Lock-down Day 553

It turned dark, overcast, then came thunder ... then darkness! Sigh ... power went out ... for a couple of hours. Fortunately after I had eaten and showered - and it came back before I went to sleep.

This also meant, though, that we got more rain during the night! I think I may have to mow the whole lawn by Friday ... Pro & Con, eh?

This morning, my mip-larms went off with a vengeance again! Mewly mewled, Mini pawed, Ziva mipped, Janey strolled across me ... fun and games!

Back at home, since it rained, I don't need to water, so I have a lot of time to relax. Just sit on the veranda, look around my garden and plan where I can plant what ... while mippies come for the odd pet, but mostly just hang around, enjoying the outside and the company!

Lock-down Day 552

All alarms went off this morning - Mewthos started mewling around four, Mini pawed at my face soon after, Ziva stood on my face ... live with cats! Never dull!

I enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee before going to work.

I was a bit perturbed about having used the last pouch of Royal Canin last night - and here's my delivery! Perfect timing! Oh, and they also collected from the other place ... I still need to order replacement. I'll worry about that this weekend.

In the afternoon, it turned quite dark, I could hear thunder, and smell rain. It actually rained - at least at work! Lovely!

Back at home, it also rained! A nice 4.8 mm! The entire ground is no longer hard, but soft under my feet! Mippies, of course, were less happy to find their outside toilet all wet - Janey came inside to use the litter box, just after I had cleaned it! Ha Ha!

Next, I had a look at the flower fountain. When I came in, I saw it wasn't working - and for a second I feared we had no power - but the outside light was on, so ... Well, I don't know what was wrong with it, I couldn't find any blockage. I did clean it and tried again - and, luckily, it worked! Mippies watched eagerly, while I was trying to fix it - they all love using the flower fountain! I'm glad it's working again!

Since it had rained, I didn't need to water - except some of the pots which are too far under the car port and didn't get much rain. I cut some spinach for At - I had cut a good bundle on Tuesday, for him and our driver to share ... and when it came to it, our driver got it all. At said it's okay, but I know he, too, enjoys the spinach. Then I cut the first two open roses! I believe rose bushes do better if they are cut frequently, so I've decided to brighten up my office.

Ziva tried to help herself to my dinner, before I could even start frying it - half of my steak landed on the floor! They're not usually that greedy ... but I guess she just couldn't resist. Anyway, I'll have my dinner - sharing generously, as always - then shower, then brush mippies (it's that time of year again - they're shedding profusely), then bed ...

Lock-down Day 551

My Mew- and Mini-larms went off at the same time as my alarm. Nice of them! Gave them their breakfast treat, then saw them all huddled around their milk bowl! Ha Ha! They love their morning milk as much as I love my morning coffee!

Since my anger last Tuesday morning, when I woke up with a puddle in the middle of my bed, there has been some change in the dynamics among my mippies - Mini chased Ziva away from me on several occasions, and basically there seemed to be a rift between Mini and the rest. It seems to have healed now, though. They are back to their usual shenanigans.

I got mail from my landlord, confirming the deduction of the electricity usage for the water pump from my rent - which is really very generous of him! I'll be sending him photos of the meter every month end, one with the reading, the next one showing that I've re-set the meter to zero. He also told me that he's planning to have that pump removed from my house completely, in the near future.

I also got mail from Takealot with all the details regarding the return - they'll come and collect tomorrow. Rather than a refund, I opted for a credit on my account. I will have to place an order for more Whiskas this weekend ... I'm also down to my last pouch on the Royal Canin! Delivery should be arriving this week ... should have been here, already! Sigh ... 

Oh, and I harvested my first oyster mushrooms last night! I think I may have been a bit too eager, as they didn't twist off easily? Ah well, I'll learn! I'm planning to make an omelet with them tonight.

Back at home, it's overcast and windy, I even feel the odd drop of rain on my arms - but I'm not taking chances: I'm watering! As I'm watering in front of the carport, I notice that some of the grass is already higher than my ankle! I guess I should have mowed, eh? Well, I'll have to do it this weekend! It's still just the small patches, not the whole garden!

The rose buds are revealing their colours for the first time today! The first one from the gate is not yet budding, but the next one is red, the one next to that white and the one in front of the broad beans & maize is orange! 

Almost all the peas are flowering, even though they are barely knee-high. The bush beans are also starting the flower - even though they are barely above ankle height! Ah, well! I'll see how that works out!

One slight worry though: I didn't hear the water pump while I was watering! I'm hoping that it was just the wind - that I didn't hear it above the noise of the wind.

I had enough water & pressure to shower, so - hopefully it was just my imagination. As I was cooking dinner, the power dipped - went off for a few second! Fortunately it came back - literally less than a minute - my dinner wasn't fully cooked, yet! Half raw egg is not exactly ideal!

Well, that was delicious! The mushrooms are very delicious, I also cut some spinach and a green pepper into the mix, then covered it all with two whisked eggs, topped with a slice of mozzarella!

I've brushed Mewthos and Mini ... I bet Ziva is going to show up soon for her share of my attention ...

Lock-down Day 550

I really didn't wish to go to work today ... but, well, I gotta ...

My delivery arrived today and I'm seriously miffed! On the Takealot site, their product details are seriously cryptic ... buying Whiskas is always a mission in higher maths. Trying to figure out what quantity is covered in the price is really, really tricky! Now, it turns out, that 8x Multi-pack was NOT what they delivered! They delivered 1x Multi-pack (i.e. 12 x 85gram pouches) and charged what 5 boxes (aka multi-packs) would cost!

When I checked that same item on their website today, the price had gone down to 1/3rd! I've sent a ticket ... but knowing how they operate ... well, let's just wait and see.

So, now I sit with one single box instead of the 8 I ordered! I better order more - but from a more transparent source!

Anyway, work is ... busy, busy, busy ... 

Back at home, Smeagol attacked mippies! I came running outside having to separate him from Mewthos! Janey, Mini and Ziva had dashed inside at top speed ... I think Smeagol came off second best, this time. Mewthos has a scrape on the side of his eye - I've cleaned and put ointment on it. He was feeling 'hero of the day' all evening! Extreme cuddle attacks accompanied by voiced purrs! I also picked quite a bit of Smeagol's fur out of Mewthos' claws!

