Orchids and More Kiwis

One of the rescued yellow-green orchids, from that batch I found in someone's yard waste several years ago, is giving us another round of flowers. These have been very productive orchids. One or two of them died but the rest are still plugging away. Overall, though, my orchids seem to be in a bit of a slump -- I've only seen one other that's forming a flower stalk. Maybe it's just not the season for them to do more than rest.

Remember the peculiar bottle cap I found with a kiwi bird on it, the one that turned out to be from Old Mout cider? Well, I bought the full set that I found on eBay (they were practically free -- something like £2). I have no idea what I'll do with them but I thought they were amusing. The only one I don't quite "get" is the one at top left -- is that bird supposed to be dancing? Is the hat a costume reference I should understand?

There was a lot of this going on around here yesterday, and there's probably going to be more today. It's raining outside as I write so I doubt I'll be out much. I'm looking forward to a relaxed day at home.

When I got up yesterday I gave the flat a quick once-over because our management company had asked to inspect it on the 14th. I said no -- because I'd be in Nottingham -- and rescheduled them for the 15th. But they never got back to me with any confirmation and they didn't show up, so I have no idea if or when that's happening. They've started coming by once or twice a year, more than they ever used to, I guess to make sure we're not up to no good. Maybe they've had bad experiences with other tenants.

I've started reading journalist Thomas Mallon's New York diaries from the 1980s and '90s, and they seem like they're going to be pretty interesting. I'm always interested in reading other people's diaries. (I guess that's why I like blogs!) At the beginning, he's just moving to New York City from upstate, and as a former New Yorker myself, I identified so much with his experiences of searching for an apartment -- the viewing from which you literally have to RUN to catch a taxi back to the real estate office before any other competing tenants -- and his sense of wonder at stepping out of his door into the vibrant city streets and thinking, "I live here!" There was a time I never wanted to leave New York, and I felt very settled there, but life had other plans. Of course, London's pretty great too, but I miss New York's verticality and density.

I made another appointment for Bailey to be spayed, on the 19th (next Monday). We'll try it again! It's been more than four months since she was in heat, so I don't see how waiting any longer will be of benefit. Next week is going to be busy -- I also have appointments with a dermatologist and a dentist, and we have tree work scheduled in the garden on the 23rd. Never a dull moment!