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We were up at 8:00 am, fueled by coffee and questionable optimism, and headed back out to the front yard. Mary battled her roses with the precision of a seasoned horticulturalist. At the same time, I heroically buried about half a bag of soil conditioner in the bed under the living room window—proof that nothing says “productive morning” like dirt, coffee, and moderate back strain.
After the great dig, we cleaned up, and I used Miracle-Grow on all the beds plus the in-yard elm trees.
In a few days, we expect a burst of Spring color as the gladiolas are about to bloom!
Miracle-Gro is a popular brand of plant food and gardening products. It was originally developed in the 1940s and became widely marketed for home gardening. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company owns the brand.
After a short rest, Mary went back to conquering the indoor chores like a domestic ninja. At the same time,e I returned outside to begin the cactus garden refurb—because apparently one of us chose dusting, and the other chose to be slowly scratched to death by cactus spines.
The garden is about 80 feet long and quite narrow, located between our house and the fence.
Many of the cactus plants are growing unruly, and some are tall enough to have fallen over on the sidewalk, making transit difficult. I plan that in the late afternoon, when the house provides the necessary shade, we will dig in some acid-based compost, dig up and separate the individual plants, and provide supports to those vertical fellows who like to lie down on the job.
This task requires our heavy-duty gloves!
I got a good start, but then I had to go inside and rest, for the old ticker began to act up.
We had a super dinner with an assortment of goodies. Mary warmed up the dolmas our trainer gave us at the gym. Dolma is a family of stuffed dishes from Ottoman cuisine, featuring vegetables or leaves (such as grapes or cabbage) filled with a mixture of rice, minced meat, herbs, and spices, then simmered or braised. Variations are found across the Middle East, the Balkans, and Central Asia, with fillings and wrappers differing by region. Still, the core concept of stuffing ingredients like peppers, zucchini, or grape leaves remains consistent.
Yummy!! We need the recipe!
We finished off some home-made coleslaw, and Mary whipped up one of her favorites, tzatziki. Tzatziki is a cool, creamy Greek yogurt-based sauce or dip made with grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and herbs like dill or mint, often with lemon juice or vinegar. It’s a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, served as a meze (appetizer) with pita bread and vegetables, or as a refreshing topping for grilled meats like souvlaki and gyros, falafel, and fish. The key to a good tzatziki is draining the cucumber well to prevent a watery sauce.
So good!!!
I found myself feeling so fortunate to have a partner who can create meals worthy of a five-star kitchen and still happily get her hands dirty in the garden, all while wearing that warm, constant smile of hers—except, of course, during tax season or when she’s at war with the computer.
We watched the 2026 action thriller Shelter, starring Jason Statham, which features a former British government assassin hiding in a lighthouse off the Scottish coast. The plot centers on him protecting a young girl from his former agency when he is discovered, forcing him back into action.
By 9:30 pm, we were heading for bed, hoping for a good night’s sleep that would return us to normal and ready us to continue the cactus garden.
