Archives for August 2021

“I can’t control what negative thoughts come into my mind, but I can control how long they stay there.”  These were the words of Matt Chisholm as I listened to one of my favourite radio programmes this morning and they resonated with me.

Jamie was replaying an interview he’d had with Matt during the week on his week day programme – The Country, (NewstalkZB 12 noon – 1 pm).  Matt has just published his book titled “Imposter” and he was talking candidly about his battle with booze and depression.  To hear the full interview click on this link: The Country – Matt Chisholm edition – NZ Herald.  Jamie talks a lot about mental health and it’s effects on our farmers and their families.

Saturday morning treats

Saturday morning is one of my favourite radio listening times.  6 – 7 am with Jamie Mackay, of “The Country” it’s an agribusiness radio programme.  Jamie replays the best of his week day interviews – always refreshing and thought provoking.  Then I change the radio station and listen to Country Life from 7 – 8am on Radio NZ.   Both these programmes are informative and enlightening to what is happening in our rural communities.  What are your favourite radio programmes?

Then I am off for my morning bike ride.  Today I cycled around Te Miro, Waterworks Road and back through Scotsman Valley.  (It also makes a breath-taking car journey – the scenery on a fine day is magnificent.)  It is one of my favourite rides, one which I enjoy riding on my own because then I don’t have to keep up with anyone on the hills – I can ride them at my pace – slowly. I can also stop and take photographs whenever I like.

Got a surprise to see this new daycare centre  The Forest ECE  – hadn’t seen that before.  Looks like lots of fun.  Have any of you had children or grandchildren go to a forest school or daycare like this before?  If so, I would love to hear your experiences and thoughts.

With my mind was free to wonder and dream (no audio books today) I came up with some new ideas for my blog which I’ll talk about shortly.

But first, thank for your comments and recommendations today, I appreciate you taking the time to post your thoughts.  I would like my blog to be a platform where you my readers can post things, discuss topics or whatever.  If you have an article, photographs or any suggestions please feel free to email me hdwickham@gmail.com.

Family favourite recipe

This brings me to my next suggestion – sharing your favourite family recipe.  What do your think?  My thoughts are you can either type the recipe out in an email or your can take a photo of it and send it as an email attachment and I’ll do my best to make it look good.  If you have a photo of the finished recipe that helps.  To start this off I’m posting one of our family favourites, which many of you have tasted and enjoyed.

Rafer’s favourite

My Mum used to make this for Rafer.  To view the recipe click here or the link above.

Brain teasers

This was another idea – thanks to Patricia.  Answers at the bottom of this blog post.

Today’s quote

Thank you “Carly of Tamahere” for today’s quote.

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy that is translated through you: and because there is
only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique.”

Martha Graham

Answers to brain teasers

1. Big bad wolf
2. Top secret
3. Tuna
4. Misunderstood

Do you like the idea of the brain teasers?  Well that is it for tonight.  Take care – GoldCard Gal 🙂

Neighourhood scenes

Just heard on the radio that our current lockdown will continue until midnight Tuesday.  Guess that was expected considering the latest cases. How do you feel about that?

Thank you for your feedback, I always enjoy reading your comments, and today a suggested list of books to read.  For the book list check Day two comments – thank you Marg.

Highlight of my day

Opening my red letterbox this morning I got a lovely surprise – a letter from my grand-daughter Delilah and a current school photograph. It was a lovely letter and written very well.  I have been communicating by ‘snail mail’ for several years now with her and her sister Poppy.  What prompted me to start writing to them was when they were preschoolers their job was to check the little letterbox everyday to see if there was any mail.  It occurred to me what excitement it would be if there was a letter for them in the box when they checked it.  At that stage they could recognise their names.  It brought back happy memories of my mum writing to my children when they were young and the excitement they felt when receiving something in the mail.

It is rewarding watching the development of their printing and drawing skills along with increased vocabulary.  What they write about and how they are starting to answer my questions is special.  It has been over two years since I last spent time with them in Australia, and I’m secretly hoping that by November I should be able to visit them again.

