Our angel-wing begonia (or whatever kind of begonia it is) is blooming once again. This plant is remarkably durable. I pruned it several months ago, cut up the stalk and stuck the pieces in another pot of soil, and darned if every single one of the cuttings didn't take root. So now I have a second pot of little begonias. Nature is amazing -- that life force.
I am home once again today, waiting for the drains repair guy. The universe owes me an effortless visit from a repair person, given what happened on Tuesday, so let's hope this goes more smoothly. I'm even optimistic that I might be able to get to work at some point. My boss was a bit gruff with me yesterday over unexpectedly being out all day on Tuesday -- but what could I do? We have to have a working boiler, and someone has to be here to get it fixed. Ditto the drains. These are not optional things. It's not like I'm taking time off to buy new lampshades.
Meanwhile, I'm hoping to read more and hopefully get caught up on blog comments. I know I've been falling behind on those. I usually use my lunch hour at work to answer comments, but yesterday I had to go to the post office to get Dave's passport documents mailed, so I didn't have a chance. Thank goodness both our passport applications are in, though. That's another thing off the list.
My brother sent me this photo the other day -- it's a shot of his phone screen as he plays a suite of games called "Card Shark." Recognize that background photo? It's Olga on Hampstead Heath.
"I set the 'table' with a custom picture instead of the standard ugly green felt and casino markings," he wrote. "It looks like Olga is watching me play cards and when I win and the fireworks start then she is watching those too. It's a good peaceful fall picture."
The photo is a bit compressed vertically (or stretched horizontally) but I still like the many ways that Olga lives on in all of our lives.
I prefer begonias to dahlias, they last to the frost come, full of late summer flowers, they die back looking tidy until next years blooms.
ReplyDeleteI won’t comment on the gruff boss (oops, I guess I just did). Anyway, that desktop photo is a joy! Good luck today with the drains guy!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that your brother has an Olga memory. I'm wondering if the drainage person has to come inside your home to make the repair? If not, it should be down to the property owner to facilitate access.
ReplyDelete"Boss Woman" is probably annoyed that your absence meant she had to do some work, instead of reading her favourite magazines, "Conference Opportunities and Courses for Head Librarians" and "Managing The Proles". Couldn't you get your new sofa delivered on a Saturday?
ReplyDeleteMaybe your boss wonders why you have to wait at home for two days instead of you and Dave taking turns. But as has been said before, we‘ve all been there, and as you say, these are essential things and you‘ve not taken time off to buy lampshades.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of Olga sitting in other peoples memory. Not sure that my old and rather beautiful cocker spaniel did but I know she sits in mine. That is such a pretty begonia, they said on the radio this morning that it has been a good year for dahlias.
ReplyDeleteBegonias are unstoppable. I've had the same experience with a couple of them, going for world domination. Too bad your job doesn't lend itself to wfh.
ReplyDeleteThat's a sweet tribute to Olga watching the cards and the fireworks!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I no longer have to struggle juggling a career with life. It sure wasn't easy when I was and it sounds like it isn't any easier now for you.
ReplyDeleteI love that screenshot of Olga! I guess I'm lucky that Mike doesn't have a job (well, he HAS a job taking care of his dad, but the hours are very flexible). However, my boss would be fine with me taking time off as long as I let her know in advance & sometimes I wish I could just stay home & wait on something. Ha!
ReplyDeleteIt's satisfying and gratifying when cuttings take so readily.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to think that Olga is bringing pleasure to someone else's screensaver and memory.
Bosses can be rather sharp sometimes and forget that everyone is human and has domestic problems to deal with. I hope your chap has turned up at a reasonable time.
I have always had an admiration and appreciation of begonias. There are so many varieties. And you are so right- they are hardy plants.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I have a hard time imagining that Olga isn't still sleeping on your couch. She's just such a part of the image I have of your life in London and probably always will be. You, Dave, and Olga, cozy, at peace, at home.
So you have some good things and some bad things. the starting of the begonias is great. troubles with drains is the pits.
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE it that your brother includes Olga in his background. That's so touching. I know she is in so many other hearts and memories too -- including mine. And well done with the begonia. They're such lovely flowers and durable. Good luck with the boss. She could probably use a little empathy.
ReplyDeleteI read that sentence as the University owes me an effortless visit from a repair man and I couldn't figure out why the Univserity would owe you that? (Shaking my head).
ReplyDeleteI love that your brother has Olga on his computer. It's lovely.
Good luck with today's repairman drama. Hopefully it's all over and you are back at work. I love that screen shot. Olga touched the lives of people all over the world.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful begonia.
ReplyDeleteAs for the gruff boss, ask her to recommend a repair guy that keeps better schedules. Let's see if she has a solution.
Olga on the gaming screen is adorable. A very nice joyful remembrance.
It's your last year at the library so you won't have to worry about making appointments next year. It's a perk of being retired!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful photo of Olga! I love what your brother imagined about her. Did she actually like fireworks? You don't have any option about the repair work or when they show up. Plus, you do have leave that you are allowed to use, right?
ReplyDeleteTell your boss that you are allowing her to acclimate to your pending retirement. I love that your brother loves Olga too.
ReplyDeleteI love the card background your brother uses! Olga lives on in all our hearts! (did he ever meet her in real life?) I use an ocean background for my cards and the photo on the deck is my grandson summoning Poseidon. (remember that photo I shared?)
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