Tuesday, September 1, 2009

First Day of Spring


September first, the first day of Spring. Living in the Southern Hemisphere sure can get confusing. My body is expecting the cool days and crisp nights of autumn. Instead my nose is bombarded with the bold scents of spring. 
I know I should be frolicking in the greenery after surviving the winter. But, to be honest, winter in Sydney isn't much different than spring...or fall. The majority of native trees keep their leaves year round, opting to shed their bark instead. And even the non-natives like sycamore trees are only barren for three months before flaunting their new buds. 

And while winter does sport a few cooler days, it's hard to feel the blues when hisbisicus are blooming on every block. A few more weeks and I'll be heading to the beach for a swim, a surf, and a nice day in the sun. I've got to say, the weather in Sydney is deliciously bearable.

A Cottage for Frank's Approval


Please read my article for this week's Triblocal: A Cottage for Frank's Approval

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Fostering Ferals


Please read my article for this week's Triblocal: Fostering Ferals

Monday, August 24, 2009

Raining cats and dogs...and fish


My boss has returned from 3 weeks in Europe. I am finally back to walking a manageable number of dogs per day - which is less than 25. In these past few weeks, Bob and I moved into a new beautiful cottage, became caretakers of a fish pond, are playing host to two college girls from Ohio, minding a large ridgeback puppy for over a week, and are currently "socializing" two feral kittens in hope that they will no longer think people are evil, and one day get adopted.

So from a quiet one bedroom apartment to a cottage chalk full of critters, it's been a heck of an adjustment. The kittens key playtime is 3 am, the dog's key potty time is 5 am, and the girls have to catch a flight at 7 so that's a 6 am wake-up call. So between all this I need to make my way to bed, just have to be careful I don't step on any tails along the way.

Culinary Education Continued


Please read my article for this week's Triblocal:  Culinary Education Continued

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

World's Largest Race


Please read my article for this week's Triblocal: World's Largest Race

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Dog-Tired

Please read my article for this week's Triblocal: Dog-tired