Updates on Fires, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Garden.

Well I can't say the fires are over this week in NSW, but a least they are under control. Some are being left just to burn away and classified as out of control but they are on a watch and wait system seeing where it will go before any action is taken. Some areas are just impractical to even attempt to stop them. There has been a lot of back burning so this area has been covered in dense smoke, which has also cut the wind down, nature at its best. The wind being the most dangerous factor at the moment should it start blowing again. I hope those in Qld. now experiencing bad fires stay safe.

Thick smoke from the back burning.

Since my gallbladder op. I haven't had any medicine for my Rheumatoid Arthritis so have been going now 6 months. I am beginning to feel it quite badly and taking a prescription pain killer so need to start looking into some possibilities rather than going back to my 5 weekly infusions which take 2hrs.
This is mainly so we can travel, anytime we like and say across to WA and Perth which will take roughly 2 weeks, just to get there.

In the garden today such a lovely colour

Initially Methotrexate is the first medicine they give you which is a tablet once a week, so I am thinking if my system can handle it (which it didn't, shows up in Liver Function Tests)) I will go back to it. I am not in such a bad state as when I was first diagnosed so went through a series of medicines to get to the infusion which has to be approved by Government. This week my RA Specialist sent a letter to say he has moved permanently to Brisbane so there is now no-one at all here, the closest being 2hrs. away in Port Macquarie and most likely a really busy practice anyway. So decided to go to Brisbane on my next 6 monthly appointment in January. In the meantime seeing my local Dr. tomorrow to see what we can do to start Methotrexate. I am also experimenting with Moringa a natural powdered leaf that is really helping arthritis sufferers as well as other diseases.

Digging Up Perpetual Leeks with all the babies.

Start of the new leeks plantings.

Today I transferred some of the perpetual leeks, to where the sweet peas were. In the next few days will also send some to one of the round gardens at the back. I have planted  seeds of carrots, rocket, and more lettuce. The small white potatoes I bought started growing in the drawer so I planted them 3 weeks ago and they are looking good. I find gardening very tiring so only can last an hour. Between the hot weather, smoke and RA,  a little hard for me, as is the housework which I am only keeping up with basics.

New Potato Bed from medium size Coles White Potatoes.

The ones that died I will have to dig up. I tested a bucket or two and they were of a big enough size to eat.

Photo from last weeks disaster

Bucket Test: Should be twice the size but this will do.

Managed to cover the tomatoes, and will find my clips to hold the net all together. They are starting to produce tomatoes and I need to avoid the fruit fly.

Apollo Tomatoes

Pot Prize only grow 50cm.

The Purple King beans have really kicked on and I think I will be picking this week and freezing by the look of the flowers.

Front of the beginning of beans with bok choy and baby squash in front.

Long length of beans from back which is how I will pick them.

Flowers are looking great, purple and white salvias, roses of course, gladiolis popping up everywhere. White Statice doing well.

Pink Cleome

White Gladioli

 Generally the front garden is doing well, so easy to look after. The back is ok and picking yellow zucchini, and emptying all the other 3 round beds, and of course lots of weeds in the paving. John is helping around the pool area as it is getting out of control again.

Another week gone, Stay safe everyone.

Till Next Time.