Sasha, 🐶 aged 15, is pretty much blind and almost deaf, arthritic and has weak legs. I have to lift her up and down steps, on and off the bed. Her walks are now limited to ~200 metres max, and that can take 10 or 15 minutes. I hope she enjoys the fresh smells.

Sasha and Oshi turn 15 today! 🎉 They had some extra treats in their breakfast. Here are some silly birthday photos. 😀

Two small dogs wait for breakfast.
Small white dog looking up while eating.
Small black dog with tongue sticking out.

Happily noted: Nichelle Nichols played the role of Nyota Uhura on Star Trek: The Original Series. 🖖🏼 Recently,

Astronaut Appearance Specialist Denise Young bestowed on Nichols NASA’s Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for her 40 years of activism in diversifying NASA’s ranks.

Source: Daily Star Trek News

From a couple of days ago: Thrush on a fence post.

Mid-size brown speckled bird on a fence post.

I enjoy Anne Shillolo’s Port Alma mysteries very much. Unfortunately, I found Frozen Fear, part of a different series, somewhat annoying. I should know by now I’m not a big fan of romancey stories.

Book cover: Frozen Fear.

Peekaboo. Cloud over the Tararuas.

Single big white fluffy cloud comes up behind mountains.

At the start of this week we had almost 100 mm rain over 2 or 3 days, with associated flooding around the place. Now there’s another 100 mm forecast over the next 7 days.

Rain this week.
Forecast rain, wind, temperature.

The Welcome Swallow, on the other hand, just seemed inscrutable.

Small bird with black pointed wings, pale underbody and russet face.

This waxeye on the flax spear was a bit grumpy looking.

Tiny bird on a flax spear.

This little Yellowhammer was also busy singing out loud on a flax bush yesterday. 🐦

Small sparrow-like bird with yellow head.
Small sparrow-like bird with yellow head, beak open.

A late afternoon songster, this European greenfinch. 🐦 😀

Small yellow bird on a flax spear.
Small yellow bird, singing.

Time flies! Thought I should get ready to be able to easily type 2023 now we’re soon to be in 2022. Found my TextExpander snippet of y3 still expanded to 2013. That what happens when you use an app for more than a decade! Also found several old snippets I needed a decade ago! 😮

Screenshot of some TextExpander date snippets.

It was time to replace lamp and filters on our Puretec HYBRID-G9 UV water treatment unit. I watched a maintenance video and noted 35 steps then took my courage in hand. It actually wasn’t that hard. I’ve made a note to set aside water for cleaning before draining the taps.

Coars filter used and new.
Fine filter, used and new.

We had 100 mm rain (4 inches) in the last 2–3 days. I’ve written about it with photos on the Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association blog: A bit damp in early December 2021.

Swift river at the footbridge.
Puddle stretches all across Strathnaver Drive.

With all the rain the last couple of days this wild baby rabbit found a sheltered spot under the overhang of the quail palace roof. Handy nibbles right there too! 🐇

Small rabbit by a piece of plywood and green grass.

I went out when it wasn’t raining quite so hard to check on things in this area. There was heaps more rain in the mountains than here so the river was pretty full. Islands of river weed are being washed away (and that’s good).

Full muddy river.

This boy Oshi 🐶 has no manners — he barges in, pushes himself around, generally has no regard for anyone else. Except when he’s on my bed. Then he waits respectfully at the foot till invited closer, sits quietly, is a model dog.

Small white cute dog.

I’m finding the Publii documentation to be excellent. Clear, well laid out, comprehensive.

I’m giving Publii a try, with good results so far:

Publii is an open-source static site generator for every skill level, from beginner to developer.

Now I know it works I’ll start building up the site. 😀

Yesterday a starling flew right in through the open door and fetched up in the corner of the kitchen. It was not happy. It looked like it could inflict real damage, but armed with oven gloves I was able to pick it up and take it outside.

Starling on the windowsill inside the kitchen.