tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44041674323633690252024-02-18T18:34:00.024-08:00Thoughts from the BushAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-40496718421702412142013-06-22T23:29:00.002-07:002013-06-22T23:58:47.890-07:00the slough of despond...<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sorry to sound gloomy. I am. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pat the local businesswoman has been stuffing me around for over two weeks now, still owing me about $600. Oh, boy, a great fundraiser that wasn't for us! I won't bore you with the details of how she messes with one's brain, going to come, not turning up, not answering her phone, then turning up and not having the money or the list of items. It goes on and on, and I severely want to scream, but it would worry the dogs greatly if I vented!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On a more cheerful note, my harvest goes on going - I have an embarrassment of crops, varying from the potatoes, oca, yacon to a huge yam bean root I found today quite by serendipity, and the winter salad leaves are just starting to approach picking stage. So far I have only gathered rocket leaves, but very friendly they are picked fresh from the plant. The first radishes are not too far away now also, though my peas are still thinking about life. The broad beans are looking happy, not at all minding the frosts. Amazingly there are still a few tomatoes hanging on, though most of the poor things have to be picked up green as they fall off after the heavy frosts. I have discovered that goats adore green tomatoes and squelch them up with a faraway expression of bliss. I also managed to pick the last of the capsicums despite them being frosted. Add to those El's excess purple yam and sweet potato and I will scarcely go hungry. I have a problem with the yam, though, as it sort of exudes snot all over one's hands during preparation. Not only is this very off-putting but is very hard to get off skin! Oh, well, look not a gift yam askance...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The magpies are once again singing my praises as they have a breakfast of pet mince, their baby growing daily. I'm quite expert now at flicking a surreptitious spoonful to the butcher-birds so they can have food without it being taken by the much larger magpies. The wallabies are a bit hungry by now, but there's little I can do for them apart from putting out water regularly.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I must go again. I thought I'd look in though with a whinge - hopefully I'll be back a bit sooner next time! I have just had scratching on the door, groaned and got up (I am a revolving dog door) so Mischief and Cody could come in and look reproachful because they reckon it's time to go out - but I only took them out an hour ago. Sigh. They keep me exercised!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">with apologies for pinching this!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Very best wishes to everyone, and I hope you are all surviving the rush of dramas that seem to be affecting every country at present.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-81129829753015053212013-06-15T03:30:00.001-07:002013-06-15T03:30:14.076-07:00...and we very nearly had a tornado!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSsRxVk88KFoBFRpuSiyJdjsCtyid5eXbGoKIn1_jQkeF20GHO2FTFJVyrz55quCEL3R8k1-Fau8FPGWUlCR-nEpo9vjwyfBDPQ2N_zXxxa0rdnft0X83lyKqW862bw7BsGxaQICi2f0/s1600/storm+damage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hi all,</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And folk in Oz would know about the tornado that flattened Pratten. It happened thus: on Wednesday the forecast for the Southern Downs was for clear weather with a cool change coming in overnight. Then a weather forecaster happened to glance at the radar.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">'I wonder where that band of storms came from?' he wondered idly before it occurred to him that the storms were about to hit an area not forecast for rain. The met office then hastily, and somewhat late, issued a severe weather warning; but they later changed their minds and cancelled it - before the storm hit!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the ground we knew that there was severe weather happening, from about 6.45p.m. onwards.A line of storm clouds rumbled to the west, with lightning constantly flickering brightly across the night sky. The dogs said they didn't like the sound of it at all, and it certainly looked and sounded ferocious. It roared steadily across so I went to look up the radar, puzzled by the huge impending storm. The picture was certainly fierce, a line of storms working from west to east. The severe weather warning had appeared on the screen forecasting the probability of heavy rain and hail.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dogs and I watched it come over until it hit, when the driving rain was too heavily lashing for us to stay out on the verandah. I felt very sorry for the poor goats up in their pen as they hate storms, but I definitely do not have goats in the house. Not only was it intense, but the booms and flashes went on far longer than usual for thunder storms.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Eventually it calmed down and I was able to squelch the dogs up the paddock for their nighttime relief before bed. The goats were wet but philosophical.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Come the morning news, and Pratten and Bony Mountain, both close to here, had been hit with a small tornado. I tried to import a Google map to show you but, sigh, I couldn't do it. Instead here are photo's from the news:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W1rSEshHbZJf8yJsmnSzXG3aBW0bqJQ0rxTQM13rMAvXpXzX9huwHWLkU9olt8k4NkSNgvEH_-YdvkRMYojphCBZH3U1oTm6Ezv9MnY_VSRC4vKiQqxJGR0_VWEgKnVDJNYTNEjfGko/s1600/storm+damage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W1rSEshHbZJf8yJsmnSzXG3aBW0bqJQ0rxTQM13rMAvXpXzX9huwHWLkU9olt8k4NkSNgvEH_-YdvkRMYojphCBZH3U1oTm6Ezv9MnY_VSRC4vKiQqxJGR0_VWEgKnVDJNYTNEjfGko/s320/storm+damage3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was a mostly-built dream home that the owner-builder hadn't got around to insuring. There's a moral there!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV57Gl1PdsUUPEcSIqLZ3etPxM0uA3Ao7_lYc5D8naIVFDFDnHy3MhfzdiOP_NXghd8QRSXQ0M7rfldB4gFJFIuCwM816ZMKWRHv8rI0V0QO0uJggY0K4_7vmk1YvTLnzBMXCdSDB4DnY/s1600/storm+damage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV57Gl1PdsUUPEcSIqLZ3etPxM0uA3Ao7_lYc5D8naIVFDFDnHy3MhfzdiOP_NXghd8QRSXQ0M7rfldB4gFJFIuCwM816ZMKWRHv8rI0V0QO0uJggY0K4_7vmk1YvTLnzBMXCdSDB4DnY/s320/storm+damage2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a little girl and her pup Market, who had been tethered to his kennel. Dog and kennel sailed 30m through the air... the dog bit through his tether and fled, taking some time for the owners to find, poor thing.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgpcoxzQHXibP5m_7Pqx_YqwTX56Vz5SIP7sWBtFNutfRRA21HoJ9eJ7ZpX8q7EMmjoHN4TunzoirVMr9n-DXwDvAzNk58Pzz-B09iMrPF6z-9b8hZarC2i0WWyN1XqD05dyT2AAacsE/s1600/storm+damage6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgpcoxzQHXibP5m_7Pqx_YqwTX56Vz5SIP7sWBtFNutfRRA21HoJ9eJ7ZpX8q7EMmjoHN4TunzoirVMr9n-DXwDvAzNk58Pzz-B09iMrPF6z-9b8hZarC2i0WWyN1XqD05dyT2AAacsE/s320/storm+damage6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And this was what a few houses looked like, rather demolished. While it doesn't compare to the US kind of tornado, it still was very unfriendly. Amazingly there was only one casualty, from flying glass, and he was alright after treatment.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We were so lucky here with just heavy rain, plus today we had a few hours without power from damage done to the power supply. That's life - bored with drought one minute, squashed the next!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope I haven't made this mailing too heavy, but I hope you enjoy the news report...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take care of yourselves. everyone -</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fliss</span></span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-84584320105081674142013-06-12T00:06:00.004-07:002013-06-12T00:06:41.161-07:00omg, what a week!<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hi, friends,</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And as I predicted last week was a doozy - though not all in the ways I had expected. The people supposed to view the house didn't show (what's new?), so that work was wasted.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then on Friday, when El came to work with me to price everything up for the garage sale, someone left a gate unlocked. Banjo the boofhound forced his way through and ate a whole rat bait - the only one I had laid, in the best spot for waylaying the mice - and so I had an emergency visit to Warwick to visit the vet's. Banjo thought it all quite an adventure, except for being made to throw his nice bait back up again. Sigh. the idea of a garage sale was to make money, not spend it on vet's bills.We were also about four hours behind with our timing.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Somehow we managed to have everything doen and ready for the 7.30 a.m. start on Saturday, and it all started off fine. Then there was a lull, as people whistled past on the main road to Allora to view the auction things laid out for Monday (it's a huge, once-a-year fundraiser). I figured the folk would call in on their way back from the viewing, which started to happen. Then a local businesswoman bustled in - and cleaned us out! She has numerous children and grandchildren, and wanted nearly everything we had for them all. It was highly embarrassing having other people standing around open-mouthed and unable to buy anything. So we had to close the sale early - I have never heard of that happening before. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next the lady, P, said she couldn't actually <i>take </i>everything that day but would return on Sunday morning to pay and take all the stuff. She did return but only paid part of her dues, saying she would come back this morning and pay the balance. Guess what? No sign of her. Granted I still have a lot of the things she bought, but it's a bit of a worry. She didn't answer her phone, didn't show, nothing. Given that she has a frantically busy life there may be a good explanation; I do hope so.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomorrow I have to take Banjo back to the vet for his check-up, which will make him a happy doggy but me not a happy owner! And I caught bronchitis from some sweet soul at the garage sale... Bah, humbug!!!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjENZa7O-zQZ4fqFO37Fmn84srqlM71NoG3hqGY60fwnnHFOajTt0CDZSHGqoNum4F9sT4roJPqebrRSJa6XphRBEuO153xdxd6yyXhWXXdqSy_CV37lJUilKxB43F3aCFfvYuoksXQcQ/s1600/bah+humbug.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjENZa7O-zQZ4fqFO37Fmn84srqlM71NoG3hqGY60fwnnHFOajTt0CDZSHGqoNum4F9sT4roJPqebrRSJa6XphRBEuO153xdxd6yyXhWXXdqSy_CV37lJUilKxB43F3aCFfvYuoksXQcQ/s1600/bah+humbug.jpeg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As it's cold and raining, why not smile?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take care, everyone - </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-764818788182603202013-06-05T02:35:00.000-07:002013-06-05T02:35:29.912-07:00Garage sale... help!<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi, all,</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You may have noticed my absence (or not). This week is total chaos as El and I are preparing for a garage sale, both of us short of time to do it, plus the space in my workshop is rapidly running out too. They currently have one of those renovation competition shows running on TV, and I can for once really relate to the hassled people trying vainly to be ready in time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In addition I may have someone coming to view the house as well. Oh, my ears and whiskers, too much happening for me - how do I focus on pulling stuff out of the house while trying to make it respectable for a viewer at the same time? The two don't mesh!