Lock-down Day 280

Good night, early morning! I got up quite early, too! It's bearably cool this morning, so I'd like to get whatever hot work I need to do, done as soon as possible. I started by watering the bed, where I've placed some of my succulents.

I have three taps in this garden, two of which have tap to hosepipe connectors. I'll have to get a third one.

Just past ten, kitchen is clean. Well, I should still wash the floor ... only ... it is already too hot for comfort!

I did, however, thoroughly clean mippies' water fountain! Since I fill it with only filtered water, there's no calcium build up. Just dust and ants. And some mippie fur, of course.

I tried rolling the hosepipe on the holder fitted by the tap ... not possible! Well, it's possible, but it is fitted so close to the tap, that you can't roll it while it's connected! Sigh ... pretty useless, then.

I went and pulled out what I could in my herb garden - and also harvested a couple of potatoes there. The ground is too hard to do any weeding - anyway, it's also too hot to even try! I just cleared all the big stuff out, so that when it finally does rain, I can see what I'm doing. When I finally get to really weed there!

Then I went to look at my rose bushes. Up close, they look pretty bad, I'm afraid. I've cut them down, cutting all the wilting or wilted roses right at the bottom - but a lot of the stems look dead, too. I had to do some serious weeding before I could even get to the roses - again, I could only cut most of them, the ground is simply too hard! The yellow rosebush seems to be the healthiest. I cut myself a bunch, then trimmed what needed trimming. Another area that desperately needs attention as soon as the ground softens!

Here's a doozey: the waste bin drawer pongs! Seriously, how? Since I've cleaned it, I have not put anything smelly in there! I wash everything, before putting it in either bin - there is nothing in that bin that should smell! And it's not coming from the bin itself ... I stuck my head in the drawer, and the smell is coming from the drawer. Sigh ... so, I've sprinkled some flea powder and lavender carpet powder in there. As I feared, the problem is UNDER the cabinet - which, here, is inaccessible! Sigh ... 

Mippies are sprawled around the house. Mewthos asked me to open the closet, he's climbed in and curled up. Ziva - disgusted with Mewthos taking her place - has climbed into one of the boxes I keep in the lounge. Mini is in the largest box in the lounge - her current favourite place! Janey was in my wardrobe, pushing my socks out of her way! I've placed blankies, cushions and other soft stuff on shelves, to entice them to use those. Nope! Only the shelves, where I keep my clean clothes are comfy! Weird mips!

I went outside for a bit, working under the trees. I pulled out some weeds, cut others and then spent some time tending to the trees themselves! Gosh, there is a lot of dead wood in them! I cut everything I could reach - I'll need some means to reach higher. And then there are a LOT of trunks that need to be sawed off completely! So much dead wood! I can see that someone did some pruning there, some time ago - but they cut dead branches far out? So the thicker part is still on the tree. Dead as a door nail. Well, I cut what I could reach. Someone also cut a lot of those creepers at some time ... but that's all they did! Cut them. Left them. I pulled off what I could, but most of the branches are now dead. I'll need to saw them off. And, once the ground is soft, I'll need to dig up those creeper bulbs! Some of those ... well, the main arm is as thick as my little finger! I shudder to think how deep and how big its bulbs must be!

This whole place is such a lot of work! Inside and outside! Inside has been 'washed' or 'wiped down' - never scrubbed. Outside ... well ... outside has been mowed and cut. Nobody has really tended the garden for years! I mean, just looking around, the newest plant is already years old! I'm not sure whether the last thing to be planted were the rose bushes, the smaller ponytails or the peach tree. All of them are years old.

Well, I'll just have to continue doing my best, every day.

Guess what? I just found MORE pavement! This time, covered not only by grass, but ground and roots as well ... so it's been covering for years! Where? Oh, out back, behind my neighbours carport where I still had that small patch to finish. How much more? I mean, honestly - who does that? Letting pavement disappear under ... anything? I mean, I'm trying to be a gardener - not an archaeologist!

When I took the bin to the compost heap, I noticed that half the lawn was already in the shade. Nobody's come to mow the lawn, yet, and with rain forecast for tomorrow - I'm not holding my breath. And I also don't want to loose the hard-won ground! So I decided to re-mow the front. It wasn't much work - I only have a problem with those extra-tough ... stuff. It's not really grass, I'll have to pull it out sometime. There's a LOT in that 'lawn' that needs to be pulled out ... repeatedly. It's really a mess.

Then I tore the last stuff out of the back yard. Yeah, no pulling, cleaning or anything, I just tore the last stuff out. I'll do a proper job another time.

Then I watered my succulents again. When they had a good amount of water, I turned the hosepipe on the ground. Strong stream, aimed at the corners all along the house, and wherever else there were corners. I cleared all the built up dust and junk from the stairs, next to the stairs, and the bottom corners of the house, along the back patio, past the kitchen - especially those bricks and the built up ground near the water outlet, where the weeds keep growing. Then around the laundry room, as the water pipes are just above the ground - so there is no way to clean under the pipes, and dirt builds up there, which weeds just love! Then I cleared the back yard, and all paving or plates that I found under there ... tomorrow, I'll just sweep as much off the pavement. Progress ... not much, but it's progress.

I manged to get quite a lot done today! Okay, so the cookie dough is still in the fridge, but outside? I got lots done! 

I gather enough of us have been using electricity sparingly, as a result, load shedding has been called off again. Nice!

Mewthos is now coming to join us in my bedroom for times, since last night! He was here again just now. He stayed a while, then went back to his post by the front door. My little worry bug!

Yes, it's New Year's Eve ... but I'm going to sleep, as usual. Good night. See you next year!

Lock-down Day 279

Not the best of nights - just too hot and humid for comfort! I woke up a few times, simply because I was hot. Too hot and sticky. Not much I can do, even though the ceiling fan stays on all night. At least we didn't have load shedding during the night.

We will, however, enjoy load shedding tonight! Stage 2 is scheduled to come into effect at ten tonight! I suppose my best plan would be to be asleep before ten ... and hope! Sigh ...

Well, today my big mission is to bake cookies! I haven't been able to decide on the number of batches to make, as I want to be sure to have a batch ready for baking every weekend. It took a while to realise that I don't actually have to finish ALL batches today! It's not weekend, it's holiday! I can do two batches today, see how far that gets me, and do more tomorrow, if needed! On weekends, I have only one day. With the 'time to reach room temperature' plus the time it needs to refrigerate, I need a day. And with the rest of the weekend chores, on weekends, I only have on chance.

Anyway, margarine and eggs are out, reaching room temperature. While I waited for that, I mowed the back lawn.

Right, both batches are now in the fridge. I feel as if I've done hard labour! The kitchen is so hot! Oh, I also didn't get the dough quite right ... the recipe calls for 225 gram chocolate chips. I did that with the first dough - but it didn't look the same. So I figured that I must have used chocolate powder instead of chips. So, I tried that with the second batch. Only ... it was much too dry! I ended up adding milk and oil to get it into dough! I suppose that I used much less powder in the past ... I had the actual recipe open online, when I first experimented. I wish I had written down what I'd done! Silly of me to rely on my memory! Ah, well ... I'll see how each batch turns out ...

I was about to start pulling those prickly weeds, when I saw Smeagol in the car port. So, I filled his bowl ... then re-filled mippies' dispenser as well.

My peaches have been dropping off the tree for the past couple of days now. They are nowhere near mature, yet, they are still green! I've just looked up possible reasons: excessive heat, high humidity ... sigh. Nothing I can do about it.

I tried outside ... it is much too hot! Never mind, 'for comfort' - it really is too hot! The lounge is relatively cool - and that is 35 degrees Celsius! Even the shade outside is too hot! I did pull a lot of prickly weeds, and found Smeagol had retreated into the relatively cool outside room! Three mips are sprawled around inside ... I eventually found Mewthos outside.

I also have my towels in the washing machine, pre-wash with bleach, wash hot, now drying. I should also take the two loads I washed yesterday, down. Maybe later ...

It's actually so hot, that I doubt I will have to worry about these watery weeds for much longer - they are already wilting. When weeds wilt ... that's REALLY hot! When indigenous weeds wilt? Not normal.

I've been making myself ... oh, what do you call the milkshakes without milk? I use frozen fruit and aloe juice. Very refreshing in this heat! I had watermelon and now I'm using frozen orange juice.

I'm just glad I cleaned the bin & drawer yesterday, because today it really is much too hot to do anything! Sigh ...

