Daffodils

Today I finally got my daffodil bulbs planted. Supposedly there were 15 in the bag. I planted most in the side yard by the persimmon tree so that I can look out at them when I'm washing dishes (until I cut the flowers and bring them indoors anyway); the other five bulbs I planted near the rock in the front yard (which is under a tree too).

Image source:www.doorcountyvacations.com/ enews/images/King...
I bought more packets of seeds: a wildflower mixture for shade and Lemon Drop marigolds. I've never been especially fond of marigolds-- I think of them as gas station flowers. But the package's picture and description seemed appealing-- "double blossoms in a unique shade of soft lemon-yellow." I'll give them a try.

Since the weather's supposed to be sunny and warm tomorrow, I'd like to fill some more containers with potting soil to germinate additional herbs indoors: basil, chives, and thyme. Also, I'd like to repot some houseplants: a parlor palm, some ivy, and one I bought at Lowe's called Song of India which I've never noticed before.

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Catch-Up Account

I need to wash dishes, shower, and do some errands, but I've had insufficient sleep for 3 nights running; all I really want to do is crash.

The TMD specialist I saw yesterday sent me home with the equivalent of a fat book's health reading and an appointment for next week to adjust my bite guard. I read some of the info last night, and already discovered a few new facts.

I also stopped by a branch of the Louisville public library. I borrowed some great books: Deerproofing Your Yard and Garden, Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd, and a DK sushi book that's downright amazing! Coincidentally, Ree Drummond (who's blog I follow) has posted an account of a sushi night she hosted (which I just discovered this morning). I decline to eat raw seafood, but I think sushi-making is in my future-- a wonderful intersection of art and cooking and eating!

When I got home, the garden supplies I had ordered the previous day were waiting on my front porch. I was astonished and thrilled-- now that's service! I sent an email to Gardens Alive to thank and compliment them.

I did end up with a bad on-and-off tension headache for which I took Tylenol. I also took 2 whole sleeping pills instead of 1.5 as usual but still awoke a couple of hours early-- with a bad tension headache. I took Midrin, and thankfully that seems to have given the headache a kick in the rear. Now if I could just summon some energy.

I did call the unemployment office to get information about financial assistance for medication. I'll have to go to the appropriate office and apply as soon as possible. $165 for a 1-month supply of one medication (no generic available)-- yikes!

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Addendum

Today's moon phase-- 79% illumination (waning).

Plus, another Italian parsley seedling is on its way up. ;-)

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TMD Specialist

Once again, I've been awake since 4:30am. I did consider leaving the lights off, but there was so much moonlight pouring in (even through my closed blinds) that it seemed a moot point. Possibly a full moon? Maybe just a lack of cloud cover for a change. I'll have to look it up.

In any case, I got out of bed and filled out job applications for Barnes & Noble which I hope to deliver today.

I also have a 2.5 hour appointment in Louisville this morning with a dentist who specializes in TMJ disorders. Perhaps I can get some help with the muscle-tension headaches and facial pain that dog me. I already wear a bite guard at night, but my current dentist doesn't make adjustments to it unless I ask-- he's a good dentist but TMD is simply not his specialty. I had a great dentist in California, and I can tell a difference in the quality of treatment. Besides, my jaw won't tolerate staying open for a cleaning AND for a bite guard fitting-- recipe for a headache for sure. So if I'm going to have to schedule separate appointments, I'd just as soon see a TMD expert.

Given my lack of sleep, the flashing glare of light through trees on my drive to Louisville, the stress of finding an unfamiliar location in busy city driving, and the delay of food during this lengthy dental appointment, I fully expect that migraine medication will be necessary today. I will pamper myself to the degree possible but will count myself lucky to get through the appointment, get back home, and not vomit. I hope to God the Midrin works again if I end up needing it-- it's on hand in my purse.

Well, off to get ready. I need to leave the house by 8:15 for sure.

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A Busy Morning

This morning I did order two more types of compost over the Internet. Lucky me, it only cost what I would have paid in a store because I had a $25 coupon that took care of the shipping. Those supplies will arrive in two weeks or so. Now I need vermiculite.

I did a load of dishes then a little cooking/baking. A Facebook friend posted a recipe for Bacon, Cheese & Egg Biscuit Cups. I didn't have sufficient bacon, so I substituted breakfast sausage. They taste good, but since I did it ALL from scratch-- even shredding the cheese-- it was a time-consuming recipe to make. By the end, I was ready to toss 'em in the oven come what may. Of course, this may have had something to do with being awake since o'dark-thirty!

I ended up having to sleep a few hours, doctor's orders not withstanding. I was so tired and so painfully keyed up at the same time.

It's funny, I've got my night stash and my plan to sit quietly in the dark if I awake in the middle of the night. But when I woke up at 3:45am, the plan didn't even occur to me. I flipped on the light switch, ambitions and schemes racing through my head, and started singing. I was revved. I wonder if the author of Restful Insomnia has any ideas for that scenario. I still haven't finished the book; I've been reading my way through it incrementally.

Image source (edited): 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-eobVPdeATMlp6JLaCKar8kgMKY9JX2ldUUgCsowbu9mhbkBzTpXiV-dtmJKoOGaiI82cd51ovEDzTwvB2r7HI2Ro21D8ATfNu_JoiMnnNEcIMrzVkTPn-5KICffiF8AKAkgYmKcFBA/s1600-h/P2153559.JPG

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Raised Bed Shopping

I've been awake since 3:45am, so I thought I might as well record what I did yesterday: I used most of my Lowe's Christmas gift card to buy the supplies for the raised beds I intend to build (according to the directions in The All-New Square Foot Gardening book).

I now have landscaping fabric and cut lumber in the trunk of my car, 3.9 cubic feet of compressed peat moss plus bagged compost by my garbage cans, a tarp and deck screws in my laundry room with my drill, etc. (A garage or a garden shed would be lovely, but right now I have to make do where storage is concerned.)

I'm so excited about seeing my visions of backyard produce become reality that I'd like to use today's cold but dry weather to put the frames together.

However, I suppose it makes more sense to gather some remaining supplies first, such as vermiculite and additional bagged compost-- I've only purchased one type so far, but Mel Bartholomew advocates using five kinds to ensure better plant health. That seems wise to me.

I think I will have to do a little shopping online to get what I want. I have a few local places to check too, but I want to be ready to plant some cold weather crops shortly. If I do order online, I'll have to wait for the items to be shipped so I don't want to delay too long.

Incidentally, the men at the local Lowe's were kind and helpful, rounding up the supplies on my shopping list for me (since I'm clueless about identifications and locations in their vast store).

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Brief Parsley Update

This is just to say that my curled parsley seedlings are showing their first true leaves-- millimeter-size, but they're growing! ;-)

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