Got a load of manure

 Kelly brought me 2 more scoops of manure. I unloaded about half of it into my raised beds.   

Tomorrow I get surgery on my right eye so I won't be doing much for several days..

Fleta will be taking me at 5:45. She's a great sister!

Grandpa George

 Em and Jr flew out this morning to meet the new addition to the Aday Family.  A healthy baby girl.

The weather is beautiful today. I went outside and raked up some small weeds starting in my tomato bed that I used last year. There were just a few but they are gone now. 

I read today that the state of Texas will be one of the hardest hit states economically because of the tariffs. Good enough for them they voted 56% in favor of Trump. 

Rain today

 I got the trailer all unloaded of the manure. And now it's getting nice and wet from the rain. I put my plants outside so they can get rain water.

After work today sister went to Harrison and brought me back arby's I'm so excited it was so good. I have put chicken patties cream of mushroom soup and brown rice in the crock pot to cook I hope it's good. That's what's for supper

It was a beautiful day today

 Today, I focused on nurturing my tomato plants, a gift from Astrid. After sleeping in until 10 AM, I spent time caring for these delicate seedlings. Noticing they weren't as vibrant as when I first received them, I placed them outside to soak up some sunshine over the past couple of days. This evening, I added manure and positioned them near my specialty grow lights to provide optimal conditions.

In my quest to nurture my seeds, I've been experimenting with various techniques to optimize their growth. The standard lamp's insufficient light and the cool house temperature prompted me to take innovative measures. I carefully wrapped the plants in an electric throw to provide warmth, creating a more favorable environment for germination.

My large clear tote houses approximately 75 seeds, with only a few having sprouted thus far. However, I remain confident in their viability, as similar seeds are flourishing under my grow lights. Understanding that soil temperature plays a crucial role in successful germination, I aim to maintain an optimal temperature around 60°F.

Taking advantage of the warmer daytime temperatures reaching 70°F, I've been positioning the plants on the porch to benefit from natural light and heat.

After undergoing eye surgery, I was advised to wear a protective patch for a week. Initially, I prematurely removed it after five days, intending to only wear it at night. Worried about accidentally scratching my eye, I reapplied the patch, which has significantly limited my vision and communication abilities. I'm currently using my phone's voice dictation to compose this message, aware that transcription errors may occur due to my impaired visibility.

A persistent tooth infection has been affecting my overall well-being. While antibiotics could help, I'm avoiding them before my upcoming eye procedure. Instead, I've been managing the discomfort by applying Orajel and crushed Motrin to the affected area. I recognize the importance of consulting a dentist to address the tooth and potentially have it extracted.

Today, I made progress in securing my Medicare coverage. After reaching out to the elderly services agency, they agreed to schedule an appointment to discuss my options. My current plan expires on July 31st, and I'm seeking professional guidance to ensure I choose the right replacement.

Researching Medicare policies has been challenging. I've spent hours reviewing various options, but the abundance of information feels overwhelming. I attempted to contact Melissa for help, but she hasn't responded. I then reached out to Rhea King, who suggested I speak with the agency.

Although the primary contact was out sick today, they promised to follow up soon. I'm optimistic that their expertise will help me navigate this complex process and make an informed decision about my healthcare coverage.

This experience reminds me how much more complicated these decisions have become with age. What once seemed straightforward now requires extensive research and careful consideration. I'm looking forward to getting clear, professional advice to help me choose the best Medicare plan for my needs.

Despite feeling physically limited, I'm committed to rising early and tackling the challenging task of shoveling manure tomorrow. I've set my alarm for 8 AM and remain determined. I've noticed that being active doesn't worsen my condition compared to remaining idle and complaining. My vision may be impaired, so I hope this message is legible.

My faith sustains me through difficult times. God's unwavering love, blessings, and compassion are the foundation of my strength. Without His guidance, I would struggle to endure each day. He is the center of my existence, providing hope and resilience. May divine grace touch us all.

