Cate's Diary

[aiminglow]

You're right. Thank you for pulling me up on self-negativity! xoxo.

 

[liza]

Great December goals Cate!
What is your gardening season where you are? I put my garden to sleep for the winter about a month ago. I love work in the garden, but also enjoy the rest from it in the winter. I did realize that without the garden I need to increase my other exercise though--so lots of extra walking for me!
I'm pleased for you that you will be getting a dog--really something to look forward to!

 

[Petal001]

Hi Cate I know lots of people here have designer dogs that don’t shed like cockapoos . They all a bit yappy for me. We had a boxer who wasn’t too bad but still shed. I hope you find one soon.
Hard to believe it’s Dec 1. Good luck with your very realistic goals.

 

[Llama]

I think only poodle mixes don't shed, is that right? And they do tend to be lighter weight (even a king poodle would be relatively handleable)

 

[Cate]

Amy- you're welcome. We need to lift one another up but also not put ourselves down. I have to stop myself regularly.
Liza- My garden is mostly native Australian shrubs, but also lots of herbs & some vegetables. It's a no-fuss garden really. I do have a double bank with lots of rocks & I am trying to make it easier to get around, so am moving lots of the rocks & mulching it. It's great exercise, but I have to be careful not to fall. I'm really looking forward to getting a dog.
Petal- I won't be getting a designer dog that's for sure. Our last dog was an Australian Silky Terrier, which I got from the mother of one of our staff in the hotel. She was the runt of the litter & was tiny. It was circumstantial getting her as our old dog was pining for her sister who was run over & she became available at the time. Our previous dog & her sister were rescue dogs.
LaMa- I think all dogs shed a little, LaMa, but the poodles seem to shed the least. They also rate well with temperament & intelligence. The Aust silky's hair grows like human hair & I loved my little silky. I am trying to get a dog that can spend a lot of its time outside though. I love Yorkies & Schnauzers too. I will do the rounds of the pounds when it's getting closer to March.

I had a good day today, even though it rained almost all day. We needed that rain. We need more. I'm glad I got on my bike first thing this morning though or it would have felt very lazy.
I spotted a Forrest Raven with a broken wing just outside our bedroom before it got dark. If it's still there in the morning our older son said he'd call in & try to catch it.

 

[Llama]

The Aust silky's hair grows like human hair & I loved my little silky.

I seem to remember it´s the same with poodles: their coat is more like hair than fur and so while they lose a little hair like we do they don´t really shed. But then I´m no expert Hope the raven is ok!

 

[aiminglow]

... it rained almost all day. We needed that rain.

Yes, indeed! Glad it rained for you ... a quick look at the news this morning even suggested it snowed somewhere or other - Victorian Alps, probably.

 

[alligatorob]

Hey Cate, sounds like you are enjoying the gardening. That is one of the things I miss in the winter here, when I win the lottery I may buy a second house in your neighborhood and fly down every October and home in May! Problem with that is so far no one has won the lottery without entering, never bought a ticket. And hey

but I have to be careful not to fall.

Yes, you do, as I was reminded today. As we get older the consequences of falling are worse. My wife and I were talking about it tonight and agreed that we need to be more careful, so do you.

I'm really looking forward to getting a dog

Good decision, dogs are great companions. We have never had anything but rescue dogs, from the pound or something similar. They are great dogs, except that if you get a young one you are never sure what it will grow into. When I was a teenager my parents picked up this big dog that had been abandoned in the woods. They took it to the vet who said it was a healthy puppy, probably a Newfoundland, it got to over 100 pounds. I am sure you will enjoy the dog.

Thanks for your words of advice and support on my diary of late, they are important to me.

 

[Cate]

LaMa- the Raven has disappeared. Our first son called in on his way to work. He said it might be survive. I'll keep an eye out for it.
Amy- it is freezing here today! I think we'll see snow on the mountains tomorrow.
Rob- gardening is so good for us, but I'm finding I have to be extra careful with my balance these are days. I am really looking forward to be getting a dog, but don't want to get one that will be too big for me to handle & control. I think we have a good thing going in the forum with mutual support. I know that you are feeling a bit down right now & I get that way going into Winter & occasionally when life just overwhelms me. We get through it, but it's nice to know that we have this space to share our feelings in.
Just got home from a shopping trip - salmon, new iron(zzz), new pillows, cotton blanket, lots of veg & somewine.
We visited an old friend that we hadn't seen for 10 years. He has some rare cancer. We were surprised to find him in seeming good health. I'm glad we visited. He seemed tickled pink.

 

[liza]

My garden is mostly native Australian shrubs, but also lots of herbs & some vegetables. It's a no-fuss garden really. I do have a double bank with lots of rocks & I am trying to make it easier to get around, so am moving lots of the rocks & mulching it. It's great exercise, but I have to be careful not to fall. I'm really looking forward to getting a dog.

