More Snow

Luckily lambing hasn't started yet, and hopefully the ewes will keep those babies in for a few more days as we have snow, snow and more snow and hail.  Did I mention wind and sub-zero temperatures as well....

Forecast is for a few days of this.   It is a winter wonderland out there, but I'm sure I will get very sick of it soon.  Some of the hail and snow has melted this afternoon, and now it is snowing again, so if it gets colder tonight, we are going to have some slippery surfaces out there tomorrow.   I always was useless at skating.

Himself came home for late breakfast and shower and did a snow streak - joined by the dogs and the cat.  Everyone was tearing around the lawn in the snow yelling, barking or laughing.   It was a huge bit of fun.   Photos were taken (of course) and through social media, were disseminated far and wide, much to the humiliation of himself's 21 year old daughter ("Dad you are so embarrassing").  

Now I'll have to post at least one photo of this shenanigans.....

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.