Itching, singing, the garden, crafts, hacking ...typical week!

Well, the hay fever season has hit me hard over the last couple of days with strong winds and the stench (to me anyway)of pollens/allergens in the air.    Had a nice chat with my friendly local pharmacist (is he OLD enough to be qualified???) on trying new anti-histamines, and will see how I fare.   My allergy problems have been around for many years and were quite severe in the past,  with complications preventing me from working and occasionally from singing, I am SO thankful that it is nowhere near as bad these days.

So, that's the itching part; now for the singing!  Still enjoying my weekly Saturday lunchtime performances at Brookfield Margate, and no, I don't get bored as my repertoire is around 350 songs and I vary them, although some standards get used each time.  I had another performance at Mum's nursing home last week, and will perform for a senior's group this Friday.  The ukelele is primed and ready to go :)  I'm also back at Southern Lights Hotel in a few weeks, as well as another nursing home show.

Jeff has built a raised garden bed in the backyard and filled it with all manner of dirt, compost, sheep manure and potting mix, ready for tomatoes in the next month.  I've transplanted all my strawberry plants to another raised bed in our front yard, and we built a frame over it on Sunday and covered it with bird netting (much to the disgust of the blackbirds).  The rhubarb I planted a few months ago is growing vigorously, the garlic is sprouting and we are still eating spinach while waiting for the broad beans to grow.  The rosemary and parsley is in constant use, and I've just about got to the end of last season's garlic.

I've booked 2 tables for the next few Snug Markets (space permitting) and intend to display a fair chunk of my crafts, including Christmas items.  I've just designed iPhone/iPod Touch/mobile/camera pouches, but have kept the first 2 for myself.  I'll make some more soon.   I've added quite a few embossed cards to my stock, mostly hand coloured with ink.  (gel & metallic and my favourites).


 My email account was hacked and it's the 1st breach of any of my online activities, which is not bad seeing as I've had that account for nearly 9 years.   So if any of my contacts have received a message supposedly from me regarding a link for performance enhancing products, it was NOT actually from me. (And it was NOT about musical performance)

All in all, life is still a wonderful adventure; sometimes it's hard going or a little scary, but well worth the ride.

Peace and love
Fiona

Life gives ME wings!!!!!

Raptors & Wildlife
I've had a few busy and productive days. 
I was MC at Open Mic 4th birthday where I also sang and played in a trio "Extra Groovy Feelin" and played guitar for a soloist.. The evening was a fundraiser for Raptor and Wildlife Refuge Of Tasmania run by Craig Webb, and we raised nearly $700 including calendar sales.  Craig invited me to a private tour of the refuge, and I toddled off down to Kettering on Monday and was able to present him with the money then.  He has an amazing project, and seeing several magnificent  eagles was a highlight.  A couple are nearly ready for release, but some need to stay at the refuge permanently as they would be unable to survive in the wild.  Take a look at his website www.raptorrefuge.com.au and offer any support you can.  Craig is currently building an education centre so that school groups can visit and learn about the human impact on raptors and other wildlife.  The refuge is NOT open for public tours, but membership allows you to attend open days.  The 2012 calendar is avaiulable for sale on the website.  Oh, there should be another story and some pics in the Kingborough Chronicle this week.  You can pick up copies in the Kingborough region or read it online at http://www.kingboroughchronicle.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=83
The article pre-open mic is on page 3 in the August 26th edition.

Music
As already mentioned, I performed and MCeed Friday night, and followed that up with lunchtime music on Saturday from 12pm -3pm at Brookfield Margate, then Sunday saw me performing more lunchtime music at Southern Lights Hotel in Kingston.  Had Monday night off from Groovy Feelin rehearsals and will miss next week as well, as I'll be in Launceston for a show at Aldersgate Village (Aged care).  That's after I do another lunchtime performance at Brookfield Margate THIS Saturday and take my crafts to Snug Market on Sunday.
Then the cycle continues with the Margate Wednesday Market, Brookfield lunchtime music Saturday etc.

I've got a date!!!!
Out for dinner tonight with my lovely husband Jeff and to see the 1st Kingston Comedy Bar show. Nice to have some time together!  I took today off from the Wednesday Market to give my back pain a chance to ease, which it has.  Chiropractor tomorrow, and I am so much better than I was 6 months ago.

Just as well, as I need all the help I can get to keep up with myself!!

Peace and love.