Saturday, September 29, 2012

A Wonderful Spring Day

After 24 hours of rain it was wonderful to awaken to sunshine this morning.  I actually went out in the garden for short periods.  Still haven't shaken the virus off but sunshine makes everything seem better.

I got a load of washing done and dried and some mats from the porch that got wet with the rain driving in are almost dry so it was a good day all round.







Spring flowers are coming out and, once I get better, there will be a lovely cauliflower to eat.  I bought a pack of baby vegie plants - had a couple of Italian Brocolli that didn't seem particularly small and now this delightful cauli.

Have been watching the Tuis in the Australian Frangipane Tree - the tree is huge - I have never seen one as big - so it is great for the birds out of harms way of cats.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Wet Day - Kindness

First - thank you for all the kind comments yesterday.

I had thought that I was near the end of this "virus?" but no, it returned with a vengeance along with the rain not long after yesterday's post.  We have had rain or drizzle for most of the last 24 hours so it has been a good day to stay in bed.

This morning the phone rang and it was Lynn - my hairdresser who hails from north Wales.  One of the ladies that came to help while my hubby was still at home had asked her how I was as she had heard I was sick.

Lynn wanted to run errands for me and this she did in the pouring rain and when she returned she had a bunch of Alstroemerias from her garden for me. Mine are nowhere near flowering yet. Thank you Lynn - you are a treasure.

I have just ventured down the garden for the first time in days to sprinkle some slug bait around my Italian Brocolli - I am very pleased with them as they have not been in for long.

 

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Feeling Down

On Monday, after the walk I visited my other half in the rest home and then a friend from Kaitaia who is down here in Whangarei Hospital after a fall.

I was fine then but I spent most of Monday night sitting on the toilet and felt rotten.  I felt a little better on Tuesday but stayed in bed and was unwell again in the night.

I phoned the hospital yesterday to see how my friend is and was told she was fine but today I was told she is in isolation.  They wouldn't tell me what she has but I know Norovirus is around in the hospital and some rest homes.  I don't think that is what I have.  Hopefully, tomorrow, I will feel like getting up and possibly going outside.

People have been wonderful - someone came and split firewood for me.  Another bought me some chicken breasts and bananas at the supermarket and yet another delivered free range eggs to me today.

I know that I could phone one of several people and they would help.  I still feel down though and it is because at times like this I miss my darling hubby as he once was.  Anyone in New Zealand who reads this I had a call last night to tell me that there is an excellent article on Alzheimer's in the latest (October) issue of North and South magazine - I haven't seen it yet but , once I am out and about I will buy it.




Anyway, on a more cheerful note the garden is showing signs of spring.  These photos are all from inside. The wisteria was a small plant growing in the middle of a flax bush  but is starting to come away and will, hopefully, cover the pergola in due course.  The perpetual wallflower spent many years in a pot (we brought it with us three years ago) but has flourished since being planted out.

I think I am finally finding my way about this new Blogger!!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Parkinson's Walk Monday 24th September

I nearly didn't go on today's walk - I have been going to physio for my shoulder for a few weeks now and on Friday had it strapped and was not feeling particularly happy with life.  Anyway, I thought it would do me good to get out and mix with people and so I drove  to the Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve 15 minutes north of here.



























We have had some rain and I was pleased I decided to take my Wellies (gumboots).  We had the odd shower during our walk but nothing major.

Pictures will have to suffice as  I am running out of time (now why did the typeface change???)

Monday, September 17, 2012

Parkinson's Walk - Monday September 17th

It is some weeks since I have been on one of the Parkinson's Walks and this week it was in Kamo so I made an extra effort - well it was just down the road.

 We started off walking around the football fields, past the wonderful old Moreton Bay Fig Tree and a large Kowhai which is usually full of Tui after the nectar.

 Then alongside the Otapapa Stream and into Hodges Park
 The bridge was built in about 1894 made of stone and is self supporting.
 past a lovely young Kauri tree
 I loved the way the roots of this old tree have grown over the rock




The turret of Moehau, the original farmhouse - the park is part of the former orchard.  The farm was, apparently, 27 acres.  Now the old house is surrounded by new houses.
 then back over the playing fields.
The sun shone although the wind was quite strong and chilly.  Still we had a great walk finishing up with homemade scones at Margaret's for morning tea - thank you.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

YOU ARE AS OLD AS YOU FEEL

A few years ago, prior to our move down here, we invited two widows (lets call them Anne and Jane) to  share our Christmas lunch.

The first  to be asked, Anne,  was the younger of the two - I said I would go into town and pick her up as she considered herself too old to drive the 8 miles to our house.

When I asked the second lady, Jane,  and told her I would also collect her she accepted the invitation but said she was quite capable of driving and would also bring Anne.

Jane has always considered age to just be a number and nothing to do with how she feels.

Anne turned 80 this year and is, unfortunately, now in a Rest Home whereas Jane, who broke her hip last year and is now 92 is still living in her own home and woe betide anyone who calls her old.

I am sure it is their respective attitudes to age that has made the difference.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Spring is coming

The magnolia are in full flower and the bulbs are starting so spring can't be too far away.  There have also been far too many deaths among friends we left behind in the north and we always reckon spring and autumn are the worst time for deaths.

One of the funerals I would  like to have attended this week was that of a former neighbour.  She was the eldest girl in a family of nine girls and four boys (Same father, two mothers).  All the girls were named after flowers and her sister, Pansy, died just five days before her.  Rose was an amazing lady and we first met her when we moved north and were given her name when we needed firewood.  She cut and sold firewood among many other things to support herself and her son.  We attended both her 80th and 90th birthdays and many other family occasions.  We will miss her.