There are limits to my span of attention. When the tea table conversation turned to trigonometry – my limits were reached (I am sorry but x is actually an x. I have no concept of it meaning anything other than x). I went into a coma, emerged and realised that I did not have time to catch the sun for the dogs walk. Dark was falling. 
So we have been left in the dark this morning. But this is probably my favourite shot so far this week anyway!
Everyone was wondering why I was out so late.
Lucky I took a few reflective shots earlier.
I love Sheila. Honestly, I love that pig. And when I was having my walk in the dark last night, checking the fences, I realised that for at least part of the way she was walking inside the fences with me. Charlotte, as usual, was walking in the opposite direction. They have learned that if you bash at a gate for long enough there are a few with loose latches. When the crops are gone I am going to train her to go on the walk. At least when the beans are out I will be able to see where she gets to.
My wedding hat and constant head covering is collecting more appropriate decoration. 
I decided not to wear suntan lotion this year. My skin was not enjoying the chemicals that are in the modern lotions. And I notice that the rise in skin cancer is matching the rise in suntan lotion use. Hmm. I am just not sure which one came first. So I am using an old fashioned method. I cover the skin! For centuries people have covered their skin. It is a fail safe way to protect it.
The hat is always on my head and the summer skin problems I usually encounter have not appeared this year. So it was a good choice for me. I have a sneaking suspicion that suntan lotion actually weakens the skins defences against the sun, so when you get caught out without it, the damage hits all in one go. Best to wear the hat. Though the sun here is not nearly as fierce as the sun in NZ. I will be needing a very good hat when I go home in December. It is a shame I am not going though Australia because I would really like one of those Aussie outback hats, minus the corks of course!! You know, the one Crocodile Dundee wore.
Good morning. It was a slow day yesterday. One of those days we talked about. Lots to do but most of it done in a dreamy slow day potter.
The layers period has begun, when I go out in the morning wearing warm layers then during the course of the day as it warms up and I work, I start shedding the layers, and in the afternoon as the day drops back into coolness I find my scattered layers and put them all back on again. The trick is to find the fence post I hung the item of clothing on!
Have a lovely day.
celi
On this day a year ago.. that famous pic of the frog and the frog garden. There are piles of frogs in the frog garden again this year. Multiple plops and splashes when I round the corner as they all leap back through the slats in the boardwalk and down into their little covered pond.
The Kitchen's Garden 
97 responses to “There are limits…”
Sheila looks like she is smiling in the picture. How great is that! And I’m with you on the suntan lotion. I lathered myself up with it like crazy when we went to Hawaii and I ended up with terrible sun poisoning after only an hour in the sun. I had to remain covered most days. Then at home this summer, I went without when I was outside for an hour here and there (what would have caused the sun poisoning with sun lotion in Hawaii) and I was fine. Not even a drop of color. I’d blame it on Hawaii being closer to the equator, but we’ve been there and close to the equator on other trips and I never had any issues. Go figure. I’m with you – covering, and no lotion.
I am speaking as the medico and natural therapist I am: Celi your feelings about sunscreen are actually 100% correct, but allopathic medicine still totally refuses to admit! But please put some simple moisturiser on, even if olive or baby oil! Love that contrail shot: it’s cold up there already! And, hate to tell you, loved trig and algebra 🙂 !
We’re just beginning to feel the cool in the mornings and evenings. This heralds wood splitting is not something that I massively look forward to. I’ve got the same problem with “x”. Not like Michael Douglas:)
Love the opening picture, sweet bird, sweet autumn morning sky! Just going to sound off briefly here on sun and skin … Having lost a dear friend to melanoma far too young I think the key thing is not to burn your skin. Once you’ve burnt it the damage is done. Ten minutes a day of sun exposure is good for Vitamin D production which is essential for your health, lots of interesting research into Vit D going on lately. So if you are going to be outside for much longer than that, it makes sense to cover up one way or the other. I don’t like the feel of most sunscreens, but I also don’t like swimming in a wetsuit much, so waterproof sunscreen on head and face and shoulders etc when swimming outdoors is pretty eseential for me. If I am on land then clothes and hat is preferable.
Autumn has arrived here also: 18c during the day and it dropped to 7c overnight. Lovely. Lovely.
Interesting to hear your thoughts on sunscreen. I agree with you. I fail to see how it can be good to put strong chemicals on your skin every day. I get a crop of fine blisters if I use some sunscreens on a regular basis. My solution is to stay out of the sun in the middle of the day and cover up where possible. Of course, I used to sun bake in my teens, we all did, with coconut oil. It is a wonder I have any skin left, which is why I take care of it now.
C — an X is an X in my mind too! Love the pigs too! They really are quite intelligent! My father had some on the farm always, until he was 68. The stories we could share!
The image of Sheila is priceless.
I love that the peacock feather made it to your wedding hat! 🙂 Have you ever posted your wedding photos, Celi?
there are no photos of my wedding with john.. and no guests, just his two best friends who i called my hairy bridesmaids.. maybe I will write that story someday.. it is desperately romantic.. c
I love strolling through your words and images. It always feels as though I’ve taken a walk on the farm with you.
I’ve often wondered about the rise in skin cancer and the rise in the use of sunscreen. I have the same questions when it comes to breast cancer and mammograms.
Just the thought of trig puts me in a coma! That’s why I’m so late commenting on this post! 😉