Well, if this weather was any nicer

 I’m at a loss for what to do next.

I’ve been diligently working on unloading Kelly’s two large tractor scoops of cow manure. I’ve finally figured out how to use my planters. I have two planters that are 3 feet by 3 feet, with tin sides. I also have two feed troughs that were used to feed calves, which are about 10 or 12 feet long. I’ve filled one of the planters with strawberry plants, and Kelly gave me some yippee Skippy. I love him! I’ve also put lettuce in the planter, and I’ll soon add onion sets and straw.

Tomorrow, I plan to fill up the other trough. I think I have enough manure left to do that, but I’m not sure if I’ll have much more. If not, I’ll have to contact the last man standing again. It’s surprisingly easy to shovel, and the dirt is incredibly good.

I’m still planning to use the tomato bed I used last year. I’ve already got it prepared, and I’m likely to use one of the 3 ft.² raised beds for growing tomato

Moms lilacs .. I’m watering and fertilizing them this year . Next year they will be great! Below lettuce and strawberries 

plants. I’m particularly interested in planting bell peppers and jalapeño peppers. I’d also like to add a cucumber plant or two to my garden. However, there’s a problem: some plants don’t grow well together. For instance, cucumber plants don’t complement other plants, so I might have to place them in a separate container, such as a 5-gallon bucket. I’m trying to make do with what I have and only want enough plants to sustain me. I don’t intend to carry them or anything.

I’m also planning to get myself a tall laundry basket with holes all over it. I’ll start by placing a layer of straw, followed by a layer of manure, and then add six pieces of sea potatoes with eyes. I’ll repeat this process until the basket is full. Apparently, this method allows you to grow potatoes. I intend to make one of these baskets, and hopefully, I’ll have a few potatoes to harvest.

I’m going to place straw around the strawberries, onion sets, and tomato plants to try and keep the weeds down, since I’m not particularly fond of weeding. I’m also planning to plant a few Merrygolds this year, but not many—just two or three in each bed. 

I would really love to get down here by mama’s window and kill this stupid vine that has just taken over everything. The best way to kill it would be to spray it, but I have other flowers there I want to keep like the lilies, the iris’s and of course, my special peony.

My eye isn’t causing any issues, but I can’t discern any significant improvement in my vision. However, I’m not entirely certain if I can see better now. At least I’m no longer seeing spiders, mice, and deer darting across my peripheral vision. That’s a notable improvement.

I must find a dentist who accepts Medicare because I have an abscessed tooth that has become a mass. The pain is excruciating, and I’m constantly applying ointments to it. Unfortunately, I can’t undergo a tooth extraction or any other procedure until after my next eye surgery. And then, I’m not sure how long I’ll have to wait before I can take antibiotics, as the infection requires them That reminds me I’ve got to get a thing around Debbie’s peony at the graveyard because mine is already come up. They’re probably already cut it down one time. I’m gonna go out there this weekend and do something about it. I’m not sure what but I will tell you this they darn well better not be mowing 

I regret to inform you that yesterday, I used Bill’s car like a farm truck. Fleta urgently needed manure for her tomato plot, and I couldn’t find anyone willing to bring the tractor up here. So, I loaded it into my car and drove it up. Yes, it made a mess, but I got the job done. This morning, I used my wonderful vacuum cleaner to clean the inside of the car. It sucked up the dirt and debris beautifully. I also used spray foam window cleaner and glass cleaner on the seats to remove the stains. They worked wonders! These weren’t stains from the dirt that could be easily vacuumed up. They were watermark stains from things I had put wet on the seats over the past two years. But they all came up, and I was thrilled to see the car looking so great. I was so proud of myself!

Bill Kimmy and the grandkids are planning to visit me towards the end of May or the beginning of June. I’m eagerly anticipating their arrival. I’m not sure what activities we can engage in, but I’m hopeful that we can find something enjoyable to do together. I simply can’t wait to spend quality time with those kids.