I done did it. And I raised $421 for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. And I'm all swum out.. for now. My shoulders and triceps have felt like they're made of lead-- not sore per se, but heavy.
I didn't do great. I did downright awful. But I guess everyone's got to start somewhere.
I'm sure I'll forget enough (the suffocating panic that set in through the first quarter mile, the poor performance, the extreme self-consciousness walking around in a suit among actual athletes) soon enough that I'll start pumping myself up for the next one. Much like getting that diploma blotted out all of the stress and hardship of grad school and how I've toyed with the idea of going back ever since.
I confess.... I was back in the pool tonight.
Got to start working for next year, after all.
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Monday, August 8, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Here we go again.
I'm so over 2011. Can we move on to 2012 yet? The universe clearly wasn't done having fun at my expense this year, and now I've lost both grandmothers and my brother in the space of four months. Of course, my training for my big swim is wrecked with just one week to go. I'm physically and mentally exhausted. It's not just this latest loss, that of my other grandmother. It's the cumulative effects of so much in such a short time. It's hard to muster up any enthusiasm for or interest in anything, let alone my first open water swim. I'm lugubrious, despondent, disconsolate, with a side of melancholy. Instead of excitement about Purple Swim, I feel nervous and insufficiently prepared. I hate to admit this, but I'm struggling with maintaining interest in the now happening NFL season. Nothing seems to matter all that much anymore.
I'm so very, very tired of death and funerals. I would like the rest of the year off from death and funerals. In fact, don't have one for me if I should drown or die from a rabid jellyfish attack. I won't attend.
But now that I'm becoming something of an experienced mourner, allow me to make a few suggestions as to how to/ how not to treat the bereaved:
1. Do not comment on appearances, including attire, for the bereaved or the deceased. The bereaved may have had to travel at the last minute and may not have had time or the presence of mind to pack appropriately. Even if they didn't travel as great a distance, the enormity of the loss may make dressing and grooming challenging. And even if you think they look "good," they probably couldn't care less. Yes, my hair's back to long and blond-- do you think I particularly care if anyone likes it, when we're in front of a casket? Noooooo. And do not comment on the deceased's appearance at all, with the possible exception of how peaceful they may look. So many people fed me crap about my brother looking good-- which was total bull because it was obvious he was swollen and beaten up, with heavy makeup necessary, and lying about it just drew more attention to the obvious.
2. Do not discuss politics or religion. I'm more intimately aware than the average bear about what's going on in politics, but I don't really want to hear a political debate in front of a casket. And do not offer platitudes about how "God has a plan" or that the deceased is an angel/ is with the angels or similar such sentiments unless you are absolutely certain that the bereaved would find such sentiments comforting. For example, I consider myself a marginal verging on lapsed, extremely liberal eastern rite Catholic and I find none of those sentiments comforting in the least. I also have 13 years of Catholic education, and I will smack down your misinterpretation of doctrine regarding angels if you annoy me enough.
3. Do not tell the bereaved what they need to do unless they actually need to do it. Yes, get them something to eat/ drink, to sit down or to sleep. But don't tell them to call-- you call them. Don't tell them to email-- you email them. Don't tell them to visit-- you call or email and invite them. Why? Because the phone works both ways, email works both ways, and you're an insensitive berk if you don't realize that lots of people say nice things they don't mean and make promises they don't intend to ever keep, so how should the bereaved know which is sincere and which isn't?
3.a. As a corollary to 3, do not lecture the bereaved for not doing something that you think is important unless a) it actually is important and b) you're not a huge hypocrite about it. And even then, don't lecture. You're probably not a professor, and even if you are? It's not class time. I may also be a little irritated that my grandfather lectured me about not calling when he's never inquired after my or my parents' well-being after losing my brother and only offered the scantest words at the time. It was only for the sake of keeping peace that I didn't snap back that I only returned all of his calls while I've been wrestling with the crippling depression that came with losing my brother. Oh wait, that's right. No calls to return. I can count the calls from anyone outside my parents and closer friends on one hand.
