Just a minute ... in February

I'm always caught by surprise at the end of February: the month runs out a little faster than the rest. So just in the nick of time, I am joining in with Jenaveve's Just a minute meme. So, this month I have been ...

Growing ...
... in adverse conditions. As you can see above, many plants in our garden have suffered in the exceptionally hot, dry conditions. What remains of the lawn is crunchy underfoot. Once green plants are hued in straw, sand, tan and bronze. Despite great care and attention, our vegetable harvest offered only meagre pickings. All our herbs died. A number of plants that steadfastly weathered years of drought, finally gave up at 47oC. I felt sure that all our beautiful hydrangeas -now a collection of woody sticks, shrivelled leaves and blooms - did not survive. But on the cusp of autumn I see some tiny leaf buds sprouting. March brings with it the promise of a little green.

Reading
... magazines ... and magazines alone this month. Shame on me (the girl who did an English major at uni), but they seem so much easier than books just now. Easily read for a minute here, two minutes there. Consumed in a nonlinear fashion. In my defence, its not the glossy pages chronicling Paris, Lindsay and Katie (well, not too much). I 'd like to think I am broadening my horizons a wee bit. A favourite is the monthly Sewing With Stitches Australia. The current issue (Vol. 17 No. 1) is themed around how to flatter different body shapes. What are the chances that the article discussing pear-shaped figures will give some ideas on adjusting a pattern to cater for ... ahem ... four spare tyres?

Watching ...
... weekly series Life on Mars. I really enjoyed the BBC original, so was a bit skeptical about whether I would be able to watch a remake. But I haven't been disappointed by this US-version. I love the sound track; the costuming; the fantastic cars. And the casting is great - Harvey Keitel makes a very convincing old-school cop, who isn't afraid to swing a few punches. If you haven't seen the show before, its worth a look.

Adopting ...
... a cat, apparently. She has been here all month. As I type, she is swinging on the door, trying to get the momentum up so that it will fly open. I think she is here to stay. Oh ... and according to three year-old Argy, her name is Catty. Yes, we're the epitome of originality here at Chez Hoppo Bumpo.

To see who else is playing along with Just a minute ... head over to Jenaveve's blog, August Street.