Ode to okra

This must be a first.  Who on earth besides me is obsessed with pickled okra? I saw a jar in the market and it ticked a box in my memory and I stuck a jar in my cart and off I went on a new adventure.  I tasted a lot of pickled products as a child.  My mother was a great pickler, but she was not southern so it might have been in another home that I first had okra. When I opened the bottle and pulled out a spear I thought I hope I live long enough to buy another bottle of pickled okra because this one is not going to last.  I have put it in everything including Nate's breakfast take away that I fix for him every morning--first, the dogs are outed and fed, then Nate's breakfast is prepared, then coffee is made, then we sit out by the pool and think about the good life.  For the last few mornings Nate has discovered okra in his eggs, on the side, with the bacon...no complaints so far.  I have also, writing about take out, discovered on Amazon that you can buy paper Chinese take out cartons and so today is a new era, no more plastic bags or plastic containers--paper is the key.  I worry about the planet and all that plastic that we are stacking up and which lasts a thousand years. You can buy 50 cardboard Chinese containers for around $13. and save the earth at the same time. (I bought the ones with no wire grips so they can go in the microwave although I don't have one of those, but someone could stick the carton without the wire in to reheat if they wanted to.)

Anderson's is no more:

Andy and I saw an ad this morning that lured us to Anderson's for the last time.  Two weeks and it is over forever. We walked into a stark view of what once was.  No meats, vegetables, or editable products of any kind.  The wine shelves were empty except for $300. bottles of wine for 30% off.  We escaped to the garden center and it was like paradise.  ALL of the plants, and there were many, were fresh and beautiful begging to be taken home.  We got two carts and became busy.  We filled both.  On the way to check out there was a bin of white duvets for twin beds, $6. a piece, perfect for the mother-in-law suite.  We should have explored more, but the car was full so we came home to an afternoon of planting.