They're all fine, though. Wanting lots of lovies, yes ... 

Oh, and I got a reply from Takealot, to return the item ... I'll deal with that tomorrow ...

Lock-down Day 549

Fortunately, I have power today. The backup didn't finish, though ... so, I'm starting again. This time, I'll do it folder by folder.

I decided to start in the garden. If I start - as usual - with household chores, by the time I'm ready to go out, it will be too hot for comfort - even under the Gazebo.

Well, I finished the rose beds and fed all of them. Now inside, bread dough on the go ... Ziva wanting lovies ...

I took a nap, then baked my rolls and washed the dishes. Kitchen is clean again! And it is so hot today - 35 Celsius! In the shade! - everything is wilting! My spinach is flopping flat, the Marigold are drooping ... on a positive note, though: I didn't kill the grapevine! It's sprouting leaves everywhere!

Well, it's three in the afternoon, and just unpleasantly hot ...

Just gone five. I've watered everywhere, but had a dig around in my tomato bed ... problem. Loads and loads and loads of weeds coming up! I don't know whether it's a good idea to plant everything in that bed now already ... 

Anyway, it's the end of my long weekend. I do feel rested, so that makes it a win!

Lock-down Day 548

Right now I am seriously frustrated. NOTHING wants to work! Yes, I said today I'm free to do anything I like ... not true, of course. What I did need to do today, was pay the rent, electricity, etc. Which means that I need my Electricity Spreadsheet. Which is on my travel hard drive … I plug it in and I get an error message! Device not working! Grrr … luckily, it worked when I plugged it in again. So now I’m copying all data off that drive to my new external!

When I tried sending the photo of the water meter to my landlord … wouldn’t go through. Grrr … looking at the the WiFi router … the battery is bulging. Again! So I have to get a new one!

Internet is iffy … Struggling to do my banking. Half-way through, I remembered that my rent increases – so I need to check my contract. PC is slowing now as well! I finally managed to get everything done … by ten this morning!

Now, I can’t even write my blog! So, I’m back on my word document – I’ll copy & paste later.

Mippies have been demanding attention again, again, again and again! I’ve spent at least one hour just with mippies! Mewthos keeps running out to the lawn – if he was a dog, his tail would be wagging! As he’s a cat, it’s high up in the air, waving a bit in his excitement! Once I sit on the lawn, with Mewthos – ALL mips come, and they all want attention.

Well, some good news: my landlord is refunding me all the electricity used by the water pump since I moved in!

I made a start on the rose bed ... even carried the Gazebo out there to keep working ... but then I ran out of energy and spent most of the afternoon just watching episodes, brushing mippies ... just relaxing. It was really hot ... over 30 Celsius!

Late afternoon, I went back outside and did a little weeding. As it was already past five, I didn't expect to get much done ... but then the lights went off! Around six - power outage! Why? No clue ... 

So, I pack up, get mippies inside - no bath for me tonight - and just have a very, very early night. Power came back around midnight ...

Lock-down Day 547

I got paid, yay! The balance of last month's salary was deposited last night - quite a relief!

Oh, and my Oyster Mushrooms are growing! I keep looking around my garden and feeling disappointed. I've put so much work into it over the past year, and so little to show for it. But that 'feeling' isn't in line with reality. I have to work on getting it through to my 'feelings' that it only looks like less achievement, because what's growing is spread throughout a very large garden!

Also, this garden, I'm doing everything myself! Every last thing - digging the beds, mowing the lawn, everything. I need to stop depressing myself for being human.

Ten o'clock and I'm about to start making pizza. Kitchen is clean, laundry is on the line ... and ... sigh ... my duvet is in the machine for it's - apparently now - weekly wash. I'll have to wash the duvet covers next, or I'll have none for tonight.

Ten past eleven. First load is folded and packed away, pizza dough will be ready in another hour - and I now have to saute the mushrooms and pre-fry the viennas I plan on adding to my pizza. Only ... I'm running out of energy ... again.

Half past twelve. Pizza is oven ready. Toppings: cherry tomatoes cut in half, sauted mushrooms, green pepper cut in bits, pre-fried viennas, fresh spinach, cut into strips, cut anchovies and mozzarella on top.

Half past one. Pizza is done, kitchen is clean again, bed sheets are hanging on the line, towels are in the machine. I found a live lizard jumping out of the machine, when I put the towels in ... so I re-inspected to make sure I don't accidentally wash any survivors! Took him outside. He's safe now.

Twenty past three, one rose bed is clean, the next one almost. Duvet is back on the bed, and covered - only the protective sheet is not yet dry.

Half past six. Final rose bed is clean! I re-cleaned the 3rd one and added food again. I'm leaving the first and second bed for now - those roses, I fear, are no longer alive. Oh, I'll clean those beds, too - just not priority.

Mini seems to have a problem with Ziva? I've watched her on several occasions now, where she literally chased Ziva away. From me! Not cool! I'm not sure what I can do about it, though ...

My pizza? Awesome! Really turned out well.

Lock-down Day 546

Not a good night, I'm afraid. Since I go to bed so early, though, I'm at least getting enough sleep. Several Mip-larm went off this morning - Mewthos mewling while circling me on the bed, Mini licking me and pawing at the phone ...

Tomorrow, I'll have to clean the kitchen, though - but when that's done, I can do what I want! And that's where my mind is spending all day ...

I would like to create an interesting garden. Have bushes growing here and there, flowers here and there, vegetables, herbs, fruit trees ... all sort of mixed together into a kind of wild-scape. Not neat rows, neatly bordered beds ... not even sections. At the same time, I need to keep safety in mind - and not create hiding places for home invaders ...

Well, I've watered again, so ... tomorrow ... I can play!

Lock-down Day 545

No rude awakening this morning, thank goodness! I didn't sleep well, though - I keep waking up throughout the night, not sure whether it's many paws or just the weather. Now I'm hot, then I'm cold, then hot, then cold ...

