Sorry I've been so absent lately

[drbanks]

This has beyond a doubt been one of the worst years for me, evar, although it's starting to feel like it'll end on a high note.  Without going into all the details of what happened, apropos to this forum, the year started with me falling prey to a bout of depression, followed by my near eviction over having an apartment full of plants.

Over the last couple of months, I've been down to two AGs, the Lemon Drop Peppers, which are still producing, but look near end of life, and the Jalapeno Ms for the GAL, which have sprouted some rather plump pods, but have not yet ripened.  And if I'm honest with myself, I've been rather lax on my care for them.

Oh, yeah, I also have the Office AG Mini-Jalapenos in a Black Harvest, and they're still producing.  I recently got my third harvest off them, and it was already covered with new blossoms even before I harvested the old ones.  This one looks like it's in it for the longer haul.

In any case, I just spent last week in Cleveland (why Cleveland, you ask? Long, sad, story).  Sometime in the not-distant future, I will be moving to Cleveland for good (it's a good thing), and between now and then, I'll be spending an increasing amount of time out there whenever I get a chance.  The up side is that it's a 3 bedroom Townhouse with a partial basement, along with a south facing balcony, so I'll have plenty of room for both my AGs and my 3D printers.  I am so anxious to get a start on some Aji Chombos and White Habaneros again, and would really like to give my Capsicum Pubescens another shot.

Last week, I took my cat with me.  Let's just say that it wasn't her first choice of what to do with the week, and led to my Facebook post:

"What do you call a Maine Coon cat that's just been fed a whole Benadryl tablet?

Still dangerous."

It'll be another week or two before I'll have completely healed from the experiment.  This is theoretically a matter of habituation, but I'm not sure who's going to get habituated to what: My cat getting used to the new place, or me getting used to getting torn to shreds getting her into the carrier.  Surprisingly, she does the 10 hour drive quite well, with nary a peep, but getting her into that carrier is life threatening (to me).

I've always said that cats actually have 8 legs, 4 of which they hide from us owing to our arachnophobia, but you can tell there are 8 by the sound of them running, or those times when you're trying to put them into a carrier.  Unfortunately, my cat does a frighteningly good imitation of a tasmanian devil.

These days, I'm not feeling good about starting too many AG projects after the experiences of earlier in the year, and I am not quite yet ready to start growing anything in Cleveland although truth be told, I can't wait to get my hands on a Farm XL.  Or several.

[Kate]

Life throws rocks at us sometimes. Dodging them is the issue. When I feel up to it, I'll tell my absence story, although it's ongoing and still semi-scary at this point.

I agree about the 8-legged cat theory. I have two huge male cats with at least that many legs.

Stay strong.

[Shawn]

drbanks, I am happy to hear that your move is a good thing.  You have been through your share of darkness and deserve a new happy start.  I understand your not wanting to begin any new project yet but as you said your Office Harvest is still going as well as the GAL and your Drops.  

You need to take care of everything on your end especially with your upcoming move.  Which I hope goes smoothly for you!  It sounds like you will have more room and you will be able to do with it what you want.  Hopefully your cat will adapt fast.  She may do just fine once moved in.  She will have a lot of new places to check out and hide if needed.  

I remember when we drove to Memphis, my dog did a number on me too.  We gave her doggy valium and while she did sleep, if she saw something on the road (like cows or other animals) she would go nuts and my thighs were all scratch.  Yes I said thighs.  We drove all the way there and back with her on my lap the whole time.  Not fun for me at all.  I digress...

I totally get you not wanting to start anything once settled, but after you are there you just may want to begin some gardens.  When you do we will be here for you to post (as well as anytime from now to then). 

I miss your posts and projects but when you are ready you will be back.  And you wanting the new Farm XL may do the trick

We are here for you 

One thing I learned this year is to take care of myself and let things go that are not essential. They will get back to full swing as time progresses. I did miss you and look forward to hearing about your settling in and about how things are coming together gradually. But the main thing is to take care of yourself ..life happens . MISS YOU!

[drbanks]

Cheezy Pouf's (my cat's) first week in Cleveland.

Day 1: Slink behind the furnace.  Her legs were about a half an inch long.

Days 2-3: continue hiding behind furnace.  At the end of day 3, a friend came over and managed to coax her out with some Greenies.

