Farewell Smokey

Today we said goodbye to Mister Smokey. He lived a long and loved life. He may have only lived with us for the past 2 years & 2 months, but Matt knew him since he was a kitten and in the time Smokey lived with us, he had a big, positive and lasting impact on our lives and relationship.

Rest assured, those who knew and loved this little guy, it was peaceful. In the past week his body just failed around him. He was increasingly lethargic, stopped eating and became rapidly thinner and weaker. Even this morning, he could barely stand but insisted on putting his head on our laps or hands and even wrapped his paw/claws around our fingers. We took him to the vet for what was due to be an injection for his arthritis but we strongly suspected what the prognosis and advice would be be.

He passed away under the gentle intervention of two Vets that clearly cared for him too, with his head in Matt's hands and paw wrapped around my finger.

Smokey McMillan

Sept 1993 - Dec 2012

Both of these hoomans belong to me

Smokey update - snug as Smokey in a rug

Poor Smokey, usually he HATES being confined in anyway but lately it has been so cold we have found him like this on more than one occasion.

April in the kitchen garden

So, I seem to have missed March in the garden, oops, oh well, here's April:

   Currently growing L-R: Smokey's pot (Bottlebrush & Cat Grass); Tomato, Marigold, Sunflowers (behind the Marigold - can't see them yet here); Corn, Climbing Beans; Zuchini, Carrots & Lettuce box, Herbs, Lucerne, and Strawberry

 Harvest! We have been adding quite a few bits and bobs to meals recently from the garden.[

 I harvested the sweet potato today - they worked! (sort of). Given it was 2x false starts and therefore very late in season they got under way I am pretty happy with this lot. Lessons learnt for next year :)

  

Winter seedlings - Broccoli, Cauliflower, Dill, Celery, Celeriac, Carrots (an experiment that I will tell you about if it works), Chilli, Onions, Alpine Strawberry

A couple of weekends ago I made an old Styrofoam box into a self-watering planter for Carrots and Lettuce. Both (according to the Internet) can be grown year-round in our climate and are good companion plants as carrots have a deep root while lettuce is shallow root. Unfortunately despite being behind the herbs, Mr Smokey has found them and lying in this box is his new favourite spot - hence few seedlings. I planted more seeds both directly in the box and in pots in the green house this weekend. I think I will put netting over it too.

Ladybugs! My poor Zuchini has suffered badly from powdery mildew due to the mild and humid summer. I nearly pulled it today but a whole colony of ladybugs (good bugs - they eat the mildew) have moved in and it is looking a bit better. Maybe I'll get another fruit or two from it (we have had a couple) and I quite enjoy looking at the bugs. The funny grey things below are the ladybug larvae.

A rewarding day in the garden can only finish with Smokey on my lap wanting a head rub.

Smokey update - Jan-Mar 2012

We might love the new house, but there is one member of our family who does not. His-Royal-Highness, Sir Bugalugs, Mr Smokey. He has become uber-demanding and crying frequently especially at night. He didn't seem to mind being shifted interstate but down the road...

It has been so bad at times that we were worried our neighbours might complain and we get evicted (we do have permission to have him here). We have tried all sorts of things, lots of cuddles, making designated Smokey places, bowls of water all over the house, initially keeping him inside only... then rigging up chicken wire and his own climbing frame so he can at least explore the backyard and (from the vet) pheromone spray and diffuser.

He does seem to be settling down bit by bit, we are now having 'good nights' and 'bad nights'. Last night we had less crying and back to the smoochy Smokey we know, though, it was a bit tricky at times to sleep with him on our chest, back or feet.

 Smokey's stairs/climbing frame. That is our bedroom window.

Whatcha doin Matt? Can I play too?

 He is cute, when sleeping.

A few random photos and ramblings

Street art opposite Zanzibar in Newtown.
Can you read the text? It says: Free calls to the premier. This is an initiative of the state government of NSW.

My Scoots outside work - Youth Centre, 'graffiti building' in the mirror

Obligatory photo of Mr Smokey.
The context: I was lying in bed online chatting to my mum at the time. She asked if I was home alone (Matt in QLD and Liam at work). I said not exactly, then took and sent her this photo taken from my tablet I was chatting on at the time, I didn't have to get up to do it :)

Congratulations Trent and Laura on the birth of their precious daughter, Emily! I can't wait to meet her in person when you are next down under. (Trent was 3rd out of the four friends I mentioned in an earlier post)

Congratulations Madonna and Nathan on your wedding! You looked stunning, Don, I loved the hot pink flowers and lace parasols. ZOMG... Paige is so grown up.

Sept-Oct in the Balcony Garden

Reflections and changes (warning: contains copious rambling)

I know I have been a bit quiet over the last month. This has been for two reasons, firstly, not much to report, then, too much going on!

Until about a week ago Matt and my lives' had been our version of mundane. We both have jobs we love within careers we love and that is the way we love it! The only downside to this is that we both become very invested in our work (time, mental energy and emotionally). This was very much the pattern of September. Weekends were one or both of us working and when we had time off it usually wasn't together and we went into chillax mode. No reasons for photos and not very interesting to blog about.

We have also both been doing a lot of reflecting, especially given our not-secret-at-all desire to start a family, and there may be some changes. Mostly plans and what-ifs at the moment but will let you know if and when they come to fruition.