It's overcast this morning, so quite dark. Looks like there's a good chance of rain today. On the way to work, the radio came on - first time in weeks! They mentioned September being heritage month ... and I realised that Friday is a public holiday! I had completely forgotten about that! Long weekend ahead - what a nice surprise!

As I'm feeling somewhat better today, I'm kind of thinking of spending time in the garden ...

Okay, I've gone on a little spending spree ... we took a load to the scrap yard today, and on the way back, I asked our driver to detour to Ninapark Spar. I spent way more than I should have ... and bought only luxuries! It's Wednesday and they have R10 deals every Wednesday - which I had forgotten, until I was inside the store. Punnets of Blueberries, Strawberries, etc. all at R10! That's half the price I paid at the nearby Spar! And, of course, I treated myself to a Sushi platter.

Crap, I just notice that he charged me for 2 bags of Compost - I bought only 1! Oh, well ... tough luck. Shit happens. Anyway, since most of the items I bought are long life, I have a lot of time to savour and enjoy!

I've been thinking about the lack of effort my seeds seem to be making, and I'm thinking of trying to grow some in peat pellets. The only difficulty with those pellets is to remove the outer mesh before planting - the pellets obviously fall apart, once you do that. I learned that, when I removed it from the Brussels Sprouts before plonking them into the pot, where they are now still growing ... but not producing anything ... 

Which reminds me of a classic meme:

4000 years of Medicine

2000 BC: Here, eat this root
1000 AD: That root is heathen! Here, say this prayer.
1865 AD: That prayer is superstition! Here, drink this potion.
1935 AD: That potion is snake oil! Here, swallow this pill.
1975 AD: That pill is ineffective! Here, take this antibiotic.

2000 AD: That antibiotic is poison! Here, eat this root.

Pretty much sums it up, doesn't it? I still find it incredible that 'detox' is an actual word! Or that 'natural' is believed to be synonymous with 'healthy'. Arsenic is natural! I sometimes feel that I've outlived my time ... like I don't fit into this new world anymore. Concepts which were considered absurd in my day are now revered as wisdom. ... and then, on the other hand, people on the whole have become far more tolerant. Many things, which used to be dismissed as 'weakness' are now recognised psychological illnesses. Depression is a perfect example.

Anyway, back at home ...

Smeagol is hanging around, wanting attention from me. I give him as much as I can - but he's even more skittish now, so touching is risky. Even though he craves it.

I've watered thoroughly, softening the ground for this weekend's weeding. As I feared, the specks of green poking through the tomato patch turned out to be Nasturtium! They spread like wildfire, if left unchecked ...

And would you believe it? After having eaten breakfast, then a full Sushi platter - I'm STILL hungry? I just ate a lovely big steak - shared with mippies, of course! Unbelievable how much I ate today!

Now, I'm just going to sit back, I've already brushed two mippies (Janey and Mini), wait for Ziva to demand her cuddles - or brushies - and then, hopefully a good night's sleep!

Lock-down Day 544

You're not going to believe this, but I woke up in another piddle puddle! In my bed! Right next to me! Mewthos was mewling around and around, I rolled on my back and ... eeeek! I just don't know anymore ... and I was so angry this morning! Nobody got any treat this morning, and don't any mip dare come near me!

I'm at my wits end ... I don't know what to do anymore ... especially, since I don't know WHO did it!

I think I can rule out health issues, since they all do use the litter box - I mean, I clean it out every single day, and top it up, as needed. There is no blood in the pee, and - funnily enough - it doesn't pong as strong as cat pee usually does. There are no puddles anywhere else in the whole house ... That leaves psychological. Anxiety. Re-assertion.

Which is a possibility - Mini has a way of 'defending' my bed as HERS. She'll attack Ziva and Janey sometimes, when they try to come onto the bed. Yes, I make a point of cuddling ALL on the bed, and brushing them all on it, too ... I did a long brushing session with Ziva and later with Mewthos on the bed. She never attacks Mewthos, though ... I just don't know ...

Well, moving on.

I don't know what led me to believe I would have the energy to go drive around for yummy food for myself this week - if I didn't have the energy to simply bake bread rolls! Yesterday, I just quickly went to the nearby Spar and got myself a Dagwood Sandwich. I meant to go to Wonderpark today, to get something special ... and to Ninapark Spar for some Sushi later this week ... stupid idea. I'm not up to it. So, I've decided to just go to the nearby Spar again, today, get another Dagwood and buy a loaf of bread ... I can make myself cheese sandwiches for the week. Yeah, extra work at night ... I just have to kick myself until I do it. I even forgot to fill my water bottle last night - so I don't even have drinking water today!

Speaking of water, I checked my rain gauge this morning, shows about 0.2 mm rainfall. Just enough to kick-start the lawn into growing ... everywhere ... sigh.

Okay, I just went to Spar and overloaded on fast food, I'm afraid. Crap, and I forgot to buy something to drink! I did, however, get some fruit, as well - blueberries were on special!

I was just about to ask one of the guys to go and get me a soft drink, when I remembered that my fruit juice delivery is due today! Perfect timing!

Or not ... the delivery arrived after three in the afternoon! By that time, I was feeling dehydrated! Ah, well ...

Okay, in some fun news - amid all the horror - a local man is being harassed by local police for planting cabbages on the sidewalk. He's now known as the Cabbage Bandit. It seems the whole country has come together in his defense! A FaceBook Group was started, encouraging EVERYONE to grow fruit and vegetables on their sidewalks, or in their garden or anywhere - and make them accessible to those in need.

I'm overdosing myself on chocolate at the moment. Not sure whether that's good or bad ... Ha! You can literally look up ANYTHING these days! Apparently eating dark chocolate lowers depression, milk chocolate has no effect.

Back at home, I'm watering the garden. Yes, it looks like there's a chance of rain, again - but 0.2 mm? Not worth it! I'm still waiting for all those seeds I've potted to start making an effort - so far, not a single speck of green!

Anyway, I've sort of forgiven mippies. I say sort of, because, well, there's nothing to forgive, actually. It's not like they have any capacity for malice. And they also don't have any grasp of anger - animals don't get angry. So ... we're good.

And the bed doesn't smell ... I guess, as it's dry ... anyway, I'm just glad.

