Briefly,

I am on a farm east of Invercargill, volunteering with a family I met on the Riverton land-care field day.

I am learning to herd & shear sheep, to identify & weed around New Zealand native plants in a backyard nursery and a back-forty covenanted bush preserve, and enjoying the affections of two enormous grey tortoiseshell cats.

I've been to Invercargill to upload pictures, to attend the Royal Show (something like a State Fair), and on two dates, both low-key and delightful. (I've made a new friend in the only other person under 40 at the "Old-Time Dances," the drummer for the band.)

In a few days, I will be heading north to Alexandra, to work in a cherry orchard. I'll probably be there through Christmas; I've once again forgotten to ask how long the work is likely to last.


Merry Christmas to all. It reminds me of a favorite song:

"When Joseph was an old man, an old man was he,
He married Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee ...

They walked out in a garden, a garden so green
There were berries and cherries as thick as might be seen ...

Then said Virgin Mary, so meek and so mild,
"Joseph, gather me some cherries, for I am with child ..."

Joseph in anger, in anger spoke he,
"Let the father of thy baby gather cherries for thee! ..."

Up spoke Baby Jesus, from in Mary's womb,
"Bend town the tallest tree, Lord, that my mother might have some ..."

Down bent the tallest tree there, right to Mary's hand.
Cried she, "Oh, look thou Joseph, here are cherries by command!..."

When Joseph was an old man, and old man was he,
He married Virgin Mary, the Queen of Galilee.

If you want to sing it, the second line is repeated for each verse (...). I think it's called the Cherry Tree Carol.