He looks as bad as I feel.......

The Old Gardener - Emile Claus 1849-1924

...when your back stops aching and your

hands begin to harden,

you will find yourself a partner

in the Glory of the Garden.

from a Rudyard Kipling poem

I've resorted to this....

The ultimate blogger's companion

DMJ's in New Zealand this week fishing for the 'bigguns'. That left the mowing, weeding, digging, mulching, pruning and back-ache to 'muggins'. When I wasn't doing that, I got into the cupboards inside and found this little treasure. Why didn't I think of it before?! Because it was long forgotten, just like most of the junk we never look at - next job; it's going! But not this little beauty; I set it on Auto for 15 minutes or longer and when I get up, I float across the floor in an upright position!!! Thankyou, daughter, for the Father's Day present a few years back, now Mother's!

National Parks

Pronghorn Antelope (Atilocapra americana)

Yesterday I watched three remarkable episodes of a BBC production, "Yellowstone". I was in awe all the way through. The camera work was fantastic capturing the wildlife and their habits and the scenery; breathtaking! I'd never heard of the Pronghorn Antelope, or Prong Buck, nor the Pika, a cousin of the rabbit. The Pronghorn is said to be the fastest land mammal in the world, second only to the cheetah. I loved learning about the bison and the grizzly bears and the way the mothers cared for their young but my favourite was the otter.

American Pika (Ochotona princeps)

Another program that started this week is The National Parks: America's Best Idea. I've watched one episode and look forward to the rest.

Hair today, gone tomorrow...

The revenge of Samson!  Hubby says, "the difference between a good and a bad haircut is two weeks".  I rang yesterday and cancelled for another month. 

It's one thing I loathe; visiting the hairdresser.  I sit in the chair and think, 'what am I doing here, I like it the way it is' but I know that soon it will become that 'in between' style that I just can't handle. Why do they cut too much off?  Why don't they listen?!!

Anticipation

The pleasure of expecting enjoyment

is often greater than that of 

obtaining it...

Samuel Johnson

Glad, mad and waiting...

Jeanne Tripplehorn - Big Love

I'm very happy that Big Love is back on free-to-air television. It's been a favourite all along. But I'm not happy that Madmen has now gone to pay-TV; I was just getting into that show! There's a new one being advertised at the moment, The Goodwife, with Chris Noth (Sex and the City) and Julianna Marguilies (ER) featured in the clip. I wonder whether it will turn out to be just another courtroom drama series?

Being retired, all we have these days apart from a lot of work outside, is our computers and television. That's not quite right; DMJ has his fishing, photography, flytying and workshops and I hold the fort when he goes off to do a show! We live in the country, have a picture theatre 25km away but it only puts on a film every couple of months. Our favourites are documentaries but occasionally quirky shows like the above come along. I tape late night movies; no blurb to read, I just go on the title and where it was made. Some turn out to be OK but most are a waste of time.

This isn't going anywhere; just talking out loud....... I've lost the plot, off the boil, can't get excited about anything lately........

Sam the Koala Immortalised

Sam at the Museum
Pic: Melbourne Herald Sun

You might remember my stories about Sam the Koala who became a symbol of hope to so many when she was rescued on Black Saturday back in February this year. With a lot of special care, Sam recovered from her ordeal but sadly died from the disease that affects up to 50% of the Koala population, Chlamydia (R.I.P. Sam the Koala). Sam has been immortalised and her new home is up a gum tree at Museum Victoria in Melbourne.

Another feel good story is about Old Cocky who has lived with Bessie & Jim McMahon at Kinglake (ravaged by the fires) for about ten years.

Old Cocky

"Mrs McMahon (84) and her husband Jim, 89, sheltered 35 terrified neighbours, relatives and strangers at her 80ha property on Black Saturday while she fought spot fires with her bare hands.

They put buckets of water around Old Cocky's cage in the carport to help him brave the February 7 firestorm.

He first turned up in Kinglake about a decade ago when he flew into their neighbours' garden and they asked if Bessie would look after him.

'When we first got him he had feathers on him but he stresses out a little bit and loses them,' she said. 'He used to swear like a trooper in those days but he's got a few manners now.'" - Source: Melbourne Herald Sun

Old Cocky playing with Jack Russell terrier, Leo

Countdown to Winter Olympics......

Torvill & Dean - 1984 WO

We're really looking forward to watching the 21st Winter Olympics to be held 12-28th February in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the resort town of Whistler, nearby. We'll be watching in the comfort of our loungeroom.

I particularly love the figure skating; most of you would remember the dynamic UK partnership of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean performing to Ravel's 'Bolero' at the 1984 WO in Sarajevo Yugoslavia. I remember that it was a weekend afternoon we watched it and I was doing the ironing! We were just awestruck by the 'dance'; they ended up with a score of 12 perfect sixes, which has never been repeated. I've just watched them again. They performed it again in 2006 on a UK TV show Dancing on Ice.

I also love the aerial skiing, bobsleigh, luge, ski jumping and even find curling fun!

Bobsled, early WO

Our own Kirstie Marshall, an aerial skier, now a politician, won several World Cup gold medals and did well in the 1994 and 1998 WO medal events. And we were so proud of little Alisa Camplin at the Salt Lake City WO in 2002! She became our WO darling that year. Despite multiple fractures in both ankles she won Gold in the aerial skiing event scoring 193.47 for her triple twisting somersault or 'back full/double full'. Back home Australia Post designed a stamp in her honour.

Alisa Camplin - Torino Italy 2006 WO

The first Winter Olympics were held at the foot of Mont Blanc in Chamonix Haute-Savoie, France in 1924.

So much said in so few words....

Alabaster

LIKE this alabaster box whose art

Is frail as a cassia-flower, is my heart,

Carven with delicate dreams and wrought

With many a subtle and exquisite thought.

Therein I treasure the spice and scent

Of rich and passionate memories blent

Like odours of cinnamon, sandal and clove,

Of song and sorrow and life and love.

Sarojini Naidu 1879-1949

New Year Cheer

Camp David

I feel rather sad this morning as I pack the cards and decorations away. But that won't last long; there are three Birthdays to celebrate this evening! An al fresco barbecue under the stars!