A quick sojourn in the tropics today as we check in on our various orchids! Several have recently flowered. None of these are on their first go-around, but we do have one more -- which I adopted a couple of years ago after someone discarded it at school -- with buds, and I haven't yet seen it bloom. As soon as the flowers open I'll be sure to share them.
I took another Covid test yesterday in the hopes that I would be negative (and then negative again today) which would spring me from isolation tomorrow instead of Monday. But alas, I was still very, very faintly positive. So it looks like I'll be serving the full term of my sentence. Ugh.
(The test I showed in yesterday's photos was one from early in my infection, which is why it was so strongly positive.)
Dave is past his 10-day isolation period and is testing negative, so he got dressed and went to the grocery store yesterday. BIG EXCITEMENT! I walked the dog around the neighborhood, sticking to quiet streets and avoiding other people, so I guess that counts for something.
We contacted a lawn mower repair shop to see about getting our electric mower fixed. At the end of last summer it mysteriously stopped working, as if the wiring had come loose somewhere. Dave contacted a place in Wembley, but when we told them what kind of mower we had, they advised us to simply buy another one because it would cost as much to repair it as replace it.
This DRIVES ME CRAZY because I'm sure it's a fairly minor repair. I argued to Dave that we should have it fixed anyway, for ecological reasons. Why should we discard a mower that is otherwise perfectly functional? We can't treat the planet this way! But Dave feels it would be a waste of money, so we're at a bit of an impasse.
This would be the mower's ninth summer, so it's not like it's brand new. Besides, if we do get a new one, we could get a cordless which would be a lot more convenient. So maybe I'm talking myself into it.
Mrs. Kravitz is having her patio power-washed, which entails having a chugging engine parked right next to our garden fence and gritty spray being thrown all over our rubbish bins. I am forcing myself to ignore the situation. They're only bins.
At least the rubbish bins can be washed off again and the spray isn't getting onto anything else. Orchids are very lovely, but too time consuming for me to grow, they need specific conditions and temperatures I believe, while I simply put things in the ground and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think the spray actually got onto quite a bit on that side of the house! But it will all wash off over time.
DeleteThese orchids (phalaenopsis, or moth orchids) are not particularly choosy about conditions. Bright indirect light and good drainage are the main requirements.
Steve I am sorry that you are still testing slightly positive, and I know how much you miss getting out and about. Soon my dear, soon. Monday is coming soon enough.
ReplyDeleteYour orchids are lovely. I never had any luck with mine, but you do have a magical green thumb because it seems you can get things to grow that would have never survived if they were mine.
I am sorry to say that I totally agree with Dave. You can still keep your mower but at least think about getting a new one. If the one that you have is nine years old, it is way past it's prime and it really would cost more to fix than to replace. Even if it is something electrical.
When we had the ice storm a couple of weeks ago, one of the buildings right next to us was without power and our neighbor had a electric generator that was so loud that it could be heard even with our patio door shut tight. I couldn't wait for that building to get their power back on.
It's good news to hear that David tested negative and could go grocery shopping for you guys. We could do with another round of supplies ourselves, but I am staying home. I have tried not to get into any crowded spaces with other people around because our Governor has said (Screamed is more like it) that Texans did not have to wear their masks if they didn't want to and Screw staying away from groups. Texans shall do whatever they want to do! That is the truth. I have interpreted it as how I had heard it and read about him lifting the mask mandate.
I can't wait to get him out of office too. I use to really like him and he has done some great things for our state, but as time wore on I started disliking him and now I am really just ready for him to go.
Time for me to say goodnight. Actually, it is after 2 in the morning, but I had to get up. Tossing and turning is just as bad as waking up and not able to fall back to sleep.
Have a awesome day!
It's probably wise for you to stay home, Beth! Yes, the power washer sounded a lot like a portable generator. Texas politicians all seem to be a little bit crazy.
DeleteBeautiful orchids! I have 6 in flower at the moment and 2 soon to blossom.
ReplyDeleteHope that you get a negative today and can get back to normality.
Wow! You did better than I did this year. I think I'll eventually have six in flower. Another five seem to be taking a breather!
DeleteYou’re a better person than Mrs. Kravitz who I’m sure would have something to say if the roles were reversed. As for the lawn mower, I’m with Dave -- although I appreciate your reasoning. I’m glad you’re now a weak positive at least.
ReplyDeleteI'm just trying my best to stay off her radar entirely.
DeleteIn Sheffield we have a volunteer-run service that specialises in bringing new life to "obsolete" electrical items. Maybe there are similar non-profit services in London. Here you just donate your items - you don't get them back - but it's a nice feeling to know that they don't end up in landfill. Have a Google round.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's an interesting idea. I think we probably will "Freecycle" it or something similar, so I'll look into that.
DeleteGood idea YP..there is a place like that in Glasgow.
ReplyDeleteOne use for your used test sticks.. apparently they make good plant labels!!
Those orchids are really doing well, they are very pretty
I haven't heard that about used test sticks! LOL!
DeleteI agree in principle with repair not replace, but a nine year old mower probably has worn out, and parts may no longer be available.
ReplyDeleteThe orchids are lovely, and I think you have a special touch with plants.
It's weird because nine years doesn't seem that old to me -- especially for something we only use six or eight months of the year. But I guess it is!
DeleteIn situations like this, I start taking apart the thing and see if I can figure out what is wrong. If I can’t, I’ve lost nothing more. If I succeed, I’ve saved money and gained knowledge.
ReplyDeleteBeing an electric lawnmower, I would start by making sure the battery was charged or the outlet you plugged it into is working. Then I would start looking for loose wires or fuses that are blown.
