Today is Wednesday, hump day, but as retired folks, every day is like a weekend! We went to make coffee, and the sky had grown caliginous overnight, even though the weatherman said it would be 89 degrees today.
For the past month, I have been using a CPAP machine, and it seems to be helping me sleep better. Once I put it on, I can fall asleep without any discomfort. However, I recall the sleep test I took about three months ago, a completely different experience.
I will never forget that night.
We decided to wander the yard before getting ready to see Dr. Annie, our dentist, in Huntington Beach. We stopped at the patio checkpoint and registered with Sheriff Scout. He ensures our green cards are current and warns us of potential creatures stalking the garden this morning. Scout is beneficial!
We were approved to go into HIS backyard.
As we reach the back forty, we come across the lemon tree. It once again produces abundant fruit, causing the branches to bend under the weight. I need to find a way to raise these branches. My idea is to create a cage-like structure with adjustable ropes, allowing me to adjust the branches gradually.
The lemons are doing well!
We have a bountiful harvest of Scarlet Runner Beans in our garden. The plants are thriving, and we have already picked a quart of beans. We are now letting them dry for later use. Scarlet Runner Beans are not only delicious but also highly nutritious. They are an excellent protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals source.
Did You Know? One of the fascinating aspects of Scarlet Runner Bean is its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. It forms a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, enriching the earth for future crops.
Scarlet Runner Bean has a rich history and has been cultivated for centuries. It is believed to have originated in Central America and was brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.
While the focus is often on the seeds and pods, the leaves of Scarlet Runner Bean are also edible. They can be used as a nutritious addition to salads or cooked like spinach.
You have to look carefully, but this plant has a load of beans!
The beans are about to stop growing, so we will eliminate their vines.
Our bug protection system is working effectively! We plant specific flowers with scents and chemical properties that many garden bugs dislike, which helps keep them away. Marigolds are well-known for their insect-repelling properties, as their scent keeps pests like mosquitoes, cabbage worms, and other pests away. By planting marigolds, you can attract beneficial insects that attack and eliminate aphids. Ladybugs, in particular, are fond of aphids.
They keep on pestering the bugs!
The beets are thriving in the cold weather. They can be cooked until soft and paired with goat cheese for a pretty dish.
Beets are doing well!
You might not expect it, but beets can look beautiful outside the soil. We also enjoy stir-frying beet greens with mayonnaise and soy sauce.
Be careful, as the red juice can stain things quite easily!
Basil naturally repels pests such as asparagus beetles, carrot flies, tomato hornworms, mosquitoes, flies, and whiteflies while also attracting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies to the garden.
We have a basic forest.
Be cautious of these seemingly innocent treats that pack a flavorful punch!
They look mild, but they are NOT!
Now we get to the pretty part of the garden, the garden nymph.
What does it mean to be called a nymph?
1. one of a numerous class of lesser deities of mythology, conceived of as beautiful maidens inhabiting the sea, rivers, woods, trees, mountains, meadows, etc., and frequently mentioned as attending a superior deity.
2. a beautiful or graceful young woman.
Mary’s morning working costume!
The enjoyable part of the day was over, and we made our way to Dr. Annie’s office for a 7:40 am appointment. During the visit, I received a new crown, and she inspected my loose crown. In two weeks, I have to return to install the new crown and repair the old one. The old crown is at least ten years old.
Mary did not escape as her beautiful teeth were cleaned, which is easy for her. She took them out, and the technician took them to the local car wash! She had them back in place before my appointment was done!
Mary had a noon gym appointment, so we quickly ate lunch at Subway on Beach Blvd. We arrived at her appointment 15 minutes late. She loves their turkey sandwiches, and I always pick their vegetarian sandwich!
I finished my work at 2:00 p.m. and then went to Villa Park to pick her up. She appeared exhausted after working out for two hours. We decided to head to Aces for dinner, where we enjoyed a glass of wine and some jalapeno poppers.
After reaching home, we spent two 30-minute cycles in the hot tub using coconut oil in the water. The experience was so relaxing that I felt like dancing the Hula on my way home. However, I managed to control my urges and refrained from doing so to avoid scaring Scout.
Just us cooking away!
We went inside and watched Batman as we are getting into our Halloween characters of The Penguin and Poison Ivy!
Finally, we know what they are!
All is going well so far.