Lock-down Day 543

Not a good morning, although my Mew-larm went off when my alarm went off - I couldn't get myself out of bed till after six. So, I was half an hour late for work.

Still feeling really low ... wish there were actual 'happy pills' that could kick-start me into a better emotional place. Well, I'll just have to work my way out of this ... it's not the first time, and at least I know that I CAN do it.

Oh, nice! Just got invited to a wedding! That's rare, for me. And it's one I actually WANT to attend - which is even rarer, ha ha!

Back at home, I watered the garden, even though it was overcast. A few drops had come down this morning, when I was driving to work - but the rain gauge wasn't even damp by tonight!

Ziva wanted to go inside fairly early - she's always nervous when there are weather noises, whether it's thunder, no matter how far, or even rain noises. Well, we went inside, I treated mippies ... and it rained. Just enough to wet the entire ground, no more, though ... a few minutes.

Just enough to - temporarily - lift my spirits. Not for long, though.

Lock-down Day 542

Mewthos spent half the night on the bed with me for a change. Seems he has a thing about clean bed? And if they aren't to his liking, he'll force me to make them to his liking? Nah, that's just too complex, not like him. 

He went Mew-larm again, but not too early, this morning.

I'm washing blankets and bed sheets today ... and hopefully towels as well.

Mini caught a bird. She carried it around for a while, then settled on the bathroom to 'play' - only, it got away. Which gave me the chance to set it free.

I'm still feeling ... down in the dumps. I just couldn't get myself to do anything. Oh, the washing machine has been running non stop all day, but that's all. I haven't baked bread, or cooked or done anything else ...

Lock-down Day 541

Would you believe it? The one time I hand something outside overnight to dry ... well, no it didn't rain, but it is overcast, with a good chance of rain! It'll probably clear up soon, but - I don't like taking chances, so I've taken the rug back inside. It's nearly dry ... dry enough to go back on the floor. When the floor is clean ... so, I've just swept the entire house, next: washing the bedroom floor. Again.

Not quite eight, I've washed the bedroom floor, put the rug back and - for good measure - sprinkled catnip all over it!

The sun is coming out now, so ... shall I chance hanging my laundry outside? I really don't see, how else, I'll get my duvets washed AND dry!

Well, I've hung it outside - it just dries so much faster in open air!

Worst part of today's job is: having to clean the mattress AND the base. And while I'm doing that, trying hard NOT to strangle Mewthos - who is the reason I have to do all this work ...

I'm in a really bad mood, again! This is not like me ... and feeling this moody for no reason is ticking me off even more ... bit of a viscous cycle ...  

Lock-down Day 540

Power came back on around half eight. By that time I had already eaten, but at least I could still watch an episode and put my audiobook on overnight.

I woke around four in a wet bed. Sigh ... no pong, so not a piddle puddle ... I have no clue what, though. I just got up, cleared everything off, washed, changed and went back to bed - under the other duvet - for another hour.

On the way to work, major traffic! Why? Oh, some big accident on the N4 - and everybody must slow down to gawk! 

I've now changed over to filter coffee. I fill the water in the evenings, so in the mornings I just need to add the coffee and turn it on. Really nice! This weekend, I want to make one cup of each flavour, then compare and decide which I like best. Then maybe look around for more flavours ... something fun!

Oh, nice! Another blackmail. Some crap about having recorded me watching porn, having hacked into my webcam and threatening to send the video to all my contacts. Pure fiction! The first time I got one of those mails, I did wonder and it did upset me ... now, it's just a nuisance.

But I think I should do something about my passwords. I'm just reading an article on how passwords get hacked, with tips on how to avoid that:

1) have a unique password for every single account / site. There goes my idea of coming up with ONE safe password to use everywhere! Ah, well, back to the drawing board on that!

2) have a long password. The longer, the less chance it can be 'cracked'.

3) numbers at the end are the most common 'make it safe' fix.

I'm not very vulnerable to phishing, since I don't open Login sites from e-mails, I don't play those 'password guessing tips' games - which wouldn't help anyone guess my password, anyway. Even my sister wouldn't be able to guess my password - not even with the hints!

For sites, though, I've been less careful and used the same short word, for all sites  - occasionally adding another letter or number, depending on site demands ... so, time to come up with a system. Time to change my passwords on ALL sites, where I've used that ... 

Just don't ask me when! Time is at a premium - I have so little! I've also come to realise, that Mewthos is not getting much cuddle time ... he doesn't come to the bedroom for brushies, cuddles or cuddle-cave; he hops into a box in the lounge and I must bend down and tickle what I can reach. Or pick him up when he's mewling in the kitchen, or give him a few strokes and a hug when he's on the cat food counter. All of which doesn't add up to even half as much time as any of the other mips get. I need to make a Mew-Mew slot somehow ...

Can you tell, that I'm not feeling motivated to work today? I feel utterly drained ... just tired of everything. Not motivated to do anything ... Oh, I'm working alright, just taking a few more breaks throughout the day than usual. Mostly while I wait for the PC to 'calculate'. Sigh ...

Back at home, I'm not feeling very energetic and I'm in a bad mood. I'm not sure what I want to do ... well, I took out the lopper step ladder and lopped around on the peach tree. This is it, unless I get a ladder, there's nothing more I can do. Well, let's hope I'll get some edible fruit this year - not like last year, when I had hordes of tiny peaches, which all dropped off one week, when it got too hot!

Then I walked the lopper around and lopped off whatever I could reach. Then I took out the saw and had a go ... but it's too much for me! I'll need help - or more energy. So then I decided to get rid of the weeds growing here and there. Didn't seem like much - but boy, this garden is so big, what looks like 'a few weeds here and there' is quite a lot! I pulled out what I could, and cut what wouldn't come out.

I also put the rug in the machine. It's hanging over the fence outside - it doesn't look like rain, so it should be dry early tomorrow.

I've just tried spending some time with Mewthos ... he's not showing much interest in anything. I've picked him up, brought some toys ... he plays a bit, then just flops down and looks as other mippies play. I don't know ... 

Anyway, I hope I'm in a better mood tomorrow ...

