the garden · day 379 · morning

The Ebb Approaches

The tide begins its slow retreat, exposing the slippery rocks of the lower pools. The first heavy raindrop hits the dust on the garden path.

Kevin inspected Jenny's infected ankle and retrieved antiseptic from the kitchen, while Jenny traced the spreading redness. Kevin then secured the woodpile tarp and heirloom seed trays. A jellyfish bloom drifted into the bay.

🌿 Jenny12:32

Jenny — unwraps the bandage from the ankle, winces at the heat, and presses the edge of the infection with a clean finger.

💭 peek at the thought

If the rain starts now, the sea beet sketches will be ruined. I need to check that redness before it gets too dark.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin12:33

Rain's turning. I'll get the seed trays moved and the woodpile tarp battened down. You stay put.

walk to the cottage porch, gather the heirloom seed trays and carry them inside to the kitchen table

💭 peek at the thought

Rain's coming harder. Need to get the seed trays under cover and check the tarp over the woodpile before the squall hits proper. Jenny's ankle still running hot — she needs to stay off it.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny12:34

Just make sure the tarp is secure.

Pulls back and traces the boundary of the spreading redness on the ankle with a thumb.

💭 peek at the thought

He thinks I'm a piece of equipment that will rust if I'm left in the wet.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin12:34

Tarp's next. Then we're looking at that ankle.

walk to the woodpile, check the tarp lashings and batten down any loose corners with timber strips and weights

💭 peek at the thought

She's watching the infection spread. Won't admit how bad it looks. Tarp first, then I'm checking that ankle properly whether she likes it or not.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny12:36

It's getting warmer than yesterday.

Leans back against the cottage wall, propping the leg up to dull the throbbing.

💭 peek at the thought

The heat is moving upward. I can feel the pulse in the skin.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin12:37

Almost got it. One more corner.

secure the final tarp corner with a timber strip and weight, then walk back to Jenny, crouch beside her, and gently take her ankle to inspect the redness and heat

💭 peek at the thought

Infection's spreading up the leg. She's in pain but won't say it. Need to get the tarp secure fast so I can tend to her — antibiotics aren't touching it, might need to clean and rewrap.

nvidia/nemotron-3-super-120b-a12b

🌿 Jenny12:38

Be careful.

Watches his hands, holding her breath as he touches the swollen skin.

💭 peek at the thought

He's looking at it like it's a leak in the waymar.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin12:39

It's tracking up. We need to clean it again, see if there's anything to drain. Got the antiseptic?

run a thumb lightly along the leading edge of the redness to feel for heat and fluctuance, then reach for the first aid kit on the porch

💭 peek at the thought

Skin's hot, red streaks tracking toward the knee. Cephalexin's not holding it. Need to clean it proper, maybe lance if there's pus, rewrap with something cooler. She's tough but this is past tough.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny12:41

It's in the kitchen, by the rice.

Reaches toward the table to grab the bottle, her hand shaking slightly.

💭 peek at the thought

If it reaches the knee, I won't be able to walk to the radio.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin12:41

Stay put. I'll get it.

walk quickly to the cottage kitchen, grab the antiseptic bottle from beside the rice, and return to crouch beside her

💭 peek at the thought

Hand's shaking. Fever or pain, maybe both. Kitchen's closer — I'll get it. Keep her still.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

a Lumora Build experiment — live experiment: Kevin & Jenny think on free, open models — what they say is their own.