World of Wearable Art Winner

World of Wearable Art

Each year in Wellington, we host the World of Wearable Art, an amazing competition with entries from all over the world. Here is a poster advertising it. The winner this year was an artist from Alaska who made a crinoline from planed wood. It was extraordinary.

Sign language at the office

Earlier this week, the battle of words between two colleagues notched up a level. The person who posted it, just before he left the office for the day is now in serious trouble.

Small pleasures

I hate washing up. This morning, elbow deep in soap suds, I wanted to sneeze (why does that always happen?). Milliseconds later a large moth fluttered by my nose and landed next to the dish rack.
I didn’t want he / she to get wet and impede take off, so I dried my hands and tried to catch her, to help her escape through the kitchen window.
She decided to play hard to get and fluttered off. Mindful that my “I like to snack on moths and stick insects” cat was hovering, watching the proceedings, I knew I couldn’t leave moth-brain to herself. She was now basking in the shade on a piece of wall too high for me to access. What to do? I have a gammy leg at the moment, and wouldn’t trust myself to stand on a chair.
Enter stage right, large yellow feather duster. Ah yes, the perfect way to collect a moth. She dutifully hopped on a feather and enjoyed the ride down to my nose level. After saying a fond farewell, we parted, she through the gap in the kitchen window, and me, back to my soapsuds.

Scirrocco, Harmatan, Schamel

Photo Reuters
....I'm not sure what we should call the red dust storm which hit Sydney and Queensland, except perhaps scary. Today the storm is due to hit NZ, with severe weather warnings up and down the country. Farmers have been advised to keep their livestock indoors as flooding is forecast in many areas. Oh and asthmatics have been warned to stay indoors.

Forever grateful

I have been having trouble with my achilles tendon and more recently the back of one of my knees. in combination they have caused me to have sleepless or restless nights. During the day I have been in pain. Today I managed to see a doctor who recommended physio and losing weight. The latter is easier said than done.

As I was being pulled and manipulated in the surgery, feeling VERY sore, I had cause to give thanks. I mean, I'm 48 years old soon. I may be overweight, but at least I HAVE two legs that work. I can still walk around when I want to. I don't have to walk with calipers or crutches or sit in a wheelchair. How many tens of thousands of adults and children have lost limbs to landmines or cancer or serious accidents? How many more of my generation were born without them during the thalydamide scandal?

So, even though I'm sore and find it painful at the moment to walk, I can be thankful it is temporary.

Window in Blue

Part of our Sunday promenade.