OT October Chit Chat

[Howie]

Those big candles last well, Maybe 5" by 5". They really last as opposed to the normal candles.

[Howie]

Oh no, there is a black cat lying across my lap, and she's punching and purring. She must know it's Friday 13th!!! I'll be extra nice to her today, but keep an eye on her every move.

Sam, you already had turkey and....uh....coming right up!

[agate]

I think that if it's you belong to the black cat, there's no problem. An unfamiliar black cat crossing your path might be another story.

[Howie]

Whew, that's a relief. We have just been in the bed so far today, watching TV, and don't expect that to change much. I still need to fix a meal, and my brother will call later which gives me a chance to take a "cat nap" too.

One a day for me, but one of MANY for Sam. Cats have it made, or at least the cats I've ever known.

[agate]

Exciting for me, two new African violets arrived by mail yesterday:

Um, they don't look quite like that yet but I'm hoping. They're semi-miniatures and so will never get very big. The blue one isn't blooming and the other one has a few blooms on it.

[Sunshine]

So pretty!

[Howie]

My Granny grew those on a shelf right across the big picture window at the front of her house. I got none of her green thumb. Plants call me Doctor Death.

[agate]

They probably call me Doctor Death too or maybe Nurse Ratched.

The two African violets I've had for years have pretty much had it. One is gone (mealybugs) and I'm nursing the other along with daily alcohol swabs and rinsings. It will need to be kept apart from the new plants.

I've been tending to a few African violets for over 30 years. Some were ordered from special violet growers, some were picked up at supermarkets, and quite a few spawned additional violets just from cuttings in water.

I don't really know what I'm doing, but I really like African violets.

[Howie]

They have those fuzzy leaves, don't they? She also started cuttings, and grew those in the kitchen window.

[agate]

Some do have fuzzy leaves, and then there are some with ruffly leaves, shiny leaves, variegated leaves. They can do well in windows if the light is right.

Since I face north, the light in the windows isn't right, and so they need special lighting arrangements. They're a bit fussy but at least I haven't yet been tempted to try bonsai.

Those tiny trees have to be watered several times a day and shaped and fretted over. African violets just bloom on and on if you give them the right conditions.

[Howie]

Bonsai!!!!

[Howie]

SaTURDay is here. I was up early, and couldn't go back to sleep, so I made coffee, and working on my second mug now.

This is the last weekend of hot weather, then the 70's will be here for a while. If I don't get Pinky started, and washed, and driven next week, I hereby authorize someone to shoot me. (Vicky, put your hand down)

Sam is asleep on my lap so I have to type over her, but at least I know where she is, and what she's doing.

Have a great day everyone!

[agate]

Good news that Sam is present and accounted for. Everyone here is eager to know that you've driven Pinky. A car needs to be driven every now and then, I've heard, but maybe the people saying that were wrong.

There are people here who have cars but don't drive them any more. Their cars sit in the parking lot but every once in a while someone drives them just to keep them happy.

Yesterday's expected package arrived even though I didn't know it was here. I knew it was due to show up by 8 PM because the tracking system told me that, and I was waiting here all day for it. In the early evening a neighbor knocked on my door to tell me a large package was left in the building entryway.

The delivery people (UPS) must not have bothered to ring my bell. I was able to haul the box to my apartment (not far, and I had my walker to put it on).

I went to the UPS Website and found that there are a few options for how you want your packages delivered. Not one of them is "knock or ring bell" or anything like it. The options are places outside a building, like "front porch," "side door." Not exactly a guarantee that you'll get your package, is it?

Are you supposed to sit all day, maybe for quite a few days, looking out your window on the offchance that a package will be dropped there so you can rush out and get it before someone else does?

It wouldn't do me any good to sit by a window all day because my apartment doesn't look out on the area where vehicles come and go.

I'm going to ask UPS about this and if I don't get anywhere, I'm going to try not to use them.

Except that the other delivery systems (US post office, FedEx, etc.) are probably all about to do the same thing if they aren't already. Because they can and it saves them time, they will.

[Howie]

One reason I like Amazon, is they send email or text messages about where your package is, so you know when to look for it. UPS leaves smaller packages to be delivered by USPS, and they have always delivered to your mail box by noon.

I have 2 orders from Amazon that are due Tuesday. Sheets and comforter for my bed. I'm getting ready for the cooler weather, plus make it look nicer in here. (Bedroom)

[Virginia]

Anyone can leave anything on my little porch. I do not worry about it. I have never had anything go missing. I have good neighbors. Here let me knock on wood.

Not only do cars need to be driven once in awhile, they also need to be cleaned. I mean really cleaned good, like detailed. Unfortunately, for mine it doesn't get it. I keep saying I am going to and then keep not wanting to go someplace and sit and wait for them to do it. It is looking bad.

It is a sad week-end. We lost a member at our meditation group. I don't remember if you all remember, but one of the men was diagnosed with in-operable cancer back in February. He underwent chemo. He was at the group meeting a number of times after that, with August being the last one. He looked pretty good, hair growing back, talked about his retirement. We were all glad to see that he had retired. He had very good retirement because of where he worked and I had been praying that he would live a long life to enjoy it. He was a gentle man who loved to play the guitar, dulcimer, cello and harmonica. He enjoyed singing and had a soft very pleasing voice. About twice a year he and another male member would bring their guitars and play for us. He had a love for children and was a Montessori teacher. He will be so missed by all the group.

I am reading a book for the book club. The name of it is "The Martian". It is funny in parts, the language is kind of off color in parts, but a pretty interesting read.