The Rain rains mainly in the plain, not causing pain

It's been very hot the last few days and the rain is a kind reprieve.  I love the rain.  It cools and greens the earth. The flame tree outside our house has finally bloomed a second time in the last 13 years since it was planted.  It is lovely to see the red flowers among the green leaves.  And now I can touch the tree from our new balcony.  It is like touching an old friend from afar.

The garden has gotten a bit wild since the work on the house started.  And it is very green, so I do not mind it.  Even the weeds look lovely with white flowers.  However, the banana and papaya trees are taking a long time to grow...

My fish are happy in their tank on the patio and those in the backyard pond look to me for food each morning when I open the kitchen doors.  The tilapia play with the parrot fish while the tortoises laze in the sun.

Ahh... this is the life!  January ended very well for me with a bit on the high note after a very blue December.  I am enjoying every part of it now in early February with the house work.  It is a very busy time for us as it is fast coming to the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Tiger.

Helen and Marg have been here to help with making ngaku chips and mince meat rolls.  Now we are planning for the reunion dinner (BBQ) and CNY Day 1 satay & popiah dinner.  Frankie arrives in Singapore on the 10th with Marg and Staffan picking him up.  Cath might just drop in if she can get tickets.  Oh, it is going to be a nice new year celebration.

Back Home in Muar

We came back to my hometown on Friday evening. Traffic was good as most travelling for the long weekend had done so on Thursday and Friday morning. We had a good dinner with Peter, Siew Kee, Sarah and Victor as well as Father and Mila.

I did lots of weeding in Father's garden yesterday and today. There is just too much weed with the rain and now the sun. After changkul-ing for some time, I decided to pull the bigger weeds instead so that the cow grass can grow and use the scissors to trim the cow grass which has grown long. This evening, I will burn the weeds so that the seeds are destroyed totally. Don't want the garden to be over-ridden with weeds again.

Gardening also keeps me in the present. Makes me understand that no matter how much weeding we do, there will still be more spouting up all the time. Much like thoughts. With that understanding, I am able to accept my situation.

Toads added to our backyard pond

Joey and I found 2 toads (or are they bull frogs) at Kiara Park on Sunday and brought them home to be placed in our backyard pond. They are now hiding among the garden edge. They look so cute and fat. The pond area is almost complete with fish, turtle and now toads.

African Catfish Gone to Heaven

I lost my catfish on Wednesday evening after 3 years. He was a wonderful pet, no fussing, very friendly. He died of a swollen belly which might have been tumour. He now lies buried in my garden. May he rest in peace.