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, having said this, please forgive my absence from now until after the garage sale...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvpAmE4Uxr0buDDwG-iCtEDdRTHwo4Fz9VZRN6HAH0B2KEKtsaueJz7p8dPizZPe06Sk33v93pHYKwRob9xuiC2z5QZyYOJeGfAMIIH96EfCmkGK4YAiwx9cazFmUIIJ9ke9KZ0Oanls/s1600/chaos.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvpAmE4Uxr0buDDwG-iCtEDdRTHwo4Fz9VZRN6HAH0B2KEKtsaueJz7p8dPizZPe06Sk33v93pHYKwRob9xuiC2z5QZyYOJeGfAMIIH96EfCmkGK4YAiwx9cazFmUIIJ9ke9KZ0Oanls/s1600/chaos.jpeg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(isn't that a gorgeous depiction of chaos?)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love you all, speak to you soon...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fliss the hair-on-end feral </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-91221283660921339302013-05-29T23:53:00.000-07:002013-05-29T23:53:54.893-07:00Frosty gardens mean harvest!<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ugh... and now I have dirt all over my desk! But this was some of today's offerings - lots of beans, a tailing off for the tomatoes (that's a pretty big one, but I'm having to pick them as soon as they have some colour) and the first of the oca.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oca, you say? It is actually grown pretty much worldwide and is another of the amazing Andean treasures that are becoming known for their hardiness and versatility. We bought ours from a farm in Tasmania after we failed in our first attempt, bought from the Sunshine Coast. Its botanical name in Oxalis tuberosa, the same family as sheep's sorrel, and as its name suggests it does contain some oxalic acid. Apparently you can eat the foliage but I think I'd give it a miss - apparently pigs adore it, so good luck to them! However, the tubers, which are only just forming as the foliage starts to die back, are delicious. Like most of my vegetables I steam them, after a quick wash - the skin is waxy so washes clean easily. I eat them like small potatoes and they have a slight piquancy, very, very nice!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This year, between us, El and I made just about all the mistakes you can with the oca, but mine survived to give a harvest at the end of it all. El unfortunately has gathered hers a bit too soon, but will try again next season. Such fun to try exotic plants and find them truly interesting.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On a different topic, Mischief gave me a giggle this morning. There is a lounge on the front verandah that is much competed for among the dogs but will only seat two, or one if particularly possessive. This morning Mischief dipped out and was lying crankily on the floor. I invited her inside but she ignored me. She wanted to go up on the lounge. A couple of minutes later she started up a ferocious pack bark at a possible alien intruder at the far boundary. All the pack rushed over and barked furiously for a minute or two before deciding there was nothing in sight. They wandered back, to find Mischief smugly ensconced on the lounge. It works every time! The only other dog to have figured this trick out is Virginia, who will also occasionally use it - usually to acquire an old bone, but she still falls for the trick when Mischief does it.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And a groan from behind me notifies me that dogs like to go for regular walks. Sigh. Outside is not appealing at present, with black clouds around, but dog walks are an essential thing - for the dogs.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take care, please stay in touch, overseas and interstate friends and visitors.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-36392113031439898192013-05-28T00:53:00.000-07:002013-05-28T00:53:51.222-07:00Magpie season again<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It may seem strange to have magpie season in winter, but my magpies are individualistic...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The history is that I used to feed them every morning, until not only did they become obese but they decided that the yard was their own place, so happily dug up my garden. That was when I discovered that magpies love newly planted peas and beans. Last year I did not get a single pea from a whole packet planted. I was severely displeased, so from then on ignored the birds - until this week. They have been singing frantically to me every morning, with a definite edge of 'we are soooooooo hungry...' so finally I surveyed the sad creatures. They have a nearly grown baby, hence are finding it difficult to find enough food in frosty times.While sensible birds may produce their young in spring, my residents have no idea of season.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sigh. I am still ignoring the raucous crows, who want to join in, but am giving the magpies little meat offcuts each morning when I feed the dogs. I am watching them closely, however, as I have just sown some broad beans. They had better behave themselves!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On a quite different topic: I entered a podiatrist's premises yesterday. How can say one has lived without having visited a podiatrist? What an awful job to have, though, sorting out people's smelly feet! The nice young man who was to look at my pods disagreed, however, saying that people's smelly mouths would be much worse. What a choice. Oh, well, I submitted to having my feet checked over and groomed for me. It was mostly quite fun, and I ended up with such neat toenails that I felt maybe they should also be painted decoratively. It appears that podiatrists don't offer that service, however, but do finish off with a quick rub-over with massage oil. Cool. I feel, though, that they need a lot more people than me to keep all their people employed - I don't know how long it will be before I think to visit them again as I have a nicely healthy pair of feet to continue my pottering around the paddock.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And it mists outside. Everything is dripping and the goats' fur is standing up in little spikes. I am comfortable in my waterproof house!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take care, everyone. Talk to you soon.Oh, and it's son Duncan's 45th birthday today. I said how good he's made it halfway to 90, but he says things like joints are wearing out much too fast!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-61997291410707792212013-05-24T03:18:00.001-07:002013-05-24T03:18:28.845-07:00How Mischief got her name<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our rescue dog was a delightful puppy, very cuddly but highly energetic. At the time I had several foster children, one of whom, Kyle, was especially interested in the new resident. We reached bedtime and the pup was tired out. I thought I'd settle her in by having a bed next to mine where she would feel secure. I was wrong: she hated her bed. I leaned down and stroked her to settle her, but she wasn't interested, squirming and crying so I was worried she'd wake the children up.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">'Hey,' I said, picking her up and giving her a cuddle, 'whatever is the problem with you?'</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She promptly wriggled down next to my armpit and cuddled in. This was where a puppy slept, not in a box! Uh...that is basically where she has slept for the rest of her life, so in due course I had to buy a bigger bed so we could share in comfort. It did make house-training her a breeze: every time she needed to go out during the night she would give me a kick so I woke up and carried her down to the grass.We never had a puddle in the house, ever. This was despite her having a weak bladder, so when we were out anywhere and she was nervous or excited I would have to apologise and mop up. At home she just took herself off whenever necessary.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The next bit of training I attempted was to leave the pup at home when I took the children to school in the morning. The other dogs were placid and laid back about it, but not the pup. How could I abandon her, she demanded? I shut her in the front porch to keep her safe for the ten minutes or so I'd be out and her frantic screams resounded around the whole road. After a few days of that I thought she might settle better if I left her in the house with the other dogs. I arrived home to find the bed sheets shredded. Back to the porch and the screams again - she was too young to take with me at first so I thought she would eventually settle down. She never did, sigh.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then I took the pup to training school where she caused great amusement by whirling around madly, wagging her little tail like a whirligig. The trainer used her as a diversion to test whether the other pups could behave with a lunatic in their midst. This pup would only do what she chose - she'd sit, drop, come, shake her paw but absolutely not stay and absolutely not lead. She caused havoc when anyone tried to lead her. I practiced with her over and over again but she still never accepted the lead. The only way one could make her walk on the lead was by using a Gentle Leader, which goes over the dog's face, and her face was totally mutinous! If I stood still for too long she would simply bite through the lead and then race round in circles happily. If the pups had been marked out of ten, Pup might have scored maybe one, for amusing everyone.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At home she was also determined to do her own thing. This could be tugging over a large and very heavy pot so she could pull the tree out of it and chew off all the roots, or she might do some creative gardening which involved very large holes throughout the vegetable bed. I went so far as to advertise holes for sale the first April Fool's Day she was with us, but I had no takers.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kyle and I discussed what we would call this bundle of misplaced but mainly joyous energy. Between us we arrived at Miss Chief, aka Mischief, and later Chief as she made it very clear she was top of the dog clan. This she has remained. Life with her can be frustrating but it is never boring, even now in her older years. She still tells me loudly if things are not to her liking. She walks well and obediently free, but to use a lead is to ask for elongated arms. However, part of Mischief's package is that she is acutely intelligent, understanding English very well and answering if she thinks it necessary with yawps, squeaks or yaps. Mischief knows exactly what she can do or won't be able to get away with, and if she decides to cooperate can be very helpful. Once I asked her to perform in a dog show, putting her in the obedience class. She sized up the situation, looked at the other dogs and then behaved impeccably, taking out the prize for most obedient dog. It was done on the spur of the moment, with no prior practice, but she thought it would be fun so that was that.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16cPd1TkDGdx4CpgRbt1-1Q25zRLqC8NRhNUJ4JubJGeMY7sAuUY5hSKNsZJ0sXRZSqGshD7pjxDNQnRqliFh82qLlf4zuudbOp5NuO7ySP7ryxGGEO9r7fM1kXj9W0aNlMne4HLQqlE/s1600/Picture+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16cPd1TkDGdx4CpgRbt1-1Q25zRLqC8NRhNUJ4JubJGeMY7sAuUY5hSKNsZJ0sXRZSqGshD7pjxDNQnRqliFh82qLlf4zuudbOp5NuO7ySP7ryxGGEO9r7fM1kXj9W0aNlMne4HLQqlE/s320/Picture+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Demanding, frustrating but always an affectionate, amusing and intelligent companion, Mischief is the complete dog package!