Shortlived relief from the heat

Today we had a 'cool' day...if you can call 31C cool. There have been storms in Brisbane and on the coast and, although there weren't any here, it really cooled down this afternoon which was so nice after continuous hot days which have become rather tiring. We did have a storm on Wednesday during which we received 8mm but there were heavier falls in other areas as well as damaging hail for some farmers in Stanthorpe in which they lost most of their crops but hopefully the rain was just simply a blessing for some of our struggling farmers and they sustained no damage.

As I have mentioned before, I teach English to a Yazidi lady in her home through the TAFE AMEP (Adult Migrant English Program) and yesterday was our breakup at TAFE when other volunteers were invited to meet together to ask questions and to have a chat before being treated to a couple of items by some of the students before joining them for lunch.

Well known local singer, Josh Arnold, had been working with the students as they wrote a couple of songs together and they did a really good job. Josh also goes into schools and helps the students write songs. If you want a laugh check out his YouTube video 'Driving in the Outback'. I wonder if they are 'real' policewomen in the video. They sure can dance and sing.

It never ceases to amaze me how some plants survive without water like this tree orchid which I just noticed the other day as it is growing above the compost heap. I am not all that fond of orchids but I know some people just love them.

A couple of years ago I was given seeds for three different coloured hollyhocks and the red one has been growing really well for two years now and I have been anxiously waiting to see what the other two colours are. One has flowered recently and is a two tone pink and white. I  was told that there was a pink as well and at last it is flowering but unfortunately the petals are being eaten by something but at least I can get an idea of the colour. Here it is on the right beside the red hollyhock so it is a dark pink. I like the pale pink that Annabel from The Bluebirds are Nesting is growing so hopefully we can swap some seeds when hers have gone to seed. 

I would love to get some seeds from this beautiful hollyhock in Laurel Bank Park which was flowering during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. It is absolutely gorgeous. I would love to grow other colours as well so will look out for some seeds. I have seen an almost black flower online. Some websites say to plant the seeds in Australia in December/January and other say to plant in autumn. Also that they only flower every second year whereas ours have flowered last year and this year. I guess it is all a bit of trial and error. If I am ever in Laurel Bank Park I will ask the gardeners for their advice. I would think that if we were having 'normal' weather with frequent rain the plants would be growing so much better. Rust is a problem with the leaves though unfortunately. 

Well, I hope if you live in Australia you are coping with the heat, fires and storms depending on what state you live in. In the Northern Hemisphere you are probably sitting beside the fire trying to keep warm. Mind you, that sounds very appealing at the moment. Wherever you are, forget the crazy busyness in the shopping centres during the Christmas rush and have a relaxing weekend.