And Now For Something Entirely Different

Not!

Well, so much for my wishful thinking. It is still raining but the creek has receded. I've checked the Council website and we are still cut off in all directions. The river is now at moderate flooding levels rather than major and the radar shows that the rain should be clearing if somewhat reluctantly. We were still trying to wake up at 7.30 this morning when a helicopter (SES or RFS from the markings)landed in a clearing not far from here having made a couple of good sweeps over the area, no doubt assessing damage. The last two floods we were subjected to a barrage of media helicopters landing and taking off for days. But this time they are visiting Grafton, Lismore and Kempsey where flooding is a more infrequent occurrence.

We had planned to visit the local agricultural show so Little Tree could visit the baby animals, watch the wood chopping and the horse events but with all the flooding it has been cancelled. Luckily we had not put this event on his calendar before the flood warnings or we may have had some issues trying to explain the change in plans.

Our cat Shu-shu, or Shuey as Little Tree calls her, has the right idea - she's presently curled up on the bed. And spoilt cat that she is, I'm not going to disturb her by making the bed or trying to photograph her. So here are a couple of photos I took earlier - much earlier (note the sunshine). I never seem to be able to get a shot with her looking at the camera.

So another day of cooking and painting and singing practice - if Little Tree doesn't get too distressed. (The singing isn't bad, it's just loud!!)

Water, Water, Everywhere...

And you wouldn't want to drink it.

Here we go again. We are now experiencing our third major flood in as many months. So yet again Little Tree is home from school and Mr I came home early to avoid being stranded.

Please excuse the quality of the photos - they are from my phone as our camera has packed up.

Above is the small reserve at the bottom of our garden. The creek has clearly broken it's banks.

Right is the path that runs alongside the creek below the reserve.

Much to my surprise, we still have power. Very strong winds have accompanied this lot of rain and at this very moment I can see the weeping bamboo being whipped around and the trees bending and can hear the roar of the wind in the tree tops - I hope that if any trees come down they kindly miss the house.

Little Tree has amused himself with Thomas the Tank Engine and perusing the latest Thomas Yearbook and pointing out which engines, trucks or accessories he wants next. So far in order we have Diesel, Hector, "coaling plant", Oil Derrick and no doubt he will come up with a new request to add to the list before the end of the day. He has also been painting and listening to his favourite CD - Children's Christmas Carols!!!! Well, at least we are closer to the correct season for it.

Hopefully, we will wake up tomorrow and the wind will have dropped, the sky will be clear and sunny and we can start cleaning up the mess.....again.

Journeying

There must be something in the air this year. Everyone I know is journeying. Whether they're taking off to the Kimberleys for six months, or taking a trip around Oz, starting something they've never done before, moving house, dying (!!!) or journeying inwardly - which is where I am.

I started this year thinking that something had to change - that I could not continue to approach the world in the same manner, as it obviously was no longer serving me.


I was even disatisfied with my singing. I pulled out of concerts and exams as I found my heart was no longer in it - at least not to perform in the traditional way. Images of Red Priest and Corvus Corax came to mind and my imagination ran wild as to the type of performance I'd like to be a part of. The importance of all that has been dislodged for the time being by this inner journeying. And I'm really surprised that I'm not feeling distraught. I feel I'm putting things to one side in order to make space for something new.


I've been trying to find that real place in me beneath or behind all the facades and roles I play in order to feel I fit in and am acceptable to the people I'm with. I want to practise stepping into my skin or stepping into life. In the odd moments I can do that - usually when I'm on my own - I've been feeling a peace and contentment that is just.....bliss.


It doesn't seem to matter how much reading or listening I do - without the correct key, it merely remains knowledge rather than understanding. And I feel I'm only just beginning to get a mere glimmer on a subject I thought I understood. Ah well.....just call me Shrek!! (You know, "Ogres are like onions - they have layers.")hehehe.