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stay safe, everyone, be happy -</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-66185123823923174192013-05-22T02:26:00.001-07:002013-05-22T02:26:17.654-07:00Mischief and the three dogateers<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems like a good day for a doggy tail... rain drips reluctantly from the dark grey sky, the temperature is breaking new cold records, the poor people in Oklahoma are struggling through their individual nightmares and in Iraq over 70 people have been killed in bomb blasts that the rest of the world little notices.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mischief is my oldest dog, almost eleven, while the three dogateers are the youngest. They have coalesced after my crazy latest recruit, Banjo, came to us. Now he has settled in and the three have formed a gang of loopiness, Zelda, Cody and Banjo. The cold mornings make all five dogs in the pack find bounce in their legs, though Mischief's springs are a bit rusty by now. They all rush up into their paddock when let out, where the gang of three promptly fly around at top speed and maximum energy, falling over each other and playing tag around the trees and water tank.This excites the older Virginia and Mischief. Virginia, having long legs, can catch the gang and leap on them; this she finds great fun but they feel a bit squashed and rush off in different directions, to reform their running group. Mischief, being short and fat, can't catch them. Her response is to bark challenges at the entire pack. They all reply by running back towards her, all landing on her in a heap. Mischief then becomes very flat and cranky, telling them all off in no uncertain and loud manner. I then rescue her and she walks in dignified manner while the youngest three continue their morning aerobics.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mischief came from the RSPCA at Fairfield, Brisbane. My Best Beloved Dog, Tzar, had died in February that year, and it was time to try to fill the hole in the pack. Daughter El and I went to the shelter to find a pup. That day nearly all the pups were cattle dogs and competing with each other to be the loudest; they were not for us. However there was a litter of kelpie pups, one of whom said he was mine. He was fairly similar to Tzar in appearance and tugged at my heart. he only had one competitor, a funny little girl down at the far end enclosure all on her own. Goodness knows what breeds she had in her, and a funny half a tail. She was sweet and gentle, but I was drawn to the kelpie. I asked the attendant about him, only to be told that those pups were not available. They had been seized from a property and were being assessed. They might or might not be adoptable depending on the result.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, by default, the lonely pup down at the end became the only contender. We went back, whereupon she solemnly got off her bed and came to greet us at the fence. No barks, no carry-on, just an offer that we could have her. So we did. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The little that was know of her story was that someone had brought her in as a stray, found by a major road on her own. Clearly she was dumped - no tiny puppy strays to the side of a highway. No other pups were seen so their fate was unknown, but Mischief was a very sick little girl. She was sent to recover from her dehydration and poor condition with a foster carer. She then went down with kennel cough and nearly died, but the devoted care she received pulled her through. As soon as she had recovered she was taken back to the shelter to be desexed and sold. Hence in her nine weeks of life she had been dumped, been taken to the RSPCA, then to the foster carer (who apparently thought her 'gorgeous'), been sick, then sick again, then desexed and sold. Her experiences marked this highly intelligent dog for life.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If I have time tomorrow (it's the day everything happens this week) I'll tell you what came next and how Mischief earned her name...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wherever you are, stay safe and warm!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-51109049734478165242013-05-18T00:24:00.002-07:002013-05-18T00:24:21.083-07:00Asthma... and the goat<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hi all, </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And no, the two things aren't related - the asthma and the goat.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Goat first: Parsley was slow to get up this morning, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> when I led him up to the paddock he started straining and groaning. Being a male goat labour was ruled out, so I wondered if he had colic, though what from I <span style="font-size: large;">couldn't</span> think.I put him back in the pen to keep an eye on him, which distressed the other three goats <span style="font-size: large;">considerably</span> - what could they do without their leader? Eventually Dill stepped up, leading the two youngsters down the hill. Meanwhile Parsley lay down and strained. Not good. I rang the vet, but he couldn't <span style="font-size: large;">come</span> for a couple of hours so I watched Parsley, who steadily deteriorated. The word from the vet was he thought Parsley could have a bladder stone, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> suddenly Parsley proved him right. He hauled himself onto his <span style="font-size: large;">hooves</span> and strained <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> more, producing a sad <span style="font-size: large;">little</span> trickle of fluid, which he went on producing for the best part of half an hour. No wonder the poor thing had been in pain!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The vet, Greg, finally showed up and examined Parsley, who obligingly <span style="font-size: large;">produced</span> a <span style="font-size: large;">little</span> more trickle. Diagnosis confirmed. <span style="font-size: large;">Parsley</span> may have to have a goat operation <span style="font-size: large;">sometime</span> down the track, but meanwhile an <span style="font-size: large;">anti-inflammatory</span> needle <span style="font-size: large;">should</span> see him right. Parsley agreed, hobbling <span style="font-size: large;">slowly</span> off to join the other goats. After a <span style="font-size: large;">rest</span> he pottered over to the fence and requested a tomato, which I was harvesting, having had a frost last night (early for winter, brrrrrr). hopefully <span style="font-size: large;">tomatoes</span> are <span style="font-size: large;">health</span> food for goats' bladders?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Parsley is the handsome boy behind Becca's head!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now to the asthma. This <span style="font-size: large;">is</span> a <span style="font-size: large;">cautionary</span> tail, intended to warn anyone who even slightly suspects they could have wheeziness.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For many years I have become short of breath and coughed when anywhere near <span style="font-size: large;">anyone</span> smoking. I didn't worry too much about that, just avoided smoke as much as possible.However, over <span style="font-size: large;">time</span> I developed a <span style="font-size: large;">tightness</span> in my chest whenever it was <span style="font-size: large;">hay-fever</span> season or the weather was cold. I mentioned it to any doctor I went to, but with a universal result: <span style="font-size: large;">they</span> ignored it. <span style="font-size: large;">Gradually</span> I became a tad annoyed at this. Just because I was old and wrinkly, did it mean I couldn't have asthma? Recently I read about how many people over 50 died from <span style="font-size: large;">undiagnosed</span> asthma. Years back we knew a lady who went for a morning coffee with a friend and suddenly dropped dead on her verandah. A shock for both of them, so I decided it was time to confront the possibility.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I finally got to see my GP, in the <span style="font-size: large;">third</span> week of trying, and told him that I thought I could have asthma but no doctor ever <span style="font-size: large;">seemed</span> interested. He said oh, he could test it straight away. I was <span style="font-size: large;">dispatched</span> to the on-practice ward where they do all sorts of useful things. In this instance I had to breathe without <span style="font-size: large;">Ventolin</span>, and then after having breathed it in. Quite interesting and no doubt familiar to many folk. Then, with my pretty bit of <span style="font-size: large;">paper</span> with <span style="font-size: large;">breath</span> graphs on it, I returned to my GP. His eyebrows rose <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> he said I had to have immediate treatment of the puffer variety. While he was at it, he then decided to test every function of my system - oh, good, another armful of blood to the lab! Anyway, the point is that all I had to talk about was tightness in the chest on cold nights or a cough when provoked, yet it could have been lethal had I not demanded that someone test it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have you got a cough or wheeze that comes at predictable (or even unpredictable) times? Then please, please, get it tested!!!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With which I wish you all a very <span style="font-size: large;">healthy</span> weekend!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-13592210575140621702013-05-13T23:28:00.002-07:002013-05-13T23:28:43.017-07:00Rain, goats and life<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This month of May has been dry until now. I had ju<span style="font-size: large;">st </span>0.5mm last week when a cloud came and sat on the hill. It's quite nice being in a cloud; maybe it matches my brain? Wet and foggy. Then yesterday a large low came <span style="font-size: large;">bowling</span> up from the southwest. The <span style="font-size: large;">forecast</span> was for <span style="font-size: large;">light</span> showers, but during the night there was a big WHOOSH, of wind and rain arriving together. Good, I <span style="font-size: large;">thought</span> sleepily, I won't <span style="font-size: large;">have</span> to <span style="font-size: large;">water</span> the plants for a day or so... and so it was.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This morning Virginia-dog was upset, as usual when it rains. She walked out on her long tippy-toes and looked persecuted. When the sun came out later her tense muscles relaxed and she lay for hours warming herself.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Similarly</span> the goats are always upset by the rain and take it as an affront to goatdom. <span style="font-size: large;">Usually</span> they won't move until the rain goes but this morning they came and shook themselves vigorously at me before deciding they would go into the paddock. There was no playing up today, just <span style="font-size: large;">four</span> indignant goats stalking their offended way along the track to the paddock gate.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The chooks (hens) are the opposite. They wander round looking totally bedraggled but blissfully happy, scratching the soft dirt with enthusiasm. <span style="font-size: large;">I</span>f a chook could smile, they would.