Dogs' Life 2

Thought a close up shot was in order.  The flash going off didn't even rouse them!

Its a dogs' life

I like to get up early in the morning (with Himself who gets up at 5), and have that first cuppa while I check my emails, facebook and the online news.   The dogs get out of their bed, Himself gives them a biscuit and they spend a bit of time outside.   They then make their way  back to the office where they assume various positions (the pictured one is a favourite), until I am showered, dressed and ready for action.   Its a great routine!

And yes, seeing this photo makes me think I do need to clean up my desk a bit but I do know what is in each pile...

Competition for farming photos

These are my favourite photos of farming scenes. I need to submit 3 for a
competition (prizes include a case of wine and Redband gumboots). I can't
decide. Any suggestions?

Favourite Photos

Frankee, last year's pet lamb, with the dogs and chooks.

More Snow Photos

Kitten's introduction to snow on a Monday morning

Old Friends

I’m writing this with a bit of a hangover early on a Sunday morning.   Not sure why I am up so early on a Sunday, that 5 am alarm just goes off in my head somewhere and up I get.   It’s a nice time to catch up on the news and things before others emerge.    But, back to the reason for the hangover.   Bidi and Rick are staying with us.  I first met Bidi back in the early 80’s in Matangi, Waikato.   We got on well then and have ever since although some years go past at times when we don’t see each other.   That’s the best thing about old friends, they can turn up after a lengthy absence, and the friendship just turns up too.   Consistently.

So, as we caught up on friends and family news, and explored opinions on recent things, gave our version of events that have occurred, we had a wine, or two.   First the pinot gris, then the red....   Seemed like a good idea at the time, not so good this morning but nothing a bit of exercise and a good breakfast won’t cure.   The roast leg of lamb with roasted vegetables went down a treat with the wines, and the banoffee pie was a real winner.   Just as well I forgot about that bottle of desert wine in the fridge.....

Thieving Animals

Connie is a lovely chestnut and really loves carrots.   I often buy those 10kg bags of carrots - second - which usually cost about $7.   Great for the horses (and not bad for the juicer either).

Silly me left the feed bin open and Connie got in and ate what was nearly a full bag.   I didn't discover this until much later, when I noticed bits of carrot all over the ground.   She had long gone, but I think she was smiling for a long time.

Just as well she is chestnut (ie orange), or I think she would have turned orange anyway!

I've just replaced the carrots and will endeavour to be more careful next time.  She's not the only animal around here who is a good thief.   Millie, the poohound, regularly steals chocolate from our wwoofers, if they happen to leave any around and their door open.   One time she stole a flash packet of german chocolate biscuits which were obviously special.    The only way you discover the deed is to see the empty packet out on the lawn....   The german wwoofers left soon after, perhaps they thought I had eaten their biscuits!!!  Unfortunately I only discovered the packet after they had left.   Oh dear.

Christchurch Rebuild but first demolish

These are some incredible photos of Christchurch as the demolition continues in the central city.  https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2FRossBeckerNZ%2FChristchurchJuly7DiggersDemolitionInTheCBDRedZone&h=gAQBuqynz

The photographer, Ross, is involved in the project to capture the history as it happens.  Not only are there the photographic memories being captured, but people’s stories are also being collected in a number of ways.   Canterbury University is doing a great job of leading some of this.    One of the best things to come out of the earthquake is the levels of collaboration and bringing the communities together – whether it is physical communities or communities of people with the same interests.   There’s also a big group of people who are looking to rebuild the gardens, bringing back the Garden of the Garden City.    All very worthwhile projects and hopefully ones that will flourish. 

Tim Wilson - Their Faces Were Shining

I leapt at the chance to get a free new book to review from Booksellers (http://www.booksellers.co.nz/) through one of their Facebook promotions as part of the New Zealand Post Book Awards.   I opted for Tim Wilson “Their Faces Were Shining” although wouldn’t have minded any of the other fiction finalists either.     The book arrived in record time (the very next day) which is quite a feat for the rural post.  Perhaps because it was a finalist in an event sponsored by NZ Post made the difference.  

