Lock-down Day 645

Quite a good night, early morning. Mippies out, Smeagol calling - filled his bowl for his breakfast. Coffee!

Smeagol has been visiting every morning for breakfast. And again every afternoon. Yesterday, since I was indoors, he had a bit of a set-to with Mewthos ... I can usually tell that he's around, when all the ladies 'hide' inside!

I'm not sure what I want to do today. Forecast isn't promising. Right now skies are clear and it looks like we'll have another hot day, though, again, rain forecast after noon. Highest % chance currently at 56 % at five this evening.

I went out into the garden ... some time after seven. The sun was still low, so the second ponytail was still in the shade. I cleared that entire bed. I also cleared a bit along the wall, and pulled out a couple of tall weeds in the current jungle ... 

The sun was out, though it occasionally hid behind the odd cloud. So, the only place definitely in the shade is the bean bed!

It was past three when I looked at the time! I had finished about 3/4 of the bean bed plus the adjoining third ponytail bed! The Thyme is doing well, the tomatoes not so much. There are still a few bean bushes doing well in that bed. If I manage to finish that bed, I'm definitely planting more!

Highest chance of rain now at 47 % forecast for four this afternoon. Or should I say, any time now ... doesn't look like rain, though.

Instead of finishing the bean bed, I got busy in the bed across the driveway. Cleared all the overgrown weeds out of that. 

By five I called it a day and watered the garden. An hour later it started raining! Ha ha ha! So much for the 22 % chance at six, eh?

Full thunderstorm! So, five minutes later, the power went off! Grrr...

Ziva was huddled under the armchair, and Smeagol came running at top speed, calling all the way, like a siren - straight into the outside room!

He sits behind the glass door, looking out. I tried to take a photo, but it didn't come out - two windows is not working. 

Then it started hailing!

Not large hail, and not for long. But look at the puddle just outside the lounge! The veranda got washed as well, the wind blew it in all directions!

First thing I did, though, was to take a bath! After all that work today, I needed it!

An hour later,  the storm has passed.

I took a lot of photos while I was watering (I just turn on a sprinkler, and move it to the relevant beds.) Among them, I also took a panorama of my view from my seat on the veranda. 

I'm not sure how this will show, but here goes. 

That's actually the second attempt, the first one featured my thumb, ha ha!

And here you can see the storm coming. 

I love this home so much! I'm so happy here! And mippies love it so much, as well! And they are so safe here! No roads, no predators. And just watching how seldom they go outside the garden, and when they do, they never go far. So different from the last place! More like PE, just without the naughty staying out after I call them! But that was just kitten exuberance in PE, I think they've simply outgrown that. Though I did have frequent issues with them coming home in the last place, too. There, it was more likely that they weren't happy inside.

They are happy here, though! Inside and outside! No dogs or humans threatening them here. Only Smeagol, ha ha.

Storm is back, no rain, just a lot of lightning. Not much chance of power getting restored any time soon!  Mippies are sprawled at my feet, all that's missing is a fireplace in my castle 🏰 ha ha!

I suppose I should publish, while I still have Internet.

Lock-down Day 644

Fairly early morning, coffee, mippies out ... peace! For about two seconds! Mewthos is back mewling to be picked up - all wet and muddy! I don't think it rained, even though everything is wet. Dew, I reckon.

I'm not sure what I want to do today. I've put a load of washing in the machine ... I still have cramps, so I'm not sure whether I want to aggravate them ... although, frankly, looking at that unmowed lawn is nagging at me ... Part of me wants to get that mowed, even though the lawn is still wet ...

Ten o'clock and the lawn is done! So am I! Forget walk-in-the-park, make it a full work out! Sheez, I'm knackered! Soaking wet, heavy breathing, knackered!

An hour later and I've hung up the laundry, cleared the waste bin and put the towels in the machine - with vinegar and soda. I'm still knackered, though ... not sure whether I want to do anything else. This effing period is taking a lot of energy out of me! Having been free of this for almost a year, I'm just wondering now: How did I cope for years and years with these energy-sapping cramps, two, three, four, even five days every month? How does any woman? And I'm still one of the luckier ones! 

And the bloated feeling! I've ignored that all my life, but this time? Sheez! I just hope this time is the last time!

Well, I've done nothing else all day, again hoping for a better day tomorrow ...

Lock-down Day 643

I woke up quite late, way past seven. Another weird dream this morning. And I discovered why I had been feeling a bit off the past two days: got a period this morning! That explains the cramps and, to some extent, the late mornings and weird dreams. Great way to end the year, eh? I really thought I was done with that crap - last one was so many months ago, I'm not even sure when! April? March? Fortunately I have kept the last of the pads!

Well, I've paid the rent! I shouldn't buy electricity for this meter - I'm leaving the geyser on 24/7 (well, due to the power outages, that's not accurate), and using the steamer really uses up power, too!

Oh, and in case you're wondering why I haven't mentioned anything about the steam-weed-killing? Well, with the rain all day Monday, there was no change, even yesterday morning! It looked the same as it had right after I had finished. But add yesterday's sun, and everything is dried out!

Doesn't look very different from Monday's -
only the grass on the side has also dried

Everything completely dry!

I tried pulling one of those grass plants you can see top right - but the roots still seem to be quite strong.

These are the two worst types of grass. On the left, one that looks like Kikuyu, but isn't. And the two on the right look like little bushes, bright green, tough, long grass.

So, you can see: It appears to be a great success!

I had hoped to leave off mowing the lawn till late afternoon - but they're forecasting rain: 83% chance at two this afternoon! So ... I'm now waiting for the dew to dry, it's full sun and I will burn! Sigh ... I plan to time myself, get an idea how long it really takes. No rush, doing it as usual, with lots of breaks ...

Twenty past nine, I start with the back lawn. Which takes twenty minutes. Pretty much the walk-in-the-park with just a few though patches - where the grass is just growing better, that's all. It's still wet, so it's really messy!

I've put on sunscreen, SPF 50! Back of my neck, as far down as I can reach, shoulders and the back under the shoulders as well.

Amazingly, only another twenty minutes later - and that after I've taken a smoke break, first - I'm finished with the section outside my bedroom. As well as what I could mow under the Jacaranda tree. Second lowest setting. What a mission, though! I'm going to spend a lot of time with the steam cleaner in that section outside my bedroom! Ten minute break, it's ten past ten.

First a smoke break, and twenty minutes later, I finished the section around the dog hut! Mostly a walk-in-the-park, with some tough sections. Another section where I'll be spending time with the steam cleaner! Well, there's a plug in the dog hut - maybe it still works, eh?

I'm doing the worst sections first, get the worst done while I can ... 

