Sunday Afternoon Guests

Last week and especially on Saturday I was preparing again for some visitors, but just on Sunday afternoon. I had in mind to invite - even go fetch - some women who live in care homes. I thought they might enjoy a look around my garden and maybe a new cheesecake I'd made.

That did not turn out as I'd hoped.

After church in the morning I had mentioned to some friends that they were welcome to come to see my garden. They asked when, so I suggested about 3 pm. But they didn't commit themselves.

What a lovely surprise when this couple showed up at my door about 3 pm with their tall, handsome son who is a university student, and their pretty and vivacious daughter (about age 13).

They had just got into my front porch when they spied my aloe vera plants there. They were so taken with them - so I ended up telling them stories of how Dad had been healed by aloe vera gel.

(Oops. I forgot to tell them about how my hand which got a second-degree burn on a coffee-maker was totally healed with no scar.)

Well, eventually we got through the house and into the garden. They were so surprised that my whole backyard is my garden. Their kids were absolutely giddy with excitement when they tried to count all the watermelon that have started to grow on my one row. Some the size of a marble, and some larger than a baseball already!

I've tried to count them too, but get mixed up so I can't even give a number. All I could say was that watermelon plants love HOT weather, and that's what we've had through June and July. This week the temperatures have dropped to low and mid 20s, with some over-night rains. But the temperatures are going up to the 30s again by Saturday.

They gathered some hollyhock seeds, as the wife/mother loves flowers too, and grows lots of them.

When we came back through the house the children came to see my aloe vera plants in the pantry, and the son was keen to buy some for a gastric issue he has. He picked out a good-sized plant, but when we got back to the front porch, his parents were choosing some more. In the end they picked 3 big ones and I gave my friend a hand full of small baby aloe vera plants that I'd pulled last weekend but not had time to plant yet. Besides, I'm out of spaces!

I really need to finish tidying up more of these aloe vera plants - bring them to the front porch and announce another plant sale in Kijiji as I did two years ago. They sold very easily then at $5/pot, but this time the bigger ones will go for $10. Then I'll have room to start more of those baby aloe vera plants.

<*> TIPS & SOLUTIONS: <*>

Attend a Funeral via Livestream

Over the last few weeks and through the pandemic lockdowns, I've attended several funerals from home on my desktop screen. This option is not always offered, but it is worth checking. When you hear that someone you care about has passed away, do a Google search for their name and the word "obituary". It is also wise to add the home town or city, in case there are others with the same name.

In the obituary look for an announcement a a link that a Livestream of the funeral will be available. That happens most often on the funeral home's website. Mark, or keep that web page open, then, if you would like to attend that way. When the funeral time is drawing close, click on the link to the Livestream, as sometimes the video will start a few minutes before the start time, and you may get to see some of the family being seated.

I've found this to be a good option as I usually get quite tear-eyed at a funeral and this way I can keep wiping my eyes and blowing my nose without worry about what others think.

Of course, sometimes it is best to make the effort to be there in-person so you can speak some comforting word to the family members. Even just your presence will speak volumes to them.

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