Lock-down Day 676

Not the earliest of mornings, but not too late, either. Mippies showed a lot of patience, waiting for me to give them their breakfast.

Clouds are still giving me a headache, I'm afraid. And apparently I look as ill as I feel - or so I've been told.

Anyway. Back at home ... cuddle time with Smeagol ... then, as I'm not feeling up to much, I just start weeding the new flower bed in front of the veranda. Not because I must, but because gardening always makes me feel better.

Back inside ... well, the usual ... now to relax ...

Lock-down Day 675

Relatively early morning, coffee ... still got a bit of the headache, but a lot milder! Phew! That's a good start, at least.

Internet isn't making much of an effort - it took about three attempts to get just to this page. No chance of opening anything else.

It's still overcast with a high chance of rain this morning. I was reading The Gardener yesterday, and they suggest February is a good month to plant trees and to start Brussels Sprouts. Although I got nothing off my last attempt, I'd like to try again.

But first: kitchen duty! Or should I say: baking chores. The items on today's agenda: bread rolls, cookies and chicken! Everything is prepared, dough is in progress ... headache is still there, and it's not getting better. Lovely, eh?

And guess what? I just turned on the oven, and while I was waiting for it to heat up ... bam! Power off! Well, it could have been worse. It could have gone off halfway through baking ... still, it's a nuisance!

Reported it. Washed the dishes. Folded and packed away the laundry. Cleaned the litter boxes. Now what?

Well, I pulled some more of that crap out of the 'lawn'. Two and a half hours later, power comes back! Yay! Better get my baking done!

While I was outside, I kept thinking of the best way to get that entire garden in shape. Reviewing what I have done, what results that has produced, what can I do better?

On the whole, I'd say that whenever I can, I should prioritise anything that will reduce the amount of time and effort I need to put into the weekly mowing! Like today, since it rained AND it was overcast, I could pull the though stuff out, anywhere I chose. I think I've cleared a nice area - I should actually notice a difference on Friday!

But it takes not just rain, but also being overcast while I work. Otherwise, I have to either carry the gazebo out - and since I can only work a few hours a day, well, not worth the effort of carting the gazebo around.

Anyway, I'm done for today. Mippies are in, treated. I've showered, dined - not shared, for a change. Now I just want to sit back, relax, cuddle, watch an episode ...

Lock-down Day 674

Around midnight, the power went off ... sigh ...

Somewhat late morning, still no power! Made coffee, then reported the power outage.

Around half nine the power came back on! Phew! Laundry in the machine ... next? I swept the whole house. It's still overcast, and I'm afraid with the kind of clouds that give me a headache ... 

Ah, internet is back at a reasonable strength. That's when I first finished yesterdays post and wrote the above. Taking advantage of that, I've also ordered my monthly fruit juice ...

Cookie dough is in the fridge, next I should wash the dishes ... the headache is just getting worse, though ... not fun! It feels like there's a weight on my head. Pressure. Really not fun ... 

Well, I went outside and pampered my tomatoes some more! It's amazing how much work they need - trimming lower leaves, tying them up. Again. I don't mind, they are working very hard, they've earned some pampering!

Then I pulled more ... whatever you want to call it. It's not grass. Well, okay, it is. Technically. But not by my standards. Anyway, I cleared some more of that ... reducing the effort needed to mow.

Funny thing, everyone complains about potholes, and here I am making loads in my garden!

Anyway, the headache prevailed throughout. Now I've had a hot bath, dinner ... feeling a bit better, but still not well.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be better ...

Lock-down Day 673

Finally an early enough morning! Now to try and keep that up ... 

Having just stumbled across an old post of mine helps: "I'm thankful for the difficult people in my life. They show me exactly who I don't want to be." 

Anyway, back to the grindstone ... work ...

Hmmm ... just watched a 'Life hack DIY' for making a weed-free bed. Basically, you put down cardboard (of which I have plenty!), then cover the cardboard with compost in the center and woodchips on the sides (walkways) and that's it!

Now I'm trying to think WHERE I could try that ... I would say that patch where I grew the spinach & carrots would be ideal ... once I've cleared that jungle! And it would prevent another jungle growing there ... hmmm ...

I've been thinking about the mowing ... trying to figure out how I'll be able to cope, because as it stands - it's getting beyond me, again. And an electric or petrol lawn mower won't be any better - I'll still have the same problem with the wheels. I've been thinking about the possibilities of a weed eater - though I am somewhat fearful of the dangers to my mippies. They are getting somewhat bolder, and no longer run away when I approach with the mower ...

I've had a chat about lawn cutting with At. He suggested a petrol weed eater, that comes with a blade, will cut absolutely everything with no trouble!

Only, I really dislike the idea of working with such powerful cutting tools. Especially with my mippies - who trust me so much, they come close, even when I'm using scary-noise making tools.

Plus: Isn't that exactly WHY I have such a big problem? Previous use of just such power tools to make it LOOK neat. Which strengthens the plants AND spreads their seeds far and wide?

So ... no power tools. For now.

Back at home, I found some guys on my roof. That always reminds me of the excerpt from Adrian Mole's diary, where a concerned neighbour asks "Do you know that there's a black man on your roof?" and Adrian replies "I'm paying him 20 quid an hour to be there ..."

Well, they replaced the tiles, the fallen tree broke. And while they were there, I asked them to check the roof on the other side, where it's leaking. Apparently some tiles had slipped - and while he was up there, he also cleaned the gutter. All those Jacaranda twigs on the roof.

As a result, I started mowing a bit late. It wasn't all that much work, after all ... it hadn't rained all week, so a lot of the grass is already turning yellow. Oh, and winter is on the way ...

When I was done, I found the energy to mow the horror section I've ignored for a few weeks now. Only on the highest setting, though. Well, it looks a bit better.

Then I watered. And while I watered, I cleared more 'grass' around the weed guard. Where I had cut it a while back, it's already coming back - extra strong! Sigh ...

Back inside, shower ... and that's about all. No energy to even fry dinner! Off to bed ... relax a bit before I go to sleep ...

Internet was so bad last night, I couldn't even write this post!

Lock-down Day 672

Thanks to Mewthos' the Nuithos I was up fairly early. Coffee and cuddles ... work ...