Twenty minutes just to mow that horror section in front of the grapevine! I still have to do the one at the top of the driveway ... and all the other ones. That bit I just did is only 8-10 square meter, but it is covered in that tough crap. 

Twenty minutes again, and all the worst sections are done! Mostly at setting 3, or the second longest setting.

That took 2 hours! Cramps are getting worse, aggravated by the mowing ... I've been taking tissue salts like candy!

Half an hour's break, now it's noon. Worst time of the day - UV index: extreme! Chance of rain, still for two o'clock, now down to 59 %. I wonder whether I should take a chance and wait for late afternoon?

I had just decided to wait, but then I picked up the mower and got busy! More cramps, plenty heavy breathing, more sweat ... twenty minutes later and I've mowed from the west up to and including the driveway!

But I've come to my senses! I'm not risking sun stroke! It's not worth it. Even though it's quite possibly the last chance to mow dry grass ... Rain forecast every day this week ... 

I've showered, made myself a fried slice of bread - with egg and cheese. And now, I think, I'll take a nap. It's quarter to three, I've been resting ... but this surprise visitor really sucks all the energy out of me ... It's 32 Celsius, clouds are moving in, but no real sign of any rain. Forecast now changed to 33% chance of rain at nine tonight ... 65 % tomorrow, 56% on Friday, etc. I'll finish mowing when I feel up to it ... right now, I'm re-watching Vera!

I thought of finishing mowing once the sun went down ... but I'd work up a sweat and would have to shower again ... and I really don't feel up to it, today! I AM on holiday, you know? I'm allowed to spend time just relaxing, doing nothing ... difficult concept for me, though.

Well, if I managed two hours of tough mowing this morning, I should manage an hour's walk-in-the-park tomorrow morning. Hopefully before it gets too hot. And I managed with the dew-wet grass - messy, but I managed.

Mippies came in very early tonight. Smeagol came to my bedroom window, calling me to come for lovies! He just wants me to pet him a bit, and then sit with him ... just be with him. Well, since that seems to keep him from attacking mippies ... 

I tried pulling the steamed grass-weed ... definitely not coming out easy! Even though it looks dead. Maybe tomorrow? Or maybe the ground needs to be soft ... I'll still have to see how it works out on the pavement outside my bedroom ... tomorrow ... maybe.

Lock-down Day 642

The power winked on once, about quarter to nine, in much the same way it winks out during a storm. But that single wink was all.

I called already and was told they'll assign a technician today. Pathetic! The fact that the power came on last night, albeit less than a minute, tells me that the problem is most likely at the substation. This complete lack of meaningful feedback / updates is what frustrates me the most! I think I will get in The power winked on once, about quarter to nine, in much the same way it winks out during a storm. But that single wink was all. I think I will get in touch with our ward Councilor next year, to see if anything can be done regarding information!

Well, I made myself coffee ☕ at least! Can't do much else now. I can't carry on cleaning without hot water, and outside is still wet. So, why did I get up at six, ha ha!

Well, I can't sit around - it's against my nature. So: gardening! I thought of continuing under the Jacaranda, but that's very wet and muddy. Well, everything is. But the Marigold bed least so. I barely started, when Mewthos joined in, leaving a fragrant deposit in the bed! What a goofy!

No rain forecast for today. If the ground dries, I might start mowing, as it's needed. Already. 

The power came back about quarter to twelve. At least now I can be sure of a bath tonight. I didn't get to use any power until way past four, though! I had started with that section under the Jacaranda tree, and just kept going on and on and on ... until about five.

I didn't finish the whole section, but, as you can see: I did a LOT! The rain helped, I could pull a lot of roots - not all, though. But loads! What you see left standing are those Zinnia flowers. I've got quite a lot of them, don't I?

Today's will be a short post - quite a relief for you, after two days of such extraordinarily long posts, eh?

Anyway, now I'm just going to bath, then make dinner ... then settle down for the night.

Tomorrow I'll have to mow the lawn. Right now I feel about that like I do about washing dishes, ha ha! It's going to be a tough job ...

Lock-down Day 641

Really, really weird dreams this morning. Something about my having said something at a press conference, that put an Italian school friend of mine's son at risk in Uzbekistan ... while I have an investigator nearly killed while he's deep sea diving to verify the statement on the wreck of the spaceship under water!

Mostly, even weird dreams, have some sort of reference to real life, which I recognise - even if it's a movie I've just watched. But this? Not a clue!

It started raining during the night, and still hasn't stopped. Power went out during the night, and even though I only got up half nine, still hadn't come back. I made myself coffee on the gas cooker, gave mippies breakfast - since they can't go out - opened up anyway ... and the power came back! About ten to nine. Just as I had picked up the phone to report it, ha ha!

Well, I started by washing the dishes - not really much, just coffee cups. Now I'm cleaning mippies fountain again - it has algae starting to grow! I'm not yet sure how I'll clean that inside the apparatus, where I can't reach.

Before I put the water fountain back, I want to treat the skirting. Steam clean, then spray that flea killer - which is working wonderfully on my bed! I keep picking dead insects - even ticks - off the bed! So ... I'm cleaning the bedroom now. I decided not to go overboard with the walls, I'll just 'sweep' them. Use the dust brush get the dust off, nothing more.

Looks better, but not completely clean. I may run the steam cleaner over it ... I don't know. Right now, I just want to treat the skirting and clean the tiles in front of the skirting ...

Hmm ... having such a close look at the skirting, I'm not sure how ants get in here? It looks sealed quite nicely ... Well, I've steamed and sprayed, now to keep the cats locked out of this room for an hour. I think I might treat the skirting with some furniture oil, afterwards. It is wooden skirting, after all ...

While I'm waiting for the hour to pass, I thoroughly cleaned their water fountain. I did steam it a bit, just to hopefully kill any more algae trying to grow again ...

Sigh ... Around one it started raining again ... not just raining, but a thunderstorm! Power keeps winking out ... off for less than a minute, back on. Off again ... and this last time something went wonky with the keyboard! Fortunately, it turned out to be the USB hub. I've now plugged it directly into the computer.

Well, the fountain is back in action - mippies are very happy! Mini has been staring at it on the counter for ages, ha ha! Now, it doesn't seem right to put the small bookshelf back in it's current condition ... it's rather dusty. So, I think I'll give that a thorough cleaning, as well. 

I've grated some cheese, as I want some cheese bread - only, I can't decide whether to bake bread or rolls. I think I'm not up to rolls, today - too busy cleaning the bedroom. The storm seems to have passed, it's just raining now. Looks like we've had another 30 mm already, and it's still raining! Seems the ground is more than saturated by now - I see puddles forming everywhere.

