Over the past few weeks I’ve come to a two-part conclusion.
- I’m not comfortable buying lettuce at a grocery store any more. Not just now – ever. Sadly with our government picking off protection agencies like a preteen with a BB gun, I don’t trust anything any more.
- I’m going to start a window garden. Seems like the only logical solution, since a garden outdoors isn’t feasible here. Bonus points because a window garden can grow year-around.
I kept basil and a couple of other tiny plants growing there for months. There’s obviously no way to fill the fridge with what I can grow in a window – but we can restore the occasional salad to our diet. I’ve got seeds for lettuce, basil, parsley, and a few other things. I have seedling trays, which allows for a rotation – a few small plants now, a few more starting 4-6 weeks from now, etc. Might as well put my house-plant brain to work for practical growing, right?
G has good days and bad.
We went for a short photo run a couple of weeks ago. He felt good the day of, and was thrilled to get out of the house. The weather cooperated — it was warm but not the standing-in-an-oven heat of summer we’d had since then. The following day he paid for it in balance issues and pain. This looks to be his new normal. Intermittent balance issues, inconsistent control of his right hand and arm, etc.
He decided it’s time to sell his woodworking tools. It’s a sad choice, and the only realistic one. Power tools require absolute, unwavering control to use safely. It had become increasingly difficult for him even before the stroke for several reasons. He turned 72 this year. At some point you have to agree to the inevitable.
The money from the tools he sells will be applied to photography equipment. We already have a lot: tripods, studio lights, etc. We cleared off my old desk, which has been earmarked for photography use going forward.
For the record, I haven’t been able to sit at a desk for months. I work from the sofa with my feet up.
My suggestion was to eliminate the desk or to swap it out for his current setup, which is a battered old kitchen table. He nixed both ideas. He’s not quite to the point of being a hoarder – but it’s close.
The coleus I planted last month is doing great. I need to pot it up this week. It’s outgrowing the little seedling cups and I’m here for it.
The entire indoor forest is looking good overall. (Pictured at the top of the page – though I’ve got a few more than it shows there.)
Urg – I’m also now looking at one that has a leaf touching the grow light, which means a leaft that’s now burnt at the tip. Gotta find a different spot for it…
Also – our vintage radio collection has been sold. We had to make choices. I told G I’d be willing to cut back on the plant collection. G was adamantly against it – he doesn’t want to take care of them but makes it clear he loves the indoor forest, too.