Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Monday 30 November 2020

QAL by the sea, in the year 2020

 This year there was another fantastic Quilt Along, By The Sea. We received a block each week, then after 4 blocks, had a link up party. The talented designers gave us some wonderful ideas along with their own colours, and now the grand finale has arrived. I have sailed up to the line at the last minute, rain today, more tomorrow so the photo is a little dark. My editing skills on the Macbook need some serious practice.

However, here is my rendition, with a look back at my Dad and his boat he built, " Lady Grae" a link to my Mum as her name was Grace but she was so often called Grae, the four corner blocks with ferns, reminding me of the NZ  fern logo so many of our sports people have on their uniforms, and the outer border, it reminded me of the Northern Lights, so a link to all my friends in the North


Quotation of the day

"Never leave anything until the last minute, that might be too late"

Greetings from Jean

Sunday 22 November 2020

Moxy's Story.



Thank you all so much from my heart for all your loving, caring and so thoughtful words. Moxy was such a vocal boy, and always told us when he was coming in, or going out, or just plain wanted a meal. A friend called in last Wednesday with these roses from her garden, we have shared our cats' lives and losses for some years now. Then on Friday his previous Mum called in, roses also from their garden.








 He has a long story that began in Australia in 2007, he was microchipped and registered at the Australian Animal Registry in August the same year. Soon, he was flown to New Zealand where he was a stud cat for 2 years or so. He HATED being kept in a crate, not sure how large it was, but maybe not much room to walk around,. He escaped several times, and when he was found, several miles away, the first owner said to the new ones, " You might as well keep him, I will have him castrated so you cannot use him  for breeding"

His new family moved to a country area ,  several miles from here, then back to our small township, and they are living 5 houses up the same street, just on the other side.

He was SO loved, and was named " Pat" as after being a crated stud cat, it took at least 2 years before they could pick him up or pat him, so it was PAT me if you can.He shared his home with other cats, and last Christmas his Mum and Dad were away for one night,. During that time some other animal came in, mauled one of the other cats badly, and Moxy fled. We did see  him wandering up and down our street, walking into gateways, coming to our back door, and we  wondered where he had lived. Many phone calls, internet and lost pet searches, but no luck at all. However  the local vet clinic had been notified, maybe his description was not matching their details.



Shortly after this he came in the back door, very cautious. He was hungry and so happy to have a feed. 

A few weeks later I took him to our vet clinic for a check up, as by this time he was sleeping inside. ' I don't suppose he has a microchip? "  I asked. The vet scanned him and sure enough, he did. A quick check up and the  registration number wasn't found in the New Zealand Registry.  I came home and did some research, looking at every registration site, and finally found his number, registered in August 2007, in Victoria.

Roll on another week or so, and one morning about 7 a.m. I walked up the street calling him, as he had wandered out. There he was with his previous Mum, she said " Are you calling your cat" Yes, I wondered where Moxy had gone. She replied " Well, actually he is our cat and we call him Pat" Oh dear, he should go home to you, and then she told me about the Christmas saga,. She thought he was too scared to go back and suggested we keep him. His Dad has since said " Well, I have never been dumped by a cat"!!!



He did go next door, and  loved our bird bath for a drink and almost a dip. Maybe his last photo in October.

On Tuesday afternoon, I saw him by our front gate, just sitting quietly. About 5 minutes later, I left the dinner cooking and looked down our drive.   I cannot describe my feelings, and thank you all so much again for caring, sharing our loss, and more.  Phone calls, emails and texts have all shown me how much  our family and my friends care, all over the world and here in NZ., Our friend Lance came and dug a grave, and Hugh has made a beautiful varnished name sign.

Life must continue, and after my Dad died, I had the honour of donating his bowling bag and set of outdoor bowls to the club he had been a member of for many years. The words I spoke went something like this...

 "Do not hide my name away, but speak of me with love,  continue to do what we once did together  and have memories of all our happy times."

Quotation of the day,

Memories are golden, store them safely, visit them every day, with joy and sadness mingled together.

Greetings from Jean .


Tuesday 17 November 2020

Moxy, July 2007_ 17th November 2020

 Late this afternoon we lost our darling Moxy, I found him lying by the side of our street. He  was probably hit by a car, no marks, and his little face looked like it always did.

Our home is so quiet, time will heal.


Meanwhile, I am well and thank you all so much for your words, emails, comments and inspiration to get me motivated again.

 I think the stent surgery  was really successful,  but I have taken longer to feel fit and confident to go walking again.

I have been doing some sewing, a Quilt Along with blocks featuring seaside scenes, and for all of you in USA, the  Around The Block, with each 6 inch block featuring something special from each state. This will take so many weeks, and  will no doubt get finished  well into next year. For each of these, the designers have given some outstanding and amazing designs,  The seaside blocks need to be assembled  by mid December,

Quotation for today, 

" Love unconditionally,  and  remember the  happiness of earlier days"

Greetings from Jean