Well, I've paid my rent and got a few groceries ...

I was thinking of bullying myself into driving to Ninapark Spar tomorrow after work ... their meat is still affordable ... yet, on the other hand, I should probably wait until I get paid. Payday would be next Monday. I just have to hope ...

Back at home, I carried on clearing the gooseberries until it started to drizzle ... unfortunately, drizzle is all it did. And not for very long.

Well, Nuithos insisted we go inside ... so, inside we went. I treated them, then showered, then we shared my dinner ... then Ziva insisted on an intense cuddle session ... now I just want to relax a bit before I go to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 671

Earlier morning, still not back on track, though.

Back at home, I gave the fruit bearing gooseberry bushes some attention ... until the flies and mosquitoes and those teeny tiny buzzers that zip around your ears drove me away.

Not much of a day ...

Lock-down Day 670

Somewhat late again, I'm afraid. I only came in about half eight last night - shower, dinner, pack lunch ... it was past nine when I got to sit back and relax. I should have gone to sleep at that time, not watched an episode.

Rough day. Back at home, Smeagol is waiting! I scratch his ears - manage to remove one of his ticks, then settle in front of my tomatoes to give them some attention. Just trimming the yellowing leaves. Then I water them and move on to the gooseberries - poor things! I've completely neglected them, and they are doing so well! I'd say that cleaning their bed should be my next project. And tying them up!

Back inside ... shower ... not in the mood for any dinner ... it's just past eight, so I'll watch an episode, then try to go to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 669

Not as early a morning as I'd like. A bit late for work - right in the deep end, though. Very busy morning ... by half ten I have a bit of a breather, trying to design a budget system ...

Back at home, I thought I saw Smeagol at the top of the road - I wondered about him roaming that far! Only, when I pulled the car into the garage, he came strolling out of the dog hut - so, it couldn't have been him. Must be another black and white cat.

Well, he got lots of attention - lately he's discovered the pleasure of having his ears scratched! When I tried that while back, he huffed and looked aggressive ... he didn't know about it ...

Then I went and carried on pulling the crap out of the 'lawn' ... Smeagol chased Janey at one point, but there was no fight.

Well ... I hope it rains tonight or tomorrow, or I'll have to water to soften the ground, if I want to continue clearing the mowing area ...

Anyway ... we had our family time, then inside ... now they are waiting for me to get my already-fried dinner, so we can share ...

Lock-down Day 668

Not a good night, I couldn't sleep ... I kept waking up throughout the night. Under the duvet I was just too hot, without the duvet ... freezing.

I discovered this morning what the problem was: I had left the window open! All night! Funny thing, though: Mippies didn't notice! Mewthos demanded I get up and let him out so insistently ... he bloody wet the bed! Again! I thought I had moved out of his stream ... nope! Whole bladder on my duvet!

All four mippies were inside, waiting for me to open the back door, so they could go outside! Mewthos ran out happily!

I've now put the duvet in the machine. With my pyjamas! I am so tired of this ... Right now he's sitting on the bare mattress like he's the King of the Castle!

Mini, however, being her usual darling self, first tries to cover my wet, smelly pyjamas and then tries to 'hand' me toilet paper.

Well, the sun is shining, so my duvet should dry quickly. I'm now washing the protector - which also got soaked through! Grrr ... that thing usually takes more than one day to dry. Even in the sun - it's the material, which is what 'protects' the mattress. It doesn't cope with an entire bladder-load, though ... Grrr ... 

Bit of scheduling thinking with the baking today. At first I thought I'd just roll all the cookies while the bread dough is in the machine ... but I have only 2 oven trays. And I'll need one for the rolls. And they have to rise again, before baking.

Right, bread dough is in the machine, I've rolled the cookies - they're in the fridge. Twenty on the tray, ready for the oven, and another twenty in another dish. Now I just need to cut the chocolate to place on top after baking.

Right. Duvet is dry, bed is made. Cats approve! As usual ...

Next: dough is rolled and rising in the oven, while I'm washing the dishes. Oh, and I've also cut the chocolate pieces - they're in the fridge as well. It's about ten to one ...

I won't be able to keep this up every weekend - not if I have an 'off' day! I had better not think about this, because it just gets me in a bad mood ...

Twenty past two, all baking is done - cookies are delicious! All laundry is folded and packed away - only the protective sheet is still drying. I'll be carrying that stand into the laundry before the end of the day, and leave it there ...

Every time I go sit on the veranda, I admire my beautiful bell peppers! First time I've ever managed to grow them - to a decent size, that is. In PE, they got no bigger than cherry tomatoes. I'm waiting for them to turn colour - they're supposed to be yellow - before I pick them. Aren't they beautiful?

Which always reminds me of my dad. He once grew a prize pumpkin. Every day he checked to see how big it had grown ... and then, one day, some twit stole it! I just hope my peppers don't suffer the same fate!

Well, it's taken me till half five to get all chores done. It's all the little bits and bobs that get to me ... especially Sunday afternoons. So ... no gardening today ... bleh!

Oh, and the protective cover was dry! So I wrangled that back on the bed, under the sheet.

Well, I'm watering the garden and eating freshly picked cherry tomatoes ... that'll have to do.

I'm a bit depressed today. Work. I mean, it's nearly the end of January and I'm still waiting for my December pay!

Anyway, I took a walk around my garden and ... more depressing ... the number of frayed / shredded spots are unbelievable! Just to pull all of those out from the area I currently call 'easy to mow' is going to take ages! And, where I've missed a blade, there are more growing ...

I think I should try to find something positive to take me out of this closing black hole I'm thinking myself into ...

Maybe I should try watching a comedy, eh?

Lock-down Day 667

Not the earliest of mornings, and it's refreshingly cold this morning!

With my no longer taking Mondays off, I'm kind of re-planning my gardening - main focus gardening on weekdays. I don't plan any gardening on the weekend, so any gardening I get to do is a bonus!

Today's plan is to make cookie dough. I want to bake chocolate chip cookies tomorrow, since I'm currently on a major chocolate binge and can't afford chocolate anymore.

Well, I can still afford it ... but ... well ... 

Around three I had done plenty and decided to move into the garden. I cleaned the kitchen, made cookie dough, cleaned the vegetable drawer in the fridge ... tomorrow I just bake. Bread rolls and cookies.

