Bless our smallness

Yeah, I know--- the title just doesn't make sense. I was looking at one of the blogs I follow (Josie goes on the Road). Her pictues are so cool--- she really captures the moment, with a huge range of subjects. I hope she makes money from her pictures.
All of a sudden, the news came on and there was this damned tornado ripping through the North Shore suburbs. I know one person died and others were injured. It reminded me of the past few months; firstly the Pike River mine disaster with the 29 deaths, then the horrible earthqauke in Chrsitchurch. For us in NZ, it was massive.
Still----I'd rather be here than face the gigantic tornadoes that the USA is getting, or the Tsunami in Japan.
I think I will go back and look at Josie's pictures and get a bit of balance.
Cheers

Coastal Yarns-- walking friends

My Mum used to say---'join something. It's a way of making friends.'
I guess she had in mind some sort of club or church group---it's hard to say. She didn't distinguish between the formal and informal.
I know one thing for sure; taking that little bundle of trouble-seeking fur for a walk every day has certainly expanded my circle of friends.

If I miss a day now, I feel I am missing something. Well, I know that I am lessening the chance of an evening of attacks from Perdy-----demands to play, chewing the impossible, and those acusing looks. If she hasn't had a walk, she takes it out on the furniture the next day. We have given up on the idea of buying a new lounge suite, until she has eaten the one we have provided---sort of like, 'if you don't eat your vegetables, you don't get your desert.' Mmmmm----who's the boss around here?

So you can see why I like to take her to the Onehunga Lagoon (I think that's what they call it). During the weekend, Perdy gets to go there several times, but after work we have this lovely group of ladies meeting usw, along with their dogs, sometimes even with their famillie's dogs. Perdy has become friends with them. This reminds me of how Mum used to say that she made many friends through the parents of the kids at my younger brother's Kindergarten, way back in the 60's.

It was these ladies who first encouraged me to let Perdy go. Believe me, that was really hard for me, after hearing poeople say that you don't readilly do that with Jack Russell puppies.I shall nver foregt that day when I slipped her free. She took off after the other dogs, lookd around with a glint in her eyes, tail wagging as she introduced herself to other dogs. My heart was in my mouth a few times when she approached rather large dogs, sniffed (in all possible places) and then implored them to play. Most did and to my horror, Perdy took on the personality of a huge dog; fearless to the point that I wanted to capture her and keep her on her leash.

I learnt that she is a pretty good judge of the wicked and dangerous. Quite franklly, the park seems to be predominantly visited by dogs and owners who have nice pets. Sometimes she pushes boundaries and uses techniques that bring about sharp reprimands, but so far has avoided anything other than a growl or snap. There are a few dogs that take delight in sitting on her, but even that fails to quell her enthusiasm to test new friends.

The friendship with some of the ladies has extended to them supporting me at my reading last Friday at the Onehunga Library, to suppport the appeal for Christchurch. We have also had an evening at the park with nibbles and drinks.

If you see us down there, say Hi--- we won't bite, but you may get licked------ not by me of course.

Coastal Yarns: Perdy----crazy girl

Coastal Yarns: Perdy----crazy girl: "I know I go on about Perdy alot. You have to forgive me, but as a new doggie owner, its a real buzz. It does go along with a whole lot of ne..."

Perdy----crazy girl

I know I go on about Perdy alot. You have to forgive me, but as a new doggie owner, its a real buzz. It does go along with a whole lot of new tasks. For example, if I dont take her out every day, she has her own special way of showing me her disapproval.
  At first, it's the acusing look; not  that cute puppy tilting of the head that is so endearing. Its the forlorn, 'left at home all day alone look, or the 'you dont really love me' look. Either way, it makes me feel like crap; bringing up all sorts of feelings. Maybe Jack Russells and their cousins have evolved that look  over many years.
   OK---- so I come home from work, wondering how Perdy has spent her day. Mmmm--- outside seems normal enough. Actualy, there  isn't any sign of her. Maybe she's asleep on the sofa. I open the front door and I am met with a lounge that looks like a snow storm has hit it. I swear that there is a six inch layer of white fluufy stuff, strewn all around the small lounge. Now I think I know what film studios use for make believe snow. Where's Perdy?
   Oh--- she in her pen. She must have jumped over the fence on hearing me approach. But does she have a look of contrition on her face. Oh no. She looks smug, as if to say---- 'look Daddy--- I've redesigned the lounge. It was so boring and anyway, you left me alone all day and I got so bored.'
   Now I get the tilting head and big eyes. I reckon you could put eyelashes on her already lovely face and she'd look even prettier.
What am to do--- shout at her? Tell her off? I am told that unless I actaully catch her in the act, then telling her off is a waste of time. I guess you have all seen those videos of what dogs get up to when their parents are away. I would dearly love to have that facility here.
   I give her the 'silent treatment.' What another waste of time. It lasts exactly one and a half minutes. I can not ignore her waggng tail and pleading eyes.
'OK girl--- in the car--- lets hop it down to the  Onehunga beach to meet our new friends. Yes I have met some lovely people there. I dont feel my day is full, if I dont get to walk and watch the dogs playing.
 Perdy 100------- me Nil