Lock-down Day 539

In a fit of activity, I washed my new coffee maker and thermos last night, then set it up so I could enjoy my first filter coffee this morning! Given my feelings towards washing dishes, I don't know what came over me. I quite appreciated my fit of insanity this morning, though, when I sat down to a lovely cup of filter coffee! I'm still going to have to experiment a bit with the different flavours, though.

I also had a WhatsApp conversation with my landlord, he'll sort out the water electricity for the past year, and from now on, I'll send him the pic every month. He'll probably send me electricity tokens, not deduct it from my rent - I'm happy with that! Whether it comes off my rent or electricity is all the same to me!

Mew-larm went off from three in the morning, again! At five I gave up and got up. Enjoyed a lovely cup of coffee! Mippies were a bit confused that there was not kettle whistling - so they just huddled around their milk bowl, wondering when they get their morning milk!

I'm at work very, very early - thanks to my Mew-larm He was also not very happy about me leaving for work, this morning. Normally he curls up on the sideboard in the lounge, getting a few goodbye kisses as I walk past to leave - this morning he strolled along the desk with me, as I walked past.

Back at home ... no power. Grrrr. I realised it would probably be off on my way home, as the robots were off.

It's quite windy, almost worthy of PE! As long as no branches hit my roof, I won't complain. Just hope the power comes back soon.

Biggest bugger up is that I can't water, so the ground won't be soft tomorrow afternoon, so I won't be able to weed. I'll cut / saw branches then. I already clipped some of the bushes in front, might as well see what I can do about all those dead branches. 

Cold dinner tonight, I just hope that I can make coffee tomorrow morning!

And at least internet works, so I can write and publish this from my phone.

Lock-down Day 538

Mew-larmed at three in the morning, again at four and again at five. He just walked a circle around my bed, mewling. Last Mew-larm went off at six, when I eventually got up.

Gate wouldn't open. Sigh, got out, switched to manual, opened, drove through. Then I tried returning to automatic, and it closed ... but very slowly. As if the battery is flat - yet, it's plugged in (there's a plug on the wall, right behind the motor!). Plug light is on ...

I called my landlord and he confirmed that the manager no longer works for him. I'll be dealing with him directly, in future. Not a problem, as he's very relaxed - i.e. not aggressive, nor confrontational, yet quick to fix what needs fixing. He'll have a look today ...

I also brought up the water issue. Apparently, the meter above mine records the electricity used by the water pump, so I WhatsApp him a photo every month and he'll refund me the electricity units used. I'll send him a photo tonight - hopefully, I'll get something refunded for the past year!

At work, I quickly went to Spar, as I'm low on milk. I've also made it a habit to buy a few groceries for At every week - working only 3 days a week is hitting him quite hard. I buy him bread, something to put on the bread, and today I've added viennas and some vegetables. I also bring him a bottle of spinach every Tuesday. I know it isn't much, but - what I haven't mentioned is, that I also haven't been paid, yet. As in I've received about a quarter of my salary ... still waiting for the balance. Yes, I've not been exaggerating, when I've said that our business is in trouble ... which is why I'm working so frantically to get it into shape.

Anyway ... time to go home. The day just flies by when you're busy non-stop!

Back at home, bit of a panic, I couldn't find my keys! After the issue with the gate, apparently I hadn't put them in their usual place - and I couldn't find them anywhere! Not under the seat, not in any pocket, I was beginning to worry that I might have dropped them somewhere - though that seems highly unlikely? Eventually I found them on the passenger seat - under the seat cover! Phew!

I see one of my peas got stepped on - not sure why, it's at least half a meter from the gate motor? Ah well, it'll be fine. Watered, sat a bit outside with mippies, as always ...

Took a pic of the meter & sent it to my landlord. He just replied 'thx' ... no clue what that's meant to mean.

Now I'll make myself dinner, have a bath, watch some Men Behaving Badly while I brush and cuddle mippies (it's that time of year, again - they're shedding madly!) and then go to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 537

Mew-larm went off around four ... hrmph! I got up around six. Coffee, milkies for mippies, Mewthos atop the fridge! Hrmph!

At work ... busy, busy, busy. Don't ask, I'm drowning. I have to think just to know what day of the week it is ... only Tuesday, feels like Thursday already.

Back at home, my neighbour stopped to ask what our physical address is. We chatted a bit and I found out that what they're building next door is a dam! Interesting!

Also, apparently the manager I used to deal with, no longer works for my landlord. So, I got my landlord's number, as we're coming up to my anniversary, meaning rent will increase. And I still need to clarify the whole water-pumping-electricity thing. Thing is, that the water pump runs off my electricity - it pumps to re-fill the tank, and pumps when we use water, giving the water pressure. When I first moved in, I was told to deduct that from the rent - but, legally, I can't just pay less than the contractual amount. So, I've been paying full rent all year - waiting for the promised monthly statements ... 

And, on top of that, of course, if there are now 3 places running off the same pump ... are we going to have to schedule bath- and shower times? Among 3 households? So, yeah ... I need to clear that up ...

Anyway, time for mippie cuddles, then sleep ...

Lock-down day 536

Oh! Apparently I missed another 'family meeting' - we're back in Lockdown Level 2!

Not the earliest of mornings, though - but I made it. Today we drive through to Jo'burg, to have a mask-to-mask meeting with our client. Hold thumbs!

Okay, that went satisfactorily! Glad to have it behind me, though.

And my delivery arrived! Tonight I have some new DVDs to watch! Old shows, of course. I'm starting with a really silly one: 'Men Behaving Badly'! When I first saw it on TV, I thought it was really stupid. But after a while, I got into it - it's still stupid, but the stupid is what makes it funny!

Anyway, time to watch, cuddle mippies, then get to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 535

With a very short 'must-do' list today, I'm feeling far more energetic! And much more positive, as well as calmer. I've got the bread dough getting ready, when that's done, I wrap it around sausages, and while they rise, I quickly make the muffin dough.

Almost eleven, now I'm just waiting for the oven to heat up, then bake everything and I'm free! Well, I'll need to wash the dishes tonight, but that's all.

I've put up the Gazebo, now I'm just waiting for everything to finish baking, then I'm off outside ...

