RAIN RAIN GO AWAY COME AGAIN ANOTHER DAY

No need to water the garden today! Wet cold days continue and I'm wondering just when we can expect a hint of summer. The upside is that everything is well nourished and healthy. Craig's potatoes are heading upwards at a pace he can't keep up with. They are well heaped up, but just how many potatoes is enough? Promises of homemade chips turning up don't cut the mustard and the thought of expanding waistlines is pretty unpalatable.

Apart from the glut of potatoes and self-sown pumpkins, tomatoes are thriving also. For now, lettuces growing in tubs leap happily into salads on a daily basis. Gosh, they are so easy to grow! 

Our latest and last supply of firewood for next winter arrived a few days ago ... all five meters of it! Chunky split pine logs that we got stuck in and moved quickly undercover. What a job that was! Well worth doing ahead of the rain.

As I sit here, I notice the sun has just come out............ Oh goody! The house immediately feels warmer.

On a different subject;  hearing the decision to do away with plastic shopping bags is a positive step and not before time. Been dancing around the subject for too long... in my view.  Much can be achieved by making positive changes. Our preference for public transport, for one thing, makes it a lot easier to put something aside for later. It soon mounts up! 

The last of the tangelos. Some were whoppers. The trees were in need of more light, so it was necessary to cut them back. Previously, they harboured scale, whitefly, and other pests. Lots of dead wood and so on.

Roses sprawl over the gazebo. Duc Joseph and Bantry Bay are the two varieties. They're pretty independent and launch an attack on me whenever I get too close! 

Duc Joseph .... isn't she beautiful.

JUST WHAT PLANET DO YOU THINK YOU'RE ON.......?

"Er.......... not sure really, but just thought I'd drop by and have a look around... as you  do."

Well, the insect was foraging around amongst the grapes and caught my eye... not literally of course, but worth a closer look all the same. Considerably smaller than the edited photo, at around 5cm he or she as it turns out, is a bit of a mystery. After contacting the Conservation Department and emailing the photo, it will be interesting to know a bit more about our visitor.

CAT AND MOUSE.....?

What mouse? Looks more like a bird.

This bird is really starting to annoy me, but I know how to fix him........ No eye contact and it works every time.

Something I said...? Guess not... afterall, I'm just a mere bird of few words but there he goes mooching off yet again. Anyway, he'll be back soon enough when curiosity gets the better of him.

Yup, works every time. Just show him the cat treats...........

Who cares.........................

Hello—it's me......................

Well, what a performance figuring out the uploading problems. A message came up as I tried uploading to Facebook advising the pop up blocker was causing it. Anyway, it's sorted at last and here's what Tweets has to say,  above the sound of Craig mowing the lawn..............

"Hello, it's me—Tweets.".... "Baby's a dear wee" .... "It's me, Tweets speaking."
He often says, "I'm a dear wee boy" .......... 'You're a good little bird'....... 'Mummy's little baby'. In the past he would say, 'My name is Tweety-bird de Lacey and I love you so much.' But a close call with a couple of cats a few months ago shortened his repertoire somewhat. Close to nine and a great source of amusement.

The upload took 90 minutes which seems a long time. Perhaps I need to find out why, but in the meantime I hope you enjoy this clip.

Just how many lives can a cat lose.....?

I reckon its got to be at least one after the fright this morning. Boy, it's enough to set any cat's teeth on edge — and I'm no exception, I can tell you that much...........

Anyway, from my perspective it's a pain in the backside when a storm like this suddenly strikes:  scaring the daylights out of any cat — me in particular. The day started off well enough until this happened and at the time I was underfoot in the kitchen and waiting patiently as usual. Soon enough, there was the distant rumbling of thunder, then a large clap right overhead. It actually takes a bit to put me off my food, especially chicken, but this sure did and I scampered off to find Craig. He was sitting unfazed in his favourite chair, leafing through the paper and placing his cuppa at his feet.  A quick leap up and I felt safe.

Thunder, lightening and hail pelting down on the roof. Isn't spring a week or two away? And on that subject there's plenty of planning going on about what to put here and grow there. Seems we're going to be getting a comfrey plant which will bed down nicely in a large tub. Apparently, left to its own devices it would take over the whole place — or is that an exaggeration?  Well, even the best made plans sometimes go awry. After paying the $30.00 membership fee, in order to purchase the plant online, it could not be placed as, 'you know who' forgot her user name:  and all in the space of about fifteen minutes........  (Comfrey fertiliser is the panacea of many garden woes. Place the leaves in a covered container, add water and leave to rot down. Sprayed or poured around vegetables in particular and the results are well worth the odour apparently.)