4. Do not make promises you won't actually keep. It makes it difficult for the bereaved to figure out who they can really trust and rely on when the shock wears off and the actual, long-lasting mourning begins.
Finally, a "do":
5. Do shut up and just be there. Talk is cheap, unless it's at 2am and you're willing to talk to someone suffering through grief-wracked insomnia. Hugs, alcohol, and ice cream are even better.
I'm so very, very tired of death and funerals. I would like the rest of the year off from death and funerals. In fact, don't have one for me if I should drown or die from a rabid jellyfish attack. I won't attend.
But now that I'm becoming something of an experienced mourner, allow me to make a few suggestions as to how to/ how not to treat the bereaved:
1. Do not comment on appearances, including attire, for the bereaved or the deceased. The bereaved may have had to travel at the last minute and may not have had time or the presence of mind to pack appropriately. Even if they didn't travel as great a distance, the enormity of the loss may make dressing and grooming challenging. And even if you think they look "good," they probably couldn't care less. Yes, my hair's back to long and blond-- do you think I particularly care if anyone likes it, when we're in front of a casket? Noooooo. And do not comment on the deceased's appearance at all, with the possible exception of how peaceful they may look. So many people fed me crap about my brother looking good-- which was total bull because it was obvious he was swollen and beaten up, with heavy makeup necessary, and lying about it just drew more attention to the obvious.
2. Do not discuss politics or religion. I'm more intimately aware than the average bear about what's going on in politics, but I don't really want to hear a political debate in front of a casket. And do not offer platitudes about how "God has a plan" or that the deceased is an angel/ is with the angels or similar such sentiments unless you are absolutely certain that the bereaved would find such sentiments comforting. For example, I consider myself a marginal verging on lapsed, extremely liberal eastern rite Catholic and I find none of those sentiments comforting in the least. I also have 13 years of Catholic education, and I will smack down your misinterpretation of doctrine regarding angels if you annoy me enough.
3. Do not tell the bereaved what they need to do unless they actually need to do it. Yes, get them something to eat/ drink, to sit down or to sleep. But don't tell them to call-- you call them. Don't tell them to email-- you email them. Don't tell them to visit-- you call or email and invite them. Why? Because the phone works both ways, email works both ways, and you're an insensitive berk if you don't realize that lots of people say nice things they don't mean and make promises they don't intend to ever keep, so how should the bereaved know which is sincere and which isn't?
3.a. As a corollary to 3, do not lecture the bereaved for not doing something that you think is important unless a) it actually is important and b) you're not a huge hypocrite about it. And even then, don't lecture. You're probably not a professor, and even if you are? It's not class time. I may also be a little irritated that my grandfather lectured me about not calling when he's never inquired after my or my parents' well-being after losing my brother and only offered the scantest words at the time. It was only for the sake of keeping peace that I didn't snap back that I only returned all of his calls while I've been wrestling with the crippling depression that came with losing my brother. Oh wait, that's right. No calls to return. I can count the calls from anyone outside my parents and closer friends on one hand.
4. Do not make promises you won't actually keep. It makes it difficult for the bereaved to figure out who they can really trust and rely on when the shock wears off and the actual, long-lasting mourning begins.
Finally, a "do":
5. Do shut up and just be there. Talk is cheap, unless it's at 2am and you're willing to talk to someone suffering through grief-wracked insomnia. Hugs, alcohol, and ice cream are even better.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Swim, fat chick, swim!