Past four and it's still raining! Looks like we've had about 40 mm by now. It let up for a while, then continued. If it lets up again, I better empty the gauge. According to the forecast, it's going to continue raining all through the night, if I don't empty it, the gauge might just overflow! That happened once before. And it holds 100 mm!

Well, I'm continuing cleaning the bedroom ... busy with the windows now. Gosh, they look like they haven't been cleaned in years! The panes, may have been wiped, but the frames? Look like they haven't been touched in years!

Past five, bread is done - smells delicious! The window frames and wall are done - but I still can't close the far right window. I've checked it properly, this time: there's no way that can close. Not sure whether the frame is bent or what. I washed everything, except the window panes, ha ha! I'll do the three windows which I can open, from the outside - inside, it's a bit tricky getting past all the burglar bars.

The rain let up for a bit, so I squelched off to the rain gauge: 45 mm!

Great,  power went off. After a couple of winks, it's now off. Sigh ... reported it. Let's hope it won't be too long. Ending the day as it started: without power  ... At least my bread is done!

The sun is coming out now, I guess that's the end of the rain. Well, it's been busy all day!

And with the sun, Smeagol comes out, as well. I think he's spent the whole day in the outside room. Good for him!

I'm taking a chance and running a bath. It's been quite cold today, so a hot bath will be nice. No need for dinner, I've had two slices of fresh bread! Yummy!

Mippies and I are on the veranda, quality time. Just enjoying being together. 

I think, regardless of the weather, tomorrow I continue cleaning the bedroom. Clean the other window, and then treat the skirting under the windows. That should take care of all ant invaders. 

The bath is coming along nicely. It's slow, of course, as I don't have much water pressure, without electricity. And I'm not filling it much, just enough to get warm and clean. 

Yup, feeling much  better now! Got Ziva kneading my pillow, purring up a storm in my ear. Now I'll read for a bit, then sleep. 

Lock-down Day 640

Despite everything, I struggled to go to sleep. One neighbour asked whether anyone knew WHY our power was off ... well, the storm, I guess? Power always goes out during storms - well, almost always.

I was sitting and thinking about that, I mean, imagine you're in the middle of cooking Christmas dinner when suddenly the power goes off? Seriously, think about it? We've got so used to it here, it's become 'normal'. There's a whole generation of South Africans who don't question the power going off without warning. Who don't remember a time, when the power ONLY went off, when something tripped a fuse in your house!

And then I remember what happened in Texas a few months ago. That's a first world country, right? I mean, USA is a first world country - I know Texas is a state in USA! The power went off in the middle of winter, it was days before they restored power ... people died! So, I guess, we're better off, in the sense that we're so used to it, we're prepared. Plus, of course, only the highest mountains get snow.

Well, this new CEO at Eishkom seems to be getting things back in shape. And with the DA having mayors in all the major cities, the municipalities will also start to get back in shape.

Another thing I contemplated last night was just how light it is outside at night! I mean, there was no power, no lights as far as I could see - yet the sky seemed to glow, and I could see quite well outside. I could even see the distant mountains out back! That's also not natural! Two memories confirming that:

1986. We went out to the plot my parents had bought. Camping. It was a new moon, so there was no moon light. We had chosen that, because the reason for this camping trip was to be able to see Halley's comet. The sky was clear, no clouds, yet, it was so dark, you could barely see your hand at the end of your outstretched arm! We kids played hide and seek in the dark! In those days, there was no electricity within 50 km - so no lights from houses, roads or anything. It was pitch black.

1996. Salt Rock. I drove to a lonely beach, to watch the sun set over the ocean. Daft, as I quickly realised - the coastline in Natal faces east! Ha Ha! Anyway, I parked on top of the Dune, then went down a staircase to the beach, sat down and ... well, learned that the sun doesn't set in the east! The dunes cut off all electrical lights - separating human settlements from the ocean. With the dune at your back, it is pitch black, as far as the eye can see! When you turn around, you can see the glow from the lights - like someone is shining a torch behind a wall. But the beach was so dark, it took me half an hour to find the staircase, so I could feel my way back to civilisation!

Just thinking ... since I was up till well past one, I did quite a lot of that!

I was about to fall asleep, I think it must have been around eleven, when Mini came and licked my face! She suddenly decided she must get cuddled. Now! So, I was wide awake again ... then struggled to go back to sleep ...

And yet, this morning, I woke up quite early! I got up around six! It's still overcast, and lovely and cool! Not cold, but not at all hot, either! I let mippies out ... well, I opened up, but mippies all parked atop their counter, insisting on breakfast! Led my Mewthos, of course! I obliged ... then made myself coffee ... looks like we had around 30 mm rainfall over night! It kept raining for hours on end, then stopped a while, then started again!

The power was back this morning! I got lucky, and remembered all the lights. Well, with the light switches, it's easy - up is on, down is off. But the bedroom is a little tricky, as I keep the fan on - and pull the chain, to turn the light off. So, I have to remember, whether the light was on or off, when the power went off. As I said, I had remembered correctly, so the power coming back didn't wake me up.

Good thing, too, as the torch on my cell phone somehow got turned on and drained the battery during the night! I can't charge that phone without electricity. What I mean, is, I can't charge it from either power bank - the charger cable can't be plugged into a USB port.

As I was saying to my sister last night, this year, the weather has been lovely! After the mild winter, I feared for an extremely hot summer - yet, temperatures have mostly stayed in the twenties, rarely even touching the thirties! Last year, temperatures rarely went below thirty! I didn't have my Hygrometer then, so I don't have any record, other than my blog - and I didn't mention temperatures much. It'll be interesting to compare this recorded year to next year's records! I must make a plan to capture the data in a spreadsheet, so I can put together a graphic representation.

That is going to go on my gardening blog ... which I've kind of stopped completely! For now ... I've been thinking that I should maybe first get more experience? Well, mostly, it's a matter of time - or lack of! I've got all the dates and some photo's to go with that ... 

Interesting news, by the way: The Kiwi have sprouted! Let's hold thumbs that I'll be growing Kiwi's here, one of these days!

I've also had a look at the peach tree, it looks good. If memory serves, then the peaches now on the tree are quite a bit larger than last year's abortion! Hold thumbs, that they survive!

Those are high up - higher than I could reach, even with the step ladder. Lower down, you'll find only one, maybe two peaches per bunch, not a whole cluster, like you see here. Yes, with my new ladder, I COULD reduce the load on that poor tree - but I just really haven't felt up to it.

Me and ladders are not really friends. Even with the little step ladder, when I'm on the second rung, with nothing to hold on to, I start swaying like a sailor in a gale! I have to keep one hand touching the handle, even if only with my finger tips ... weird, I know. As long as I'm surrounded, or have something to hold on to, I can manage heights. Not like them, but I can manage. When I must.

