Quote for the day: “Challenges are what makes life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” by Joshua J Marine.
What did you do on day two? Any interesting events, thoughts, reflections, or experiences you want to share? (Remember to post them.)
Thank you for your posts, and thank you for taking the time to contribute – makes for interesting reading.
I’ve decided to include a quote each day and an image from my garden. This morning I’ve listened to a webinar on “How to manage your product / team with a Style Guide” by Emily Cotlier from Write. It was quite informative. Then washed my back porch, finished stacking the fire wood and mowed my lawns – pretty pleased with the completed jobs. Here is my new woodshed. Thank you Brian for encouraging me get it rebuilt, it’s just what every girl needs- right! And from what the chimney sweep man told me, you need plenty of air circulating around your stacked wood.
Working from home
Some of you are working from home, here is a useful link with plenty of suggestions: Tips on working from home
Something special
As promised yesterday I have something quite special to share. The following poem was written by Jaz Hinton (14 years old at the time), who has overcome cancer. Jaz is the son of Floss (niece) and Brad who live in New Plymouth. To be able to write in such a way I find exceptional. And to put one’s feelings into words like he does is quite extraordinary. Can’t wait Jaz to read more of your work – keep it up.
Ambitious
Everything is easy, no worries, no hesitation, no failure.
He strolls through simple days, no knowing what is ahead.
Suddenly he falls, chilling daunting darkness.
He worries, he hesitates.
He is lost.
Darkness takes over, somehow it shows him the way.
Cancer does no harm, it only makes him stronger.
He tells himself “I will work hard, everyday”
Now knowing life’s worth.
Nothing can stop him, from the success in his future.
Working for self improvement, he never gives up.
He wants to be the best.
“I will work hard, everyday”
The darkness recedes.
He now knows the way, better than he ever did before.
No worries, no hesitation.
He is found.
Jaz attends New Plymouth Boys High School and last year won the award for leadership and service, called “Be the Example Award” and 2nd top student academic scholar for year 10. Congratulations Jaz your are a ‘role model’ and we are all very proud of what you and your family have overcome.
That is it until tomorrow – day three. Wonder what this new day will bring? Take care out there and stay in your bubble. GoldCard Gal 🙂
Lockdown day 3
The first lockdown Saturday.
Usual practice is to be up early to meet and cycle with friends, visit cafes for coffee and solve all the world’s problems, which usually is completed around midday.
Dawn came, quiet and peaceful with sunshine, no wind, clear cool air, visibility for ever; the perfect day, and LOCKDOWN.
Through the open bedroom window there is usually at this time of day the hum of city life coming from over the hill. More recently, the intermittent roar of hot air balloons leading up to the now cancelled annual Waikato balloon festival.
Just birdsong today.
Occasionally the distant sound of car tyres from the main Raglan road.
An essential supermarket employee going to restack shelves?
Breakfast taken considerably later.
I have started with the lawn, to de-thatch that is. A repetitious job of pushing back and forth, a multi-bladed long handled rake like device.
The problem? Remove the built up residue of dead grass and clippings together with the inevitable infestation of moss.
The target? To encourage new growth for a better looking lawn than the neighbours!
The back now aches and I can now reliably inform you that it looks very much like I will need a considerable chunk of the lockdown to complete this job.
A significantly harder task than taking on the whole of the North American continent’s “Injun” warriors! Oh to 6 years old again!
A communiqué arrives; lunch is ready.
I immediately respond as this allows for much needed rest and relaxation.
There was an idea in the news to present local children with an entertaining exercise of “bear hunts” while out getting fresh air. The wife therefore has placed a number of teddy bears into a bay window that overlooks our street. Not much response as yet.
I hope they do not frighten and upset all the newly exercised dogs currently passing by.
Where were all these dogs over the last 9 years?
What’s more; who are all these new neighbours?
Are yes, they must be the pilots of the fleets of ballistic cars that usually hurtle past our house early in the mornings and late in the afternoons.
R&R over!
Best go and do some pedalling in the garage. Keep the fitness levels up.
Another 25Kms and this time in 55 minutes, even so the wall on the other side of the garage is still no closer.
Observing the street from within my bubble in the garage, my inside fitness regime appears to have spread and been contracted like the virus by everyone in the surrounding suburbs, however not in way that seems appropriate.
People never seen before are running, skating, scooting, jogging and walking past our house in ever increasing numbers.
This afternoon it was almost a constant stream and does not seem to be normal behaviour. While they appear to be in “bubbles” at present, I worry that they are treating the lockdown as a kind of enforced visit to a wellness centre. It tends to imply that the seriousness of the stay indoors and isolation process is either not fully understood or that already people are treating it with some amusement or worse, contempt.
It is only day 3. What will they be doing on day 20?
I hope my new fear is misplaced.
NZ is now at 451 cases.
Has the horse bolted?
Thank you “unhurried in Hamilton”, love some of your descriptions. Yes I also can’t get over the number of people out exercising, we’re sure going to have a fit and healthy nation by the end of 28 days!! I’m also trying to de-thatch my lawn, are you going to throw grass seed over it once you have finished? I’ve got heaps of weeds I’m also trying to get rid of – slowly!