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is good to have a home day after yesterday, when as usual the best-laid plans came unstuck. Handyman David was late, so late that I rang him to find out what had happened. His family were all sick, so he had been driving the various <span style="font-size: large;">members</span> around to relatives where they could stay and be sick for the day. I was worried, because the slasher man was due at the same time <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> we had to organise things for him.There was no sign of him, however, so I just stayed with David until John the pest-man showed up. Once more, <span style="font-size: large;">this</span> year the <span style="font-size: large;">termites</span> have stayed in the trees, for which I am very grateful - so that was <span style="font-size: large;">something</span> that went to plan, and the house still stands healthily. I went back into the house and was about to phone Phil the slasher-man, when the phone rang: his wife to say he had a <span style="font-size: large;">flat</span> tyre, or more specifically his large truck had a flat tyre. His visit was rescheduled. I then had to ring Brent the real estate agent to say that the <span style="font-size: large;">paddock</span> would still be hairy when he came to take the photo's. However, I told him I had El's DVD of photo's she had taken at the end of last year. When he came he said he was delighted with the pictures I showed him. All he needed to do was take snaps of the pots before the frost hits at the end of this week.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Everyone left and I bustled around getting ready to go to my <span style="font-size: large;">doctor</span> appointment with my <span style="font-size: large;">usual</span> GP who had been <span style="font-size: large;">unavailable</span> for the past couple of weeks. Well, groan. I went in on time to the surgery to find that Dr Hudson was still operating: 'come back in half an hour or more...' I did some hasty shopping and returned. Oh, oops, they said, another patient <span style="font-size: large;">had</span> turned up for a minor op while Dr H was still operating on the same patient as when I called in the previous time. He was <span style="font-size: large;">going</span> to be tied up until early evening. Sigh. Made another appointment and came home again, having made a mail delivery to El that looked as though Santa's <span style="font-size: large;">little</span> elves had been busy. She has her <span style="font-size: large;">eBay</span> parcels sent here to avoid the problems of mail being left on her lawn in town.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now the sun shines while the shadows <span style="font-size: large;">already</span> grow longer. At present all is at peace on my little hill of trees and animals.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have an excellent evening/morning, won't you?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-84328630122000926212013-05-12T00:26:00.002-07:002013-05-12T03:22:43.118-07:00Mothers' Day<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Greetings from under a cloudy sky with the hint of winter ahead. As you might surmise, in Oz it is Mothers' Day - maybe in the US also?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yesterday El kidnapped me to go to a church fete - a fate worse than death as my father used to say. El, as usual, found masses of amazing bargains, while I was in a don't-buy-anything mood. I have to empty out the house and prepare for the <span style="font-size: large;">garage</span> sale, so my mind-set is 'if in any doubt, get rid of it'. It's amazing how I still have enough clutter for a <span style="font-size: large;">large</span> family! Laden up with assorted packages that delighted El we then went round the produce stalls. I was going to buy some lemon butter but it had bits of rind in it, which put me off. Then I nearly bought some fudge but resisted it. El bought a packet, and I so wished I had given in to my base <span style="font-size: large;">urge</span>; it was a melt in the mouth type. Darn.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We then made our way out by way of <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> dancers - I think they were meant to be Irish, but alas they were the most unconvincing trio I had ever seen, the two younger ones keeping <span style="font-size: large;">together</span> with their slow moves, while the oldest one <span style="font-size: large;">was</span> moving like a puppet, slowly, stiffly and completely out of sync with the others. Never mind, they were doing their best which was better than I could claim, having spent <span style="font-size: large;">absolutely</span> nothing!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We went back to El's where <span style="font-size: large;">she</span> gave me a very good cup of coffee, before I headed back home. I should add that we swapped bags of spare produce. I have <span style="font-size: large;">never</span> met <span style="font-size: large;">purple</span> yam before and it definitely looks like a science fiction monster, with strange hairy roots sprouting from a miniature tree trunk. Hmm, does one steam or boil it? I'm going to have a mixed vegetable tea tonight, with heaps of beans of mine plus yam. Different.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAu0ayMdNvI_mCaKSlLMnGEeD7yL8lajRe5bAw1jrjjZCJehE1tOGlhBvEGcPTh9NBQAstztmruOb1uNvu9etJPAFSlLtaEl4wxLyVIHqY60vlGDI2mTYYu2ONsu3KrU-OFZru1YbUxQ/s1600/plant+pot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAu0ayMdNvI_mCaKSlLMnGEeD7yL8lajRe5bAw1jrjjZCJehE1tOGlhBvEGcPTh9NBQAstztmruOb1uNvu9etJPAFSlLtaEl4wxLyVIHqY60vlGDI2mTYYu2ONsu3KrU-OFZru1YbUxQ/s320/plant+pot.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">One of my plant pots! Photo by Duncan</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This</span> morning Duncan rang sounding very strange, almost <span style="font-size: large;">unrecognisable</span>. He <span style="font-size: large;">has</span> spent the week healing the sick of Alice Springs while fighting off a Boy Cold. Poor thing, he has worked all hours while feeling like <span style="font-size: large;">expiring</span> - I hope he catches up with a good rest now. Meanwhile Wendy has a crook knee and was spending her Sunday morning having a scan. Great Mothers' Day for her!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I celebrated mine by taking a car-load of rubbish to the tip - such a good feeling every time I lighten the load at this end. On the way home I collected a bale of hay from a local <span style="font-size: large;">farmer</span> so the goats will have <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> good lucerne every <span style="font-size: large;">evening</span>. At present they are very confused by the rapidly shortening days <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> are turning up after dark, very spooky at what <span style="font-size: large;">might</span> await them <span style="font-size: large;">behind</span> the nearest grass tussock.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomorrow is going <span style="font-size: large;">to</span> be a <span style="font-size: large;">nightmare</span> of a day for me. I have the termite inspector coming at 9a.m., plus David the handyman and Phil the slasher (that means he mows the paddock). Later in the morning Brent is coming to take <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> photo's - well, they <span style="font-size: large;">won't</span> be from inside the house, let me tell you. The washing up will not be done!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And yeah, the <span style="font-size: large;">goats</span> have rocked up, so I must tidy this up and then bumble my way up to greet them.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-67735790586232748582013-05-07T02:24:00.000-07:002013-05-07T02:24:04.975-07:00Happy Days<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, a few details have changed over the last few days. I have signed up with the agent who sold me this block of land in the first place, Brent Bowles. I feel comfortable that he knows exactly what he <span style="font-size: large;">is</span> doing, so if it is possible to sell the place, I think he will; I HOPE!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yesterday David the <span style="font-size: large;">Handyman</span> came and fixed things around the place as usual. He <span style="font-size: large;">also</span> <span style="font-size: large;">cleaned</span> the bathroom ceiling, which has frustrated me for months. It has been grubby, <span style="font-size: large;">particularly</span> as a couple of mud wasps got in and put their nests messily around the place. Now the <span style="font-size: large;">defunct</span> nests <span style="font-size: large;">have</span> <span style="font-size: large;">gone</span> and the ceiling gleams. Maybe I need to get the rest of the place scrubbed too? Once upon a time, long, long ago, I used to wash walls and ceilings pretty <span style="font-size: large;">regularly</span>. Now my shoulders are both off duty, at least for the time being, and I can't do it. Grr.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Talking of the shoulders being off duty, I got in a very silly situation, accidentally, two days ago. I was fishing out the various X-Box leads from under a table, to pack them up. The table shifted, and I <span style="font-size: large;">landed</span> on my behind. Now, how can one get up off one's somewhat overweight backside, with no useful arms to push up with? I thought about it, with Mischief-dog gazing sympathetically into my face. <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>hort of spending a night feeling very stupid, and probably cold, on the floor, the only alternative was to insult both my shoulders and insist they support me to get up. I squirmed over to a chair, pushed it near the table <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> leaned on both to hike myself upright <span style="font-size: large;">again</span>. I managed it, with a yelp or two, but oh, boy, did I pay for it all day yesterday! I smelled <span style="font-size: large;">herbal</span> and fragrant from the roll-on stick that supposedly aids sore joints. Today is better. Memo: stay <span style="font-size: large;">upright</span>!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today I went to Warwick to pick up some fresh fruit, and had a doctor's appointment to get <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> repeat prescriptions. I had to see a different GP, and showed him the scripts I had left. When I got home I found he had given me repeats on those, but not the ones I had run out of. Sigh. I'll try <span style="font-size: large;">again</span> next week, and <span style="font-size: large;">hope</span> I don't actually run out of the tablets in the meantime. The other thing I had to do was ask about the Fluvax (see, Duncan, I do have my needles - sometimes). Ah, yes... the doctor assured me of the needle's efficacy <span style="font-size: large;">against</span> all but the new bird flu strain, and almost instantly had my sleeve up and I was jabbed. Right. But what about the Pneumocccus needle, he enquired. I told him I'd had it a year or two back, but he said it wasn't on the records. Next thing I had the other sleeve up and another jab. Ow. That one was sore. Thank goodness I'm not a baby, they must get really fed up with all the needles they are attacked with nowadays!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm home and rested, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> thunder clouds are rolling around. They probably won't do much, but the goats are anxious.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have a very good <span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday/<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday</span></span>, won't you all?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-35248598021895965452013-05-03T00:06:00.000-07:002013-05-03T00:06:36.382-07:00And the banks were made of marble...