Well, today's forecast says, it'll be overcast all day, with more rain expected this afternoon. The UV Index going up from six now, to 8 of 10 around eleven, then drops to 6 of 10 by noon. Then climbs to 8 of 10 by one - with isolated storms, and some rain, before it drops again.

I have never, in my entire life, paid so much attention to the weather! Apart from complaining, when it's too hot or too cold - but otherwise? Weather is outside. My life was always inside. Mostly. Oh, I'd go out - quite a lot, at times. Like, when I lived in East London, when I went on so many hikes along Nahoon beach - but there, I paid more attention to the tides than the weather!

I remember, in 2015, when I lived in Pretoria North, I did a lot of photography from my balcony. Mostly clouds and the moon. Night sky. It just came up on my Facebook memories - the Christmas Moon album. At that time, I paid a lot of attention to the moon - when it would be full, particularly, so I could experiment photographing it. And when it would be new moon, so I could photograph the stars.

That year, we also had thunderstorms almost every night, and I did take some photos of the lightning. Yes, I managed to actually photograph lightning!

My blog only goes back to 2017 - when I started writing. I've now opened today's page for each year ... One day, when I have some time, and feel like it, I still want to transcribe my Holiday Journal from East London. April / May 2015. I explored and photographed just about every day, the historic sites, the beaches, driving up to Port Alfred, Bathurst, King Williams Town ... taking photo's of everything and anything. Then, back home, I'd look up the history, references, just anything interesting ... 

Back to the present! I think I've sprained my right index finger yesterday. It's tender and looks a bit swollen. How does one sprain a finger? By wrapping though, long grass around it, then pulling hard to get it out ... 

Hmmm ... I'm watching Rosemary & Thyme, the episode where they're working in a vineyard. The problem they face is weeds. And they solve that with steam! Which got me to thinking ... can I solve my overgrown pavements by simply steam cleaning? Apparently so! I've googled, and it seems that it really works! This is the only article I found on a quick search that isn't trying to sell a product (and therefore withholding all the interesting information). Apparently it takes about five days to really see the difference - but it then stays clear for the rest of the season! Well, I can't fill the gaps - although I have been thinking of trying to fill the cracks in the pavement under the carport, and the driveway.

Hmmm ... didn't I think of (& write about) this before? I seem to remember ... and this isn't the first time I'm watching this episode ... why haven't I tried it? Why am I mucking about with all those covers and crap?

Right, I'm giving that a try! Turns out, it's quite laborious - ideally, I should steam each individual weed for about 8-10 seconds. Much less laborious, than pulling each weed once a month, though! Plus, I don't scrape my fingers on the pavement all the time ...

I'm particularly interested in seeing how that works on the creeper! I have on growing at the house, under the kitchen window. Since it's growing under the house, and behind plumbing, there isn't a chance in hell to get anywhere near the bulb - and even less chance getting it out! I've steamed it for a good 15 seconds ... I'll be keeping my eye on that, in particular!

And even if it works only for one season, since I can't fill the cracks - it'll still be a win! And then, next year, when they try to re-emerge, I just steam them again! And again! Until they give up!

Pity I have only the little steam cleaner, though! Ha Ha, no, I'm not buying a bigger one! I have plenty of extension cords, and there are plugs all over, so I'll have no trouble reaching any place I need. And I've just thought of something else: you know that bed in front of my succulents? Where I'd been growing the spinach and carrots? Well, once I pull out the carrots, I could actually just steam that entire bed! Beats weeding it over and over and over again! And those weeds outside the fence? Ha Ha! I just aim the steam at them and clear them out!

Oh my! The possibilities are endless! It'll be a crap load of work - but if it really works? Wouldn't that be fantasmorgasmic? Just think of all those horror patches of grass! Which I can't mow! Yes, it's going to run up a massive electricity bill ... so, I'll have to see how long it lasts ... but still!

10:38 - Before

Close-up of the first three rows, which I focused on

12:03

Already a difference, just over an hour. Some of the weeds turned brown right away, under the steam, others showed no effect at first.

Cor blimey, I'm like a kid with a new toy! I've dug out my longest extension cord, and now I just want to steam everywhere!

I guess I should mention that I broke the bit to which one can fit all sorts of attachments - in a fit of temper, when I was cleaning the mattress! Now I can't fit any of the fancy attachments anymore, except for the floor cleaning one. I fretted over that for a while, but those attachments are actually not much use - it's the steam I use, none of the brushes and things.

Anyway, I think I'll do the driveway now! Or should I finish the pavement outside the kitchen, first? I've steamed a couple of those creeper bulbs between pavement - I'm really keen on seeing it work on those! That would be awesome!

Well, we've had 31 mm rain over night! And more to come soon ... so I'm steam cleaning until it starts raining. I can do the indoor tasks when it's raining. Specifically, I want to wash mippies fountain and one of the kibble dispensers, before I re-fill it.

My mind is spinning out of control! I'm just thinking of all the possibilities ... for example: every time I dig a new bed, I can steam clean - sort of - and kill any weed seeds, or roots left behind!

Well, I have about an hour before the rain ...

I'm being very thorough. I cover every inch, every hole and every crack. I stop at every weed, count to eight, before I move on. Some poor insect came to hide in one of the holes - so, I've skipped that one.

Going on two, rain imminent - according to the forecast, at least. I finished out back, I've just steamed all those bricks, then up to the wall and the entire corner. Now I'm moving on to the driveway, starting with the bricks just in front of the driveway. I've been cleaning that patch again and again ... yet it is completely covered in weeds, already!

Before pictures:

Trying to cover each individual weed for 8 seconds is just not possible! So, I just slowly moved the steamer back and forth around the paving.

Sheez, but the sun is burning my back! Especially the small of my back, which - I'm guessing - is already tomato red! Half past two, 56% chance of rain at three, then less and less until midnight! But I really must stay out of the sun!

So, I've decided to move under the carport next! Boy, oh, boy, am I having fun! I'm also experimenting with some of those horrid grass things. Targeting individual plants, which are some distance from where I'm working - so I can tell whether the individual treatment works, and if so, whether it affects the surrounding grass. I mean, can you imagine if I could get rid of ALL the horror grass / veld bushels, this easily? Mowing will be the walk in the park it should be! Plus: I won't be dependent on heavy rainfall to be able to do something about them!

I've tried thoroughly watering, but it's not the same. I can water for hours, until the ground is soggy ... and then, when I try to pull them out, it's dry and hard just a few cm down - not enough to get the roots out. Yet rainfall, like last night? Which is less water? Works like a bomb! But, like I said, I can't always wait for such rainfall ...

Well, I've done all the cracks in the shade ... gone along the fence ... but the sun is really burning! So, I've decided to work the pavement outside my bedroom next! That's in the shade!

