Jo Fountain
@jofountain.bsky.social
Rural social scientist - food resilience, agritourism, climate change, regional resilience. Also mum and grandma, love cats, books, and growing my own food..
The only activity of this type I do is jigsaws which i enjoy while listening to audiobooks.
I've found that weeding the garden gets me into a similar flow state to mindful colouring, but is more useful #SecretSantaAoNZ
I've found that weeding the garden gets me into a similar flow state to mindful colouring, but is more useful #SecretSantaAoNZ
Kind of linking up to yesterday's question for #SecretSantaAoNZ are you a puzzles, or activity book kind of relaxer?
November 25, 2025 at 4:26 AM
The only activity of this type I do is jigsaws which i enjoy while listening to audiobooks.
I've found that weeding the garden gets me into a similar flow state to mindful colouring, but is more useful #SecretSantaAoNZ
I've found that weeding the garden gets me into a similar flow state to mindful colouring, but is more useful #SecretSantaAoNZ
Seems timely to repost this #nzpol
November 24, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Seems timely to repost this #nzpol
A different location (in sunny end of house) but same loyal cat companion. I will admit, Maisie is my favourite colleague.
I'll also admit, I mostly work from home.
I'll also admit, I mostly work from home.
![Tabby cat sleeps in the dappled shade on a window seat. Behind her the pillowcase portrays on of her big cat relatives [possibly leopard], bold orange on a blue background](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ueuo7lwp27ryon64xdvyib5m/bafkreibj4pa5al433nx3235kzml7dgas3ehnqyxfwn2rnk2c2kjtpjt334@jpeg)
November 24, 2025 at 10:27 PM
A different location (in sunny end of house) but same loyal cat companion. I will admit, Maisie is my favourite colleague.
I'll also admit, I mostly work from home.
I'll also admit, I mostly work from home.
No is the short answer. I was a committed Wordle doer for quite a while (although I preferred Octordle). I've been known to resort to Sudoku on a rainy holiday. Not sure when I last played a board game bit it was probably tivial pursuits.
Another day, another chance to learn more about you #SecretSantaAoNZ
November 24, 2025 at 8:23 AM
No is the short answer. I was a committed Wordle doer for quite a while (although I preferred Octordle). I've been known to resort to Sudoku on a rainy holiday. Not sure when I last played a board game bit it was probably tivial pursuits.
My colleagues while working from home. I will make no comments regarding how they compare to my human colleagues.
November 23, 2025 at 10:45 PM
My colleagues while working from home. I will make no comments regarding how they compare to my human colleagues.
Definitely a cat person. I have always had a soft spot for snails 🐌 which conflicts with my desire to grow vegetables. And the whole process of tadpoles turning into frogs has fascinated me since childhood
A new question for #SecretSantaAoNZ
Are you a cat or dog person? Pandas? Hippos? Dolphins?Dragons? Chimera? Nessie?
Are you a cat or dog person? Pandas? Hippos? Dolphins?Dragons? Chimera? Nessie?
November 23, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Definitely a cat person. I have always had a soft spot for snails 🐌 which conflicts with my desire to grow vegetables. And the whole process of tadpoles turning into frogs has fascinated me since childhood
Not a big movie watcher these days - mostly see them on planes. Love most of what Taika has done, and quirky &/or atmospheric dramas. TV - gentle British/NZ murder mysteries (Midsomer Murders, Brokenwood etc). WDYTYA, Time Team. Not horror or US sitcoms, most of which I don't find funny
A new question for today #SecretSantaAoNZ
This one might require a few replies to answer, at least for me.
This one might require a few replies to answer, at least for me.
November 22, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Not a big movie watcher these days - mostly see them on planes. Love most of what Taika has done, and quirky &/or atmospheric dramas. TV - gentle British/NZ murder mysteries (Midsomer Murders, Brokenwood etc). WDYTYA, Time Team. Not horror or US sitcoms, most of which I don't find funny
I read a lot. Mostly fiction (there's enough non fiction at work). Have lots of favourite authors/ books but mostly into classics and contemporary fiction. Five favourite 5-star reads this year include Orbital, A Farewell to Arms, Nesting, Dune, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
A new question for today #SecretSantaAoNZ
This one might require a few replies to answer, at least for me.
This one might require a few replies to answer, at least for me.
November 22, 2025 at 3:46 AM
I read a lot. Mostly fiction (there's enough non fiction at work). Have lots of favourite authors/ books but mostly into classics and contemporary fiction. Five favourite 5-star reads this year include Orbital, A Farewell to Arms, Nesting, Dune, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
I don't think I can do this one... TOO HARD... but I'll try.
Music - all sorts of things... very dependent on mood and what I'm doing... if I was to name three artists I've listened to the most this week it would be: Bach, Fat Freddy's Drop, boygenius.
