17.2.2026 Tuesday - Lunar New Year

No-dig planting - bags of soil with perlite and coco-fibre on top of a foot of compost from the garden

What a strange first day of the Lunar New Year - we do nothing traditional; there is no immediate family to visit so we prepare the planter beds for Sam to plant more vegetables. Sara and Rudy, and Sean drop by to wish us Happy Lunar New Year (amah as well) and the two go off, Sean stays behind to accompany mom after I cycle to the office. I do miss my quiet moments in front of the computer with my morning cup of instant coffee. 

29.6.2025 Sunday - a long day of physical exertions

 

15.6.2025 Sunday - many things done today

Many things done today; the best of which is the start (revival) of the woodworking - Sean and I make the first planter for mom, complete 20k step challenge ( I hope I can keep this up). Yesterday we printed one of our photos and will collect the framed picture on Monday. I have the acrylic paints for the canvas at home, and will start this week. 

I am still unwell, and not happy with situation. But pickleball goes well, it seems that I will be playing doubles and maybe mixed doubles. Lunch is promising, we will see if there is anything else I can do. 

Meanwhile in preparation for the week ahead.

1. Wait for the hostel appointment (contact EJ and ask)
2. Temple Street renovation (work with Milan)
3. Check and issue MAC2 plans and perspectives (issue today - strata plans can be later) 
4. Check Toorak house floor plans and 3D views (80%)
5. Super Santai - club house
6. School plans later this week (Clarissa)
7. Impiana BOMBA inspection (Freddie)
8. Singgahsana BP (call council)
9. discuss Springvale construction details
10. Ask for LH's semi-d drawings (no sign of them)
11. appointment for 4.5Mile

25.9.2024 Wednesday - starting a habit

 I read an article about how gardening helps to calm the mind. I agree, I was gardening more especially during the pandemic, and enjoyed myself seeing the fruits of me labour. Recently, other interests and duties have caught up, so it is a good time to start. 

This morning, I start gently by planting 2 pineapple crowns. In 9 months, they will bear fruit if they are pollinated. There are more major things to do in the garden; I should make a list:

1. empty the pile of pruning and leaves Beko created

2. start a few more compost bins

3. harvest the existing compost bins

4. find small seedlings and plants for No. 40's garden

5. more the belian columns out

6. make use of the conc pavers at No. 40

7. Prune the lemon trees

8. Plant dragon fruits in the front planter

9. Plant more seedling and place them in the front shelf

10. Prune the front passion fruit vine

11. Harvest regularly

12. Put a sail cloth over the back yard for the herb garden

13. Paint the steel mesh for No. 40

The thing about gardening while you have a busy schedule is not to do it for too long. Perhaps 30 minutes to an hour is the limit for me, but this done as a routine will see results in no time. 

10th September 2023 Sunday - planting the back yard

basil off-cuts spiked to become new plants (hopefully) the container is a simple poly-bag and the planting medium is compost from our vegetable cuttings

 Sam thinks that I should plant the edibles, as she has a 'black thumb' - so I did. Later that morning, after being sent to the office to work on a Sunday did I realise how devious her plan was. Compliment him for his 'green thumb' and he does the work happily.

20 June 2022 Monday - mangoes

harvest from our little garden which we share with friends in exchange for other fruits and pastries

This is a post about generosity. My grandmother was generous to a fault. I lived with her for a number of year before entering primary school, and saw many instances of this. I remember that the gardener from her sister's house would cycle one mile to bring a 'gift' of a mango, for which Grandma would give him RM 10. A princely sum in the 70's. 

I also remember that my uncle laughed at her for being 'conned'. But I think she knew what she was doing - she was helping out while preserving the other person's dignity.

29 Jan 2022 Saturday Planting

A Gift of a Garden

I found this in my old drawing pad - it is a watercolour sketch of a house-warming present for the Lims; a gift of a garden. The sketch was shown to them for agreement before buying the trees for planting.