Last quarter I didn’t publish a newsletter, if I had it would have been extremely short and unbearably sad, so I decided just to skip it. For one thing, it was bad timing with me having just been in the hospital for a short visit (not a big deal – but I didn’t feel like sitting at the computer afterwards!); for another reason, not a lot had happened that was newsworthy and what had happened, I didn’t feel like writing about. So, I’ll do a quick look back over what was our winter and then mention the more current events of spring.
The recap of our winter made me realize it wasn’t one I want to recall in too much detail. The wet and cold months seemed to go on and on, but I guess that’s to be expected to some degree. We at least had our pigeons to keep us busy during that time. And we did get busy with our racing bird breeding season, continuing to refine our baby-raising program. It wasn’t long before eggs we laid, hatched and the little ones were out of the nests and trying their wings! I always enjoy watching the little birds graduate from living in nest with mom and dad to moving into the larger rooms with their peers. Every year I’m genuinely surprised the first day each of them flies… I don’t know why!
Not Quite Ready To Fly
The main reason I was glad to see the end of winter was that it was during this time that we lost our favorite pet, Willie Goat. We knew he had not been feeling well and thought he had eaten something that didn’t settle well on his stomach. We called the vet out to have a look at him and he decided to do exploratory surgery at home to find out if there was something wrong inside of Willie. What he found was not what he expected… a rare form of cancer. We had to let him go. It’s been four months and I still tear up at the thought of it. When Jim brought Willie home out of the bush six years ago as a tiny baby goat, we didn’t have any idea he’d become such a special member of the family. The farm became very quiet and somewhat mundane without him around. One thing is for sure, we’ll never have another pet quite like our Willie, we miss him.
Willie’s Last Picture
Everything is supposed to look better and brighter when spring arrives and so I was glad to see the seasons finally turn the corner. This year it just seemed more welcoming when the flowers start to bloom and the buds finally exploded onto the tree branches. It didn’t hurt to have the warmer weather either. It was about this time that we decided to do something a little out of the ordinary and put our farm on the market. “Time for a change,” we decided. Well, we got what we asked for in just a couple of days when someone bought the place and then we had to figure out where to go!
We thought we’d have a little more time to do some planning, but as it turned out we had about six weeks to pack things up and find a place to live. It was a pretty organized move-out, I have to say, and we packed up the usual personal belongings in boxes, bags, suitcases, etc. We thought the most difficult thing to do would be to re-home animals, but that went pretty well. The pigeons went to various guys in Jim’s racing pigeon club, Harmony (our other goat) stayed at the farm with the new owners, and JR, Scarlet and Leroy relocated with us. The latter three have adjusted to city life pretty well. We have fondly nick-named the little house we are in “The Avacado” after it’s green color! It is located next-door to a reserve, which is like a little park, which in turn is next to a farmer’s paddock – so our views are still quite pastoral. We still hear cows moo-ing and currently can see corn growing in the most distant field.
Porch Monkies
The Avacado
As for our new “city,” Te Awamutu gets high marks in just about everything. It’s small, but has one of just about most things you might need. The people are nice, customer service is very good by New Zealand standards, there are some nice shops and parking is generally convenient (you get a lot of practice with your parallel parking!). It is known as the Rose City of New Zealand and has a famous (in NZ) rose garden that is always pretty in the summer. Another plus, this is the first time we’ve lived within city limits in almost a decade and have been able to get a pizza delivered!! Small things, I know, but you have to count all the pluses!
The Te Awamutu Rose Garden in Full Bloom
We had only just settled into our new situation when Christmas seemed to arrive quite suddenly! I’m sure it didn’t come any faster than most years, but it sure did seem to sneak up on me this year… I guess because we were so busy in the weeks leading up to the holidays. However, we did enjoy a nice, relaxed holiday with friends here at The Avacado. And now, as I sit here typing these last few words of the last newsletter of 2011, I find it a little hard to believe the year is over. For us at the Mello household, 2011 started a cycle of change… it will be interesting to see where 2012 takes us.
A Cloudy New Year’s Eve Day
So, that’s my big news this quarter. Here’s wishing everyone a very healthy and Happy New Year!
