The day arrived whereby I could finally sow my dichondra seeds. The seed packets showed to wait for warm weather and to first rake and work the soil to a fine tilth. Spring has arrived with unusual warm weather and the local garden centers are now filled with red-faced people pushing large trolleys full of topsoil, potting mixes, mulches, composts, chicken, cow and even turkey manure.
Australia has a very large hardware and garden center called ‘Bunnings’. Fortunately and much to the credit of the Australian government, Bunnings was allowed to stay open even during the tightest of Covid lockdowns. Pubs, cafes and hairdressers were closed or severely limited but no Government Minister irrespective of any party keen on staying employed, would dare close the Mecca for domestic peace and serenity; Bunnings.
Of course, the lockdown and its resulting isolation did not just drive residents into cryptic crosswords, watch repeats on TV or engage in domestic squabbling but the more innovative went to look at improving homes and hearths. Bunnings was chock-a-block each time I was there. There were people who had taken stacking chairs and started picnicking at the large parking areas, taking sandwiches, soft drinks with some even uncapping thermoses. Such is the popularity of this large hardware and garden center. Here is a very amusing bit of Australia folk poetry based on the ‘Stacking chair’.
Of course, after a rather long and dry winter with this sudden warmth and spring rain the morning’s petrichor emanating from fresh soils made the entire nation wake up and do the garden. I will now look at my garden each day in anticipation of the seeds germinating. Of course, it is not really a true grass, more of a small ground cover but I am hopeful it will thrive soon and make my garden even more beautiful
September 16, 2020 at 4:42 am |
The poem is a hoot! Poor Trev.
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September 16, 2020 at 11:08 pm |
Yes, those chairs are world-wide popular. An awful sight to behold. Give me a cane chair anytime.
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September 16, 2020 at 9:00 am |
Never imagined I’d hear a poem about the perils of a plastic chair ๐ Your garden looks lovely, by the way.
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September 16, 2020 at 11:09 pm |
Thank you Julia, but the photo shows the dichondra and is not my garden as yet.
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September 17, 2020 at 4:09 pm
It’s good to have goals!
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September 16, 2020 at 9:53 am |
Hahaha! Great poem.
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September 16, 2020 at 11:10 pm |
Yes, it’s an old one but still funny. It is delivered so well too.
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September 16, 2020 at 1:43 pm |
Love your garden. Love what you said about Bunnings
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September 16, 2020 at 11:12 pm |
Yes, Bunnings is a way of life now. People meet there and exchange the latest gossip. Can’t wait for the charity barbequed sausage to make a return on Saturday mornings. Covid has a lot to answer for. The peoples are getting fed up.
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September 16, 2020 at 5:15 pm |
Back in March & April when we were in “lockdown” our garden stores were also still open (essential, don’t cha know?) and made money hand over fist. Enjoy the warmth, but I hope it doesn’t get too hot. It feels good for a while. Till the summer has lost its charm.
Good grief, The Entrapment poem made me laugh till my sides were sore!
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September 16, 2020 at 11:15 pm |
Yes, a good Aussie poem and well delivered too, exquisite timing. This is a wonderful time of the year. My four birch tree saplings are sprouting leaves and the grape hyacinths are in full flower. Each day a garden party, really.
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September 17, 2020 at 4:00 am
That’s how I feel with each change of season. But it must be especially exciting for you in a new little environment.
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September 16, 2020 at 9:00 pm |
HA! The poem made me snort-laugh!!! ๐ Poor Trev!!! ๐ But glad both crown jewels are in place! ๐
So glad you have your garden! Sowing seeds, caring for them, watching them grow and flourish is good for the heart, soul, mind, and body!
HUGS!!! ๐
PATS and RUBS for Milo!!! ๐
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September 16, 2020 at 11:24 pm |
Yes, poor Trev. You’d think going to a music festival would be free of danger.
From now on, the garden will wake up from winter’s slumber and it will be an incentive to get up each morning to view the latest. I have been here now a bit of 6 months and feel nicely settled.
How are you traveling, Carolyn?
Give Cooper and yourself a good hug.
Gerard.
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September 17, 2020 at 8:35 am
6 months already! Wow! Good! and, yes, the garden needs you!
We’re doing well. And trying to stay well. ๐
Busy with work, chores, life.
Thank you for asking. ๐
And thanks for the hugs for me and Coops! ๐
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September 17, 2020 at 4:28 am |
An oldie but a goodie, that poem Gerard. I am one of those who have beaten several paths to Bunningsโ doors this year. We are painting the outside of our house now, so more trips are sure to be made.
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September 17, 2020 at 8:38 am |
Oddly enough, I thought the chairs represented danger, especially small children getting their finger caught in those splits. Apart from that they are such a hideous design.
Yes, sometimes when I am at a loss I visit Bunnings and often meet people going on the same mission. I bought a proper rake yesterday.
They now have a self service till as well, just like Woollies.
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September 17, 2020 at 4:29 am |
PS! Mr MGโs name is Trevor. Lucky we donโt have any of those chairs at our place.
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September 17, 2020 at 8:40 am |
Yes, glad to hear you too don’t have stacker chairs. They are a blight on any garden-scape.
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September 19, 2020 at 2:17 am |
I wasn’t too sure about the poem when it began, but by the time I got halfway through I was laughing, and by the end I was a great fan. From the comments it seems this has been around for a while, and I can see why. It cheered me no end — so much so that I fetched a beer from the refrigerator and gave up any thought of productivity for the rest of the evening!
Your Bunnings sounds absolutely delightful. I wasn’t sure what Dichondra might be, so I looked it up. It’s lovely — and amazing to find it’s in the morning glory family. What I read suggests it’s easy to grow, so it ought to be putting in an appearance any time.
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September 21, 2020 at 4:00 am |
Spring has really sprung for you in Aussie land or maybe it should be called spring fever. The ground cover will be quite an enhancer as it grows between the stepping stones. In short order your new place will be a little garden of wonder. As Spring approaches for you, Fall will begin here, I think, about September 21 or there about.
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