I'm also quite hungry, so I've made myself a pasta tuna salad. The cooking was a bit ... unpleasant ... now I'm cooling it down.

Great! Heavy rainfall predicted in every province ... except Gauteng. Oh, we should see some rain, as well, just not very much. Well, having had to stay at home due to flooding last year - I suppose that's a relief. Rains is predicted for Friday ... 

That kind of sucks, doesn't it? Can't garden, can't do much indoors ... I'm forced to relax! What hell is this?

Just got a message that my order would be delivered tomorrow! Sigh ... but at least I can re-schedule. Monday.

I hear thunder outside, time to look for Mewthos! Turns out, he likes to hide in the dog house! At least, now I know where to find him. He's in his play room now - which is nice and cool!

Just got a call from the manager here, wanting to make sure I've got water. I told him, if I hadn't, he would have heard from me long ago! Ha Ha! Next I get a 'please call me' from the guard - same question, same answer.

With another thunderstorm on the way, it might be a good idea to shower early ... I don't want to be showering while there's lightning. On the other hand, the later I shower, the better I sleep ...

Half past six, time for a family quality meeting before I bring in mippies!

Mewthos has been behaving 'off' lately. I'm thinking it must be the high humidity. He flops down in the spare room, then mewls for me to come to him ... but won't stay in my bedroom, on my bed. Poor boy.

Well, I'm just flopping on the bed, myself ... let's hope for a good night!

Lock-down Day 278

Good night, relatively early morning ... nobody showed up to mow the lawn, so I let mippies out. Made myself coffee, relaxed.

By half ten, I called to find out what's going on ... some issues, but I'm told he'll come as soon as he can. That'll have to do, as it's either I continue mowing myself or trust that it will be done. Apparently he's low on petrol, he asked whether I'm going to town anytime soon. Sorry, only Monday.

Yes, I have been contemplating going to Ninapark Superspar, but it IS a half hour's drive away, and if you know me at all, you'll know how much I dislike leaving home, unless I have to.

Mewthos kept mewling for some unknown reason. He's in the mippie playroom, and keeps calling me. Yes, tummy tickles is nice ... but that's clearly not what he wants. I eventually figured out that Ziva was 'hiding' in the closet and he just wants to join her! They are both in the closet, now!

As much as I enjoy gardening, I do have some indoor chores that I want done before the end of the holiday. At the moment, all indoor chores seem like millstones, keeping me from doing what I enjoy! Like a kid wanting to play, ha ha!

The first of those chores I really, really want done is to thoroughly deep clean the waste bin drawer! I took out the bag yesterday, and the place was crawling with maggots, again! Yeah, from the chicken meal. No matter what I do, I sprayed the bin with insect poison, I spray the whole area with it - I remember the same problem in East London. There, I found maggots UNDER the drawer, coming out of the floor! Even though I had sprayed the drawer, got a bin, a bin liner inside the bin ... just seemed like there was nothing I could do! And here, I can't get UNDER the drawer, so the best I can do, is steam clean the entire drawer and keep spraying poison inside. But I do hope, that will avoid the pong!

I've also re-instated my 'wash everything before it goes in the bin' efforts. I keep the sink filled with water, and when I have bags, pouches or sachets, I rinse them thoroughly before I bin them.

Step 1 is done: I've wiped off every last maggot corpse - everywhere. Then sprayed the whole contraption with a strong cleaner, which is now setting. I've wiped the bin, inside the drawer (which is somewhat awkward, as I can't get it out), under the drawer and ... well ... everywhere.

Why am I writing this in such detail? Well, if I have to suffer having to do this crappy job - I like to spread the suffering :D Nah, that's not it. It's simply, the more time I take writing, the longer my break ... 

It's still hot, it's still humid, so this is not a pleasure. There are clouds in the sky, but ... well, they're just floating around as a tease.

My rose bushes are now in full bloom: white, yellow, red and orange! It looks lovely from this distance! I guess I had better go and cut them soon ...

Got a call, the lawnmower is outside, if I could please take it into the yard, where it's safe. I get the impression, the mowing will still be done today.

I've completed Step 2: wiped everything clean. And I've assembled my steamer, so the next step is to steam clean everything. Steam = hot. So I'm not really keen on getting started. It's half past noon and going on 35 degrees.

Step 3, part 1 also complete. The bin itself is clean. You might think 'why put so much effort into cleaning a plastic bin? Just replace it!' only ... I tried that before. Well, not replacing an existing bin, but finding one. At my East London flat. I went through every household shop available, and then some! Only two options: highly overpriced one or ugly one. Since the bin won't be visible, I bought the ugly one - which cost less than a third of the overpriced one! I spent about a week going around looking at every place that might have something suitable! Much less effort to clean the bin!

It ponged quite a bit, as I'm lifting dirt that's been stuck to the bin for a long, long time! Next, I'll get to enjoy doing the same for the drawer! Only, that will take a lot longer and involve some elastic posturing to reach some of the worst places ...

Man, what a shit job! And I'm gathering this is the first time it has been done! I would guess, the normal 'going through the motions' method of cleaning has been applied here ... for many years!

Done! No yellow areas, no grease spots, no streaks ... it looks as good as new! But what a mission! Well, let's hope I won't have to do that again for a long time!

I was contemplating mowing the lawn out back. I went outside for a walk around, and felt some drips of water: rain! There was a bit of a shower, not much, though. Sigh ... I've got mippies inside, especially Mewthos! But it's not even five ... I think I need to let them out again.

Half a mm rainfall! That's it. No more. And temperatures dropped by a whole degree! Just one. Down to 34 Celsius!

Yes, I let mippies out again and went out myself. I worked a bit in the bed next to the grill, where I've placed the first of my succulents from pots. Weeds are showing up again, all around the succulents - because that's where I water. Cleaned those out again, then worked towards the other end. The ground is too hard, though, so I settled for pulling off the tallest weeds. I'll dig them out after it has actually rained.

Then I cleared the weeds from the grill along the fence toward the back, working around the corner up to the back of the outside room. I left the prickly ones, though. I'll pull them out another day, when I feel like putting on gloves.

I see a pack of dogs visiting, sniffing excitedly around my gate. I say a pack, but there are just three. Small dogs. Not wild, but somebody's dogs. I'm just a little concerned about Ziva. She usually goes outside around this time of day - as she always comes running through the gate, when I call her. Well, she's not supposed to be outside! As I've got ready to go out to 'rescue' her, if need be, she comes over the wall from my neighbours side. The outside, not inside their yard! Those dogs would make mince meat of her! I think, by now, they all know that ... though, I fear, Mewthos may not know it, yet. He's the only one who can't jump up to the wall.

Half past six, mippies are inside and treated. I've just fried my dinner ... left it a bit too long. That always reminds me of the joke song, about the best part of the steak being between the burnt and the raw side!

I see that, along with Level 3, we're also getting load shedding back! I have no clue which block I'm on, so I can't plan ... just have to wait and see. Sigh. Well, at least this version of Level 3 is not quite as bad as the one we had in June! Only thing I must remember - apart from wearing a mask in public - is, not to leave before six, as the curfew is in place until six every morning.

Shared dinner with Ziva ... Mewthos wasn't interested. No clue why - it's good sirloin! Not that I'm complaining: more for me!

Well, I'm boiling water for coffee, just in case.

Twenty to eight. I'm kind of tired ... not really sure, why. Yes, I worked, but again: not extremely hard. Ah, well ... play a bit, watch a bit, then bed ...

Lock-down Day 277

Not the best of nights, late morning.

In case you're wondering what else can go wrong? Well, try dire rear when you have no running water! It's ugly, that's all I will say.

Not fun today. First, I'm trying to re-schedule my delivery - not possible. So, I fill in the form again and wait ...

Nobody showed up, yet, to mow the lawn ... good thing, I guess, as I woke up half past eight. Like I said: not the best of nights.

There's also nothing happening at the pump house. So, I've called my neighbour - he says the last he heard was also Saturday. They'd try to get a pump, and let us know (which, of course, they didn't), so we're expecting them to go and buy a pump (or motor) today, then come back here and install it - which, my neighbour assures me, isn't much work. An hour at most. He would know, having lived on plots and farms most of his life. Well, he suggested we give them a little more time (although he expected them to be here already), then call the manager.

I'm seriously ticked off with this lack of communication! But that's become the norm nowadays. No, I'm not going to rant ...

Smeagol arrived for breakfast - I give him the left-over treats, when he comes in the mornings.

It's still over 30 Celsius in the shade - I checked at ten and again at eleven last night, it never dropped below 30! I'm wondering whether my thermometer may be broken?