On the plus side, I can tolerate a swim suit again on my toasted back (which is still pink and peeling for the second time-- EW-- but the pain is, well, not quite gone but acceptably deep seated enough to ignore). On the down side, getting my first real taste of swimming out "there" in the cove (and not within the defined guarded beach) was a rude awakening. I sucked, which...well, frankly, I expected. But I did not expect to panic as much as I did at the first wave in my face, first inhaled water, first kicking and struggling in a group, and, well, those sorts of things. I'm not happy with how much I had to rely on back and breast to recover. And I did not expect to make such slow progress. I can pound out a mile straight (an actual mile-- not the cheating indoor swimming "mile" of 1500 meters/ 1650 yards) in the pool no problem. Sure, it's ugly and slow, but it can be done. Swimming with the tide and winds and boat wake and all that.. just a completely different experience that had me questioning my abilities as a swimmer. But open water swimming has an undeniable attraction due to its oddly romantic nature-- just you and the ocean/ bay/ channel/ river/ lake/ etc-- so... let's all hope I can finish and not embarrass myself too, too badly.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The sun's setting early on the longest day of the year thanks to the coming storm. Rain. Shower? It'll probably peter out before anything actually falls. It's weird. Among the things I miss most about Pittsburgh is the weather. Sure, transplants-- and natives-- bitch endlessly about the lack of sunny days, but I liked having a lower risk of skin cancer and I liked my landscapes green. In the almost-year since moving, most of the rain in the warmer months seems to be in the form of brief storms. Not sustained gentle rains of the type favored by farmers nor the sustained storming-all-night storms, just quick hits that usually bypass my humble abode thanks in part to the good old urban heat island effect. As a result, even with sprinklers the grass is already fairly yellowed.
Christ, how I dread holidays. Knowing that it's going to suck and trying to make it suck less is a setting myself up for disappointment, but I can't not do that. Our first father's day without my brother went okay-- as long as we were busy. St Michaels was an adequate distraction. And being down that area just reminded me how much I want to live on the water with a nice little sailboat. Just a wee little sloop or catboat would be nice.
Christ, how I dread holidays. Knowing that it's going to suck and trying to make it suck less is a setting myself up for disappointment, but I can't not do that. Our first father's day without my brother went okay-- as long as we were busy. St Michaels was an adequate distraction. And being down that area just reminded me how much I want to live on the water with a nice little sailboat. Just a wee little sloop or catboat would be nice.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
hot and bothered
I know that Memorial day is the unofficial start of summer, but it's quite literally the day I cried uncle to Baltimore. Something about an extra hour of traffic, non-functional air conditioning, a 94 degree apartment and miserable felines, and watching my incredibly straight (the straightest caucasian hair around) hair downright curl that just caused a SNAP! kind of moment. But it's okay now. Mostly. The air is more or less functioning now, making for two very relieved beasties. My hair's still curling in an unlovely frizzy way, which is a rather unpleasant novelty. But. Hello summer. Guess you're here to hag out until about October. Try to not make a mess.
In other news, meh. Still working through that stealthy second-third wave of major grief. It's, well, rough. The rest of the world has moved on, but I'm sort of stuck in the horse latitudes of loss. My bad poetry writing high school self would slap my current self silly for such a crappy metaphor, but if the shoe fits..
It's weird. I intellectually understand that this is going to be the worst year, because every. single. holiday. is the first and rawest experience without my brother or grandmother. Not just holidays, but everything-- first summer, and no Nick to help grill. First Steelers game, and no Grandma to opine on what a bunch of lazy bums they are. And I know that there is not a single damn thing that can be done to mitigate this. But knowing is in some ways worse, because it adds the feeling of helplessness as well as grief.
God, I miss them both.
In other news, meh. Still working through that stealthy second-third wave of major grief. It's, well, rough. The rest of the world has moved on, but I'm sort of stuck in the horse latitudes of loss. My bad poetry writing high school self would slap my current self silly for such a crappy metaphor, but if the shoe fits..
It's weird. I intellectually understand that this is going to be the worst year, because every. single. holiday. is the first and rawest experience without my brother or grandmother. Not just holidays, but everything-- first summer, and no Nick to help grill. First Steelers game, and no Grandma to opine on what a bunch of lazy bums they are. And I know that there is not a single damn thing that can be done to mitigate this. But knowing is in some ways worse, because it adds the feeling of helplessness as well as grief.
God, I miss them both.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
into the waiting arms of the Penguin's exploding octopus!
I'm home from day one of sailing. OW. Sailing small craft is for masochists. I'm banged up, all bruised and contused and abraded on my legs, torso, and head. Plus a small jellyfish sting on the wrist. But, wow. Crazy windy, but, wow.
Fittingly enough, Batman is on. Yes, I mean the shark repellent Bat spray Batman. The "Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb" Batman. Excellent.