Well, the log in hiccup is just one problem;  the other being the problem of some stubborn mule lurking in the innards of that lofty tower, gripping selfishly at any video uploads and leaving the user demented.  On this subject, many thanks to Teo for your advice on sorting it out. But — this is a mule we're dealing with here and I don't see much happening anytime soon.

Oh well, if you'll just excuse me for now, I'll have a quick cat nap to sleep off my dinner.......

Change is the only constant.

But, why do we feel the need to resist it?  After all, it's just the way it is — isn't it............?

Anyway, most times, it's just easier to go with the flow and simply adapt, albeit grudgingly. But, it's a humbug all the same, an unnecessary annoyance, a blot on an otherwise splendid day.

So — what has got me steaming..........?  Well, it's my computer of course, that's the other humbug, the one I thought I had finally tamed. Anyway, just what does lurk in that stately tower?  Whatever it is, it's enough to test your self-control?

Hmmm.........

Well, time to take a deep breath, return the hammer to its rightful place, and try to think laterally. Is this simply where another change occurred? Perhaps some sort of improvement in the blogger department causing difficulties along the way.

Of course, this problem could have stemmed from my own fiddling around and deleting history comes to mind. Possibly it has something to do with the cookies.  Anyway, after tinkering further in Blogger Help, I see that FTP is no longer available.......

So, what is it anyway?  Do I have it, do I even care..........? 

Well, so much for change being the only constant, perhaps on this occasion, these changes were of my own making.

 Oh, blow it.......... I need a cuppa.

What next?

"So okay, I'm not supposed to be up on the servery, but how is a cat expected to look his best when some-one is towering over him with a flashy thing that keeps on clicking: and he's supposed to look pleased with himself in the process. I don't know what to make of some people at times................................................"

"Just do what I do and keep your head down:  see, what did I tell you, there she goes off to snap at the garden. Flowers, I mean. The ones close to where you were digging..... remember............."
 

"Hmmm......................how could I forget........................................"

Harrison spends a good bit of his time sniffing around these tubs of catmint or rolling on the catmint growing in garden beds.

The hydrangeas have done well this year after so much rain. A wonderful year for the roses also as they continue to bloom for months on end.

.

"I told you so, more of the same, and so boring.........................."

HANG ON A MINUTE.....

Thank goodness someone has his feet firmly on the ground before we're all taken off on yet another flight of fancy.

Seems Dr Brash is touting his idea to cut government spending to what it was four years ago.  Could it be that the free-market revolution continues to be the panacea of all our economic woes?  Or maybe there's just a whiff of Roger Douglas here
Anyway, here's the upshot...............

It says anyone earning more than $14,000 a year would pay less tax and that would lead to  "a surge of enterprise, excitement about the future, and stronger economic growth".

But, to pay for the tax cuts and to stimulate the economy, Brash's report proposes cutting government spending to 2005 levels of 29 percent of GDP, within three years.

That would see some $9 billion cut from core government operating spending. Proposals for achieving this include:

* "Ambitious"  welfare reform including cutting beneficiary numbers, raising age of super eligibility, fewer universal subsidies

* Scrapping Kiwisaver subsidies and axing the Cullen super fund and using the cash to repay debt

* End cheap doctors' visits and scrap prescription subsidies for middle class

* Cut funding for early childhood education

* Scrap interest-free student loans

* Abolish youth minimum wage and cut adult minimum wage

Hmm........?  This just came to mind.............................

RING A RING O'ROSES

a pocketful of posies, atishoo, atishoo, all fall down

"Now, be sure that you're all in step..................."

ALL THAT HOO-HA

over the foreshore and seabed debacle, could leave someone with a sinking feeling----------- don't you think......................?

ARTFUL DODGER

So, have the economic experiments of the 1980s really paid off.............?
It seems, flying free on the taxpayer might be getting up a few noses, but where there's entitlement. Why not?

But Sir, is this what you would have expected from your employees?
Of course, all there in signed contracts, clear as mud..........
And Sir, may I ask how you treated your reps?  Did they have all the usual perks;  company car, expense account, manageable territory ....................................?

Well, it seems that tearing all around the North Island, away three weeks out of four, did little to appeal to one Red Seal applicant back in the 80's before exiting the interview post haste.