Vegetable bed is finished, watered, and I've scattered a few - very few - tomato seeds and planted 2 maize stalks! Then I stalked some of the peas, cleared around the ponytail a bit more - oh, and took an afternoon nap!

Yeah, not much to show for it, but I'm quite happy with my progress!

Then Smeagol showed up. I gave him a pouch of Whiskas, and since my mippies felt they, too, deserved a pouch, I've brought them in - very, very early! Half six and they're all inside already! I better get busy in the kitchen now.

Done. Phew! I don't know what it is with me and washing dishes - but I just hate doing them!

Anyway, that's all for today ...

Lock-down Day 534

Up around six, mippies out, coffee ...

I've decided not to re-wash the entire bedroom today. I'll change the bedding, but that's it. I'm not up to doing the entire exercise again - especially, if I'm going to have to do that every week! Just, no!

They're working again, very close - I think next door, so mippies are all huddled inside ... it's a bit cool again today. I just want to get the housework out of the way, and go into the garden!

It's one of those hot & cold days. Every couple of minutes I'm hot, so I take the long-sleeve off, and a few minutes later I'm cold. So I put it back on. Repeat ad nauseum ... a bit irritating.

Well, I've put my mushroom farm into action. I treated myself to another mushroom growing kit - oyster mushrooms. Last time, nothing happened for weeks on end ... and when I gave up, the mushrooms started growing ... This time, the whole thing is a bit ... moldy. White mold everywhere - maybe that means it's fresher? Last time the kit had expired by the time it arrived, this time it's very fresh ... well, it's spring! I must grow stuff or I will be miserable, ha ha!

And the garden still needs so much preparation, before I should start scattering seeds ... of course I'll scatter them, regardless! No reason to deprive myself of ALL growth, even if it won't be as good as it could have been!

I just went out to water the garden. When I had a look at the maize plants, I realised that they're not all maize, half of them have very different leaves - and that's when I remembered the broad beans! That's whats coming up! Half maize, half broad beans! And, if I'm not mistaken, I think I see the first basil - teeny tiny specks of green! I just hope it won't turn out to be weeds ....

I'm doing my chores, aggressively, though. I really don't feel like being stuck in the kitchen - I want to be outside, in the garden! There's so much work that I'd like to be done ... 

Finished. Amid screeching my rage at the top of my voice - but the dishes are done. There were rather a lot this time, and it didn't help, when a pan slipped and splashed me with hot, soapy water! Definitely NOT a good time to bake bread or muffins! 

Well, it's twenty past eleven ... not too bad. All I still need to do today, is take down the washing, when it's dry. And no, I'm not cooking - just took out a steak.

I think, what's getting to me is that it's spring, and I really, really want things to be growing - which means that I really need to get on with the planting! Or sowing.

Half two and I've planted 3 of my bottomless pots. At first, I was just going to use them, as is - just top them up with seedling soil, but then, when I dug a little, the soil lower in the pot didn't look good, so I decided to transfer from one pot to another. Finding a lot of roots in the soil - I remember that I mixed ground soil from the old place. Lots and lots of weeds in that soil, though. Ah, well, I've removed even more now.

I've sowed some Cape Gooseberry, Cherry Tomatoes and Yellow Bell Pepper, so far. I saw a photo from a Facebook friend, who had grown bell pepper in a pot - so, I really, really want my bell pepper to grow! They are so expensive to buy! Next pot will be green bell peppers!

Just about five and I feel much better having placed some seeds into soil! I sowed Chervil, one Rosemary, some Sage, as well. I know I should continue with the Rose beds, but I just don't want to. They're a Friday task, until I have to start mowing again. And I really want something growing that I can harvest! I also want tomatoes! And cucumbers.

So, as soon as I've done tomorrows baking, I'm going to continue clearing the bed under the Nasturtium, where I want to grow vegetables. Tomato, Cucumber - both need support, so the fence will come in handy. I started clearing from the gate towards the car port yesterday - but didn't do a very thorough job. Quite a lot of roots just wouldn't come out. I've now watered a bit more thoroughly ... hopefully I can achieve a better result tomorrow!

Well, I made a start already. I watered quite thoroughly, so I managed to get the fork in and loosen the ground beautifully! Then I sat down and started cleaning - got quite a good stretch finished already!

I've been thinking that it would be a good idea to sow just one seed a week. Well, I think I'd like tomato, maize, cucumber, zucchini, butternut, eggplant and such things growing there. So I thought I'd place one seed of tomato and one maize each week, moving along the bed. That way, they won't all be ripe at the same time. And when those two have reached a good height, I can start sowing cucumber, etc. Also one seed per week.

Anyway, I'm knackered. I've had a bath, now I just want to sit back, relax, then go to sleep ... oh, and my delivery is now scheduled for Monday. A week earlier than expected - nice!

Lock-down Day 533

I got so angry at Mewthos last night - I've never been this angry with any mip before! Comes into my bedroom, approaches the bed, turns around and starts spraying! No reason ... my whole bedroom now stinks of his eau-de-pis! I just chased him out and when, a minute later, he tried to come back, I just chased him away!

More spray during the night, and again this morning. Why? Just ... why? Does he hate my new rug so much? Or does he hate the smell of the fabric softener - which, I'm afraid, contains Eucalyptus (I didn't realise it was different from the usual lavender)? I am so frustrated about this whole thing, simply because I just don't know why?

No, cats have no capacity for malice. He's not being malicious, naughty or mean - he has a reason. And if I want it to stop, I have to figure out what that reason is.

I think, this weekend, I'll try washing the rug again - only without fabric softener, and change the sheets, and I'm going to have a heck of a time trying to get the smell out of the mattress!

So much for any time to garden ... grrr.

Well, gardening today, though! First I got the step ladder and trimmed away at the peach tree as far as I could reach. Then I moved to the rose beds. I almost finished the second last one, and cleared around the rose in the last bed. I think I'll be able to finish by next Friday ... and then I can start at the first one, again. Sigh ... 

I'm still not very pleased with Mewthos. He's being difficult on top of everything else. Just looking at the workload ahead for me tomorrow, thanks to Mewthos ... I'm having difficulty being nice to the little squirt!

