Why do we think that all the media commentary about Nicky Hagar’s new book, put his descrittion of the taxpayer’s union as “hard right” in inverted commas (as opposed to, say, putting “union” in inverted commas)?
How have we been maneuvered into a place where the only political argument being played out is ‘who can tax the least’, unaccompanied by ANY rational discussion about a) drops in public services like health and b) evidence that less tax=productivity growth.
I like the idea of a ‘KINGMAKER’ party that is policy-based in deciding who to support rather than populism-based
God, imagine of a ‘bycatch’ of farming, was kiwi, kereru, domestic pets…
May I just share with you all an edifying and uplifting photograph of a barrow of my own compost? I have never made actual compost - I always had a black plastic bin for house scraps, but really nothing like compost ever emerged.
In this house I made stacking 1/2 round tiers, read up a ‘how to’guide and am turning the compost - this is my third ‘batch’ in a year, and it is getting better and better! This lot is destined to be dug in for imminent tulips…
When Gordon is asleep on the couch, he finds it irritating if I sneeze, and I get The Look.
#DogsOfMastodon
McCains closes its veggie operation in NZ. Watties closes its veggie and coffee operation in NZ.
I genuinely do not understand the end game vision of those who push us to be open to NZ companies moving into foreign ownership, ownership that cares no hoots about our country, our people.
Gary. #DogsOfMastodon
Lisa’s lap is Gary’s domain first thing in the morning. So if Gordon dares get up there, Gary arrives to stake out his spot.
I do love Gary, our wee blep-boy
#DogsOfMastodon
My AA car insurance was. Due yesterday. They must have my old credit card number (now a new expired date). This morning at 6am I got a letter saying they have cancelled my policy. No letters, no warning.
Pretty fucked.
For those of you that noted my msg above - an update. A surprising update.
Late last week, after a ‘secure dementia bed’ had been found as per the Needs Assessment, hubby had a slightly better day. Friday was better again. Over the weekend his gait became normal, and he watched cricket (a fortnight earlier he couldn’t understand what the TV was even for.
Today the medical team have been back. They ahve formally wothdrawn that Needs Assessment. The CJD ‘diagnosis’ may have been premature. Now they are thinking ‘viral encephalopathy’. And he is recovering.
Today he got his memory back - but has lost 5 weeks. Can remember back to friday, can’t recollect ANY of what let to hospital.
If this continues, he goes home in a few days - he may be largely himself.
From normal to ‘severe end stage dementia’ to nearly-normal in 5 weeks.
And today, trying my hand at cherry chutney, in balsamic. I used to LOVE going cherry-picking in Central Otago, so now I am going to develop a love for cherry-using, in Lower Hutt.
Oh god. A friend of mine and her hubby have been plotting to sell their holiday home, plans that will fund a gentle but lovely retirement. Three weeks ago, the day after they did the budget she awoke hearing him very upset - he was looking at his trousers and couldn’t remember what do do with them.
Long story short, he has been in hospital ever since, rapid decline, he no longer recognises her and has ‘rapid onset dimentia”. From normal husband to completely unable to function in three weeks.
Love your people. Do your wills and EPOAs. Have those holidays now.
I have hurt my kneecap because I wore non-stretchy trousers yesterday, which pulled on my kneecap.
If this is what retirement is like, I do not want a bar of it.
I have some comfort with “the collapse of the gig economy” if having a gig economy rests on the requirement that people working for huge-profit making companies get paid really shitty wages below the minimum wage.
Why do you think, in the ongoing McSkimming media coverage, there is so little attention paid to him being a churchgoer? And going to the same church as Coster?
-No analysis of the culture of trust McSkimming created with Coster and others, that enabled a situation where Coster didn’t doubt him for a second.
-No analysis about powerful “christian” men and how often their sexual behaviour is repugnant.
Gary and Gordon are not keen on chilly mornings. Even though it isn’t chilly.
#DogsOfMastodon #brusselsgriffon #griffons
Are you aware of the Lavendar Scare of the mid 20th century - when the Joseph McCarthy era witchunts purged throusands of public sector workers “suspected of homosexuality”.
I was aware of the communist hunts but had never heard of this. Gay history gets purged. And repeated.
Bad year for flu - on a par with (and looking to exceed?) the year after lockdowns.
Take care all - and wear a mask! I lament that we didn’t pick up the habit I see in Asia, esp Japan - if you have a sniffle, wear a mask in public!!