Okay, doing that pavement is just dull! No instant gratification, ha ha!

Can't tell what I've already steamed and what I haven't yet touched ...

See for yourself: the right hand side is done (i.e. behind the nozzle of the steamer, all the way to and including the pavement, and in front of the nozzle still to be done. And I should wait about 5 days, to be sure what's affected is totally dry - and then I have to pull it all out, one by one, like your standard weeding. Only, it should come out easily.

I just hope THIS finally works! Have a closer look: I've sprayed vinegar, thrown salt, sprayed weed killer, covered it with a weed guard for weeks ... and the flippin' grass is STILL growing! Most of it still looks dead ... but it isn't. I've tried, but I can't pull any of that crap out!

Okay, I know I've been raving on and on about this steam weeding, as if it's the best thing since sliced bread ... and I don't even know, yet, whether it really works! Or, if it does work, just how well. I'll only know whether it works in about a week. (Well, in the article, the first weeds came out easy on Day 4, which would be Wednesday.) And even then, I'll only know how long it lasts ... well ... until I see new weeds growing. If I'm lucky, that'll only be in about a year's time ... as in: when the rains start next spring.

In fact, this IS the best thing since sliced bread, for my garden! Even if it doesn't do ALL I dream it can do, right now - it will still solve such a lot of my problems! So many laborious tasks could become fairly quick and easy! I'll know more by Wednesday ...

Smeagol came to visit again. Poor bugger seems to have been in a fight, and not come out on top! His face is all scratched and his poor nose looks painful! I wonder why he doesn't just stay here? I mean, he's got food, water, shelter ... everything he needs. So, why does he keep straying?

Well, this has turned out quite an unusually long post! Sad news today: Archbishop Desmond Tutu passed away. Now there was a true icon! Truly intelligent, and a lovely sense of humour! His wit is legendary.

While I was in the bath, I heard a loud crash! When I investigated, I gather Mewthos tried to help himself to extra treats! He must have tried to jump into the shelf where I store the extra boxes, and since there isn't enough space ... clatter, bam, crash! Ha Ha!

Okay, I'll call it a day now ... this post really is long enough!

Lock-down Day 639

Relatively early morning, lovely day! It's overcast - perfect for gardening ... only, I don't quite feel like gardening? Weird, eh?

Took a while, but I've got myself into gardening mood. I decided to work out back today. Clear my view from the armchair! Which will then encourage me to continue clearing the patch under the Jacaranda - which is starting to get out of hand. The weeds are past knee height, by now!

History repeating itself, if I do, ha ha! That's exactly what I was doing this day last year. Only, let's hope that's ALL the repeat of history - because that afternoon, we discovered that we had no water! And ended up without water for a couple of days!

Well, I've started clearing along the patio out back. Although it's mostly overcast, the sun occasionally peeks out - and when it does, it hurts! On my burnt back! Ha Ha! That'll teach me ... or at least, it should, shouldn't it?

I'm also doing a bit of laundry. The bed covers. I first washed them with just vinegar and soda, at 95 Celsius, now I'm washing them with conventional detergent and fabric softener at 60 Celsius.

Sun is coming out more than it's hiding! Bit of a problem. I checked the UV Index, it's 9 of 10 now, going up to 10, then to 'Extreme' for the next couple of hours. Fortunately, as I'm moving along, I'm getting out of the sun and into the shade from the Jacaranda tree!

Smeagol showed up again. I filled his bowl, gave him a bit of attention ... he decided he'd like to go into the house! I'm right there, so ... let's see ... hissing and growling! I catch Smeagol atop the counter next to the coffee machine! I chased him out, he had a tiff with Mini before shooting out the front door! I actually think he's more afraid of fights with my mippies, than they are of him? Anyway, the piece of %$@& sprayed atop the counter at the wall! Lucky for him, he missed the plug! Grrr ...

Before

After

I cleared the ground in front of the bed, nothing more. I've been struggling with that white owl, I've tried several locations, but it doesn't seem to want to light up at night. I'm guessing it has to do with the outside security light, coupled with lack of access to sun during the day. So now I've moved it in the center - closer to the house, where I'll also be able to see it nicely, from my armchair!

And look what's come back to life! It had stopped turning a long time ago, I had tried everything ... and now it seems to have come alive again! I've now placed it, where there are no obstructions, so it can turn and turn!

I've finished the bed along the fence as well. The portion towards the Jacaranda tree is a bit empty - only the Amaryllis growing there, nothing else. So, I think I'll scatter some seeds this afternoon ...

I started working along the fence, back towards the house. At first I cleared a wide space, enough for another bed - but further along, there is nothing growing that interferes with my mowing, so I left that as is. I had better spend my time in the section by the Jacaranda ... which is ... well ... threatening to get out of hand, if I don't tend to it soon!

See what I mean? On the right, is where I cleared, but the center section is covered with a
type of low-growing ... something. It's no problem!

And behind the fence, you can see what I mean about the weeds threatening to get out of hand again ...

They look bad, but since it's mostly just large plants, they're easy to pull. Take out one weed, and you've cleared quite a bit of space!

Mewthos is looking forward to my company ... only ... when I came back outside, after taking these photos, it started raining! Quite unusually, the rain came from the front of the house - usually it comes from this side. On the plus side, that meant I could clear that corner, as it's under the roof. On the down side, it meant that it rained into my bedroom! Ha Ha!

Smeagol came running, and ducked into the outside room! I'm glad he's using it to stay dry!

I decided to use this opportunity to wash the sliding doors. I got half-way done with the back window on the outside, when the rain turned and started coming at the doors - as usual! So, I washed the insides! Looks much better! I almost think I should put up some stickers, to avoid running into the closed door!

About half an hour later, the sun is out in full blaze! We had a few mm rain, so: not bad. More rain is forecast, and although the south is all sunshine, with very few clouds, the north - where we get our weather from - is overcast and looking quite dark.

Well, can't really work in the garden, now ... everything is wet!

What the heck, I carry on weeding! Ha Ha Ha!

At first I started thoroughly weeding, but frankly - that's going to take too long! And, after all, the main purpose is to get it back to where I can mow there! Again!

See how much I've cleared?

Oh, and those tall things, I left standing? They're flowers! A type of Zinnia. They grow wild here, and I found a few last year. I carefully left them to dry completely, so they'd scatter their seeds and here we are! Bushes and bushes of them!

They attract local butterflies, too! There's a white one on one of the flowers!

My previous landlord used to pull them out and throw them away ... asshole! I'd carefully transplant one into my flower bed, he'd come in, pull it out and throw it away!

Anyway,  I decided to call it a day. I went to sit on the veranda and returned a video call from an old friend. We talked for a really long time, which I - surprisingly  - enjoyed!

