It is like we stopped existing and started living. We are more involved in living life since this COVID-19 took hold. I am at my fathers, I came after a doctors appointment yesterday and I have spent the morning in the garden with him. Dare I say, I wore him out. We harvested more tomatoes including more Black Krims and Cherokee purples and 3 more zucchini’s! A little haul of potatoes and it looks like we will eat well this weekend. I am amazed it is ANZAC day and we are still harvesting!

I haven’t started my weaving but while Sis is still sleeping and dad went back to bed to rest after a busy morning, I may just start loading the loom. I left the book at home but I think I can work out the basic pattern!

While I did not hear anyone playing the last post at dawn, we have heard it played over and over and now, the neighborhood has woken up and are busy mowing and playing and laughing out loud. This isolating business has put a halt to plenty of normal gatherings on this day. No BBQ’s no two up games just quiet family activities.

Yes folks, I am a fan of Urban Fantasy. In particular, I really enjoy reading the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.

In anticipation of his new release on July 14, I am re-reading books one to 15 again. This last week I have had a holiday and have already read 3 more books. The second time around I have found them even more enjoyable and have picked up on funny little lines and references. I’m laughing out loud and scaring the bejesus out of John at times.

The old IT man at work would regularly make jokes about my computer not working properly and the presence of ‘majik’. He also thought it was why my work garden experiments worked so well. At present the tomato plant is trying hard to grow through to the next floor.

I finally finished tidying up my second hand inkle loom and I am just procrastinating in warping it up and having my first whirl. Maybe tomorrow afternoon when I get back from tending to dads garden.

On another note, I can’t let it by that we are in the beginning of a ‘Pandemic’ they tell me on the news. Toilet paper seems to be the most in demand. I have never seen such panic buying before. Toilet paper seems to be like gold! It is becoming hard to find and I see people stacking their trolleys when it is in stock. Medicines such as Paracetamol and Aspirin are becoming hard to find. All I can say is PLEASE don’t panic. PLEASE do not flush hand wipes and disinfectant wipes and PLEASE be considerate of others. You don’t really need 700 rolls of bog tickets!!!

You might have noticed the site URL no longer comes with a warning of ‘Not Secure!” and instead shows a little padlock before the domain name.

Oh yeah! We are now “certified”. 🙂

With a growing number of browsers no longer letting people access http sites, I went out and updated SockDiva.com to https. What that means – and for those who like tech talk:

“Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client—typically a web server (website) and a browser, or a mail server and a mail client (e.g., Outlook).

SSL allows sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and login credentials to be transmitted securely. Normally, data sent between browsers and web servers is sent in plain text – leaving you vulnerable to eavesdropping. If an attacker is able to intercept all data being sent between a browser and a web server, they can see and use that information.

More specifically, SSL is a security protocol. Protocols describe how algorithms should be used. In this case, the SSL protocol determines variables of the encryption for both the link and the data being transmitted.

All browsers have the capability to interact with secured web servers using the SSL protocol. However, the browser and the server need what is called an SSL Certificate to be able to establish a secure connection.

SSL secures millions of peoples’ data on the Internet every day, especially during online transactions or when transmitting confidential information. Internet users have come to associate their online security with the lock icon that comes with an SSL-secured website or green address bar that comes with an Extended Validation SSL-secured website. SSL-secured websites also begin with https rather than http.”

Yes, you heard it here first! (Not really but you may have) the Wiggles are reuniting for the bushfire appeal concert! And the Animal Rescue Craft Guild got a mention – by deed if not by name. This news has made it all the way over to the U.S.!

It was shown on the Colbert show! How wonderful!
We are not out of the woods yet but we are getting there. With temperatures a little lower and some occasional rain, even the alpacas are enjoying it.
With all this I am sad to announce that I left my knitting at home ?I do plan to pop in to see Raxor tomorrow to discuss my knit and crochet plans for the next few months.
I appear to have blown out all my craft needs to well into October the way I am going. Still, it all keeps me sane!

Stay tuned and stay safe! Don’t run with DPN’s!

Here we are 2020. In reality, it is the end of a decade, not the start of a new one eh? But why be picky? Because I can.
This month should be the release of the willow leaf hat. Only a little excited. After a fall at work and balance exercises as a result, a cortisone shot in the shoulder and possible further treatment for frozen shoulder, I am trying to fit everything in just in case. Yesterday I visited the lovely S-K up on Mt Macedon to see if I could fix her wheel. And fix it we did. She gave me some branches of birch for me to start carving some crochet hooks. This made me a little excited so in the cooler part of today I sat on the porch and whittled to my hearts content. I then mowed some grass, went for a drive and spun a bit. The evening was quieter as I contemplated spinning some more then decided nah! Watched Dr Who instead.
Tomorrow I plan to spin some more. Not sure if I can get another 250g done before Monday but I will give it my best shot!
I also thought a lot about these bush fires. Could this really be the end? So much flora and fauna lost… so much property destroyed and worse; lives lost.
I refuse to make political comments from now on. It is past that. I can only hope for rain but that will probably mean floods as there is nothing to ‘soak’ up the rain but still, it would help oput an end to the fires.
Tomorrow I spin and concentrate on lots of rain. You are welcome to join me!