Lock-down Day 679

It was nearly half past eight before the power went off. I was beginning to wonder whether they had cancelled load shedding at the last minute - but no such luck! But it did give me the chance to still watch one episode.

The next two hours were awful! Without the ceiling fan, the mosquitoes go crazy! In turn, driving me absolutely crazy! So ... I couldn't sleep until the power came back on ...

I'm a little worried about Lady Jane. She seems somewhat subdued lately. And she's not as eager for her Whiskas, as she used to be? She IS eating, which is the main thing ... maybe it's the crowding around the food bowls, especially when Mewthos' head bobs excitedly into her bowl ... she's never liked that. She'd often go away as soon as Mewthos sticks his fat head into her bowl ...

She's also somewhat on a war path with Mini, who keeps swatting at her, when Janey tries to come to me for cuddles and Mini is on the bed already. Those two are not getting along too well ...

Ai, ai. Cat astrophies, eh?

Mini also has a new friend. A frog who comes to the veranda door every evening. He hops between the gate and the glass door, hops up and down catching insects attracted by the light. Mini hops up and down with him, ha ha!

Well, I had quite a bad night. Yet I woke up at six - when the ceiling fan came back on, again! Got up, coffee ... off to work.

Into a nightmare of traffic! Made worse, of course, by all the bullies - who, regardless of who's life they put at risk, insist on overtaking in the oncoming traffic lane - at a solid white line (i.e. they can't see the oncoming traffic, as there's a rise or a bend in the road); and when they suddenly face oncoming traffic, they push into our lane ... with no regard for room. If we end up going off the road - who cares?

The worst, though, was trying to turn right at the T-Junction! Traffic turning left, follows a slip-road onto the main road ... those of us turning right, go straight. To the traffic light. Now, picture this: three lanes. I'm in the left most lane, which is for traffic coming from the ... let's say south ... and ONLY for those of us turning right! On my right, two lanes for traffic turning from the main road onto this road. Both lanes are filled with 'taxis' queuing to turn LEFT! They are on my right, queueing to turn left!

When the light turns green for me ... I first have to wait for the cars blocking me, having crossed (gone straight, from right to left) when the light was red! And then I have to wait for all the taxis on my right to turn left in front of me, angrily hooting at me for being in their way! And never mind that anyone trying to turn into this road is facing ... !

Utter madness!

It took me over an hour to get to work, through all that! Just because some people believe they are above the law ... risking MY life, and for what? Five minutes time saved?

Anyway ...

I did have a quick chat with my boss, though, and he promised that I would be paid no later than end of today. I sure hope so!

Anyway, I did nip out to quickly get basic groceries ... milk, meat, you know ... and guess what? The price of tomatoes has gone up! Again! By another 5%! I'm telling you, I had better forget flowers and put all effort into a kitchen garden! I also looked at the price of bell peppers ... unreal! Just beyond a normal, middle-class income!

At least long-life milk was on special. Real special, not like last week, when they advertised it as 'on special', but it was actually overpriced! It's weird, I don't know whether they're trying to see how many people they can fool, or what?

Anyway ... back at home ... it is hot and humid! Has been all day, I feel like walking water works! So I'm just snipping away at my tomato plants. Again. They've developed more yellowing leaves ... and I've cut the first cucumber. It's not very big, but turning yellow ... sigh ... I'm also not having much luck with the gooseberries, worms seem to be getting at them before I can ... sigh ...

I've watered. Smeagol attacked Mini. Sigh ... 

I got a message that money was deposited into my account. My December pay. The erroneous amount ... still waiting for my January pay, which should include the 'fix'. Well, it's something. Enough to get needed groceries ... I'll have to place an order this weekend.

Well, no load shedding tonight, so I'm not pressed for time. Only tomorrow morning again from 04:00 - 06:30. So I can watch an episode or two tonight ... while I give Ziva, then Janey the attention they demand.

It's too hot to even fry a steak ... I'm not THAT hungry ... too hot for anything ... it's hotter today than it was most of this summer! And humid! The humidity is even worse ... it's like water is in the air, everywhere, just not in droplet size.

Well ... I hope to be able to sleep tonight ...