Anyway, I'm knackered ... 

Lock-down Day 532

Early morning, coffee ... mippies wish it was weekend ... so do I!

Back at home, well ... not much to say, either. I've watered the garden and all my pots. Did a bit of weeding, just as it was getting dark. Cooked myself a ... hmm ... well, what I did was to cut up some viennas, fry them, and then pour two beaten eggs over them, topped with a slice of cheese. I meant to add spinach as well, but by the time I remembered it was too late.

I stumbled across this today, thought it was funny - especially as it's so true:

Friday tomorrow, looking forward to gardening tomorrow afternoon!

Lock-down Day 531

Overcast, I think a few drops of rain fell during the night - and I definitely heard thunder. But no power outage - bonus! Early morning, enjoying coffee, then work.

Back at home, Smeagol is waiting! I have some indoor chores first, and by the time I'm ready to go to him, he's already fighting with Mewthos! Sigh ... I go out, spend a bit of time with him - no touching, though ... he's quite skittish. He also looks the worse for wear, poor boy! Eventually he goes off, without even having eaten! Poor boy ...

I'm still pruning the peach tree. I think I'm getting the hang of it - it helps seeing how drastically previous tenants had pruned it. Cut it really short! So, I've gone over the areas I already cut yesterday, pruning a bit more aggressively. I'll need to get the step ladder this weekend, though, to reach the rest.

Getting mippies inside is no problem - not with Smeagol possibly still nearby! They're all quite wary of him!

Treat mippies, fry myself dinner ... and notice that it's unusually quiet in the house? No mipping? No dashing? Argh! I left the back sliding door open! Mini had come in the front and gone out the back, when I called them in earlier - she only came inside when the food was in her bowl! And I forgot to close the door once she was inside!

Mippies were happily hunting hoppies under the Jacaranda tree! Very close, and they came happily inside when I called!

Another colleague saw the spinach I brought At this morning, so I cut him a little bunch, as well. I'm putting spinach into everything I can, on weekends, plus a bunch for At and now another bunch for another colleague - and there's still plenty growing! Finally some perks - after all that work, ha ha!

Lock-down Day 530

We had a teeny bit of rain, 0.5 mm, last night, and no sooner had it started drizzling than the power went wonky again! Wonky, as in: the lights stayed on, but the plugs did not have enough power. The water fountains would come on and off, the PC had no chance - I've unplugged it. The meter is flashing like disco lights. And, worst of all, of course: I couldn't boil the kettle this morning! No hot coffee!

At work ... busy.

At lunch, I mentioned to At that my peach tree is blossoming and he recommended I prune it now, before it's too late. He said, if I don't, I'll end up with hundreds of teeny tiny peaches - which is exactly what I got last year! But if I do prune, I'll get a good number of nice, big, juicy peaches! That's what I want! So ... back at home, I started pruning! But it seems such a shame to throw away the flowers - so, I selected a bunch and stuck them in water!

Well, that's all there is to say ... 

Lock-down Day 529

Still overcast, and I woke with a mild migraine. Which kept me snoozing, in hopes it would go away - but eventually I had to get up. So, I made my coffee and assessed whether I would be okay going to work, or whether I should take my migraine cocktail and go in later ... 

Well, I'm at work. A bit late, but I'm here. Working.

Nice and quiet day at work, allowing me to make progress ...

On the way home, a few drops of rain came down. That's all. No more. Though there's a high chance of rain tomorrow, according to the forecast ... I hope it doesn't mean a worse migraine, though.

Well, I've backed up my photos off the phone, now I can delete some to make space.

And that's my day ...

Lock-down Day 528

Guess what? Overcast. Migraine! Fortunately not the worst kind - I was able to get up, make coffee, eat a bread roll, and take my migraine cocktail before going back to bed.

It's now eleven and I'm feeling better - but there's still a headache.

Almost one and I think I'm finally up to some gardening. I spent the past 2 hours ordering groceries - with lots and lots of cuddle breaks. Janey, in particular, seems to be in need of extra cuddles today.

Okay, garden. First, I put up more Nasturtium-milk-bottle pots. The first one is sprouting magnificently, better than the previous version. Next ... some sad business: looks like I won't be getting any Brussels Sprouts at all - every single plant is infested with that grey, powdery mildew! Not on some odd leaves, but every single head! Right where the new leaves form. Every. Single. One! Everything I've tried in the past did not work. Not, once the plant was infested - the only thing I could do, was clean the powder off every single leaf ... and hope. So, I'm trying something different. I read on one site, that mixing milk with water works! No scientific basis, whatsoever ... well, apart from poison, I've tried everything else. I have nothing left to loose ... so ... I sprayed every single head liberally with a 1/3 milk, 2/3 water mixture. And then, for good measure, I doused every head in sunflower oil. 

Here you can clearly see how far the mist sprayer reaches. The rest of the garden is 
still yellow and crispy.

A poppy is finally flowering, and a different colour!

I wouldn't quite call them white, they're a very pale pastel yellow.

Here's the succulent bed in front, with the spinach & carrots growing behind. I'm leaving the tunnel outside, just in case, for now.

These are thriving! I got a cutting from Rose, and now they are absolutely thriving!
And flowering!

These, too, are doing very well. The cabbage plant, the little fingers and the desert roses! All doing well and spreading out!

See all the little babies? They are just coming up en masse!

The desert roses are flowering.

This is AFTER the weeding I did on Friday - you can see how many weeds are still visible!

ALL the Nasturtium in this milk bottle seem to have sprouted! I put hopelessly
too many seeds in this bottle.
I made more bottles today - and put only a few seeds into each!

My Orchard! Coming along nicely, isn't it? Well, it's just the plum orchard,
with the apple way at the back on the right - not even reaching the bottle top, yet.

Well, I cleaned a bit around the Marigold, some weeds were trying to establish themselves. Then I cleaned a bit around the maize bed ... I decided not to put too much effort into re-cleaning the rose beds. Let me first finish ALL of them, on Fridays, then start again ...

I did weed the legume bed, though. It was so full of weeds, I didn't think I could finish today - but I did! Looking good, now!