No free travel here as it turned out.  Running the prospective rep's own car into the ground peddling the company's wares, the final straw.

Solace from the Beehive..

This little piggy went to market.

This little piggy stayed at home.
This little piggy has roast beef,
This little piggy had none.
And this little piggy cried "Wee! Wee! Wee!" all the way home.......................................

And there's nothing like being back home after all that jetting around I say...
Yeah, I know..............Be damned if you do. Be damned if you don't. Anyway an MP's life is tough and a few perks here and there never compensate for all the flak I can tell you..!

So, what's the latest gripe.....? Skiving off? Carting the girlfriend along? Running off at the mouth? Who cares..........?

Reckon you can do better?  Hmmph... you'd need my brain for that. So why not throw your hat into the ring. Give it a go. See what happens?

And I reckon it takes real guts to put up with the crap we get----
Er........... yes Prime Minister, working on the language problem, crap in hand. Really sorry for what I said!  But not for what it bloody-well means...................................!

I must be getting old...

How often do we look back and think of those from our past?  Friends, now long gone...

This takes back me to two people we met long ago, neighbours at the time, but friends never the less. A time well stamped in my memory when we would invite Rose and her husband over for the evening. A time for a good chin-wag... Rose and I shared a common interest in music, we both loved to play the piano and our respective husbands enjoyed discussing their interests, albeit the same time. Now and again there would be an interruption. "Now-now Rosie dear!" A reminder to tone it down a bit.

Norm's many anecdotes, particularly of their travels abroad held us enthralled. We were just a young couple at the time, in our early twenties, two little sons and another on the way. Overseas travel and all those adventures - simply a dream... 

At the time of moving into our newly built home, Rose and Norm were overseas and as yet, we had not met them. As it turned out however, it happened quite soon afterwards and it was when Norm happened to be standing at the front of his place. He soon introduced himself and from that point on, we hit it off.  Age was no barrier, their sixty or so years made no difference and the hilarious times we spent listening to their adventures, we never tired of.

We soon learned that they spent six months of each year on some pacific island where the climate was warmer. The rest of the time, across the road from our place.

It was early in the peace that Rose shared her green tomato chutney recipe with me and I whipped it together the moment I got my hands on some green tomatoes. From then on it has been a family favourite.

Because they were overseas when green tomatoes were available, I would make enough for all of us -  I think of them with each new lot..

One year Dad gave us a bottle of Old Parr which we were delighted to offer our new friends. Neither of us were interested in the whiskey, but it went down a treat with Rose and Norm. The room livened up, stories flowed... "Now-now Rosie!" at frequent intervals and I think the room actually shook with all the hilarity.

Now, If you two should just happen to be looking down from wherever it is you are these days, how about dropping in to update us on your latest adventures.............?

FLEETING VISIT.........

"Ah! so you're the prime minister of Noo Zeeeeland...?"

"Where is that by the way.... er.... somewhere near that other place... um... Austraaaaalia?"

"And tell me, do you get mail down there?" Simple enough question from Letterman, but why the interest?  Hmmm, Let-ter-man....  What does it denote exactly? A man of letters?..... Perhaps he moonlights as a postman?

Well done Mr Key!  Stood your ground, albeit a few minutes. Worthy of a standing ovation all the same.

Anyway, who was actually behind those ten questions? Didn't sound like your usual address or perhaps you had a little help? Some Yank maybe, thrusting a fistful of notes into your right hand - at the last minute?

Guess I was expecting a little more. Apart from our beautiful scenery, much admired worldwide, a mention of some of our achievements would have gone down well. Considering our population of 4,331,151 or thereabouts;  Kiwis per capita have contributed significantly. In sport, the arts, science to name a few. And wasn't it around 1917, Earnest Rutherford split the atom?

Some notable quotes from the man himself:

On his vocation:                         "All science is either physics or stamp collecting."
On New Zealand innovation:    "We don't have the money, so we have to think."
On a self-important person:      "That man is an Euclidean point: position without substance."

Gets you thinking, eh...

The new acquisition

has arrived, but what has this photo got to do with it...?

It was the first of many appearing out of the blue. Some still, others in motion. All turning up in monotonous regularity. But how did that happen? The answer is simple; I don't know, but you can get rather sick of looking at a screen, keyboard and messy desk after a while.

All I know is that it was an arduous journey. A journey into the unknown and all because I merely - pressed a few things. My other camera was far less complicated, but I dare say things will fall into place soon enough: meanwhile, I will be snapping at everything in sight.

