Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
We kicked things off at the doctor’s office to return the sleep machine—because nothing says “adulting” like dropping off a piece of equipment that looks like it belongs on a submarine. We found out the machine failed to record anything, so we had to get it replaced. Here goes another night of trying to turn over with a wire protruding from ALMOST every orifice.
Then we doubled back to scoop up Dianne and headed to H&H Nursery in Long Beach.
On the way, we figured we’d outsmart the lunch rush by eating early at The Fish Company—sidestepping the 12:00–1:30 psychiatric hospital like tactical geniuses. We called Vicky, and she joined us for a really delightful lunch.
The four of us ate with purpose and dedication until we were officially, unmistakably full.
I teased the waiter, Eddie, and asked for a glass of wine with a straw!
Sometimes you get what you ask for!!
On our way out, the lunchtime crew had filtered in, and the kitchen was going great guns! The poor chef was cooking up a batch of seafood and some steaks as we departed.
Burn baby burn!
We landed at H&H Nursery and proceeded to separate. The girls “went for the roses,” leaving me to ramble through the veggies, where I found our watermelons, cantaloupe, and spaghetti squash, and I added some beets, strawberries, and a few new goodies.
And at long last: mission accomplished. Dianne finally got her Christmas present from us—rose bushes! Only a few months late, which means it’s not late… It’s “extended holiday enjoyment.”
The back of the van was empty after taking Dianne and her new rose collection home.
We hauled everything to the backyard and began digging like a couple of gophers, planting everything by 6:30 pm.
We know this to be a fact: she married me!
On my hands and knees, I planted six spaghetti squash, four acorn squash, and six watermelons—then crawled around spreading straw mulch like I was auditioning for “Gardening: The Musical.”
While I was at it, I dumped two more bags of compost into the bed and hand-dug it in about six inches deep… because apparently I’ve decided rototillers are for people who enjoy comfort and free time.
Guess whose back is really sore tonight?
We were so pooped that we bypassed the spa and went right to the TV room, where Mary got to see her beloved Avatar: Wind and Air and Dirt and Stuff. That ovie lasted three hours, and thanks to Mother Nature and my tiredness, I lasted 20 minutes. I woke up with 40 minutes left in this three-hour-long movie and decided to finish the daily diary and rest my ears.
We again attached the sleep machine to me and will try again tonight. We hope this works.