<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Remember the old song? I think it was an old union song from the 20s or 30s, but it's as true today as it ever was. <span style="font-size: large;">Pete</span> Seeger sang it <span style="font-size: large;">again</span> during the 50s... hopefully the link will work!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-o3CJytIPE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-o3CJytIPE</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My reason for thinking about the <span style="font-size: large;">song</span> a lot lately is partly to do with my current dealings with the bank that holds my mortgage. Then, I watched Foreign Correspondent, an <span style="font-size: large;">Australian</span> TV programme. This week's show was about Cyprus. <span style="font-size: large;">Well</span>, I thought I knew about the Cyprus situation from the news but in depth it was far worse, especially the behaviour of the banks. People were lied to in order for the banks to be able to steal their money, in many cases <i>ALL </i>of their money. Many people are in the process of <span style="font-size: large;">going</span> <span style="font-size: large;">bankrupt</span>, while employees can't be paid so unemployment is soaring. Real estate prices dropped over 25% overnight and suddenly hundreds of thousands of <span style="font-size: large;">people</span> can't buy food. Who is going to rescue these people who have <span style="font-size: large;">done</span> nothing wrong but are being ripped off for the sake of <span style="font-size: large;">political</span> ends and the greed of the banks once they were given the opportunity?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMzsZ_4p90GJ6TRN1QC2hysiVmJGVxdUe7vV4cGgQVn9xvVAW-FapTgI28OoCMN0Sjy9ZgiA-b7LoeOwHbdMWHZX1dW1FYuPhhzI_aA5TL0Ncb9Wa7W7JmzSYz1l-8K0-tgnZSrdCFd4/s1600/fat+banker.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMzsZ_4p90GJ6TRN1QC2hysiVmJGVxdUe7vV4cGgQVn9xvVAW-FapTgI28OoCMN0Sjy9ZgiA-b7LoeOwHbdMWHZX1dW1FYuPhhzI_aA5TL0Ncb9Wa7W7JmzSYz1l-8K0-tgnZSrdCFd4/s1600/fat+banker.jpeg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Thank you again, Mr Google!)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My <span style="font-size: large;">little</span> problems with my bank seem insignificant, but underline to me that banks in general are totally unscrupulous. In my case, I have a mortgage with the National Australia Bank (nab). When I took out the loan I was told that I would <span style="font-size: large;">be</span> paying higher than <span style="font-size: large;">standard</span> interest because of all the bells and whistles offered by this particular loan. Amongst other things there would <span style="font-size: large;">be</span> no further charges of any kind, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> the loan would be <span style="font-size: large;">portable</span> (this means that if I moved house I could transfer the loan towards my next place). A few months ago our local bank manager advised me that, <span style="font-size: large;">basically</span>, they no longer wanted my custom: if I sold this place the loan would <span style="font-size: large;">be</span> cancelled. Further, they now thought I was too old to have a <span style="font-size: large;">mortgage</span> and lastly didn't any longer accept my income as income.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That was pretty unfriendly, I thought, and broke the law here which says that age is not a consideration in <span style="font-size: large;">financial</span> dealings. However, worse was to come. I suddenly noticed that nab were now charging me $250.00 per month administration fee. While I would <span style="font-size: large;">think</span> $2.50 was rude, $250.00 is definitely more than rude for a loan with no fees! I then went through my bank statements more fully, to find that it seems nab are charging me excessive amounts of interest. Do I love the bank? No guesses.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I now have an appointment to see the local manager next week, to which I shall bear my calculator and <span style="font-size: large;">statements</span>. I <span style="font-size: large;">also</span> have to dig out the original mortgage agreements, which are buried <span style="font-size: large;">somewhere</span> in my filing (read heaped paperwork) cabinet.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That, as is so often said, is Life.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take care, everyone, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> don't sweat the small stuff, eh. They have it much worse in Cyprus! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-21532321009094602332013-04-30T00:19:00.000-07:002013-04-30T00:19:03.319-07:00A Cacophony of Crows<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hi All,</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And just a quick post to <span style="font-size: large;">tell</span> you about my bit of egg recycling from yesterday. As I said, two of the eight eggs vanished fast yesterday, but then nothing happened overnight. I felt a bit discouraged at the thought of having to hurl six eggs <span style="font-size: large;">somewhere</span> far away from the house.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This morning there <span style="font-size: large;">grew</span> a noise of crows<span style="font-size: large;">,</span> assembling around the house and hidden in the trees. It's odd - crows are smart, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> <span style="font-size: large;">hide</span> themselves pretty well from view, but they haven't worked out that discussing the latest gossip extremely loudly gives them away. That's why they don't work as spies.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anyway I left them strictly alone, not even looking towards the eggs. I went inside for breakfast, and when I emerged, lo, six eggs had become one and a <span style="font-size: large;">half</span>. I <span style="font-size: large;">wondered</span> why they had left the remnants but was busy. I had to go into Warwick to have a new pair of rib belts fitted to the car, hence the <span style="font-size: large;">birds</span> had yet more space, though undoubtedly <span style="font-size: large;">watched</span> by slitty-eyed dogs the other side of the fence.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I returned home at lunchtime to find there was no sign of any eggs, not a fragment of shell, nothing. I was pleased with my wildlife for doing a very neat job!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciUEs1VwucyUQVtrWCRVQe0CWmL6BJM19EN7OC-Rizy2VGTEJUa_Z-OP-EjsrnHhkEPnxb_zGTKeiak883u9JNtZqLfmn7VLjCnHGhXYvB7IES5y1xLqgomSGEpsqZTNM5UzSn7EsoP0/s1600/crow.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciUEs1VwucyUQVtrWCRVQe0CWmL6BJM19EN7OC-Rizy2VGTEJUa_Z-OP-EjsrnHhkEPnxb_zGTKeiak883u9JNtZqLfmn7VLjCnHGhXYvB7IES5y1xLqgomSGEpsqZTNM5UzSn7EsoP0/s1600/crow.jpeg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you, Google images!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My dogs complain they lack attention - I must go.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh, I should say that El fixed my sound, or lack thereof, while I was in Warwick, so now my computer works in fantastic techni-sound!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take care, everyone!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fliss</span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-3433826888055350552013-04-29T00:01:00.002-07:002013-04-29T00:01:24.148-07:00Feral fowls and the jungle awaits!<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hi all, </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I hope you feel healthy despite the change of season.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yesterday I decided to venture into the garden to look at the weeds. That was interesting as there were <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> extra-length beans hiding out in the foliage, together with hordes of tomatoes...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xfcCpI8kk2RAkftGfFV2m3WSnkTSN9fBwa4fLWHDJBEf66NIiyE7PPC_bLYLQPcqOx1HhZH1-zSAp362DGBIX1Rrt5S-RrPVbPI0azg9GsQhJRvqbAjH6TRwCH2x4HpvLS4x9vSuML4/s1600/29+Apr+2013+16:47:29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xfcCpI8kk2RAkftGfFV2m3WSnkTSN9fBwa4fLWHDJBEf66NIiyE7PPC_bLYLQPcqOx1HhZH1-zSAp362DGBIX1Rrt5S-RrPVbPI0azg9GsQhJRvqbAjH6TRwCH2x4HpvLS4x9vSuML4/s320/29+Apr+2013+16:47:29.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some of those beans are about ten inches long...the dogs will like them when steamed, I hope.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This</span> morning I made a discovery too, in the chook run. One of the feathered ladies had found a cozy corner in which to hide <span style="font-size: large;">eight</span> eggs. Darn it, I had been grumbling, along with everyone else locally, about how few eggs there were (moulting time, <span style="font-size: large;">when</span> hens look like <span style="font-size: large;">plucked</span> turkeys), and now here were eight very dubious eggs. I decided against checking them in water (if they <span style="font-size: large;">float</span> you throw them as far as possible down the paddock, if they sink you can risk eating them) because the shells are also suffering from the stress of moult <span style="font-size: large;">season</span>. After consideration, I put them in the fenced part of the yard (no <span style="font-size: large;">dogs</span> allowed) in full view for any hungry birds passing by. It was too late for the magpies, who had already discussed the morning and departed, but there was loud talking amongst the crows. To my disappointment they only took two, so there are still six eggs sitting grubbily in the yard. I hope the birds are hungrier by morning.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This afternoon the Jehovah's Witnesses called around. Oh, good. One lady comes from the <span style="font-size: large;">Philippines</span> so is familiar with Malabar spinach, and they both eat tomatoes. Excellent. Plastic bags issued and they harvested, also happily taking <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> basil and seeds. It may not have been their first intention, but I think the free <span style="font-size: large;">veggies</span> made them happy anyway. More visitors, please?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have a very good evening/morning/night, won't you?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-38323837691500465302013-04-27T00:25:00.001-07:002013-04-27T00:25:50.212-07:00What a week!<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hi, and sorry for the pause yet again. This week (apart from giving up artichokes) has gone thus:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Monday. I had to take the car in for servicing, which entails <span style="font-size: large;">driving</span> half an hour to Clifton, then waiting in Clifton while the vehicle is hopefully <span style="font-size: large;">operated</span> on to make her purr along for the next few months. Usually it goes well - one hour and she's mine <span style="font-size: large;">again</span> and I head for home. Not so good this time around. Firstly I was feeling rather greenish, like slime on wet concrete. Secondly this time around I had to wait for two hours+ to reclaim my burro. <span style="font-size: large;">This</span> was distinctly not good. The receptionist dropped me off in the middle of town to have a drink at the cafe. She said she'd call when the car was ready. Having had my coffee at the cafe I could no longer tolerate sitting on the hideously uncomfortable <span style="font-size: large;">chair</span> at the wobbly glass table. Mischief was very excited and happy as, sitting by the footpath, she had the chance to talk to every passerby<span style="font-size: large;">.