THINKING ALLOWED

Oh yes, I am still doing lots of sitting and with it comes lots of thinking.

The other day I was thinking about something I had read about sitting for long spells.  It was suggested if you are using a computer, watching a batch of DVDs or similar, you should get up every 30 minutes and go for a little wander.  Apparently it is very good for your heart to do that.   I do tend to spend a couple of hours at a time on the computer on Facebook, looking after my farms in Farm Town, playing Scrabble or just researching one thing or another, and then of course there is blogging.

 I decided I would set my little kettle timer to 30 minutes and make sure I got up and wandered around for a few minutes when the little bell rang.  I have been doing that for several days now and, who knows, I may even lose a little weight through the increased activity.

I may have told you that Candy likes hunting lizards and geckos and often brings them in to show us.  Phil then hurriedly grabs the dustpan and brush and pops the poor little critter back in the garden.  Well, the other day Phil got in the car and there on the dashboard was what I call a fence lizard:

He tried to shoo it out through the door but it wasn't having any and disappeared somewhere under the dash.   Yesterday we visited our podiatrist and as I got back into the car I noticed something in the little hollow on my door (near the arm rest).  Yes, you've guessed it.....the poor little lizard.  We weren't sure if it had survived several days in the car but sure enough it was very lively and Phil was able to gently lift it out using his handkerchief and then pop it on the ground.  From there he guided it across to a patch of greenery and it ran up the kerbing and hid itself in there.  We think perhaps Candy had been chasing it in our driveway one day and to get out of her way it may have run up one of the tyres and then into the interior of the car.  It may be only a tiny creature but it felt so good to know we had saved its life and we wish it well.

It rained in Perth last night.....not a lot but at least it saved us having to water the garden (our set night) but I think the sprinklers will be out again on Tuesday night (our other set night).  We have had a real taste of summer during September and October and have virtually had no real spring weather with those usual delightful balmy days with spring showers.  Our dams and reservoirs are at their lowest level for many years.  By the time our summer ends in about March or April I think we will be well and truly ready and waiting for winter to begin in June.

FRIDAY FAVOURITES No 21

I have long been a fan of piano music, especially the classics.  I loved playing the piano and only wish my poor old hands were nimble enough to do so still.  Instead I enjoy listening to many artists doing so and one of my favourite composers is Frederic Chopin (born in Poland on 1 March, 1810; died Paris, France on 17 October, 1849).

Here one of Phil's favourite artists, Daniel Barenboim, plays Chopin's Waltz Op 64 Minute Waltz in D Flat Major.  (It is always called The Minute Waltz but actually takes about 1 minute 45 seconds to complete).

Thanks once again to YouTube without which I would be lost.  I often just sit hear and listen to all sorts of wonderful music while I am doing something or other on another browser.  I do hope you will enjoy this.

WEDNESDAY WISDOM 20

In other words, remember to stop and smell the roses occasionally.  There's a lot of beauty around us that we often miss.

MONDAY MIRTH 20

Once again an attempt to bring a smile to your face and begin the week well for you.

Trouble is I can still read the figures on mine but then ours is electronic and the figures are quite large!!!

FRIDAY FAVOURITES No 20

I am running a tad late this week so had to quickly think up one of my favourites from the dim, distant past.

This is a song that was very popular for a long while.  Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul and Mary found on YouTube.  Hope you too will enjoy it as much as I did, hearing it for the first time in many years.

I rather liked the pictures that go with this version rather than just watching three people singing.  This is actually the very first time I had listened carefully to the words and I was saddened when I realised that Puff had lost his little friend and had withdrawn into his cave.  Just shows it does pay to listen to the words.

MY FAVOURITE GARDEN FLOWERS

Although I have only ever grown them in pots or hanging baskets I am sure you could plant KALANCHOE as as border plant as well (see below).

My first kalanchoe was given me by my next door neighbour and it survives still.  I have bought several over the years and love the beautiful flowers of so many different hues.

Kalanchoe is a genus of about 125 species of tropical, succulent flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, mainly native to the Old World.  Only one species of this genus originates from the Americas. 56 from southern and eastern Asia and 60 species in Madagascar. 

Most are shrubs or perennial herbacious plants, but a few are annual or biennial.  The largest Kalanchoe beharensis from Madasgascar, can reach 6 metres (20ft) tall, but most species are leas than 1 metre (3ft) tall.

These plants are cultivated as ornamental houseplants and rock or succulent garden plants.  They are popular because of their ease of propagation, low water requirements. and the wide variety of flower colours typically borne in clusters well above the foliage.

WEDNESDAY WISDOM

For some reason today's wisdom appeared on Monday last so my job for this week is done.

I have no idea why that happens as I do try to be careful to set the time and dates correctly but this corroborates this weeks wisdom.....my imperfections do make me perfect.

Have a great day everyone.