WISE - The Watkins Index of Stool Efficiency

Yes, I manipulated the title to make a cute acronym. What I'm doing is assigning a number to each stool type to make it less difficult to describe. We're going to go from a 10 (which is individual beans) to a 1 (which is as fluid as milk). Also, by way of comparison, I'm going to use food to describe each one. You may find this disturbing, but when you've lowered yourself to talking about poop, you gotta accept a little humour.

not many of 'em. You see little definition in the wad.

5Stiff mashed potatoes Exactly as described. Colour them dark brown and that's what they look like. When you see these, start to be concerned, and try to identify who the owner is.

These are the piles good to see. All is well with the digestion process.

Granny mixes milk with the mashed potatoes until they're nice and smooth, like warm icing for your cinnamon rolls. Identify owner quickly. They will need medication to avoid health/weight decline and fibre breaks.

Sometimes referred to as pine cones, but that's not a food. Basically, these are jellybeans stuck together. These are also OK in the poo pile.

These are squishy, poorly defined pellets that are squeezed together. You can still see good definition in the wad. This is about what you'd expect moving onto fresh pasture to create. Should get back to normal in two days.

Beyond this point, interventionand medication is urgent. Dehydration will occur quickly.

Electrolytes will need to be added to their water.

Plum pudding with cheap plums and

Editor… I have often thought of this article when out in the paddock doing the morning rounds. Well worth knowing the differences and possible reasoning.

Ingredients

825 g tinned peaches in juice, sliced

340 g packet golden butter cake mix

100 g unsalted butter, melted

250 g sour cream

1 egg

Method

1. Grease a 23cm round x 4cm deep pie dish (4½-cup capacity).

2. Drain peaches. Place on a tray lined with absorbent kitchen paper.

3. Combine cake mix in a bowl with 100g melted butter. Press firmly over base of dish.

4. Cook in a moderate oven (180C) for about 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove. Cool. Arrange peaches over base.

5. Whisk sour cream with 1 egg in a jug until smooth. Pour over peaches.

6. Cook in a moderate oven (180C) for about 25 minutes or until topping is set and golden. Stand for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

7. Serve warm with ice-cream (optional)

BEANIE, BOOTIES, CABLES, CAST OFF, CAST ON, DECREASE, GARTER STITCH, GLOVES, HEADBAND, KNITTING, LACEWRAP, MOSS STITCH, NEEDLES, PURL STITCH, POM POM, RIBBING, SCARF, SHAWL, SOCKS, SLIP NOT, STITCHES, STOCKINETTE, SWATCHING,

It may be cold outside in most parts of Australia but there are still a few things that need to be done in the garden at this time of the year. But if you can't face going outside, you can always bring your garden inside suggests Bunnings horticulturalist Katrina Gatt.

It's time to prune

Pruning is a great way to not only tidy up the garden but also stimulate growth, and winter is the ideal time to do it. So, get out your secateurs, snips, loppers and saw and get cutting, especially if you are growing fruit/ornamental deciduous trees, roses, hydrangeas, fuchsias and hibiscus. Find out how to prune trees and roses.

Get planting

The sun may be largely on vacation but there are still some plants that benefit from being planted at this time of year, including bare root trees, winter vegetables and colour, such as primulas, calendulas, pansies and violas.

Don't forget your lawn

There are a few things you can do for your lawn now that will guarantee you lush green coverage come spring. Weed regularly throughout winter – the ground is softer this time of year, so the weeds will come out much easier – followed by aerating and fertilising at the end of winter.

Make a plan for spring

It's always a good idea to plan ahead, so why not start mapping out your vegie garden for spring planting? If you prepare now you'll be ready to plant as soon as the sun makes its return in September.

Bring the outdoors in

If you can't face the cold outside, then try bringing your garden inside with a vertical garden. Indoor plants can enliven any space or you could even build your own terrarium. There are a variety of plants that thrive indoors, just make sure you check their ideal growing conditions and place them in the right spot and give them just the right amount of water and fertiliser.

Thanks Bunnings for the tips—of course some alpaca on the compost is good.

These cards have been given to me from NZ information pack many years ago a wonderful resource. - editor