(elder care, health, garden)

[elainegrey]

The 2022 Wildflower of the Year from the North Carolina Botanical Garden is downy woodmint, Blephilia ciliata. The gardens give away packets of seed to people in the south eastern United States if you send a self addressed stamped envelope.

https://ncbg.unc.edu/2022/01/05/2022-wildflower-of-the-year/

I had a plant of this mint come up last year -- or at least become noticeable last year -- and it's really quite lovely. I picked some of the long stems of the flowers for a bouquet and later hung them to dry -- and they've kept their color and look attractive in some of my winter bouquets.

It's one of the species i'd love to have more of around the property.

--== ∞ ==--

In other news, my brother announced he wouldn't be making it to my parents' for the lunch gather (that i couldn't attend) until 2. My sister, who had rescheduled her day, was not thrilled. I think we have agreement for an inside masked no-food gathering on Sunday.

I was exhausted and drained after my dental cleaning. The substitute dentist suggested i talk to an ENT doctor about my throat and a number of other issues which all might be related. She thinks i should have a sleep test. I kinda would like to see someone because i do have a hard time breathing through my nose. Not sure how to phrase my request for a referral. Or if i need one. HHm

My sister shared news about my grandmother that does make it sound like she is fading -- and raises some concerns about my Dad caring for Grandmámá (in Florida). My sister sounds like she is less confident with Mom going down with Dad and wants to keep Mom up here. I am drained just thinking about all the planning churn.

Comments

[threeringedmoon]

Planning churn is a good term. I now realize how much I dread planning churn and why I foisted negotiations about a trip between my sister and her husband and us off on my sister and my partner. We are fairly uncommitted as far as long range planning but she had some significant commitments to work around.

I would mention to your PCP that a dentist thought you should be evaluated for sleep apnea and see what the PCP recommends. My partner had two sleep tests before he was prescribed a CPAP machine. He was starting to nod off while watching TV during the day. Since CPAP he doesn't do that.

[tamena]

was going to say basically the same thing about the PCP - my beloved had the same issues, his PCP sent in the order and he wore a monitor at home for a week. It was relatively painless (hooking him up every night was a pain in the butt for me not him LOL) and he got his CPAP 2 weeks later. I wish he'd use it again, I think he'd sleep better but since losing 135 pounds (yes you read that right) he's breathing a lot better

[elainegrey]

I wrote my PCP. I'll admit that the sleep apnea seems unlikely to me, comparing my snoring Christine's recorded with her snoring before she began her CPAP. Very different! But i do have various breathing concerns, so i'm willing to follow up on asking for the referral.

[tamena]

Jeff didn't snore much but the rest of his sleep habits were red flags. Keep us posted =)

[amaebi]

May you find comfort, stability, and lots of downy woodmint.

[elainegrey]

Thanks!