes me happy.
But it is odd.
My knee is still bothering me so I only did my weights and exercises today. I'm still amused at how it's all come right back to me. I hate it as much as I ever did but manage to get through it. People who authentically love working out are as mysterious to me as people who forget to eat. I am far more apt to forget to eat these days but I can't see myself ever being thrilled to pump that iron.
Or whatever.
Or whatever.
So that's been my day and I did buy a can opener and a measuring cup set and a measuring spoon set at Marshall's and when I went to Publix I got a wire wisk! Glen and I were talking the other day and decided that it would probably be fun and perhaps productive to go to the local restaurant supply place. One of my favorite knives came from there. It has no fancy provenance but it sharpens nicely and I have been using it for years.
And so it goes.
Here is a little marigold arrangement.
Here is a little marigold arrangement.
Marigolds always make me think of Alan Ginsberg. Once, many years ago, when Hank and May were little and I was a single mother who still had grit and stamina and a sense of adventure, I took them to see Ginsberg speak and read his poems. On a school night! He was surrounded by marigolds on that stage and I've never forgotten it.
I've also never forgotten that when he got into some of his juicier poems, I felt that perhaps Hank and May had had enough beat poet education for one evening and we slipped out with as little disturbance as we could.
I'm still proud of having taken them.
I've also never forgotten that when he got into some of his juicier poems, I felt that perhaps Hank and May had had enough beat poet education for one evening and we slipped out with as little disturbance as we could.
I'm still proud of having taken them.
And for a quick look back at Alan Ginsberg, here we have a most terrific Bob Dylan video from 1965. In my opinion, one of the best music videos ever made and certainly one of the first.
Love...Ms. Moon
You should be proud! Isn't it funny how we never forget certain moments in time and they come up again in weird ways, like with certain flowers? I do that too. I get it. That is the coolest video of Bob Dylan! How did he hold all that in his hands and keep up? ha. Thanks for sharing. -Nicol
ReplyDeleteI have wondered the same thing. That was a lot of poster boards!
DeleteIn my previous life, I often used the words "septic" and "well", two words that had negative connotations. Now, I live in the city with city utilities, and I never take them for granted. I loved living in the country, but there were hazards. I hope you get your problem solved.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's Glen's problem, being as he's the one up at the lake. We have a well here which (when the pump is working) we use to water the garden, mostly but the water into the house comes from a municipal system which seems to be very dependable. We do have a septic tank but it's never been a problem. Knock wood.
DeleteI dread hearing that a well isn't working. Been there, lived through that. I hope it's a quick fix.
ReplyDeleteTomato hornworms are huge and yet not easy to spot. I've accidentally handled more than one while picking, ew.
They are so incredibly gross, aren't they? And they do camouflage very well.
DeleteI hope that Glen gets his well back soon. When I talked to him this afternoon it wasn't fixed but he did not seem overly worried.
I haven't ever forgotten hearing Maya Angelou with my youngest daughter. It was a gorgeous night.
ReplyDeleteI took May and Hank to see Maya too! She spoke at FAMU and the place was packed. I knew that would be an important moment for all of us.
DeleteVery pretty marigold arrangement! How cool to have heard Alan Ginsberg recite his poetry in person!
ReplyDeleteI ate in a restaurant at the same time he did too, but back in the early seventies. That was in Denver.
DeleteI remember seeing Ginsberg and being both fascinated and completely clueless about what he was saying.
ReplyDeleteWell, you were probably about six years old. If that. I'm sure that no matter what you got out of it, you at least experienced something that was completely unique to you up to that point. I love that you remember it.
DeleteThanks for the video that sent me into another you tube frenzy...so much to see/watch so little time. Marigolds are favorites around here- My Dad lined our yard and walk way with them- kept bugs away, he claimed but really he just loved theri cheerfulness. and ripply dresses. I am pleased that you did not go up to the cabin log house thing, no water makes life really hard.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! I have no idea when or where I first saw that video. But I know it was a very long time ago. I've always loved it.
DeleteI also love your description of marigolds as having ripply dresses. They do indeed! Cha-cha dresses!
It's amazing how much a garden can tell you about a season, even when the weather isn't what you'd expect. The marigolds and peas look great, and I totally get the satisfaction of not having to deal with those tomato hornworms, they're truly alien-looking.
ReplyDeleteI just posted something new, and I'd love to hear what you think.
Thank you, Melody.
DeleteI have always loved this song and video (and the vandals took the handles). Your marigold arrangement is beautiful. I’ve heard for years that marigolds are beneficial but I don’t know if it’s been proven that they keep away insects but I’ve read they attract good insects that do away with many damaging ones, so there’s clearly something to it. Mr. Moon must know what he’s doing. The horn worm. Blech!
ReplyDeleteI think that marigolds are best at repelling nematodes which are a root situation. As far as I know. I know they tore up the citrus industry back in the late sixties down in Central Florida. Nematodes, not marigolds. Mr. Moon does tend to believe just about anything online as pertains to gardening. In reality, I've been doing this a lot longer than he has and have learned a few things over the years but I find it's best not to challenge his theories unless I feel compelled to do so. It's just plants.