That sounds like a really lovely garden--nice mix
I can spend hours working in a garden and note even notice the time passing. Such a great meditation. But yes, be careful and no falling! My issue I have to watch in the garden is my back after I hurt it a few years ago.

the Raven has disappeared.

oh hopefully his family came and helped him out! I love ravens

We visited an old friend that we hadn't seen for 10 years. He has some rare cancer. We were surprised to find him in seeming good health. I'm glad we visited. He seemed tickled pink.

Glad to hear your friend enjoyed the visit and seemed in good health

 

[Cate]

Hi, Liza. I really love getting outside & gardening & picking your own veggies & herbs takes some beating. Today we bought some lettuce & zucchini seedlings.
Our raven hasn't gone far. I'll put some water out for him, even though it might attract snakes. I don't believe in domesticating wildlife, but I don't want him to suffer.

 

[Llama]

Poor birdie. I hope they'll be ok.

 

[Petal001]

Thanks Cate for saying not to worry about all the diaries . I do like to try whip around them . I am always in awe of much you guys get to write sometimes . Just having a coffee break now so a little catch up . Glad to hear you are busy . It’s cold here too right now but no snow as of yet . Hope the bird remains ok . My daughter took a pic of a bird yesterday so here it is

 

[liza]

Hi, Liza. I really love getting outside & gardening & picking your own veggies & herbs takes some beating. Today we bought some lettuce & zucchini seedlings.
Our raven hasn't gone far. I'll put some water out for him, even though it might attract snakes. I don't believe in domesticating wildlife, but I don't want him to suffer.

Lettuce and Zucchini seedlings Maybe i can garden vicariously through you through my winter months!
I'm glad you are looking out for your raven; I'm sure he really appreciates it!

 

[Cate]

Hi, LaMa, Petal & Liza. I think the raven has a chance to survive as there are so many lizards about & I'll keep water out for him. If we can catch him & take him to a wildlife rescue he'll have a better chance.
Petal- that is such a cute bird & a great photo. Is that your bird feeder? I must put wild bird seed on my shopping list as I'm almost out. I try not to have the birds reliant on it, but put some out occasionally for a treat. We seem to have a good mix of plants for the native birds.
Liza- We don't have a large veggie garden but have 4 raised beds on one side of our house(fenced off from wallabies) & 2 on the other. Unfortunately, none of them is quite high enough & I think we'll have to try to build the 4 up a bit more & fence off the other 2. The wildlife is persistent around here You can't blame them. We have a little wild rabbit who does most of the damage in 2 of the 4 & wallabies seem to be able to just hop into the other 2. They decimated our tomatoes & zucchinis last year. We live on their land so have to adjust accordingly.

It is wild & windy here today, but not raining. G & I are going to get a load of wood for our fencing friend & I am going to do some more gardening/mulching. Tomorrow we both play golf. A couple of his friends from his old club are going to play with him at his new club.

 

[Petal001]

Hi Cate yes it’s the feeder but like that We don’t use all the time only really in winter . And it’s pretty frosty now . enjoy the golf tomorrow Cate x

 

[aiminglow]

Like Petal, I'm having trouble keeping up with diaries right now - everything you and others write is so interesting, too - I hate miss any! And... snow in Tasmania in December! This is amazing. I'm not sure where the snow was yesterday (or was it the day before?) I just saw fleetingly in the headline. Today I saw that this has been (across Australia) the driest spring (three month calendar spring) on record - ie for 120 years.

 

[Cate]

Hi, Petal. I feel the birds need some extra help in Winter too. I don't think tomorrow is going to be a pleasant day, weather-wise- cold & windy & maybe some showers.
Hi, Amy. Our weather is crazy now. It has been a very dry Spring here too. I think it is forecast to snow down to 900 metres tomorrow. I'll be rugging up at golf.
I got given some pigface cuttings today after we delivered a load of wood & am trying to get the energy to go plant them out. I have also been waiting for the wind to die down a bit.
I might just have a nana nap!

 

[liza]

Liza- We don't have a large veggie garden but have 4 raised beds on one side of our house(fenced off from wallabies) & 2 on the other. Unfortunately, none of them is quite high enough & I think we'll have to try to build the 4 up a bit more & fence off the other 2. The wildlife is persistent around here You can't blame them. We have a little wild rabbit who does most of the damage in 2 of the 4 & wallabies seem to be able to just hop into the other 2. They decimated our tomatoes & zucchinis last year. We live on their land so have to adjust accordingly.

That's a good attitude you have toward your garden visitors! It's always interesting sharing land with others!

 

[alligatorob]

I got given some pigface cuttings today

That conjures up some interesting visions, sounds like something from a horror film. Hopefully a pigface is some kind of plant?

Enjoy your spring, I miss ours.