I did test both the outlet and the extension cord, and they both seem to work fine. So it's definitely the mower. Maybe I'll take the cover off the ignition switch and just make sure there are no loose wires.
DeleteAlso, lots of electrical things like this have safety triggers that can trip to protect the electronics in case of overloading. Make sure to look for out of the way buttons and press them.
ReplyDeleteGood thinking!
DeleteThe orchids are lovely. Carlos has one growing in our sunroom and when it blooms it's just so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI'm on your side about the mower. I hate nothing more than a repair shop telling me the repair will cost as much as a new one. That makes no sense!!!
Sounds like you're on the down-swing of your positive tests. Your pardon from confinement is coming!
It's insane, isn't it? Manufacturers build a very finite life span into all their products.
DeleteI am truly fortunate to be married to a man who would sit down with that lawn mower und study it until he fixed it. As frustrating as that can be at times, it really has saved us a fortune.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more mechanical ability (or interest) when it comes to stuff like that.
DeleteI see you're determinedly choosing to pick your battles. Good man.
ReplyDeleteHa! It's all about survival!
DeleteRemember when appliances and garden tools lasted 20 years?
ReplyDeleteYes! I hate the fact that even the repair people say it's not worth it.
DeleteThe orchids are beautiful. You definitely have the right touch with them. You're right about planned obsolescence. Nothing seems to last anymore. We're still using a washer and dryer that have to be at least 25 years old, maybe 30. We've had the washer repaired a couple of times. the repairman says that we we eventually have to buy a new one it'll only last about 7 years before the electronics fail. Manufacturers have full embraced the throw away society over quality.
ReplyDeleteAll our moaning about climate change and ecology won't count for a hill of beans unless we reign in our wasteful industrial processes.
DeleteLook at those orchids! They must love you and their light.
ReplyDeleteLis was just telling us about how Lon pulled a lawn mower out from under a house where it had been for nine years and within an hour had it running again. Glen's just restored an old riding mower that a friend gave him that was about to be thrown away. It does feel very satisfying, I think, to bring back these things from the dead for more years of use but if you have to trust someone else to do the repairs, it may be more sensible to replace the darn thing.
I know nothing.
Good for Dave's negative! Your day will come. Very soon.
I wish Mr. Moon lived nearby -- I'd wheel this mower over to him and get his opinion!
DeleteThose orchids are so beautiful. Have you ever had to repot them, and if yes, what kind of soil/stuff do you plant them in?
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you are still testing positive, and relieved to know that Dave is negative. Soon it will be your turn to go negative, my friend.
I buy orchid compost, basically a loose bark mixture. Orchids don't like being repotted, though, so I try to leave them in the pot they came in.
DeleteGorgeous orchids! One of the best features of orchids is how long-lasting their blooms are - you'll get lots of enjoyment for your effort.
ReplyDeleteUnless I was unhappy with its past performance, I would try to fix the mower. Dennis and I have repaired 2 refrigerators and untold numbers of smaller things like lights and fans, computers and robo vacs. We are almost forced to be our our repair people down here.
Hope you have successfully repaired your own self by the time you read this!
Yeah, I bet where you are, repair makes a lot more sense than trying to replace something.
DeleteInteresting having a first hand report on covid. People usually don't mention the stress that comes with covid. Am I better? Am I going to get worse? When will this be over?
ReplyDeleteThere's a great deal of uncertainty, particularly at the beginning -- before that first positive test -- and toward the end when the positive results linger even though the symptoms are gone.
DeleteThat's a beautiful orchid. Sorry about the still positive test. My next mower will be electric although I do get great service out of my beloved Briggs and Stratton engines.
ReplyDeleteGetting a gas mower makes no sense for us -- our lawn is so small and I wouldn't even know where to get gas!
DeleteWe are such a throw-away nation, it's a bit sad. However, a new cordless mower does sound a lot easier to handle.
ReplyDeleteThe orchids are beautiful....and impressive.
Yeah, getting one that's cordless would be a major plus.
DeleteLovely orchids, your flat is fortunate with nice light for them. Getting things fixed has become difficult, no one does it because no one wants to pay for it.
ReplyDeleteWe do get good sunlight in this flat -- we have east, west and north exposures so there's both direct and indirect, depending on the season and time of day.
DeleteYour orchids are lovely. Maybe your management company knows a handy man who may be able to repair the mower? it doesn't hurt to ask.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...I hadn't thought of that. We could ask, I suppose.
DeleteGive me some tips on keeping my orchids alive and healthy x
ReplyDelete1. Bright, indirect light. Don't let them bake in full sun.
Delete2. Weekly watering, and let all the water drain out of the pot. Don't ever let them sit in water.
3. Keep them out of drafts.
That's really all there is to it!
Your orchids are beautiful. Have you ever grown African Violets?
ReplyDeleteWe have a power washer and I have to admit enjoying the feeling of power (pun intended) it gives me!
I grew African violets years ago, but I haven't had them in a while. Power washing is quite addictive, apparently! Our upstairs neighbor rents one every year and goes crazy with it.
DeleteGosh, those orchids sure are beautiful! Let's all think positive about your next Covid test! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'll test again tomorrow (Monday) morning, before I go to work -- but apparently even if it's still faintly positive it's safe for me to return to the world. We're supposedly not contagious after ten days, even when tests still show viral antigens.
DeleteYour orchids are gorgeous. Have you thought about power-washing Mrs. Kravitz? Or would that be considered confrontational?
ReplyDeleteHa! Now THAT's a funny image.
DeleteI'm glad Dave has made it through and that you are on the mend and hopefully testing negative by the time you read this! Those orchids are lovely!
ReplyDelete