Anyway, the Feline Formerly Known as Peaches began hanging out at our place about a year ago. My son thought he was a she, looked a bit skinny, and was therefore a stray, so began feeding ``her'' lots and then determined ``she'' was pregnant and needed to go to the vet. The name ``Peaches'' stuck. Peaches, of course, was just being overfed.
Then we had a visit from the man over the fence. ``Please don't feed Gus, although feel free to let him sleep in your house, rip up your curtains and sofa, and dig up your garden,'' he said, or words to that effect.
Gus? Really? It's a bloke cat?
Not surprisingly, Gus has reduced in size since we stopped feeding him. But we still find ourselves calling him ``Peaches''.
Anyway, the point of all this is Gus loves helping in the garden. He was sitting there watching and supporting all weekend while I did the lawns and planted up the flower pots. He's there when I trim the shrubs and pull out the dandelions.
He seems to care about my efforts. But I know what he's really thinking: ``Why won't these buggers feed me any more?''
The night cart
Who would think a smelly old night cart would elicit any kind of romantic nostalgia?
Neville Lean, of Oamaru, has happy memories.
``My family took up residence in Careys Bay in 1955, at which time I think only the pub and shop had flush (indoor) lavvies.
``A local contractor, `Binky' Olsen, had the task of visiting properties in the evening and exchanging the full loo cans with an empty. He also removed ashes, but this was a separate collection.
``It was widely reported that Binky's truck was the most powerful on the planet, having six wheels and 40 pistons!''
I'm relieved (maybe that's the wrong word?) to hear they were separate collections. It would be rather alarming to have a can still hot from embers placed below one in the outside cludgy.
Christmas is coming
Yay, Christmas is just about here, according to our larger retailers. Go out and spend everything you have on rubbish that nobody needs. There - that's the spirit!
Julie Asher, of Millers Flat, spotted ``traditional fruit mince pies'' in Gore Countdown last week. Interestingly, no mention of the ``Christmas'' word but we all know what the politically correct ``traditional'' word is replacing, don't we?
``The Warehouse was also well stocked with Christmas items, including chocolate Santas.
Give me strength,'' says Julie.
Annette McLean, of Alexandra, was also in The Warehouse in her home town last week.
``It's only the first week of October and we already have a lot of Christmas sweets, gift sets and stocking `fillers' on the shelves. Those little elves have been busy in their workshop.''
Couldn't resist this...
Another cracker from The Guardian's ``It's a Funny Old World'', this one from The Guardian itself.
``After being charged 20 for a 10 overdraft, 30-year-old Michael Howard, of Leeds, changed his name by deed poll to `Yorkshire Bank Plc are Fascist Bastards'. The bank has now asked him to close his account, and Mr Bastards has asked them to repay the 69p balance by cheque, made out in his new name.''
Anyone out there want to change their name to anything similar?