Then my sister made the obligatory Christmas call - between dinner and dessert. My nephew enjoyed the chat more, I gather. I showed off my garden and all my plants. 

Around seven it got not just dark, but the wind turned almost violent! And it came from the east - normally it only comes from the west. That's how both those trees fell towards the house. The wind got so strong, I worried the Jacaranda tree might come down! The reeds out back were nearly at a 45 degree angle!

Then the rain came pouring down and the wind let up. And, as expected, the power went off. 

I had been running my bath, so, I bathed, but I'm too lazy to pick up the gas bottle, so I'm just having the last vienna's for dinner. Cold. It stopped raining, crickets are giving a concert. 

It's half past eight, I'll probably read for a while, the go to sleep. 

Lock-down Day 638

Weird dreams again, late morning. I got up half eight!

It's a sunny day, no cloud in sight. I should really stay indoors - but ... well ... I'd much rather work in the garden today. I considered taking the fan blades off, in my bedroom, to give them a thorough cleaning - I had cleaned them before, so they're no longer black, but some greasy dust you just can't get off working overhead. To get them properly clean, I'll need to take them off ...

But, I don't feel like it now. Now, I'd really like to properly mow the partition outside my bedroom ... it's just past nine, and already 25 Celsius!

Okay, it took only half an hour - but what a half hour! I am soaking wet! Phew! I mowed the section first on the highest setting, then the second highest setting and lastly on the second lowest setting. I didn't have the energy to go all the way to the shortest setting. It looks much, much better, though! Now I'm taking a break, while I decide what I want to do next.

Part of me wants to carry on in that section, get all of it back to standard ... but the jungle under the trees could also use attention ...

In case you're wondering: THIS is, what four hours hard labour look like! On the left you can get an idea what it looked like before. On the right you can see what I've cleared. Plus the bed around the Ponytail in the front, of course!

Small problem, though. That tree in the center background ... it's mostly dead. And it creaks quite ominously in the wind! Last thing I need is a tree falling on top of me, while I'm weeding, eh?

One good thing, though: the ground is so soft from all that rain, I'm able to pull out quite a lot of creeper bulbs! And, for the first time, I'm pulling out weeds there, roots and all. In the past, I've mostly just pulled them off. Oh, I pulled roots, where I could, but mostly, they never came all the way out ... today, they obligingly come out!

Half four ... I'm done! As in: knackered! I've cleared up to the tree, just past it, actually. Front and back. You can now see the water bowl again - which I've also cleaned. Yes, at the bottom of that tap, there's a stone water bowl. Like a bird bath. I need to scrub the algae out, one of these days.

The only issue I have with today's labour is, that it isn't visible from my usual seat on the veranda! I've had to move the chair, so I could admire my achievements!

Well, the forecast says 0% chance of rain, with clouds starting to move in over night. Well, they're ahead of schedule. By about 12 hours! Clouds are already moving in, though it doesn't look like they'll bring rain anytime soon ...

Of course, I'm not done completely ... I just can't help myself. What I should be doing, is to maintain existing beds! But what do I do? I finish a new bed! Well, I've wanted that bed for a long, long time ... now it's done! Although the soil looks really good, I mixed in some compost and some bone meal.

I planted the Tulip bulbs, outside and one in the center. There were three - I'm afraid they look dead, though. Then I planted the Daffodil bulbs, three large and two small ones. They still seemed to have some life in them. The bulbs are all placed in the center of the bed.

I planted what you can see - not sure what they are called, though. These, I planted at the back, quite close to the wall. One pink, one white, pink, white, and pink again.

Okay, I looked them up: they're Periwinkle, or Vinca. I did scatter some Vinca seeds in a pot, but when nothing showed up, I scattered pansy seeds ... none of those have come up, at all, though!

Lastly, scattered some seeds. On the right half, I scattered Dianthus and on the left Aquilegia, McKana Giants.

Again: can't enjoy the view from my seat on the veranda .... pffft! So, I had to go for a walk around the garden. Mewthos followed me ... and then he followed Ziva on top of the wall ... and couldn't get down! Same story, every time! He mindlessly gets up to places without a thought of how to get down! Then I must come, bend, and let him jump onto my back! Silly goose!

I had to pick Ziva off the wall, as well, I'm afraid - she was teasing Smeagol, who was on the other side of the wall ... silly girl!

I did get quite burned by the sun, today. It was the first job, I'm afraid. I couldn't stick to clearing just where there was shade, oh, no! I had to clear properly! From the fence! And that section was in full sun ... 

By five, the clouds had cleared off again. Maybe they'll come back, on schedule, ha ha! Well, tomorrow should be partly cloudy, with rain in the late afternoon ... 

It's almost eight, and we've only just come in! Mippies are treated ... now for a hot bath, followed by dinner and a movie ... still watching Rosemary and Thyme!

Lock-down Day 637

I made an effort to push all work-thoughts out of my head last night and managed to go to sleep relatively fast. And I got up at six!

It's raining. Mippies are not impressed. Mewthos insists that, since he CAN'T go out, he deserves his breakfast treat! I usually give them breakfast only when I have to go out, as compensation for not letting them outside ... he's figured that out, so: since he can't go out this morning, I should give them breakfast! Ha Ha!

Internet is also extremely slow, it took a while to just open this page, so I could write! Though I haven't much to write, so far.

I'm glad I mowed yesterday - perfect timing! Although, looking at the section outside my bedroom, I now wish I had made the effort to bring that section back to standard, as well. With the tortoise, I let it grow way too long, and then mowed only at the highest setting, so everything is really long in there. I need to take it down to shortest setting again. Or at least second shortest setting!

Well, I've folded and packed away the laundry, now I'm washing what I've worn the past 2 days, together with the blanket I use on my armchair. Now, I'm washing the dishes.

According to the forecast, it's likely to continue raining all day, and clear up late afternoon. No rain forecast for tomorrow - well, 5% - but high chance of rain again on Friday. 

Around ten it stopped raining. We had 10 mm - all this morning! Nice! It could stay clear for an hour or two, but at three they forecast 100% chance of rain. I don't really feel like indoor work, so - although this would be ideal to continue deep-cleaning either my bedroom or the bathroom ... I think not. I've washed the dishes and hung up the washing. Indoors. It'll take at least a day, possibly two, to dry.

I've taken out my 'Rosemary & Thyme' DVDs again. Such a pity that they only made 3 Seasons! As a murder mystery, it's not particularly good - but it is just so charming! All that gardening always inspires me to do gardening of my own! And with the gardening scenes - it's just so much beauty, so many trees, bushes, shrubs and flowers!