Hi Heather, Geoff reporting in.
Life on the farm is not a lot different for me.
Just Cynthia and I in the bubble but I have a declaration in the truck that are an essential worker.
We also sneaked in a great holiday with the Eastons around Northland 2 weeks ago. The beachs were beautiful and summer–a distant memory today as wet and cold and just lit the fire.!
My day starts with a drive at daylight to check aarons cowshed. The new robot is going great but the cows are reluctant to wake up in the dark. By the time I call them and hose out te shed the leaders have arrived, Robot is waiting and first cow has been washed and cupped, with a queue of others waiting quietly behind.
Cynthia also rose early and dropped a meal into Aarons mailbox and stopped at 4 square for bread and milk and nobody else in shop–wore disposable gloves and dumped.
For me it is time on the computer but must admit we hooked up netflix and discovered “Toyboys ” is not just a movie but a sreial that has got us hooked for 3 days!
Still have lawns to mow, fence to fix here and now a book I have started and can never stop a good book once started.
Must admit a great time to be a farmer and income or work must go on.
Leo has shut his gymns but very relieved his wage subsidy has come through and can keep paying his staff.
This afternoon as it clears will go with Cynthia for a walk but it is easy to be omly ones there in the bush reserve.
Oh to be a farmer–deep freeze full of meat, bag of spuds and veges can come out of wherever!
Lots of love C & G
Great to hear about life on the farm Geoff – thank you. Always keen to hear how Aaron’s robotic milking is going. Of course Leo having to shut his gyms – thank goodness for wage subsidies. From what I’ve seen today New Zealanders are going to be super fit by the end of 4 weeks self-isolation. Be interesting to see health statistics in coming weeks about visits to Doctor and other weight/lack of exercise related issues. I trust all the farming doomsayers will have a change of heart over the coming days/weeks especially so as primary industry is feeding everyone and will ultimately save this country!! Take care Cynthia & Geoff 🙂
“Isn’t life strange” The Moody Blues :: I would listen to this when I was much younger and now the LP is in the shed with the stereo in a box: task for next week is to get them out: And now an update from Wanaka I-solution( yes I know it’s not that but it seems a more positive word) Well things have gone real quiet: around the track to Albert Town the other day and I’ve never seen so many people out: that was day 1: on day 2 we went for a wee walk around the block in the evening: as others have said people were very friendly; nice to see: a guy was sitting on the front of the section with the owners on the terrace talking to them :we could have joined in and I don’t think they would have minded: and yes even though the supermarket and diary are open there are very few people in them: we think everyone has gone on line: I hear from people in the UK regularly and it seems we are better off: our friends there are over 70 and they are wondering when will it end: and how will they manage: the unknown is frightening but went we look back on this we will have all learnt alot: as a friend says if you are going to do something don’t put it off: 😊: until the next time
I like the idea of ‘Wanaka I-solution’, much better than ‘Wanaki I-problem’ or ‘Wanaka I-issues’ eh! You seem to be experiencing what we are experiencing up in The Mightly Waikato. People out exercising and happy to chat (of course keeping the 2m boundary). Yes we’ll learn a lot from this experience. Look forward to hearing that the Moody Blues LP and stereo are out of that box and being played. Thanks for your contribution! 🙂
Morning Heather, great photo of the new wood shed, well done. I was 2 minutes into my 5 minute meditation yesterday when Tony arrived knocking on the door full of excitement with some mushrooms from the paddock. My new relaxed meditated self surfaced, so instead of what would have been my normal response of ‘bugger off I’m meditation can’t I even get 5 mins to myself’. I calmly opened the door expressed delight at the produce then returned and started again on my 5 mins. Hence yesterday could have counted at 7 mins but I will stay on track and try 5 mins for 5 days before progressing on to 7 mins. Perhaps it is working!!! This morning Tony and I ventured out for a 15 mins bike ride just around our neighbourhood and the roads were very busy with others riding bikes and walking, so people are certainly getting out and about while they can. Now off to make savoury scones to have with soup for lunch. Loved the poem from Jaz what an inspiration.
Well done Carly – so the meditation is starting to have an effect?? Thank you for sharing your journey. 🙂
Yesterday was a blur, just getting back to normality after a wonderful (cut short) holiday in the South Island. I am in a bubble of one as Bryan had to go back to the farm but life is good. Had coffee with the “cul de sac” at 10 a.m. which was fun and drinks will be tomorrow at 5 p.m. Everyone stands or sits by their letter box. I have been invited to a virtual lunch next week using House Party, an app which is easily downloaded. Seems like people are making life work for them albeit just in a different way. For me, this time is going to be a good reflection time and plans for my future.
Thank you Denise, love the idea of a virtual lunch. How exciting to have that extra time to plan for the future 🙂
Thanks Heather, for your blog on Jaz.
We all have our gifts, it just takes some of us, alittle while to find them. Lol! I think when you are forced into a life threatening illness. You do have a deeper understanding of what really matters in life, and how special life is.
Jaz now looks at his Brain tumour as a blessing. He recently did a speech on it at his school. I will see if he doesn’t mind sharing it.