Yay! Just before ten, my neighbour calls across the wall: they are here now, fitting the replacement motor! I'll hear the water filling the toilet cistern ... I'll wait a while longer, giving my neighbour time to shower first - they are a whole family, I'm just me :) Being able to flush the toilet will make me happy enough for now!

The back lawn has also needed re-mowing for the past few days. I'll be able to do that today! I hope ...

Around eleven, I got a missed call from the courier - he's outside and nobody is answering. Sigh, I apologised for the inconvenience and told him that I tried my best to avoid it, to the best of my ability. I'm still trying! Sigh ...

I also went outside to see what's happening with the pump - they're busy installing the new motor, we should have water soon!

Water! Yay! 72 hours! I see there's high electricity usage, (there's a little red light flashing), which means the pump is busy trying to fill the tank. I've turned on the geyser, so now I'll wait for that red light to stop flashing.

In the meantime, I'm cleaning the toilet and trying to figure out whether, and if, how to fix my bathroom sink plug! As I feared, it's stuck again - won't come up. Turns out, it's not so difficult. I can simply remove and replace the piston. I'm not sure where I'll get a replacement piston, or when, but at least it's within my ability. I'm not dependent on anyone's help. THAT's a big one! Having to rely on anyone always sucks!

Uh oh! I hear thunder! As much as I would really love rain - I fear the power failure that usually accompanies thunder storms!

Well, I'm just washing dishes, then saw mail regarding my delivery: "Sorry, nothing we can do." I replied, asking what am I supposed to do, and am told "Cancel & re-order" No good. Items were on special. Now what? Sigh, I'm still hoping for a reply, but if I don't get one ... I'll have to cancel, I guess.

The wind picked up, blew away the clouds, the sun is shining and we didn't get a drop of rain! Sigh ...

Half past five, all four mips are sprawled around the lounge. Half in boxes, half on the floor. Smeagol has come for dinner ... 

Last response regarding my delivery? Identical to the first one. Like they tick a box, rather than actually respond. Told them to cancel the order. Pfffft! So much for their so-called 'smile guarantee - we're only happy when you're happy'! I guess that's a fitting end to 2020, eh?

I was also very happy to finally make myself a milkshake! What's the water got to do with my making milkshakes? Simple: no water = can't clean the blender! And you can't leave that standing.

I see they've canceled my order and credited my account. Seriously, I don't know WHY they employ humans - the wording is seriously offensive: Preferred Action! NOT MY preference at all. I was given ZERO OPTIONS! Yeah, not gonna work myself up now ...

Seems I missed yet another 'Family Meeting'. Apparently, we're now back in Level 3 - no alcohol, but cigarettes still available ... apparently. Wearing a mask is now compulsory in public. Well, when I see how people known to have tested positive are behaving ... as if nothing is wrong ... I'm not surprised. I'm just hoping I can still go to work next Monday.

I've gone and re-ordered some of the DVDs - turns out the one is now even cheaper! Well, never again trust to any HUMAN assistance ... I've also added cat food to my order.

Now, I'm going to bed ...

Lock-down Day 276

Surprisingly good night - considering that I couldn't shower. Yes, I 'washed' myself as best I could - but all wipes do contain alcohol. So, I basically end up covering myself in a layer of alcohol ... which is not really a good thing for an alcoholic. The same goes for all those hand sprays and squirts we are now forced to accept if we wish to enter any public place. I'm very fortunate, that I can tolerate that - not all alcoholics are so lucky.

Mewthos is somewhat moody today, he comes for attention - but not in the bedroom? Like Janey, he comes to me in the bathroom! Right now he's curled up in my laundry basket! And Ziva just came out of the closet ... again!

I've swept the place, so it at least looks a lot cleaner. I don't feel like gardening today - I'm still hoping for some of that rain they promised! It's hot, cloudy, did I mention hot? Unpleasant. Oh, and humid, of course.

I've done a little re-arranging inside, making space for some unpacking I'd like to do ... if I can find the energy. Really not happy today. I've tried re-scheduling the delivery again, as it's such a waste to have to wait until it's packed on the delivery truck - but I can't. Seriously, this isn't logical, nor economic, but hey: it's how things are done. Sigh ...

Anyway, I've unpacked two boxes. Not much, I know, but something. I'm just really feeling icky - I wanna shower! Sigh ... I'm now making my chicken flatty. I'm spending most of today just on the bed, watching 'Boston Legal', but mostly under a strong ceiling fan! It's 34 degrees Celsius - in the shade! And humid. Because that rain is still hanging around, teasing. According to the weather report, today's highest temperature is 31 - yet, in fact, it's 34.

Well, that chicken was absolutely delicious - although mippies don't agree.

I let mippies enjoy outies till about seven - truth be told, they spent their time on the veranda anyway! I joined them for some quality family time, then led them inside for their treat.

Funny thing: I brought a bucket of water into the bedroom, as I was doing some cleaning. It's almost empty - the level too low for mippies to reach, yet: each and every one of them tried! Mewthos, of course, was about to topple it - so I've now put it back in the laundry room.

I've lugged a 20 liter container of water from the garage to the toilet ... used up half to flush. Then lugged 10 liters back to the garage - only to lug it back to the toilet later, of course. I really, really want running water! Sigh. Electricity & running water - two things one doesn't want to have to do without!

Not a good day, which is to be expected. Let's hope I have running water by tomorrow evening!

Lock-down Day 275

Good night, early morning. I let mippies out, as I had my doubts anyone would turn up to mow today. I had enough water for three cups of coffee, but that's it. By nine, I started putting together containers to fill with water - I remembered my milk bottles, too! That's six more liter drinking water! I took my old thermos, my kettle, mippies fountains' container, then I collected every bucket available.

I got a 'please call me' from the guard, called back and was told the pump specialist should be here by now ... mippies had finished their run around by then, and I was able to shut them all in. Then I went out through the garage, after taking all my containers through to the garage.

I went outside and found a gaggle of men chattering around the pump station. Yeah, sorry ... I've had to play the 'demure female' for the past two hours, I'm a little rebellious. They called all sorts of 'connections' and anyone who possibly might know someone who just hopefully might have a motor for our pump. But it's Christmas. Every place is closed. Everyone is out, not at home. I'm not holding my breath ... but they sure know lots of people in this area, we just might get lucky!

Then talk moved to the most immediate water procurement. Drums, containers, etc. was discussed so 'the men' drove off to organise. I packed everything into my car and drove out, waiting in the driveway until I'd find out what's the plan. We drove to the plot down the road and filled everything! My neighbour has three drums, I've got bottles and buckets, we're sorted - for now. The West neighbour offered we could shower at his place. Oh, and he'll bring his guys to mow on Monday.

I was finally back, with my water, some time after elven! I called the guard and let him know what's happening, and that I got water. Now I can start my day :) 

Oh gosh! Ziva just brought in a snake! Fortunately a baby snake, and I think it was a harmless, brown house snake ... still! Not fun! I scooped it on the dust pan and took it outside.

And then I went outside. I can wash my hands, so, as long as I don't work too hard, I should be okay. Well, I cleared a lot of weeds - not much grass left. I've only got about 3 square meter left, which isn't much. Although it's all weeds now. Especially those horrid thorns! I've got two types of thorns here, the one I had in the last place, which just grow flat along the ground spreading far and wide - like an octopus; and then this other one, which also spreads far and wide, but those arms also grow roots! So on that one, it's tricky to find the center root. Well, I'm getting a lot of the roots out, so, that's progress.

Then I went and sat out front with all four mippies sprawled along side. We all sprawled along the veranda wall! Lovely family quality time! It was so lovely, I went for a second smoke - but Mewthos felt that was pushing things a bit too far. Time. Munchies. Now! Ha Ha! I finished my smoke, though.

He's still social distancing, I'm afraid. I don't know what that's about! I just wish I could figure out WHY he sleeps there ...

Lock-down Day 274

Good night, earlier morning. Got up just after seven, not eight! It's overcast and I'm hoping for some rain. Again, taking it easy, spending the morning inside ...

... but where's Mini? She's usually under my feet, or on the bed, or, well, always around! As it's getting on for eleven, I'm beginning to worry - especially, as Mewthos is mewling at me a lot; is he trying to tell me something ... other than: please clean the litter boxes?

Off I go outside, looking for, and calling Mini! She's clearly nowhere inside, I even looked in the spare room, closets, everywhere. I looked outside, inspected every tree ... nothing.