Day 4: Exploration.  Standing at full height, but tail still down

Day 5: Fell behind the washer/dryer.  Almost a day before I found her.  Still mega pissed at me, but not so much that she wasn't going to not ask for help.  The washer dryer barely fits the nook, but cannot be removed without disassembling the doorway moldings.  Finally managed to separate them to be about half her width apart, and convinced her to squeeze through by lining the path with the ever magical Greenies

Day 6: She'd sleep at the foot of the bed, walking tail erect and proud, seemed thoroughly comfortable with the place.  Any time I tried to approach her, she'd stand her ground but growl, hiss and swat at me.  At one point, I was afraid to turn my back to her.

Day 7: Same as Day 6

Day 8: time for the drive home.  Needed help getting her into the carrier after losing a pint of blood.

For both the trip out and the trip back, she really didn't seem to be too upset with the drive.  But the entire time spent in Cleveland, she was so pissed at me that I feared it'd take a year to earn back her trust.

Fifteen minutes after returning home to New Hampshire, she's all hugs, cuddles and purrs again.  Obviously, shehates the Cleveland me, but still likes the New Hampshire me just fine.

[drbanks]

I first ended up in Cleveland for all the worst reasons.  What surprised me is how much I liked the town.  I mean after all, the river hasn't caught fire in decades.  And, when washing out a fresh Cheezy wound in my hand under the tap, I realized that maybe Lake Erie still has a way to go.

I also found tremendous emotional support as well as a bunch of new friends.  At this point, going to Cleveland is almost literally going to my happy place.  Which surprises me more than it surprises anyone else, but as I keep reminding myself, take the "win" no matter where it comes from or how it arrives.

[drbanks]

And in other news, saw a GP (doctor) for the first time in about 30 years.  She confirmed my self diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and put me on Metformin, which is pretty much what I expected/wanted her to do.

So, maybe even my health is on the mend (-ish).

[serri588]

Thank you for the updates! I'm glad things are starting to look up for you. I have to admit when I came back from my own hiatus I was a little sad not to see around.

[MaryL]

I’m glad you are back, inasmuch as you can be for now.  Your keen wit is always missed .

And, I totally relate to your experience of your pet being so ticked off. When we moved, my dog would only sit at the end of the bed and look back at us with daggers in her eyes.  It was surreal, lol.

[drbanks]

I'm anticipating that the coming year will be one of dislocation for me.  I want to stay at my current job for as long as they'll have me, but they've hit some hard times recently, and I'm not entirely inclined to take my continued employment for granted.

While it is possible that I could telecommute from Ohio (we have one woman in New Mexico and another in NYC), I would really much prefer to be physically present in the office as long as it's practical.  Otherwise, I'd probably be thinking of doing the full move around the first of the year.

So between now and when my current apartment's lease runs out next october, I'll try to spend about a week a month in Cleveland at the new place, just to feel settled in.  I'm still not clear on how many of those trips will involve taking Cheezy with me because I haven't yet decided which is harder on her: being alone (aside from occasional feedings by the cat sitter) for a week, or doing another round trip in the car.  At least by the time we left the condo last time, she was starting to look like she was getting comfortable with the place.

While the precise events leading to my owning this condo (namely, the suicide of a brother I didn't really like much) weren't very pleasant, I rapidly found that being in Cleveland is my "safe place," and a good place to go unwind.  And by being fully paid for, the monthly expense of living there is considerably less than any other option I may have, and so much so that I no longer fear having to go into early retirement.  In fact, I kind of look forward to it.

This has also had the effect of removing the major source of stress and anxiety in my life.  Now that I have my "Plan B" fairly well nailed down, I can quit worrying about a lot of things.  It's made me much easier going.  So, after all the crap that's fallen on me earlier this year, I am looking forward to a fairly quiet end of year (except for having to deal with some conflict between the two remaining members of my family of origin - my sister and mother).

And, yes, I can't wait to move there so I can buy a Farm XL!

[Shawn]

You have a busy time coming up when you do finally move.  At least you h=have your plan set.  That is a good thing.  Regardless if it is sooner or later, you will have your Farm XL and grow lots and lots.  I for one look forward to all your future projects.

[MaryL]

Oh dear where did my post go?!  I must’ve forgotten to hit send, lol.  I had said I’m happy for you for this new beginning that is on the horizon and the relief of some stress.  More space, less financial burden, and a Farm XL or two!  Wonderful!