those that have met my little blue friend know that he does talk though not very clearly. He chatters away and sometimes one can pick out recognisable words and phrases. It has been said he sounds like an out of tune radio. Some of what he says is obviously learnt, other things seem to come out of the blue (ha, didn't mean to be funny).

Today's gems:
-fish bird
-not happy
-what's the new job?

The first two are likely learnt, the last one not. Maybe he didn't really say that but it sure sounded like it.

Yes, I'm still sick- bored with this. Back is improving. I had a good night's sleep and today can sit for a while. Yesterday I mostly stood or lay flat on the floor.

look what they did for me! a whole trailer load of bricks brought in and neatly stacked in my back yard and I only shifted one- the ceremonial last brick to go in the trailer.



I had been offered salvage access to a property belonging to a colleague, the house is to be demolished soon. They had the same kind of bricks that I used for the garden path, and conveniently clean*. I wanted enough to be able to replace my poxy front path with nice bricks. However, I am still too unwell to manage brick shifting. Left just to me I would have had to give up the opportunity. But I have stunningly lovely friends who came and shifted them for me! So I set up the meeting with the owners etc and others did the rest. Hoorah. We meant to take other stuff too but were not allowed to start taking the house apart. So no floorboards etc.

bonus extras:
-a few loose wall tiles that match mine at home-weird to find but good.
-roofing tin for mrbassman
-a little wood for burning
-a strangely nice, heavy glass ashtray with a rose pattern in the bottom.
-the old fence posts that have been cluttering up my yard have been taken away to be recycled into other fences and firewood

Now I am very very tired to go with the pleased. Also very congested. This virus (?) is going backwards. I've been coughing for weeks, now my sinuses are getting in on the act too. Usually goes the other way. Really not sure how I will handle work this week.

*Clean as in not covered in mortar. Dirty as in covered in muddy soil.

There was an altercation last Saturday. Budgie + smoked trout = Fish Bird.

I was stripping the meat from a whole smoked trout, by hand, as in- both hands covered in slimy fish oil. Budge was talking to his friend in the steel bowl I was using to put the clean fish in. No drama so far. Except that budge got a bit excited and started nipping at my arm each time I put a piece of fish in the bowl, nasty competitor was I. I shooed him off quite a few times. Then he bit harder and without thinking, I grabbed for him. Now normally if I do that, he just flies off. It would be that day that I actually caught him eh? in my slimy, fish oil covered hand? He wasn't happy, I wasn't happy. I had to try to give him a bit of wash:



Poor thing, budgies are not ducks. They are not designed to be wet, or to be covered in fish oil! We forgave each other pretty quickly, he refused to leave my shoulder until he was dry, terribly cute. However, the wash wasn't very successful and he spent the week smelling of fish, ick. It has just about faded away now, thankfully.

still sick and coughing but better enough that my body has remembered how to sleep after more than a week of not being able to work it out past the coughing. So sleeping I am doing a lot of.

I was in the office again today though I wonder whether I really should have been as I coughed away.

I'm having yet another completely unproductive Monday evening. Not unusual.

very shortly I will go do some more of that sleeping. I just need to observe that the germination of a seed is a very exciting thing. Is it sad that I think that or that I have only just figured that out? either or both. I need to take pics to compare the newly sprouted pumpkin and basil seelings, such a contrast.

sleep now though...

I just checked the oil in my car before it got down to the bottom of the dipstick! and then topped it up!

I did manage a day in the office yesterday, now I am tired. I don't like it when one starts the day tired.

My plan for the next hour or so is to go pay someone else to tidy up my poor old car. I get to sit and read or knit while they do so.

I do like it when bits of my house manage to look like something out of a style magazine. Never happens to the whole house at once.

I really did just hang the oregano cuttings up to dry on the string that has been there for a couple of years, often has cards of one sort or another hanging on it.

Doesn't it look nice? You can see the old wood stove that must have once seen a lot of use. I haven't tried it yet but might one day. Needs a clean up and a chimney sweep first though.



so does anyone actually want some home grown dried oregano?

just a health update- I am reasonably convinced I'm on the improve. I'm still having coughing fits but less often. I didn't get the 5-6pm "deathly horrid" fit today (have for previous several days). I have a bit more brain, enough to have flung bits of fabric and clothing about but not enough to actually make anything.

I have had a dying fit (of the coloured variety). I shan't be able to tell until the thing is dry but I don't think it worked terribly well. Again this was a plan made whilst well so a) there was no thinking involved and b) I won't blame the sickness if it doesn't work. As usual I dyed some secondary stuff- which has almost always been a bad idea, no reason that should be different this time eh?

Suppose I should stay home rather than coming to craft hall. I'd just cough on everyone and get even more tired. So I think I shall sit on the sofa and do the SCA stitiching I have been saving, pretend I am there. I'd rather have the company though.

Raspberry, pistachio and chocolate gateau.

As I was commenting to doushkasmum - my knitting is now looser, faster and I can knit for longer. So over the last 4 days of being brainless, sick and sitting on the couch I have made this:



The design has been sitting in my head for a while. I like the way it has come out. The red and yellow wools are leftovers, the chocolate brown was bought for the purpose and though it was my third choice of colour, I like the way it works. I believe I have enough for a second sock- want to work on something else for a bit though.