The one oddity of the day? I'm actually chilly tonight for the first time since moving to Baltimore, chilly and not one overly air-conditioned conference room around to blame. And I'm not sunburned-- and I'm not sure that it's thanks to my SPF 5000 sunscreen. Fall is on the way.
Fittingly enough, Batman is on. Yes, I mean the shark repellent Bat spray Batman. The "Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb" Batman. Excellent.
The one oddity of the day? I'm actually chilly tonight for the first time since moving to Baltimore, chilly and not one overly air-conditioned conference room around to blame. And I'm not sunburned-- and I'm not sure that it's thanks to my SPF 5000 sunscreen. Fall is on the way.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Rock you like a...
Pittsburgh's generally spared overly dramatic weather (which is partly why it's so livable, damnit!), so this whole hurricane-coming-real-close thing is totally novel. It looks like Earlie is shying more to the east, which is good for us. I'm excited and a little nervous about sailing, period, and the potential complication of outer band winds and such (as diminished as they'd be coming in the bay) is a little scary. So I'm relieved.
The other part of the holiday weekend is going to focus on getting the last bits of my apartment settled once and for all. I'm reluctant to completely toss all of the collaped empty boxes I've stashed in my closets-- the spectre of moving again in a year is undeniable-- but I really need to find permanent places for certain things already. Plus, I want to finally unpack my sewing machine and finish up my quilt top. I've made some jewelry since I moved, but my latest work is hampered by missing tools. That is to say, I think that FatCat absconded with my rounded nose pliers. Most irksome.
It's weird to be able to watch the Pitt game (if I were so inclined to put my distaste for collegiate sports aside), but not the Steelers. Luckily DVE streamed the game audio, but I might be shelling out for FieldPass after a two year hiatus. Unless I feel like exploring the local Steelers bars... which is a possibility, I suppose, but I'm leery of outdated listings. Particularly in enemy territory (as it were).
The other part of the holiday weekend is going to focus on getting the last bits of my apartment settled once and for all. I'm reluctant to completely toss all of the collaped empty boxes I've stashed in my closets-- the spectre of moving again in a year is undeniable-- but I really need to find permanent places for certain things already. Plus, I want to finally unpack my sewing machine and finish up my quilt top. I've made some jewelry since I moved, but my latest work is hampered by missing tools. That is to say, I think that FatCat absconded with my rounded nose pliers. Most irksome.
It's weird to be able to watch the Pitt game (if I were so inclined to put my distaste for collegiate sports aside), but not the Steelers. Luckily DVE streamed the game audio, but I might be shelling out for FieldPass after a two year hiatus. Unless I feel like exploring the local Steelers bars... which is a possibility, I suppose, but I'm leery of outdated listings. Particularly in enemy territory (as it were).
Monday, August 30, 2010
full of hot air
So far, so good with 31. The only thing to report is that the day I actually bit the bullet and registered for an intro to sailing class is the day that Hurricane Earl has the entire East Cost in a tizzy. Here's hoping that Earl stays away from the Banks-- and that I don't have too much wind in my sails. Ditto ThePotentialHurricane Fiona. I tell you what, it certainly is weird to be back on the coast with a hurricane bearing down. The last time that happened (Felix, the '95 edition) I was hatching sea turtles in North Carolina, and safely back in Pittsburgh well before the storm landed.
I still need to renew my Flickr Pro account. Bleh. It'll have to wait until payday. I'm still so tired from driving so much this weekend (pushing 600 miles, all told-- could be worse, but that's enough). Oh, and I had a potential unadulterated MTMM(TR). I think it's coming. I'm due. It almost balanced out the awful, horrible, no good traffic today that swelled my 10 minute commute to 40+. I do not handle traffic like that well at all. But other than that, 31's been fairly uneventful. Which is not a bad thing in the slightest.
