Week 8 of 2026

 

Another early start up at 4.20am, it is 19c or 66f again this morning but like yesterday I expect it will heat up.

Tim and I went to the Reject shop, and I bought a number of things.

Tasha and Blain are still at it, Tasha said he blocked her on Facebook he said he didn’t, but he has a new account, and she hasn’t been added and he isn’t planning to do so. I feel this is somewhat childish.

Tasha sent me a long text about how she is feeling, which I am not sharing here but it hurt me how she is feeling so unloved and unappreciated and there is nothing I can do. It all started because Blain didn’t come to see his mum on her birthday.

Steps: 5,114 = 2.5k’s or 1.5 miles

Good morning and hello Monday, I slept through to 4.55am getting around 7hrs of sleep as it took me a while to settle last night but once settled, I slept well.

It is a wet morning but not cold temp at 5.30am was 19c or 66f, the rain has been heavy twice since I got up.

Got a text message from Hunter New England Oral heath about my appointment I had to ring them to arrange the appointment they have issued a voucher for me to see someone at Warners Bay Dental, rang them and made the appointment it is next Monday at 10am.

Around 6pm I started to feel unwell; I think I need to eat but can’t find anything. Rang Tasha she was out but on her way home so she swung by Macca’s and got me

Tim’s juror duty has been pushed back another day.

Steps: 5,140 = 2.7k’s or 1.6 miles

Had another good night, Tim is working all day, this I know because he took his lunch.

I have had a good start to the day it is only 17c or 62f I had a good 8hrs sleep.

I did a load of washing and hung it up to dry.

Tasha went to use her powerfit which I returned to her yesterday and wouldn’t you know it, its not working. I told her to come and get mine and try it out as it was half the price of the Powerfit brand at first, she said no but changed her mind and came down to get it.

Steps:5,470 = 2.7k’s or 1.6 miles

Had a good night slept of 9hrs it is currently 19c or 66f we are looking at a top of 37c yeah hope that’s wrong. My blood glucose level was 5.4

I went with Sue have her blood test done followed by the ultrasound, however, pathology was so crowded and there was only one woman working we had to leave before Sue’s number was called.

The ultrasound went well, the guy who did the scan said she has a fatty liver.

This afternoon while watching YouTube on the TV I dropped the remote and stood on it when I tried to pick it up deleting my account, I was annoyed but thought I would just have to re-add it. Yeah, not so easy keeps coming up that something went wrong try again after I don’t know how many tries, I gave up and turn the TV off for a while I will try again soon.

I decided to reboot my Foxtel box and after that it worked on the second try.

It is currently 4pm and 36c or 97f

Steps: 6,258 = 3k’s

Good morning world, it is going to be another hot day, I am up dressed and will soon get ready to go shopping with Sue.

It is currently 23c or 73f and my BGL was 5.4 and the time is 5.15am, I had 8hrs of sleep.

When I got back from shopping, I turned the air con on as it was 28c or 82f the time was 10.30am.

I am thankful that Sue helps me change my clothes.

I was able to turn the air con off at 5.30pm

It reached a top temp of 30c or 86f

Steps: 8,164 = 4k’s or 2.4 miles

 

Good morning, everyone, hope everyone are doing well, I slept well got around 8hrs of sleep. It is currently 23c or 73f only supposed to reach 26c, my BGL was 5.8 at 5am.

Sue came over and picked me up and we took Summer’s birthday present and lever in in the boot of Kathy’s car.

After that went over and saw Dave at work for a few minutes then back home again. That was good I like it when we go and see Dave even if it’s only for 10 minutes.

Steps: 6,515 = 3.3k’s 2 miles

SUMMER’S BIRTHDAY SHE IS 13 TODAY

Good morning, everyone who is reading this, I hope all are well and if you are reading this in the evening, I hope you have a good night.

I have been up since 5am slept right through the night getting 8hrs of sleep.

It is 22c or 77f we are heading for a top of 35c 95f, my BGL was 5.8.

Damn its hot today and the heat has drained me and gave me a headache. The temp is 38c or 100f.

Tim let for work around 3.40 and won’t be home to around 1am.

It is now 8pm the temp has come down to 25c or 77f, Tasha hasn’t turned up to help so I will put myself to bed.

Steps: 6,427 = 3.2k’s

 

 

 

Caturday with Luca

 

Hello everyone, it’s the handsome tuxedo here, you know me I’m Luca, I have had a stressful week my human has been upset as she didn’t get to see my boy aka her son on her birthday. Thankfully the have patched things up and that makes me feel happier. Anyway, this week I am showing you some photos of me hiding in shopping bags hoping to go shopping with my human, it didn’t work.

Friday afternoon

 

Hi everyone, hopefully everyone has had a good day or week, mine has been pretty good, tomorrow is my granddaughter Summer’s 13  birthday. 

So this morning me and Sue took Summer’s birthday present over and left it in the boot of her mum’s car. After that we went and saw our brother at his work, we called in for only 10 minutes.

The next few days will be hard for my sister Sue as two of her grandchildren have birthdays and in between them is the anniversary of her husband’s death.

Daemon was born on the 22, he will be 14, Mick died on the 23 ten years back and Thea was born on the 24 she will be 3. So, it is one hard day after another for her.

 

The post with links to other posts

 

My post with links to other posts and a few photos as well

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/02/sunday-stealing_17.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/02/getting-to-know-me_13.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/02/share-my-world.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/02/hodgepodge-and-pancakes.html

 

 

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Eye Care in Australia

 

Today we are looking into eye care in Australia, here most people go to an optometrist for routine eye exams. This is the primary eye‑care provider for checking vision, detecting early eye disease, and prescribing glasses or contact lenses. You don’t need a referral, and Medicare usually covers the cost of standard eye tests.