So, welcome to the new camera!  Hastily bought after the little freebie finally kicked the bucket and I was lost without it. Possibly it had been sourced from the Far East somewhere, part of a bulk purchase perhaps, maybe even bought on the cheap after being flung together from the sweepings of the floor.

Anyway, it was a right little struggler; churning out several exceptional shots before fading into extinction.  So, what the heck. It was no more than an inducement to Time Magazine. However, it feels more like parting with an old friend or saying goodbye to the family car, new owner at the wheel.
So, there we have it, another acquisition.  Oh!... before I forget -  just how the heck do I attach the wrist strap .......?


 

PRUNING, SPRAYING, TRIMMING BACK

Finally did the weed spraying today. Ridding the garden of oxalis is an ongoing job, but just keeping on top of it is something. It is a beautiful day here and a great chance to get a fair bit done. Roses were pruned last week as well as a good cut back of some of the shrubs. It will also be interesting to see how soon the tomato seeds pop up now that they have been sown. All in a large tub under shelter so they should harden up and be ready for planting out in a month or two.

As always, Corban ambles along behind me sniffing this and that. However, he is looking quite old and the walks are slowing down somewhat, particularly as we make our way back home. This doesn't stop us calling him Puppy and in some ways I think he behaves accordingly, he is a lovely boy. Harrison made the mistake of trying to share his bone recently and quickly found there were no seconds. Quite funny to see Corban one up for a change, the cat soon put in his place. Harrison has been enjoying rump steak lately as it has been on special at the supermarket. Heated up in the microwave and down in a flash!

The other thing I got on to last week after reviewing my budget and seeing a shortfall, was the need to put an end to the wheelie bins. After checking alternatives online, I discovered a 44 gallon drum plus complimentary bag for recyclables emptied on a casual basis and only twelve dollars per collection. This and a decent pile of firewood left over means there's no need to reorder for next winter.

Here is a really delicious recipe to whip up once the tomatoes are ripe and perhaps you will make it also. Let me know how it goes...

EASY TO MAKE CREAMY TOMATO SOUP

Caramelise tomatoes to enrich the flavour:

Preheat oven to 200c degrees. Strain chopped canned tomatoes and reserve the juice. Spread tomatoes onto
a baking sheet, add salt and pepper, drizzle about 1/4 cup olive oil and roast for 15 minutes or so.

small can chopped Tomatoes
3/4 cup olive oil
1 stalk celery )
1 small carrot ) diced
1 small onion )
1 clove minced garlic
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup cream

Heat remaining olive oil in saucepan, add celery, carrot, onion and garlic and cook for a few minutes until soft.

Add roasted chopped tomatoes, reserved tomato juice, chicken broth and butter. Simmer gently for about 20 minutes or so until cooked. Puree soup in blender, return to saucepan and add cream.

Delicious served with croutons and garnished with chopped chives...

TAMING THE SHREW

PC HARDWARE, TAURANGA to the rescue and a shock to the system for the humbug!

The long awaited RAM has been installed and what a difference it has made. Yesterday, after enquiring about the necessary component, having it installed free of charge and a few welcome tips along the way, I now have a computer that runs like a train. Well, that is how my sister in law describes her computer after installing an external hard drive and performing a thorough cleanup.

Seems my regular cleanups and maintenance have paid off and it's in good shape. Rather amazing after all the fiddling around. There is no doubt that a wealth of knowledge on the subject is on Google and this is where I have been able to access it.

Many thanks again to Alexander of PC Hardware. Wonderful service! You have another loyal customer and without hesitation, I will be recommending this firm to others.

The other good news is that a tree in the back garden is in blossom. Spring is on the way and soon enough, summer will be with us again. After the cold snap, blustery winds and rain, this is another thing to look forward to.

SECOND WIND FOR THE HUMBUG

What a performance to speed up the computer, but well worth the effort once done. After waiting 30 minutes to get online yesterday, I'd had enough. Time to get serious and boot the problems out once and for all, hopefully...? How is the humbug behaving today? Like a well disciplined child...

Anyway, why bother with all those unused fonts, pretty desktop features and something-or-other index to name a few. By increasing virtual memory, the over all difference is only too apparent. I haven't been able to track down the memory component I needed without getting in a technician so after a good hunt on the net, that bit of Kiwi ingenuity has come in handy in the end.

