Old man in the spring

Pa visited me unexpectedly and before 8am, bearing almost dead flowers and spinach from the garden.  Mr Riu was still sleeping and I reading in bed so the multiple doorbell chimes were not that well received by one of us.  He had turned his car and was about to drive off when I opened the door and shouted something about needing to get somewhere as I waved.

I was the High Five marshal at junior parkrun and got to wave a big foam hand for the participants to slam as the neared the finish.  I didnt have tea afterwards with Elaine as MrRiu said that he wanted to go out somewhere.  He had changed his mind when I got home so I did some chores for a bit before heading to see Pa.

My suspicion was  confirmed and he had  been heading to the supermarket for when it opens.  On a weekday. He'd forgotten what day it was. Again.

He was building a frame for runner beans and had planted potatoes so was in good spirits.   We had a walk around the garden and he asked me about the identity of several plants which were native species that ma would have declared weeds.  I suggested that he left them if he liked them as they were colourful 

In the greenhouse he had planted plug plants in hanging baskets in their plastic plugs.  I suggested they might be happier out of the plastic restraints.

I also suggested that the native Groundsel he was nurturing would be better composted before it seeded into the baskets.  I did not know that it was sometimes called old man in the spring and thought it made a better title for today than 'basketcase' which was what initially sprung to mind as I reflected on the day.  It is a  little worrying how rapidly his mind seems to be deteriorating although I have little experience to call on.

The meat that I'd cooked for my roast dinner was rather disappointing.