I still need to renew my Flickr Pro account. Bleh. It'll have to wait until payday. I'm still so tired from driving so much this weekend (pushing 600 miles, all told-- could be worse, but that's enough). Oh, and I had a potential unadulterated MTMM(TR). I think it's coming. I'm due. It almost balanced out the awful, horrible, no good traffic today that swelled my 10 minute commute to 40+. I do not handle traffic like that well at all. But other than that, 31's been fairly uneventful. Which is not a bad thing in the slightest.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
So pretty please, with sugar on top, clean the fucking car.
God, I love Pulp Fiction. How a movie that's now eligible for a learner's permit in PA remains just the epitome of goddamn cool is beyond me. Of course, that could be an indication that I'm getting old. Anyway, as the anniversary of my nativity draws nearer, I'm getting all those lovely automated greetings. Which is fine... until this downright offensive piece of crap made its way to my inbox today.
Yeah. Screw you too, NFL.com. That's not even funny.
My lone indulgence since moving that's not work-related clothing or apartment necessities arrived-- my BPAL order. I ordered Death Cap and Wolf's Heart, plus imps of Black Cat, Nuit, Ophelia, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and Vasilissa. I got Deep in Earth again as a frimp (nice, but it smells way too much like an ex's cologne for comfort), plus Alice, Night-Gaunt, Has No Hanna, Santo Domingo, and Cockaigne. I don't really dig on smelling like food (other than ginger notes), so Cockaigne is out. Anne Bonny is amazing. I definitely need a full bottle. It's all woodsy, salt air, and hints of incense. I gravitate towards fresh woodsy, spicy scents with a touch of incense and unusual florals, so that's a bingo. I'd wonder what that says about my personality if I wasn't already certain that I'm all mixed up. Heh. But, practically speaking, I'm going to continue to smell nice for a little while. Which is always good.
Speaking of indulgences, I don't know what my birthday present to myself will be just yet. Two weekends of sailing lessons, or...
The lessons are about twice the cost of the boots. There's only one pair of the boots left in my size in green, but the seasons are turning and there won't be an more time on the water until the spring. Decisions, decisions.
Yeah. Screw you too, NFL.com. That's not even funny.
My lone indulgence since moving that's not work-related clothing or apartment necessities arrived-- my BPAL order. I ordered Death Cap and Wolf's Heart, plus imps of Black Cat, Nuit, Ophelia, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and Vasilissa. I got Deep in Earth again as a frimp (nice, but it smells way too much like an ex's cologne for comfort), plus Alice, Night-Gaunt, Has No Hanna, Santo Domingo, and Cockaigne. I don't really dig on smelling like food (other than ginger notes), so Cockaigne is out. Anne Bonny is amazing. I definitely need a full bottle. It's all woodsy, salt air, and hints of incense. I gravitate towards fresh woodsy, spicy scents with a touch of incense and unusual florals, so that's a bingo. I'd wonder what that says about my personality if I wasn't already certain that I'm all mixed up. Heh. But, practically speaking, I'm going to continue to smell nice for a little while. Which is always good.
Speaking of indulgences, I don't know what my birthday present to myself will be just yet. Two weekends of sailing lessons, or...
The lessons are about twice the cost of the boots. There's only one pair of the boots left in my size in green, but the seasons are turning and there won't be an more time on the water until the spring. Decisions, decisions.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
touristy weekend
My first weekend 1) all by myself and 2) in Baltimore coincided with two fairly large events downtown-- and I was tired of other people. So I drove a-l-l the way to rural southern Maryland and visited Calvert Cliffs to do a little hiking, a little beaching, and maybe find some fossils. Two out of three ain't bad (there are Serious Hunters there, that bring all kinds of pans and strainers and tools to pick through the clay-- I'll have to bring similar things the next time).
HOWEVER. Due to an unfortunate sunblock malfunction, I wound up about as pink as a Maryland steamed crab. 24 hours later, and my face isn't too bad-- but the backs of my legs are all sensitive and tingly despite not turning red. Odd.
Today, I went to the Baltimore Book Thing. Tricky to find, but a fascinating place. Then I went here.
