JUST CATCHING UP

Since I was here last, I’ve had a birthday. A fairly ‘non’ event – but we did go out and have a nice meal at a favourite restaurant not far from home. I’ve started walking in the mornings again – my toe is not quite healed yet and still a little tender, but I’m now able to get my shoe on and the coolness of the early morning is just so refreshing. I’m not at my best during the hot weather. I tend to retain a lot of water in my body and it really saps the energy out of me. I feel so much better when it’s cooler.

These awful high temperatures are persisting. The weather office insist that it’s just ‘normal’ for this time of the year in Sydney but we keep hearing radio and TV reports saying the temps are ‘so many above normal’ for this time of the year. I know it doesn’t help but I tend to check the outdoors thermometer frequently to see if it’s cooled down a little. Last night was Sydney’s hottest night in 12 years!

Anyway, DH and I are ‘escaping’ from it for a few days and we’ll be on an early flight in the morning ‘over the ditch’ to our homeland. We’re staying a week and will attend my niece’s wedding while there. We’re looking forward to that.

Hopefully by the time we arrive back home the temperatures might be more bearable - for me anyway!

A MOOCHING KIND OF DAY

After the searing heat of the past few days, today has been blessedly much cooler. The temperature did get to about 32C early in the afternoon but later a really strong wind has sprung up which has cooled everything down quickly. What bliss! I just don't handle these hot days very well and far prefer the cooler weather. A friend emailed me that it was -4C in upper New York State - now I'm not saying I want it to be that cold - but the fresh breeze coming in the back door now as I sit typing this, is just wonderful. I'm hoping for a better night's sleep tonight!

I have been busy though, despite the heat. Yesterday I completed an 8" x 8" scrapbook album I've made for my niece to record photos of her new baby and a visit to the shopping centre was successful in finding some little gifts to send to A9, our grand-daughter who lives in Texas and celebrates her birthday in a few weeks time.

Tomorrow I'm helping a friend assemble her wedding invites so there always seems to be something to keep me busy. Even when the heat outside is simply awful, I am grateful that I have somewhere to shelter me from the elements and I am reminded that my God cares for me and supplies my needs - I am so blessed.

THE BOYS ARE BACK

Friday morning saw grandsons L3 and E5 at the door at 7.45am. Mum was off to work for a half day and the next 5 or so hours stretched out before me. The temperature was a cool 20C – so vastly different from the few days before so until it warmed up a bit, activities would be inside the house.

Breakfast over, the games began. After game cube’s Mario for E5 and pairing card games for L3, finished jigsaws, Reader Rabbit and other puzzles and a game of ‘soccer’ outside, I was rather glad to see mum arrive back to take them home. Here’s a couple of pics of one of the morning’s activities.

THE ADVENTURES OF A STICK INSECT

After 3 days of temperatures of 38C and 40C (100F and 104F), mid afternoon a storm broke – a fairly typical summer Sydney storm – high wind, heavy rain, thunder and lightning. As I looked out the window my eye caught a movement on the sun umbrella which I’d taken down to avoid it being knocked over. Somehow, Mr (or Ms) Stick Insect had been blown against it and it was clinging for its life to the fabric of the umbrella. I was fascinated by the way it was battling against the elements and seemed determined to hang on to it’s anchor.

It seemed to be trying to move but neither up nor down had much effect as it was battered by the wind. Eventually it managed to turn itself upside down and with a few tentative steps made its way across the umbrella – which is when I decided to be a rescuer. It was well outside it’s usual environment and although not totally familiar with it’s way of life, I didn’t want to see it land in the pool and be drowned if it was flicked off by a heavy gust.

The rain still pouring down, I donned my gardening glove (I was fully clothed!) and went outside. Grabbing it gently I placed it in a little ficus shrub growing in a pot at the back door. It quickly sought the shelter of the inside twigs – where it was at least safe from the belting wind and rain. I made a quick trip inside for my camera and took a shot – can you find it amongst the leaves? (due to some technical difficulties the pics were not able to be uploaded)

Half an hour later, the storm was gone and so was the Stick Insect. They are quite friendly creatures and I believe some of the species can be kept as pets. They eat tiny insects such as aphids and are considered desirable in the garden. I hope it has found a good place to hide amongst the many trees we have around our yard – and continues to devour the pesky aphids from my roses!

ONE WEEK LATER

Another trip to my doctor this morning has resulted in my toe nail being removed. I’m thankful it’s been done, as a precaution against infection I’m taking an antibiotic and now the real healing can begin. With a wedding to attend in 3 weeks time, hopefully an inconspicuous covering can be used instead of the big thick bandage I have now, as open sandals will be the footwear I’ll need to use. Thankfully it is our summer season so the worry about cold feet won’t enter into the equasion. Pretty pink polish won’t be used either – maybe a prettily flower covered adhesive bandage could be found or even one with a bit of bling! I’ve seen them for kids with all kinds of designs on them – but never with ‘adult’ wearers in mind. But now I’m really getting carried away. Maybe by then just a plain old flesh coloured bandage will suffice.

BIRTHDAY (BASH) CELEBRATION

Celebrating birthdays is always fun – especially when it’s a family member. A group of us celebrated DS’s birthday last night. It was a day early but we enjoyed a beautiful meal together at a very popular little Italian restaurant not far from home and had a fun night which included being serenaded in song with piano accordion accompaniment. The ‘chicken’ dance, ‘hokey tokey’ and YMCA for young and old was highly energetic and had us all entertained and was a fitting end to the evening.

Certainly it was one we’ll remember!