Streptocarpus

Finally, an indoor plant that is actually happy in my house.  This is the second bloom.  The leaves are entirely different from the way they looked when I purchased this plant about 10 days to 2 weeks ago. As soon as I repotted it into a new, larger pot and set it under the glow of a 100 watt "twirly" bulb on the dining room table, the leaves have expanded, darkened, gotten glossy and super healthy looking.  In other words, a new experience for me.  I have had an African violet in bloom under this same "twirly" light, since December 22nd.  The flowers are going by, quickly, now.  But the leaves are upright and healthy. It maybe time for a bit of fertilizer.

Last night's reports from Japan were quietly sobering.  An elderly couple washing their house, getting it in order, so they could then go and help others.  Men bringing snow down from the mountains to melt and boil for drinking water.  Other men using destroyed bamboo to fashion chopsticks to take to the shelters for people (with nothing) to use for meals.  Women delivering wrapped rice balls to the shelters to feed the elderly and children.  Young mothers with no baby food.  I wish there were images of help (food, medicine, blankets) being delivered by US helicopters.  But I see none of that.  I hope it IS happening.

Why has the government not used outside help with the reactors?

My day at work yesterday was good.  After doing my Pilates at home, I got to use the same muscle groups to load, push and then water perennials with plastic watering cans.  (Eight full cans at a time, on a rolling cart I had to push out of the greenhouse, across the way, into the annual house, on gravel as there is no water service to the annual house yet).  Somewhere around 36 to 40 of them.  Each holding 2 gallons of water.  I couldn't lift the full cans over my head (yet) to water the top shelves, but I watered everything else.  Watering a few plants with a full watering can is easy.  Doing it over and over again for about two hours is something else.  I had to water carefully and slowly as the perennials are very small and have few roots.  G had purchased another burrito for me so dinner was served as soon as I got home at 6:30.  Bean and Sweet Potato.  And the hot shower was divine.

I think it is time to start drinking large amounts of water at work.  I don't think I am actually hungry.  I think I am thirsty.  I chewed gum and had a Luna bar at around 4:30.

Today, a rainy day, I am making corned beef and cabbage. I work until 6:30 again tomorrow and leftovers will be much appreciated.  I have an eye of round.  I have never made this kind of corned beef. I usually like the flat brisket cut.  But that was all gone when I was shopping on Monday.  I did manage to get nice carrots, a rutabaga and a lovely green cabbage.  I bought red potatoes.  I have loved a boiled dinner since I was a small child and it was served with a boiled picnic ham.  I love all the soft vegetables covered with broth, dotted with butter and striped with yellow mustard.  Heaven.  I let G eat the majority of the corned beef.

I have laundry to fold, more shirts to iron and the bed sheets to change and wash.  My exercises and the dog to walk.  I just finished eating a huge bowl of cereal so the exercises will have to wait until later. I am having trouble with the timing of my morning activities.  When to eat so that I can exercise.  I should just exercise on an empty stomach.

Complicating everything is my night's sleep.  I have, for the past week or so, been waking several times during the night, thinking it is morning.  I am wide awake and ready to start my day.  But it is pitch black in the room.  I manage to fall back to sleep, only to wake up again.  On Monday, I went to bed at 11:30 and woke twice before G left for work at 2:30.  Each time thinking I had slept all night.  Rested and refreshed.  When I actually do wake for the day, I am neither rested or refreshed.  I am also very slow to get going.  Forgetting to eat my cereal or even make a cup of coffee.  I sit and read the news from Japan.

This is all sounding like Katrina.  I was greatly depressed by that event.  Had my New Orleans map on the wall and watched the news all day.  Hoping for a miracle.  Which never happened.

It is good that I have work to occupy my days.