You had to see that coming. It's a nice little place. I mean, it's not like it has anything on Phipps. But the blooming plumeria smelled heavenly, the strawberry guavas made my mouth water, and the orchids were respectable (certainly better than the orchids I saw at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens). As I said to my mother, my ideal Sunday was spent surrounded by books and then at the conservatory. If it were game day, I then would have gotten home in time to whip up snacks while watching the pregame and then watch the Steelers game. That.. could be why I spend so much time alone. ;>
HOWEVER. Due to an unfortunate sunblock malfunction, I wound up about as pink as a Maryland steamed crab. 24 hours later, and my face isn't too bad-- but the backs of my legs are all sensitive and tingly despite not turning red. Odd.
Today, I went to the Baltimore Book Thing. Tricky to find, but a fascinating place. Then I went here.
You had to see that coming. It's a nice little place. I mean, it's not like it has anything on Phipps. But the blooming plumeria smelled heavenly, the strawberry guavas made my mouth water, and the orchids were respectable (certainly better than the orchids I saw at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens). As I said to my mother, my ideal Sunday was spent surrounded by books and then at the conservatory. If it were game day, I then would have gotten home in time to whip up snacks while watching the pregame and then watch the Steelers game. That.. could be why I spend so much time alone. ;>
Sunday, July 25, 2010
the unbearable hotness of balmer
It was 100 degrees with a heat index of 110 yesterday. Of course, every SANE, RATIONAL human being would spend the day indoors. Not I, oh cabal of fair readers. No, I foolishly accompanied le frère (visiting me as a by-product of his visit to Camden Yards-- though I was handy because I bought the tickets) to the Oriels game. Where right before the game started at 7pm, the temperature was announced as 99 degrees. This was after spending the previous two and a half hours walking around the area (as the ticket windows close two hours before games) under a merciless sun reflecting waves of heat from unforgiving pavement, nary a breeze to be felt. Did I mention that our seats were along the third base line, and therefore among the last to get out of the sun? The seats were good, but hot enough to burn after baking all day. I'm glad that I was all SPF-30ed up, even though I think I'm the palest person at work.
I've never attended a ballgame where it was announced several times that free ice was being given away on all concourses. But aside from the literally killer heat and humidity yesterday (and the crankiness it caused), it was a nice game. The Os did their best to keep up with the Pirates in suckitude, and half the crowd appeared to be Twins fans. So it was all good, though a little weird-- I didn't particularly care who won, and no "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" for the seventh inning stretch threw me.
Today it was bumping into the higher 90s again. Again, we failed to do the SANE thing and stay in-- no, we drove around, got lost, and visited the outside of Fort McHenry (where I put my foot down and said that we'd come back another day when it wasn't ungodly humid). But at least I have a vague idea of where some things are, and now I've had my first non-moving-day houseguest. True, because it's my brother, I didn't exactly have to put myself out. But it was good practice. And it was nice to have company-- while I'm an introvert, I'm not a hermit.
I've never attended a ballgame where it was announced several times that free ice was being given away on all concourses. But aside from the literally killer heat and humidity yesterday (and the crankiness it caused), it was a nice game. The Os did their best to keep up with the Pirates in suckitude, and half the crowd appeared to be Twins fans. So it was all good, though a little weird-- I didn't particularly care who won, and no "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" for the seventh inning stretch threw me.
Today it was bumping into the higher 90s again. Again, we failed to do the SANE thing and stay in-- no, we drove around, got lost, and visited the outside of Fort McHenry (where I put my foot down and said that we'd come back another day when it wasn't ungodly humid). But at least I have a vague idea of where some things are, and now I've had my first non-moving-day houseguest. True, because it's my brother, I didn't exactly have to put myself out. But it was good practice. And it was nice to have company-- while I'm an introvert, I'm not a hermit.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Mole day (alternate; unobserved)
It's been exactly one month since graduation, and exactly one month until I take possession of my new place. Still feeling a bit unreal-- though that could be the drugs talking. My family shares a little too much sometimes. This time it's a narsty chest cold. There's little more irritating than a cold in the summer time, especially when you have pre-existing feelings of unreality exaggerated by decongestant.
I'm kind of over this sudden sprint into August weather. I despise the hot and humid, and it's been pretty much all hot, all humid all the time for the past month. On the plus side, we're starting to get majestic thunderstorms. Yay!
