Checking In

October

Hi on a Friday! Yes, I am just stopping by to say hello and Welcome, October. Do you have people that you now check in with on a regular, even daily basis? Elderly parents, a friend who lives alone, adult children who have flown the now empty nest?  I have a couple friends I check in with---literally. I text the phrase checking in, they respond variously with good morning or an emoji; I respond with a smiley face or a heart. No conversation, no time used, but this way we all know everyone is alive and well each day. 

My brother did this with my mom after my dad died; she lived unhappily alone, devastated with unrelenting grief. He had to call her, she didn't use a computer or her cell phone. Both were angry that I didn't take responsibility for the daily calls, but my health too was precarious, hospital stays, ICU for weeks. I could at that time provide no daily continuity, though I called every week and wrote letters.  I wish I had done more and now, by setting up our check ins during this plague year maybe I redeem myself just a little?

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Out and about: friend L and went to the health food/ gourmet organic market the other day. I was very much in need of the supplements I buy there. Liquid vitamins, as I cannot tolerate pill vitamins. The store is always interesting, though on Thursday was oddly crowded beyond its usual.

The flowers are always outstanding, if unaffordable.

Fall tulips!

Calla lilies

Cut orchids, huge bunches.

Autumn hyacinths.

Delicate freesias.

No pumpkins but, inspired by QB's blog and emails, I did get locally grown apples and gorgeous winter squash: Butternut, Fiesta [Carnival?] and Delicata. I made the Delicata right away. 

Very simply roasted in rings, sprinkled with olive oil, salt and pepper, pinch of cinnamon. I added a handful of apple slices near the end.

Also sunflower seed bread. ;White or light flour loaf with seeds] Delish. I plan to try it as a dutch oven artisans' loaf this winter. And I bought a small wedge of the most unusual and delicious aged Gouda cheese that the store was recommending to go with apples. It is very tasty and complex, nuanced; more interesting than plain Gouda, almost like a cheddar. Not a pretty cheese---a waxy sepia yellow tan. But worth the 9.00 for a treat.

Prices are beyond outrageous  at this store: beef was 24.99 a pound! Mums were 10.oo each. And so on. And not a warm friendly shop. The bored-to-tears young male cashiers watched, yawning behind their masks as I wrestled my ten pound squashes into my reusable bag. Everywhere else here now went back to plastic and the cashiers help bag. I understand not using plastic, but they are sterile and safe in this coronavirus world. [We return  to reusable bags October 19th; the law about plastic was lifted temporarily because of Covid-19 fears.]

We also stopped by the new Dollar Store that replaced Pier One in town. We have never had Dollar Stores here; interesting to check it out and see if those Dollar Store crafts are possibilities or just You Tube fantasies that fill our idle hours late at night.

 Alas we were premature, the store hasn't opened yet.

Later:

The first of two October Moons was spookily shrouded in wispy clouds last night. It is supposedly the Harvest Moon and the Halloween moon is now this year's Hunter's Moon. But I know better, if only in my own mind. This was the blue Moon, Oct 31 is the Harvest Moon! Because everyone knows the Hunters' Moon is in November. Really.

It's cooler here and pleasant; perhaps we wlll have Fall, as Mel always wishes from Kansas. No trees much on my island, just scrub pines and bayberry---no changing leaves there, and in town some sycamores that do not change color, they just shrivel and die. Oh I do miss the bright red maples and dark red cherry and oak trees of my youngest years in Ohio. Much as I love the beach.

Mo is busy making blanky nests; he must be feeling winter is coming!

I got out all my pumpkins and cheddar quilts today. Ha! The house is a mess and I just was informed guests will be coming unexpectedly. I made a BIG point of saying visits must be outside on the deck and well spaced.

We must maintain our safety measures. The virus is here still and very real.

Now: Dinner tonight is hand crafted/ store-bought cheese ravioli and roasted tomato and garlic topping. Too chunky to be called a sauce; more like sun dried tomatoes. And, yes, more squash.

Have a good weekend!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach....

The oystercartchers left today. All last week the families were flying over the beach, practicing for their long journey south. Safe travels my little friends!