Expensive Burnt Toast, Mark II

Yep! It's happened again. The toaster timer was set which prevented auto-turnoff, and the toaster left unattended = totally incinerated toast! This time the fire bug shall be known as 'Professor Y'! Again the Firies attended – trucks, bells, whistles and all! Another expensive exercise and embarrassment!

Could these occurrences be the result of the constant pressure of continuing staff cuts and over-heavy workloads which means staff are too busy to stay and watch the toast? But worst of all, now the perfectly functioning grill-toaster has been removed – and the rest of us can no longer enjoy our cheese-on-toast or my favourite avocado on toast for winter lunch!

Is it a Boy or a Girl? Nope...

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...it's a *kidney stone*! And I think it has a twin!

*Awaiting confirmation of diagnosis.

Update July 21: It appears to be an only child – and I hope it stays that way!

Expensive Burnt Toast!

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It is not unusual to have fire alarms set off at work, followed by an evacuation. Whilst mostly false alarms, there have been genuine causes and alarms are always treated seriously. But recently a quirk of human nature was exposed and brought embarrassment to the perpetrator.

As smoke bellowed from the common room adjoining two 3-story buildings we, the newest fire wardens, joined the other wardens to make a systematic check of every office and laboratory to ensure everyone had heard and obeyed the blaring sirens and disembodied voice repeatedly commanding, "Emergency! Evacuate now!"

With an audience of dozens, and a scene that would delight any young boy, the big red fire truck arrived at the building, lights flashing and bells ringing, along with its emergency services tender, as the would-be fire bug (hereafter known as 'Professor X') retrieved his burnt offerings for lunch. A witness had checked the source of the smoke coming from the common room and found two pieces of blackened toast still cooking under the mini-grill. The toaster had been set for 10 minutes (thus overriding the auto turn-off) and the would-be diner had left the room to return to his research on physics and energy studies...

A Big Green Leaf !

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My contribution to the Big Green Leaf project, as suggested by

A Nice Green Leaf  blogger...

Caladium, commonly called Elephant's Ears

Coleus

A friend's tree-fern, with trellis pattern from the sun

I am hoping someone will name the other plants for me, which slip my mind at the moment!  [Thank you, Alice, for naming them.]

Can't help but LOVE the little guy...

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These pics are for you, Naomi and Alice!
(I only needed a little encouragement...thank you for visiting ANO!)

John McCarthy Ross - 1 year old, 21-June-08

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John quickly bonded with his favourite gift -
an aeroplane from his Uncle Chris and Auntie Kerrie!

Blowing out the candle on his cake, made by his Mum.
[His face painted as a lion!]


What a joy our wonderful Grandson is in our lives!

John Noel McCarthy, KIA 12-June-71

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3112702 L/CPL 3 CAV REGT.

It is 37 years since my only brother, John, was killed in action, age 26, just 3 weeks short of finishing his second tour of duty in Vietnam.

I am particularly grateful to have found the following excerpt in Armour, Issue 446 (May 2006) (Journal of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Assn. - NSW Branch):


I still grieve the loss of my brother in my life and that of our family. But the stories and memories of his wicked sense of humour live on, and it is a great joy that his name is carried on via our grandson, John McCarthy Ross.

I hope he never goes to war...

Cat Whispering

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Willow is not the same cat since her mysterious trauma. She jumps at any slight noise and her newly re-found kittenish, carefree behaviour have ceased in preference to seeking the security of squeezing herself into small places. She has three secret hiding places – in a cupboard, in a tight corner between a wall and bookshelf, and another which is still her secret! I think she has found somewhere where she is perfectly camouflaged.

Gentle and reassuring talk, encouraging some play, and singing to her seem to be slowly helping her regain confidence. But it's whatever Barry whispers into her ear that gets the best response...

Perth Zoo 4 - Reflections

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God's Artwork ~ Reflecting on my day at the Zoo

Watercolour...

Perspectives...


New directions...


Lively puddles!

Thank you for sharing with me, my day at Perth Zoo!

That's all, folks!

Perth Zoo 3 - Design in Nature

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