Speaking of happy, I've got a bloom.
And the dendrobium keiki continues to develop.
Did I mention that I got an avocado pit to sprout? I didn't have activated charcoal for an aquarium, so it's horticultural charcoal keeping the water a little fresher.
My shower window really is a happy place for the plants. I'm going to have a hard time replicating these conditions.
I'm kind of over this sudden sprint into August weather. I despise the hot and humid, and it's been pretty much all hot, all humid all the time for the past month. On the plus side, we're starting to get majestic thunderstorms. Yay!
Speaking of happy, I've got a bloom.
And the dendrobium keiki continues to develop.
Did I mention that I got an avocado pit to sprout? I didn't have activated charcoal for an aquarium, so it's horticultural charcoal keeping the water a little fresher.
My shower window really is a happy place for the plants. I'm going to have a hard time replicating these conditions.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
T-minus 30 days
Exactly one month left in Pittsburgh.
I am no longer homeless in Baltimore. I found a nice quiet place with two bedrooms, a large! balcony, a smaller but nice pool, and is cat-friendly. The residents I met have lived there for ages (literally over a decade). And if it turns out to be less nice than it seemed for the 90+ minutes we were there, it's just for a year. The area itself is, well, going to be an adjustment as a whole.
I'm alternating between excited and up for adventure, nervous enough to make myself sick, absolutely NOT wanting to pack and carry my stuff downstairs, and deeply saddened by knowing that I'm leaving definitely for two years, probably for good. There's that twinge of guilt when talking to some people who are genuinely sad to see me go, and that twinge of hurt at non-responses to my invitations to do something before I leave. It's a roller coaster of fun.
But onwards and upwards. Or further up and further in. Something. It's amazing to me how something as simple as a long shower can make you feel better. And it's amazing to me how my one horrifically damaged orchid clings to life, growing a keiki and three tiny new canes. My harlequin phal also has a keiki, plus one bud. My Den atroviolaceum is still in bloom-- two months and counting. I will no longer have a window in my bathroom in my new place-- my orchids are going to require some planning. I need a moderately large table top terrarium, but trying to find one that's tall enough to accommodate my Aliceara and does not come already filled with plants is tricky. Amazon, you have failed me.
Speaking of collections, I need to photograph my Fiesta collection as I pack it up. I do have a decent sized collection now, though I can't positively identify one bowl. I mean, I know it's Fiesta-- it came from the factory store-- but what it is...hmmm.
I wonder if my postcard collection is going to turn up?
I am no longer homeless in Baltimore. I found a nice quiet place with two bedrooms, a large! balcony, a smaller but nice pool, and is cat-friendly. The residents I met have lived there for ages (literally over a decade). And if it turns out to be less nice than it seemed for the 90+ minutes we were there, it's just for a year. The area itself is, well, going to be an adjustment as a whole.
I'm alternating between excited and up for adventure, nervous enough to make myself sick, absolutely NOT wanting to pack and carry my stuff downstairs, and deeply saddened by knowing that I'm leaving definitely for two years, probably for good. There's that twinge of guilt when talking to some people who are genuinely sad to see me go, and that twinge of hurt at non-responses to my invitations to do something before I leave. It's a roller coaster of fun.
But onwards and upwards. Or further up and further in. Something. It's amazing to me how something as simple as a long shower can make you feel better. And it's amazing to me how my one horrifically damaged orchid clings to life, growing a keiki and three tiny new canes. My harlequin phal also has a keiki, plus one bud. My Den atroviolaceum is still in bloom-- two months and counting. I will no longer have a window in my bathroom in my new place-- my orchids are going to require some planning. I need a moderately large table top terrarium, but trying to find one that's tall enough to accommodate my Aliceara and does not come already filled with plants is tricky. Amazon, you have failed me.
Speaking of collections, I need to photograph my Fiesta collection as I pack it up. I do have a decent sized collection now, though I can't positively identify one bowl. I mean, I know it's Fiesta-- it came from the factory store-- but what it is...hmmm.
I wonder if my postcard collection is going to turn up?
