Lovely Jubbly!

The Price of Milk

People are always bleating on about the price of milk, and seem amazed that a bottle of coke is cheaper. Why wouldn't it be? To make milk you need a farm on which you grow lush grass. You must raise a herd of cows, nuture and care for them, and invest in and maintain the machinery to milk them. The milk is then transported to a factory to be processed, bottled and distributed. To make coke you take some water, add some sugar and questionable favouring, then carbonate. Even quite slow-witted people manage this at home with their soda stream. If you don't like the price of milk, don't drink it - it's not good for you anyway - what other animal drinks milk after being weaned, let alone that of a different species?

Digging

The upside of daylight saving, though it will be a week or two before it compensates for the dreadful mornings, is the chance to garden in the evenings. Tonight project number one was completed, placing the pittosporums for a screening hedge beside the driveway. The concrete was cut and the bed prepared earlier in the day by Handy Andy - I highly recommend his services if you are a Lower Hutt home owner with a plan. I think some pretty annuals in the front of the bed will look nice until the trees work their magic, but that will wait until the weekend.

One Theory May Be In Question

But he's undoubtably right about this!

I May Be a Genius

But, being shy and humble, I didn't like to mention that something didn't quite add up for me in the theory of relativity. And when physicists started saying there WAS an end to the universe, I knew something was amiss - if there's an end, then what's just beyond that? Stephen Hawking better ratchet up his pondering - we need answers!

Roll on Summer

Not looking forward to adjusting to even earlier mornings, but at least daylight saving means long summer evenings are just around the corner. This year has raced away!

It's Rolled Round Once More ...

.... bliss!

Flowers for the Teacher

I'm lucky enough to get a steady supply, but today's were both a delight and a surprise. Pohutukawa flowers in September! We are supposed to be set for a good summer if they flower before Christmas, so I hope this is a sign that a spectacular summer is ahead.

Beautiful ...

... song and subject.

We Never Stop Learning

For well over 30 years, though I have never pondered it too particularly, I have assumed the surname 'Dagg' was an entirely fictional one conjured up by John Clarke as an amusing farming reference for his character. In the last few days I have found that not to be so. I wonder how Israel found it growing up as a cousin to all those Trevs?

I Hope I'm a Realist

Yet, I spent a valuable, never to be retrieved, chunk of my precious morning trying to get service from TelstraClear - what was I thinking!

Gardening

A stroll to Mitre 10 and then a little weeding, planting and sprinkling of seeds. Also trimmed the box hedging, but no photos will be posted as they "contain scenes that some viewers may find disturbing" - the art is knowing when to stop ...

Is There a Better Time in the Week...

... than Friday evening, when all the promise of a weekend lies ahead and unused?

Charitable Acts

I would have thought an act of charity involves giving something - maybe your attention, time, skills or money - something of some value. How is it that we have these lowlifes who drop off utter crap on the pavement outside charity shops. They know it's crap - that's why they drop it off when the shop is closed. They could not look anyone in the eye in their act of 'generosity'. Too tight to pay at the landfill, they actually cost their charity of choice precious money when they must clear up these sorry donations.

Hallelujah!

I love this song and this man. And I had the privilege of seeing him live a while back - brilliant! If only I could remember who I lent my DVD to ....

Tedious, Tedious

I thought it would be the actual rugby matches which would be the big yawn, but no. It's all the associated garbage - Auckland transport, abusive cabinet ministers, government take-overs, despondent mayors, attacked waka teams - good grief! And there are weeks and weeks to go .....

The Tree of Life

Hmmm. It was interesting ...... The family life was great. Not so sure about the earth science - how many volcanoes do we need? The dinosaurs were weird, and the final scenes even more so.

Could I Be Getting Old?

I know it's hard to believe, but it might be so! In conversation today a companion used the word 'frock', a lovely word that is seldom heard today. I fear that if I spoke of wearing my best frock to the pictures after a visit to the baths, today's child would be none the wiser - never suspecting I was smartly attired in a dress on the way to the movies after a splash at the pool.

Nearly Fireworks Time

Don't think they will quite be up to Auckland's display last night! The carnival this afternoon was a very tatty affair. Didn't bother with the fire show - saw the sculptures and find the idea of watching effigies burn a little creepy. So, I hope the fireworks justify the my money splashed out by the city council.

Opening Ceremony ...

... impressive! Let battle commence!

It's a Manly Pursuit ...

.... and the teams have arrived for the much anticipated event. So far, not as dreary as I expected. Will take in the opening ceremony tomorrow. Oh, and GO TONGA!

Ooh, la, la!

A big dress-up day at school to mark the RWC. Everyone chose a second country to follow, and dressed up accordingly. Children looked amazing and money was raised for a children's charity. I chose France - a beret can look so good when worn with style!

Be there ...

... or be square! Should be lots of fun, especially the fireworks!

Location, Location, Location

It takes 30 seconds to get to the beach, but if I head a minute or two in the opposite direction I end up at a stream beside Shandon Golf Course, where I can feed the ducks. When arriving with the bag of bread, I've found it's not a good idea to call out, "Hi guys, look what I've got for you!" when there is a group of golfers teeing off on the other bank! It's not just ducks that are there, with quite a few pukeko nesting in the reeds and also a solitary kotuku (white heron) that I think has made the Hutt press, spotted there yesterday.

Petone Beach

Sitting on the sand with my new thermos cup full of milky tea, looking at this - one of the many reasons I love Petone. Life just gets better and better. And next week it's the Petone Carnival!

Beachcombing

When I walk on the beach I look for a wee find each time. Sometimes a pretty shell, perhaps an interesting stone or piece of beach glass. But today, what a find. I spied a section of the base with a little blue paint sticking out from the sand. A little digging and to my surprise - Ganesha appeared. I expect he was washed in and buried in the last storm. I wonder where he came from. He has a home in the garden now, and a welcome addition.

Of Mouses and Mice

What a glorious day. Millie and I will not be spending it on the computer!

T.G.I.F.

..... oh, and it's Friday, too - nice!

Getting My Stuff Done