Music - all sorts of things... very dependent on mood and what I'm doing... if I was to name three artists I've listened to the most this week it would be: Bach, Fat Freddy's Drop, boygenius.
A new question for today #SecretSantaAoNZ
This one might require a few replies to answer, at least for me.
This one might require a few replies to answer, at least for me.
November 22, 2025 at 3:39 AM
I don't think I can do this one... TOO HARD... but I'll try.
Music - all sorts of things... very dependent on mood and what I'm doing... if I was to name three artists I've listened to the most this week it would be: Bach, Fat Freddy's Drop, boygenius.
Music - all sorts of things... very dependent on mood and what I'm doing... if I was to name three artists I've listened to the most this week it would be: Bach, Fat Freddy's Drop, boygenius.
No allergies, but white chocolate isnt chocolate... dark chocolate for the win. Not a fan of asparagus. #SecretSantaAoNZ
Today's #SecretSantaAoNZ question is a pretty important one.
Make sure you add the hashtag to your replies so it's easily searchable for your Santa. We wouldn't want them to miss it.
Make sure you add the hashtag to your replies so it's easily searchable for your Santa. We wouldn't want them to miss it.
November 21, 2025 at 5:52 AM
No allergies, but white chocolate isnt chocolate... dark chocolate for the win. Not a fan of asparagus. #SecretSantaAoNZ
Taking time to stop and enjoy the little beautiful things in nature 🌼🪴
November 21, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Taking time to stop and enjoy the little beautiful things in nature 🌼🪴
While I might not know what day Black Friday, I would definitely make a better guess than the 2 Gen Zers on the news: "is it next Monday?"; "is it Thursday?" 🙄
November 21, 2025 at 5:31 AM
While I might not know what day Black Friday, I would definitely make a better guess than the 2 Gen Zers on the news: "is it next Monday?"; "is it Thursday?" 🙄
Due to an 'excessive leave balance' I am taking Fridays off for the rest of the year. Decided to take my first trip of the season to our boatshed.
There are worse places to be at 2pm on a warm Friday
There are worse places to be at 2pm on a warm Friday
November 21, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Due to an 'excessive leave balance' I am taking Fridays off for the rest of the year. Decided to take my first trip of the season to our boatshed.
There are worse places to be at 2pm on a warm Friday
There are worse places to be at 2pm on a warm Friday
Very happy with my giftee, but I wasnt already following them, so I'm now going through BlueSky and happily following a lot of other lovely humans (and their cats) also taking part, to cover my tracks #SecretSantaAoNZ
November 20, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Very happy with my giftee, but I wasnt already following them, so I'm now going through BlueSky and happily following a lot of other lovely humans (and their cats) also taking part, to cover my tracks #SecretSantaAoNZ
I have a big vegetable garden, so I spend a lot of time on that, out of necessity really. I read a lot, and have dabbled in pottery over the last five years. Im not particularly good st it, but I find it very relaxing and a nice change from my day job.
New question #SecretSantaAoNZ
Remember, sign-ups close today.
Remember, sign-ups close today.
November 18, 2025 at 7:39 PM
I have a big vegetable garden, so I spend a lot of time on that, out of necessity really. I read a lot, and have dabbled in pottery over the last five years. Im not particularly good st it, but I find it very relaxing and a nice change from my day job.
I don't wear jewellery on a regular basis - maybe earrings and a necklace if I'm 'dressing up'
Just did a stocktake of the current jewellery I'm wearing on a regular workday... absolutely nothing.
Just did a stocktake of the current jewellery I'm wearing on a regular workday... absolutely nothing.
Going to move this question for #SecretSantaAoNZ forward a few days since it's come up.
What jewellery do you wear? Necklaces? Bracelets? Clip-ons or pierced earrings? Rings? Anklets? Arm bands? Gold? Silver? Pewter? Copper? Or plastic like Hoggle?
What jewellery do you wear? Necklaces? Bracelets? Clip-ons or pierced earrings? Rings? Anklets? Arm bands? Gold? Silver? Pewter? Copper? Or plastic like Hoggle?
November 17, 2025 at 7:23 PM
I don't wear jewellery on a regular basis - maybe earrings and a necklace if I'm 'dressing up'
Just did a stocktake of the current jewellery I'm wearing on a regular workday... absolutely nothing.
Just did a stocktake of the current jewellery I'm wearing on a regular workday... absolutely nothing.
Books. But I really don't need more 😂
Question time #SecretSantaAoNZ
What do you collect? If you were a dragon what would you hoard?
What do you collect? If you were a dragon what would you hoard?
