Latest blogs

I'm trying to have my blog open on the latest post (rather than the first) so hopefully this will work.

Everyone loves a newborn

Our neighbour's mare had a dear little colt last early yesterday morning. Horses all around have been waiting patiently from mum to bring the little to the fence-lines so that they can have a good look. Our 3 horses spent a couple of hours in the corner watching and neighing to the mare. The neighbour's other horses were at another fence-line doing the same. I know it is silly to attribute human emotions to animals, but that mare looks like she is showing him off today she is bringing him a bit closer to the fences. One of the neighbour's horses has spent nearly all day on the fence line yesterday and today, hope she gets a good look soon.

On a sad note the little koala that was shot did not survive. Apparently these morons went out of their way to shoot the baby and his mum because Aust. Zoo vets say the autopsy shows he was shot within a 2m range. How pathetic is the shooter - how could you do that - hope the moron gets some psychiatric help soon.

Killing Koalas

What is the world coming to?  In the last few days we have reports of morons shooting koalas. In the Queensland incident a baby and mother were shot with the result that the little one (Doug) is fighting for his life. They hope the infection stabilises to the extent that they can operate to remove the slugs tomorrow. His prognosis is not good. They say the RSPCA is investigating the incident, but given their track record of not being able to secure tough sentences from the courts it should be a police matter. Although the police are not having much luck in the courts either. It makes you a bit fearful to think about the sort of society we live in when we hear of such reports of animal (and even child) cruelty knowing that even if the perpetrators are caught, they will be treated with mind-boggling leniency.

Yesterday I noticed my credit card listed $99 that my anti-virus software people had helped themselves to for the 2010 upgrade. I had removed the software from my computer some months ago because it was so slow. So I contacted the people, spent the whole day yesterday waiting for various downloads. Many emails to the 'support' place - the lengthy, duplicated replies seem to be going nowhere. I must remember to file off advice that I do not want the 2011 upgrade and withdraw any authority to access my credit card  (that I may have given - must have been in the fine print somewhere). I reckon there would be a few others getting stuck with this credit card raid as I notice this anti-virus software is listed as being installed on many of the computers advertised today.

Avatar

Off to see Avatar today. Apparently it takes 160 mins so I hope it is worth the drive to Nerang.

Recent rain has seen the property turn green and means the mowers run most days. I'm hoping for follow-up rain.

This is the front yard and paddocks - the chooks are out and about but the horses are in the side paddocks waiting to be fed.

Cluny needlepoint

Recently I won 2 tapestry canvases on Ebay for a fraction of their retail price but how to work them so that the fine detail shows has been a problem. I considered all sorts of options but have decided that the best way to do them is to use Paternayan and Elsa Williams yarn. I think the final product will look really good because of the ability to split the Paternayan wool. A difficulty is that both these yarns have been discontinued apparently so getting hold of the yarn is dicey. I have enough of the Elsa Williams to do the burgundy background and I am waiting on a response from a seller who may have the Paternayan. Fingers crossed.
Here are the unworked canvases - they include a lot of fine detail so I reckon they should keep me occupied for some time. I would love to see the original Cluny tapestries.

Blog modified

Well the guide to modifying the blog worked well - at least I know how to change my header and backgrounds so from time to time I will be able to change it to reflect moods and seasons. I'm one of those irritating people who regularly changes my forum avatars. I wonder though why it is that we have fabulous web page software (I use Dreamweaver) yet we do not seem to have something similar for making your own blogs from scratch.

Today I'm hoping to get the spagnum moss to complete a couple of terrariums that have been waiting for ages.

Customising my blog template

Cricket is on this afternoon so while I watch it I am going to have a bash at customising my blog - so today this page could look like a dog's dinner. I've downloaded a cheat's guide so we'll see how it turns out.

When I was teaching I used to have dozens of web pages for various class projects - sometimes a page would be put together before school so that the kids could work at their own pace. Since retirement my web site is mostly dormant as it only contains those essential links such as Tattslotto results - Bureau of Met. radar for my area - quite a sad little site. I have not put any time into fiddling with the blog layout so that is the project for today.

Yesterday's yogurt turned out fine, so there's gadget that will not go straight to gadget heaven.
This morning I have put a couple of hours into the garden. I've cleared a bed we had around one of our big trees as it was looking very overgrown and a haven for slithery things. I moved a tree fern and 2 large birds' nest ferns plus a collection of other plants. The big tree has a few huge surface roots which I need to mark that off with something to protect it from the ride-on - I have quite a few bromelliad pups so they should be ideal. I love the sense of achievement you get from a bit of effort in the garden.