Anyway, I’d just finished another book (When God was a Rabbit which I do recommend reading) so got pretty much straight into it.   It was an easy but harrowing read.   Rather than repeat myself, I’ve copied my review (which is now on the facebook page for the NZ Post Awards) here.

 There’s a lot going on in this book so be prepared!   There are also a number of reasons why you should avoid this book.   Perhaps it should come with a medical warning on its cover.  

If you have been, even just a little bit, traumatised by the earthquakes in Canterbury my recommendation is NOT to read this book, especially if you are looking for any light relief.     Some parts of this book rub those raw wounds, for instance as those people left behind react to the “Rapture.”  Being a Cantab, I found it hard not to draw parallels at times to what is happening here even though the two events and aftermath of both are very different. 

If you are earthquake affected, depressed or feeling a bit under weather, be warned that this story is gloomy, bloody gloomy.  It won’t cheer you up, make you optimistic and especially won’t give you an escape to a better place.    If you didn’t enjoy The Road, don’t attempt this either.    There’s nothing that goes right for Hope.   What a terrible name to give to your main character as you force them into such dire situations and behaviour. 

I was initially a bit put off by all the God references but in the end it wasn’t the religious aspect that really got to me.  It was the sheer volume of things going wrong in the lives of the people in this book, and the way they reacted to them.  It got to the point where it was perhaps just a little unbelievable.

While it is well written, and the characters developed well, I think Tim Wilson has been too caught up in the news and negative side of life.  I think I might list my copy on Trade Me and see if I can get something positive as a result of being given this book. 

Frosty Sunday Morning

A beautiful frost in the vicinity of 6 degrees. Very cold anyway but
beautiful.

Dog Doings

The Stalker

A Battle Within

I'm having a 'wee' battle with myself.   I'm not quite sure where this is going, but there is an internal dilemma going on within my aging body.   On the one hand, I want to continue my professional work, and am doing this, although part time.   Its interesting, its stimulating, and it pays well.    I enjoy the contact with people and while the work is not particularly taxing intellectually, it is on an emotional level, especially as I deal with people who have lost so much from the earthquake, and are feeling so miserable. 

Then, on the other hand, there is the work to do here on the farm.  This involves the running of the house, the garden, the animals and the area considered the "farmer's wife's domain."   There is a lot to do here at the "homestead."  I have unlimited choices of doing gardening, finishing my landscaping jobs, start a new mosaic project, cooking with the fabulous provisions I have, and then there is the house.  No, not just housework (though god only knows that is continual), but there is the opportunity to make improvements (although some rooms have to be on hold until EQC come to visit and tell us how much insurance we will get to fix all those cracks).   Then there are some adventures to have with my cheese making kit purchased some time back but still virgin.   And the pasta machine?    Another adventure still to have.

Trouble is, it becomes a tad boring.  One issue of course is that it is unpaid and largely unrecognised work.  Maybe this is the main problem although the personal satisfaction can be immense.  I think the issue is  more about the lack of people contact.

So, if I go back to doing more in the professional area, this means staying away during the week in Christchurch as its just too far to commute.  I would miss everything about the farm and the life here, and always want to be back here.  Trouble is, when I am here, I seem to want something else.

So, the voluntary work and the newly enrolled studies could help to keep me stimulated here at home.   Voluntary work also takes me to other places including Wellington next weekend.    I've got a bit of work to do before the board meeting, and made a good go of it a couple of days ago, making excellent progress, even if I say so myself.

I think what I really miss is the good old girlfriend contact.   The meeting in a lovely winebar having a good bitch and laugh about work and life and the various other halves.    Sounds shallow, and pathetic really, but I think a bit of girl time is needed.  

In the meantime, its take a deep breath, dress up warmly to get out to do those outside jobs in a severe frost, get dinner sorted in the slowcooker, and then head to Christchurch for an afternoon of work.  

Maybe I should just join the "count your blessings" facebook group or something.  After all, what have I really got to moan about?