Something new

One of my hiking buddies Yvonne has often talked about listening to audio books and how useful she found them.  This morning I decided I’d download a book and see how it worked while out on a training walk.  It took some time to find a suitable book and settled on Burt Bacharach “Anyone Who Had a Heart: My Life and Music”.  I’ve always loved Burt’s music and went to his concert in Auckland in 2015. Even at 87 yrs old he could still make music memorable.

I am generally very happy having no distractions while I walk, just letting my mind wonder, dream, reflect and plan, whatever.  I did read once how important it is to let our minds “completely rest” especially today with so many distractions demanding our attention.  Anyway, today I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audio book.  I did notice that I never really checked my surroundings, my focus was just looking where I was putting my feet and listening to the story.  I can see the benefit of audio books and will probably listen to more on my longer training walks.

What has your experience been with audio books?  Any tips or ticks I should know about them? Any recommendations?

What has been your highlight today?

Quote for the day

“I’ve got some bad news and I’ve got some good news.
Nothing lasts forever.”
by Kate McGahan

As I write this, Les and Carol have arrived in Picton and looking for somewhere to stay tonight.  Their ferry crossing was delayed and they had another police check.  They were advised by “Roscoe” (policeman) to take their time driving home , so they will be staying in Geraldine Saturday night and arriving in Cromwell on Sunday.  Safe and happy travels Les and Carol.  🙂

That is it tonight.  Have you got any news or happenings in your world you would like to share?  What book are your currently reading?

Take care – GoldCard Gal 🙂

Scenes of Matangi

This morning felt like spring.  What has the weather been like in your neighbourhood?

 

 

“Shall I start blogging again?” was the thought that materialised in my mind this morning as I was out walking. One part of me said “why not” another part said “who would be interested?” and yet another part said “stuff it, you have friends who live alone and may cherish the thought that I am thinking about them.  Who knows what I’m going to write about and how long this lockdown will last so “just go for it” is what my mind is telling me.

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained” is a favourite saying of mine, so here I am – giving this daily posting another go and more importantly just letting you know I’m thinking about you.

Posting a daily blog during lockdown forces me to observe and record the little vistas of beauty that appear in my everyday life.  Even though the world outside my world is crazy and unpredictable at the moment I consciously acknowledge the things I can be thankful for, which seems to lighten my emotional being.

What are your feelings about this lockdown?

How are you feeling about being in lockdown again?  Are your thoughts similar to mine, “knew it would happened sometime, but secretly hoping it doesn’t?” I feel for the small business operators and those with staff; cafes and restaurant owners who have stock that can’t be used for at least three days, and not to forget our essential workers who deserve our appreciation for jobs well done.  But this Delta variant is a whole new issue.  Guess seeing what is happening in Oz is a stark reminder of what can happen here, for that reason I’m happy to be in lockdown, how about you?

48 hrs to get home

My brother Les and his wife Carol arrived at my home last night after their nine day adventure up north only to hear on the News last night that people had 48 hrs to get home.  This is not an issue if you live in the North Island but they live in Cromwell, the heart of Central Otago.  After much discussion and planning they’re heading south tomorrow.  The earliest Cook Strait ferry crossing they could get was for Saturday.  A little outside the 48 hrs but being retirees and  medically compromised we feel sure they will pass the current restrictions!!  Safe and happy travels Les and Carol and may you return home safe and well .  🙂

They both loved their adventure north, meeting people from a variety of backgrounds, experiencing the Northland hospitality and visiting many of the hot tourist spots for the first time.  Northland is such contrast to the rugged landscapes of Central Otago.

What are your plans for the next couple of days?

With lockdown in place, for many of us it is a great time to get those odd jobs done, no excuses now.  What plans or tasks do you hope to achieve in the next few days?  I would love to hear about them.  One of my priorities is to finish knitting Rafer’s (son) birthday present and writing to my grand-daughters.  This involves creating cards and using water paints to paint unusual characters which they seem to love. Pinterest is a great provider of ideas.

Perhaps it is is also a time to reflect.  I found this quote and thought it was very relevant to our world at present:

“In the rush to return back to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.”

That is it for tonight, short and sweet.  Look forward to hearing from you.  Take care out there – GoldCard Gal 🙂