Powerless Sunday

 saturday

Saturday, we got off to an early start. We went walking in the 707 and it was truly lovely to be out and about so early in the day. When we got home, I got into the spa to extend my indulgence in nature. And then I was off to The Surf to meet Jay and Kelly for breakfast. We had a window seat looking over the ocean that was alive with white caps and marine traffic.

When I left them, I went into the village to go to the farmers’ market to get some salads from Kenny, and then I came home to feed the brood their lunch. Then it was time to … guess what. Water all the garden beds. We’re now into the hot of Summer and thorough watering every day is a necessity.

This week, every day is going to be hotter until Tuesday when we’re predicted to have temperatures in the low thirties. Pooey! And when I must water everything every day, I don’t have much time to do any other garden chores because there’s also walking Sheba twice every day to do, and then there’s shopping, cleaning the catio and their litter box, dishes, vacuuming, etc. to do. I still vacuum every day because Her Highness brings in so much stuff and leaves it everywhere. She also is getting pitch in her hair and it’s a bitch to remove.

I finished watering the backyard beds just before 2:00. It was time for a short rest, and then Her Highness and I went to Elder Cedar to walk the trail. It is lovely and cool in the grove and there’s still water in the upper part of the creek where H.H. can get a drink. It was altogether lovely, but my breathing is getting harder again. The benefits of the prednisone seem to be weakening.

When we got home. I wanted to rest, but I couldn’t. My plants are my friends, and today was so, so hot, so I went out and watered almost every plant in the front yard and in the edible garden. All the plants are thirsty. I even had to water the Paulownia because all its leaves were wilting. Even though I was sick of watering, once I start, I feel so good giving all my floral friends a drink that I can’t stop. 

With all the watering done late in the day today I will have time to harvest some blueberries and a bazillion more raspberries. I also want to prune the cherry tree because the tips of all the branches are infested with something, and I want to transplant a Virginia Creeper starter to the rest of the vines on the west wall. (I’m avoiding raking and toting because I’m f’ing sick of it.)

When I went on my nightly walkabout, I realized that all the watering I do is worth it. I created a monster when I did so much planting, but the monster has morphed into a tremendous source of pleasure and pride. And watering is easy; it’s something that I can do.

On the walkabout I looked for a place to plant some lovely yellow blooming plants that Sandi brought me. I was shocked to realize I have no place left for a sun-loving plant other than to just stick it in the wasteland somewhere. I may put it in the edible garden.

As I sat down at my desk to add to this post, directly in front of my window, but at the western edge of my lot is an ornamental Cherry tree. And guess what. It needed water. Its leaves were all pointing at the thirsty roots, so out I went.

sunday

Sunday began with bad news. I had no power, and it was off all day until 3:00 pm. Also, it was 34° and as of noon, I was melting when outside. Thank God for my very cool log home. I got my fan out and it’s aimed right at me where I set at my desk.

Sheba and I went for our morning walk early to beat the heat. When we came home, Pete was here to paint my deck. I could not love this man more. I tried to be helpful, and then, at 10:30, we went across the street where Zoe, who’s moving off the island, was having a moving sale. Pete got a great saw and a whack of other things. I wanted nothing at all.

He worked until 12:30, and then he went home for lunch, and I lay down after feeding the brood. But not for too long. I was up after ten minutes and outside to spot water plants that were fading in the heat. Luckily, I have three tubs that catch rainwater that I could use for my floral friends.

Then we went to Elder Cedar to walk. It was a mistake. I was heaving and had to stop often to catch my breath. But it felt good to give Sheba a walk, and it’s nice and shaded in the grove. When we got home, the power was on. What a relief! I got busy putting all the extension cords away. I had the generator on all day to keep the fridge going.

And then I fed the pets, made my dinner and hit the chaise. I was completely beat from all the heat and the stress of not having power. And I did no walkabout last night for fear of seeing plants in distress and feeling that I’d have to get busy and water them all.

monday

I was out watering at 6:00 am. Before it was time to go to meet our friends to walk our dogs, I had watered all the beds in the backyard plus the trees and the bed in the front yard. After our walk, there was only the edible garden to do.

We had stiff winds through the night. One branch smashed one of my Lilacs. But the wind shall keep us cool and, of course, it’ll scatter tons of cones and twigs all over the yard I just recently raked clean. Sigh. But it’s another glorious day to enjoy before the heat comes back tomorrow and lasts all week.