I am thoroughly tired of coughing and thoroughly tired. I slept a little better last night but only for about 5hrs, then my body demanded that I move about to shift and get rid of the accumulated goo. Pity I am so bad at napping or I could catch up some sleep. I shall stay home again today, working a little as needed but basically being sick. I do hope this lurgy shifts soon.

I'm still coughing. Not much else wrong with me except a lack of energy. I have vastly more inclination to do stuff than my energy levels allow. Thinking of you both splodgenoodle and  sjkasabi.   I am managing to do a few things

This pic shows my appreciation both to dear Papa for making the seed box- I'm finally using it! Also to splodgenoodles for the seeds. I have only used a small selection. I should have thought about planting things with similar germination time though- at least the fast ones and slow ones are vaguely grouped- a happy accident. I have also been brave or foolish and sown some more radishes after the last lovely lot were slaughtered by the heat. This time I don't plan to be away from home for 3 days of >30deg temps. I added some beets this time. Bold gardener I.



and here is a beautiful sight. My cherry tree is even less dead!



I think the rest of the day should contain more resting, possibly sewing and definitely less gardening. I want to fit some cooking in there too. Should try for some clean. I'd like to manage some visiting also but probably shouldn't.

I finished knitting these last weekend. Just sewed the ends in and thought I'd share them with you. I love the colours and I'll be doing more contrast toe and heel, I've always liked that look. Next pair is already started even.



I shouldn't be up. Just getting down another hot honey and lemon drink and then I will retire, honest.

Are my legs really that white? Perhaps there is more blue in the picture than there should be?

My usual organised self doesn't seem to be home. She is hiding behind the goo that has invaded my head and throat. Ya, I seem to be a bit sick. blarchrch ch ch.

One amusing consequence- I am drinking half a glass of sweet viscous, probably highly alcoholic wine. This was poured off the partially defrosted bottle of wine that was frozen accidentally. I thought last night that a glass with dinner would be good- then forgot that I had put a bottle in the freezer.... Thankfully it was a corked bottle- but not anymore! Suppose I should wait for the rest to fully defrost before I have anymore. Otherwise I will have drunk a bottle's worth of alcohol without planning to.

Tomorrow I shall probably stay home and cough to myself. Wonder if I will get spots like young R?

Abbotsford types- sadly you should assume I won't be in Ballarat on the weekend. If I have enough of a miraculous recovery in time I will let you know.

I'm baaack. Tired, no brain and wilting in the heat. So in brief:

-we had a fantastic weekend.
-drive down and back was pleasant and the right sort of boring.
-ipod string worked a treat so we had music
-all agreed the party was grand. I had such a good time that 6 hrs of party seemed to go past in about 20min.
-twas Faaabulous to see everybody. Sydney peeps, Canberra peeps, visiting from Geneva peeps, peeps I haven't seen much in years. Lovely stuff
-a big thanks to my hosts. great, welcoming and fab as usual. As accommodating as accommodating things, and showed me the Blackadder millenium special which i didn't even know existed.
-bonus extra hangings out with R+J. lovely
-purchasing of much specialty produce, beer, jam, coffee, mustard, various smoked meats. We proved we could still find our way through Albury the old way, enabling a visit to Butts Smokehouse.
-finished pink/green sock #2
-arrived home to great heat and crispy plants
-also to a newly finished north fence! I am so glad I expected collateral damage because there was.
-now to stay awake for the return of budge and hope that this cough is leftover cat exposure or pollen effect and not lurgy.

probably more detail on some of the above later.

I just girded my whatsits and went to a Guy Fawkes party. It's increasingly rare for me to go out on a weeknight except for the regular commitments, even they have been piked from quite a bit lately. I've been making excuses all day to not go but I'm glad when it came down to it, I did. Got to see some fireworks up close and personal- not that close! A guy was burnt, another was beaten up -pinata style. We chanted and stalked in circles holding hands.

Remember, Remember the 5th of November
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.
We know of no reason that gunpower treason
Should ever be forgot.

Got to see an old friend and hang out with some of the lovely regular crowd. I actually introduced myself to the host.

All rather pleasant and I feel like I have had an outing. Next time I must remember a coat though, it was freezing! I sit here smelling smokey with hot chocolate in hand.

I've just had a lovely girlie day out with giddyaunt. We went to the State Rose Garden. I have been wanting to go for ages. twas lovely but would have been nicer with less wind. I think we missed the best early flush of flowers but still plenty of blooms to admire. Not enough with scent. I would happily go back again. I'd like to sit for some time in the little David Austen garden. Oh so beautiful and the best scented roses there.

Then we toured the mansion, including paying extra for the treat of going up the tower. Lovely fun. VERY windy at the top. Most entertaining trying to descend the staircase whilst stoping my skirt from whipping about my ears. It was interesting to see the house from above, easier to see which parts are the original house. A confusing place to navigate inside.



Wonder what I shall do with the rest of my afternoon?