I decided to tackle the crap in the garden. I mean the stuff I need to mow - can't really call it a lawn, though. It's easy to spot: just look for shreds. Everywhere you see a yellowing tatter of 'grass', which shredded; didn't cut ... well, at the bottom of that you'll find something that shouldn't be growing there.

To my frustration, I found quite a lot of that growing in the area which has been easy to mow, so far! Tiny ones, so, with any luck, today's efforts were a preventative success!

I still haven't quite decided what I will do with that whole stretch at the back there, which I can't mow. I started cleaning just the beds - well, the one bed. For now. But I need to figure out how I'm going to deal with that area ...

I was reading a post from last year, where I'm all excited about putting on the new sprinkler to keep the back lawn nice and green! Ha Ha! Now I'm quite happy when it turns a bit yellow - like it is now - because that's less to mow! Quite a different attitude now, eh?

Anyway, I'm done now ... tomorrow is another day, and first, I'll bake!

I did water, though. The weather seemed to be turning, promising a chance of rain ... so I thought I'd give it the idea and hope, ha ha!

Lock-down Day 666

Relatively early morning.

Back at home ... mowing the lawn. At first, I thought I could call it off - I couldn't see any difference between mowed and not yet mowed, and there was hardly anything in the bag ... then I realised that I had left it on the second lowest setting. Changed it, and suddenly the bag started to fill up! Still not much, though - well, it hadn't rained much.

I thought for a while that I would be able to do that portion I hadn't done last week - it was going really well for a while ... until I got to THAT portion! I did some of it, but I gave up. Again. After some choice words at high volume!

I decided to spend the last hour of sunlight taking a closer look at that portion ... well, no wonder I can't mow that! It's mostly that hard crap! I tried pulling all that hard crap out in one patch - and was left with nothing! As in: a brown patch of soil! That's disheartening, because it means that I'll either have to laboriously clear that entire large portion ... or turn that entire area over! Either way, it's going to be a tough, hard labour job!

I'm not sure, though, whether I should first focus on all the offspring spreading throughout the entire garden, or start cleaning the mother-load (sorry, I couldn't resist that).

On the whole, though, it's much, much better than last year this time! I'm getting somewhere ... albeit slowly.

And then Smeagol attacked Mewthos! And right afterwards he had another go, this time at Ziva! Sigh ... he'd come so far, and now this? At least neither seem to have any injury!

Another sigh: internet is not playing along ... well ... lets hope it picks up tomorrow!

Lock-down Day 665

Early morning, power is still out ... 

Back at home, I first cleared the tomato patch again and discovered that the squash growing in that bed are cucumber! Lovely!

We had some 12 mm rainfall the night before, so the ground was soft. I took advantage of that and pulled out more mowing-obstacles. Along the patch next to the driveway. It's incredible just how much of that crap is growing everywhere - I wonder if it's even possible to pull it ALL out. Ever?

Well, I'm a long way from giving up ...

Back inside, treat mippies, shower, not in the mood for any dinner .. Smeagol showed up - sorry, boy, you're too late tonight!

Internet didn't want to cooperate, so I couldn't finish writing or post last night ...

Lock-down Day 664

Very late morning - courtesy of the very late night. My neighbour only got in touch just before ten last night ...

Sadly, birdie didn't survive the night. The garage is the warmest place in the house, so I do not think it got cold. It had also overcome the shock - but I think the injury was simply too serious. It wasn't merely injured ... I don't want to even write the gruesome details here ...

At work ... off to take the car to the mechanic, then organise the delivery, etc. Work stuff. Quite hectic this morning.

Back at home, there are almost no peaches left to be picked up, so I get straight to the section outside my bedroom. As I work, thunder rumbles in the distance, then the wind starts blowing - reaching gale force, again! I mean, it nearly blew off my panties! While I was sitting on them! Serious wind, is what I'm saying! Ha Ha!

Well, I packed up and moved inside. The power had already gone off. It started to drizzle ... not much more. Some two hours later, the power came back - too late to bath, I'm afraid. Well, I already had dinner, so now for a movie and mippie cuddles ...

Not Mewthos, though! That streak of piss let rip in the lounge earlier! I've had to clean up ... in the dark! No cuddles for him ... well ... maybe just a few ... 

And here goes the power again! Didn't even last an hour!

Lock-down Day 663

Earlier morning than yesterday. Good. Coffee ... work.

I just realised that I had gone off track with the day numbering a while back ... one of those dyslexic moments I'm getting in my old age. This morning I thought that we can't still be in the 500s, so I checked. All correct now, I hope.

And yes, the friggin' State of Disaster has been extended yet again ... Sigh ...

Back at home, I pick up a few more peaches, then start clearing the jungle next to the pavement. I managed to finish that part, will carry on in that section tomorrow.

Smeagol showed up late, he made no trouble whatsoever! He stuck around and came for attention - which I gave. He was in a fickle mood, and I already have the marks of his 'please don't leave, yet' on my calf! I did give him half a pouch of Whiskas, though, and some attention ...

When I came inside, I found something brown, speckled and alive under the toilet! At first I thought it was a snake! Curled up! Then I thought a frog? A toad? But it was a bird! With quite an ugly wound on its back! Poor thing! It's still a baby - but a big baby! If it lives, it'll be a big bird!

Well ... I cleaned the wound, put on ointment, picked off the worms (yuk!), gave it some water, put it safely in a box with holes and some paper towels and put it in the garage for tonight. I sent messages to At and my neighbour, asking whether they have any suggestions.

At suggested the cleaning & ointment. My neighbour gave me a contact who might take the bird tomorrow.

Only ... tomorrow is the day my boss arranged to have my car fixed! Which means that I won't have any transport while I'm at work ... sigh ... 

Anyway, it's late again ... time to sleep. I checked on the bird, it seems to be over the shock and is quite lively! If it wasn't for the wound, I would normally release it at this point - but the injury looks like it needs serious attention, and, of course, it is too small to fly! I can't put it outside hoping its parents will find it ... not if Smeagol is still around ...

Well ... tomorrow ... let's hope it lives!

Lock-down Day 662

Late start ... sigh ... I stayed up too late, again. Ah, well ... 

It's getting more and more difficult to get the car started in the mornings ... not fun!

