What did you do in the garden today?

[Hensintexas]

I forgot that I also planted out 2 lima bean plants that I started. The forecast is still calling for rain/ thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday. We will see.
Oh and I also planted out some bulbs I ordered from the middle school’s fundraiser. Blazing Star set. I also supposedly received a set of 5 butterfly weed roots however when I opened that package it was nothing but the shipping medium. Now I have to try to figure out how to get them to send me the actual roots.
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I dumped the shipping medium out into a box so I could really look throughly but I couldn’t find anything that looked toot like or plant like.

Call the school. They should be able to give you the information you need to get the butterfly weed you ordered.

 

[Hensintexas]

I went to the market to buy some ingredients to make chocolate cookies and I know I bought some corn starch because the recipe video that I was following used corn starch to make the cookies crispy on the outside and chewing on the inside.

When I got home, I took a break and sat on my reclining chair and I found my long lost camera on the side of my seat. I gave it a good scolding put it back in its case and took a nap.

I got up and decided to make some cookies, I had all the ingredients except the corn starch. I wonder where it ran off too?

Check the other side of the recliner!

 

[littledog]

Well I’m officially unemployed. This stupid vertigo has kept me out of work for two weeks now and the employer won’t hold off any longer.

Oh, that's terrible. Not impressed with your employer! Mine definitely has their issues, but at least they don't terminate people for health issues after only two weeks. We'd be able to take a Health LOA for 50% pay for 90 days (some paid by the state) and they'd save our job until we have a diagnosis and it's determined if we can come back or not.
I hope you get a diagnosis that's helpful, and then find a better job! One that treats you like a human being, not a disposable thing.

 

[littledog]

heir meat all comes from their own farm. It's a premium price, but I know where it comes from, how it was raised, and how the meat was handled. This its our second year ordering, and I really think it we'll become an annual event for us.

We've done the same for 5-6 years now, and found it's not been all that more expensive, and sometimes cheaper, especially if you don't mind driving a ways to pick up the meat. We have a big freezer, and have bought 1/2 hog each year from a few different local farms. It seems like as each farm gets more known, more "artisanal" and gets a more sophisticated website, it becomes more expensive, but still less than buying all that meat at the grocery store, plus the quality is 100 times better. And it's important to me that the animals are treated well while they're alive, and slaughtered humanely on the farm.
When covid first started in 2020, our local FFA had an online auction (the fair they usually sold their animals at was closed) so we had the opportunity to buy one of their lambs for an amazing price - so delicious! I've been searching for opportunities to buy lamb since then, but still looking.

 

[littledog]

I've had some wonderful doctors, one in particular was a nurse practitioner. She would sit and listen to me, and together we'd be able to figure out the best plan for my health. She died a few years ago; I miss her wisdom and compassion.

From personal experience working in the medical field I would state that most physicians are knowledgeable and competent, compassionate, even. However, the System they labor under puts a tremendous pressure to follow dictated policies and procedures that garner the System the highest profits. None are allowed to diverge from the official dictates. The paperwork they have to submit eats up a huge chunk of their time, too.

One of the reasons why my NP/PA/Master's-level midwife sister chose to move to Canada and practice medicine there. She got disgusted with the system in the US, where her healthcare company was run by management types whose reason for existing was to minimize expenses instead of giving good care and thoughtful diagnoses. She was told to do things that were unethical - training medical students on procedures that were supposed to be taught by an MD - and retaliated against when she refused.
Sure, the healthcare system in Canada has its issues too, but its mostly long wait times for elective surgeries. She loves being able to actually do her job and spend whatever time is needed to help patients.

 

[igorsMistress]

Same here. You’re done after 3 jabs - and none of this fishing around for it, either! I was a medic, usually really good at venipuncture because I listened to my patients, never stuck them more than twice, and didn’t beat their arm to death to make a vein stand up. Not necessary.
Sorry, I’m kind of cranky in matters of health lately.

Yeah, the medic that came and gave me an IV at home the day before nailed it with one jab that I barely felt. Those guys are always awesome!

 

[igorsMistress]

Oh, that's terrible. Not impressed with your employer! Mine definitely has their issues, but at least they don't terminate people for health issues after only two weeks. We'd be able to take a Health LOA for 50% pay for 90 days (some paid by the state) and they'd save our job until we have a diagnosis and it's determined if we can come back or not.
I hope you get a diagnosis that's helpful, and then find a better job! One that treats you like a human being, not a disposable thing.

Thanks, but Arizona is a right to work to state, treating us like human beings doesn’t happen here. Also, I’m kinda glad I don’t have that particular job any longer, I was starting to hate it. It’s boring, negative, repetitive, even conversations with people are all the same every day.

 

[Sueby]

Morning all. We got some good rain overnight so I won't have to water the wildflower seeds & the transplants. Looks to be a beautiful day here.

I’m so sorry about your hydrangeas and your back! I can’t imagine the disappointment you must feel. Isn’t there a second surgery? Maybe that will help?

Thank you. I had the 2nd surgery back in Dec. They keep telling me I'm going to get better, the nerve was just so compressed for so long that I need to be patient. But I've been out of work for 5 months now & they will only hold my job till Aug so I need to figure it all out. You know that all too well...

I've been working with doctors for about 30 years, including about 11 years with chiropractors. I recall people coming in for chronic back pain, issues, and my doctor discussing when back surgery is necessary: when the patient cannot walk or when they lose control of their bowels. He said that back surgery is successful only 50% of the time. We had one woman who was in rough shape. She'd had four surgeries and each time she wound up worse. She and others came for pain relief that they experienced from manipulation and therapies. I've never forgotten it.

Chiro did nothing for me, unfortunately. Nor did PT, steroid injections, stim, NSAIDs, anticonvulsant, etc (I tried it all). My surgery was a success in that I have no more back pain at all, it's just my leg pain/weakness left from the nerves. I still struggle to walk at times & I did have bladder problems because of it (thankfully not incontinence but retention probs - TMI, I know, lol), but that's also fixed. My back was extremely unstable & had to be fixed. With that, he was honest & said he promised 50% better but hoped for 80 so I went into it knowing it wouldn't be a miracle. & all hope is not lost yet...

Anyway, enough of my complaining on the garden thread, sorry all.

OK. I've been looking at some battery operated augers that look good. If I had lots of post hole digging to do, I imagine an auger would be the tool to use. I have a manual post hole digger, but that is only good for a few holes before I'm tired.

You can also rent them at HomeDepot and Lowes.

That's what I came in to say, we rented one from HD when we put up our fence & it was worth every penny! We have almost impossible digging here & that thing was a life saver.

 

[Sueby]

Thanks, but Arizona is a right to work to state, treating us like human beings doesn’t happen here. Also, I’m kinda glad I don’t have that particular job any longer, I was starting to hate it. It’s boring, negative, repetitive, even conversations with people are all the same every day.

Well that's a good positive then! Living life in a miserable job is no way to do it. You will find something better!

 

[Sally PB]

DH is working today, and the rain I thought we'd get will be holding off until mid-afternoon. So I have no reason to feel like a slug.

Except that I could have the entire bed to myself for a nap...