My neighbour on the west is visiting my next door neighbour, I wave, he stops, we talk. I'm told another neighbour was totally cleaned out three weeks ago! As in: totally cleaned out! Nothing left. Man, that is frightening! I seriously must get a means to access WhatsApp! Seriously! And as soon as possible.

I also learned that they were shooting yesterday afternoon - at some vervet monkey that's a serious problem. And the bangs last night were most likely fireworks - I thought (and hoped) so. No problem.

The subject of gardening came up - in the 'mowing service' sense. And I arranged for my west neighbour to come tomorrow to mow my lawns. I'd just have to pay for the petrol - I offered to pay extra, as it's a business, he'll let me know. He wants to have a look and see how bad things are. Well, I confess, that having this job done, is going to be quite a relief.

He also said he'd take the cuttings away. I had better think about my composting - whether I want it taken away, or make compost. I don't really know what I'm doing ... 

Weird thing: as we were talking, my next door neighbour came and joined the conversation, which turned into 'men talk' (sigh), but then the guy who was clearly coming to visit my next door neighbour, turned around and drove away? Weird.

Oh, and Mini? Suddenly came strolling through the kitchen from I-don't-know-where! I was seriously worried, she NEVER stays away from me for long, she's almost permanently under my feet - when the others go out, she stays on the bed, occasionally tapping me on the shoulder for attention!

So, now that I don't have to worry about all that mowing anymore ... what shall I do? Today is overcast - clearing up with occasional sunny bursts, then cloudy again ... for now, I've put a loaf of bread in the machine. Not just mixing, but baking, as well.

My pulling-out-weeds arm is getting quite sore - my right shoulder, in particular. I'm a little lost today ...

I decided to finish the back by the Jacaranda tree ... when my neighbour called over the wall to ask whether I have water. I don't! That was two hours ago, we've called the manager who promised he'd send the guard ... half an hour later, when I tried the guard, he had not been called, he'll see what he can do. Owner isn't answering his phone, manager isn't answering again ... the guard says he's on his way ... merry Christmas! Sigh ...

Highlight of the day: My sister called! The whole family is together for Christmas dinner. My sister has now moved into her own home - some things not ready, but on the whole: I'm proud of her! I was upset to hear my nephew had to be tested for Covid-19, as a fellow apprentice in his group tested positive! My nephew tested negative! Still ... 

They are enjoying an absolutely awesomely delicious dinner!

Another hour, I called the manager again, he said he'll try to get hold of the guard again ... I was about to try the guard again, when he showed up at my gate. He asserted (what my neighbour already knew and had said all along) that the problem is with the pump, and we'd need to get the guy who installed the pump. Well, that's exactly what my neighbour had been saying all along - and I conveyed that all along! So, another hour hoping this specialist may just be able to come out today still, to at least identify exactly WHAT the problem is, with the pump.

No water today, not likely tomorrow ... and only with a lot of luck, maybe on Sunday. Most likely only Monday, though ... and this will cost a crap load of money! At least the cost is NOT my problem ...

Half past six and - after over an hour of trying - I finally get hold of the guard. The pump specialist wasn't at home (well, it's Christmas) so he left a message with the workers at his house. Hopefully he'll come tomorrow.

The only positive result of that is, that I now have the evening 'off'! I no longer have to continuously try to call to keep things in motion! My first call was just after one, which had zero effect - a promise, which wasn't kept. If I don't effing keep up the pressure myself ... Sigh ...

I was going to enjoy my chicken flatty in mango chutney ... but without water, I won't be able to wash my hands. So: No go!

Just had a 'wash'. Well, I have some cleansing wipes, which I used to wipe ... everything. Better than nothing ... just. Not like I have much choice, though, eh?

Mewthos came around seven to let me know that, in his opinion, it's time for their treats! All mippies were sprawled on the veranda, so ... no wait and no trouble.

So, what am I having for dinner? Well, I'm not really hungry - I've had a slice of bread with Leberkäse, when the bread was still warm, so now I've just had another one! Like I said: I'm really not very hungry.

Three mips are sprawled around the bedroom, Ziva and Janey atop the chest of drawers and Mini on the bed. Mewthos is social distancing. In the lounge. On the chair. Guarding the front door. Sigh ...

Lock-down Day 273

Good night, late morning, coffee, mippies out ... game time. Down to 3 bars internet signal, so ... a little slow, but okay.

Ziva is staying by my side today, no dashing outside the gate! Not sure about Janey, though. Well, I have no indoor chores holding me back ... but I'm slow to get started. By about ten, I went outside - which, of course, is strong sun time. I went outside the gate and cleared about five bins right outside my gate. It looks a teeny bit better - I'll have to do that again, either this afternoon or tomorrow. For now, I'm moving to the partition next to the gate. I can start in the shade, and then get the gazebo.

I've cleared everything that was in the shade - weird thing, in the same spot I get a hot and a cold breeze! I tried carrying on for a while, but ... not good. Sun: bad! So I've just put up the gazebo. It's only twenty past one ... doesn't feel like I've been working three hours already!

It was cloudy, turning overcast as the day progressed, which led me to loose track of time. I worked that partition until well past five! Not much to show for it, though. Well, the area is covered with crap! Never mind just a few weeds, thorns, creepers, but also a horrid, tough, creeping type of grass! Even worse than Kikuyu! Taking that into consideration, my progress doesn't sound that bad anymore, does it? Well, I'm happy with what I've achieved!

It was around six, that I started mowing. Again, it doesn't look like much, but I'm happy with my progress! I worked until past seven, Smeagol showed up, I filled his bowl again, he hung around - again. That was before I started mowing. When I was finished, he's still around. Not sure what to make of that, so I just keep an eye to prevent any fighting.

Showered, dinner, and it's past nine in the evening! I'm absolutely knackered, so ... bed ...

Lock-down Day 272

Not a bad night, still a late morning, though. I'm happy to report that Mewthos is slowly coming back into the fold. He still sleeps by the front door, but at least in the evening he comes for attention, now. And this morning, he - once again - lay snuggled up to me!

I got up around eight again, and let mippies out. Mewthos wheedled a treat out of me, though. I've made myself coffee and am trying to start my day.

The internet is frustratingly sluggish - again! I've tried holding the router in different positions, but I've seen the best signal where it is placed now - next to the monitor, on top of a speaker. I'll have a rootle around for a USB extension, then try again, when I have more range.

I wish it would rain today, the humidity in the air is really unpleasant. I barely step out of the shower when I feel clammy again.

Ah! Rain! Finally! Not much, just a five minute drizzle, but it cleared the humidity in the air! I feel much better now, thank you!

I've got 4 bars signal now, so I had better try to log into my game and do what I can. Well, one city done - took only an hour. Sigh ...

I'm facing the kitchen with no desire to do anything about it. The humidity is really bad, again - and working in hot water, now? Not what I feel like doing ... we've had another shower, which entered my lounge, but didn't reduce the humidity, I'm afraid.

Of course I cleaned the kitchen! And then some. Well, I had exceptional internet connection, so I spent most of the day on my game - not in the garden, nor doing much else. As I was finishing the dishes, Smeagol called and I gave him his bowl full of kibbles - hoping he got to finish eating before the next shower. Funny thing, when he sits too near the spot, where I always place his bowl, he hisses at me when I'm too near for his comfort ... 

The next shower at last dropped the temperature! It's really nice to finally feel human again! After I showered, of course! It's lovely and cool, yet not cold and not too humid anymore!

We had a total of 2 mm rain today - not much, eh? It's quarter past six, Mewthos has been asking for treat time ... only ... Ziva is nowhere to be found! She's clearly outside the garden - yet, she normally shows up, when I call. I'm trying not to worry, after all, there isn't much traffic - but there are dogs. Kept in their yards, so no danger unless you enter their property. So I have no reason to worry ... 

I took a walk through the garden, even outside, looking for Ziva - and carrying Mini back inside - and have legs looking like pin cushions to show for it! Mosquitoes are out en force - and I'm prime target. Sigh ...

I was right to worry! About Ziva. She was up a tree, outside my garden, with Smeagol at the bottom! But: when I first went outside the gate, I walked along the wall and found Smeagol sitting near the water tower. He only ran under the tree, when I came too close. And then called me! I knew he still had some food in his bowl, so ... I ignored him. I went back towards my gate, then walked along the driveway ... Mini came running after me, I was about to shout for her to go back, when I wondered whether she might know where Ziva was. So, I followed her, and sure enough: I heard Ziva mipping! I know each of my cats voices - no mistake, it was Ziva! But where? Mini wasn't going towards the sound, so I went off to look for her ... and eventually found her up in the tree, under which Smeagol was sitting! It took some coaxing - but at the same time, Smeagol wouldn't move! Yet he didn't seem very interested in Ziva, nor did he show a lot of fear of me? It was somewhat bizarre - it almost seemed like Smeagol was helping me find Ziva?