Back at home, Smeagol is waiting for me, again. I go outside, give him attention, then, when I try to fill his bowl, he catches me in the calf! Painful! He's just trying to beg me to stay ... that's all. He came inside again, no fighting! Mewthos retaliated by puddling the kitchen ... sigh ...

I started picking up peaches, and noticed that the tree has been picked clean! And I mean 'picked'. Not one peach left within reach! Only the peaches in the higher branches, which I can barely reach on the step ladder, and not many peaches, either! Well, I picked a few and put them in the fridge.

Then I finished that entire section. Well, there wasn't much left, but it's all done, now! I think I'll do the section outside my bedroom next! Tomorrow ...

Lock-down Day 661

Late start to the day ... still taking it easy. Lots of mippie cuddles happening! They come up to me, one after the other after the other. Mewthos has settled down on the bookshelf next to the desk - within arms reach, so he gets lots of cuddles while I'm sitting at the PC.

Well, it's noon, the bread dough is in the machine, laundry is folded and packed away ... It's overcast today, quite good for gardening ... though I should probably take a broom through the house, as well?

Nah! I went outside, instead. Carried on trimming the grapevine, then cleaned around the dog hut. Moved on to the Marigold bed, then moved around all the pots, removed the weeds growing in the ground around the pots and trimmed all the plants again. Then moved on to my tomato bed again - looks like that squash slithering through that bed must be homosexual? I see hordes of flowers but not a single female!

Oh, hang on! There are a few squash growing - they're hiding under the tomato plants! I'm really curious to find out what they are! I sowed all types of squash, so I can't be sure which one this is.

Smeagol showed up again. He was very good again, so I gave him a wet treat tonight, as well. There were a few tense moments, but he dealt with each situation really well!

With him outside, mippies came in early, though. Then I got stuck in the game again ... ha ha, chatting ... and it's going on ten ... better get to bed ...

Lock-down Day 660

Relatively good night, relatively early morning. Taking it very easy today, though. Or rather: having recently re-started playing my online game, I'm getting stuck into it today. I've been getting the group back on track, now I'm upgrading my own city.

Well, I've done the laundry and cleaned the kitchen. Bit of a mess made by some of the tomatoes, which went a bit off ...

It was lovely gardening weather, early this morning - pity I didn't feel like going outside, eh? Now it's hot and blazing sun - not at all suitable! Also not ideal for using hot water - like, you know, to wash dishes? Nor ideal for cooking, either. Yet that's what I'm doing.

The flies in the kitchen are ... a pest! I don't know where they keep coming from or what they come for! Well ... I've got plenty of frogs in the garden now ... 

Speaking of garden, I thought I might water ... but first, I wanted to do a bit of work. I eventually settled on deadheading the Marigold. It's not really necessary, but it looks much nicer, afterwards! I collected a lot of seeds, too ... I moved the pot a bit away from the car port, the poppy were being quite crowded by the Marigold. And with them half hidden behind and under the Marigold, I couldn't see the weeds taking hold in that pot. All clear now!

Then I started trimming the grapevine. Quite a lot of those leaves are turning yellow and brown. I can't find many grapes, though. Maybe, once I've cleared it up a bit, I'll find some more ...

Late inside. No Smeagol today? Bath ... no need for dinner, as I had eaten earlier.

I think I'd like to spend some time in the garden tomorrow. Depends on the weather, of course. I just need to make bread rolls and clean the kitchen afterwards tomorrow ...

Lock-down Day 659

Pretty late start to the day, as I struggled to fall asleep last night. Sigh ...

Back at home ... mowing the lawn! It's less work than last Friday - two reasons: last Friday I mowed 1 1/2 weeks growth, today only 1 weeks, and last Friday I put a lot of effort into mowing on the shortest possible setting where I had the energy / strength. And it also didn't rain that much, this week.

Good thing, too, because by six I just gave up. Had enough ... couldn't carry on. That section by the rose beds is not just a nightmare because the grass there is impossible to mow, but also, because there are too many patches which are too narrow to move the mower! The beds are so close together, with just a strip of 'lawn' between them - can't maneuver the mower there.

So, I started cutting some of those areas by hand. The strip between the rose and the gooseberry, and then the strip in front of the weed guard. By the time I was finished, I not only had a blister, but it had popped, too ... Ouch!

Smeagol was around the entire afternoon. He strolled past Janey without any move that suggested he even thought of attacking her! He does seem to be mellowing ...

Well, I'm knackered. I've showered, shared my dinner ... now I'm ready for bed ...

Lock-down Day 658

Well, one thing about this continued lock-down: I have no trouble thinking up headings for my posts!

Back to my little life. Early morning, coffee, cuddles, work ... 

I quickly go to get groceries, because I'm pretty much out of everything. I couldn't believe the price of tomatoes! R40 per kg? Half that price is tolerable, though not cheap! I'm just glad I have so many tomatoes growing in my garden, right now!

Well, I have everything I need. I spoke to my boss about my car again - he's making a plan. Plan fell through, sigh ... that's my weekend plans down the drain! Better stay safely at home - not smart driving with a dodgy car!

Yes, for once, I actually did have weekend plans. I'm invited to a wedding ... but with a car that might not start - and just imagine, if I manage to stall it en route? Plus, only a standard (2 day) weekend ... I don't see how I can attend the wedding.

Back at home, unpacked, then picked up a few more peaches and lastly almost finished clearing the section around the Jacaranda & peach trees - with Smeagol supervising!

Picked a few more tomatoes, then inside, shower, dinner ... and it's quarter to nine ... good night!

Lock-down Day 657

About quarter to ten the wind suddenly went crazy, beating against the windows. Then I saw lightning outside, and then the rain came down like overturned buckets. Of course, it didn't take long for the power to go out! Sigh ...

I had just settled down to sleep, but I got up again, turned off the PC, then switched off the UPS. Lovely!

I slept relatively well, under the circumstances. Mippies were a bit fearful during the storm, but the worst of it didn't last very long.

I woke a bit late. No power. I was just getting up - very late, about ten to seven - when the power came on! Goody! Coffee without having to carry the gas bottle around!

Trouble starting the car. Trouble opening the gate - I eventually left it on manual.

