Kiwi Times

Doing some reading, gardening, & cooking in my new home.

I finished "Just Kids" by Patti Smith about her & Robert Mapplethrope. I enjoyed her writing style and thought it was a loving memoir of two New York artists. It’s prompted me to read "On the Road" which I’ve never read before. I think I’m finally ready. And I re-read "Into the Wild", which is a favorite. I also got into Agatha Christie over the last year. Christchurch has a lot of her novels for cheap and they always have an interesting twist.

Growing onions, strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, pears, and figs. Trying to grow some sunflowers, but I think it’s too late in the season for that. I’ve got lavendar already started. Roses and dahliah’s too. There are some other flowers and plants already planted and I don’t know what they are. I need a New Zealand plant and herb guide book so I can figure out if I’ve just been growing a pile of weeds.Books can get expensive here so I’m trying to pace myself.

I found a great birding guide that has been very useful in identifying several birds here. I bought a new pair of binoculars (Andy Fever calls them Private Eyes) for birding. We took a hike through the Port Hills to the Pacific Ocean and I saw some dolphins. Their dolphins are small and compact here. Very adorable.

While I was working at the art gallery/retail space in Seattle I was able to buy some nice art supplies. I’ve been working on some drawings and plan to start painting once our belongings arrive by ship in late March.

I’ve yet to start job hunting, but I’m hoping to start volunteering at the Christchurch Art Museum so hopefully that will help me get on there. I already have a work visa so the hardest part is over. Although their recent earthquake has made jobs difficult to find. I’m not sweating it because I’ve got my bountiful garden to tend and plenty of books to keep me occupied.