Well, she's home, treated, safe and sound! As are all my darling mippies!

While I was out, looking for Ziva, I also got a closer look at the neighbouring gardens ... and they all look neat and well kept ... whereas my place looks like a wild jungle! Granted, from the outside ... but I really wish it looked better! One can't see any of the work I've done from outside ... I think, maybe tomorrow I'll tackle either the only portion visible from outside, or maybe the driveway? I'll need to do something about the driveway anyway, as it is also becoming a problem driving along it.

Sigh ... so much work that still needs doing! Well, I'll see what I feel like tomorrow!

Lock-down Day 271

Very bad night, I'm afraid. I woke up again and again, because I was too hot, because I was too cold, because I woke up again and again. I woke quite early, but with quite a headache, so I just turned over.

Around eight, I let mippies out. Ziva and Mewthos went out - I didn't see Janey, but I think she went out as well. Mini stayed in bed. By my side. As always. I went back to bed. By ten I still wasn't feeling better, so I got up, made myself coffee, ate some cheese and took another migraine cocktail.

By eleven, the headache was gone, but I'm still feeling a bit down. It's very, very humid today and that's really uncomfortable. I'm tempted to take a shower ...

It's overcast again ... rain predicted this afternoon. I'm not sure what I should do. One thing I do know, though: I'll do what I feel like. No pressure of 'must' for me, today.

I've put up the gazebo and placed it over the bed next to the grill, where I want to place the succulents currently in the pots on the veranda.

Mission accomplished. The cabbage plant is in the bed! I've also placed the small spekboom, of the umbrella or mushroom shape variety, as well as a few other succulents. I also wanted to place some desert roses, but couldn't find any? I know that I took several out of the bed - my guess is that, in the pots, they've grown tall ... so they don't look the way I remember. Silly, I know, but so what?

After that, I carried on working in that bed - all progress now being a bonus for today! The final part, though, is going to be the toughest. Lots of deep-rooted creepers, and a lot of decorative rocks ... which I'm going to have to move. Now it's half six again ... mowing time. I didn't overwork myself today, so I have enough energy left. Only ... 

I overcame my reluctance and took out the mower. The back lawn looked like it could do with a re-mow, so that's where I started. I filled three loads on that small patch alone! Sigh, better re-mow the front as well ... strangely enough, out front, I could hardly tell the difference between mowed and not yet mowed!

As I re-mowed everything, my target for re-gaining lawn was modest. I wanted to just pass the center bed. Mission accomplished. Then I went a bit further. Nice, eh? I've achieved quite a bit today - especially considering the rocky start of my day! I was surprised to see 2 1/2 mm of rainfall, though. Must have rained during the night?

Still not sure about the weather. It's cloudy, overcast, sunny, cloudy ... well, no worries. I should spend some time in the kitchen tomorrow, anyway.

Internet is acting up again - can't log into or open any other page. That's a tad frustrating.

Well, I'm feeling a lot better tonight than I did yesterday. I've done the kind of gardening I enjoy: thoroughly cleaning an area! I hoped to clean about half and I managed to clean about 2/3 - though that's less than half the work (the last third is really bad, lots of deep-rooted creepers) and I'm looking forward to that! Lets hope no headache tomorrow!

Lock-down Day 270

Nice, early morning again. Thanks to Ziva, who woke me at six. I did get up, made myself coffee and tried logging into my game. It worked! I could do some basics, but now it seems the internet is hung up again.

Ziva brought in a mouse - it's managed to 'escape' to the thin gap between bath and shower, where it's now firmly lodged ... with all four mippies watching it!

Smeagol either came or was still around this morning, and asked about breakfast, so I gave him mippies left-overs. Which he polished in no time! 

Last night the sky was clear, but now clouds are moving in again so I think rain either tonight and tomorrow seems inevitable. Which means I should probably get my ass into the garden today ... only ... I have a headache. Yeah, literally. Plus, I'm also still sore from the last two days heavy duty work ... but I suppose having tomorrow 'off', I should put in some outdoor work today ...

Mewthos and Mini haven't left the bathroom, they've settled down for snoozes. Ziva is outside, Janey came and went and has not curled up on Mewthos for a nap. I've done more clearing out back. Pulling out the crap grass is killing me, so I'm focusing on pulling those large weeds out. That's going to make the biggest visual impact. Yeah, sometimes even I gotta go for 'show'! There are creepers of several varieties crawling around there - not just the horrid one, that's killing all my trees! There are holes in the ground as well as rocks and branches. It's a mess! I don't have the strength today, to keep pulling everything out ...

Almost done, but I can not go on. The headache is just too much now. It would settle down every break, but not this time ... I need a factory reset! So I've taken a shower - in a bathroom, that is currently center stage to the mouse hunt (Mini and Janey have flushed mousie out of its safe place, and they're hunting happily all over the bathroom!) - and now I'm going to take a nap in hopes of waking up fresh. Oh, I've also taken a Disprin. Extra strong. Hold thumbs that it works. If it does, I just might be able to finish out back - just one or two more trips, it's almost done anyway - and hopefully be able to mow later this afternoon.

Not perfect, but much, much better! When I woke up, I was hungry, so I fried another sirloin, ate and now I'm feeling quite okay. Still got a bit of a headache and well, my whole body is one big ache, but overall? Better! And what do I do? I risk it all, by finishing the job out back! Yes, it wasn't good for me, physically, but it is good for me, mentally! That last portion, I left the grass, though and just pulled the tall weeds ... that's as much as I can do today.

Then I tried to rescue mousie! That turned out a little trickier than I thought, as I also can't reach between the bath and the shower. So, plan B! I got a box and the broom and prodded mousie out of the corner. After its last horror experience, when it left the safety of that corner, mousie was very reluctant and kept going past the broom stick and back into its corner, but eventually it got into the box. I took it out, and let it loose in the area I had just cleared. Then I had to distract Mewthos, who was curious about the box I just carried past him ... some tummy tickles did the job, though!

Now it's half six, time to mow the lawn ... Again: No! I wasn't fully rid of the headache and didn't want to make it worse. So, instead, I took a migraine cocktail. The weather is playing silly buggers, it was overcast most of the day, then it cleared up and late this afternoon a heavy cover of clouds covered the sky - yet the horizon was blue ... with a few clouds. Now it is overcast again, with patches of sky peeking through here and there. I think that had something to do with my headache as well.

I went for a walk around the garden, yet even bending to tickly Mew-Mews tummy just made it worse. It took some time, but the cocktail worked and I'm feeling okay now.

Oh, did I mention that, when I woke up, I caught Smeagol running out of the kitchen? He'd been cleaning up what Ziva or Janey deposited on the kitchen floor last night - which I'd been too lazy to clean up today. Yeah, gross, I know ... but that's cats for you! I gave him another bowl of food ...

Ziva went on my roof again, and - again, as always - she mips for help to get down. I don't know why. I know she can get down on her own. Today, I obliged. I got the ladder and reached up and picked her off the lowest corner. She was a bit apprehensive, but quite happy!

Well, let's see how the weather turns out tomorrow ... the pills are kicking in, I'm ready to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 269

I was woken first by Ziva throwing up on my pillow, then a few minutes later again by Ziva coming to apologise. Yes, she does that.

Again, I woke up around eight. And again, I'm not feeling overly energetic. I am, however, feeling overly sore! From yesterdays extreme activity. And yet, it looks like another dry day today - and according to the weather report, I won't have too many of those over the next two weeks. Rain predicted for Tuesday again - but it's still cloudy ...

Well, I also have some indoor work to do, and some of that can't wait. I need to cut and pack the meat for freezing. But first: mippie duty! Re-fill kibbles, clean litter boxes, clean up messes made during the night ... 

Done. Sirloin is packed and as much as could fit is in the freezer - the rest is in the fridge. Sigh. I think I should start making myself milkshakes today - my freezer is full of blueberries! Ha Ha! Blueberries, Strawberries and Banana.

