I had a surprising email this morning, letting me know that Google owed me a grand total of R1070.15 from AdSense adverts placed on my various websites. Wow, it's only taken 10 years!

And the websites I had adverts on no longer exist, apart from this one.

This unexpected windfall has sparked a desire for a rejuvenation of sorts. A phoenix rising from the ashes, or in my case, a blog emerging from the digital remnants of the past. I'm gearing up for a relaunch, a fresh start, and a commitment to posting a little more frequently.

Expect the same random ramblings, of course. You'll laugh with me, cry with me, or perhaps just roll your eyes and click away.

Honestly, I don't care.

This is more about me than you, anyway.

In this revitalized space, I might even throw in some AI-generated waffle, just for the fun of watching it attempt to imitate my voice. Who knows what delightful, nonsensical prose it might churn out? It's a whimsical experiment, a fusion of human musings and machine-generated mischief.

So, buckle up for this digital rollercoaster ride. Whether you're here for the nostalgia of a bygone website era or you're a newcomer stumbling upon my corner of the internet, join me in this eclectic journey. Let the randomness resume!"

Cultivating Paradise: Breaking Ground, Growing Spice, and Embracing the Unexpected

Yes, we were warned.

And no, we didn't listen!

Everything I read about starting a veggie garden had one very important common piece of advice: start small. Of course, we've always said "go big or go home", so that was not going to happen ;)

However, we have learned some things:

1. **Start Small - Learn Big:** Our journey into gardening began with a rebellious defiance of the conventional wisdom to start small. We thought, why settle for a few plants when we could turn the entire backyard into a flourishing Eden? The trials and tribulations of those initial days taught us a valuable lesson, though. Starting small allows you to intimately understand the needs of your plants. Our recommendation? Begin with a couple of plants and dive deep into their world. Once you've witnessed the joy of a successful harvest, you can confidently expand your green kingdom.

2. **Water, Water Everywhere:** As residents of sunny Durban, South Africa, the idea of counting on the Almighty to water our garden was charming but not entirely practical. Gardens, it turns out, need a consistent water supply, and relying on divine intervention isn't the most reliable strategy. Invest in a good watering routine, and your plants will thank you with bountiful produce.

3. **Garden Feng Shui:** Plants, much like us, have preferences when it comes to their surroundings. If your tomatoes are sulking in one corner, don't be afraid to play the role of a botanical interior designer. Move them around until they find their happy place. Gardening is an art, and sometimes the canvas needs a bit of rearranging.

4. **Bugging Out:** Ah, bugs – the uninvited guests in our garden party. We discovered that there are two ways to deal with these critters without resorting to chemical warfare. Companion planting became our gardening sidekick, as certain plants naturally repel pests. If that doesn't do the trick, there's always the good old-fashioned manual bug removal technique. It might be a bit gross, but hey, it's nature's way.

Now, let's talk about a couple of stars in our garden – ginger and turmeric. Growing these exotic spices wasn't just about adding a touch of the Far East to our suburban haven; it was about embracing the challenge and creating a mini spice haven in old bathtubs.

In the warm, tropical climate of Durban, our ginger and turmeric plants found a second home in repurposed bathtubs. These containers provided ample space for their sprawling roots, and the well-draining nature of the tubs ensured they didn't throw a soggy-soil tantrum.

**Ginger Goodness:** The lush green shoots of ginger plants sprouted with enthusiasm, transforming the ordinary bathtubs into vibrant, aromatic patches. Harvesting ginger became a delightful treasure hunt as we carefully unearthed the rhizomes, marveling at their spicy fragrance. The fresh, homegrown ginger added an unmistakable zing to our culinary adventures.

**Turmeric Triumph:** Meanwhile, our turmeric plants flaunted their golden rhizomes, thriving in the rich, well-nourished soil of their bathtub abode. Harvesting turmeric was a golden affair, and we couldn't resist the satisfaction of incorporating our homegrown spice into curries and teas.

As we basked in the success of our ginger and turmeric experiment, we realized that sometimes, breaking the rules – like growing these exotic spices in old bathtubs – can lead to unexpected victories. The lush greenery and vibrant colors in our suburban garden are a testament to the fact that with a dash of audacity and a sprinkle of patience, you can cultivate a slice of paradise right in your backyard.

So, fellow gardening rebels, whether you're in Durban or anywhere else in South Africa, remember this: gardening is a journey of discovery, and each plant tells a unique story. Start small, embrace the challenges, and who knows, your next gardening escapade might just be in repurposed bathtubs! Happy gardening!

An imperfect world

We live in a horribly imperfect world, where newborn babies die and dishwasher drains get blocked.

I hope you're a bit shocked that I could put those two together in one thought.
The thing is, that blocked drain can seem like the worst thing that could possibly happen - especially if it's just one more thing gone wrong while you're trying to get ready for work. 

Unless, of course, you've lost a loved one.
Then, every other worry seems quite insignificant.

