Saturday

34°f, about 2°C, another clear morning. Still very dry.

Sometimes I get lucky at the grocery store and find marked down flowers, like these pretty roses. It's a treat I give myself, because fresh flowers just make me smile and relax. I wonder if they have the same impact on everyone?

Behind the flowers are some larger pieces of Blenko glass I have collected over the past few years,  but no longer want. So they are now priced for the booth--actually these will be part of the window display. I am planning a blue/green/silver window for Christmas. Not my personal color choices; I am more of a red/green/gold girl. But a friend gave me 2 silver trees and blue ornaments, so that's what I will run with for the window this time.

We have begun pulling out the Christmas totes, and sorting what will go where.  And what will go to the thrift, because already I see things I don't want to use or sell. So downsizing a little as we go.

PT was not fun yesterday, and no new progress. I am beginning to think there is some other problem that is restricting my ability to bend my knee as much as the therapists want. Because when I try--and God knows I try hard!-- I have the sharpest pinching pain on the outside and just behind my knee that is just unbearable.  At night, that same area gets very tingly, goes right down the side of my leg and the top of my foot will get numb. Which makes sleep very broken and difficult, as I wake up over and over, moving the leg, walking, trying a different position or moving to the recliner, etc. Any relief is only temporary until I give up and get up, very early in the day. So Tuesday when I see the surgeon we will talk about all this because even the therapists are puzzled by the source of that pain. I was up around 1am researching, and seems it might be something to do with the IT band--something I didn't know I had! Learning all the time about this old body. Meanwhile, I am going to stop trying to force thst bend and perhaps the inflammation or whatever it is will ease up. At least til I see the doc.

As you can see, the leaves are nearly gone. I have enjoyed my daily walk and seeing this gradual change.

In the kitchen window, the last tomatoes are ripening. They are small but still delicious. I put up broccoli and more cabbage yesterday, and still there are more cabbages to do. What was I thinking, planting so many! I have made kraut, and now I am freezing what's left. Good thing we like cabbage. We especially like Colcannon, an Irish dish that combines cabbage, potatoes, and usually ham, bacon, or other meat.

As I returned from my walk yesterday I ventured into the herb garden to pick a few flowers. The pineapple sage (red spiky blooms) does not bloom until late September usually, but is so pretty. Thai basil (blue spikes) is also blooming, and there were some zinnias and petunias hanging on, along with pretty golden Calendula.

Time to get Larry up. It is nearly 8am and the man would sleep all day, I swear, if given the chance. But today we have yet another homeowner problem to deal with: the pressure relief valve on the hot water heater started to drop and when Larry tried to tighten it, the drip turned to a stream. So we turned off the tank and picked up plumbing supplies on the way home from PT. Fingers crossed thatbit can be fixed. Otherwise, another big expense looms. Seems to be never-ending this year. But at least we have flowers. And pretty leaves. 

Til next time, friends.

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