Bad Advice and Grab Bags

 A friend knew I was having a problem since my Meyer lemon never bloomed, so he asked in Lowe's to help me. The person's advice in garden center--"put the lemon tree in the ground, then it will bloom. It has to be in the ground to bloom."

I am afraid I said a naughty word. I know better than that advice. Friend was amazed I did not believe the advice he relayed to me. I did figure out that maybe I needed to fertilize. I did fertilize once with Miracle Gro. Today, I bought spikes for citrus trees. I am thinking about getting a lime tree, too. There are two bedrooms that have lots of light where they can live this winter.

This is why it is hard to believe "the experts."

I bought two grab bags for $2 each 

cardboard decorations for wall or hanging1

temporary tattoos with Day of the Dead vibe

beach ball to inflate--16" diameter--9 sheets, 15 tattoos on each sheet

sparkly orange, black or purple hanging Halloween decorations

chocolate candy mold 

6 Halloween cookie cutters

2 pair size S panties

Beautiful Day of the Dead card and envelope

reusable shopping bag with vegetables and fruit pictures, $2

Then, I bought some loose items:

Two mini light sets, multicolor, 140 lights, $2 each

red child's M sweatshirt, $2

pack of 3 Christmas socks for child, $

Second grab bag:

Small, black garden flag with Fall pics and words

box of 29 self-adhesive pumpkins

medical mask, black, scary

disposable face mask with pattern

2 pair of black, heart-shaped sunglasses

lens shield for camera ???

wooden elephant with 8 cords hanging from it, maybe something to macrame

Most of this well be given away to children. Or, I could sell some of it. The socks and sweatshirt will be given away. Total spent--$15.

Maybe I will tattoo myself for the Day of the Dead...lol. 

How often are you skeptical of the advice of "experts?" I imagine friend walked up to person in vest and asked this question, then accepted any off-the-wall answer. 

 

Good News for Carb Lovers + Lemon Tree + Pumpkin

 I have mentioned before that potatoes are better for a person after being cooled. Now, it seems rice and pasta are included in the good news. They can even be reheated and still retain their resistant starch. But, you can read it yourself. What do you think of this? I have never eschewed these foods completely, but severely limited their place in my diet. I don't intend to go crazy with carbs, but maybe I can eat a few more without damage. Tommy is not giving up potatoes ever. But, that's okay. 

About potatoes in the form of French fries--we no longer buy them. He ordered those for both of us once a week. Now, it has been months since we have had a combo. I started refusing a burger combo. Then, I stealthily left my fries and tossed them because he always insisted that I should let him eat them. 

Good news for carb lovers

Will this article change the way you prepare and eat potatoes, rice, and pasta? 

If you see or hear information refuting this article, I would be amenable to considering new advice. 

I was shocked to hear Jimmy Buffet died! 

We went to Lowe's to figure out why my lemon tree has not had a blossom. It has been watered, been in full sun, fertilized and still no blossoms. There has never been a blossom on any of the trees in Lowe's. So, I brought it back home.  

While I was there, I bought a pot for it instead of the black nursery pot and a 15 inch fake pumpkin. It is so light that I will need to anchor it on the porch. I do hope it is an outdoor pumpkin. Nothing will be bought for Halloween this year. When I had chickens, I collected other people's pumpkins used for porch decorations and fed those to my hens or cooked them. Here, the garbage can is the only option.

Today, the temperature had not even reached 80F by noon. Worst of all, there is no sun! Now, at almost 8 pm, it is 78. It's been a dreary day but not inside. The weather is pleasant, but it makes me sad for the weather to be cold and the time change so it is darker.

Tomorrow, I will plant the carrot seeds! There is enough sun and heat here on the front porch to have at least one harvest of carrots. 

No Lemon Tree for Me

Today, I tried the Dollar General coupon of buy $25 and save $5. I found two huge pots and four very small ones. The huge pots are for food plants. The four small ones are for a bag of five Hosta bulbs. I also bought a birthday card for $1 for my granddaughter. Plus, a roll of weed block. I never saw my $5 come off the receipt. So, I will call customer service, let them pull up the receipt and help me.

Tommy would only take me to two places to look for a Meyer Lemon Tree for my birthday. I am bummed by that. I really want a lemon tree. I wonder if I could order one from a florist. ??? It would probably cost too much.

It is 6:25 pm, and I do not want to cook dinner or thaw it!  Since we went to bed late and set the alarm early, and I did not sleep much, I took a nap this afternoon. Now, I sit here reading and piddling.

Even though I go to bed sleepy, I get too hot and deprived of cool air. Tommy's house stays warm, so when there is no wind outside, it gets stuffy in here. He runs the ac for me at night and turns the fan on the work all night. Still, I felt suffocated by the warm air last night.

I am still working on planting and repotting plants, so that will be tomorrow afternoon. There will still stuff to be done in the garden out back. I suppose I will buy tomato plants and zucchini and one pepper plant.

Before it gets dark, I need to water everything, so I may plant the five Hosta bulbs. It depends. I am trying to talk myself into doing it...lol.

Okay, I decided. I am going to give Tommy the bit of leftover chicken, steam some broccoli for him, and share my portion of zucchini that I did not eat last night. I might make some carrots sticks for him. The five gallons of carrots have lasted well and been delicious baked with chicken. I will make tuna salad for me.

So, not much is happening here, which is just fine with me.

Do you have a Meyer Lemon Tree? Is it cold at your house? It is 65F here and has been warm all day.