In wildly exciting gardening news, I think this possibly might be a very tiny pine cone atop the very tiny pine tree. Of course it equally also might not be. Who can know? Certainly not me!

Will watch with interest!

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Sehr schön!

I really do need to ease off a smidge on DuoLingo – after an epic session on Sunday afternoon, my neck is once again a wreck.

Ouch!

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She looks as if lasers will shoot from her eyes at any moment.

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From Friday’s short stroll in nature. The weather is absolutely gorgeous right now – sparkling and clear and not-too-hot.

Everyone is fearful of a terribly hot summer ahead after a few unusually mild ones. So best to get out and enjoy it before it becomes unbearable. I am quite keen for September to be about the outdoors!

As a start, I’m challenging myself to take a slightly more lengthy solo wander on my next Friday off.

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Spotted on my way to the book bindery this morning.

It was really delightful to get out of ThePalace(OfLove) and get into something creative.

We made a portfolio box – I’ll share after it gets out from under weights (a couple of days away).

I’m keen to find at least two more creative classes of any type this year. It’s very good for the soul.

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lovely noxious weed

I needed to grab some kitties supplies this morning, and I took the opportunity to get out in the sunshine and walk along the foreshore near the old neighbourhood for a bit.

Even just 30 minutes was extremely peaceful and extremely restorative.

I say this all the time, but I definitely would benefit from getting outside more!

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50 days in and I’m confident I’ve learned more basic German in those 50 days than I would have by any other method.

I’m very much late to the DuoLingo party, but of course once there, became quickly addicted to it. It pushes all the reward centre buttons.

In absolutely no surprise, I’m reasonably good at picking up vocabulary and utterly terrible at grammar. And my accent leaves a great deal to be desired.

It’s often fun! But also often breaks my brain and makes me feel like a complete idiot. I’ve written lots about how I’ve generally avoided attempting things I’m bad at, or that are very difficult. Perfectionism has a lot to answer for!

Nevertheless I will persist!

If you are there, friend me – I love a friends quest!

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Why yes, there do appear to be dozens of pins attached to the back of her pants.

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“Artist’s” impression of my posture (right):

The new side-sleeper contour pillow is quite wonderful. My sleep is much better and I now wake without a sore neck! Magic!

Unfortunately the sore neck now develops through the day – and I frequently catch myself with my shoulders around my ears.

I really do need to start taking posture seriously. How I achieve an improvement without permanently strapping myself to a board is the question.

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