My tattoo
Matt has the same text in a different place & style

Then, somewhat out of blue, on a Wednesday evening I had a phone call from my brother Joel. He suggested that he put my other brother, Liam, on a plane, the next day, to come stay with us for the holidays. Kind of dramatic but there is context to this. Liam has had a tough few years and he was not very happy about where things were going for him (or lack thereof). He had indicated this to me a few months ago and Matt and I had chatted and previously floated with him the idea of coming to live with us for a while. A fresh start in a different city, see if that sparked something. Flash forward a few months and Joel decided to step in to give Liam the extra kick up the **** to make a change. In the end, Liam didn't get on the plane the next day. He took a few days to tie up some loose ends and say some goodbyes to family and friends, by Sunday evening he was here.

Officially part of the household

The last week has been a blast. Matt and I are loving having him here and I think he is enjoying it too (or at least he tells me so). Despite the weather we done a couple of the tourist-in-your-own-neighbourhood things - going to cafes and walking around, he helped me with a trip to IKEA and in the evenings we have been watching DVDs, listening to music (I haven't listened to so much Triple J in years and Liam has introduced me to Gotye - double awesome!) and chatting.

Last week was holiday week, this week we are all back to the gym, Matt's working a ton, I'm working a bit and Liam is looking for work etc (already enrolled in a barrista course for tomorrow).

Hopefully towards the end of the week the weather will be nicer and we can head into the city for an explore.

Good times ahead!

Since writing (but not posting) this we have had another unexpected turn. Smokey had a stroke, probably due to a blood clot day before yesterday. Poor little guy is quite wonky. He seems fine until he tries to stand up or walk, then he stumbles and sometimes tumbles sideways. We took him to the Vet who said these things are quite common in cats and most recover within a few days. He's not in any pain, maybe a little confused and frightened but we are giving him even more than usual cuddles, which I think he is loving. For us, it was scary and a reminder that he is an old little bloke.

Garden Update

I can't believe it is week 6... halfway thru term. As half-expected the garden has been progressing at its own pace, we still haven't finished the veggie planter. Weekends have been Mat working and/or me working and/or wet. This past weekend we did get as far as buying the necessary gear from Bunnings, then it rained.

I spent a few hours on the balcony today, sun on my face (with the occasional sun-shower), 24hr news on in the background and Smokey for company. A beautiful relaxing Monday. Here is how it is looking:

  *** bonus points if you can find Mr Smokey!

Bottle Brush - has lots of new growth

Lettuce

Onions (up the back)

Onions, Alpine Strawberries, Capsicum and Carrot, Carrot, Carrot, Broccoli and Cauliflower

Natives (for companion planting, beneficial bugs and to be pretty - I love native wildflowers) - Everlasting, Golden Everlasting, Grass Tree and Kangaroo Paw

 

Break time!

Smokey Update

For a cat who spent most of his prior life outdoors, Smokey really loves to be involved in whatever we are doing.

My view right now.

This is not typical, usually, he is on our feet or back.

Sorry Sandra, I was trying to practise.

.. and just because I find this insanely cute.

This is not a gardening blog, but...

 ...the garden is my current obsession and I am so excited about how it is starting to take form. I am also concious that once term starts again weekends seem to disappear too fast. The garden will probably go into state of 'growing & maintenance' rather than 'designing & building'.

Last weekend we tackled what is undoubtedly the biggest single job within the wider project. The 'Vegetables - Square Foot Garden - Raised Planter'.

If you are wondering what the hell is Square Foot Gardening, this was new to me only a couple of weeks ago. Google it and/or look here: http://www.squarefootgardening.org

After many hours of research on the internet (again) I worked out what I wanted, but, I couldn't find anyone in Australia who stocks this sort of thing and to get something from overseas will take 2-3 months (and goes against the spirit of the project). After discussing (whinging) with Matt we decided to attempt a DIY. Matt and I are both a little crafty, but I was a bit dubious about tackling such a big project ourselves. Below is the outcome, and I am pretty darn proud of it (so far). 

The base - plywood on rails

The ends of the box
and yes... Matt has a red fauxhawk for those who haven't seen it :)

The sides of the box

Supervisor - his new favourite spot, the worm farm ?!?!

Box onto the base... my turn with the drill

Almost finished, sort of.

We couldn't get trestles in the size we wanted and while we knew these ones would be big we thought they might do. Nope. I can barely reach the back and the whole thing looks and feels not secure. We have since drawn more plans and will be back to Bunnings over the weekend for the parts to make legs. I may be on holidays but Matt is not and I would prefer his help with this.

Meanwhile...

I mentioned before that I have decided to keep the worm farm, here's the long version why. The worm farm was very neglected for a range of reasons including spiders and dark evenings, instead, we have started using a Bokashi bin and I love it! With the Bokashi it stays indoors, for us, next to the main & recycling bins. It doesn't stink!!! and it can take a lot things the worm farm can't (onions, citrus and meat). Once full, the recommendation is to bury the contents into your garden (um...) or into a hot compost, not worms - they don't like it. So... I tried to find a composter small enough for our balcony with no luck. There were a few available, but only overseas and most people complained that they didn't really work. I did find a couple of blogs/people who had tried putting their Bokashi contents into a worm farm with success, so I thought lets give it a go. The bucket was full a couple of weeks ago so had already sat fermenting. I restocked the worm farm (when I looked there was one lonely worm left alive) last Monday and on Friday put in a couple of large scoops from the Bokashi bin. I added some 'worm conditioner', a handful of potting mix scattered over the top and a worm blanket to reduce the acidity and improve the conditions for the worms. This morning (Wednesday) I checked the worm farm and they seem to love it (too!). All the worms are alive and squirming around in the Bokashi contents, not their original bedding. My verdict (so far)... you CAN put Bokashi bin contents into a worm farm. Now, I just need to chat with work as I no longer have a spare worm farm to donate :)

Meanwhile...

For Sammy - more Smokey video

As requested... here is some more video of Smokey and I playing with one of his toys.

Going walkies

And where are you sleeping tonight?