Generally, Australians will see an Optometrist every two years until the age of 65 when it drops to every year. However, if you have a medical condition such as diabetes you will need to have your eyes checked every year.

At an appointment your vision n will be checked if needed they will prescribe glasses or contacts.

You will also be screen for diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration and a retinal imaging photo will be taken. If needed, you will be refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Medicare covers most routine eye tests, and many clinics bulk bill, meaning no out‑of‑pocket cost.

General Practitioners (GPs) can check basic eye symptoms, but if they suspect a vision problem or eye disease, they will suggest you see an optometrist or refer you to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) for medical treatment or surgery.

You see an ophthalmologist when a disease is detected such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease or if you need surgery for something like cataracts.

Children can see an optometrist every 1–2 years, with the first exam ideally around age 3–4. Some optometrists recommend a check at the start of each school year to monitor changes. However, many children only have their eyes checked if someone thinks there may be a problem.

The cost of seeing an Ophthalmologist vary depending on, whether you have a referral (needed for Medicare rebate) and if they charge above the Medicare schedule fee and if it’s an initial or follow‑up appointment.

If you don’t have private health insurance, here’s what you can expect:

• Optometrist: Often free (bulk‑billed) or $50–$120 for extra tests
• Ophthalmologist initial visit: $170–$290 out‑of‑pocket
• Ophthalmologist follow‑up: $100–$215 out‑of‑pocket
• Private surgery: $3,000+
• Public surgery: Free, but with waiting lists

 

 

Snakes

 

This week will look at snakes the legless reptiles, they are far more diverse and surprising than most people realise so here is some information about them.

It is believed that they evolved from four‑limbed lizards around 100 million years ago. Some species, like pythons and boas, still carry tiny vestigial leg bones — evolutionary leftovers.

They can be found everywhere except Ireland, Iceland, New Zealand, and the polar regions.

They live in some amazing habitats such as forests, deserts, grasslands, mountains but only up to 16,000 feet, oceans and even 800 feet underwater of Australia.

They don’t hear airborne sound well but detect ground vibrations with great sensitivity. Their eyes are covered by a transparent scale called a spectacle, which sheds with the rest of the skin. Many species use heat‑sensing pits to detect warm‑blooded prey.

When it comes to moving, they use several locomotion styles depending on the terrain there is the classic slithering which is called lateral undulation, then there is rectilinear movement which is for slow, stalking. Some can glide from tree-to-tree others are excellent swimmers and when on loose sand the do something called sidewinding.

Do you know what they eat, well they are carnivores so small snakes eat insects, frogs, lizards and rodents. Larger ones can eat deer, antelope, capybaras and even jaguars, not something I have ever they would eat. Mostly because they swallow prey whole thanks to flexible jaws. Also, some can go two years without eating due to extremely slow metabolism.

Most snakes lay eggs, but some give birth to live young, babies are independent from birth needing no parental care. A few species (like pythons and king cobras) guard their nests. Some females can store sperm for years. The Brahminy blind snake is all‑female and reproduces without males.

There are about 725 venomous species, and 250 can kill a human with one bite.

The most dangerous snake globally (in terms of human deaths) is the saw‑scaled viper.

Australia’s inland taipan is the most venomous by toxicity but rarely kills because it avoids humans.

About one‑third of adults have some level of snake fear. Scientists believe this may be an evolutionary instinct — early humans who avoided snakes were more likely to survive.

 

Cowra Peace Bell

 

                                                                Cowra Peace Bell

This week we are still in Cowra, and I thought I would tell you a bit about the Peace Bell which is there.

Officially called The Australian World Peace Bell, but often called the Cowra Peace Bell, is a national peace symbol housed in Civic Square, Cowra NSW. It was awarded to Cowra in 1992, a rare honour usually reserved for capital cities. The choice reflects Cowra’s deep commitment to peace, especially its post‑war relationship with Japan.

So, what makes it special, well it’s made from melted coins donated by 106 UN member countries, symbolising global unity.

It is a replica of the original World Peace Bell at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Apparently, visitors can ring the bell, listen to an audio presentation, and read interpretive signage explaining its story. Tim and I listened to the audio and read the information about the bell but didn’t ring it

The bell sits in a pavilion designed and built by local Cowra community members, including hand‑decorated tiles at its base.

                        Cowra Peace Bell

You may be wondering why Cowra?

Well, it seems Cowra’s selection stems from its remarkable journey from wartime tragedy to international friendship. Its reconciliation efforts—especially with Japan after the 1944 Cowra Breakout—have made it a global symbol of peace.

Each September, Cowra hosts World Peace Day events, including youth forums, awards, and a Peace Day dinner. The bell is rung to mark the opening of UN Disarmament Week.

How many World Peace Bells exist?

There are more than 20 official World Peace Bells worldwide, installed in various countries as part of the World Peace Bell Association’s mission to promote peace. However, there are also regional peace bells, and bells inspired by the movement, but the official number is 20.

There are bells in: New York (UN Headquarters)

Cowra, Australia

Japan (multiple locations)

                   Toyko Peace Bell

Yes, there are multiple peace bells in Japan, there are so many peace bells because peace became a defining national identity after World War II, and bells are one of the most powerful symbols in Japanese culture. When you put those two things together, you get a tradition that feels both ancient and deeply modern.

Japan now has peace bells:

In Hiroshima

In Nagasaki

In Tokyo

In many regional cities

Nonofficial bells can be found in:

United Kingdom (London Olympic Bell)

United States (Tennessee’s International Friendship Bell)

Austria (Alpine Region Peace Bell)