Livingthedreamwithdiana.com

Not to be confused with Spike Lee. 🤔

For the past few weeks, I had been using continuous watering spikes in 8 of my household plants, including the big leafy plants in my office, and the 3 main terra cotta pots containing the multiple basil plants still being allowed their growing spaces.

No longer. I had a talk with Max, (come on now. You know who Max is.) We decided that the spikes were what was causing a recent outbreak of fungus gnats in the basil plants in the living room. Ugh! I really don’t like bugs. And little bugs that fly, that you can’t swat to kill? Those most especially.

I discovered that said gnats A) love basil, and B) love continuously moist soil. Well, damn. I had both. In the same area. An open smorgasbord for the things. I was so excited by what I thought was good growth in both the office plants, and the basils. Not so.

The basil plants were inundated with the tiny varmints, eating more of the leaves than I was. That’s not fair, really. I was the one growing, and nurturing the plants, not them.

Out came the spikes.

I repotted all of the basil plants, culling a number of those that were “less” healthy looking than the others. (Culling anything can be difficult sometimes. Deciding which stays, and which doesn’t.) It had to be done. So, I did it.

I removed 8 plants that didn’t look like they were going to make it. I’m left with 7 plants, only 2 of which will probably survive the repotting experience.

I was able to harvest a whole 18g of leaves, and stems a week before this, which is how I even noticed the bugs. I made a micro batch of pesto, which tastes amazingly good. My first time making pesto. I hope I can have an abundance of basil this summer so I can try making other things with it.

My first attempt at making basil pesto with the very little bit of the herb I was able to harvest.

The middle plant will probably be one of the 2 remaining contestants that win the final round. Stay tuned.

Of these, I’m putting my efforts into the 2 pots on the right. Again, I’ll let you know. In the two smaller pots, next to the screen, are growing chives, and Greek oregano. In my efforts to grow “a bit more” oregano, I sprinkled “a few more” seeds in the soil, not sure if they’d germinate or not. They did, and there’s about 2 dozen of them.

I’m hoping they, too, will multiply enough to repot into a larger pot. I use oregano quite frequently, even on sandwiches.

Until next time plant enthusiasts, stay happy, and healthy in our Lord.

I opened my most offensive kitchen cabinet door today, (know HQ for the notorious bug cabal), and found a small group of those unnamed, unidentified tiny, annoying little bugs on the shelf.

Again.

It set off a whirlwind of the cleaning of said shelf, which, in turn lead to a removal of everything from all of the cabinet shelves, which, in turn, took 2 days to finish.

I got rid of everything that was expired, or that I thought I wanted to use, but had no idea when, or how to use it. I dumped 5 years worth of expired, or iffy things that I used to cook with but no longer do, or want to. I have to show you a few photos.

Offensive cabinet, (known HQ for bug cabal), after death of bug cabal, and start of cleaning. Day 1 of expired product dump.

Much despised corner cabinet where all good things go to hide. This is a “before” from day 1 of expired product dump.

Results of removing most of products from hated corner cabinet where all good things go to hide. Day 2 of expired product dump/clean up.

Before expired product dump from cabinet of mostly magical things. Day 2 of clean up.

After product dump. Still day 2 of clean up. My mind is so much more peaceful. Things brought forth from this cabinet are what creates the magic in my kitchen.

Reclaimed glass Mason/Bell jars from despised corner cabinet where all good things go to hide.

All reclaimed glass, and BPA free plastic products from main magical cabinet.

Unless you’ve done this in your own kitchen, I’m not sure you understand the calming effects this kind of exercise can have on a person’s mind. Right now, I’m Zen.

Until next time fellow Zen wannabes, stay happy, and healthy in our Lord.

Post script: Prior to this undertaking, I was ready to add more Bell jars to my meager collection. Now, I, once again, have more than I know what to do with.

I have discovered recently that having continuous pain, regardless of its intensity, uses quite a bit of mental, as well as physical energy.

The pain in my foot is slowly abating as I’ve stopped stretching the crap out it, and have been on a thrice daily Ibuprofen regime. I’m taking 600mg. at 9a, 3p, and 9p, and have found that the extra dose at 3p has made a large difference in how much pain I have.

