March 2008 with the last 2 weeks in a heat wave and no rain insight!
AT ARTEMIS
There were 2 trips up to Artemis this month to wateri Oshaberi’s baby trees – after 2 dry winters and a long very hot summer it is a miracle they are surviving in the hot red sands, sometimes with strong hot winds making life even more tougher ~ the wind not only dries the leaves but can bury them in the moving sands … so they are indeed doing it tough.
Red Catherine has had 2 lots of woofers visiting during our 2 weeks and for her more days of when the average temperature was between 38- 41 degrees ~ and so they managed to get out a couple of times – bless their hearts cos it is hard and hot!
(Woofers ~ volunteers who for exchange of a free bed and meals work a few hours a day around farms.)
The gifting was two of the trees we planted 2 years ago are in flower – they are called a melaleuca and provides lots of nectar and a great place for small birds to eventually make nests in. They are my miracles! As I think I wrote last year we had in the first planting of trees planted about 1,500 but only 150 survived ~ and these are 2 of them! On this part of the property all the melaleucas had been cut down so they are back in flower and you never know – 1 day making babies!
The heart sadness was Jabberwocky, her gentle giant of a gorgeous dog passed away at home with bone cancer ~ even though she has so many animals his absence still brings a tear – I miss him! This photo was taken a few hours before the vet arrived.
AT MY HOUSE
Early mornings before the sun rises Fumio was up on our roofs, sweeping away the dead leaves while greeting the new day.
Usually once a week or so he gets up there but with 2 weeks of temperatures in the high 30’s – low 40’s it needed to be done nearly every day ….
As I am surrounded by eucalyptus trees we have to keep the roof of our home and Fumio’s working shed clean of dead leaves. If left in gutters and on roofs during a bush fire the leaves become fuel and can cause houses to burn down.
And when it rains all the water from my roofs are gathered in large rain water tanks – this becomes my family’s supply of drinking water through out the year - so cleaning roofs is a part of what must be done living where I do.
But as you can see it is a job Fumio doesn't mind doing!
Because it has been so dry for the first time in 16years I have very little food in my paddock for our sheep to eat. We have had to buy in food – heads down munching away on some sweet hay! Happiness in sheep heaven!
And then 2nd April our first autumn rains was a hailstorm – pounding down on my (clean) roof (thank you Fumio) leaving my lawn white, sprinkled with both living and dead pine needles from the ferocious winds! Out come the long sleeve jumpers! Confusion for not just me but I reckon all living beings in this part of the world!
Talk to you all soon
Jayne
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