DeleteThere are worse caterpillars than the horn worm but it sure is an ugly one, isn't it?
Marigolds are one of my favorites. I plant the orange ones every year for my dad; he also loved them. They are of course symbolic for the Day of the Dead celebrations (which we honor); their scent are said to guide home our loved ones. You just have the best gardens.
ReplyDeleteYes! Marigolds are THE Day of the Dead flower. I love that.
DeleteIt's true about the marigolds though I don't know why. I have heard that they need to be planted and well established before tomatoes get planted.
ReplyDeleteI have held on to my favourite old jeans in hopes that I can wear them again. I've lost quite a bit but still can't get into them, though the gap between button and buttonhole is far less than it once was. So I'm getting there. My current problem is winter with all the yummy warming foods. But I haven't put any weight back on, so I see that as progress.
Well, from what I've read, there is no scientific evidence that proves marigolds repel pests. However, they can and do attract pests which can lure them away from other plants. They seem to have some effect when it comes to certain types of nematodes which are tiny, tiny worms that attack the roots of some plants.
DeleteI found two of my old favorite pairs of jeans that I did not give away and although I seriously doubt I'll ever be able to wear them again, I am holding on to them.
Maintaining a weight loss is indeed progress.
At first I thought that Mr. Moon had no water because vandals stole the handle but, of course, I was wrong about that.
ReplyDeleteHaha!
DeleteSounds like my days, although yesterday I did can some peaches that we picked in Penticton. That's a lot of work for 9 small jars of peaches. The freezing is easier, and I'll do that with the rest of the peaches.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Mr. Moon gets the water back, or not. If he doesn't, you'll get to see him sooner:)
Apparently we get hornworms here too, I had to look it up. I've never seen one thankfully. My tomatoes are ripening nicely but I only have four plants this year, spring was hard on them.
Have a good day woman. I've promised Jack that we'll go to the spray park so I can sit and read:)
Canning can indeed be a lot of work for very little reward. But canned peaches are so pretty! There is that, right?
DeleteGlen seems to be handling the no-water situation calmly. He's getting some water from the neighbors so all is not lost.
You do not ever want to see a horn worm. Trust me.
I hope you got some good reading in while Jack splashed and played.
"Pawking metaws" -- LOL! I love that video and I never noticed that Alan Ginsburg is in it! I never thought of Bob Dylan as a particularly attractive guy but he's pretty adorable there.
ReplyDeleteYour mention of the tomato hornworm made me remember an encounter I had with a saddleback caterpillar when I was a kid in Florida. Have you ever seen one of those? It stung the hell out of me. I don't know why I thought of this except that "hornworm" sounds vaguely threatening. I can't remember whether or not the saddleback survived its encounter with me.
You know, I really only this year realized that I've never thought of Bob Dylan in any sort of sexual way. I think I've idolized him too much for that. You know? I've seen him play several times and his aura is powerful. I do not say that lightly. He is one of those people. But yes, when he was a mere pup, he was pretty cute.
DeleteI looked up saddleback hornworms and no, I've never seen one and no, I never want to. You poor thing! Just the thought of what that must have felt like gives me chills. Really.
I have marigolds too: One large pot full on the patio and a few planted in the small veggie garden next to the patio. No worms/insects bothered anything. The deer do not eat marigolds as well. Double win. I'm giving full credit to the marigolds.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the well malfunction. Glen must know a good well guy so all will be ok soon.
Your body is rewarding you and soon you'll wear all those lovely outfits that you saved.
I shop my closet all the time. My closet contains clothing I bought 20+ years ago. Good quality clothing bought long ago works perfectly well. My old LL Bean t-shirts and oxford shirts in every jewel and pastel color available are 100% cotton and they show no wear.
Glen knows an electric guy, not sure about a well guy.
DeleteI don't think that "soon" is the time I'll be wearing some of my old clothes. Eventually is good enough though.
I totally agree with you about good quality clothing. I literally have things I've had for thirty years. It's crazy!
Back when I only weighed 98 - 102 (and more flat chested than I am now, who knew gaining 25 pounds would make my boobs bigger, and by bigger I don't mean big but at least now I look like I have some) I bought a dress that I loved, was one size fits all, and too big for me so I took some tucks in the side seams. After I joined the gym and gained about 18 - 20 pounds I had to take the tucks out and it fit well. Now I'm weighing 120 - 130 and I tried it on recently and it was too snug. Damn!
ReplyDeleteI planted nasturtiums around my tomatoes for the same reason. Didn't have as many stink bugs as usual but it didn't do squat for tomato production.
I think that dress has served its purpose, Ellen! You have definitely gotten your money's worth.
DeleteSome years are just not good for tomatoes. I swear, I think it's too hot where you and I live for them.
That was supposed to be 125 -130.
Delete