Catapillars - Kaput

The caterpillars have GONE. Just DISAPPEARED. No more swan plant = NO MORE CATERPILLARS. It makes me quite SAD because they were getting quite FAT. I have no idea where they have gone.

I have gardener's hair. Dry and sunburnt. I probably should have got it cut before I start my new job - which is tomorrow. I tried to blowdry it today as a practice run for tomorrow. It was a futile attempt. I haven't had it cut since my interviews - over 4 months ago. I think I will get it cut on Friday.

I googled how to impress in your new job or something like that. Advice included carrying a suitcase. I'll probably settle for a handbag. I fear I may be very hot in work clothes tomorrow.

I need to stay more than three months in this job I start tomorrow. I need to make it work in more ways than one for me.

Third series of Prison Break starts in seven minutes.

Bark burn

I have bark burn. This occurs when you transport a truckload of bark with a bucket because you do not have a wheelbarrow. In any case if I had wheelbarrow I probaby would have used the bucket as it allows for precision when downloading the bark onto the soil. Bark burn occurs when you hold the bucket - full of bark chips in the one place against your leg. The good thing about bark burn is that once you stop holding the bucket of bark against your leg it does appear to begin to heal. - Yes, the bark pile is now all on the garden.

I also have lip burn - and fear turing up at my new palce of employment with stuffed lips on both sides so are trying to heal them retrospectively with lip balm.

The caterpillars have all descended to the bottom of the swan plant. There is not much swan plant left. Although some of them are now quite fat I fear my science project may be doomed. I tried putting some nice big juicy vine leaves and rubarb leaves to save their lives. I am not sure what will happen once they run our of leaves....and if they don't take to the vine and rurbarb leaves.

Also, catapillars have heads and antlers at both ends! - still this wont be much good if they die fo stravation.

My new PA and lawnmowers

My new PA left a message on my cellphone today. It instructed me to arrive at my new workplace at 9am "sharp" on Tuesday. If I had any problem with that I was informed to ring her back. In part I was relieved to have it confirmed that next week I would be back in the paid workforce, especially as my new manager is on leave next week but assured me that arrangements would be in place for me to start work. But part of me objected to
the instruction of arriving at 9am "sharp". Especially when this PA got the time for my first interview wrong and especially when actually I an anally punctual. I don't know why I object to the word "sharp" but I do. Anyway, next week I am back in the heart of the Labour workforce. I'm ambivalent, nervous and angry all mixed into one for various reasons.

Today I received $11.00 for my Dad's old lawnmower and rotary hoe. The trademe guy came in a little hatchback and dissembled them. I felt like I was saying goodbye to an old and trusted friend letting go of the lawnmower. Boy, have that lawnmower and I done some mileage together. But I kind of like that both the mower and rotary hoe will be recycled and not just lay dormant in my garage.


In other breaking news, the single woman living alone next door had her lawn mowed by Mr Green today. This required a ride on lawnmower due to the height of the lawn. This means she can now meander on her lawn. So, I suspect I may be seeing more of her.

In a brief conversation yesterday on lawnmowers and Mr Green I volunteered that once she had her lawn mower under control I would be happy for her to borrow mine.

Catapillars

Today I counted 8 caterpillars on my swan plant - which is now looking a little worse the wear for hosting the caterpillars. They just appeared. Those monarch butterflies must have been doing the business on that plant.

Now I await the further developments - and must remember to carefully hose where the swan plant is located. I could google (and probably will at some stage) to find out all the technical details - but for now I am just enjoying watching the rapid progress without any need for scientific detail.

Having never did fifth form science I am enjoying my swan science project. It would be my top tip to encourage young children to take interest in the garden.

Announcing death while I am in the garden

Today I learned in the garden that Hone Tuwhare had died. Last week it was Sir Edmund Hilary. Both were in their eighties and both were legends in their own way. But legends die too. And when they do, who follows in their footsteps? This meant that I got to listen to lots of cool tribute Tuwhare music. My favourite being Don McGlashans version of Rain.

As the National Radio announcer said Hone Tuwhare was lots of things to different people. For me, what I remember most is him coming to Wainuiomata College when I was in Moana Jackson's class in the fifth form. I now get the connection but didn't at the time. For each of those men words are powerful because they use them wisely, each in their different ways.

I think at the time it was some poets in schools thing. So, Hone Tuwhare was the first real life poet I saw perform. He was funny. He was an entertainer. He was real. Sam Hunt followed and he too was great.

I've seen them both perform in recent years, and enjoyed their ability to perform. But those first performances I saw will always hold something special in my memory.

Boots

Have you ever noticed how council gardener's wear boots? Well, there is very good reason for this. Jandals and gumboots are fine for a quick sojourn in one's garden, but when you are doing a full days work in the heat of summer and midday sun if you wear jandals or gumboots your feet sweat and you begin to slip. You also after awhile not only get dirty feet but cracked feet.

I have resorted to wearing "boots". I am sure this is good idea because it means my feet are supported. But in wearing boots one has to wear socks. The socks get incredibly dirty and now I have to soak them in Napisan. It's hard work being a gardener.

I am about half way through my barkchip pile. Tomorrow I will make significant progress and hope to reduce what is left by half again. My truckload of bark has become my Everest. I will be glad when I have knocked the bastard off - not of course to undermine Sir Eds achievements - which because I listen to National Radio - I heard about five times the day he died.

The cost of a visit to Wellington

Yesterday I went to visit someone in Island Bay. On face value this should have cost me $26.00 for the train fare plus the bus fare. It turns out the bus fare cost $3.50 each way. It would have been cheaper had the bus driver reminded me that day trippers were cheaper off I was travelling off peak. So, all up this trip cost to Island Bay cost me $33.00 for a cup of coffee with a former colleague. Ok, now I have defied the rule of putting a price on friendship. Now normally I have no problems about my commuter costs. Its the price I pay for living in the Wairarapa. Having worked this out the reverse is also true. If someone visits me it costs them $26.00. If not in public transport then petrol/car costs. My actual day yesterday though ended up costing much more than that. Hence, the remainder of my unemployment period will be spent in happy hibernation.

How to attract butterflies into your garden
Inspired by a young boy at the plant centre I purchased a swan plant. It works. Plant a swan plant and the monarch butterfly goes straight for it. I'm not sure how this works. But it works. I like monarch butterflies. There is something quite majestic about them.