I continue to be observant of Mother Nature reaching out and contacting me. In my prayers on Monday when I said “Thank you for the birds” a bird sitting on the gate gave a loud squawk. When I put my hands out, palms upwards, and turned towards the West and gave thanks for the rain, a single drop of liquid fell from the sky and landed directly in the exact center of my palm.

It was not raining, nor had it been raining the previous night. I said thank you for acknowledging my prayer.

I saw lots of skinks this week because it was sunny and warm and they love the sunshine. I saw several very tiny ones.

I guess they are practicing their life skills because they do some really funny things. I saw one of them just face plant onto the ground straight from the wall. I love watching them jump around on the trees.

I also saw lots of birds. The sunbirds fly into the vines at the back and at the front. The swee waxbills are the main consumers of my tiny bird seed. I adore them. I think the larger ones on the tree on the right are silver waxbills.

Kim came this week and he planted some of the plants that I bought last week.

I planted a few bits and pieces, literally. It meant I could use my tools.

The snake plant and the pointy one are now by the pool. I do not know what Mr Pointy is so he is just Mr Pointy unless someone tells me what he is.

I love how this bed is evolving with my foxtail ferns and other plants next to the strelitzia. I hope they all live.

I decided I agreed with Norman and the log planter that Kim and I made was overwhelming the planters in this spot. It is better without the log. I started a planting area because it is bare earth under there and I did not want the animals in the dirt.

Kim moved the log to the back garden at the base of the shed. I spend more time back there and get to see it every day. Sometimes, much like furniture, you have to move things around the garden until it finds its home.

Some of my succulents at the front of the house are just stunning and I like to have a walk around and chat to them. The sun was setting and the colour off of the mountains hit this one and turned it into quite the stunner. It is as big as your head and it literally glowed a warm pink.

I love these succulents.

It has been cold but sunny and the dogs love lying at the front.

Well, Finn lies, Poppy zooms.

My new Acronym is DBT or Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Opposite Action is a core DBT skill used to reduce or change overwhelming emotions by intentionally behaving the exact opposite of your natural emotional urge. Here are some examples.

The topic came up when Caz, the lovely admin who runs ‘Positively DBT‘, asked people to post a success story for the week. I love the page but never even noticed the acronym is part of the page name! Caz mentioned that as I made it to get my blood drawn despite not wanting to go, it meant I had applied Opposite Action so I googled it. This week was full of Opposite Actions. I went to the dental hygienist on Thursday and I went to get my flu shot on Friday.

This theory can be applied in both directions, discouraging a behaviour or encouraging us to behave in a certain way. For example, I learned about Farina. In my plant nursery I speak softly to the babies or the sick plants and I stroke them thinking that gentle, loving touch is so positive. Apparently not if you are a succulent.

Farina is a natural, white powdery wax coating that grows on the leaves and stems of many succulents. Also known as epicuticular wax, it gives the plants a soft, frosted, or pastel appearance. It also creates a slippery, waxy layer that keeps pests from laying eggs or chewing on the foliage and I keep having issues with spider mites or whatever those little things with the white icky stuff are called.

By the way, Farina is ALSO a food item so do not freak out if someone serves you farina. It is different. It has not been scraped off a plant. Unless it is a wheat plant.

Norm continued to bring me soup and toast midday many afternoons and he even cooked dinner for us on Monday night. He made gammon steaks, layered potatoes and steamed baby broccoli.

Tuesday was a public holiday. It was bitterly cold but bright. We had a lazy day, me pottering about feeding the birds and gardening. Norm having a well deserved snooze on the lounger with Poppy.

On Thursday Norm and I both went to get our teeth cleaned at the hygienist. He booked my appointment at 9am which seemed annoying when he told me, but it turned out to be a great idea for managing my anxiety. It is so early I did not have time to get terribly anxious. I was stimming constantly but that meant all the nervous energy passed through my hands into the air. The hygienist was very gentle, quick and efficient. She kept stroking the sides of my chin and I joked she might cut herself as I was overdue a threading. Her and her assistant both found that very funny. Probably because it was true.

After I had my teeth cleaned Norm had an appointment to have his cleaned so I nipped across the road to The Pelican to wait for him. I chose a table outside despite it being a bit windy.

I ordered a coffee while I waited.

When Norm arrived he said he was a bit chilly so we moved inside where they had a big roaring fire going. We chose a table near the fire for Norm but far enough away that I did not complain constantly about being hot. We ordered food, Norm ordered scrambled eggs and toast and I had French toast with bacon. It was divine but I only managed one slice of the toast as I am not a big morning eater. I however did eat all of the bacon.

We did not linger as I had to get back to work and Norm had a meeting. I had to work late to make up the time I took off for both mornings, luckily Friday was a quick pop in and no reward provided afterwards so we were home by 9.30.

I am such a doofus sometimes. I had an email from HR to ask me why I submitted timesheets when I was booked off on leave. The leave I had booked was for June instead of July, so I had to start the leave application process over and cancel the approved one. I do not know why I find this leave request system so difficult to manage properly, every time I apply I have a problem.

This week I have been obsessed as only the neurodiverse can be. I first spotted Sekou dancing on a reel with the sound off and clicked on the sound, and I assumed he was just performing, not actually singing because how could that deep chested bass come out of such a pretty young thing?! I googled and watched the video below, found him on Spotify and followed him and added several tracks to my liked songs. I adore everything about this young man, his quirky dress style, his dance moves, his innocent looking face and vague campishness, his fabulous hair, and of course his voice. I see big things in this man’s future and everyone knowing his name.

This morning I am off to the spa for the aforementioned threading and a facial. Tomorrow is Father’s Day so Caitlin is coming by with Bree. I hope you all have a great weekend and week ahead. Until next time, Kisses from the Kitten xoxox