Then I sat on the veranda and thought back to how the garden looked a year ago. And whether I've made any difference. For the most part, the change is still subtle - since I'm not just going for looks, but results. So, you can't really SEE much difference - with a few exceptions: The ponytails don't look like Cousin It anymore. And the fence from the grill, along the succulent bed, the spinach & carrot bed all the way past the carport to the gate of the first partition is absolutely clear! A year ago, it was a complete wall of creeper! And the carport was also overrun.

The driveway is also completely clear, and the 12 bricks on either side are visible. I didn't even know they were there! Then, there's the whole Marigold bed, as well.

On the one hand, it's kind of sad that there's so little to show for all the work I've put into that garden! But, on the other hand, the work I did will reduce the amount of work I need to put into mere maintenance. See, I'm pulling out weeds, getting as much and as many roots as I can. It's a long-term strategy. 

Next year will be a whole lot more to show for it!

And spring has definitely sprung! The peach tree out back is actually blossoming! And the tree next to the front gate is also budding green!

Anyway, I'm being too hard on myself. I keep forgetting that this garden is much bigger than the garden I had in PE. Plus, I'm mowing the lawn myself and I don't have Stanley helping me here, either! Plus, I'm working full time!

So ... feeling much better about the garden, now! And, of course, about myself!

Lock-down Day 527

It's Mewthos! He is the piddler, after all! Last night, just as I was shutting down the PC, I turn around and there he is: standing on the rug, tail lifted, spraying my bed! Aaaargh! WTF? Why? Why, Mewthos?

I'm afraid the answer would probably be: Smeagol! He was outside my bedroom at the time. Not on my window sill, not anywhere I could see him - but by Mewthos' activity around the window, I can tell he's there ...

Right, so I've taken the rug out, hung it along the fence to brush off everything - found a dead lizzard tangled up in the hair - then look at the washing instructions. Right: Do not wash! And we're off to a great start! I don't see how 'gently wipe' is going to get the cat pee out of that, do you? So: into the machine, cold wash.

I've swept the floors, now I have to wash them. Sigh. Since I'm feeling energetic, might as well do everything ... It's a big house, though, so doing everything properly is out of the question! Most rooms, I just do a quick wash, just making it look better than before. I let the corners be round, and I don't move any furniture - just too much effort! The kitchen, though, I'm doing a bit more thoroughly. It's the room where I mess the most, ha ha! Mippies, help! With the messing, not the cleaning ...

Well, it's almost two, and I've finished all Saturday's chores. Even done quite a bit extra: sweeping and washing the floors in the whole house, washing the rug, cutting and vacuum packing the meat I bought this week. I want to see if I can get tomorrow's chores done today, as well, so that maybe I can spend some time in the garden, tomorrow.

Photos of my beautiful flower garden in PE just popped up - I miss my flowers! I really want flower in my garden again. Nice big, colourful and aromatic ones! THAT is why I want to find time for gardening!

Right, I've got about 7 minutes, until the bread dough is ready. I've cut the apples, made a meal - some weird concoction I've put together: potatoes, carrots, spinach, bacon, tomatoes and sour cream. I'll try to put a layer of mozarella on top ...

Twenty past five and my work is done! Just baking the apple pie and the concoction. The apple pie turned a complete mess! I don't know what went wrong with the dough - but it just wasn't right. I ended up with a big mess of apple juice and flour and sticky dough and ... well, lots of mess ... everywhere!

As I've now used up all the apples I bought on special, I'm going back to muffins next weekend! Much easier, less work and less mess!

Oh great! Cheese dripped onto my apple pie! Well, that's going to be a really unusual taste ...

I've been wondering how I managed to spend so much time gardening, last year ... and then I remembered: I didn't cook! Well, not much. Whereas now, I'm baking bread, cooking at least one good meal on weekends and baking either pie or muffins. I used to eat crappy fast food sandwiches at work ... 

I've had a look around, and the roses are definitely benefiting from my weeding and feeding! And the watering. They are bursting with new growth! And the first shoots are coming through in the bed behind it, too! I think its the maize! So, I think it would be a good idea to weed around that bed now, while I still can, before everything grows too much!

Kinda looking forward to tomorrow, now ...

Lock-down Day 526

Late start, coffee, work.

Back at home, first thing I did was mow the green patches of lawn. Where I've been watering. Oh, and I also mowed that partition I recently finished. Now it looks even, rather than odd stalks here and there.

Then I started weeding the carrot bed ... yikes! The weeds are seriously taking over, fast! After an hour, I wasn't even halfway through the carrot side ... because I was trying to clear a path as well as the bed. Just too much, so I stuck to just the bed - and by six, I had finished both sides. So, I decided to sow more carrots and a few more spinach. Another row of carrots. I had a bit of an underground feel around my carrots - they're still thinner than my little finger, so ... it's gonna take a while, yet.

And that's about that.

I'll have to wash the rug tomorrow. Mini, for some strange reason, keeps using it as a litter box. She's also sprinkled a magic circle all the way around my bed! So, I'll need to wash the floor as well. No, I don't know why ... I don't know what her problem is ... Sigh ...

And Mewthos? He's got something under his chin. I only felt it today - at first I thought his jaw was broken, just by the feel - which, of course couldn't be. He'd be in agony, if anything was broken! It isn't hurting him ... I just wish I knew what it was!

Well, I've got a lot of work tomorrow ... better not make it too late, tonight.

Lock-down Day 525

Very early morning, I got up at five. Enjoyed two coffees surrounded by my mippies.

Back at home, I'm thoroughly watering, so the ground is soft for the planned weeding tomorrow. I want to start with my spinach & carrot bed again. And, if there's still time, the pea and bean bed. Although, I think, that first, I'll need to mow the sprinkled areas ... I'll try to take some photos to show you!

And that's me ... ready to open the cuddle cave, before I go to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 524

Normal morning, neither early, nor late. Coffee surrounded by mippies.

Work ... I feel absolutely drained ...

Back at home, with no energy, I just do the absolute minimum. I did take an opportunity to get some groceries, like milk, today. 

Now, I just want to sit back, cuddle mippies then go to sleep ...