</span>I sagged steadily. Finally I picked up all our gear (this has to include a bottle of water and drinking bowl) and started hobbling my way back to the <span style="font-size: large;">garage</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">Mischief</span> is the <span style="font-size: large;">world's</span> worst on the lead, so I was tugged this way and the other until I was so fed up I let her off and just called her to heel constantly. I found all the seats possible on the long walk (<span style="font-size: large;">don't</span> <span style="font-size: large;">know</span> the exact distance, but at least two kilometres). <span style="font-size: large;">Finally</span> I sagged my way into the <span style="font-size: large;">mechanic's</span> office, where the resident woman took some measure of pity on me and gave me a <span style="font-size: large;">plastic</span> cup <span style="font-size: large;">of</span> cold water. Then I sat on <i><span style="font-size: large;">their</span> </i>uncomfortable seat until I could sit no more, when I went in search of the car. <span style="font-size: large;">Praises</span> be - it was ready, but there was no-one around whom I could pay. Eventually I gave up and told the mechanic I just had to go home. My green sliminess must have shown, as he offered to drive me back. He didn't know how long it would take him! I <span style="font-size: large;">thanked</span> him very much and strapped myself in. He said anxiously was I going to be alright, and I said I felt better supported by the car seat and belt. I departed, and never was <span style="font-size: large;">gladder</span> to get home. The dogs, who hadn't had their meal, were <span style="font-size: large;">similarly</span> <span style="font-size: large;">ecstatic</span> to see me...</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34FwNqdaIi8YpmUZ2Xtb3Q45MjEdH3rR0L035V_bRwDRijpsyU-q-YtJWDFxIULoN2c0-S2fHa456RJzu5GXSVsqeMZoqoorwSNCpMQrWvMcrLAxkUMWVbflNjIrSLnwU5bHhNmOTxT0/s1600/zelda+lookalike.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34FwNqdaIi8YpmUZ2Xtb3Q45MjEdH3rR0L035V_bRwDRijpsyU-q-YtJWDFxIULoN2c0-S2fHa456RJzu5GXSVsqeMZoqoorwSNCpMQrWvMcrLAxkUMWVbflNjIrSLnwU5bHhNmOTxT0/s1600/zelda+lookalike.jpeg" /></a></div>
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A Zelda lookalike!<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tuesday you already know (I gave up <span style="font-size: large;">artichokes!!</span>), in <span style="font-size: large;">addition</span> lying around the <span style="font-size: large;">place</span> a fair bit feeling only as green as a frog - that was an improvement. <span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">Thursday</span> I felt similar - everything was an aching, uphill plod. Surely this was not all due to those darned vegetables?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yesterday, however, was a great <span style="font-size: large;">improvement</span>, so I went around for an hour and a half with the handyman, David, and not only did we remove the For Sale signs down by the road (plans have to be changed a bit, as I said) but also did <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> essential organising around the place, to my great <span style="font-size: large;">satisfaction</span>. I didn't register the pain until David left, when I realised the week's aches were back. Darn. But we did a great job between us of tidying up such things as a long plastic pipe that had to be pulled out of the grass and rolled up. Banjo was a great help with this, though David <span style="font-size: large;">didn't</span> seem excited to <span style="font-size: large;">have</span> a dog blissfully tugging the pipe in the opposite direction. Can't please <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> people!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today has been a wall-to-wall sneeze, carry round the tissues, day - so <b><i>that's </i></b>what has been building. Thank heavens it has finally emerged so I can deal with the monstrous virus. After the morning in bed I swaddled myself in a way that would make the Chinese proud, then took <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> good <span style="font-size: large;">herbals</span>. By now I have few sneezes but still the <span style="font-size: large;">aches</span>, so I shall continue the swelter <span style="font-size: large;">treatment</span> until tomorrow. Definitely the winter bugs are on the prowl... I <span style="font-size: large;">shall</span> have to think healthy thoughts for the next few days, but will <span style="font-size: large;">definitely</span> live!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Keep well, everyone!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss.</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-84935457146649604162013-04-23T00:01:00.000-07:002013-04-23T00:01:25.969-07:00catch-up time for the next while!<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hi again, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I don't quite know which end of string to pull! I guess, with the Move. But what have I to tell? Just a lot more frustration. All the bargain houses in the area I looked at moving to, outside Ipswich, have sold, while although places are starting to sell up here the market is still incredibly flaccid one way or the other. The agent who <span style="font-size: large;">came</span> round the other day has not been in touch since, so maybe he's not as dynamic as he said. I have bad thoughts about hot air mongers that promise roses and leave you with weeds.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh, talking of weeds. I gave up on trying to make my stomach happy with <span style="font-size: large;">Jerusalem</span> artichokes and gave them all away. El found a lovely quote about them, dating back to 1621, a <span style="font-size: large;">chap</span> called John Goodyer. he said, 'in my judgement, in whatsoever way they be drest and eaten they stir up and cause a filthie loathsome stinking winde with the bodie, thereby causing the belly to bee much bloated and tormented... more fit for swine than men.'</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They knew how to express themselves in the 17th century! El is still trying to find recipes which agree with her, but I don't want the suffering. And as to El' suggestion that I feed the artichokes to the dogs?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK-LnCIGNVEXCfgif0yTi6CRLnzX25XzU_DglrqluR3INKnFCQKxFxRkVCJpmgwluWxHdd5QlHL9lhuT0KOb2bLznTrw_W9XGYzjpNxqaF7wEMPbNAboofrh_X2P0zZt7MsWrnHz2QVc/s1600/dog+farted1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK-LnCIGNVEXCfgif0yTi6CRLnzX25XzU_DglrqluR3INKnFCQKxFxRkVCJpmgwluWxHdd5QlHL9lhuT0KOb2bLznTrw_W9XGYzjpNxqaF7wEMPbNAboofrh_X2P0zZt7MsWrnHz2QVc/s1600/dog+farted1.jpeg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sorry - today is definitely what you might call a basic day!!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Smile, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> the world smiles with you!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take care - Fliss</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-39787722336379740172013-04-21T04:51:00.003-07:002013-04-21T04:51:48.017-07:00Back at last!<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, I've spent the last few days racking my brain as to how I could make Google recognise me on the new computer. I done it!!! Um, did I ever tell you I wasn't very smart technologically???</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And it is bedtime for me, so I <span style="font-size: large;">shall</span> hope to get <span style="font-size: large;">back</span> in again tomorrow and start to catch up with my mundane news. No earthquakes, bombs or such awful events here as yet, and my deepest sympathies to anyone affected by any of the news headline events at present. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, a <span style="font-size: large;">little</span> picture hopefully to make you smile - I received it in an <span style="font-size: large;">email</span> from Eve today. And <span style="font-size: large;">Betty</span>, I made it back as promised, <span style="font-size: large;">didn't</span> I?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjDEdHNP_wBhKO7867Mtf2tVMObwByt5h7uXHjz7e7zE5F6medBQvb7ZPSzpTZYTfLHepu_Kz5IFFNaDGnf-APJX1P3XaeUbFp_lpZT-6xOcrbh0UvGAY7hn4jTtZBgelZ81SBG2vAnQ/s1600/be+silly.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjDEdHNP_wBhKO7867Mtf2tVMObwByt5h7uXHjz7e7zE5F6medBQvb7ZPSzpTZYTfLHepu_Kz5IFFNaDGnf-APJX1P3XaeUbFp_lpZT-6xOcrbh0UvGAY7hn4jTtZBgelZ81SBG2vAnQ/s1600/be+silly.bmp" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Love to you all - back tomorrow (fingers crossed) -</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fliss</span></span></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-46016574955345898562013-04-14T19:19:00.002-07:002013-04-14T19:19:39.157-07:00ALERTAlas, the poor blogger is offline again.<br />
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She's just found out why PC's are suposed to have working cooling fans. <br />
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:(<br />
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Hopefully back soon!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-88049559485389799552013-04-10T03:07:00.000-07:002013-04-10T03:07:44.667-07:00Harvest of Jerusalem artichokes<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With mind made up to sell and move, I decided I would also work on harvesting and replanting, so I can leave the winter crop in for the new owners. At least that's the idea. Hence today I wrestled with my one artichoke plant. It wasn't meant to exist, as last year I became bored with preparing the knobbly tubers, cooking and then finding I hadn't cooked for long enough. I lack patience, as Jerusalem artichokes are delicious when cooked long enough, boiled until the saucepan is tender, approximately. As I steam most of my 'greens' I kept being optimistic about being able to do the same with the artichokes. It doesn't work!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a result, I yanked up all the artichokes last year. However, clearly one little piece survived, and a happy plant grew. Today it was consigned to the goats after I fought through its root system for the bulk of the tubers (I gave El two large ones yesterday, and there will be all the outliers hiding throughout the bed, still to find).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are the results:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR640EDnZhUbFLA9DGTrjbPfW-hiTM_j6RP7PGVpzgoYLHCVbzlgpL4SplucEihnlpoUf4ybk4hP-Z0tghoDt8eivLATHCY5uUyGNdA_-fZTyFqirI8v2vSSUUuSC9OQAKy7RKIQtTwc/s1600/10+Apr+2013+16:30:00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR640EDnZhUbFLA9DGTrjbPfW-hiTM_j6RP7PGVpzgoYLHCVbzlgpL4SplucEihnlpoUf4ybk4hP-Z0tghoDt8eivLATHCY5uUyGNdA_-fZTyFqirI8v2vSSUUuSC9OQAKy7RKIQtTwc/s320/10+Apr+2013+16:30:00.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Interpreting my clumsy photo, it's about 3/4 of a bucket full. That's a lot of tenderised saucepans!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Changing the subject, irritant of the day: yesterday I bought a bag of plums, only to find that every mortal one has a sticker on it stuck, I swear, with Super Glue. So I have to remove the sticker plus the skin under it so I can wash the plum...that definitely takes away the fun of the exercise!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, this is a short mail, but is posted much faster than usual, so we're up to date at present.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take care, survive whatever the weather!