I'd like to wish all my US blog pals a Happy Semiquincentennial. That's quite an achievement with your experiment at a democracy to ensure its people enjoy Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. 🎉🎆
There was greyhound in the last book I read. I liked this moment in the story: 🐶
Just as Tam was wondering what he would do with a freshly slain rabbit, the dog returned to his side, mercifully with nothing in its jaws. It was presumably used to its electric quarry disappearing, but Tam thought he sensed a faint embarrassment. ‘Never mind, son,’ he said, stroking the narrow, intelligent head. ‘We all make mistakes.’
Another great story from Aline Templeton — Murder in Kirkluce (Detective Marjory Fleming Mysteries Book 4). 📚
Colonel Andrew Carmichael. Old soldier. Local benefactor. The man who won't sell.
First, a slaughtered sheep is dumped in his courtyard.
A warning.
Days later, the colonel opens his front door — and is shot dead on his own doorstep.
Nice quote, with a cop looking after a greyhound: 🐶
He’d tried throwing a stick for it, but this was ignored with a pained dignity which made him feel positively embarrassed at being so uncouth.
After visiting the Whangārei Farmer's Market this morning I actually had a decent green tea at nearby Bob Cafe:
Bob Cafe is a beloved Whangārei gem—offering top-tier coffee, flavorful breakfast fare, and a community-oriented feel that keeps locals and visitors coming back.
Deb says she sometimes has a good eggs on toast there too.
Well, !@#$ that! Send him home! New US ambassador would like chance to work on New Zealand's nuclear policy | RNZ:
The new United States ambassador says it is not for him to change New Zealand laws, but he would like the opportunity to work on the country's nuclear policy.
Jared Novelly said he had not seen any appetite for change in the little time he had been here but he would love to see nuclear ships in New Zealand waters. …
He also described his desire to see US warships in New Zealand waters …
Good eco news from the nearby solar farm:
The plan is to plant 70,000 native plants grown from locally sourced seed in July. This will be a mix of of wetland shrub or duneland forest species such as harakeke (flax), wi wi and oioi (rushes), ti kouka (cabbage tree), coastal toetoe, whau, kānuka, mānuka, akeake and houpara. There will also be a pest management programme to prevent rabbits from eating the plants.
Via Bream Bay News, 02 July 2026, Page 3: Over 600 workers helping to build Ruakākā Solar Farm.
After my resistance training session at the gym we visited Harbour Keys Cafe at One Tree Point for breakfast. The service and food are great.
I had corn fritters with mushrooms, pesto, cream and sweet chilli sauce, along with a Spiced Orange and Horopito tea.
I made a very yummy Masala Khichdi:
This Masala Khichdi is loaded with healthful veggies and it is deliciously spiced with garam masala and turmeric. It's the ultimate Indian comfort food!
I used potato, celery, peas, carrot and broccoli, along with brown rice and red lentils.
This freebie rounded out a series I just didn't take to, which I was sad about because the setting and author are pretty local. Angels of Clay : The Matakana Series by Madeleine Eskedahl. 📚
As the investigation begins, Sergeant Bill Granger and Constable Niko Sopoaga find themselves drawn into a case that quickly becomes more complex.
This was more a slice of Matakana life than an investigation and eventually the perpetrator happened along rather than any trail of clues leading to them.
Brrrr, it's 6C (~44F) and the fellow operating the digger behind our house is wearing shorts!
Today's beach movie.
For the Pacific Wave Appreciation Society. 🌊
Full moon rising.
The surprise of historically informed commentary
When I was at school half a century ago history bored me witless. It was all kings, treaties, wars, royal marriages and archbishops.
Also, it's in my nature to look forward to possibilities for improvement (Star Trek fan here) and not backwards to restriction and bigotry (historical novels, for example).
Moreover, I've always disliked or hated politics.
So, it's with great surprise that I find I've become a huge fan of both Heather Cox Richardson and Dr. Joanne Freeman, both American historians who discuss and comment on current events in US politics, calling on their vast knowledge of how the US was created and what ideas shaped it.
I've learned so much about why the US is as it is today.
Alarmingly, I find I understand more too about how NZ politicians are tapping in to ideas and policies also often being espoused by the corrupt leaders of today's US.
Staying tuned …
I enjoyed this somewhat but wasn't entirely enthralled with a plot that raced along with almost magical speed. Crime in the Community (Pitkirtly Mysteries Book 1) by Cecilia Peartree. 📚
Christopher thinks he has his life under control until the mysterious Amaryllis arrives in the little town, spreading chaos and confusion in her wake.
There were some turns of phrase I really enjoyed, like:
He brushed aside any attempt to thank him, apparently embarrassed to have caused gratitude to be felt.
Bradenslen mentioned this series so I tried Book One.
Looking across the estuary to Taranga | Hen Island.
It's another gorgeous day and fairly warm for winter. I biked to the estuary at Princes Street — 5 Km / 20 minutes each way — and spotted this Royal Spoonbill sweeping for food in the river. 🐦
Also spotted: gulls, dotterels, ducks, white-faced herons, Oystercatchers.
I'm coming to really enjoy this series, and this book held my interest. Murder in Drumbreck Bay (Detective Marjory Fleming Mysteries Book 3) by Aline Templeton. 📚
Someone is silencing witnesses. Someone always one step ahead.
And the killer is closer to Detective Fleming than she knows.
The number of amusing passages I highlight is increasing too, like this one:
Ronnie’s face was a murky purple, an unhealthy colour. It crossed her mind to suggest he call a doctor—but why? It would only provoke him further, and anyway, what was wrong with being a wealthy widow?
Today at the beach I got to pat 3 dogs, one a greyhound. 😁 🐶
Here's a rare selfie, too. The day was so stunningly gorgeous after rain all day earlier in the week.
In my On This Day scan I also found reference to lower back problems.
About 6 months ago I started doing deep squats and have now built up to about 10 minutes at a time. Transformative!
See How to Asian Squat - 3 Exercises You Need and If I were to start again, Here is what I would do.
Apparently it's 2 years since I started going to the gym regularly. It's been life-changing — I certainly feel stronger and fitter, my posture's improved, and I also seem to have gravitated to learning a lot about health. I've also improved what I eat (and when). All around, a good change.