Yard Work

Dang, those gum boots are heavy. I said we would flip back the black plastic surrounding the native plant area so Keith could mow the tall grass at the edges. Clomping around in gum boots since the ground is sopping wet wore me out. We managed to get all sides flipped back and extra pieces moved out of his way before the rains started. We took a break, then, when the sun came out, flipped back one side. I was worn out. The rain started again, so a good excuse to quit. We will get back to the rest eventually. Betsy trimmed fruit trees while we worked.

She had heard there was an electronic repair booth at the local farmers market on the last Saturday of the month. We took her broken dehydrator to see if it could be fixed. We wandered around, looking at merchandise, and asking where the repair shop was. No one knew. I saw a NZ jade bead bracelet for $40 which gives me a working price as a comparison. We can always come back. No one knew anything about the repair shop.

We stopped at Matt’s BBQ for a beef cheek meal with slaw, white bread and a pickle. Alabama white sauce and Kansas City sauce finished the dish. Yes, an American. He is married to Inga, a German woman who is Claes’ manager. He knew the electronic repair shop was at a different market. 


Off to the other place. It was a community event that one could bring their small electronics and other things that need repair, and locals would see what they could do. As we walked up, a woman was delighted that her Dyson vacuum now worked. Betsy signed in her dehydrator, and we wandered the dusty shops. I found wooden earrings shaped in the Aotearoa silver fern, perhaps for Stephanie.

Back at the electronic area, the guy was having no luck fixing the dehydrator. Soon, another man came, and they consulted each other. New cord? New plug? Eventually, they reluctantly decreed the appliance dead. They kept the screws they removed and threw the cord in the trash. We took the parts home to add to the big bin Betsy has. There was no charge since there was no repair. Just a community service to make the world a better place.

A relatively quick stop at the grocery store, where we ran into Claes.

Lunch at home, then lazing around inside since it was still raining. I continued knitting the hat. It is a complicated lacy pattern I have to pay attention. Probably good for my brain.

Betsy cooked a noodle/sliced cabbage/broccoli dish with a fried egg on top. Seasoned with ginger and tamarind. We are having new to us vegetarian dishes which I plan to have Grant make us when we get home. One night was a kumera chili, although I’d call it more a stew. Another night, nachos. Good for us, good for the budget, good for the earth.

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