Oh, and when I came home last night, I found they had placed all the 'road border stones' ... leaving me no space to turn the car outside! So, I reversed and used the next door drive up to the gate, to turn around. I'm afraid, that's how I'll have to drive home in future: up to the next door gate, then reverse all along my garden to my gate.

Cat food arrived. Good. I've just checked, the next delivery of the Iams is due beginning of February. That's fine.

When I started the car to leave, I asked At to stand next to the car to listen to the symptoms - he's one of those who can tell exactly what's wrong just by listening. And he reckons there's a problem with the battery, too ... 

Anyway. Back at home. Picking up a few more fallen peaches, and then carry on weeding that patch. A lot of the weeds are broken - like they've been trampled. I would guess it's workers climbing over the fence to help themselves to peaches ... when I'm home, they come and ask and I always give generously, but they seem to think that that makes it okay to climb over the wall, trample my flowers and the weeds, and help themselves. I think not! I'm going to plant one of those spikey things in the corner there! See if that helps!

Smeagol was around again, waiting for me when I arrived. I actually had to get out of the car and shoo him out of the driveway, so I could pull into the garage!

When I came out to him, he was desperate for attention! If I try to walk away, he puts his paw out to stop me! And he's clever enough not the claw at my leg when I'm wearing shorts! He is such a sweetiepie, in so many aspects! If only I could make peace between him and mippies!

Anyway ... end of the day. Time for bed ...

Lock-down Day 656

Good night, early morning - no rude awakenings! A bit late for work, but no worries.

I had asked for my payslips for October and November, so I could work out how it affects my salary. Based on the November pay, I figured I could continue the lovely 3-day weekend system. But when I looked at my December pay ... Huh? So I asked. Was told that's according to the hours on my time sheet. Again: Huh? Well, that's the easiest way to calculate ... Not right, but if that's the way it is ... I better come back to work on Mondays. I'll put in leave for yesterday, and then I should be receiving my full salary again.

Back at home, I picked up all the fallen peaches, then got the ladder and picked as much as I could. Only what came off easy, and hordes of half-eaten or rotting fruit. I gather these peaches don't get very big, and don't change colour much. Just a bit yellow, no red colouring.

Lastly, I cleared more weeds out of the same section ...

Bath. Dinner. Now relax ... not much time for that, as it's already quarter to nine! I only came inside about half eight ...

Lock-down Day 655

I had a difficult time falling asleep last night. It was past midnight before I finally fell managed. I'm not sure why.

Internet is not playing along. And I don't feel like doing much else - I guess I spent all my energy yesterday. At least I managed to make bread rolls - though it's a near thing. I'm not sure I'll find the energy to clean the kitchen ...

Just about three, and suddenly I have five bars signal! Nice! Only ... I've no use for them today. Not in the mood for anything. Mippies are sprawled around the bedroom with me - Mini and Janey on the bed, Mewthos on the night stand and Ziva in my wardrobe ...

Well, I've cleaned the kitchen. I haven't done anything in the garden, though. It's okay. I'm allowed to spend a day doing nothing, too! Well, I watered - does that count? Ha Ha!

Well, Smeagol seems to be around a lot more, even comes inside now and again. I get the feeling he's mellowing down - though I shouldn't forget that he just recently marked Mewthos! Well, I'm not giving up on him ...

I already showered earlier, so now I'm just having dinner - fried potatoes with egg and cheese - and then I'm winding down for the day ...

Lock-down Day 654

You are not going to believe what woke me up! At four in the morning! A warm streak of piss hitting my back! Mewthos! As he was marching to the window, on his way, he just stopped and sprayed my back! And he didn't even seem to realise just what he had just done - his mind was fully occupied with whatever he was now watching through the window!

I was not impressed, as you can imagine! Fortunately, only my back was wet, so I could wipe it off with my top and throw the top far from the bed! Nothing got on the bed or the duvet!

Well, I got up after six. Internet is sloooow! I've started playing my online game again, yesterday was fine, but today? Nothing happening. Even this blog keeps telling me 'Update failed'. As long as there's no prolonged power failure, that's not a problem, though.

Sigh, now internet shows an error. I've tried unplugging and re-starting the modem ... nothing. Now I just have to wait and hope ... Right. Turned the router off and on again, now I'm back online ... albeit with only 2 bars signal

I don't know why I have so much trouble thinking today. Again. I'm usually quite good at looking at the tasks on hand, and planning how and when to do what. Somehow, when it comes to the indoor tasks, I seem to have a 'Brett vorm Kopf', as we say in German. It means about the same as hitting a blank.

Well, I've vacuum packed and frozen the meat I bought this week. Fried the potatoes with eggs - and enjoyed some for breakfast.

I've washed the windows in the bedroom, now I'm thinking of an arrangement that removes me from the march to the window ... I've had enough of piss in my bed!

Part of me wants to steam clean everything now - but there just isn't time. So, I'll have to make do with just a good clean.

Well, I'll have to steam the skirting. Ants. I don't want to spray today, as I don't feel like carrying out the water fountain, shutting the room for an hour, etc.

Sigh ... I don't have a choice. Ants are still busy, even after I steamed the cracks. Twice! So ... water fountain out, windows closed .... spray!

Right! I've cleaned and completely re-arranged the bedroom. I've scrubbed the plastic table I use for the PC - I thought about moving my desk into the bedroom, but that's just too much work for one day. Especially since I'm not sure I have enough space. I opted to re-arrange first, and I can always bring in the desk another time.

Since I moved everything and needed to clear the table, I had to switch off the PC for a few hours. As I was cleaning, I also evicted all the dust bunnies from inside the PC. Wiped everything - outside only, of course. It almost looks like a new table & PC! Pity it doesn't work like a new PC, eh? Oh, it's a bit faster now that the dust is cleared, but that's it.

That took until five! Now it's six - better go sit outside for a bit. Family Time. Not too keen on obliging the streak of piss ... yes, I'm still angry!

Well, time to relax ...

Lock-down Day 653

Again a lateish start to the day. No worries, it's Saturday. Mippies can't go out, as it's raining - so: breakfast for mippies! Well, they're happy!

I'm a bit at loose ends ... I haven't decided, yet, whether I want to go to work on Monday, or not. On the whole, I think not.

