Darryl Cousins

The results of the study that this article reports upon is that if atmospheric CO₂ levels continue to rise at the current rate then within several decades (50-odd years) our blood chemistry will be altered such that healthy homeostasis will be compromised.

So if you are concerned about water scarcity, sea level rise, damage due to floods and storms, crop failures, war, pestilence, and mass migrations here is something to add to the list of things driving us all toward a mass extinction event.

Stop fossil fuels. Stop war.

https://phys.org/news/2026-02-carbon-dioxide-human-blood.html

Years ago our old electric range died. We replaced it with a wall oven and this gas camping stove top. Finally now we have joined the 21st century and purchased a budget induction top. There were a couple of false starts (read, burnt pots) but we're now getting the hang of it. The past two nights I have successfully cooked 1. perfect rice and 2. a soup.

Today I cleaned all the windows and swept the chimney flue. That adds to the tally of checked items on the Autumnal Job List.

'Twas a gorgeous day just west of Te Waihora.

I cast a plinth for our old bird bath yesterday. The thrushes and blackbirds will be well pleased (to anthropomorphise, they probably won't care, but I like to think so).

Flu and covid vaccinations today, at the local pharmacy. Great move to have pharmacies deliver this service.

Playing with ideas for the component layout.

However, there's a 10m trench to be dug, so I'd best get on to that; that will be keep me warmer in any case!

#SolarPunk

Induction hob. I managed to boil potato for mashed spud last night. I do not have it figured out. How do I set the timer? Why, when, with the rice, `300` was adequate, but boiling spuds I was jumping between `500` and `800`? I've work to do.

M. will poach gnocchi tonight.Yay,

Our piwakawaka (Aotearoa fantail) just flitted through the house. That's once or twice a day for a week or so now. I haven't caught sight of it in the act, but I suspect it leaves with one of our daddy long-legs (Pholcus phalangioides) on each visit.

A lovely morning at the office.

I managed to get my bit of roofing finished, so the last couple of days, after work, I've been clearing away the summer cover crop of borage, cow parsley, calendula, et al. ready to throw seed around for the winter cover crop of oats, rye, hairy vetch, and tick beans. Hopefully this wee bit of warmer weather holds to encourage germination.

The bees were still using the borage, I apologised, and pointed out that there is still plenty of borage in the garden.

Rainy day project. To cut recycled corrugated iron to length (13 pieces), panel beat to form, patch nail holes*, and apply the first coat of roof paint.

* I use Selleys Metal 2-part Epoxy Putty. I use it for lots of things, e.g. repairing the exhaust muffler holes on the utility vehicle.

#SolarPunk - first baby steps on the second attempt.

25.4V at the bottom pair of terminals, 117V at the top pair of terminals on a cloudy day.

My first attempt: https://files.cousinsd.net/picture.php?/328/category/25

When I was a kid I would run around a lot. Now I find walking quite fast enough.

Lest I forget.