Yesterday, I started clearing under the Jacaranda tree - I had allowed those weeds to really grow. They are now taller than I am! Sigh. But the real problem there is, that the ground is littered with all sorts. Rocks, branches, bits of bark and ... litter. Bits of carpet (what is it with carpet? This place is tiled - where's the carpet coming from?), stone plates ... like I said: all sorts! I'm taking it easy, though. Fill two bins, carry to the compost ... uhm ... what do you call a compost 'heap' that's taller than I am? Then I take a breather - couple of sips of milkshake, half a cigarette ... and back out.

I got a message last night that my order will be delivered on Monday! Sigh - first they say 31st December, then 28th and now 21st! I suppose some would be happy about that - but since I can't receive the delivery, I'm the odd one out. I was able to re-schedule to the 28th, hopefully next Sunday I'll be able to re-schedule to the 4th January.

Gosh, that whole area I'm working now? It needs to be completely dug up and over and cleaned over and over for quite a while! I knew that, when I first saw it - which is why I didn't touch it. It's a small area, so I figured "How bad can it get?" Yeah ... now I know: Bad! 

Around three, Smeagol showed up! Finished one bowl, munched a bit on the second bowl. Then settled down next to the grill for a snooze. Occasional noises from or at Mewthos, but not much more ... today.

I won't be mowing today. That work out back was just too much. I've finished about half the area, if I take another go at it, I should be able to finish tomorrow. Although I'm working slow, but steady, pulling out so many roots is hard on this old body. I wore a glove today, though, so the thorns hidden underneath didn't surprise slice me.

Whatever happens, I'm happy with my progress. If it starts raining tomorrow - no regrets!

I've showered, fried a sirloin, ate - shared with mippies - and now I'm going to watch 'The Woman in White' before going to sleep. Early night.

Lock-down Day 268

Although I woke up very early, I turned over and finally got up after eight! Taking it really, really easy, ignoring Janey's attempts to engage me in play ... 

Almost ten and I've finally come out. Got dressed and I think I'll start mowing ... half an hour later, and the back patch of lawn is mowed. Now moving to the front ... three quarter hour later and I've re-mowed half of what I had previously mowed out front. Problem is, the sun is blazing!

Half an hour later and I've re-mowed everything. I considered carrying on, gaining more lawn ... but frankly, it's quarter to noon, overcast with odd rays of sun blazing through. Mowing in this weather is asking for serious trouble!

Guess what? Easy guess! Yeah, I put up the Gazebo! The manufacturers are somewhat devious: first, the place the canvas right at the top, under the opening of the box; then put a warning on the box: do not use a sharp object to open the box, as that can cut the canvas & will void your warranty! And just to make it difficult, they place extra shipping stickers across that, too. There is no way to open it without a sharp object! I lifted the two sides and sliced very carefully through JUST the tapes. Part two of their deviousness? Assembly instructions require two people! Ah, well, I managed. It's up over the back lawn and I got busy clearing the borders again.

I cleared all along the house, then worked a bit along the bed, away from the house - but I found myself sitting in the sun. There is a limit to the shade the gazebo can provide, as I can't put it up across all the fencing - and then the position of the sun limits where the gazebo shades. Not a problem, though. It's still giving me a lot more options where I want to work!

So, I put it up along the fence by the Jacaranda tree, and worked along that border. Then I moved past the fence and worked the other side. I made quite a lot of progress ... well, that's not exactly correct. Most of what I'm doing now isn't actually progress - I'm just combating the growth started by the rains! And maintaining what I've won. It's still not back to the state it was when I moved in, though. That should be a bit demotivating, shouldn't it?

Well, there's the 10% that's progress. Every day. Not much, given how much and how hard I'm working, but it's there! And growing. Every day!

Well, I've bathed, fried and eaten dinner, it's quarter past nine and I'm ready to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 267

Woke up really late, mippies were quite restless ... 

I've just got back from the store and am munching on my happy chocolate! I got milk, celery, chocolate and cigarettes. Cashier as rude as ever ...

I've double checked and my data is loaded. I brought my router to work, so I could make sure not to make a mistake.

It's been raining pretty hard all morning, so I had to wait for an apparent gap. Yesterday, I measured less than 1 mm rainfall at home - I'm sure it'll be more today, as it was dripping when I left and the gauge already showed 2-3 mm rainfall during the night. I checked the forecast, and the next three days should be reasonably dry ... then rain and storms again. I'm going to make the best of whatever the weather brings ...

I've got my eggs, I've got milk, and everything I need! I have four purry mippies waiting at home ... can't wait to go home, today!

Still have to wait for our driver to get back, to process the delivery notes for invoicing ... as always. It's all prepared, though, just need to scan, capture and e-mail.

After lunch, the obligatory year-end BBQ was lit. I wasn't in the mood at all ... 

By three some people started leaving and I joined them.

At home, I was surrounded by happy mippies! Mind in my happy place! I first unpacked then heard Smeagol calling, so I went and fed him. Then I evicted a large spider, which had taken up residence in my kitchen sink! Big bugger, with large pincers! As I was then outside, and it wasn't raining, I started pulling weeds. A few under the Jacaranda tree, a few in the partition with the dog hut and compost heap and when Smeagol had had his fill, I started cleaning from behind the grill working along the wall towards the carport.

We've had 17 mm rain here today, mostly in the morning, I gather. The grass and ground were too wet for mowing.

There's a bamboo fence placed in front of the wire fence - it's been there for some considerable time, I gather, as it's brittle and partly rotten. Being covered in that creeper doesn't help, either! Half the time, bits of bamboo break off as I'm pulling the creeper off!

At one point both Mewthos and Janey sat on my back! Followed shortly by an 'oof' moment, when Janey launched herself onto the chimney from my back!

I made good progress, though I cleared only the large weeds and left all the new little ones sprouting ... I'll dig the bed thoroughly before I place my plants in it. Anyway, I still have most of the bed itself to clean. As a finishing touch, Janey dug a hole and left her mark in the bed!

I came in around seven, treated mippies, had a bath ... and now I can't decide what I want to watch ... I've had a heck of a wait before the internet worked! Showed 4 bars from the very beginning, but wouldn't even open the Google search site! Frustrating! Now it seems to have decided to do it's bit - though I'm not in the mood to face any disappointment with any other site. Hopefully better luck tomorrow!

Lock-down Day 266

I finished watching the mini series before going to sleep ... so I woke a little late again. Gave mippies their consolidation breakfast, had coffee, dressed and went to work.

I received a message that my meat delivery should arrive about twenty past seven ... it's now quarter past nine, so I decide to follow up. Tracking link has expired, so I'll have to call. Okay, driver should be there about half ten - probably traffic. No worries!

Right, meat delivery has arrived! Looking delicious!

I suppose I should have re-mowed yesterday afternoon, when it was dry. It's raining again today ... I'm just looking at the weather report now, but that's all wrong! It claims high rainfall yesterday - I had less than 1 mm. Low rainfall today ... ah, well ... I'll mow on the dry days.

I've been depressing myself by reading the news ... the level of stupidity is really, really depressing! Scrolled through Facebook, now I just want to go home and cuddle mippies and never go out again! When you read news filled with spelling mistakes, then read the contents ... the lack of rational thinking, lack of logic is just so ... urgh ... right and wrong, justice ... legal and illegal ... none of those seem to have any place in modern society.

Years ago, I used to wonder how countries like India could have ended up with such chaotic road use ... where the standard traffic rules don't seem to apply. I look on the roads of South Africa, as I drive just the stretch between work and home ... and I see it happening right here! When traffic is queued and I'm being overtaken left AND right! Left being the shoulder of the road - not a yellow lane, but non-road veld or bush. Right being the on-coming lane. Every single time a robot turns green, one has to wait for the traffic crossing the red robot. Every time! No matter which intersection! And then you have traffic lights turned into stop streets! On the busiest road! Main Road from Rosslyn to Pretoria. Instead of traffic stopping at regular intervals - now EVERYONE has to stop, for no traffic (as it is an almost-dead T-junction). Result: traffic jammed bumper to bumper all the way back to Rosslyn! Once you get past that Stop - traffic flows!

That bit's been sitting in my head waiting for me to write it for some time now.

What can I do to cheer myself up, now? Hmm ... Not having much luck. I just want to go home ... I wish it was Friday.

Ran into a teeny problem at home: No internet! Why? Oh, because my data has 'expired'! Yeah ... data expires! Sigh, I had forgotten the date and since my Service Provider bombards me with junk mail via SMS, I've got into the habit of ignoring SMS's. So, I was caught off-guard.

It let's you go to your service provider to buy data - just not to the secure payment site, so ... useless! Had to wait till I could get to work ... Sigh.

