elainegrey

Up to the 9th i worked with some intensity, focusing on a meeting the morning of the 9th where we would present a work estimate. Lo, by the end of the day Thursday the 9th, "too big" was the response to the work estimate, "let's do it again." I had a feeling of "senioritis" and was so Done with work, happy that we would start afresh on Monday.

I saw (what passes for) aurora on Friday night, along with multiple satellite passes. There were surprising white narrow straight bands, a single one shooting like a light house beam or spotlight, fast, pulsing, then gone. I've not read anything about that. Christine saw it once and commented, then i saw it several more times as i continued to observe.

I mowed and mowed and mowed  on the 11th and 12th, not just the orchard and the recognized as grass areas but other growth, scalping stilt grass in some places, just getting weedy seed heads in others. And i spent some time weeding too, telling myself perfection isn't necessary, just releasing the desired plants. It was much yard work in a short time, which i haven't done for over a year, and i ached.

Then there was a week working on the new estimate, with wonderful collaboration with my manager and the new team manager. I had a terrible headache, Christine had migraines, and we both had some days of feeling out of it. I had eaten tradescantia buds of the native T virginiana, as promoted by Tyrant farms on Tuesday, and my horrible Wednesday had that correlation, but given Christine also had headaches and similar symptoms, i logically can't blame the wild vegetable. I'm feeling much less excited about it though. Wednesday was also horrible because of being scatterbrained with debit and credit cards, but all worked out after multiple trips to the store.

I tried working in the yard this weekend, but despite the mild temperatures, 85% humidity is very unpleasant. After soaking in sweat (condensation?) while picking strawberries, I retreated inside. The dehumidifier seemed to run all weekend. I picked some roses and made a rose jelly (with bits of vanilla bean) that didn't jell. I decanted the jars and gave the syrup to my sister. I had planned to give her some of the jelly, as it was.  And we attended my niblings' art show at the high school on Saturday night, delighting in W--'s and E--'s talent. My sister L has been overwhelmed since April. I suppose after the open house (on 8 June) to celebrate W's graduation  she might be a little more accessible for connections.

I've had a mind that didn't want to do as "told" and spent much of Saturday researching improved native persimmon trees. I think at this point should start learning to graft. To get some yummy  native persimmons, i suspect ordering scion wood will be more affordable and manageable. Sunday i spent time searching for how i could make a tool belt using the MOLLE and PALS system. This is the technique that many "tactical" bags use to add custom extensions, and answers the question, "why does my backpack have these odd straps stitched across it?" I concluded with that, that i will just keep loading things into baskets (at some point i need to unload the baskets, i know.) I read (skimmed) three novels that were collected in one volume that i acquired some time in the past; they diverted me but if i had read them i can see why i forgot them.

My nephew Z-- is arrived this weekend to stay with Dad. He attends a marine biology focused liberal arts school on Tampa Bay in Florida. I hope we can find some time to hang out a little.  Many of us gathered at my sister's for brunch yesterday morning, which was delight. Her spouse was pulled away, Christine was home with a migraine. The three kids are lovely to listen to as they chat.