John and Sherlock have been working on the allotment today. John's feeling mainly better, glad to say.
Sherlock is annoyed he wasn't allowed to bring home any worms, and that John didn't have a spare apple tree about his person to plant.
We've got a shooting to sort out - one with over 100 witnesses, none of whom want to talk to us. So that's always helpful. I'm sure we'll get there eventually, but...it's a frustrating job. And we're still working on a murder/suicide too, which is also frustrating. And prepping a few cases for court, trying to get warrants, the usual. Too much reading when my body's trying to rebel against me. But better than running around, I suppose.
And tomorrow is the marathon, so...well, who knows what'll happen? We know there will be people who get distracted and forget their bags, and we know that people will be more vigilant than usual, so we fully expect at least some chaos. It seems...I don't know, there's a big generational split, isn't there, regarding who is seen as a threat, and how we react. It's taken a long time for me to stop expecting the coded phonecalls - in fact, that's a lie. I still expect them. Hard to remember the kids coming up through the ranks today don't know what it's like, hearing one's come in, chucking yourself in the nearest panda car and driving as fast as you can to where you know, for sure, there's a bomb.
Jo got in touch today. Most of you will probably have seen John's blog. Apparently Bryan's got a show in a gallery. And two of the pictures are of me. As John would say 'So that's a thing that's happened'. Or maybe he'd say 'which has happened'...
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. I want to feel nothing.
62 comments:
right now you have to actively not care what he does, not let him effect you and give him the least brain space you can manage but there will come a day when you really don't care and a few months after that something will happen that is wonderful and brilliant and you will think how lucky you are and a fleeting thought will go through your brain about him and how different life used to be and that will be the last time you ever think of him.
It will happen one day.
Do you want tea? Or to talk about it? Or...anything?
Good luck tomorrow.
Thanks, Anon. I hope so.
John - Not right now. I don't think. I don't...know what to say? What to think. And thanks.
Okay. If you change your mind...well, I'll be here. Obviously. Want to rub my shoulder instead?
Yeah. And yes. Digging not doing you much good?
Yeah, I overdid it a bit, I think. We were having fun, and I didn't want to stop.
Just glad you're enjoying it.
What are we going to do with Sherlock's crater? Did he did it deeper? Or interrogate any other people?
He did dig it deeper. He wants to make it a pond, a tiger pit, a snake pit, a pit with spikes, or a worm composter. I don't think you make those in holes the ground or all the worms would escape? He said he'd look it up. I think mostly he wants pet worms.
Maybe we could plant blueberries there if we filled it in a bit first.
We could get an apple tree. If we think we'll be in it long-term. But blueberries would be good too.
I sort of want to go to the gallery, rip the pictures off the wall and burn them. Or...probably smash them up, actually. More...cathartic.
take Sherlock and his glitter pens and let him write 'I'm going to kick you' all over them ;)
I'd help. Also wouldn't mind kicking him.
Do apple trees take years to grow apples or do they do it right away? Or maybe peaches?
I think planning how you would like to deal with the situation if you could is a very good idea Greg even if you're not going to do it. :-)
It's awful when they still have things that they can do that make you feel like this, I'm sorry you have to work your way through this rubbish again.
We could get a reasonably well-established apple. A self-fertiliser, and it would probably fruit quite soon.
I think a peach tree would need to be in a pot, so we could move it somewhere sheltered or warm during the winter and save it from frost once it's blossomed.
Apple's probably better then. And the RHS site just told me that cherries are 'a challenge for the true enthusiast'. So probably not those either.
I...half want to go and see them. Which would be a terrible idea. And stupid. And not helpful in the slightest.
Right...cherries we can buy from the shops. Maybe we can start with an apple and then if it goes well branch out (pun intended). If we do get an apple with a few different types of apple on it, like Sherlock was saying, that might be nice.
I...don't know if it would be or not. I guess it depends on how you'd feel afterward. Which is hard to know beforehand. Anyway, I'd go with you if you wanted me to.
Maybe we could do our own grafts eventually. I bet Sherlock would love that.
can you get Jo to send you them from the catalogue then you know which ones they are without having to go? knowledge and control are the things that are important here.
Know which pictures they are and choose if you want to show those who matter to you or not so you don't have that nagging thing of whose seen them?
Like I said I'm sorry these things happen but I'm really impressed by you when they do :-)
I think...it would just be awkward. And not help.
Going to get some oil so I can do your shoulder properly.
Sherlock would make us a frankentree monster. It'd be the most confused tree in history.
I know you can get miniature apple trees that are designed for pots or small areas, which might work better than planting a full-sized apple tree on an allotment?
Glad you guys are both feeling a bit better than you have been.
Lestrade - I hope you have a very quiet marathon tomorrow. And I know what you mean about the nature of the threat, and the way it's changed. It's... strange, to look back, and remember what it was like. Seems to be the week for it, though.