My day started off normal enough. Still need to see how much damage has been done by last night's heavy rain. Apart from the driveway lights tripping the mains in the middle of the storm, we always have trouble with erosion as well. I sent a slightly sick kid off to school for his last day of the term. Hubby is fixing a car-problem. A giant cockroach was heading down the passage. The kitchen work-top was covered in ants ... had to get rid of them before I could even think about doing anything in the kitchen ... And the dishwasher was blocked!

Then I heard the sad news that a friend's newborn baby passed away early this morning.
I can't begin to imagine how much that must hurt.

Suddenly all my sh!t seemed so trivial.

I don't know how to comfort her. "She's in a safe place", true as it may be, doesn't help a grieving parent.

There must be something better than this life, where birth and death can sometimes be just hours apart. Where dirt and bugs get in. Where parts break, and rust and rot eat away at everything. Where people kill and steal in the name of their country or their religion.

There must be a place of perfection, love and peace. I have to believe that.

Lord Jesus, come quickly! 
I know, people have been calling for His return for two thousand years. It might not happen in my lifetime!

In the meanwhile, I have to think like a dung beetle ...
When life gives you sh!t, just roll with it!

erm ... random?

an anodyne makes you feel good

OK, I know, that makes no sense at all. But give me a break here, I'm just trying to sign up for a "pay per post" program :-)

I'll let ya'll know how this works out for me.

Thanks for listening :-)

The Greenhouse, Part 2

So much for finishing up in a couple of weeks!

After several false starts and interruptions, we finally managed to get back to building the veggie house.
I'll keep this short, with just a few photos.
We eventually decided to use shade-cloth all over, as it was so much cheaper than monkey-wire, and there's still more than enough light getting in.
Right now, James is busy putting up shelves. These pics were taken yesterday.
We even got a bit excited and bought some seedlings!
Questions anyone?

View from inside

We've got seedlings :-)

Construction site

Beginning to put shelves in.

My gate ... such character :-)

And we have bananananas ... hope we don't lose too many to the monkeys!

The Greenhouse, part I

So, after months of gentle steering, I have convinced my man that he really wants to build a greenhouse. Or more correctly, an enclosed veggie garden. Hopefully monkey-proof :-)
I will attempt to document our progress via this blog.
We pulled down the jungle jim, since the boys had outgrown it without actually using it much. The only ones who made use of it were the monkeys, who loved to lounge around on the upper deck, and Jenny's cats - who used it to escape from Java and Chelsey.
The general idea is to create the greenhouse using the wood and shade-cloth from the JJ, and only have to buy monkey-wire to cover the frame.
We got started a couple of days ago, cleaning the old wood poles and slats.
Today Max was here to help, and we got the four corner poles into the ground.
We had hoped to have the house situated right up against the retaining embankment, (see photo below) but discovered - while digging the first hole - that the retaining stones actually extended quite far under the lawn. So we had to move everything about 40cm away from our original starting point.

Photo 1: Retaining embankment on left - we wanted to plant the "back wall" poles right at the foot of the embankment, just where the groundcover ended. We had to move about 40cm to the right to be able to dig deep enough.

Photo 2: James and Max removing an existing pole left from the old jungle jim. This was meant to be a doorpost, but because of having to move further away from the retaining embankment, this one also had to move.

Photo 3: Digging for the 4th corner post ... Our finished greenhouse will be roughly 2m x 3.8m, and really tall so we can have lots of shelves and trellises for climbing veg - reckon that should be big enough?

Photo 4: There's always something! While digging the last hole, Max hit a plastic pipe. No idea where it comes from or goes to. We tried flushing the outside loo, and poured water down the side drain to see if it was attached to either of those ... nothing. It could be builders rubble, for all we know! Anyway, we covered the hole (dark patch in the centre of the shadowed area) with a piece of plastic sheeting, and hoped for the best! Thankfully it didn't get in the way of our corner pole!

Just heard that Daryl has donated an old gate to use for my entrance door, so we don't have to build one - yippeee!So there you grow!
Hopefully we'll be done with the building in the next couple of weeks ... then I can start getting my seedlings going :-)
Watch this space :-)

Reaction time ...

Hello friends,

We need to work together to prevent the ruin of our environment.This letter was sent to me by email, let's pass it on and get busy!

PUBLIC HEARING INTO PROPOSED FRACKING FOR GAS
BY SHELL IN THE KAROO, SOUTH AFRICA

Speech by
Lewis Pugh, OIG

Cape Town - 25 March 2011

STANDING UP TO GOLIATH

Ladies and gentlemen, thank for the opportunity to address you.  My name is Lewis Pugh.

This evening, I want to take you back to the early 1990’s in this country. You may remember them  well.

Nelson Mandela had been released.  There was euphoria in the air. However, there was also widespread violence and deep fear. This country teetered on the brink of a civil war.  But somehow, somehow, we averted it.  It was a miracle!

And it happened because we had incredible leaders.  Leaders who sought calm. Leaders who had vision.  So in spite of all the violence, they sat down and negotiated a New Constitution.

