Somebody Bigger

I'm showing my age, but I find this little youtube very peaceful, beautiful pics.

Blessings, Jan

Friday Fragments

So sorry to hear of horrific news on the TV, in London, and in Oklahoma, thoughts with anyone affected in any way.  All the best for those who commemorate Memorial Day in your country. (Ours are ANZAC Day 25th April and Remembrance Day 11th November in Australia.)
 
Rain Again
After many dry years, it is always a surprise that we get so much rain these days. Nights cooler too, around 6C.

Gutters not Music
We usually play music with our friend on Monday mornings, this week DH cleaned out her gutters for her, and we came home with bags of beautiful compost, as she has some pine trees at the front .

Concert
Tuesday was our last concert for the month, and when we are in Lismore that always includes stocking up at the Bulk Food Store.  Beautiful honey that hasn't been heated and lots of organic items.

Community Garden
Wednesday lunchtime at the Garden, and catching up as they have a new worker who will be putting in a lot of time there, and progress is being made.

Thursday and Friday
It is our annual festival here, Beef Week, so we took in a few of the activities, the craft show and decorated windows, and coffee at the local club.

Joining in at Friday Fragments hosted by Mrs 4444 to post a few thoughts.

Blessings, Jan

Around our Patch

Speakers and lunch at the Community Garden last Saturday, beautiful sunny day and good company, just marred by a low attendance, though there was a lot on. It is a challenge when setting a date to know what other events will be a month or so ahead. Within about 30 kms was a Gemfest and an Antiques and Collectables event, and some locals were preparing for our Beef Week Festival.

The topics were Reducing Waste,  Bees in our Gardens, Container Gardening and Home Irrigation. However the item that really caught everyone's imagination, that Keith showed us after the presentations, was an entry level Ph Tester, to check if soil too acid or alkaline.

 

 Part of the garden

We took in the Gemfest on Sunday, an absolute plethora of precious stones and items to see, as well as many stalls where one can purchase stones to cut, rocks and anything else to do with the hobby, or for some people, home business.   

I find the fossilised woods the most interesting. Many on show have an added image though I prefer the natural item.

 It felt cold last night when we got home, but when I looked at the temperature it was over 16C. To make sure our thermometer OK, I checked our online weather, and the outdoor temp was 14.7C.  It is going to get cooler, though nothing compared to where some friends live, as we don't usually get a frost, let-a-lone snow.

Still a lot going on in our garden, new seedlings up, always lots to be done. Local Festival Beef Week on, with main day this Saturday.

Love and Blessings,

Jan

May Update

Had a lovely surprise for Mother's Day (2nd Sunday May). Rob rang and asked if we were busy and they drove down from the Gold Coast and we went to an open air venue for lunch, and an exotic gift, Euphoria by Calvin Klein.

Catherine sent The Contented Chook, a practical and inspiring read, lots of pics, and we got the idea for the grazing frame from it.

 I also met up with Granddaughters Beth and Laura, when they were visiting down on the Clarence.

Recently we've really busied ourselves working most days in the garden, around our commitments. We've also become quite involved with our local community garden, mainly on the admin side producing a monthly newsletter and recipe sheets, and a limited amount of gardening as time permits.

I got knitting for a while and made animal beanies for a friend who works in childcare, so far a lion and a mouse (pic).

The big change is we now have three newly laying hens.  It has been a bit of a learning curve.
Here is a pic from yesterday when Barry made a grazing frame for them.  We were amazed that they stripped their run of grass and greens in about three days. With this frame we can grow grass and they just pick the tops.

And a calm spot in the backyard for tea or coffee on beautiful sunny days with delightful Autumn temps.

Blessings,
Jan

Flood Coverage

We've been watching the continuous news coverage about the serious flooding in  Queensland today. and to a lesser degree in Northern NSW.  We are warm and dry and thankful that we chose to live in a flood-free town. The river here is forecast  to rise to 9.2  metres tonight, but it has very high banks and that is considered a minor flood.  Even a major flood of 13 metres does not flood the town.

We did have torrential rain from late Saturday afternoon until today, Monday morning, but we escaped the fearful winds which beset some areas, up to 140km/hr apparently. Even though people are warned not to drive or walk in floodwater, there have been 18 rescues of people from vehicles in or washed away in the floodwater, and three dead already, putting the volunteer rescuers at grave risk also. One rescue included a baby winched up into a helicopter. (Click for video)

Barry's son and granddaughter were planning to drive up from the Sydney area today to celebrate Barry's birthday later this week.  The roads weren't cut today, but the heavy rain and winds, which includes possibility of  trees and debris over roads was rolling down the coast and was too dangerous for travel, so they will be looking at conditions to try again tomorrow.  The rain and wind should have passed but there is the possibility of roads being flooded and impassable. So we just have to wait and see.

This was the radar early this morning, then the rain and wind was moving down the coast.

A road in our area, not the highway. Pics from media.
Love and Blessings.