AnonyBob - yeah, I can. Although while I agree it'd sort of be nice to know...I also worry it'd just make me angrier. I don't know. No rush, anyway. I'll think about it.
There are so many options Greg, some are better than others and the right one will present itself to you I'm confident of that :-)
Do holes need a reason to exist?
When I was a little older than Sherlock I dug a hole in the back yard that was nearly as deep as I was tall. It was my main focus of play for over a year. And in the summer I filled it with water as a pool come mudwallow.
My long suffering parents did make a rule that all mud had to be hosed off before I could come inside, but that was their only reaction.
Rider - we'll probably all want a mud wallow if the heat gets bad this summer.
L - I'm going to fall asleep if you keep doing that... not that I'm complaining.
Yeah, me too. How did it get so late? I'm never going to want to get up in the morning.
No idea. Time warp possibly. At least there's no school tomorrow. Not that that helps you, but it helps me... Bed?
Yes, definitely.
Sleep well guys :-)
Wonder if I should run a marathon one day.
I wouldn't mind, but it sort of seems like it might be a bit boring? Just...running.
Have just had a text from Sherlock. "I HAVE HAD A COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE".
Watch out London. He is among you.
I think he and John were going to go to a garden centre and maybe buy some plants... John, good luck.
I guess there are some advantages to being at work Greg and not having to deal with a caffeinated Sherlock is one of them ;-)
You and John could train for the marathon, it wouldn't be boring if you did it together :-)
I hope work is treating you ok
It's not too bad today. Londons very busy, obviously, but so far fairly peaceful. It'll be worse tonight when people are out getting pissed up.
I hope you and Sherlock were successful in your hunt for plants, John.
Isn't marathon-running mostly a test of endurance? Maybe boring is part of it. (I wouldn't know first-hand, I'm not a runner. :))
Sounds like a high-energy day, Sherlock! Have fun.
London looks lovely on the TV, nice weather for the marathon. A mate of mine's running today; he just finished the Marathon Des Sables - a 156 miles footrace through the Sahara desert - last week, and he's raised over two and half grand between the two races :-)
I hope everyone's having a good day.
Well, I'm impressed. And I thought I was tired after buying plants with Sherlock... Congratulations to him, that's amazing - and I bet he's glad he's done!
...And I just read that again and realised he's in the marathon today as well. Now I just think he's mad. ;)
Nameless - I'd say it was a bit warm and sunny for them - but compared to the Sahara I'm sure he's doing fine! Very impressive feat - and brilliant to raise so much money.
DId you buy fruit plants, Danger? FLowers? I know Sherlock takes after my heart and is easily persuadable when he sees pretty flowers :)
We have a blueberry in a pot and...some flowers. And some more flowers. Some of them are roses. And advice to wait on most fruit bearing things that we want to plant in the ground until around October, although apparently if we get a non-bare-root apple tree, it's all right to plant it now.
That all sounds brilliant. I think you're supposed to grow marigolds with tomatoes for...greenfly? Something like that.
Roses sound great. And we can get a ...dressed root apple tree? I presume that means we buy it in a pot or something?
I might, possibly, get off early, as everything is so peaceful and there are quite a lot of officers washing about the office. I need to do a couple of reviews first though.
I want to come and plant things!
Yeah, I think so, or possibly wrapped up in something. We can go and look at them. Sherlock got some tomato seeds that he wants to start growing at home, which may or may not work out, but he's determined to try.
We want you to come and plant things too! Let us know if you want to take a break for coffee or anything.
Taking a break sounds good...
You sneak! You never ever said you'd left the office!
My lovely fiance has just turned up here on his bike, all in leathers, and stalked across the allotments to give me a kiss..scandalising half the people in the process. :)
I just worked fast :) - I mean, actual work! Not...
Anyway, here I am. For digging and planting.
They don't know the meaning of the word scandalised yet. I may take my top off...
This day just gets better and better. ;)
I'm so happy the day turned out so good for all of you!
John, do you have places where you can buy a small tomato plant? My mom and I often get small tomato and pepper plants, and while she actually has land to plant hers in, I just grow mine in pots on my back porch and they seem to do really well. So if Sherlock wanted to start tending a small plant now, he could probably grow it a bit and then transplant it?
That might be better, yeah. I'm just not sure how it'll do in our flat, which is where he wants it. I'm sure the greenhouse would have more light, but maybe the windowsill well be enough.
We grew tomatoes on the windowsill for years, they lean a bit towards the light but then that's what stakes are for!
Lancs. Anon
John - yep, mad is the word I'd use to describe my mate :-)
I tend to grow tomatoes from seed each year, I make sure I get a compact trailing variety that produces sweet cherry tomatoes, once they're big enough to transplant, I put them in a windowbox just outside the kitchen window. I'd never thought to put them inside on a windowsill, but it sounds from what Lancs Anon is saying that that works just as well.