Smeagol didn't appear last night, probably too wet. I hope he has a dry place to hide? I also had no energy last night, plus it started drizzling almost as soon as I stepped outside. Ziva decided to go outside for a poo, but with the ground all wet, she stalked through my pots for a spot ... when she tried the rosemary pot (now empty), I could see disaster! It's tall and narrow, and I can just see her toppling and breaking it! I lifted her into another and she finally settled on one of the plastic ones.

For myself, I ate the left-over pasta, watched Miss Marple (Joan Hickson) and went to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 265

Ziva really needed her cuddle cave last night, I had to lift and place the duvet, so that she had a cave to crawl in and settle down in. Then I had to stick my arm in the cave to scratch her ears ... for a long, long time! Mini found it curious, that my duvet purred and tried to investigate ... but gave up once she realised who was purring!

The mini series is really interesting, and I stayed up rather late, watching. And woke up quite late this morning ... half eight? Well, I'm feeling lazy today, so I'm still watching, not yet going out into the garden.

I thought I could play my game for a while, but ... sigh ... internet is not playing along. It makes me angry, so I'm going to quit trying ... 

I did manage to reply to a mail from the pet food supplier. They'll deliver the Iams in January, so that's sorted. Now I'll have to keep an eye on the DVD order, because I can only re-schedule that once it has been shipped! They won't - or can't - do that for me. 

Mini has already brought me a live toy, placed neatly under my pillow! Ai, ai, ai! I've placed it outside on the window sill.

I managed to do a bit of playing, with a LOT of patience. Now I'm trying to tear myself away from 'The White Queen' to do some chores ... all the while, mippies mip for attention! Yes, it's darling, but there is such a thing as too much!

I went on another killing spree in my bedroom and the kitchen. The flies are driving me insane - well, there are far, far fewer of them, now!

I've cleaned the kitchen, so when I stat my holiday, I am free to do as I please - with no chores hanging over my head, clouding my pleasure!

I don't know what came over me, but I started unpacking the camping wardrobe. I've now put it together, it's standing in the outside room, where I want it, and I've packed my gardening stuff in there. All nice and neat now! Then I cleared all the odds and ends from the grill and stored them in the outer room as well.

I've not given in to the temptation to play my game again, as I don't want to risk getting agitated again. I want a relaxing day - no frustration and no pressure.

Pottered around a bit more, cooked myself a pasta dinner, ate ... fed Smeagol ... who thanked me by attacking Mini! Chased her up a tree! Silly twit! He got chased out of my garden, for his trouble!

Lock-down Day 264

Late and lazy morning. Another message that my Whiskas & Gazebo will arrive today - also a message that the Iams won't arrive. No stock. I'll try to get them to deliver in January ...

Nobody at work seems to be in work mood - no wonder! It's been a rough year! Our HR Lady is feeling ill, so she's working from home ...

Oh, you want to know what our president said last night? Well, he says we've been naughty, so now we're being reigned in. Oh, and police will increase their enforcement. Beaches are closed, parties forbidden, curfew tightened ... oh, and the entire 'cabinet' will enjoy 'stand-by' pay throughout the entire holiday!

In other news, Eishkom, our electricity supplier, has announced a R83 million profit ... but that's not enough to pay off their debts AND keep supplying electricity, let alone repairing all the break-downs caused by years of no maintenance. So they will increase their prices, yet again! Sigh ...

Back to my tiny little world. Little bit of work ... then my Gazebo arrives! Oh, gosh! Had to push the back seat down to fit that in the car ... hmmm ... I'm gonna have one heck of a time offloading that tonight! Let alone putting it up? Well, I'll see tonight ... 

The weather seems to be clearing up, I should be able to continue mowing ... if I find some energy somewhere? It's been a dull day at work, and I just wanna go home ...

Home! Home, at last! Still no energy, though. Smeagol now waits for me and calls for me to fill his bowl, as soon as I'm home. I fill it, let him eat - with my mippies watching in disbelief, then fill it some more until he's had enough. He won't let me near him - but today he "thanked" me, by dropping a load in my driveway! On hard ground, so he couldn't bury it, just heaped dirt around and over. Nice little pile. Sigh ...

I had to wait for Smeagol to finish eating, before I could go out - don't want to frighten him off. By the time he had finished eating, I had no energy for mowing. I pulled a couple of weeds out the back, and then went inside. I didn't have long to wait for mippies to want their treat. Then I had a bath and now I'm watching 'The White Queen'. It's a mini series about the War of the Roses. English history. An interest of mine. And I've always had trouble sorting through the War of the Roses.

Lock-down Day 263

Late morning, relaxing over coffee, then getting dressed and off to work. It's raining, raining, raining. Not raining hard, just a steady, gentle kiss of water. I didn't get to see how full my rain gauge is, so I'm not sure for how long it had been raining when I got up.

I was going to go to Game today, hoping to find a portable Gazebo and a gas cooker ... but I don't like driving in the rain, so I think I'll postpone that. Quite busy organising production this morning ... no, I'm not the production manager, just store manager ... 

I was surprised to see our HR at work today, I thought she was on vacation in Mozambique; she told me they had to cancel their trip, as her whole family tested positive! Parents, sister, grandma ... only her and her husband are negative! And she comes back to work! Sigh ... 

Right, I've taken a few minutes to order mippies' treats and as I was looking at what's on special, I saw a Gazebo! Perfect! I checked, and it should be delivered this week - so: goodbye sunburns! And I will be able to work ANYWHERE I choose! It's not very big, 3 x 3 meter, but that's more than enough for my purpose! Water resistant, though not waterproof - which is fine by me, after all, I wouldn't want to work in the rain, anyway. It's over 2 meter tall, but the height is adjustable, so I can lower that. I'm really quite happy having found that! It doesn't take much to make me happy, eh?

I noticed they had some great TV Series on really big specials, so I indulged ... I spent quite a lot of money, I'm afraid ... but I've had my eye on these series for a while, and their standard price is just too much. Each one was more than 30% off, one even 40%! I see that one of them is now 'out of stock'. Sigh, I just hope that I'll get the one I've ordered ... though with my luck? I'll probably be told 'tough titty, your order has been cancelled. Again!' Ah, well ... Still, I'll receive hours and hours of light hearted entertainment!

Oh, you want to know WHAT I've ordered? Ha Ha, well, nothing current. I've ordered complete series of: Inspector Morse; Murder, She Wrote, and Columbo. The first series is the one now out of stock ... all, what you might call 'cozy mysteries', not too much blood and gore, no grizzly psycho thrillers, just charming, light entertainment. Many, many hours of that, too!

I hear there's another "Family meeting" scheduled for tonight - that's what our president now calls it, when he addresses us. Well, we're apparently officially in the 2nd wave, numbers are climbing, so I'm guessing we'll receive another load of restrictions over the festive season. At least he can't ban cigarettes again!

I just peeked at the weather report, as it's been raining most of today. Apparently it's going to rain for the next week ... well, that would cancel my dreams of a gardening holiday - I'll have to re-think and maybe find some joy unpacking and in the kitchen!

As it's still drizzling, I doubt I'll come home to a dry garden. I've decided to bake more muffins tonight! 

On the way home, the closer I got to home, the less evidence of rain. I checked my gauge and only 11 mm! Still, everything is wet, so no gardening for me tonight. Mippies are also not happy about everything being wet. In addition, the stray is calling. Not sure whether he's spoiling for a fight or letting me know his bowl is empty? I think Smeagol would be a good name for him (or her). I filled his bowl and stepped back - I'm not allowed near him, he cries when I'm too close. So I always keep my distance once I've put the bowl down. He finished that bowl completely! I filled it again, and he ate some more - but clearly, he had enough. My mippies wouldn't go out - his presence has something to do with that as well as the wet, I think. Smeagol. Don't you agree that fits the poor sod?

Cor blimey, I just got a message that my cat food & gazebo will be delivered tomorrow! That's quite a relief, as I have only 2 pouches of Whiskas left! And I didn't give mippies one tonight - BECAUSE I have only 2 left! I'll have to give them one tomorrow morning - I give them breakfast when they can't go outside.

Strange thing: there's a "family meeting" scheduled, and suddenly my internet shows 4 bars! Never got that high before ... coincidence?

Well, Mewthos wheedled a pouch out of me ... I really hope they deliver tomorrow!

I've baked a half dozen muffins, I must remember to order eggs for Thursday as well! I'm not going to wash the dishes, though. I meant to, but I just don't have the energy ... and it's ten to meeting time.

