065 Squirrel-proof birdfeeders and birdboxes

NB: this is neither my bird nor my bird-feeder. I think it's a South American variety of finch. My photo, though.

What's this about? Why do I want to do it?

I have two bird-feeders. One is the sort that hangs, and one is the sort that sticks up out of the ground on a pole. I have two bird-boxes. One was on the fence when we moved in, and the other was a birthday present, and is in the bedroom because I haven't put it up yet. In each case, the clue is in the name. 'Bird', not 'squirrel'. I wish to keep the squirrels off the birds' food, and stop them eating the baby birds. Why do I wish to do this? As an ex-Isle of Wight resident, it is my solemn duty to regard a grey squirrel as a mangy, disease-ridden, festering tree-rat. No quarter given.


How will I know I've done it?

I will have devised a series of contraptions that prevent squirrels getting at the bird-feeders and stealing the food (the food that the jay knocks out of the upright feeder is the jay's problem, I think), and getting at the bird-boxes and disturbing/killing/eating the nesting birds. A healthy family of blue-tits would be a good indication that this has been successful.


I'll record this in posts in this journal.

066 Go one week without wearing black

Why do I want to do this?

I went through a phase of wearing black because I loved it. Leather trousers, black nail varnish, very short black skirts, all that stuff. These days I wear black more because it's there. Because I can't think what else to wear. (The exception, funnily enough, being the black velvet jacket in the picture above - I love that.) I want to stop falling back on black, and find some other stuff I love. Make myself use my imagination a bit.


How will I know I've done it?

For a continuous period of seven days, I will have worn nothing black.


I'll record this in posts in this journal.

067 Have my hair cut very short

Why do I want to do this?

Because I think it will look fantastic, and I spent far too many years of my life trying to grow my hair.


How will I know I've done it?

My hair will be shorter than it's ever been in my life. I won't be able to tuck it behind my ears.


I'll record this in a post in this journal. Yes, there will be photos.

068 Go on the London Eye

What's this about?

The London Eye is a big old observation wheel they put up to mark the year 2000. Rather better than the Dome, so I've heard.


Why do I want to do this?

I'd like to see London from a different perspective.


How will I know I've done this?

I'll have travelled a complete circuit in the London Eye.


I'll record this in a post in this journal.

069 Cook two different recipes for each herb in my garden

Why do I want to do this?

As part of my last list, I planted a fantastic herb garden. It's got all sorts in it: chives, rosemary, sage, hyssop, chervil, sorrel, thyme, parsley, mint, lemon verbena, lemon balm, tarragon... I'd like to use it a bit more. Even when it's dark and raining.


How will I know I've done it?

When any herb in my garden is named, I'll be able to name two dishes I've cooked that include that herb.


I'll record this in posts in this journal. Might share some of the recipes, if they work well.

070 Make the following: platski, pierogi, piernicki, lebkuchen, churros, crumpets

What's this about?

Platski are potato pancakes - Polish (I've also met them in Germany: Kartoffelpfannkuchen)
Pierogi are stuffed dumplings - Polish again - think a cross between ravioli and a cheese and onion pasty
Piernicki are Polish ginger biscuits
Lebkuchen are German ginger biscuits
Churros are Spanish doughnut things
Crumpets are small bread-like cakes, and fantastic.

And I've just thought of another one. If I can find a recipe for Staffordshire oatcakes, I shall be a very happy woman. I don't even know where one can buy them, around here. That'll be a bonus, though.


Why do I want to do this?

The above are all things I love to eat, but have never tried making for myself, because I'm convinced that they're too fiddly/difficult/not my dish, or whatever. But there's no harm in trying.


How will I know I've done this?

I'll have attempted to make all the above items at least once. I may even have produced something that resembles the foodstuff as I understand it.


I'll record this in posts in this journal.

Pierniczki, or, My In-Laws Are Trying To Kill Me