BTW: Sasha has to stand on the carpet now to eat her meals as otherwise her legs slide out from under her. She no longer has sufficient strength in her legs to control that.

She used to eat sitting down (she has a long body). Even a year ago she was still able to do that. 🐶

Sasha told me at length that breakfast didn’t meet her requirements. Only after I added some of the expensive gourmet wet food did she consent to eat it. 🐶

I hope when I’m her age (16 as a dog, but the vet says that’s like being 100 as a human) I get that kind of consideration for my wishes.

Thanks to a crossword I have now heard of three Impressionist painters: Marie Bracquemond, Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt. Lovely!

Watched B5 S01E02, Soul Hunter. Interesting ideas about how different cultures can view something from opposing perspectives. We learned some interesting things about the Minbari called Delenn, who is more than she seems. B5️⃣

And I say again: “Sea levels are rising. We gotta deal with climate change.” 🐦

Watching Lingthusiasm: Bringing stories to life in Auslan - Interview with Gabrielle Hodge. I have utmost respect for sign language interpreters who are saying what went a moment ago while observing what is current. What skill! Paying such close attention must be exhausting.

Oh Siri … sometimes you drive me pineapples!

Me: Hey Siri, add Vanilla Wine Biscuits to the Groceries List.

Siri: OK, I’ve added chocolate to the Groceries list.

What????

Somehow on my Babylon 5 rewatch I completely forgot to start with the pilot, The Gathering. The ambassadors arrive, the Station Commander is accused of attempted assassination of the Kosh ambassador, and we find everyone has secrets, or mysteries. Luckily it all pans out and B5 opens for business. B5️⃣

Whew, Babylon 5 rewatch, S01E01, “Midnight on the Firing Line”. There’s a huge amount happening in the universe and we’re dropped right into the middle of it. We have xenophobia, hostilities between cultures, tension between the Registered Telepaths and others, raiders, mysterious races. B5️⃣

Today’s lunch included a very rich yet delicious Broccoli-Cauliflower Casserole via @mbkriegh.

I halved the cheese and sauce parts of the recipe as I didn’t think we had as much broccoli and cauliflower as required.

Good news today.

Deb picked up Thai Takeaway on her way home last night from Thai Tara in Johnsonville. I had Ginger and Vegetable Stir Fry with chicken, mild and it was good. Would buy from there again.

A good read: Borrowed Time (A Cass Raines Mystery Book 2) by Tracy Clark. 🐦

It could be murder. But why would anyone kill a dying man? Cass’s persistence attracts unwanted attention, putting her life in danger and uncovering sinister secrets she may end up taking to her grave.

Usually I eat my breakfast while listening to the latest episode of Sasha’s “My life as a dog” podcast. Amazingly, it autoplays, triggered by my sitting down to eat. Today though some glitch occurred and it didn’t play. 🐶 Here’s a brief extract of a recent episode, for flavour.

Today’s tea Moonlight Pavilion:

You’ll notice the aromas undulate between floral, buttery and vegetal, with a pleasant astringency at each temperature.

Yes, it is a pleasant astringency.

A fascinating 1 hour podcast episode — After an initial discussion between the hosts about whale vocalisations, Megan and Carrie talk with Rachel E. Gross about her book, Vagina Obscura, and the language we use to describe pregnancy, vaginas, cervixes, etc. Don’t be an *, be a 🐈 from The Vocal Fries

Had this Soft Scrambled Japanese Tamago today. It’s quick, easy, delicious:

whisk together eggs, mirin, sugar, and soy. Add … along with butter to a cold pan … stir occasionally over medium-high heat … about 2–3 minutes.

This is an extreme crop of a photo at nearby Lake Puna o te Ora: two birds shaking, with water droplets spraying around them. The birds are likely Rakiraki | Mallard, with a Kuruwhengi | Australasian shoveler enjoying a quiet moment in the background. 🐦

Today’s tea is golden yellow and delicious. Amber Hojicha roasted green tea:

This special Hojicha tea is made with sencha leaves which are roasted; a process that transforms the leaves into a warm brown colour and changes their flavour. Amber Hojicha infuses into a deep amber-coloured tea

It’s been that kind of day.

I was just getting nicely lined up on this Makipai | Australian Magpie at the beach — hoping it would sing — when it flew away! 🐦

By 0650 the sun was rising.

It’s just before 6am and a chilly 7C as I take Sasha for her walk. Everything’s dark. There are stars in the clear sky, washed out by a very bright half moon. I can make out a little of the Milky Way below the Southern Cross.

There’s no wind. It’s silent — too early for the birds. As I round the corner though I can hear the sea nearby.

A beautiful way to start the day.

Today’s tea — White Moonlight:

This is a fun, fragrant, light-bodied white tea with an intricate cascade of notes…

I like this one. It is fragrant and light-bodied. Refreshing. I make it with 1 teaspoon of leaves.