An update

You know when a whole string of inconveniences, minor misfortunes and concerns beset your life and you succumb to a slight case of the 'blues'? Well that's where I am at the moment. It's not like I wonder why these things happen - I mean, challenges and hiccouphs are all part of normal everyday human existence. Change is constant, and everything happens for a reason.

Knowing how to manage the mental, emotional and physical consequences of a succession of concerns is the trick. It will all pass.

After a long-weekend away in June, we returned to find we'd suffered a home-invasion - new and very disturbing territory for us. All that was missing was a large sum of money. I say "all" because it could have been so much worse. In hindsight, keeping money at home nowadays is pure stupidity, but a person becomes complacent, I suppose.

A forensic officer dusted for fingerprints, keeping two to be placed on record. He explained that even though it was unlikely that anything would come of the investigation, fingerprints on file can incriminate people years down the track: "a person was recently apprehended for an offense, and his fingerprints were then matched with 37 recorded crimes."

We requested our real estate agent arrange to have dead-locks installed on our entry doors, which was immediately followed through. It's a very uneasy feeling knowing that a person or people with malicious intent have invaded our personal space.

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But people are more important than material possessions, and when my dear friend Lola sustained painful and debilitating injuries in a fall recently, I felt a driving need to go to her aid. She has no family. But I contracted a cold. Thankfully, it was only a mild dose, but I was in no condition to get myself to Western Australia. I suffer respiratory problems when I become ill, so I was pleased to shake the cold off before my airways were badly affected.

I declined to attend an environmental workshop that I had been aiming to participate in, knowing that I was in no state for physical work due to my cold. I was extremely disappointed. And then a spiritual workshop that I had registered for was cancelled without reason. I was more than disappointed; I was angry. How often do opportunities like that happen in this part of the woods?

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Lola informed me that a truly wonderful man we both know had suffered a stroke and was in a serious condition. Perry is the sort of person you meet and instantly recognise as special. His ongoing environmental concern and action is nothing short of outstanding, and his compassion, encouragement and sense of awareness is inspirational. His friendship is spontaneous, genuine and warm. Even though he is elderly, I was shocked that such illness could befall such a beautiful human being.

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Preoccupied with life, I forgot my grandson's birthday. I know it's not a big deal for a 6 year-old, especially when he lives a five-hour drive away, but I felt very neglectful. I had arranged to help another grandson, Zach, with homework, and had to cancel because I had a cold. No big deal to a 7 year-old, but I felt bad about that too.

I went to the pantry to prepare my breakfast, and found a child's book next to the biscuits. That was the mischief of my third grandson, Heath, only 2 years old. The sight of the book in the pantry brought tears to my eyes, simultaneously with a smile to my face, as I knew I was the luckiest woman alive.

A treasured moment - reading to Flynn and Trinity
a few months ago

Grahame and I have been busy transporting gear up to our home at Baradine. When we offload enough stuff, we want to start looking for a smaller and cheaper home to rent here in the Hunter Valley for the duration of his remaining working years. The rent we are paying for this leaking old place is ridiculous, but then, all rents in the mid Hunter Valley are exorbitant.

With my cold almost at bay, we took a trip to Baradine, and I had intended to stay and do some work - painting, mainly. I was really looking forward to the time alone to do some writing in my spare time. But my cold freshened up before we even arrived, and settled on my chest many times worse than the previous bout. I stayed, hoping my condition would rapidly improve - Grahame returned to work. I couldn't work, and I didn't even feel like writing. As it turned out, I simply waited until I was well enough to drive home.

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I'm not whinging. I'm simply telling my story. We all go through negative periods. Tomorrow is always another day.

A female King Parrot just flew off after balancing on the power line just outside my window for more than a minute. What a pleasure it is to observe our native wildlife around the home. And the glorious tune of the Pied Butcherbird came through loud and clear as I enjoyed my early morning coffee in the half light, snuggled up under a blanket on the lounge.

Although the sky is grey, and the air chilly, always there are pleasures to be thankful for. After visiting the doctor for the first time in Baradine a few days ago, I went to the chemist to buy prescribed medications. I was confronted by the most delightful man with a fuzzy head of out-of-control grey hair, a long straggly white beard, and a warm, pleasant manner. I asked the pharmacist how he was today, and he replied cheerily, "Great, thanks, my heater is working". Yes, we have much to be thankful for amid the challenges of daily life. My heater is working too!

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I made Perry a card and sent him good wishes for his recovery. I used the following two photos, hoping to bring a smile to his face. Perry is an incurable lover of birds. I hope the pictures of the Grebe with a bad-hair day, and the gorgeous fluffy baby Mistletoebird also bring a smile to the face of readers of this blog.

And before I finish, I would like to sincerely thank "Viviane" from the comments page on the previous blog for her thoughtful comment. The web of life reaches far and wide, beyond our range of sight and sound, and each action a person performs creates a 'ripple' effect. We are all connected. Viviane's kind words inspired me to construct a blog right now, which has helped lift my mood tremendously. I enjoy my blogging.