Chapter 9





  We plant more corn, cabbage, and potatoes in a small farmyard next to the camel pen.  We added a couple of wild berry bushes, and some chickens for bug control.  Our chickens had multiplied.  The vegetables were close to the well for watering but we would add irrigation if needed.   We now had another donkey for hauling water, and we had more kittens. 


  We gave some thought to what the latest workers told us; there were many people in the old country that wanted to come here, enough to fill a city.  A city!  Well, there was room to expand.  We built 2 small wooden bridges across the stream to survey the area; there was plenty of room.  Would we be able to provide food and water to a multitude of people in the desert?  There was a good fishing spot by the riverbend on the small island but that would hardly be enough.  It would take more thought and some careful planning.

Chapter 7


  We sent word back with the ship that we needed date and fig trees; there were none here.  The trees we did have here were very important to us for shade; we didn't want to cut too many before more were planted to take their place.  We needed a forester, and we needed houses for the new workers.  Those worker houses needed clay to build.



  A clay pit was dug along the river south of the water barrel and fishing pier.  An Egyptian hut was built near the pit for one of the new families.  Two members of the family got right to work in the clay pit.  Inland from there, a forester and a gatherer were built; 2nd floor houses made of clay were built above each workplace for the workers and their families.




  The last family also built and Egyptian hut by the clay pit on the new road leading back to town. along the river.   At the end of that road a potter's workshop was built.  Clay not used for house building would go there to make pottery which in turn would be taken further down the road to either the storage barn for our use or the trading post.  We just never seemed to have enough pieces of pottery.

Chapter 5


  With the crops planted and the animals cared for, it was time to build our houses. It would take a while since we only had 1 or 2 builders at any given time.  Our supply of both tools and clothes were getting low.  My sister, Ravenie, was a tailor who married the caravan merchant, Eastoney.  Since we needed clothes the most, their caravan tent was the first to be build; it was down at the end of the road past the newly planted flax patch.  A market tailor workplace was built next to it.  She would make linen clothes from cotton or flax.  A small textile market was set up across from the flax patch so the needed materials were close by. 




  Laverner was a caravan tool merchant.  He built a tally tent, a caravan tent, and a market tool maker workplace by the stockpile.  Stone tools were being made.  There was a little iron left after building the patch irrigation pipes so that would be used up making a few iron tools as well. We hoped soon for copper tools like we had back in Egypt.  A woodcutter's stump was being built by the tool maker too.  Branches were being gathered from the wild and a branch cart was being emptied unto the stockpile continually.



  The last 2 houses were finally built for Sergil and Julissouri, and Jennis and I.  Our newborn had just turned 2.  The Bedouin houses were well suited to us herdsmen and farmers.  Between us we would care for the sheep, goats, and chickens.  I would look after the cats and the donkeys; the merchants would tend the camels.  Jennis was the first one fishing from the new mini fishing pier by the water barrel.  A heated washing barrel and scrub bucket were set up there for those who would rather take their washing to the water than take the water from the barrel or the well to the washing.

The twist and turns of gardening life. 

On the weekend I had to dig up and move my rhubarb plants to a temporary location until I can sort out something more permanent -  they were dying from not getting enough winter sun, but with luck I hope to save half of them. 

That is, if the sun ever comes out for more than a day or two. 

I will put my new blueberry bushes where they were ( in pots  ) and wait for the thornless blackberry to arrive at the garden centre.

But first things first  -  a few new large pots and some camellia potting mix ( low ph ) for the blueberry plants -  and when my snow peas are finished I will replace them with the blackberries.

Such are the trials and tribulations of trying to make a nice garden -  this is the fourth garden I've made over the years and it took me some time to motivate myself to do it all again.   


PS    If I could, I would send you some of my rain, and you could send me back the sun.

PPS  I wonder what life would be like in the timeline of Dune where the sun and rain is regulated and balanced.
       At the moment 80-85F sound very nice to me 

Cake batter, yes, every nice 

It reminds me of when my children were young and I would make them chocolate blancmange for desert.

They would sit at the kitchen bench waiting not so patiently for the saucepan to scrape and the mixing spoon to lick.

Mind you I do the same now whenever the urge to make a desert comes upon me.   

Today is cold and cloudy with two days of heavy rain forecast.

PS    Yes, the opera house - The New Years eve fireworks with the harbour, the bridge and the opera house in frame is a sight you will never forget

PPS  Spoil yourself -  after your health issues it's the least you deserve.