Interesting Bird of Paradise flower.

Bird of paradise plants are native to South Africa but are now found in mild climates everywhere. This plant provides dramatic blooms that resemble a bird with a crown. It is also known as the crane flower. The true leaves on the bird of paradise so closely resemble those of a banana plant that the bird of paradise was once classified in the same family. It now has its own classification: Strelitzia reginae.

Bird of Paradise flower in our garden.

A view from the top shows the beautiful purple or blue petals. These heart shapes are the female parts of the flower.

Note in the beginning it has 6 orange or yellow sepals and two of the purple petals.

Then a day later more sepals and petals come out of the flower bract. There are always sets of 3 orange sepals to 1 purple petal.

Source of information from http://www.ehow.com/facts_7221039_structure-bird-paradise-flower.html

Nikon Coolpix S6200 photos

I have been playing around with the new Nikon Coolpix camera and I have had quite a few disasters. I keep on cutting off the dogs ears as I press the button down the camera moves down and the poor dog is minus his ears :)

Here is one which worked out quite well. I was standing far away so this is a long distance shot.

I hope to get the hang of it soon.

I am happy with the macro photography.

Testing how close I can go :)

Enjoy your day.

Random stuff from the internet.

I did some chores early this morning and as you can see by this post I am taking a break.

Is this not cute?

It is difficult to describe my mood today.

Huh!?

Send text for safety tip.

Old Lady Apple.

Washing machine feeling ill.

Have a great day and be good.

Pink Flowers.

There are a lot of splashes of pink in our garden. I love planting pink and white together, I think they compliment each other well.

Clouds

   This photo was taken in March.

It was 30°C and extremely sticky and uncomfortable but beautiful clouds were in the sky  :)

This photo is unedited - the sky really is this blue.

 

Huge bud.

Bud ready to open.

... a few days later ...











































I don't know what it is called. 

 

Calliandra common names powderpuff and fairy duster.

This is still one of my favourite plants in the garden. On an overcast day it is most striking and beautiful. I love to see the round pink buds uncurl into those white dainty dusters.

When the boss is always right.

About a year ago WA my work colleague came to me and said that she was being moved from her office and would be sharing the office with me. She also said that the boss had discussed it with her a month earlier and that everyone knew about the move. Five days later two strong me came in and moved her desk and computer into the office with me. The boss not once came and spoke to me about it which made it clear to me that he was not prepared to give me a say in the matter.

The boss wants us to have a family atmosphere type of business so I also think that because of this he should have spoken to me even if it was just to explain that new staff members were joining us or whatever his reason was for making this decision.

I immediately made an effort to get along with WA although I have a long standing grudge against her. When I had a nervous breakdown I mentioned a harrowing meeting with the boss one day and she said “listen GB, I am not interested”. I never burden people with my problems and like I said I just mentioned the meeting I did not go into a word for word account of what had happened.

Yesterday I get to work and immediately with my lunch and keys still in my hands the boss, WA and another colleague all three wanted help and my attention immediately.

The boss gets priority and he gives me a task to do and I help the other colleague. I put my cell phone, keys and lunch away and WA immediately starts telling me about her son’s medical problem. She just assumes that it is a convenient time for me and she just assumes that I am interested in hearing about her son.

This also happened about six months ago and when I gave her a short remark to show her - now is not convenient - she went crying to the boss who called me into his office and said if I did not watch how I talked to fellow staff members that I would get a written warning.

So while WA is talking to me I am ignoring her and I am checking which orders need to go out on the first trip of deliveries and the boss comes charging into the office and says “GB, you can have your private chat on your own time, I told you the task I gave you is top priority and I want it done immediately”.

WA has always been someone who loves chatting more than working and it was his choice to put her in an office with me. WA does not give me a chance to get a word in and I have asked her before not to engage me in a conversation when I arrive at work we can have a chat later on in the day when she is on lunch. I work right through never taking lunch.

Yesterday WA chatted and interrupted every person at work with her personal discussions about her problems not only on the health of her son but also her financial problems and then the day ended. She had been away from work for two days and she made no attempt yesterday to catch up on any of her work.

She left the office every ten minutes to either go buy snacks or to take a break. I gobbled my sandwich in between phone calls etc and when I came home last night I was exhausted because I am not sleeping right through during the night.

Fun orange art.

For those of you who have not seen this on email or facebook. Enjoy :D

House cleaning in the middle of summer.

I got up at 6am this morning, the sunlight came streaming into the kitchen and the house already felt warm and stuffy, we started opening windows and doors to let the air circulate. The weatherman said it would reach 31°C today and tomorrow.

I have a few days left of my leave and am eager to do a few chores, the temptation to relax in this stuffy weather rather than work was extremely hard to resist.

I removed curtains and cleaned the windows while another family member kindly washed the curtains for me.

At 10am we decided that was enough physical labour and we are now taking a break before I tackle some chores which will keep me away from the heat of the sun.

I am not one to brag but today I am going to brag a little because the windows look sparkling, spotless and beautiful.

I hope the temperature drops a little on Saturday when it is our mother’s birthday.

Whatever you are doing today – enjoy it to the fullest.

                     
This image was taken from the internet.