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-32670731354573565312013-04-09T02:42:00.003-07:002013-04-09T03:15:16.276-07:00A 2-eagle day<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And it was, a 2-eagle day that is. Actually, I am not sure they were technically eagles. At first I thought they were two rather small wedgetails, but they were behaving differently, flying very low and quartering the area. Amused by the local resident birds going ballistic at the <span style="font-size: large;">intruders</span>, I watched as the raptors calmly landed in a nearby tree and contemplated the scene.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I looked up the various eagle-type pictures I came across some for harriers, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> the ones most closely matching the visitors' appearance were swamp harriers:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoeElo8ZD_T0v3GcnWLw2QTx444o3XGI7V2rKmp5Ud0hrkRcRcVFUnvgx28G8kJMxIKc5E0SMqcVbf6Ljz8eyWz6YNVRCbGRd2v0ZbP91RmIhhcRZnXfPMWJY8ToPFrSZn14PGqT__Z8/s1600/swamp_harrier_flying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoeElo8ZD_T0v3GcnWLw2QTx444o3XGI7V2rKmp5Ud0hrkRcRcVFUnvgx28G8kJMxIKc5E0SMqcVbf6Ljz8eyWz6YNVRCbGRd2v0ZbP91RmIhhcRZnXfPMWJY8ToPFrSZn14PGqT__Z8/s1600/swamp_harrier_flying.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It seems these birds migrate north at the end of summer, then hunting for small mammals, birds or eggs for food. They are fairly common, though not in this area usually. Well, welcome, visitors!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have been busy <span style="font-size: large;">this</span> week, contacting new real estate agents (someone must want my lovely place apart from the wildlife, surely?) and the local councils in the areas I might be moving to. As it is essential for my total well-being to keep my pack of dogs I need to know what I <span style="font-size: large;">have</span> to do to qualify for keeping the them. Of course it is complicated by councils drawing up their own sets of rules, <span style="font-size: large;">but</span> so long as I buy a <span style="font-size: large;">rural</span> place again (<span style="font-size: large;">like</span> who'd want not to be rural, huh?) it does not seem to be a huge drama. It <span style="font-size: large;">really</span> is time for me to pull my socks up, tidy up the <span style="font-size: large;">place</span> and find a buyer!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A change of subject: Betty tells me she has tried a number of times to post a comment, but <span style="font-size: large;">without</span> success. I'm sorry if Mr Google is being difficult! Anyone is welcome to email me at: <b>feralfliss@gmail.com</b>, so try that if all else fails!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">May your weather be kind, your gardens grow and everyone have fun -</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss.</span></span></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-45931225784425263432013-04-05T00:23:00.004-07:002013-04-05T00:23:48.123-07:00My ears and whiskers, I'm late!<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm so sorry - I am very late posting this time around. I had the delight of a visit from son Duncan and the three grandchildren, last seen at Christmas so of course all several inches taller. I had schemed that I would ask Rebecca to post a story about her pig, Stella, but it came to nothing. She shied away every time I mentioned it. Right at the end of the visit she asked nervously, 'Um, what IS a blog?' Tut, tut, and she a modern child! Or maybe blogs are now totally off the agenda for wired-up children. Everything is evolving so quickly. Anyway, I have asked her to send me another photo of Stella, and Lachlan said he will organise it, so hopefully I will have a cute picture to post shortly. I've also asked Duncan for a group shot.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I enjoyed myself thoroughly seeing all the family, though I think I become more abrasive as time goes on. At one point Duncan said maybe I was becoming a grumpy old woman. Too late - I have fully <span style="font-size: large;">graduated</span>, alas, in grumpiness. I think it's partly that I have become so used to my own company (inasmuch as I talk to very few people nowadays, and dogs don't verbalise a heap). It is also hard being deaf as I rarely hear what is said in a group. Non-deaf people often have the attitude that deafness <span style="font-size: large;">equals</span> stupidity. It's the same attitude that folk sometimes <span style="font-size: large;">adopt</span> if unfamiliar with handicapped people in wheelchairs. It can make life tricky, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> many people are like me and retreat to their own company a lot. I can usually hear when talking direct to <span style="font-size: large;">someone</span>, or at least work out what they are saying, but it is an effort on both sides. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No matter, with the internet the world is always at one's feet, while phones and TV can be turned up - though I have reached the point where I think TV subtitles would be good, if I knew how to get them.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back to the visit, which has left me with a host of fun memories: I had a list a metre long of bits and pieces I needed help with, and the family jumped in and did everything instantly. The large dog kennel was shifted into Banjo's yard (though it half fell apart in the <span style="font-size: large;">transition</span> due to termites), all the snake repellers were checked and replaced where necessary (I can't hear whether or not they work, so the family checks for me), the frying pan lid was fixed, a limping gate was fixed, my new printer was installed - it was quite amazing - what wonderful people!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then, out of spite, the alien ants struck back - the shower water was cold for Duncan, while I frantically rang the electrician. The ants had decided to move into the wiring part of the hot water tank. How rude! Anyway, courtesy of the nice and efficient man, the tank was fixed within half an hour by fiddling around with chewed off wires and blocked entry points. Fantastic, but too late for Duncan's ablutions.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKByswp-m5YSmm5lFrykUtXeULtRXmIpt8KWBYtQD0I6-J2cBHyWacJc3dzCF9BZ84lnx5OYTHRuHJJSFFfxZqHyqBgCEBHcK7vmgMgi5PivGtcAFrxpHmlbVblaxyi6dBIaivTN7vv0/s1600/cold+shower.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKByswp-m5YSmm5lFrykUtXeULtRXmIpt8KWBYtQD0I6-J2cBHyWacJc3dzCF9BZ84lnx5OYTHRuHJJSFFfxZqHyqBgCEBHcK7vmgMgi5PivGtcAFrxpHmlbVblaxyi6dBIaivTN7vv0/s1600/cold+shower.jpeg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">source: Google images</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I <span style="font-size: large;">had</span> bought a Readers Digest game as part of Christmas, which I handed over at this visit. It's an elaborate round-the-world competition and a heap of fun. We spent half of yesterday playing it. Becca is too young for the 12-and-over designation, but played anyway, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> won both times with no help from anyone. How humiliating for the rest of us! I must remember we have a demon game player in the family...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Too soon they departed, bearing a pumpkin and <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> assorted leaves and leaving me with a messy house but happy heart.</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-91758282945165617942013-04-01T00:30:00.000-07:002013-04-01T00:30:47.051-07:00and now it's All Fools Day<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The examples of April Fool jokes they had on the morning show this morning were uninspiring; maybe everyone was tired after Easter. The best one I recall was the spaghetti tree one many, many years ago, when they had half the Western world convinced that Italian farmers picked spaghetti from trees in harvest season. Well, maybe this year we are all too busy being depressed by politics or the weather...I'll wait and see what the evening news has to offer.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Good Friday had very appropriate weather here, dark and depressing, the clouds hanging low over the trees and the occasional drip of rain. It was almost silent, little traffic venturing out and that going slowly due to the police monitoring speed severely this year. I wandered out with the dogs, even they being quiet in their play, and felt the hush of expectation, the annual mea culpa of the death of Christ. Could it happen again? Yes, in so many guises, and probably televised for everyone to goggle at.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Saturday was just another day, with traffic hastening to Allora for people to buy what they found they were without on Friday. For my part I discovered a large number of outsize beans that had been hiding under leaves. I put them in the fridge to share with son and grands when they come up on Wednesday. A wandering pumpkin vine in the chook run has at last set a fruit (with <span style="font-size: large;">assistance</span>) <span style="font-size: large;">right</span> up on top of the wire. I took <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> baking paper and managed to fold <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> below the fruit so that it would not be cut in two by the wire - I hope. I have a few late-setting fruits: a couple of the ever-hopeful Moon and Stars watermelon and a melon of <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> <span style="font-size: large;">green</span> sort that I maybe will have the chance to identify. I am determined that next year I shall be more methodical in how I plant seed, so I <span style="font-size: large;">actually</span> know what comes up! Vain hope, as I can't resist <span style="font-size: large;">sticking</span> seeds in any bare patch of earth that appears, so I keep having a riot of interesting things that I can't actually name.One good thing, though - I gave El one of my Jarrahdale pumpkins harvested against all odds, and she was impressed enough to eat half of it within a few days. Ah, the satisfaction of the farmer!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZGqkWyuO_7faVhL62y5UqF1gVcoQ0DGIvlPACgqqCd8ByurooB7UYXOwAFMFSk7NpBzHZ1LPVCrDXLr-nGsodM9uOqhFX7fO0YWTlGFY42wEGWwVinDG9LpHUgtMZt2jzIlW6ayOlDI/s1600/pumpkin.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZGqkWyuO_7faVhL62y5UqF1gVcoQ0DGIvlPACgqqCd8ByurooB7UYXOwAFMFSk7NpBzHZ1LPVCrDXLr-nGsodM9uOqhFX7fO0YWTlGFY42wEGWwVinDG9LpHUgtMZt2jzIlW6ayOlDI/s1600/pumpkin.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yesterday was rain for most of the day, excellent for the ground and water tanks after a dry break. <span style="font-size: large;">Virginia</span> was not happy, of course, <span style="font-size: large;">tiptoeing</span> reluctantly out when ordered to and demanding to be dried when we returned to the house.The other dogs ignored the weather as usual, romping <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> rolling around in play. the chooks are defying the weather and laying well at present. I found that I had a sack of very <span style="font-size: large;">defective</span> feed from the grain merchant which lead to the birds going off lay and going into moult. I started cooking the feed up every evening, with <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> wholemeal flour added to stick it all together so the birds could eat it easily. In addition I have been giving them some pet mince each day and the improvement <span style="font-size: large;">has</span> been <span style="font-size: large;">amazing</span>, their combs plumping up and turning healthy scarlet while they have been noticeably cheerful.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And that was my very quiet Easter. I <span style="font-size: large;">hope</span> everyone has had a peaceful weekend and is well.