24 January 2022
I haven't written posts for my blog for a couple of years. Life became a bit challenging after my last post on 8 Dec 2019. Both personally and globally.
In December 2019 Pa was doing ok in the rest home although he was declining - though he wasn't too bad for ninety-three! He especially enjoyed the singing with musical therapist Rani. One day I noticed an area on his temple that looked a bit suspect, plus some swelling of his jaw and his speech was a bit muffled. Tests were done and ultimately showed that the Basal cell cancer he'd had in the past had returned. This was not unexpected as when he'd had an operation for it previously lab results showed the surgeon hadn't been able to get all of the cancer cells as the extent of the operation would have negatively impacted his quality of life.
The cancer was terminal and his expected time remaining was around ten weeks to three months. We made the most of the time we had with him. In mid February 2020 he was moved to the hospital level care of the home he was in. I last saw him on 28th February 2020 when I visited with a few other family members. Rani was there and despite his exhaustion there was Pa tapping away on the chair to the rhythm of the songs Rani was playing and singing for the residents. It was a lovely time as music and singing had been such a large part of his life. He passed away in the evening of 29 February 2020 - not exactly expected then but not unexpected either. We were blessed to have his funeral on the 6th March 2020 with many family members present.
We were blessed because the first Covid-19 case in New Zealand was notified on 28th February 2020. It had spread quickly from country to country since about 1st December 2019 when it was first noted. The borders to the country shut to all but New Zealand citizens and permanent residents on 19th March. At 11:59 pm on 25 March, 2020 the entire country moved into lockdown.
Others had it a lot tougher than we did, all those who couldn't attend funerals of their loved ones due to Lockdown.
So as everyone knows the whole world has been topsy turvy since then and we are now into the third year of a worldwide pandemic. Omicron is the latest variant to hit our shores - via the border which is still mostly closed, and those who do come in to the country need to spend time in isolation facilities, which are generally hotels.
Life has been weird and challenging for everyone. There have been a few other personal challenges as well but on the whole life has been good.
I'm still sewing and making dance costumes. I created a website for my small business at the beginning of last year. There are a few things I'm doing for professional development to keep honing my skill level for costumes.
Last year I also began a Permaculture Design Certificate which I'm continuing this year. Organics and Permaculture is something I've been interested in for over 20 years so I decided some more in depth study would be great.
I'm planning on posting regularly and using this blog as a record/journal of my "wilderness" garden exploits.
So here are a few photos to start off with. Bits of it haven't changed much in a few years - especially the long spring grass!
We planted some grasses a couple of years ago down the front which are doing well. We've just planted some more to fill in the gaps
Two baby oaks are surviving of the ones we transplanted from acorns that had sprouted, dropped from the tree we'd grown from an acorn as children. We got them before the family home was sold last year.
Boar has just replaced the treads on these steps as the other ones were rotting, becoming unsafe.
Treasures under the Camelia. A fern and some Kawakawa.
So excited to finally have a lemon tree growing reasonably well - and some decent sized lemons on it. I've been trying to grow one on and off for thirty years. Must have finally got the right place!
A cherry tomato - I did plant a few more but they died. Still time to plant some seeds as they might grow in the greenhouse. I spotted buds on this a few days ago.
And today when I checked the first one is opening. This year I'll try to get them underway earlier.
Two of my favourite books. I've had them nearly 20 years. So much great information in them.
A mandarin my brother grew from a pip and gifted to us. In the teal bucket is some nettle I planted a couple of days ago. I got the nettle from whanau in Pongaroa. It's best in a tub so it doesn't spread.
I gave the nettle a chop so it will have a better chance at growing roots.
A few strawberries. Not the plumpest, and something has been eating one but they tasted ok.
Some pavers I made a couple of years ago.
The comfrey had become all overgrown so I harvested it and it's being turned into liquid fertiliser which is very good for tomatoes, and other plants too.
I picked a Compassion rosebud today. I usually pick a few each year to enjoy inside. They have such a lovely scent.