COASTAL YARNS by NEIL COLEMAN

I  have been back at work a week--- things are going fine, but I really look forward to me time with Perdy after work. I rush home and let her out and she now jumps in the car without a lead---- mmmm progress. She doesn't run up the drive; choosing instead to get in the car so that she can get to the beach at Onehunga quickly. One she smells the water in the little bay (lagoon) she starts panting with excitement. Once I have parked, I observe which doggies are there. There are a couple of dogs who for some reason seem to really go for her. They are big bullies--- about five times her size---- is it cause she is little or somehow gets them going. The vast majority of the dogs just love her, particularly the Retrievers and Labradors.
 Its so funny---I let her off once i know that the good dogs are there, and she bounces along, chasing the seagulls away as she goes and rushes up to the owner of her friends wagging tail and happy sounds predominating. By the time a catch up she is well into dogie heaven. What a site. Sometimes there are about six owners and nine dogs--- yes they come in couples or more for some owners. They play, chase and jump in the water.
  Perdy has only been swimming for a few weeks. She seems to love going in with a pair of lovely Labradors. She swims quite a way out---- what a sight--- her little head bobbing up and down, whilst always checking to see where I am. She can be over a hundred metres away form me but when I call--- she turns and comes back. That was one of my major fears with Jack Russels-- they really do have this stubborn streak that is not always conducive to obeying instructions. She really has put my mind to rest on that issue.
 Mind you, she did have her moment the other day when this big mean Boxer decided to chase her. Perdy took off--- for a while i thought she was heading for the car park and nearby road, but she swung around and ran way out onto the grass area. The owner finally caught her dog, while my new friends helped me to encourage Perdy to come back. One lady suggested |I open the car door and call her---- sure enough, Perdy came running back and jumped in. Great.
 I have to mention what one of the naughty boy dogs did. The kids form Onehunga High were down there, practising their Waka Ama. They are great-- its so good to see kids happy and doing something other than walking the streets etc. They had packed all their gear under a tree. Well--- you can guess what happened. Yip--- you are correct. The naughty dog decided that their bags were just the thing to take a leak on.  MMM I'm so glad Perdy's a girl. She has far better manners.

Have a good weekend everyone.
  Neil

COASTAL YARNS by NEIL COLEMAN

Damn--- I was trying to load the article that appeared in the Central  Leader in December and it was rejected. OK --- if you want to view it-- then just google Neil Coleman author-- coastal yarns at Stuff and it should come up. OMG the picture. I was doing my best to look at the beautiful Pohutukawa in the distant. Its fun being a "model"at my age.

Well-- back to the real world of work tomorrow.  Yea-- the book is selling a bit now online. I better get on with the next one and get it edited--- less mistakes that way.

 Night everyone.

MY WEBSITE IS DOWN PENDING MY RELAUNCH--- USE neilcolemanauthor@gmail if you wish to order books

TAKE A LOOK AT MY LATEST BLOGGS, INCLUDING THE SHORT STORY--'DEAR FREDERICA.'

COASTAL YARNS by NEIL COLEMAN

Mmmm-- I was going to post something everyday but that didn't quite work out.That's OK--- things happen eh.
Well its time to go back to work and regain the capacity to arise and face the world at 5.30 each day. Sleeping in until sevenish has been wonderful. I know I only have two people regularly reading this-- but that's cool--- they are both wonderful to talk to and understand where I am coming from. Selling one of my books was a lovely bonus but the real pleasure is in communicating with  them both.

I am getting close to sending my neck book (ROSKIL) for editing. I am going to be more careful this time to make sure that there are less errors. That cost money, but hopefully it will be worth it in the long run. My last book has only sold 100, but it is still early days in the world of writing.

I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs that I would put up some recipes. Well for all of you lovely Gluten -free people and possibly those who like low GI stuff,  here here is my wonderful almost healthy recipe for an upside-down crunch. I boil up some rhubarb (yes I grow my own) and maybe some apple to cut the tartness. Add sugar if you have to or use Sitivia). Let it cool  while you mix up the base (what normally would have been the top).
I use a mixture of seeds---sesame, sunflower,  flax seed and pumpkin. Add some almonds to if you wish. You can add gluten-free baking mix if you want (or flower for those who want a non-gluten free product). Add as much butter as you want and make it squish between your fingers and press  into the base of a baking dish. Nothing is precise about most of the things I make so use your imagination. Oh yes-- the  crumble is nice with heaps of powdered ginger or cCinnamon too. So once the crumble is pressed, just add the topping and bake at about 180-200c until the top looks like its almost caramelized.
Enjoy
 See ya
  Neil