I think I'll publish now, rather than after the meeting ...

I'm a little worried about Mewthos, though. For the past week or so he's been sleeping in the chair by the front door. Won't come to bed, won't sleep in the bedroom. When I carry him here, he stays until I put him down (after cuddles) then walks back to his look-out. I'm not sure what that is about, but it bothers me ...

Lock-down Day 262

I slept really late! It was almost eight when I finally woke up for good and got out of bed! Oh, I had woken earlier, and was able to snatch my phone before it became a toy again, but just wasn't ready to get up, then. When I woke up again ... well ... mippies were sitting in pole positions, ready to race to their breakfast! Which I didn't give them - as I opened the back sliding door, instead!

Internet is slow, as I'm guessing to be normal here. I really need to buy electricity, though. The problem isn't so much that it's slow - but I keep getting error message, that a site or page failed to load, even this blog keeps popping up the 'updated failed' ... no use trying to do a payment while this is going on ... Sigh.

Well, I'd better start the laundry, etc.

Okay, electricity bought, laundry in the machine ... now I'd better put the geyser on, so that I can wash the dishes as well.

We had 35 mm rain! Just enough to flatten the too-tall grass, in the partitions - leaving the weeds standing tall ... like a long finger! Yeah, the weeds are showing me the finger! And the mowed grass? Loved the rain so much, they went glug, glug, glug and are standing up, ready to reach the sky!

I've got bread baking in the machine - well, I'm too lazy to shape and bake it. And after all, the reason for baking it in the oven was because I had a gas oven, which is cheaper than baking with electricity (and that's fallen away), and of course: shape! I can shape it nicely when I bake it in the oven. Today, I'm too lazy to care about shape ...

Laundry is hanging outside, bread is in the machine ... shall I go into the garden? I just need to wash the dishes once the bread is ready ... and that's my indoor chores done. Shall I go outside? Work the garden? Again?

Funny thing, inside I may feel exhausted, tired and listless ... but as soon as I go into the garden, I come alive! Alive is good, right? So ... 

Cat logic: When I'm on the toilet, Janey will mip and jump on my lap demanding cuddles. When I go to the armchair, sit down and call her for cuddles? Nope! Any clues?

Right, all the fingers in the partition outside my bedroom have been pulled! Yeah, couldn't resist :)

I've had a look around, and sadly, just about the only place I CAN work today, is under the carport! There are some clouds in the sky, but it's mostly sunny ... Sigh.

Turns out, I can also work in the partition at the front, next to the gate. The wall and the tree are keeping some space nicely shaded! I've been clearing weeds off the pavement, grass as well, then I fetched the broom ... Yikes, what a job! Three of four bins of ... soil? More like compost now, would be my guess. Lots of leaves as well. I scraped plenty of soil off the pavements!

Funny thing, that photo I posted on Friday? Aerial view of my home? Well, it was taken this year - and, when you know where to look, you can actually see ALL the pavement! None of it is covered, it's all cleared and visible. Even the one outside my bedroom! So ... why was it covered, when I first looked at this place? Ah, well ... back to the grindstone!

Okay, I've now cleared a lot of the pavement by the dog hut. Progress. It feels like I've burned my back again, though. It was overcast, so I didn't quite feel the sun and got careless ... sigh. I think I should buy myself something like a camping gazebo, so that I can put up shade anywhere! And work anywhere in the garden, without risking a sunburn, or worse!

In the news: the cigarette ban during lock-down has been ruled illegal and unconstitutional! I wonder whether that ruling will have any real implications? Personally, NDZ should be charged for each of the deaths caused by the cigarette ban! People have died! Who need not have died!

Sigh, half an hour, just trying to place an order online! Just meat - no browsing, no paging around, just trying to get meat & cheese for the week. For Pete's sake, this internet connection? Not fun!

An hour later and my order FINALLY went through! Sigh. Delivery on Thursday. It's almost seven now, I haven't washed the dishes and don't feel up to it, either! I guess I'd better call mippies to come in - Mewthos has been mewling for his treat for two hours already!

Sigh, the ladies came without much trouble but Mewthos? He's got a thing about that stray cat - can't leave it alone. He was at the far end of the garden growling at it. Blerry thing then attacked Mewthos! Well, I suppose my feeding him might reassert his belief that it's HIS territory. I'm beginning to wonder whether the previous tenant 'found' him here, same way I did? I mean, the manager tells me they definitely had no cat, yet my neighbour is just as positive it was her cat. If she found him here, and fed him - like I do - that would explain both. Weird, I know.

Well, I didn't want to, but I overcame my aversion and washed the dishes. I don't know what it is about me and dish washing - it's not really hard work, nor does it take too long, yet, I always have an internal battle to do them!

Well, tomorrow I had better order more Whiskas, I don't have enough left to get me through the month.

Back to work tomorrow, off on Wednesday, then one and a half days and wheeee! Two weeks at home!

Lock-down Day 261

I woke up to an impatient Mewthos ... wondering why I heard no alarm, I looked for my phone ... and found it on the floor! It had fallen apart, of course! Sigh ...

I decided to sod everything - and went into the garden! That was around seven this morning ... I only came in, when it started to drizzle ... that was around half six!

I stayed in the shade the entire day, moving whenever the sun reached me. I started by clearing the center bed, until the sun reached that, then started maintaining the patio out back. Small weeds had been trying their luck ... that didn't take long, so I walked around the back and cleared the sides of the path next to the house, again. Then I looked for my next project. The car port! That could do with clearing again - that creeper is trying to take over again, too!

Well, not anymore. I cleared the entire car port, pulled whatever weeds I could reach through the fence, cleared all along the fence, passed the carport up to the gate. The little gate leading to the partition near the car port. I considered working my way back along that fence, inside the partition - but the sun was fully on that section, so I gave up.

Instead, I started clearing the bed by the front gate, with the Agapanthus, Iris and some other flower I don't recognise. I finished that bed, too - though I didn't dig up any weeds, the ground is simply too hard.

By the time I finished that, I could - technically - start mowing. It was overcast, so the bit of sun wasn't a worry - as it was later afternoon. But I wasn't in the mood. So I chose to do what I meant to do earlier: I cleared a path along the fence, back towards the car port, inside the partition! The ground there is littered with all sorts, weird stuff, and there are branches and bits off the dead tree - so I cut the grass by hand. No use risking the mower there! It wasn't too hard, I cleared quite a wide path fairly quickly - and there are so many weeds, once I pulled those out, there wasn't much left to cut, anyway!

I got to the tree, and it looks like someone tried to kill that creeper once - long ago. It had been cut, severed completely ... but not pulled down. By now, it's all dried up - it fell apart as I tried pulling them down. Well, I cut the live creepers and pulled down all that I could! Quite a job! Only one of those creepers had crawled under the bark - so I had to leave that. For now!

I cleared the fence, and even got to clear partially behind the dead tree, moving along that fence towards my compost heap! Which is more like a mountain than a heap, by now!

Well, safely inside, treated mippies, then had a bath! I'm so sore, a bath is just what I needed!

I fried myself half the steak I'd bought yesterday, shared with mippies - generously! Then messaged At, that I don't think I'll collect him tomorrow.

Did I say earlier that it hadn't rained in a while? Well, it's sure making up for that, now! It's been raining for about an hour now - started with a drizzle, worked itself up to heavy rain, then settled on steady rainfall. I'll be able to look tomorrow, how many mm, since I've already cleared the lawn so I could reach that without needing to stalk like a stork!

With the storm and rain, I am somewhat surprised to still have power - though we did have an outage this morning for an hour or two. I only know it went out, because I was inside at the time, and the UPS beeped for attention. Two bins later it was on again. I don't know how much time that was - the time it took me to fill my bin twice with weeds.

Well, the power did dip earlier - went out for less than a minute. Let's hope it'll stay on! Really would be good!

Tomorrow I'll have to do the laundry and kitchen stuff ... I also need to buy electricity, etc. But the internet is so dodgy at the moment, I can barely save this blog - can't get into facebook or anything else. So, I'll just watch another episode or two, then lie down on the bed, waiting for mippies who want scratchies!

Speaking of scratchies - I look like I've been through the wringer! Bruises all down my arms - both of them! Probably where I'd stuck my arm through the fence every time to pull the creeper as close as I could, then cut it as far back as I could reach.

Received some sad news earlier. A friend of mine has passed away. Contracted COVID-19 two weeks ago ... two weeks! I can't even imagine what his family must be going through ...

Ah, and here's Ziva wanting scratchies ...