I'm a bit at loose ends again, today. I've done the laundry, washed the dishes ... now it's already past three and I just don't know what I'd like to do ...

Well, I've planted some 6 Mangoes, though I don't have much hope for them. I re-planted the one Almond tree from a 300ml to a 1.5L bottle, then I cleaned out the waste bin drawer. Again! Sigh ... 

And then I ended up in the garden. I picked up all the fallen peaches again - fruit flies were already buzzing happily - then carried on clearing that area. Under Smeagol's supervision. He just stretched out in the shade and stayed by my side. He's got quite an ugly wound on his face at the moment. I can't imagine how he got it - there's whiskers missing and the area was just white oozing the first day. Now it seems to have a scab, red, which actually looks better. I wish I could put some ointment on that for him - but I had quite a risky time getting that tick off the top of his forehead!

Well, Sunday tomorrow ... lets see what the day brings ...

Lock-down Day 652

Lateish morning, not feeling very motivated ... 

On the way home, I stopped for petrol ... car wouldn't start! Called the boss, he'll come. Can't be the battery - I don't think it was the battery, on Monday, either. I keep trying occasionally. Nothing. I had to get out through the passenger side, as there was a pole blocking my door. Checked if everything is connected - well, the little I still recognise. All looks right. And then, I don't know why, but I tried again - only this time, I held the key in the starting position for a few seconds longer. It started! No, I don't know why I did that - I know of no reason why that should have worked. Well, I'm glad it did! I called the boss. He thinks he knows what the problem is, we'll sort it out next week. Which is no problem, as I'm not going anywhere, anyway.

Back at home ... mowing! Sigh. That is still a full workout! The back lawn is a pleasure! But the front? Some areas are a pleasure - but everywhere is littered with horrid stuff! The mower snags, I have to bend down, untangle, push again. Over and over and over ... But it's all done!

Then I still had about an hour of light, so I removed all the cardboard in the section outside my bedroom, and started cleaning the overgrown areas. It's ugly!

Funny thing: when I lifted the cardboard off the pavement, three surprised frogs stared at me in stunned disbelief!

It seems that steaming works very well on some weeds - the pavement with all the holes in the bricks, out back, is still completely clear of weeds! Even though I haven't actually pulled any of the dead weeds out. And despite the rain we've had since I've steamed there - still not a speck of green! But the grass? That doesn't care! It carries on growing regardless! Even where I steamed, there's fresh grass growing through the pavement outside my bedroom!

Back inside, poor Ziva threw up nearly her whole dinner soon after she'd eaten. So I gave them all another pouch of Royal Canin. Not Whiskas! Mewthos, of course, was happy! As was Mini! Janey is the only one, who isn't overly interested in wet food. Oh, she likes it - but I think the stress of the crowd is not to her liking. I often have to put her bowl separately.

Anyway, Ziva is demanding cuddles. NOW! So, better publish and oblige her ...

Lock-down Day 651

I went to sleep late, so I woke up a bit late as well. Mewthos' wound is still red, but it doesn't show any sign of infection or swelling. Funny thing, he was standing at the window last night, and I took that opportunity to put more ointment on the wound - he didn't even seem to notice!

Quickly went to the shop - pretty bare. And milk prices are up again! Sigh ... Got just the bare essentials ...

Back at home ... power is out! Apparently it went off about two hours ago, when the first drop of rain came down ... Sigh ...

Fortunately, it came back on before I could even report it! Good!

As everything is wet, and it's still drizzling ... I just start pulling out tufts of that hard horrid stuff in my mowing path. I got quite far, until one blade of that crap nearly sliced off my finger! End of shift.

Smeagol seems to want to move in ... he took a short stroll into the lounge, while all my mippies were sprawled along the veranda. There's some huffing and mewling ... but no actual attack. Probably because I'm between Smeagol and my mippies? He stayed on even after we went inside, so I softened and gave him half a pouch of Whiskas. No, I'm not being stingy - I've noticed in the past, that he rarely eats more.

For myself ... I'm really knackered. No desire / motivation / energy to do anything ... not even dinner ...

Well, I made dinner, which I had to share - quite generously - with mippies! It's been a while since I've eaten anything mippies wanted a share of, ha ha!

Ah well ... time to relax before bed ...

Lock-down Day 650

Early morning, though I did have some weird dreams. I think mippies have caught on to the fact that I'm back to the work routine. Smeagol also wasn't around this morning - though he might have showed up after I left.

Back at home - not much to tell, either. Smeagol. Weeding. Bath. Dinner. Bed ... there, all caught up!

Lock-down Day 649

What a start! First I wake up a bit late, and then the car battery is dead! Called my neighbour, he's in Pretoria, not at home. So I called my boss. He's on his way. 

I had to get my smartphone out, to WhatsApp my boss my location. So I might as well write while I wait. 

Smeagol is here, wondering why nobody is coming out. Mippies are sitting in the lounge wondering the same thing, ha ha.

We had another thunderstorm last night, but fortunately the lights stayed on. More rain, too.

Only three mips were in the lounge, no Janey! I started calling and looking for her - nothing. I was getting quite frantic, afraid she might have nipped out! I checked the garage, the bedroom, then, when I came back to the lounge she was sprawled atop a shelf, cool as a cucumber!

Almost eight, Smeagol has given up and strolled off. Last night, when I went outside, he appeared out of the dog hut. Apparently he spent the day there. Then he joined our family time - he sat on the wall on the other side of the driveway. He kept mewling for attention, but Mewthos is still nursing the hole in his tail. I didn't want to be loving to Smeagol. 

Twenty five past, I've moved outside, opened the bonnet, gave Smeagol some attention. Now it has started to rain. A few drops at first, but now it's raining. 

A flock of Hadeda are visiting. And the rain seems to have passed. 

Mippies are complaining bitterly: why are we shut in? Why can't we come out with you? Ziva is especially loud with her objection! And it's now quarter to nine!

I called my boss, he's just busy sorting some things out, then he'll come. So I went back inside. Poor mippies! All sitting hopefully at the front door!

They don't understand what is happening today. 

Well, in my experience, a year that starts well tends to turn out tough, whereas a year that starts out tough tends to turn out well. Superstition, I know. Just a feeble attempt to feel in control over matters beyond one's control.

