La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
Tuesday was a pretty good day. I had some decent energy. Wednesday was spent mostly sleeping, but let’s not dwell on that.
Tuesday, I finally cleaned up the aloe vera planters in the hall. I thinned things out and bagged up a whole bunch, with roots, figuring I would ask Isabel if she wants any. I then forgot to ask. So I might just plant it all in a waiting pot on the terrace today until I know. I can’t stop admiring my work. I also rearranged the two other large, heavy pots in the hallway.
I finally gave up on our dracaena. I lost the battle of the bugs. In its place will go the Isabel-attacking 5-1/2 foot tall euphorbia from the terrace. I just haven’t figured out how I’m going to get it from the terrace to the hallway. It has been known to attack me, too.
I wore a jacket and gardening gloves for my work and I came away with very few scratches. I did manage to poke my eye with one firm aloe vera tip. Fortunately my eye was closed at the time, so I just have a little bruise. You’ll poke your eye out with that thing! While I was energized, I cut down the crown of thorns on the terrace (in two large planters). It had gotten rangy and overgrown and it desperately needed fresh soil.
We had Chinese take-away for lunch Wednesday. The owner gave San Geraldo a granadilla as a treat. We’d never had one before. It’s sweeter than passion fruit, although in the same family, and bright orange in color. The inside is jelly-like and filled with edible seeds. It was surprisingly delicious. We went out for dinner Tuesday night and, on our walk home around 10:30, the sky was a dark electric blue.
I spoke with (still no video) The Kid Brother. He clearly does not want to go to the office to get help with his phone. Maybe, after all my calls, someone will go to him. I’ll stop nagging. I told him the great news about my reservations for New York in January.
“You made them now?” he griped. “It’s too early!” He then said he really needs a vacation. I suggested we go somewhere for a couple of days when I visit.
“Like where?” he asked.
“Connecticut? Washington, D.C.?” I suggested.
“That’s too expensive!”
“My treat!” I said.
“It’s too far. Forget it!” he said.
To be clear, Connecticut is an hour or two away. Never mind. No one can say I don’t try.
El martes fue un día bastante bueno. Tuve algo de energía decente. El miércoles lo pasamos mayormente durmiendo, pero no nos detengamos en eso.
El martes finalmente limpié los maceteros de aloe vera del pasillo. Reduje las cosas y embolsé un montón, con raíces, pensando en preguntarle a Isabel si quiere algunas. Entonces me olvidé de preguntar. Así que hoy podría plantarlo todo en una maceta en la terraza hasta que lo sepa. No puedo dejar de admirar mi trabajo. También reorganicé las otras dos macetas grandes y pesadas en el pasillo.
Finalmente renuncié a nuestra dracaena. Perdí la batalla de los bichos. En su lugar irá la euforbia de 5-1/2 pies de altura que ataca a Isabel desde la terraza. Simplemente no he descubierto cómo voy a llevarlo desde la terraza al pasillo. También se sabe que me ha atacado.
Usé una chaqueta y guantes de jardinería para mi trabajo y salí con muy pocos rasguños. Logré pincharme el ojo con una punta firme de aloe vera. Afortunadamente mi ojo estaba cerrado en ese momento, así que sólo tengo un pequeño hematoma. ¡Te sacarás un ojo con esa cosa! Mientras tenía energía, corté la corona de espinas de la terraza (en dos maceteros grandes). Se había vuelto larguirucho y demasiado grande y necesitaba desesperadamente tierra fresca.
Almorzamos comida china para llevar el miércoles. El dueño le regaló a San Geraldo una granadilla. Nunca antes habíamos tenido uno. Es más dulce que la maracuyá, aunque de la misma familia, y de color naranja brillante. El interior es gelatinoso y está lleno de semillas comestibles. Fue sorprendentemente delicioso. Salimos a cenar el martes por la noche y, en nuestro camino a casa alrededor de las 22:30, el cielo era de un azul eléctrico oscuro.
Hablé con (sin video) El Hermanito. Claramente no quiere ir a la oficina a buscar ayuda con su teléfono. Quizás, después de todas mis llamadas, alguien acuda a él. Dejaré de regañar. Le conté la gran noticia sobre mis reservas para Nueva York en enero.
“¿Los hiciste ahora?” se quejó. “¡Es demasiado pronto!” Luego dijo que realmente necesita unas vacaciones. Sugerí que fuéramos a algún lugar por un par de días cuando lo visitara.
“¿Cómo dónde?” preguntó.
“¿Connecticut? Washington DC.?” sugerí.
“¡Eso es demasiado caro!”
“¡Yo invito!” yo dije.
“Esta muy lejos. ¡Olvídalo!” él dijo.
