Three dead birds so far this week. Two brought in as offerings, one met a window head on. The compost heap has been the burial ground, which worked out well until Neko discovered this and rolled in carrion to his hearts content. I wouldn't care, really, except that he spent the rest of the day napping on our bed. One can only hope that a certain canary makes it through these uncertain times for local birds.
Karl and I hiked the Foveaux Walkway in Bluff this afternoon. Karl lies a lot. Lies before our hike included false statements about the weather, the length of our planned hike and worst of all he omitted the fact the hike is 90% uphill and then 10% down hill at a 90 degree angle. ("Pu-leez", says Karl)
More lies. I would like to point out, now that it is the day after, Karl had to go to sleep at 9:00 pm. Also we found three more dead birds today. I think one was a suicide in the barn, but foul play cannot be ruled out.
Fun Facts:
1. There are no pennies or nickels here. There are $1.00 and $2.00 dollar coins. Kiwis use the Swedish system of rounding.
2. Vacation homes on the North Island are called "batches" whereas here on the South Island they are called "cribs."
3. Halloween is not a big holiday which is good in the sense that Hallmark-esq garbage has not infiltrated but sad because we didn't get to dress up or play tricks on co-workers.
4. True Fact: I witnessed a man eat a banana with Vegemite on it. (my PTSD is resolving slowly)
Nostalgia is bitter sweet. I lucked out at the Countdown this week and found real bagels. Real New York style everything bagels. Joy to my world since they also had salmon, capers, red onion and cream cheese. What else do you need to complete the perfect weekend morning besides bagel with lox and coffee? Prairie Home Companion, of course! I love the internet, podcasts more specifically. So we had our lox and coffee while laughing at Garrison Keillor and how could a moment like this be destroyed? (well, I suppose many ways, but thats not part of this story.) By two canaries, thats how. They get all giddy when the radio is on, when there are people in the room, when the sun shines. Miserable creatures. They are trying to destroy not only my inner ear but also my sanity. Karl, having grown up with birds, does not share my disgust for them and their "singing."