It's now quarter past ten! If I had known he'd take this long, I could have let mippies out! They would have been back by now, snoozing around the house! Ah, well. Now't I can do.

By eleven I'm at work! Busy, busy, busy ... 

Fruit juice has arrived! Goody!

Back at home, Smeagol is sitting in my chive pot! On the table, on the veranda! He's completely spoiling family time for my mippies, as he hangs around the veranda all evening! Even while I'm having a smoke in my chair!

I cleared the succulent bed. Lots of small weeds and a few big ones - not too much, all in all. And then ... the bed in front of it! Or should I say: the jungle! Sigh ... At least the ground is very soft, so I can loosen it very easily! I pulled two carrots! Seems they don't get very deep into the ground, their almost the shape of tomatoes ... 

Anyway, I've bathed, now for dinner, then relax before I go to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 648

Not the earliest start of the day - since I had stayed up past ten. I slept well, but this morning I had weird dreams again. But at least I got up well before seven! Will have to make it a lot earlier tomorrow morning!

Just looking outside, I really should mow the lawn again today ... Sigh. I'll have to see how I feel about it this afternoon. I may do it in shifts ... do the worst late afternoon today, and carry on patch by patch week evenings? I'll see ... I may not get the chance, though, as rain is forecast again for tonight.

I'm having a hard time coming up with an idea for lunch. I don't have any sausages to bake into rolls, and just the bread is not enough. I do have tomatoes from my garden, some are already ripe. And maize - though a bit puny. And a few beans. I've contemplated pizza - but that's just too much washing up for today. I would rather put my energy into sweeping and washing the floors, today.

I've reported the leak I discovered. It's in the laundry, in the corner where laundry, bathroom and third bedroom meet - and all three rooms show signs of the leak. Landlord said he'll attend to it, though it will only be next week. No worries!

Worries: the inside looks like a pig sty, ha ha! I've spent most of my holiday in the garden, and it shows ... inside. Especially the half of the bathroom, which I haven't steam cleaned, yet!

Smeagol keeps demanding attention, more and more and more ... and I don't have the time. Not even for my own mippies! I give as much as I can, but he seems determined to get full time attention. Not possible. So, he's attacking Mewthos! Twice already!

I've swept and washed the laundry floor ... and I think I've solved the bread conundrum: I've defrosted Frankfurter. I'll give it a try, though they are quite thick - no thicker than Boerewors, though, so maybe it'll work out okay?

Sheez! You know you're in South Africa, when you have to look up a City's name to figure out what it used to be called, so you have some clue what the news article is about - or at least, where it is about! The news are apparently not allowed to mention the name a city is commonly known as! Or previously known as. Whatever.

Right. Operation Spring Clean is underway. And the bread dough is on the go.

Damn! Smeagol tore a hole into Mewthos! Same place where he's caught each of my cats, bar Janey - I suppose she was too fast, and he caught her on her back. First Ziva ahd that ugly hole, then Mini - which has only just healed, and now Mewthos! At least I know enough by now to clean it and put on the ointment! I'll have to keep an eye on it, in case it festers ... keep cleaning and smearing ointment.

Bathroom is a mission. There's a reason I didn't tackle this second half. Especially underneath and behind the toilet and the basin. I'm just doing a rough wipe, though - just make it look like civilised people live here, no more.

Bread rolls are rising before baking - someone had a nibble at one of my sausages! I suspect Ziva ... I did catch her on the counter, earlier!

Not quite one, and everything, but the kitchen and the lounge, is done! Floors swept and washed. I don't whether I have enough energy left to even finish the kitchen ... I've already decided to leave the lounge for next week ...

Ah, well. The kitchen is quick and easy - no furniture to move! So, I quickly swept and washed the floor. Just a quick wipe, nothing more. Good enough.

Now I'm baking the rolls - which have risen ... forming one big loaf filling the entire tray, ha ha! Then I need to wash the dishes and shower. I haven't decided in which order, yet.

Almost three. I washed the dishes while the rolls were in the oven. Then showered. Now, I'm treating myself. Some beauty treatments, like a face mask and such.

Wouldn't you agree that they worked wonders? I look at least ... oooh, ten minutes? Younger than before, don't I?

I just caught a hornet trying to build a nest on my apron! Unbelievable! Those things are cheeky as anything!

Well, now I'm steaming potatoes. I'm thinking of another Sauerkraut dinner ... And I can make potato salad with what's left.

Quarter past five ... I just don't even want to water ... I'm knackered! I've worked hard today! Nice way to end my holiday, eh? Well, I'm glad I did the cleaning today, though! I've been wanting it done these past three weeks ...

Poor Mew-Mew! Just came for a bit of lovies, and what do I do? Smear more ointment on him! Well, it isn't oozing, so that's good!

Well, better try for an early night tonight ...

Lock-down Day 647

Late start to the day, I'm afraid. Taking it easy, too. Smeagol sat outside my window, impatient for his lovies, ha ha! I went outside, filled his bowl and gave him some attention.

Hot and humid day, not good for doing much. I'm pottering about, getting ready for work ... If I do any gardening, it'll have to be my succulent bed, which is being invaded by weeds again. Some of which have got quite tall ... and I don't want to talk about the bed in front of the succulent bed ... that's a totally overgrown mess!

That bright green row are my carrots. And right in front, those succulents are completely taking over the entire bed! I'm going to have to cut them back quite a lot!

Still, it's nowhere near as bad as it was last year!

Sigh, I had better order fruit juice again. I don't have enough left for a week ...

Okay, done. Doing my usual Sunday chores today - laundry, dishes, the usual. At the speed of 'I-really-don't-want-to-do-this'. Especially the dishes, ha ha!

Well, kitchen is clean, now I'm hungry! Pancakes, methinks! Ah well, scrambled pancakes it is, then ....

Ha! Found a way to flip them! I just slide them into a pan lid, then quickly flop it back into the pan!

And then I got so full of myself, about my pancake flipping, that I burned the next one! Ha Ha Ha!

Too hot to do much of anything this afternoon. Just slouching about the house, spread across the bed, under the ceiling fan ... time to water. The gooseberries are looking even worse, now!

Seven o'clock, sudden wind chased us all inside - no trouble, not even from Mini, ha ha! It's just turned very dark, chance of a storm, so I'm running a bath in case the power goes off.

