Ruth's Reflections

Insurance Increase

realruth — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:51:17 +0000

The annual bill for our house insurance has arrived and shows a 68% increase on last year’s cost. Last year’s bill arrived just before the 22 February earthquake, and things have changed mightily since that time. While I would much rather that costs didn’t increase (if you live in the past, it’s cheaper!), I admit I’m relieved the increase isn’t greater. I’ve heard of commercial buildings where the cost of insurance has increased tenfold. A not-for-profit enterprise I know of has been refused ‘natural disaster’ cover for their chattels because the building that houses them was built before 1935, and I wondered what the situation would be for our 150 year old cottage. Our policy still offers cover for earthquake damage, thank goodness, despite our being zoned Green/Blue (Technical Category3).

This kind of increase is going to hit many people really hard, and it’s likely to be similar throughout the country. In Christchurch our rates are bound to increase, and I wonder how people on fixed incomes will be able to cope.

“How can we bear another cost
on top of all that we have lost?”

Frocks on Bikes

realruth — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:54:22 +0000

This group held a red zone cycle tour yesterday, starting out from Pomeroy’s Historic Brewery Inn. I snapped the first skirted riders as they rounded the corner by Piko’s.

Frocks on Bikes #1

Among the second lot I recognised a familiar volunteer. That’s VolCan’s Board Chair on the left, below.

Frocks on Bikes #2

These events are a great way to promote genteel cycling. It makes me think nostalgically of my old bike with the cane basket and the skirt guard. I gave up cycling several years ago because commuting by bicycle seemed too dangerous. Friends who still do it have regular mishaps with careless car drivers. I hope the new city plan will incorporate more safe cycleways.

“New cycleways to see, I’d like
so that more folk might safely bike.”

Chopped Cherry

realruth — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:47:11 +0000

In September 1991 we planted a Stella cherry tree on the north side of the cottage. Its label clearly identified it as being a “small compact tree”. My idea was that it might be espaliered, but somehow that didn’t seem to work, and over the years it grew taller and taller.

Tall (but compact) cherry tree

That was fine, except that it was impossible for us to get netting over any but the very lowest branches, and the vast majority of the crop was relished by birds, who dropped stones and shat pinkily. The few fruit we manage to salvage are always beautiful, and I want more! This year’s harvest now finished we decided that today was the day to remove some of the higher branches in the hope we’ll be able to “net” more fruit in future. Stephen sawed off first one large branch and then another.

Second branch down

With use of the neighbours’ green bin as well as our own, we got rid of all the twigs and leaves.

: All cleared up

Now there’s just a pile of sticks, ready for another garden project.

Sticks awaiting use

Provided the tree doesn’t object to such major surgery, we hope that this year’s crop will be more easily protected and reserved for human consumption.

“The little birds are sweet and cute
but they may NOT have all my fruit.”

Lessons to Learn

realruth — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:06:32 +0000

As I pulled up at the intersection of Salisbury and Madras Streets, a black RAV4 went past and straight through the red light. Luckily there was no cross traffic at the time. I noted the number plate ‘GP DOC’ and wondered whether it could possibly be a doctor on their way to an emergency call. I contemplated the possibility of informing the Transport Authority of this transgression.

The RAV4 was stopped at the next intersection and as I drew alongside on the left I could see that the number plate also said ‘Affordable Driving School’. A man in the passenger seat was talking to the driver, whom I could now see was a nervous-looking woman. I didn’t notice any “L” plate.

This was probably a case of a nervous student driver who didn’t see the red light. I won’t be reporting her, but if the driving school sees this blog they’ll know the lapse was observed. Many people in Christchurch are much more nervous than they used to be, with good reason. Luckily there was no harm done in this case, but I do wonder whether this particular student needs more practice in a less busy area.

“I hope the tutor can instil
more confidence and driving skill.”

“Searching for Grace” by Carol Henderson & Heather Tovey

realruth — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:53:44 +0000

This finely crafted book tells a riveting true story. The memoir of an English childhood is tinged with the mystery of who Heather’s parents really were. As a sometime genealogist I felt empathy with the authors right from the beginning. This personal account is well written (by a mother and daughter) and lavishly published on thick paper with coloured illustrations throughout. The authors say they “always hoped that our book would encourage interest and debate about the need for children (and adults) to know where they truly belong.” They’ve done that, and proved again that truth can be stranger than fiction.

