TWEAKING AND TINKERING.

July 29, 2023 by dinahmow Leave a comment

Still faffing about, dithering between WordPress and Blogger. The poor tic-tac chap’s waving his hands about, completely confused as to what odds to give. How the hell does he think I feel!

Here’s a picture of sugar cane. Some is being cut now (July) and sent to one of the local mills.

As I mentioned, I’ve been uncertain whether to muddle along here or try again at Blogger. The jury’s still out…

While I was doing all this fiddling, I remembered another blog I’d started, a few years ago. I have no recollection of taking this photo (over the years I must have snapped dozens of boating events on the Waitemata Harbour.) But I rather like it, so I’m foisting sharing it with you. That’s the Auckland Harbour Bridge, in case you didn’t know.* ED: this image is, apparently, from the WordPress collection of possible headers!

Ooh! I’ve just noticed the time! I’d better get some breakfast sorted as John is coming to cut some of the Indigofera arrecta this morning. The reasonably warm weather and unseasonal rain has done wonders! As I write this, I’m wearing a fleecy hoodie and socks**, but I’ll no doubt peel off a couple of layers ere long.

A few weeks ago, when the bottom almost fell out of the thermometer, I noticed what looked like snow in a very shady part of the garden …

Definitely not snow and my knowledge of fungi is pretty rudimentary, but I think this was (possibly) some sort of slime mold. It was gone after a day or so.

I think this will have to do for now; I have “other plans” for the day. Ooh! I bet you’re all dying to know what!

Best guess might win a prize! Or not…

*Perhaps this is not one I took. If so, apologies to the photographer.

**And pants! Of course.

WINTER IN THE TROPICS…

…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

AN EXCITING POST.

That header could get me sued for false or misleading information. And we get quite enough of that from political shenanigans!

I was having a chat with Scarlet about planning an exciting post. So…I knew we had some timber left over from mending a fence and I wandered out to see if any posts were exciting. I certainly didn’t feel any shivers of excitement. No trembling breathlessness. Nada.

So you’ll just have to make do with my usual fare.

Here is a picture of….??? No, there is not a prize for knowing the answer. But feel free to be creative.

And another picture… hint: this one alludes to the excitement.

Another little snippet of excitement! A friend who spins, dyes and weaves beautiful Alpaca fleece has been experimenting with natural dyes and I’m going to grow some indigo for him. I did mess about with dyeing, years ago and grew some native indigo before we moved to Mackay. I have some soil prep to do before planting the seedlings. Just as well the weather pixies have finally got their act together!

We have not had the flooding some areas have seen, but damn! it’s good to have rain.

Now, I must scoot back to the kitchen and get breakfast sorted as a workman is coming this morning and may have to turn off the power.

Have another picture! And all done without one of those silly selfie sticks!