I remember well the frustration of not finding a manual with the new computer. It drove me mad! Little did I realise the answers were on the tormentor itself. Perhaps I'm just catching up with how things are done now and my piles of neglected books on dusty shelves are a constant reminder
Seems we're past the days of corner shops, men who doff their hats and kids playing tiggy until it's too dark to see. Everything is fast pace, useby dates on most things, electronics upgraded or superceded before we can turn around and the burden of disposing of them is, another story.

Hmmm...

SAY CHEESE!

Perhaps I shouldn't remind Corban...?


Pets out and about enjoying the sun. Tweety-bird keeping an eye on Guinea and Furbie. Bunny-hop in front, looking a bit like a tortoise.

Guinea seems to be keeping a close watch on Tweety-bird. Perhaps he's remembering to guard his food...




"Can you just mind out of the way for a minute? I've got an idea."



"Did somebody say something about cheese? I love cheese and get a few bits each day. I know to wait by the frig and soon enough - some comes my way! Anyway...how do you like my hat?"

Hmm...hot cheese scones for tea? Good idea!

CHEESE SCONES

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

2 cups grated tasty cheese

1 cup full-cream milk

Method:

Preheat oven to 220º C. Put tray in to heat.Sift flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and cayenne pepper into a bowl. Mix in cheese. Make a well in the centre.

Check you have a clear bench with flour on it, the oven is fully heated. You want the scones to go into the oven as soon as possible.

Add the milk, mix quickly with a knife. Turn out onto a floured bench and quickly shape into a 3 cm thick rectangle. Cut into 8 and put onto your floured, hot tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes. You’ll smell them as they get ready. Delicious! If you don’t eat them all they freeze well. To reheat put them into an oven for about 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

DREAM HOLIDAY?

Maybe not...............

After the long flight and making my way to the most comfortable looking hotel I could find, I checked in, dropped my luggage on the bed and boiled the jug. Nibbled on a couple of crackers and after finishing my hot drink, decided to have a short wander around the streets nearby. Just needed to stretch my legs, so wouldn't be long. Grabbing the key and locking the door on the way out I headed off into the early evening. The lights were just starting to come on and people milled about. Couples heading for restaurants and sweethearts walking hand in hand.

It must have been a good thirty minutes or so since I left the hotel and I had simply lost track of time. I'd also lost track of where I was. All the streets looked the same and I realised with horror I hadn't taken stock of my bearings at all. Too interested in all the activity going on around me!

As I tried to retrace my steps it also occurred to me I hadn't taken note of the hotel either. Just hastily headed off out taking the key only. My purse and belongings left behind - somewhere! Panic welled up and that awful smell of fear as realisation hit. I was lost in this sprawling city! My heart pounded as I desperately searched for familiar sights.

A loud wailing noise in my ears added to the stress. It would stop every now and again, but then... on it went. On and on!

By now darkness had settled in and the streets and buildings were well lit up. The persistent wailing continued, my ears drummed and all I could think of was how could I have been so stupid!

Suddenly, I woke up with a start! My eyes shot open as I sat bolt right up in bed and there was Harrison prowling back and forth on the deck and wailing to come in for a snack!

I'm not sure just how many of his nine lives he has left, but one thing I do know for sure - it's one less!

PAYPAL OR PLAY FOUL?

Let's face it, what does Paypal conjure up?

A friendly reliable mate expediting online payments, or some difficult to reach global organisation in the virtual world of cyber space?

Seems to me the cart could be before the horse when dealing with this outfit as I discovered when making my first purchase nearly two weeks ago. The replacement Victoriana Rose sugar bowl from the UK.

After confirming registration and the hype to buy! I did! Well no, actually I did not... You see it wasn't possible to complete the payment without a confirmation code.

What code and where was it? After several emails to the seller, Paypal and eBay, I finally got it from my bank.
At last, time to make the payment! Well no! Paypal has disabled my debit card, citing a problem with the expiry date. Another phone call to the bank, the card is indeed active.
But, how to pay when Paypal records a disabled card! Another email to enlighten them... May take a few days for reply... Still waiting!
Now, I mentioned something about the cart being before the horse. Well, apart from the hype to buy before verification, there's a $3.00 bank debit set up fee. So what! Barely enough for 500 grams of butter, hardly worth getting your knickers in a twist about.

Consider thousands of others and it's no trifling amount. It may be argued the fee is refunded with the first purchase but, does this put a different light on it? Probably not. Dropping interest rates aside, the sheer volume would amount to a tidy sum.

How to pay for my sugar bowl? Well, your guess is as good as mine.....