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See you all soon - cheers </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fliss</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-53343818925339969322013-03-27T18:04:00.001-07:002013-03-27T18:04:24.672-07:00Bits and Pieces<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> a very good day to you!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have been ridiculously busy considering I'm <span style="font-size: large;">doing</span> very little at present. Now there's an oxymoron! I seem to <span style="font-size: large;">have</span> to run into town all the time for this and that. I try to put it off for a day or two but then have to give in.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The other day I got out of the car, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> as I emerged from the garage a streamlined insect, green and <span style="font-size: large;">yellow</span>, attached itself to my knee. I was lunch. Oh, <span style="font-size: large;">n</span>o, I wasn't, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> I squashed the attractive creature flat. Now if that was an endangered species it's now that little bit more endangered <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> I don't care.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the nicer side of <span style="font-size: large;">wildlife</span>, yesterday morning I stood <span style="font-size: large;">entranced</span> as a galah talked to the world from the top of a dead tree. The rising sun struck his feathers at an angle, <span style="font-size: large;">turning</span> the pink into the most intense rose-red. I told him he was very beautiful and he thought for a few moments before deciding it was time to leave. We've also had visits to the locality from the eastern rosellas that are like <span style="font-size: large;">Gauguin</span> paintings, much too beautiful for their mundane names.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8bqrwMb1gbCU5tWWgC9C9W8P8eXR9fzHDd5Ey4m0OSJaf718-fa5u5nrfV5NfMSB9eNV2gwP13gmXEeFAoZvRR92cYwUNCfix7RwKtbJGBULcwT3j8YW5E80hnLaZlorrg-no37h7TE/s1600/galah.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8bqrwMb1gbCU5tWWgC9C9W8P8eXR9fzHDd5Ey4m0OSJaf718-fa5u5nrfV5NfMSB9eNV2gwP13gmXEeFAoZvRR92cYwUNCfix7RwKtbJGBULcwT3j8YW5E80hnLaZlorrg-no37h7TE/s1600/galah.jpeg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">picture from birdpics</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, an oddity about human behaviour. I ran out of fruit so went in to the local shop for <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> grapes <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> peaches, both being on special this week. As I've said before, the normal prices locally are <span style="font-size: large;">ridiculous</span>, up to <span style="font-size: large;">four</span> times the cost in Warwick. The local shop had run out of both fruits because, they said<span style="font-size: large;">,</span> of the long weekend. Long weekend? <span style="font-size: large;">Easter</span> was not until Friday, when the <span style="font-size: large;">shops</span> will be shut for one day before opening again on Saturday. <span style="font-size: large;">This</span> was on Tuesday! Grumbling, I returned home committed to shopping in Warwick yesterday. Warwick was choked with frantic shoppers; queues for parking, lines for the check-outs. Sheesh. I bought my dog bones, fruit and little else, gladly escaping back to my version of <span style="font-size: large;">sanity</span>.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Banjo is being annoying, doing the typical 1 and 3/4 steps backward I'd expect of him. He was bored all day yesterday because his response to my going out was then to be clingy fro the rest of the day, sitting outside the front door instead of playing <span style="font-size: large;">with</span> the other dogs. So he moved all the furniture around the front verandah before taking the cover off the lounge chair there and putting it downstairs. Last night he removed all the bird netting I had along the fence and dragged it to the gate for me to find this morning. It didn't actually matter because the netting was due to be removed but he was <span style="font-size: large;">annoying</span>. Then he tried persistently to bite me when I tied him <span style="font-size: large;">this</span> morning until I became quite <span style="font-size: large;">cranky</span> with him and grabbed his scruff. 'Oh,' said Banjo, I'm a lovely submissive dog, look!' Humph.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And now we head for Easter. I hope everyone has as good a time as they possibly can, that the weather everywhere is better than expected and that you are generally happy and well.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss.</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4404167432363369025.post-32062687787962329272013-03-25T00:27:00.002-07:002013-03-25T00:27:21.781-07:00The Saga of Crazy Dog<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Crazy Dog I shall get on to in a minute, but <span style="font-size: large;">first</span> my apologies for the gap in news. I did plan to write yesterday, but we had a splendid thunderstorm at the wrong moment...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZJtKCTvEufQplA2VetlRt9vHltXvSLZc21T9FpskMNthSHSVoxVoFdq3bqdNJZWwX9j_IIL9Xt-gM8yzsucBgg7-2TGhyphenhyphenRLmW1j_9-OQI9yhVSOwPa2APW0MyX6vjE5rwUtIhohkSz4/s1600/storm+Sunday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZJtKCTvEufQplA2VetlRt9vHltXvSLZc21T9FpskMNthSHSVoxVoFdq3bqdNJZWwX9j_IIL9Xt-gM8yzsucBgg7-2TGhyphenhyphenRLmW1j_9-OQI9yhVSOwPa2APW0MyX6vjE5rwUtIhohkSz4/s1600/storm+Sunday.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This</span> was a picture of it building near Oakey, to the north of us. It didn't do us any harm here, though I'm always amazed at how far sturdy eucalypts can bend before the wind and still whip upright. Folk towards the coast weren't as fortunate, with some people ending up with trees through their roofs and thousands having no power. Our power only went out briefly but I turned everything off for safety's sake. Very loud, very dramatic, and I discovered that Banjo is scared of storms. That could be predicted given his background: he has probably been shut out in <span style="font-size: large;">storms</span> all his life.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And no-one is interested in those spectacular blooms I posted? Oh, well, so be it. I'm <span style="font-size: large;">aiming</span> to grow <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> next year, though mine won't be anywhere as good as El's I'm sure.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now to Crazy Dog (Greg the vet's name for him) - Banjo. I thought I'd give <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> more detail on him, in case anyone reading of my struggles with him thought I was too mean. A recap: I <span style="font-size: large;">adopted</span> him recently from the local Pound. We managed to contact his previous owner but he wasn't interested in having his dog back. So Banjo was facing a very uncertain future as a hard-to-adopt dog. I called him a 'street kid', for he had the same attitudes many of the kids do - he controls his life, no-one else, <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> he makes his own rules. When he came he constantly eyed me up and down with squinted glare, <span style="font-size: large;">like</span> a challenge to me to do as he wished or else. The 'or else' included biting me whenever I tried to put him on a lead or tie him up briefly so I could shift the goats without his attacking them. It wasn't a hard bite and <span style="font-size: large;">didn't</span> break the skin but he had obviously worked out a way to make people release him by grabbing at them. He was also totally uncontrollable with his food, being prepared to take anyone out who got in his way. He was underweight on arrival, but within two weeks I got his body condition up to 'perfect' according to the vet. Now he looks <span style="font-size: large;">like</span> a proper dog instead of a tadpole with large head and scrawny body.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The problem with such a dog, where he has never been properly socialised either with dogs or with people, is that he is now a young adult with plenty of muscle as well as the attitude. Hence I have to use fairly unorthodox methods to break through (<span style="font-size: large;">like</span> the scragging I described before).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think we make progress. He knows that I expect him to sit before having his food, though that lasts a micro-second unless I grab his collar and hold him back for a moment before releasing him to eat. When I teach him proper manners I'm not sure but he is better he was when he came, when he leapt up and snatched the food from me.<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm still working on his lead training. He <span style="font-size: large;">is</span> good if I have him on his own where there is nothing of interest around for him, but as soon as I take him out for a walk he goes <span style="font-size: large;">ballistic</span> so I end up tying the lead around his nose like a makeshift <span style="font-size: large;">Gentle</span> Leader. Then he fights me...But we arrive home with him being good. He'll get the message, eventually.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With <span style="font-size: large;">The</span> Pack, Banjo is learning his basic manners. As I said <span style="font-size: large;">earlier</span> he has a chip over one eye from being rude to Virginia, but Cody is being the best trainer Banjo could have. He is prepared to bounce with him in boy <span style="font-size: large;">play</span> for hours a day, and Cody <span style="font-size: large;">always</span> wins amiably in any disagreement. Cody also comes running when I have to tie Banjo for a few minutes at Goat Time. Cody goes, 'Yes, here I am, tie me!' which has more or less convinced Banjo that it is <span style="font-size: large;">acceptable</span> to be tied. He hasn't bitten me for several days either when I have tied him <span style="font-size: large;">or</span> when I have taken hold of his collar.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Apart from learning his basic manners, Banjo needs encouragement too. He has shifted from hating the car to <span style="font-size: large;">valuing</span> a ride out in it, and he will even put his head through the loop of lead I offer him so he can go out to the car. I am also starting to bring him indoors for short periods, on a lead and next to me. It's a wrestling match to settle him, but then he lies down happily. He is a very clean dog so I don't expect any house training problems. It would <span style="font-size: large;">be</span> easier if I could use treats for <span style="font-size: large;">training</span> him, but with his snatch-it attitude to food that isn't an option. He is delighted though when I tell him what a good boy he is and give him lots of pats, so we progress.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sorry if I have bored you senseless with all that, but I'm interested in this challenge <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> want to see how far we can go.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To all my <span style="font-size: large;">relatives</span> and friends in the UK, my sympathies about your extra helping of snow - I do hope it goes quickly so you can find <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> flowers under it!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take care - </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheers - Fliss</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17095010099628809113noreply@blogger.com0