The Latest Hairy Maclary Book

An article taken from SunLive:

Slinky Malinky is blacker than black, a stalking and lurking cat – but the only thing lurking in Tauranga’s Books A Plenty store today were fans lining up to hear Dame Lynley Dodd read her new book. About 120 fans gathered in the Grey Street store to listen to Lynley read her new book Slinky Malinky - Early Bird and more than 50 books were sold within 30 minutes of her appearance. Lynley, a Tauranga-based writer, says the determined and cheeky Slinky Malinky is much like her pet cat, who wakes everybody up before the crack of dawn. “It was based on the activities of our cat, who probably like everybody else’s cat gets up far too early in the morning. “In this book all he does is get everybody up and go back to bed,” says Lynley. The renowned author set out to amuse children in the hope they would enjoy the language of rhyme. “Rhyme is a big thing with children. Because if we all think about our childhood playground chants and rhymes, it’s the rhythm and the sound of the language that gets to them.” When Lynley writes, she attempts to remember her childhood and imagine what would have appealed to her as a youngster. Turning out to enjoy the reading were Tauranga youngsters Honey, 7, and Poppy, 5, Drew, who brought along pictures of their favourite cat Slinky Malinky. Two adoring fans, Honey and Poppy Drew coloured in pictures of Slinky Malinky to give to Lynley. “I like cats because they are soft,” says Honey. This newest edition is not the end for the adventure of curious animals and memorable rhyme, says Lynley who says she is not ready to give up writing quite yet. “I don’t think I’m ready to stop no, but these days its getting quite difficult to get down to the creative work because there’s so many other aspects of the whole thing that actually take up so much of my time now. “That’s disappointing because I’ve got lots of ideas id like to get on with, but ill have to try.”

Good Idea?

I wish I had thought of this 30 years ago! However I did have my ways and means of getting the message through. Just not quite as inventive and organised. The threat to vacuum up the treasured lego pieces lying around was enough to get some action. As was the threat to give away to the Salvation Army any toys I found on the floor after the second warning.

Our own Hairy Maclary

A statue of Hairy Maclary has been made and will be displayed permanently here in the Bay of Plenty. The little dog is a firm favourite of all children and the news is very well received! Update: The news has apparently not been so well received by some members of the public who object to the money spent on such a whimsical subject. I disagree - we need food for the soul too, and so do the children in our city who make up a fair proportion of the population.

And another project .......

I made this quilt for a much loved daughter in law. It is not full bed size, more to use as a 'cuddle' quilt, for lazy winter evenings lying on the sofa! It has many elements in it that are especially for her - the border is Hershey's kisses, some of the handbags are chocolate fabric, (yes she loooves chocolate)the ballet shoes are her daughters dancing shoes, the jandals (flip flops)are for her sons, and the trainers her husbands. In the bottom right hand corner is a 'kete' - the basket of learning - she was a teacher.

Latest Project

I made this table topper for an Aunt who has one of those 1950's formica tables, in pristine condition, with still the original chrome and red vinyl chairs to match. The table is not square, just two inches off, so I had to be very precise with my measurements. The top has batting and is quilted, but the sides are just fabric. I am pleased with the result, it looks very good on the table and fits perfectly. It was for her 93rd birthday. The name of the block is 'steps to the altar' which caused much hilarity!

Not a lot to look forward to this week!

Ode to the Fallen - ANZAC Day

Kiwifruit harvest time - again

We have been out at the orchard working under the vines. Picking will be in about 4 weeks time so we are thinning out the reject fruit. If our reject rate goes above a certain percentage we are charged a penalty by the packhouse, so it is worth our while to pull off any imperfect fruit.

Fruit can be rejected for a number of reason - signs of disease, misshapen fruit, small fruit etc. In the first photo you can see all the thinned fruit lying on the ground. It is a crime to waste so much fruit, much of it is perfectly good, just with minor flaws. I dislike wasting fruit at any time, so thinning is not a pleasant task.(Apart from that I get a sore neck, shoulders and arms!)




These are just a few photos of the vines. And one of some reject kiwifruit that you will never ever see in the shops!

The changing season

The weather has the air of inevitable change about it. Hot summer days now have a chill to them. The cicada's song is less strident.


The japanese anenomes are in full bloom with their beautiful simplicity in pinks and white.

The summer hydrangea flowers are changing to their autumn colours - what were a deep blue are now a burgundy colour, and the pure white hydrangeas have turned a strange speckled pink and white.

And family changes are happening also. Our eldest grand daughter has lost her front baby teeth and the youngest grand daughter is starting to think about crawling. And the twins start school in three weeks time. A niece was married last weekend. Its a season of change.

Mostly for the better, but there are some changes here that are not so good. Sad ones.

Life goes on regardless.

A year ago

It is a year ago tomorrow that the world changed forever for many Christchurch people.

Follow this link to see a very well done series of photos showing before and after the quake.