November 17, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Books. But I really don't need more 😂
The colour of the waters of Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour. That colour changes, but they are all lovely. Sometimes D'Urville Island, sometimes Manu Bay, sometimes Rārangi [if we are going with the Dulux paint colours 🙂 ] www.dulux.co.nz/colour/greens/
November 15, 2025 at 6:55 AM
The colour of the waters of Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour. That colour changes, but they are all lovely. Sometimes D'Urville Island, sometimes Manu Bay, sometimes Rārangi [if we are going with the Dulux paint colours 🙂 ] www.dulux.co.nz/colour/greens/
No food restrictions or things I can't eat. If I were to think about ideal food gifts they would probably be:
1. Interesting cheese (but logistics in shipping/storing perhaps?)
2. Coffee beans/ground coffee from quirky small producers - the stronger the better.
3. Interesting spice mixes.
1. Interesting cheese (but logistics in shipping/storing perhaps?)
2. Coffee beans/ground coffee from quirky small producers - the stronger the better.
3. Interesting spice mixes.
Time for another question #SecretSantaAoNZ
What are your favourite foods? Least favourite? What can't you eat? What are your go to foods FOR MORALE?
Quote or reply with your answers.
What are your favourite foods? Least favourite? What can't you eat? What are your go to foods FOR MORALE?
Quote or reply with your answers.
November 13, 2025 at 7:56 PM
No food restrictions or things I can't eat. If I were to think about ideal food gifts they would probably be:
1. Interesting cheese (but logistics in shipping/storing perhaps?)
2. Coffee beans/ground coffee from quirky small producers - the stronger the better.
3. Interesting spice mixes.
1. Interesting cheese (but logistics in shipping/storing perhaps?)
2. Coffee beans/ground coffee from quirky small producers - the stronger the better.
3. Interesting spice mixes.
Signed up again! After the year that's been spreading a little joy seems more needed than ever
Have you signed up for #SecretSantaAoNZ? Have you spread the word that sign-ups are open?
Here's a few things to remember when you sign up!
Here's a few things to remember when you sign up!
November 13, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Signed up again! After the year that's been spreading a little joy seems more needed than ever
My feed this morning is so depressing this morning - all our useless government doing dumb stuff, racism, climate change and Trump.
So here is my happy fat cat Maisie, helping me weed the garden.
So here is my happy fat cat Maisie, helping me weed the garden.
November 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
My feed this morning is so depressing this morning - all our useless government doing dumb stuff, racism, climate change and Trump.
So here is my happy fat cat Maisie, helping me weed the garden.
So here is my happy fat cat Maisie, helping me weed the garden.
At the annual Tourism Summit Aotearoa ... very different from the Adaptation Futures conference.
Struggling with the dissonance... but nice to catch up with some really good people.
Struggling with the dissonance... but nice to catch up with some really good people.
October 28, 2025 at 8:31 PM
At the annual Tourism Summit Aotearoa ... very different from the Adaptation Futures conference.
Struggling with the dissonance... but nice to catch up with some really good people.
Struggling with the dissonance... but nice to catch up with some really good people.
FFS... as if this weekend needed to get worse politically
Luxon “goes full Trump” with climate-denying methane backdown, via @Greenpeace.org.nz www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre...
Luxon “goes full Trump” with climate-denying methane backdown - Greenpeace Aotearoa
The NZ Government will rewrite NZ's once bipartisan climate change law to weaken methane targets and exclude agriculture from the ETS.
www.greenpeace.org
October 12, 2025 at 1:11 AM
FFS... as if this weekend needed to get worse politically
"Selwyn should carry a travel advisory warning from now on" 😳
There are many intelligent, sensible and kind people in Waikirikiri but due to voter apathy we have a new council dominated by VFF climate change deniers, racists, conspiracy theorists, Trump-lovers and Jacinda-haters. #nzpol
There are many intelligent, sensible and kind people in Waikirikiri but due to voter apathy we have a new council dominated by VFF climate change deniers, racists, conspiracy theorists, Trump-lovers and Jacinda-haters. #nzpol
3) the huge swell in Saturday voters makes me more concerned about incoming disenfranchisement changes to same day enrolments for next year.
4) Selwyn should carry a travel advisory warning from now on, same with Cambridge and Hamilton.
5) the lack of civics education here is really showing.
4) Selwyn should carry a travel advisory warning from now on, same with Cambridge and Hamilton.
5) the lack of civics education here is really showing.
October 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"Selwyn should carry a travel advisory warning from now on" 😳
There are many intelligent, sensible and kind people in Waikirikiri but due to voter apathy we have a new council dominated by VFF climate change deniers, racists, conspiracy theorists, Trump-lovers and Jacinda-haters. #nzpol
There are many intelligent, sensible and kind people in Waikirikiri but due to voter apathy we have a new council dominated by VFF climate change deniers, racists, conspiracy theorists, Trump-lovers and Jacinda-haters. #nzpol