That, and the fact that I’ve stopped stretching my foot every time I get up from my chair. Well, I had to, really, or I couldn’t walk out of the room. Now that I’ve stopped that, I’m able to go all the way to the kitchen with just a niggle of discomfort, not really what I’d consider pain. Nothing like when I had the rotator cuff injury, or the onset of the fasciitis. That was pain.

Today is only Saturday, and since I have only been out once this past week, (to walk 3k to the bank and home, to pay my gas bill), I’m going to wait until tomorrow, or Monday to get out and restart my walking routine. I’m going to allow my foot to rest another day, and enjoy the lesser pain situation.

Until next time my lovelies, stay happy, and healthy in the Lord.

Post script: That isn’t even close to the truth. I’m not going to restart my outdoor walking routine until the pain in my foot is gone, completely. Period.

Thanks to EMW.

The other day I received an email from a surgeon friend I used to work with, Eileen W. by name. (She must have recently joined my band of nonsense enthusiasts.) That said, she told me of a device to relieve the pain of PF in my foot that I should try as it worked quite well for her.

Being the skeptic that I’ve turned into, I ordered the cheapest one I could find on Amazon.mx, which was delivered the other day. Let me show you.

As I said, I was skeptical at best. I used it the first night, pulling the strap as shown. That lasted about 2 hours, then was removed, and flung across the bedroom, landed on the floor on the opposite side of the bed. There it lay for 36ish hours.

Yesterday I decided I’d give it another go, with a small modification however. I put it on but pulled the strap only enough to keep the sole of my foot straight, not flexed, as shown.

I slept the entire night in comfort. I got up this morning with pain about 2-3, for the first time in months. Thank you Eileen. I’m looking forward to seeing even better results in the next few days/weeks. Of course I’ll let you know how it goes. It’s what I do. ☺️

Until next time, stay happy, and healthy in the Lord.

Yesterday I found some relief from the pain that is my continued PF.

I found it on a YouTube channel by Will Harlow, a physiotherapist, specializing in the prevention of physical health issues for those of us more mature citizens. I saw a couple of his videos about stretching ones feet, and calves to prevent falls, regain flexibility in ones lower extremities, allowing one to walk more easily, and without discomfort. His. Movements are simple, (for me, that is), and take very little time.

I followed along with 2 of the videos, things I need to do upon arising in the morning, and some that will help with my foot pain after repeating the movements a few times of day.

So far, I have pain at a 7, whereas it’s closer to 8+ when I get out of bed in the morning. It’s never below a 5, well, almost never, not yet anyway. I have the occasional episode of getting out of my chair, walking to the kitchen, or to the bathroom, and thinking that, wow, my heel doesn’t hurt. Maybe that’s what I’m going to experience more frequently with the continued exercising of my lower legs. Any, and all prayers are gratefully appreciated.

Until next update, stay happy, and healthy in the Lord.

Post script: a very happy 71st birthday to me. Tomorrow. Thanks.

Who knew?

I didn’t realize that I could cut, and freeze lemons, and limes to be used at a future date. Did you?

I bought 8 lemons, and 6 limes from Walmart this morning, disinfected them all, cut up 4 of the lemons, and have put those in the freezer. In a few hours, I should be able to vacuum seal them, and put them back in the freezer, starting the process again, this time with the limes. There are 4 lemons way too unripe to cut up just yet. Those I’ll wait until next week to process.

I’m so excited to try this as I frequently wish I had some lemon, or lime juice, and/or peel on hand, but don’t. They spoil before I remember what I wanted to do with them. 😏

Now, that will no longer be the case. I used to squeeze the juice from both types of citrus and put it in small bottles in the fridge, but, over time, they fermented, and the flavor changed. Probably still ok to use, just not sure.

Until I get around to using these lovelies, stay happy, and healthy in the Lord.

I don’t know if you have under cabinet lighting, but if you don’t, you really should consider getting some.

