Dupont:

Have stuck around to be sure I did not get covid at the funeral. It was an all day event culminating in Down East music by two local musicians. It did help the grieving process but I have been very tired all week. Pots thrown a while ago have not been trimmed. Don't feel like going anywhere so hanging in for event next Sunday (20th) re other loss.

Laundry is up to date, K is clean. Groceries bought, meals cooked. We had to have the chimney sweep back this am. He and R got on quite well and he found the problem; the chimney had not been drawing - full of creosote from not burning fire hot enough. He said they had not done it well enough last month and charged nothing! Cosy now. We did turn the heat up a bit a couple days ago when it cooled off a bit too much. It had been off completely as we heated with wood until the chimney quit.

This am, I tripped over a known flaw in the floor and ended in a pile on the floor. Banged knee and it is not being very helpful; doesn't hurt (yet?) but I have to think very positive thoughts to stand up from a sitting position. Suspecting it might feel worse tomorrow...

No more outdoor gardening here. Everything is put to bed; last handful of tomatoes brought in; 3 tiny (Never watered!) cauliflower went in veggie stew, with lots of bought veggies. The ficus I repotted last month seems to have expanded - happy in its new pot? It fills the window in the den and I look up from reading and delight in it! It will be our Christmas tree.

The "Christmas" cactus is blooming nicely, thanks to advice not to water it too much. The Lantana was blooming nicely when I brought it in front the front steps but lost all of them; now it is getting lots of new buds and I am looking forward to an abundance of creamy flowers. This is its second winter in front of the south facing glass door in the hallway. It fills a 12 inch terra cotta pot, profusely.

Detest the time change - it is getting dark before 4 pm in this November greyness.