Fleurs, and My Crops

The other day I got two bunches of orchids because I love them and they last so long. I stuck them in some frosted vinegar bottles and love the way they look. Unfortunately I had to pluck one bunch out and take them to a gal in her new house when she invited me over for coffee. Well, I wanted to give her a little something, that part isn't unfortunate, the part that I want more is!
But today I was just sitting and sniffin' and minding my own business mouth breathing and TY brought me some roses! Yeaaa, they are gorgeous so I set them right in the front door entrance. I can't wait for them to die so I can pluck off the petals and try waxing them onto a substrate of some sort...don't tell TY!
This is the Monsterii Octopusus (or something like that) that TY and I bought for each other a few years ago on an anniversary- it's some sort of weird aloe thing but it curls and twists as it grows. Right now it's about 8' high including the big pot, and growing beautifully. Finally I haven't killed something at first watering! But look again- the damn thing has set up a blossom stalk, and very quickly, because it wasn't there 2 weeks ago when I left town! This will bare watching until something happens- I have NO idea what that may be, or how long but it will be fun to catch.
Walked by the den today and noticed the lemon tree out the window vibrating with a herd of blackbirds- a bird on every lemon clump! I counted 20 birds at one point and only had a limited vantage point. The contrast of the shiny dark green leaves, the vibrant yellow lemons and the black birds was amazing, but the pictures through the wooden blinds, window and screen leave a bit to be desired. Tomorrow I will disguise myself wearing something the color of my house and sit there waiting to see if they come back. The lemons have some sort of canker but they taste great and I am getting a huge amount of juice from each one. I do wish I could use the zest but am avoiding it this crop, so no new limoncello this season, lots of picatta!

Woke up this morning sick again- the cold was back at the same point it was in the beginning two weeks ago and I was miserable all over again. We had a birthday party for a friend last night and were eating outside on a porch. The overhead fans were blowing down on me and we had had rain storms all afternoon so it was humid and I got very cold before complaining and getting them turned off. I had a lovely time, that was until this morning about three when I woke up hacking and dripping and feverish all over again. This is tiresome. I have STUFF to do.

But the amazing thing is that I got a phone call today that is changing the course of my personal history, or perhaps future, and I am way excited. But I can't talk about it yet. Maybe in a few days. So I go read my Horrors for the day and Yup, They Did It Again:

You are very tempted to tell a fundamental piece of your personal story today in a way that is different from your regular approach. You are less guarded now and would benefit by keeping your vulnerable spots accessible to make room for someone special to connect with you. Move beyond any false pride that you may still be holding on to, and behave in a way that is true to yourself. Your complete authenticity will be reflected back to you in a way that can open up your heart even more.

So, I stayed aroud home today trying to find a good combination of cough drops and Zicom (or whatever it's called) and Tylenol to fix me up. I got lots knitted on the shawl and finished the fourth of seven stripes so I'm past the point of no return.