I have had several different styles, but have come across the one I like best thus far. I started out when we first moved in here with 4” diameter round lights that were pitiful at best. I got rid of them within 2 years. I then graduated to a really nice UCL that required electricity, which was ok for the time. However, as we lose our power with regularity, I decided to go all rechargeable, no electricity required.

I really like the ones I have currently. The light is the length I like, about 7”, bright white, though it has 2 other light colors. The only drawback that I can see with them is the length of time they are lit. They stay on for only 25 seconds, which I didn’t read in the specs. The rechargeables that I had just prior to these last ones, stayed on over 30 seconds. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but for some reason, it matters.

I bought a 6 pack bundle from Amazon and here is what 5 of them look like. Another thing that makes me smile. 😊

As they stay on such a short time, the charge is supposed to last several months. Again, I’ll let you know. It took a couple of hours to fully charge them starting out, so, maybe it will be a while before they need recharging.

I enjoy using rechargeable “things” as I don’t have to rely on our iffy electrical connection. I already have rechargeable lights in almost every room in the apartment. I have them in my bedroom, in my closet, and, at some point, I’m going to get some for the bathrooms.

I considered getting more than just the 2 lights for here, in the closet, but decided against it. I don’t need to see what’s on the shelves, just what’s hanging.

Until next time, stay happy, and healthy in the Lord.

Since my 4 weeks of various maladies, my once youthful vim, and vigor is gone.

I’m hoping it’s only a temporary phenomenon, but only time will tell.

Today, I look, and feel about 80 years old, whereas, before all of March, and April took its toll on me, I felt, and looked in my 60’s.

I have started walking again, however. Yesterday I was able to walk 2km, the day before only 1.5km. Today I pushed through just a bit over 2.5km. Yes, my heel hurts, but I’ve decided that, since it hurts everyday, to one degree, or another, I’m going to go back to doing what made me feel good, and alive.

So, until anything changes for good, or bad, stay happy, and healthy in the Lord.

Post script: happy 50th wedding anniversary my love. I miss you so much. I wish you were still here.

Have you made homemade ketchup?

Ever?

I haven’t. Not until this morning. As I had 12 packages of black garlic that we bought in 2020, I thought I might give it a try. So, I did.

This is what 7 heads of black garlic broken off, and separated, one clove from the next looks like. The peels are in the bowl, the peeled cloves on the cutting board. I thought about removing all the peel from the cloves then realized how long that was going to take, and how much work it entailed, that I decided against it.

I also realized that it would be a waste of my time as, after all of the ingredients cooked down for 30+ minutes, and were blended, then put through a fine sieve, all of the peels, tomato seeds, and skins, etc., would removed, leaving a velvety, though fairly dark ketchup.

It smells delicious, looks amazing, and I am excited to blend it, sieve it, and taste it. It has to cool down first so I don’t ruin my blender. I have patience. I’ll wait.

Unto that end, stay happy, and healthy in the Lord.

Absolutely the best ketchup I’ve ever tasted. Let me know if you want the recipe. It’s a bit extensive, and you could absolutely leave out the black garlic, but I wouldn’t. It’s delicious.

I’ve relegated mine to the living room.

For now.

For anyone that has read my nonsense over the years, you may recall that I did without a microwave for the first 3, or 4 years we lived here. It was Ivan’s insistence that I have the luxury of one that demanded its purchase. I have used it, to be sure, but how often? And, more importantly, why?

I’m going to find out how often, and for what purposes I actually use it as it has been afforded a great amount of real estate on my very small kitchen countertop, while using 1 of only 2 outlets. Therefore, if I don’t use it every day, and for purposes only it can be used, it doesn’t deserve the much-in-demand space.

And, since I am also limited to the number of functioning outlets in the kitchen, it needs to earn its monumental status on said countertop.

So far, (I moved it to the LR just yesterday), I’ve used it to reheat a cup of coffee, and heat about 1/4c. water to clean my reusable ear swab. Fortunately, I can, in the future, do both with the boiling water I use to wash, and rinse my dishes every day. No need for the microwave as of yet.

Until such time as I decide what to do with the behemoth, it stays in the LR, out of sight, out of mind. If I don’t find a need for it soon, I will give away to some unsuspecting person.

Stay happy, and healthy in the Lord.