Starving, persecuted refugees

Every day I become more and more disillusioned with the world.  Here is a photo of the kind of refugee Australia is taking in and caring for.  Check out some more photos: 

http://www.michaelsmithnews.com/page/4/

Guilt

 

I can hardly bring myself to think about cruelty to animals, which upsets me even more than cruelty to humans.  But today I'm catching up with some begging letters from charities, which always makes me feel guilty that I can't give more, and my heart goes out to animals all over the world who are being mistreated.  The two in the photo above (sent to me by Michael) are obviously not in this category!!!!

So, today I'm sending a small donation to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Guide Dogs and World Vision.  The trouble with all charities is that, once they have your address, the begging letters keep coming and they ask for more and more each time.  I really object when they send you things, like cards, a pen or address stickers and just assume you will send payment plus a donation.  I don't like that approach at all - it really gets my back up.  But I do understand they are desperate for money.  I usually wait till I get over my annoyance, which could take a few months, then send them some money.

What's not to like?

Silly me.  I've always told myself I hate shopping, particularly in big centres, but this morning I decided to change my mind and make myself enjoy it, and I did!  After all, millions of people the world over can't be wrong.  The centre is a 10-minute drive from home and first thing in the morning there's nobody about, so parking is easy.

Philip discovered this new medical centre a couple of weeks back, so I tried it out for myself yesterday.  It's situated right where the top photo was taken, in the mall outside Westfield.  I'd gone off my previous doctor so decided to look for somebody new. Conveniently, this centre is open 7 days per week and they bulk bill (which means you don't have to pay - well, the taxpayer pays on our Medicare system).  I was impressed by the design, spaciousness and cleanliness of the centre.  The doctor I saw yesterday was very pleasant, so I'm happy to stick with him.  I needed a blood test, so went back this morning to have it, in the same centre.  Because it's only been open for two months there are not many patients so there's no waiting.

After the blood test I had a haircut, ran into two people I know, had a coffee and croissant, then bought some ham and Jarlsberg cheese for lunch.  It really was a most enjoyable experience.  Now I'm back home, getting ready for the English lesson I give to Emma's grandparents and piano teacher.

The weather is beautiful - 21 forecast for today and the kookaburras are laughing.

Where is Muffy?

I know you people who don't have a cat will think I'm crazy, but I do think Muffy is the most gorgeous creature on the earth and just love her to bits.  This morning I've been hanging washing on the line and doing various other things around the house, and have been looking everywhere for her, calling her name.  

I eventually discovered her, sound asleep inside the doona cover!

Social life

The other night I went with friends to a cocktail party art exhibition, held in very upmarket horse stables.  (My friend is part of the family that owns the business.)

This painting won the $15,000 first prize.  It was all very nice, with good wines, champagne, food nibbles, and a singer playing the guitar. But being on my feet for three hours was a bit hard to bear, and I had to take my ankle boots off as soon as I got into the car afterwards.  http://www.australianartsales.com.au/InglisEquineArtPrize.html

A couple of weeks before that I went to a Christian concert by Nathan Tasker, the son of these same friends.  This was held in a church and the music was SO LOUD I had to walk out!!!  I looked him up and was very impressed to see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imjo01s_gnU.  Nathan at the Royal Albert Hall in London, no less!!!!!!!!!!  He's obviously very good, and lives in Nashville where there are lots of Christians, but to me all pop music sounds the same - that's if it doesn't blast your ears off!!

Yes, I do have an insatiable appetite for knowledge, Winifred, but just wish I could remember all the things I read and listen to.  I'm lucky to remember my own name!!! Nothing to do with Alzheimer's - I've always had a terrible memory.  Facebook is still a bit of a challenge for me, as there's so much stuff.  One of my friends has put thousands of photos on my page and apparently I can't get rid of them.  They are very beautiful, but take up a lot of room.  My goodness, you have family ALL OVER THE WORLD!!!!

A perfect winter's day

Who could complain about this view from my living room!  I absolutely adore sitting here listening to music and gazing out the window.  Right now I've got a cup of hot lemon juice, ginger and honey as I've had a cold for the past few days and am not very energetic.  It's 18 degrees inside. Muffy is sunning herself on the deck, listening to the kookaburras.  The family have gone for a picnic beside the harbour.

I was thrilled the other day to get an email from Bianka in Germany.  (She's the young lass who came to Australia five years ago, as soon as she finished high school.)  She had to contact me through Facebook as my old email address no longer functions.  Her life is wonderfully interesting.

Some time back I mentioned Coursera, an online provider of courses.  My first one, 'A Brief History of Humankind', starts today.  Am really looking forward to it.  It comes out of a university in Israel.  Isn't it amazing!!!

Still at it

70 years old and a cat plays better than me.  I am completely hopeless and don't understand a thing.  I have absolutely no natural feel for music.  I don't know why I persevere, except to give myself a hard time.

I do more and more online jigsaws these days as they don't require any brainpower at all, and now and then I have a go at sudoku - I kid myself that I can get from easy to medium, but of course I can't!!!! - and all I do is get frustrated.  Then I have a go at the daily 'quick' crossword in the paper, which takes me at least four hours, even with the thesaurus.  I usually end up going to bed with the sulks and listen to the BBC.

Where is the snow, you ask, Winifred.  Just as you've been having a hot summer, we've been having a warm winter.  I even look lovingly at the pool each day as I scoop out the leaves and sometimes wish I'd accidentally fall in.