Para ser claros, Connecticut está a una o dos horas de distancia. No importa. Nadie puede decir que no lo intento.
• La euforbia.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
As close to farming as some of us will ever get. For the euphorbia, motorcycle leathers, leather gloves, full coverage helmut, or a flamethrower. I think I would try the latter. Maybe Chuck would go on vacation to Manhattan. It is a fun place to visit.
David:
I think motorcycle leathers MIGHT be enough for the euphorbia. Chuck hasn’t even gone to Manhattan with me yet. He likes my suggestions but then says it’s too far. Meanwhile, he plays softball in Central Park all summer!
Those aloe are a different order of magnitude from my little kitchen one,which is my first aid for cooking burns. In fact your houseplants are a fierce bunch altogether.
That was boud.
Boud:
I had a feeling these wouldn’t work on your kitchen window sill.
Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t decide if the euphorbia or the granadilla looks more alien!
I do love you row of aloe soldiers!
Bob:
I could do a line of euphorbia soldiers opposite the aloe and make our entrance inaccessible.
Such fierce and aggressive plants!
Debra:
I wonder if there’s something Freudian about that.
You are very lucky you got away with both of your eyes in their proper places. Your plants scare me! I think you and I have the same type of aloes but mine are outside and I am terrified of them.
All right. Now I want to try a granadilla. I’ve never even heard of that!
That sky…dang, man. Your photos are really amazing.
And can I say that KB reminds me of the Tom of whom I write about?
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
I couldn’t believe when I poked my eye after being so careful. That was our first granadilla. KB has been this way all his life. It would be hard to adjust to that sudden change in Tom’s behavior, I’m sure, but it does make him easy to forgive.
Tom has always been this way, but has only become more so. A few years ago he got tested for autism and was diagnosed with it. He was thrilled as it explained a lot about how he is.
Ms. Moonsigh:
My cousin’s granddaughter just got diagnosed with autism at the age of 24. She was also thrilled because it explains so much. I’m surprised, in her case, it took so long for a diagnosis. It’s not as if the information wasn’t there and she and her parents were very aware and attentive to her special needs. My brother I think has a genetic syndrome that has many of the traits of autism, although not autism.
That was a scary near miss with the eye. It’s good you wore a jacket and gardening gloves, but may I suggest safety glasses when next you handle those dangerous looking plants.
Shirley:
I breathed a sigh of relief after that poke in the eye. If it had been open… I wonder what the neighbors would think if they saw me in jacket, gloves, and safety glasses — and maybe a helmet — as I trimmed the aloe INSIDE on an 80-degree day.
That sky!
Your work looks so good, Mitchell, so good 🙂 Happy 4th of July 🙂
Judy C:
It felt so good to get out there and tend the plants. Lots more to catch up on.
Those are some serious Aloe!!!! So many!!! Speaking of passion fruit. I just had a passion fruit cock-a-tail the other night with dinner. It was delish!
Mistress Borghese:
Ooh, we’ve had passion fruit martinis. That sounds so good right now!
I thought roses were hard enough to handle – but Aloes and Euphorbia? Eek!
A job well done, there – and an alien jelly-fruit to follow..! Jx
Jon:
Roses are a breeze in comparison. And we started with such sweet little plants.
I suggest you carefully coax that euphorbia into the hallway. Speak gently, and don’t do anything to upset it.
Kirk:
If only it would listen. I’m thinking hooded sweatshirts, styrofoam, and a blanket.
Hmm. I’m not convinced about that fruit. I’m struggling not to see slimy sunflower seeds pouring out. Do you eat the white pith/flesh looking part?
Kelly:
I have a feeling if you thought about it too much, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy the fruit. The seeds are soft and are simply swallowed — unless you want to chew a little. But, yeah, the gooey texture was odd.
I love the neon! And the plants look terrific, as always.
Walt the Fourth:
That light is just tube lighting that changes color. It has a neon look. The poor plants haven’t been getting the attention they deserve lately. I’m trying to make up for it now.
Tu hermano seems like he really hates Conn and DC
Adam:
He loves Connecticut and DC, but hates change.
As I was reading your post, and you were describing the aloe, I had a vision of it in my mind. And then when I looked at your photos…wow, you have some aloe growing!! That sky was amazing!
Michael:
Yep, the aloe is very happy where it is. It blooms every year, too, with flower stalks that reach 6 feet. I have to thin it out once or twice a year. Our friends either already received some or don’t have room for it. I should start selling it!
You should!
We love CT. It’s a our second home.
Sassybear:
We lived on the south shore for more than 7 years. New Haven and then Guilford. Loved it.
I remember many people in NYC feeling CTT was as far away as the moon.
Urspo:
I never thought of it that way, but I’m sure there were plenty of people who did.