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…”
I wear hats, too, Celi. I don’t like sunscreen on my skin, although I will use it briefly before swimming.
Fabulous post as always Celi!! I love that pig too! What a beautiful face 🙂 And you definitely made an excellent point about the sunscreen and skin cancer. Hmmm…. I didn’t use much sunscreen this summer either mostly because I don’t like the smell. I did as you suggested, covered up!
My eye doctor told me that everyone eventually gets cataracts, but you can slow the process down considerably by always wearing a hat and dark glasses in the sun. I’m lucky to have a Tilley hat… they make great hats!
So I hear and I actually could not see without my dark glasses, they are either on my face or on my head! Interesting what he said too.. c
I love sheila the pig too; but i love the others – probably right about the sunscreen! high regards
Yes, it is hard to know which is worse: the chemicals or the possible result of them. I just stay out of the sun as much as I can. but then, I don’t have nearly the outdoor chores that you do. I thought about you today as I posted about delivering Meals on Wheels to elderly people – you are do good about serving them, and I see why you love it.
I hate sunscreen and have taken the same approach. I wear my Tilley hat (which I love) every time I go outside. I wear long sleeves even when it’s above 90, and I endure the questions – “Aren’t you hot?” and “Why are you wearing long sleeves?”
I wear long sleeves in the barn because of the flies, they are just tickly little fellas.. i am going to look up this Tilly hat though, it seems very popular! morning ! c
My very fair grandmothers, white skin/red hair….always covered up…a man’s long sleeved shirt and a hat…for working in their HUGE gardens’ full of roses and food and lots and lots of blooming things a little girl could be lost in.
Their skin was the milky white softness, of their generation even to the end.
Very wise, C.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
i wish i had gotton wise earlier on, my grandmother was the same, but with white blond hair, I loved her hats, actually she was a milliner, so we ALL had hats!! c
Lovely feathers in your hat! I also do not wear suntan lotion – too many chemicals.
Sheila is too cute!
Beautiful photography. And I sympathise with your reluctance to wear sunscreen – it gives me terrible allergic reactions. As an Aussie of Celtic complexion I generally try to opt for the shade and long shirts and wide brimmed hats concept. And I really should get a cork hat, now that you mention it!
Absolutely, an aussie without corks would be unsettling, i also have that pale irish skin..we do have to be careful.. welcome fikalo!~!
The sun here in Colorado can blaze a scary trail–my hats wear out awfully fast 🙂
No sunscreen here either–and I don’t put it on my kiddos much either–gasp! I know, but I think if you naturally build up your tan, and don’t burn…that is best…for us.
And on a drive today I saw a family of guinea hens!! I thought of your beauties!
Funny how we have all grown up and looked back at the processed whatevers and thought, ah.. no.. fancy you seeing guineas. mine are the only ones i have ever seen.. c
I had never seen them before either…they were along the edge of a cornfield. 7 or 8 of them, and no farmhouse or barn in sight.
I should have stopped to take a photo, but the wind was so bad today, I don’t think I could have gotten a very good pic!
I love their feathers!
I like the sunscreen theory. In china everyone wears long sleeves and carries an umbrella in the summer and it seems to work. I am not sure why I was bumped off your email list, but I subscribed again 🙂
Thank you for resubscribing. This happens on occassion i hear.. i need to do the same with some of my favourites! .. c
A hat and proper covering is the gentle way to go indeed. This is a lotion-free home (all lotions). The dog and I sit in the shade to read, or we sit in the sun briefly. I have never experienced a sun burn ever since I stopped putting anything but water on my skin! Makes one wonder indeed! Lovely hat… any photograph with your smiling face beneath?
One day granny! Lotion free is the way to go, I am happy with my grape seed oil or rose oil in the evenings! Simple wins every time! have a lovely day.. c
Love the orange streak across the sky!
I’ve got one of those Aussie hats – bought at Uluru, and it works a treat. But I still need to use something else and my most recent answer is mineral powder. Easy to apply and deflects the sun well, so I’m told. Even so, the specialist has just detected two more tiny basal cell carcinomas. He could freeze them off instantly, or I can use a pin prick of special cream for 6 weeks. It’s Ok, I’m patient, I said, and I know there’s less scarring this way. You’ll need lots of protection once you are in NZ! Love the peacock and red streak in the sky photo, and your hat decoration.
(PS Don’t try bringing peacock feathers into NZ unless you are prepared to have them fumigated – and to pay for it)