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Without too much TMI, the muddledness of yesterday and possibly even the sense of malaise on Friday afternoon (with the wheat) are probably correlated with one of the GI tract effects of iron supplements. ( I think my constant digging at my health must be boring. )

More reading about sprouting seeds and beans this morning. Do i really need to cut the chia greens off the roots? Really? Seems time consuming and fiddly. I'm fascinated but not excited by the idea of drinking the mucilaginous seeds: apparently it's traditional in Mexico and can be a very satisfying morning beverage with fruit juice. http://www.sproutpeople.com/seed/print/chia.html I try and remember if the alfalfa sprouts i bought earlier in the year had roots intact. I also learn about how much bleaching of sprouts is done commercially.

I'm not sure why i'm so curious about this, but i am.

I'm also tempted to scatter some chia seed in my garden planters and see if i can grow my own. It's in the mint family and has purple flowering spikes.

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I had a haphazard attempt at "chia fresca" this morning (1 tsp to 8 oz of cranberry juice, soaking for a few minutes, not ten minutes), and i am no worse for wear.

During lunch i sat with DP, whom i've not seen in ages, it seems. She inquired after my well being after i heard about her trip to China. I noted how i was trying to balance creativity over responsibility. A little later i was excusing myself to go work in the kitchen and she asked if i was feeling guilty. Yes, i admitted. Anyone can go help in there, she said, you go do something only [you] can do. There was something incredibly powerful hearing that from her.

After Meeting and cleaning up after the prepared lunch, i claimed three cacti and a jade plant from the failed-to-sell table. I stopped at the hardware store to get a planter and soil for them, and was inspired to get a six pack of collards, too. And then i got a box of "licorice mix" candies on which i have regrettably binged. I also picked up some very small saucers to experiment with sprouting seeds.

At home i planted the cacti and jade plant and two succulents i acquired as left overs from the 2008 Harvest Festival in one attractive arrangement. I think they'll do well. For the collards i enriched a window box that has been fallow all year with worms and worm casings, and then added the collards. I hope they thrive. It would be FABULOUS to have my own greens. I've soaked one of the small terra cotta saucers in water and have added some chia seeds to it: we'll see if that grows well for me.

I've had a pleasant chat with my parents, and a brief chat with Christine's mom.

I don't know if planting cacti was my special creative act for the day.

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Cacti ids are elusive
Originally uploaded by Elaine with Grey Cats

Actually, i suspect this one is an euphorbia.



Also at flickr, collard seedlings, lemon blossoms, a over exposed rose, a sunflower gone to seed, all in the late afternoon gloom.

Also, chia seeds after a short soak.