Well, I went outside, cleaned up the cherry tomatoes in the pot - the ones I grew from seeds, not the ones I got from my neighbour. That one plant is as tall as I am! And heavy with longish, small tomatoes! Not cherry shaped, ha ha!

Then I cleaned up the gooseberry in the pot next to it, and then the potato in the pot behind them. When I went to dump the off-cuts on the compost heap ... I started pulling out the weeds growing along the fence. Half-way through, I came inside for a break - or rather, Janey demanded I come inside ... to find the power off! Sigh ... 

Asked the neighbours: it's everybody, and it's only been off 5 minutes. Right, call to report ... get a human on the line, start reporting ... power comes back! Good!

Two o'clock and now the forecast for three is 56% chance of rain. It's currently partly cloudy, but with a good breeze. So, who knows?

Anyway, I've cleared all the way along the fence behind the dog hut. From end to end. I haven't quite decided, yet, what I'll do now ... I should probably carry on clearing the back ... I don't feel like it, though.

Well, it's twenty past seven and no rain. Skies are clear, with nary a cloud in sight! Forecast now says: sunshine tomorrow! Ah, well ...

Well, I cleared the yellow rose's bed. I fear it's too late, though ... it doesn't look good. I've sprinkled plenty of food, though ... let's hope! And then I cleared part of the center ponytail's bed - the part I can see from the veranda. I didn't finish all I can see, but a lovely lot!

I'm not planning what to do tomorrow - I'll just see what I feel like doing, and do that! Maybe I carry on with the rose beds? Maybe even move past the last bed, and finally plant the gooseberry? Or maybe I clear from the yellow rose to the gate and then clean the bean bed, and plant more bush beans? Who knows? There's still a lot to be done - but, instead of feeling guilty about what I can't get to, I focus on doing just whatever I feel like! It's all good!

Although, it would be good, if I could properly mow the section outside my bedroom - get that back to standard. Ah well, that's tomorrow's issue ...

For now: bath, dinner, bed!

Lock-down Day 636

Not a very good night, after all. I had too many weird dreams - all about work. Somehow combining work issues with fantasy - turning our problems' solution into some kind of quest. And the weird thing is, that FFT is always part of such dreams. Sort of like the 'big guns' helping to save the day ... (FFT is the company I've been contracted to for the first eight years working for my boss. The projects.)

Well, I got up only around nine! I woke up when the alarm first went off ... but couldn't get myself to get up, then. Then I woke again around seven ... turned over ... then it was nine.

I got up, opened up and made myself coffee. Smeagol was calling for his breakfast - his bowl was empty! I filled it, he ate ... and then he came inside! Strolled up to the counter - giving me furtive looks along the way - then settled in front of the FIT32 bowl and chomped some more!

While he was on the counter, I heard some aggressive noises outside, went to investigate: my neighbour's ginger cat was on the veranda! His escape route home was kind of cut off - they were noising about with weed eaters out front. He was quite scared, hence the hissing. When I picked him up, he hissed at me, showing me all his razor sharp teeth! But didn't make even the slightest move to hurt me. I put him down outside the veranda ...

Just had a lovely chat with my cousin in north Germany. Both her, and her husband, have been through serious medical issues ... my sister let me know, and I was quite worried. I was happy to see her posting on Facebook again!

It's now half twelve ... overcast ... 

Oh, and would you believe this: Mewthos has already marked my bed! Again! I don't smell anything, though, but he sprayed against the base on the far side (i.e. opposite from the door)! I guess I can just be thankful that he didn't add the stink-factor!

Contrary to popular belief, I've come to realise that these sprays don't always stink! Remember when Romeo used to spray all over my flat? And I only saw it - didn't smell it? I asked Rose to come up and verify: she also didn't smell it. I don't trust my nose, I'm afraid. Although I sometimes find I detect really faint odours - I also don't always smell strong odours. If you put your nose right up against it, you can smell the typical cat pee, but that's all.

The neighbour messaged that he's waiting for feedback & will let me know. I just messaged him, that I'll be in the garden, and won't have my phone on me, but he's welcome anytime. I'll hear if they're at the gate. I had better mow the lawn ... it's overcast, so no blazing sun. High chance of rain forecast for tomorrow ...

Phew! I've mowed the back lawn. This time, on the shortest possible setting. Last time, I used the second shortest setting, so it was a bit of a challenge, but I managed. The front lawn, I'll use the second lowest setting again ...

Just after one and the tortoise is off to a safe home! I told my neighbour, he can bring anything here - he's seen my set-up, so he knows what I CAN keep safe, here. It's a privilege to help keep our wildlife safe! The tortoise was in the center of the section - as if he was waiting to be picked up! I've never seen him there, before!

I've started out front on the lowest setting ... thought I'd see how far I could get. I got quite far ... but now, it's time for a higher setting.

Sigh, you can clearly see the difference between the two settings. But I'm not risking my shoulders! They serve as shock-absorbers every time I hit a patch of tough grass, and the mower gets stuck ...

I'm not rushing to get finished, this time - rather focus on being thorough. I've done the dog hut partition, and now I'm mowing from the east up to the driveway. The sun is out again, so I can only do short stints, then get into shade, rest a bit, before I carry on.

Right. I changed back to the lowest setting, and re-did the section from the fence. But up top, where it turns horrid, that's not at all possible! I'll keep mowing whatever I can on the lowest setting. You can really tell the difference! And I must really come up with a means to completely re-sharpen those blades!

Half three and the driveway is done. I've left the tough grass at the top of the driveway - I'll do that last. Start with the highest setting, then keep going over at lower settings until I've had enough!

Half four and I've done everything that could be done on the lowest, or shortest, setting. I managed to cover a surprisingly large area!

I tried mowing on the next setting ... I did mow the end of the driveway, but the rest? Can't tell the difference between mowed and not mowed. So, why waste my time? I did, however, make an attempt in the horror section! I managed a couple of rows, but that was that! I don't know what I'll do there ...

Then I cleared the passage between house and wall again - easy job, as I'm just keeping it clean now. Now I've moved to the patch at the back, under the Jacaranda tree. I'm not sure how I want to handle that - pull everything? Or leave the low weeds, for now? At least they keep the ground soft with their roots. And also prevent tall weeds from getting a chance, as they cover the ground. Only, it's twenty past five already ...

I saw that all four mippies were already sprawled along the veranda, so I decided to join them. I re-cleared the new bed I'm making in front of the veranda, next to the driveway. Mosquitoes were getting really cheeky, so I sprayed myself. I killed two of them with one slap to the calf! Naughty buzzers!

Smeagol was around, but I didn't feel up to giving him attention - it's always risky and I always have to stay on guard. He sprawled under the carport, so ... no worries. Then I saw him stroll off ... 

