For weeks now I have had the same daily routine. Boring and maybe ‘meticulous’ to others but completely necessary for functioning. Only weeks because sometimes a new variable will be added, taken, replaced, or interrupted. I study everything and it takes time to get the combination just right for my methods.

Oh, what methods Lily? you may be wondering.

Methods that are completely irrelevant and useless to anyone with a normal brain.

First things first, coffee. 8 cups of water and currently 4 scoops- rationed like baby formula- ha.

I only say currently 4 scoops because sometimes the scooper changes. Its been a dipping sauce container, a measuring spoon with no markings, and anything that seemed best at the time. There’s a criteria you see, for everything. Coffee scooper can’t have edges for the grounds to get caught on and potentially spilled. It needs to hold enough but no too much. I like handles. Oh but they cant be so thick that it forces my hands to touch the inside of the canister. I don’t like it sticking to my wet hands.

I empty previous grounds into the sink. Bang on it. Rinse. Repeat.

Coffee Mate Hazelnut creamer, about 1/4 of the cup full. I need to buy more. I go scroll on my phone ignoring messages from my pesky sister and try to wake up.

I should be productive, do something today that maybe releases some damn happy hormones. A shower seems to daunting right now. The thought of being wet and cold is often an obstacle I have to over come- and that out-rules the half sink of dishes. With a huff I get dressed. Turning on my plant lights while slipping on my slides. None of the plants looked full and healthy I prefer to take in ones in need. Damaged goods and try to nurse them back to health. Most of them scanned out from the grocery store or some handy me down gifts. “Good morning Franky the Ficus.” A ginseng ficus with two trunks, but only one had a few leaves. “Oh Patty! You have a new pothos baby!” Apparently talking to plants encourages growth- like people. Plus the exchange of carbon dioxide is always helpful. I address the others while I turn on the humidifier and check the wetness. Orchids, philodendron, English ivy, and some seedlings that will most likely fail.

One block to the grocery store and only getting what I have to.

Creamer. Bread. Pop tarts. Maybe a couple apples. That should be enough for a few days.