I did a bit more gardening, though: cleaned up the tomato bed. Again! Half the leaves seem to have turned brown, same with the Basil in that same bed. Almost as if they've run out of food - but, instead of slowing down, they just grow and grow and grow ...

And there goes the power. And the internet! Must be a wide area outage. Well, I finished my bath! I had just sat down for a smoke, when the power went off. Not even half past seven!

The wind is blowing with gale force, the Jacaranda tree is leaning like a sailor, lightning is flashing like Christmas lights, and now it starts to rain. Sounds more like hail on the carport roof - the front door is still open.

That's the 6% chance of rain forecast for eight tonight.

I've been feeling a bit queasy, so I hadn't planned dinner. Probably from the pancakes, ha ha! Too sweet or maybe I used too much oil. Serves me right for not cooking myself anything decent.

At least it should be a bit cooler tomorrow.

I think I can see Smeagol huddled atop the freezer outside. It's dry there, and he doesn't like being shut in - no way to escape. But he's dry, and he has food.

I played Mahjong, with no Internet, no annoying adverts, ha ha!

What a nice surprise! Power came back before ten!

Lock-down Day 646

Some good news: I got paid the rest of my November salary! I double-checked, it IS my November salary - I'm still owed December. Yeah, silly, I started doubting my memory, though it was highly unlikely that I would have 'missed' getting paid! I keep a fairly close eye on my finances ...

I started reading. Continued the book I recently started ... and couldn't put it down until I finished it, ha ha! On the whole, it was rather disappointing. Pebble in the Sky, by Isaac Asimov, one of my favourite authors.

And that kept me up till one in the morning, so for a change, I was awake for New Year. I heard the neighbours shouting Happy New Year, a lot of banging - possibly some fireworks.

Power came back around six this morning. With the late night, I had a hard time trying to get up - eventually Mewthos resorted to standing on top of me and kneading my hip! I let mippies out, made myself coffee ... that was around eight.

I really should make the effort to plant the gooseberry from the pot into the ground! I just don't feel up to it, though - with the late night. But the conditions are ideal: ground is wet enough to enable me to dig a deep hole, after deep clearing all the weeds out of the bed ... although it's already nine, that area is still in the shade, too!

It didn't take long for the sun to catch up with me, but I carried on regardless. Lots of grass roots deep under the bed, a mission to get them out. But I preserved. 

Around noon I heard my UPS beeping, I looked up and: power out! Again! We only had power for 6 hours! I had just gone back outside, after a break, so I carried on working ... finished the bed!

Then I went inside, washed my hands and went through the routine: check the board, in case it's just something in my house, that tripped. Nope. Check the schedule, in case it's load shedding ... hmm ... could be! But I saw no announcement!? I checked online, no notice of load shedding, and Eishkom's site also: Currently not load shedding. So, on to the phone ... first attempt the phone goes silent ... re-dial ... didn't have long to wait. First asked whether there's load shedding, just in case. Nope. So, reporting the power outage ... take my phone with me, in case a technician tries to call ... back outside.

I re-dug as much as I had the energy for, pulling out more grass roots. Then get the spade, dig a hole ... not deep enough. Tough! Stagger with the pot from the car port right across to the other side ... as I feared, the roots were already digging into the ground under the pot. Well, I shoved the whole lot into that too shallow hole, as best I could. They wouldn't stand up, so I got a pole and tied them up. Heaped more soil around the base ... put the sprinkler on. Not looking good ... they're drooping badly!

Well, all I can do now is water and hope! As I packed up and took everything back, I heard my UPS give it's happy beep: Power is back! If I hadn't specifically asked, I'd have thought it was load shedding, after all! It's ten to two!

Now, I'm going to take a bath, because there is no way I'm staying in these sweat soaked clothes any longer!

Phew! That's much better! And yeah, I'm done gardening for today! Cleaning a bed for the first time is a major mission! On top of that, I got a lovely sunburn at the top of my thighs!

Like last year, the holiday is practically over, and it's back to normal weekend. The laundry is already dry, I just need to fold and pack it away. Clean the kitchen, so I can bake bread rolls on Monday. The rest of the time is still holiday. Though work is, of course, already intruding on my mind. Again. Same procedure as last year, ha ha!

Yeah, I couldn't even watch Dinner for One last night - a German Sylvester (= what we call old year's eve) Tradition. For as long as I can remember ...

Oh no! Betty White passed away yesterday ... last Golden Girl ... and she was older than sliced bread! What a start to the year - 2 power outages, and I bet a third one this evening. And now this ... 

I took a nice, long nap ... slept until Smeagol called! He loves attention before he tucks into his bowl! He roly polies on the floor for a while, then gives me a look, which I've come to recognise as meaning "I'd like to eat now, would you mind leaving me alone?" He doesn't like me near while he's eating.

The I started pottering about, doing a couple of chores ... then I sat outside for a smoke break ... and then I decided to see the results of the steam weeding.

At first, I was very disappointed! I tried pulling the grass between the pavement, and not much in the way of roots came out! No more than in the area I hadn't steamed, yet. And then I got to thinking. I steamed on Sunday. It rained all day Monday, and at the end of the day, it looked no different than it had on Sunday. Yet, on Tuesday, a dry, hot day, it finally showed change - seemingly drying out. Yet, we've had rain almost every day this week - so ... 

I don't know what to make of that, though. What use is that? Well, the creeper bulbs I steamed seem to be dead, that, at least is a major bonus! I haven't been able to pull any of them out, yet, though. I'll give it some more thought.

I thought I was done with heavy gardening for the day ... yeah ... not! Since I couldn't get too many roots out between the pavement, I fetched the fork and started digging up horror grass in the section outside my bedroom. Actually, that entire section needs to be dug up - it's so covered in either thorns or that horror grass! I cleared about three quarters of the section - leaving the worst, though. That stuff has waterlogged tentacles for roots! It's horrid, almost impossible to pull out, once it's spread too much! I pulled out two really big bushes of the crap - those were almost impossible to get out! And you can't get all the roots out - totally impossible. They break off. They're like rubber!

A large portion of that section is clear, though, so it'll be much easier to mow. Once the holes have settled again.

Well, I'll see what I feel like doing tomorrow ...