“We surely all have need to know
just how our antecedents go.”

Return to Routine

realruth — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:49:55 +0000

Back to work yesterday after five lazy weeks of doing just what I pleased with no responsibilities. The only trouble is that when I’m hard at work in the office I’m much less likely to have inspiration for creative blog writing, especially as I choose not to blog about work. Last year I managed to find something to write about every day (on average). Having earthquakes helped tremendously, and I do NOT want that kind of inspiration this year, thank you very much.

So, we’ll see whether I manage to find things to write about, and the time and energy to do it. Please stay tuned/subscribed.

“When back at work it’s harder to
find time for all I want to do.”

Heart and Home

realruth — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:53:43 +0000

Yesterday a new art installation appeared on our corner, next to the Book Fridge.

Heart is where the Home is

This painted sculpture, titled “Heart is where the home is”, is a blue spiral which comes with an invitation to walk inside, where a surprise awaits. The artist is Judy Rogers. If you’d like to see it, it will be displayed again in the Botanic Gardens, near the restaurant, on Sunday 19 February. It’s another event hosted by the wonderful Gap Filler people, who organise creative projects on vacant sites around the city.

“This sculpture which portrays the heart
is part of the Gap Filler art.”

Sorting the strands

realruth — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:56:33 +0000

My mother was keen on embroidery and crochet. When she died in 1995 I inherited a bag of stranded cottons, all mixed together haphazardly.

Tangled threads

On the odd occasion when I’ve wanted a particular coloured thread I’ve pulled it out of the mix, adding to the confusion. Until now I had no incentive to sort them properly. Next month I’m planning a project that needs various coloured cottons, so I sat down and sorted them out. Many still had the little paper labels with a colour number on them. I’m familiar with Semco stranded cottons, but these are mainly the old Clark’s Anchor cottons, with a few DMC as well. I suspect many of them are older than I am. I got most sorted out into a basket, with just a small pile of tangled threads left over to be discarded.

Sorted strands

I’ve thought of giving the cottons away to a craftperson, but keep hoping that maybe one day I might do some more embroidery. I wonder how many other women have similar collection of tangled craft cottons?

“Coloured cotton, many strands
could be transformed by crafty hands.”

Brighton Beach

realruth — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:39:48 +0000

On a hot day the beach is the best place to be. Brighton Pier has been an attraction for generations of Christchurch people. The new structure, completed in 1997, is the biggest ocean pier in Australasia, and has good facilities for fishers.

Fishing from the pier

The day was cloudy and from the pier I could see a distinctive nor-west arch.

Nor-west arch from Brighton Pier

The Pier gives an excellent view of surfers.

Surfing at New Brighton

The library by the pier has comfortable armchairs where you can sit and look out to sea. A notice at the entrance asks bathers to dry off before entering. I liked the sculpture of 87 hardback books, which had been created specifically as an installation outside the University of Canterbury Library. The earthquake must have caused this change of venue.

Book Sculpture by Gerar Toye

Sadly the New Brighton shopping centre looks shabby and uncared for. When I was a child this was the only place where shops were open on Saturday morning and it was a favourite destination. Now it’s run down in a way that’s surprising for a desirable seaside location. The contrast with Sumner is marked. Perhaps Brighton is less attractive because it’s flat and few houses have a sea view. I suspect some who live here may prefer it not to become more popular, but surely they’d appreciate a more vibrant shopping centre?

“The shops aren’t much, but they’re in reach
of sea, and surf, and sandy beach.”

“Where or When” by Anita Shreve

realruth — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:43:49 +0000

The suspense in this book took my breath away. It’s the story of two adolescents who fall in love, then are separated for thirty-one years. Through it all run familiar songs of the 1960′s. The author writes so well of emotions and inevitability, and the reader knows it must end sometime, but doesn’t know how. The suspense was maintained until the very end.

“Their love was innocent back then
but can it be revived again?”