A big bluey, or blue tongue lizard - a very large skink. Their tongue is indeed bright blue, and is used to scare predators. This plump feller - we didn't ask if it was a boy or a girl - had flattened itself out to soak up warmth from the concrete in front of the west-facing garage door. It would have been more than 30cm long, or over 12 inches in old money. Needless to say, we didn't put the car away until it had moved back into the garden.
It is said that if you have a friendly bluey hanging around you won't have snakes, although that isn't quite so. The story probably arose because blueys will eat snake eggs so there might seem to be fewer snakes around, but if it came to a fight between an adult brown snake and an adult blue tongue lizard the snake would probably win. Despite this one's fearsome appearance they are good to have in the garden, as they eat snails and slugs.
Kangaroos have been coming around in the mornings, as grass with the dew still on seems to make for a tasty snack.
Progress has been made in the sewing room: some diamonds have been cut, stitches have been taken in the flower basket quilt. Stitches of another kind have also been knitted. The Canadian quilt has been pulled out once more to work on the border; the batting is being inserted between front and back then it will be quilted to hold it in place.
If the world was in a different place we wouldn't be here this week, we would be in Canberra for the big folk festival. It hasn't been held for the past two years due to the plague but is on this year......and we won't be there, first time (for me, anyway) since 1996. By today we would have arrived, have our campsite set up and even been working the first of several volunteer shifts, something I first started doing in 2002. Since the last festival three years ago there have been many changes, some due to the ongoing plague and others due to changes in organising personnel and procedures, but that's the way of the world now. We understand that changes happen, even if we don't always like the changes.
Oh well. We will see what next year brings, won't we....so much of our lives these days seem to be "wait and see'.
Our weather is definitely autumnal now. Nights are cooler (although still not cold) and, athough the days warm up by mid afternoon, they start to cool down quicker than they did even a few weeks ago. Perhaps if we are very lucky one day soon we might be able to take ourselves on a Nice Sunday Drive to admire some autumn leaves, because you all know how much I love those colours.
A really well-bred man will remember to ask the daughters of a house to dance, as it is his imperative duty to do so; and if the ball has been given for a lady who dances, he should include her in his attentions. If he wishes to be considered a thorough-bred gentleman, he will sacrifice himself occasionally to those who are unsought and neglected in the dance. The consciousness of having performed a kind and courteous action will be his reward."
Back in my dancing days - not very many years ago - on entering the ballroom we were each issued with a dance card, and part of the fun was booking partners. Sadly Kevin would not and did not dance, but I still enjoyed the exercise and the dressing-up. Somehow, though, I don't think the twice-fractured right foot would go for an energetic polka, or even a more genteel waltz, any more.
Enjoy your days!
Jennifer
That bluey is quite interesting. It sure did flatten itself onto the concrete.
ReplyDeleteHmm, yes, much more welcome than a snake. Especially if he eats their eggs.
ReplyDeleteGreat warm place for the bluetongue. One made it's way in the house into a cabinet here and I got the fright of my life opening a cupboard door. It was very cranky for having been in there however long and hissed and stuck it's tongue out.... we were able to show it the door but it was scary angry. So much has changed the last couple of years...
ReplyDeleteHugz
Your bluey is a beauty! Our son recently had the experience of seeing one drop its tail when his dog was harassing it....clever creature! Thecworld certainly is a different place now...I wonder sometimes if we will ever know those freedoms again. You are making progress on your projcts xx
ReplyDeleteLove my resident blue tongue...... Even if he scares the hell out of me sometimes.....
ReplyDeleteDefibrillator charge in the season now and I'm loving it .... Snuggled under a quilt or two at night..... Beautiful days......