Nothing quite like like freshly picked tomatoes :-)
Good to know, guys, thanks! Sherlock has a notebook devoted to things he's growing now.
Sometimes they do get a bit massive on a windowsill, block out the light. But if Sherlock actually wants good tomatoes, not just huge plants, we can pinch off the tops, stunt the growth and it'll put all the energy into giving us tomatoes, not growing to take over the flat.
I've had a brilliant afternoon :)
...and what madness has gone on in the football?? I didn't want Chelsea to win, obviously, but it sounds like they were robbed!
Lestrade - Yeah, Suarez bit(!) Ivanovic (off the ball, really weird, worth watching to see how weird), Ref didn't see it, so no card. Suarez went on to score 45 seconds after(!) the six(!) minutes of extra time. Plenty of opportunity for controversy there.
The good news is that Man U can take the Premiership tomorrow evening at Old Trafford :-)
Sounds like you've all had a good time today?
Yeah...sounds...well, bizarre! Although the extra time...6 mins, if shown on the board, is the minimum extra time allowed, so...well, 45 seconds I guess was the ref's discretion? But regardless, bloke who scored shouldn't have been on the pitch! So...yeah, think we'll be watching MOTD tonight.
I had a great time. I'm so glad I could get away. It's great having something physical to throw yourself into - that's also useful and productive and we're all enjoying.
Sherlock and John bought sweet peas, so Sherlock has been attempting to erect some sort of gigantic wigwam for them to grow over.
Hanging a light over your kitchen window to deliver more hours of fluorescent light after the daytime light can also help if you want to start plants in the window or if you just want to grow some veg there in general. I have purchased pots of sage, parsley, rosemary which will sit on a shelf in my window until it's warm enough to plant them outside, and I'm sprouting cress there too. Up through last night there wasn't anything happening in the trays of cress, but today I can see green on some of the seeds so I think we're on our way!
I planted mâche, arugula, radishes and kohlrabi two weeks ago, and today I thinned them somewhat and ate a salad of the seedlings, and it tasted fantastic. There's just something marvelous about greens that fresh, and as I hate leftover seeds in packets, I sowed really heavily so that I could do this. It's delightful!
AftSO
I want hydroponics so we get more bigger fruits and vegetables and all year.
That's two pluses for hydroponics, for sure--but on the minus side, you don't get to dig holes or play in mud...
Did you have a good time today, Sherlock?
I think we need a greenhouse for hydroponics, Sherlock. So we can't try it yet. Maybe one day.
We have mud TOO and yes I had a good time except we didn't buy nearly enough at the garden place we should have bought loads there's still loads and loads of space with NOTHING in it. We should get a greenhouse you can make one.
I'm glad you had a good day, Sherlock.
You know, if you have lots of space, maybe you could research if there's a kind of purple flower you could grow for the wedding? (Of course, for that you'll need to know when the wedding will be... ;))
AftSO: I've not heard of mache* before, what sort of vegetable is it? I'm growing microgreens - cress, mustard and rocket (arugula) - which just means eating them when they've sprouted an inch or two. So delicious.
*and I can't work out how to do an a-circumflex on this keyboard.
Sherlock - I'm glad you had a good time. It's so tempting to go out and plant loads of stuff straight away, but sometimes it's good to pace yourself, otherwise you end up with no space to grow things later in the season, and far too much of what you're growing right now. It sounds like Lestrade gave John the perfect gift with the allotment :-)
Hi Nameless: mâche is a salad green. The internet tells me it's officially Valerianella locusta and also known as lamb's lettuce or corn salad. It has a mild taste and a buttery feel, and you can grow it early in spring before a lot of other lettuces are ready to be outside. I found one or two volunteer plants in my overgrown herb garden, where plants from 2 years ago went to seed. Ate them right out of the garden on April 7 and went out to buy seeds to start more because I remembered how much I love the taste. The thinnings seem to be great microgreens.
You know, Sherlock, there _are_ window hydroponics systems, both for retail sale and plans for do-it-yourselfers, at windowfarms.com and instructables.com and places like that. They require quite a lot of parts and materials though, so I would file that idea under "stuff to research and do later when it's not outdoor gardening season." Also I like dirt, dirt is awesome.
This year I planted seeds and put out a frost blanket over them, and I'm so happy with the results! I usually get forgetful about watering and germination takes forever, but this helps with both. Yay for technology!
AftSO
PS: Kohlrabi is my favorite vegetable name ever. And I actually like the vegetables, too!
I think we'd struggle to fit anything else in this flat, let alone hydroponics.
We call that lamb's leaf then, and yes, it's lovely.
You can make a window-farm type system out of plastic soda or water bottles. I don't remember where I saw this, but it was on line so a google search should turn it up. You cut the base off the soda bottle, put the cap on tight, turn it over so the cap is down, and hang it in the window. You can hang two or three in a long column too. Same idea as the windowfarms thing, but you don't have to buy any special equipment.
S
Post a Comment