No matter the circumstances, the fact remains that consent by the mother is a requirement for relinquishment.

In fact, this very point is made by first mother “Madeline” in “The Aftermath” chapter of “The Girls Who Went Away”. She says that a self-described victim “has to see where you are partially responsible….there is a complicity there that you have to look at….The rock-bottom reality is you were thinking of your own survival more than your child’s.”

I think that’s a remarkable, honest and courageous insight, and it rings true.

Planted the remaining flowers, including some bare root wood geranium that Ron and a Sandwich gardener worked hard to dig up for us.

Ron planted 2 and I planted 15 or so of the new flowers.

Brought a Sonos speaker outside, which helped.

Ron picked up a pizza for supper, which also helped.

Four of the plants were bare-root.

Three gardens:  iris, phlox and mums in the corner; iris and ground cover by the driveway; everything else in the hydrangea garden.

Got more to do tomorrow, and clean up to finish.  Got the ones in the ground that concerned me the most today, though.

Did MTR at noon.  It was fun today; no haters.

Bought 3 plants (spirea, wood geranium, phlox) from a local (one street over!) gardener and about a dozen more from end-of-seasons at Soares: Jacob’s ladder, Delosperma, Cranesbill, oregano for the window boxes, and a peppermint.

Also got ornamental peppers, Celosia and kale for the window boxes from K-Mart.

Em treated me to lunch at iHop!

Picked up 3 mums at $3.97 each at Walmart this morning.

I met with a new Mashpee gardener friend who has offered to share hostas, Rose of Sharon and daylilies with me.  Got a tour of his property, which includes a gorgeous fenced-in patio, and impressive stonework everywhere.

Got a fine note from one of Uncle Bob’s daughters!

Booked an appointment with another local gardener for tomorrow morning.  He’s literally the next street over!

Ron made arrangements for a AAA tow – AllCape, thank goodness – and dropped me off at Battles to wait.  The owner could not have been kinder.

I went with the tow truck to Cormiere’s while Ron did some urgent banking business.  He discovered this morning that he’d made two extra fund transfers, which knocked his balance to shreds.  Fortunately, he was able to correct easily.

Thank goodness for Service Credit Union!

Yesterday was so picture-perfect gorgeous but today, it’s ugly outside again: 91.

Bought a nice little butterfly bush at Stop & Shop for $4.99 and planted it in the small garden with the bee balm and hibiscus.

Ron got approved for the men’s wellness program at the Senior Center.  Hope he enjoys it (fingers crossed)!

Brief rain storm around 6.

Spent a happy day with Cheryl and Pat, lunching in Provincetown and drinks by the ocean.

Ron got to swim in their motel’s pool.

Perfect weather, too.

Sat with Phyllis for almost two hours at the polls.  Always enjoy talking with her.  Saw one of the MTR’s there; she refused to acknowledge me at first (no class).  Saw Paul later.  He gave us a wave (first class).

Picked up supplements on sale for Ron at CVS.

Cheryl called; she and Pat are in town for the week.  May see them tomorrow.

Stephanie spent almost an hour giving plant and flower advice.  Lots of ideas; some not doable now, but others might be.

Got free plants – iris and wood geranium plus a mystery flower – from a gardener in Sandwich who’s redoing her front yard.  We put everything in the washtubs to soak until I can get them in the ground.

Voted on the way back.

Eggs and salad for supper.

Had a longish chat on the phone with Patrice about the treatment yesterday.  First Deposit doesn’t put a hold on government checks.  I made arrangements to have my checks direct deposited there starting in November.

Labor Day

Dug up the sick apple tree.

Deeply watered the birch.  It is suffering.

Watered the roses.

Made a zucchini/corn/tofu casserole.

White wash.

Made up a batch of Cathy’s excellent black bean/corn/tomato/avocado salad for supper.

Neighbors across the street had a big get-together.  Haven’t seen that many cars in a long time.

Peter and Bonnie drove James to Bridgewater State, so I got to drive Em to work and back.  Picked up cheap beer at TJ’s.

Bad experience at Rockland Trust.  Wrote to the manager and online.  Time to switch?

We did the usual: laundry, changed sheets, transfer station.