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?