I will never forget holding the Constitution in my hands for the first time. I was a young law student at the University of Cape Town.  This was the cement that brought peace to our land.  This was the document, which held our country together.  The rights contained herein, made us one.

I remember thinking to myself - never again will the Rights of South Africans be trampled upon.

Now every one of us - every man and every women - black, white, coloured, Indian, believer and non believer - has the right to vote.  We all have the Right to Life.  And our children have the right to a basic education.  These rights are enshrined in our Constitution.

These rights were the dreams of Oliver Tambo.  These rights were the dreams of Nelson Mandela. These rights were the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi, of Desmond Tutu and of Molly Blackburn.  These rights were our dreams.

People fought – and died – so that we could enjoy these rights today.

Also enshrined in our Constitution, is the Right to a Healthy Environment and the Right to Water. Our Constitution states that we have “the Right to have our environment protected for the benefit of our generation and for the benefit of future generations.”

Fellow South Africans, let us not dishonour these rights.   Let us not dishonour those men and women who fought and died for these rights.  Let us not allow corporate greed to disrespect our Constitution and desecrate our environment.

Never, ever did I think that there would be a debate in this arid country about which was more important – gas or water.  We can survive without gas. We cannot live without water.

If we damage our limited water supply – and fracking will do just that – we will have conflict again here in South Africa.  Look around the world. Wherever you damage the environment you have conflict.

Fellow South Africans, we have had enough conflict in this land – now is the time for peace.

A few months ago I gave a speech with former President of Costa Rica. Afterwards I asked him
“Mr President, how do you balance the demands of development against the need to protect the environment?”

He looked at me and said “It is not a balancing act.  It is a simple business decision.  If we cut down our forests in Costa Rica to satisfy a timber company, what will be left for our future?”

But he pointed out “It is also a moral decision.  It would be morally wrong to chop down our forests and leave nothing for my children and my grandchildren.”

Ladies and gentlemen, that is what is at stake here today: Our children’s future.  And that of our children’s children.

There may be gas beneath our ground in the Karoo.  But are we prepared to destroy our environment for 5 to 10 years worth of fossil fuel and further damage our climate?

Yes, people will be employed – but for a short while.  And when the drilling is over, and Shell have packed their bags and disappeared, then what?  Who will be there to clean up?  And what jobs will our children be able to etch out?

Now Shell will tell you that their intentions are honourable.  That fracking in the Karoo will not damage our environment.  That they will not contaminate our precious water.  That they will bring jobs to South Africa. That gas is clean and green.  And that they will help secure our energy
supplies.

When I hear this – I have one burning question.  Why should we trust them? Africa is to Shell what the Gulf of Mexico is to BP.

Shell, you have a shocking record here in Africa.  Just look at your operations in Nigeria.  You have spilt more than 9 million barrels of crude oil into the Niger Delta.  That’s twice the amount of oil that BP spilt into the Gulf of Mexico.

You were found guilty of bribing Nigerian officials – and to make the case go away in America - you paid an admission of guilt fine of US$48 million.

And to top it all, you stand accused of being complicit in the execution of Nigeria’s leading environmental campaigner – Ken Saro-Wira and 8 other activists.

If you were innocent, why did you pay US$15.5 million to the widows and children to settle the case out of Court?

Shell, the path you want us to take us down is not sustainable.  I have visited the Arctic for 7 summers in a row.  I have seen the tundra thawing. I have seen the retreating glaciers. And I have seen the melting sea ice. And I have seen the impact of global warming from the Himalayas all the way down to the low-lying Maldive Islands. Wherever I go – I see it.

Now is the time for change.  We cannot drill our way out of the energy crisis.  The era of fossil fuels is over.  We must invest in renewable energy.  And we must not delay!

Shell, we look to the north of our continent and we see how people got tired of political tyranny.  We have watched as despots, who have ruled ruthlessly year after year, have been toppled in a matter of weeks.

We too are tired.  Tired of corporate tyranny.  Tired of your short term, unsustainable practices.

We watched as Dr Ian Player, a game ranger from Natal, and his friends, took on Rio Tinto (one of the biggest mining companies in the world) and won.

And we watched as young activists from across Europe, brought you down to your knees, when you tried to dump an enormous oilrig into the North Sea.

Shell, we do not want our Karoo to become another Niger Delta.

Do not underestimate us.  Goliath can be brought down.  We are proud of what we have achieved in this young democracy – and we are not about to let your company come in and destroy it.

So let this be a Call to Arms to everyone across South Africa, who is sitting in the shadow of Goliath: Stand up and demand these fundamental human rights promised to you by our Constitution.  Use your voices - tweet, blog, petition, rally the weight of your neighbours and of people in power.
Let us speak out from every hilltop.  Let us not go quietly into this bleak future.

Let me end off by saying this - You have lit a fire in our bellies, which no man or woman can extinguish.  And if we need to, we will take this fight all the way from your petrol pumps to the very highest Court in this land.  We will take this fight from the farms and towns of the Karoo to the streets of London and Amsterdam.  And we will take this fight to every one of your shareholders.  And I have no doubt, that in the end, good will triumph over evil.