Just how many people do you think have bawled their eyes out over "Wuthering Heights"? Well make that one more. After seeing only the second half of a television adaptation even.

Love requited but inaccessible. Love deserved but not requited. Unreasonable behaviour. Madness follows. The loved one dies.  Weep, no really, WEEP. I get the suffering but not the cruelty


3 posts in one day. I know, I really should get out more.

right. I'm feeling sad to not see people today but I did get a !#(*#(   load done

-rest of brick pile shifted away from fence wot is to be replaced
-repotted favourite dancer fuschia which had secured itself to the sleeper it was resting on by growing it's roots though it. I figured it that was a clear announcement that it needed a bigger pot.
-potted up the free (stolen) fuschia cutting which now has plenty of roots.
-pulled up chard that had gone to seed, gleaned leaves which I now have to find energy to cook for dinner.
-pulled up parsley (also gone to seed), this will give more light to my climbing beans which have all sprouted (thank you very much)
-put compost on exposed bits of garden + several pots including the lemon and lime which I am allowing to fruit this year. Probably a bit premature for the lime but this is year 4 for the lemon
-planted french radish and basil seeds- bought last summer, oops. If I'm lucky, they won't mind the wait.
-pruned the passionfruit vine front and back. I read that one is supposed to prune away a third each spring. I have, really. Wonder how much has escaped to the neighbour's yard? perhaps I should volunteer to prune that bit too?
-collected a bowl of partially ripe fruit, wonder if I will do anything with this? Any fruit left on the vine has chance to ripen further.
( passionfruit pics )
I have also
-finished the quilting on queen of hearts blankie
-cut and pressed the binding
-prepped a patch to fix my old charcoal work pants. Too precious to throw out if I can rescue them
-done yet more laundry, including my new gelati striped, pure cotton percale sheets!-bought yesterday for very little money. You'd never guess I was killing time in factory outlets?

Must go make dinner before I get to the immovable stage of Sunday evening.

Either a cunning plan or a pic to amuse you. Hopefully both.

As you might gather, I am trying to glue the soles back to the toes of my lovely pointy shoes. I do hope it works, I am short on comfy work shoes that are not the boots I have been living in for most of winter.



Less cunning was the plan to store the tin of glue upside down, grump. As a result it was mostly dry and I don't know whether it will bond. The sad remainder has been binned.

Also not so cunning was to burn test wool fabric in the lounge room. I am surrounded by the delightful smell of burnt hair. Dumb. I have done this before even. How about next time I do the burn test somewhere else?

However the burn test revealed that my new flem dress fabric is well near 100% wool even though it was labelled as a blend. The weight of fabric is good, it's wool. Not so sure how I will feel about the colour. Instead of the salmon pink I wanted, it is closed to a flesh tone. Looks like I am to make the "Naked Flem Girl Frock". I hope the amusement about the naked frock overrides the boringness of the colour. It does look fabulous with the brilliant red wool that is to be the coat though.

Posting much later than written due to looong phone call. Good to talk to you Dr Q

I have a huuuge list of things to get done. I think that list, or part of it, has just won over going to bash. Partly because if I don't do stuff now it won't get done for weeks. Partly 'cause the quietly getting stuff done in the cool and pleasant day is very appealing. Sorry Bash.

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.

Home grown, in a marinade on my steak for tonight. Amused I am. Pleased too. Smells fab.

If I had written this post when I got up, it would have been titled "Old, Fat, Tired, Hot and Grumpy".  I thought that sounded a bit too negative, as did most of the thoughts in my head. So I decided to try to ammend my mood before I posted.

A shower, restoring the kitchen to order, coffee and breakfast have helped. Also having a burbling budgie sitting on my arm. Friend T tells me she once wrote an essay or so on "Rituals of Cleanliness and Purity". I think I would like to read it. Somehow making things clean always makes me feel better. Though needing to make things clean does not.

My breakfast even contains a very positive and pleasing thing, this:



The passionfruit on my vine that set last summer are finally ripening! weird. They are supposed to do this in Summer. However the vine is only now heading into it's fourth Summer so it wasn't expected to bear properly until this year. The fruit is more acid than sweet still.  I think I should probably prune it nowish and cross my fingers that this year it figures out what it is supposed to do.

The fabric shopping excursion that was planned for this morning will be delayed until afternoon. I need more time for my brain to settle. Or something. Also to work on convincing my body that this weather is bearable. I am reading the current  moderate 22 degrees as a heat assault at the moment. I am well aware that in high summer this would be seen as a wonderfully cool day. However, only last Sunday, I had to wear a wooly jumper even through most of that brick shifting. I am so not acclimatised.

Lets not talk about work, or sleep patterns, or needing to find a pleasing outfit for next weekend.

Last night I went and saw "Trocks" which I had written in my diary as "Dudes enpoint". It was much fun and impressive. Maybe I'll write more on it later.

for those that read this and know what I am talking about- I plan to be at the cocktail party and I hope you will be too so I can see you there. I have no idea what I will be wearing except that it will involve my beautiful new boots. Oh and that it will involve more than my beautiful new boots. Hmm. Wardrobe review needed.