…is not as rosy as some of you might think! My hands are so cold you can expect a few more typois thea usl.
But, for the most part, I do like this time of year. Grass does not need the relentless scalping of summer. And, as an even bigger bonus, my neighbours on both sides have these modern battery-driven mowers. They purr around their lawns making less noise than a kitchen blender!
Our “retirement routine” has, as is right and proper, been adjusted to allow for occasional naps. Sitting in the mellow after-lunch sunshine with a book and dozing off. And, although I’m an early bird, I no longer have to do breakfast -by-the-clock. Except for last week and this week. The Man has been called for possible jury selection and has to front-up at the Courthouse at 0900 hours, if called.
But it’s not much of a disruption to the domestic time table, except that I can’t drive off to coffee dates with friends.
I think we need a spot of colour in here, don’t we. Let’s see if I can help…https://www.facebook.com/reel/773894437437658/?s=single_unit
Remember I said there are goannas hereabouts? Well, the other day, The Man found a young-ish goanna out by the mail box and it didn’t seem quite “right” This was during a cold snap when temps dropped sharply overnight and the wind was straight up from the ice-bound continent. These lizards are, of course, cold-blooded and there was bugger-all sunshine for it to do much basking. So, we put him in a basin, with some dry grass and put him in a sheltered spot. But he didn’t seem to improve even when we were all running about in shorts and sunscreen, so we called a wildlife carer. Said carer(s) was/were busy so The Man took the lizard to the vet. It’s not a happy story, but the vet said there was really only one thing to do. So he did it.
OK! More colour…lichen on a mangrove branch.

The friend who’s whole-heartedly into this Indigo thing came over one Saturday and we cut a big binful from the patch at the front. When I say “binful”, I mean a large dustbin, approx. 75 litres; not quite as big as a standard wheelie-bin. Add to that, the several other patches he has around town and he had 5 vats of indigo! He reduces the liquid to a heavy paste consistency and stores it in jars. In the kitchen fridge, initially, but now he’s got his own indigo-dedicated fridge and the kitchen fridge has more room for the usual comestibles. (Happy wife!)
I’m still trying to find a garden centre that has this in stock: Petrea volubilis. When I find one, it can go bonkers on the back fence! Not called “sandpaper vine” for nothing!

Mr. Mago does us proud with his musical selections, and we can count on Jon to keep us up-to-date with current trends. I have wide-ranging musical tastes, but today, I’m winding back my clock to this voice. Take it away, Edith! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZR8QCmWmwM