Sunday, August 16, 2009
When it rains, it pours
And when it suns, it scorches. That is the theme for this summer-- averaging out to normal, but in reality fluctuating between extremes. Not particularly good for either plants or animals (or people). I've lost my little lime tree thanks in part to this awful, awful summer weather.
Oh well. You take the good with the bad, the blazing sunflowers with the scorched lime seedling, the delicious onions and garlic with the dead string beans.
Allium harvest:
Oh well. You take the good with the bad, the blazing sunflowers with the scorched lime seedling, the delicious onions and garlic with the dead string beans.
Allium harvest:
So what is La jardinière jardinière-ing, anyway?
Unconstant Reader, let me show you what my garden grows:
An eggplant groweth!
As do plenty of green tomatoes
Even where I didn't plant any
And cukes
It helps when the pollinators have decided to move in
While Les Parents appreciate the garden (I think...), and they like the aesthetic of sunflowers and sweetpeas and nasturtiums... they're a wee bit put off that they're a wee bit too good at attracting pollinators to the deck area. Oopsie.
An eggplant groweth!
As do plenty of green tomatoes
Even where I didn't plant any
And cukes
It helps when the pollinators have decided to move in
While Les Parents appreciate the garden (I think...), and they like the aesthetic of sunflowers and sweetpeas and nasturtiums... they're a wee bit put off that they're a wee bit too good at attracting pollinators to the deck area. Oopsie.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
business is blooming
Lack of regular internet access makes updating a little tough, to say the least!
The garden is almost a victim of its own success-- and the cool, wettish summer we've had so far. The radishes and strawberries are done, the lettuce is going, and we had beans with dinner on Sunday. I had to pull a few onions, so we'll see how well they go.
It appears that the eggplant is waiting for sustained hot weather before it goes nuts like the rest of the garden. Likewise, the zucchini are full of blossoms-- blossoms that are apparently dropped because it's too cool, especially at night. I would have definitely sown more lettuce had I anticipated this kind of weather!
In other plant news, I have finally added another citrus to my plant collection. Alas, it's not a dwarf improved meyer lemon (which i have wanted for three years now), but a dwarf orange variety called kinzu, about which information is scarce. Like my murraya Murray, it will be a bonsai. My oncidium Carnival Costume is in spike, and my NOID dendrobium appears to be heading that way as well. Keeping orchids in the shower FTW.
The garden is almost a victim of its own success-- and the cool, wettish summer we've had so far. The radishes and strawberries are done, the lettuce is going, and we had beans with dinner on Sunday. I had to pull a few onions, so we'll see how well they go.
It appears that the eggplant is waiting for sustained hot weather before it goes nuts like the rest of the garden. Likewise, the zucchini are full of blossoms-- blossoms that are apparently dropped because it's too cool, especially at night. I would have definitely sown more lettuce had I anticipated this kind of weather!
In other plant news, I have finally added another citrus to my plant collection. Alas, it's not a dwarf improved meyer lemon (which i have wanted for three years now), but a dwarf orange variety called kinzu, about which information is scarce. Like my murraya Murray, it will be a bonsai. My oncidium Carnival Costume is in spike, and my NOID dendrobium appears to be heading that way as well. Keeping orchids in the shower FTW.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
C'est la vie
I have been a very neglectful blogger, I know, but this little thing called life sometimes gets in the way. I love my residency, but it is a LOT of work. 7:30 am meetings one day, meetings until 8pm the next. This week, I'm actually going out of town-- I get to go to the capital and spend a day and a half attending hearings, observing lobbyists, perhaps meeting with a few officials... and be back in time for work on Friday morning.
But the garden grows (and how!). Aside from my spinach never really growing and the slug issue, I think we're doing relatively well-- especially considering that we went several weeks without any rain followed by extremely strong storms and flooding (about 4" of rain over just a few hours!). Pictures soon.
But the garden grows (and how!). Aside from my spinach never really growing and the slug issue, I think we're doing relatively well-- especially considering that we went several weeks without any rain followed by extremely strong storms and flooding (about 4" of rain over just a few hours!). Pictures soon.
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