And then I heard fighting. Ziva and Mewthos sat up instantly and started growling! I looked around, and ... Janey wasn't here! I went up to the gate to see what was going on, and saw tufts of fur just outside my gate - a LOT! And Smeagol sitting, like a cat in front of his prey, with something greyish in front of him ... I went to fetch the key and investigated.

Worst sight ever! It was Janey! She was on her back in front of Smeagol! For a moment there, my heart stopped! As I got closer, both got up and Janey dashed home, with Smeagol close on her tail, and me running, screaming at Smeagol to get away!

She seems fine. I haven't been able to check too closely for any wounds, yet - but nothing obvious. No bleeding, either. I'll keep an eye on her, though!

Just got a message from my neighbour: the tortoise is safe. It is a male, between 40 and 50 years old! Wow!

Well, I've enjoyed a lovely hot bath. One of my new luxury bubble baths: Fynbos honey! Normally out of my price range, but it was on special, which brought it into my price range!

After all that mowing, I'm knackered. I should have no trouble falling asleep tonight ... I got a bit burned, as well. I've been thinking of trying the hedge shears on that horror section ... it's not yet completely out of hand ... who knows, I might win?

Lock-down Day 635

I stayed up later than I meant - but it was the last two episodes of the season, and I hadn't seen them before. So, it was a little late again, this morning. Around seven, again.

Good news though: the toothache seems to be gone! Well, not gone completely, of course - but down to 'tiny nag' levels. I can drink coffee, I can move ... bliss!

Looking at the weather report, today is supposedly partly overcast, but getting hot. I've been thinking of trying to see how much of that horror section I can keep mowed - there are parts, where I can mow. To avoid it getting completely overgrown again ... and I'd say that early morning would be the best time, before the sun gets out full blaze. But, at the same time, I also want my bedroom clean. And worst of all, I need to deep clean the bed - again! And with the sun out, at least part of the time, I should have a dry duvet tonight ... And I'm sick of sleeping in a smelly bed ...

I tried calling my boss again. No answer. But: he called me back! He apologised profusely, saying I shouldn't have to ask for my salary - but I do know just how dire our financial situation is! He promised payment would be in my account sometime today! Phew! I'll be able to pay my rent!

Well, the duvet is in the machine. Now for the bed base & mattress cleaning mission ... sigh. I took a walk around the garden, and the grass is still wet. I also need to harvest: broad beans and maize!

Poor tortoise keeps going round and round the fence, looking for a way out! I just messaged my neighbour, asking when he can be released ... ah, he'll be leaving tomorrow. I'll miss him! But he's not a pet ... 

He's inspecting the fence, looking for a gap ...

In the meantime, I'm steam-cleaning the base. I've sprayed it with vinegar, then sprinkled bicarbonate of soda ... I'm running out of soda. Not! I just found my stash, ha ha!

Mippies have a visitor! That's my neighbour's ginger cat. I see he's still not been neutered.

I suppose it's the typical male aversion to neutering ... it's really stupid! My neighbour told me the other day, how he's had all his female cats sterilised ... yet, here is his tom, still intact! I'll try to talk to him about it ... because if he starts going after my females, like Smeagol does, that's a problem! Plus, of course, there are feral female cats around, who have NOT been sterilised ... 

Funny thing: that neighbour just came for a visit! And I took the opportunity to make my point ... well, let's see ... he's not completely closed to neutering his tomcat. That's something!

I also showed him that horror section - and he reckons THAT is first rate grass! It's very fine, and needs regular cutting .... I told him that I HAD it under control, and once it started growing, I DID maintain - but once it really started raining, it got out of control and I can no longer keep up. It is simply too dense ... He said he'd try to arrange to have it cut for me. And offered to see if he could sharpen my mower.

Which, by the way, he said he really liked! And wants to get one for himself, too! He reckons - after watching me - that it's much better than any petrol or electric mower!

On with the cleaning. The duvet and pillows are outside to dry - the sun keeps coming out now and again. The protective sheet is now in the machine ...

Okay, here's something new I've learned. And not just learned - but seen to be true! Vinegar is an AWESOME cleaner! I would never have believed it, if I hadn't seen it now for myself. I used to buy expensive, specialty cleaning materials ... in an obsession to have a sparkling clean home, at all times! And none of them worked on the mattress! I've tried every stain remover ... nothing! Now, I used just vinegar mixed with a bit of water, sprayed on the mattress ... then steamed it, then washed it ... and stains are coming out! No scrubbing, no expense - just cheap white spirit vinegar and water! Amazing!

The steam-cleaning is mostly about killing all bugs and their eggs. Especially fleas. Mippies don't show much sign of fleas, but still. I'm just about knackered, so I'm not going to clean the other side of the mattress ... just steamed it and sprayed it with the special flea spray I got in PE. When the mip mips were so badly covered in fleas and nothing seemed to work. It does promise to kill all adult fleas, as well as eggs. For two months. I particularly want to try that on the skirting around the bedroom, because I'm getting ant nests all over! And I've tried everything else - I've got a permanent ring of flea power around my room - which has always kept ants away, before ... 

But for today? I'm just going to put my bed back together, take a luxurious shower and that's it. For today. The protective sheet is soaking wet - that won't be dry anytime soon ... hopefully by tomorrow evening, though.

Funniest thing just happened: not-yet-Great A'Tuin was taking another road trip along the wall, chomping on a leaf here, a leaf there, so I went to fetch some grape leaves. I placed it in front of him, and Mini, who had been settled nearby, absolutely had to investigate! So, she stepped on top of the tortoise shell, leaned over to sniff the leaves! It just looked too cute! Clearly mips and tortoise don't worry each other! I just wish I had a camera ready - that would have been such a funny photo!

Dang! My boss didn't pay my full salary, just the amount I asked for. Ah well, I can pay the rent and none of my insurance debit orders will bounce. That's the important thing! I don't need food, or even cat food this month.

Phew! I've had a shower and I feel so much better! Yeah, I'm afraid, it's been a while - partly because of the toothache, and partly because it's no fun getting into a smelly bed, clean! I really should have cleaned the bed last weekend already ... but with all the rain, and it being overcast all the time ... well ... it's done now!

I had a laugh at Mewthos outside! I took a walk across the lawn and pulled out the odd patches of un-mowable grass ... the ground is still very soft from all that rain. It leaves a bit of a hole, though. Yeah, you guessed it! Mewthos came along, and figured he knew just the thing to fill that hole! Pooped. Covered. Strutted off proudly!

Later, I had to chase a Hadeda off, because Mewthos and Janey were seriously considering taking it on! They were both stalking it ... I don't want to risk mippie kebab!

Anyway, I'm now looking forward to snuggling in my fresh bed! I even sprayed some linen mist!