Lotions and potions

Every day of my life I marvel at the cleaning stuff I waste money on.  In the bathroom there's stuff to shower with, followed by cream for eyes, mouth, face, body, hands, feet, heels, etc, etc.  Then there's deodorant, perfume, makeup.  Toothpaste, mouthwash, floss picks.  All kinds of stuff for hair that's been shampooed and conditioned - gel, mousse, paste, sculpt lotion and spray.  Not forgetting special stuff to clean glasses with. Or special cream for arthritic knees.

Then you have to clean the shower, basin and toilet, each with its very own product. And, of course, a vast array of special cloths to use.  While I was at it I mopped the floor, dusted and vacuumed - more special stuff for each one.

I also changed the sheets - put the dirty ones on the line and even gave the pillows and doona an airing in the sun and wind and 25 degrees. As I was making the bed up with clean sheets, look who hopped in to enjoy the freshness, without a care in the world:

And we think we're the intelligent ones!

Sorry about the blurry laundry photo.  I suppose I'll have to get some eye drops so I can see better...

Winter sunset

Just looked out the window and saw this!  Beautiful colours.

Pleased with myself today:  I learnt some Japanese; taught my English class; practised the piano; went to my exercise class; and read some of my novel.

A day at home

Try as I do, I can never keep up with things, so am relishing a day at home - I might even stay in my pyjamas all day.  This day off comes because my piano teacher has gone to Bali for a few days and I have no lesson this afternoon.

After the MH17 disaster it must take a great deal of courage to fly anywhere.  What an absolute tragedy.  The state of the world with its wars and other problems doesn't bear thinking about.  And it makes our day-to-day difficulties seem like insignificant trifles.

Winifred, I'm very interested in your comment.  Your son's upcoming book sounds wonderful - what a great idea!  On my next trip to a cemetery I'll take my camera and photograph any interesting headstones for him.  What was his first book about?

Frank - goodness me, back to the 1700s in your local cemetery.  What a lot of history there!  

Lunchtime - Just noticed some cockies drinking from the pool.  Caught a couple in this shot:

A visit to the country

My sister lives in Goulburn (one hour this side of Canberra) and I drove down on Tuesday afternoon and back on Wednesday, leaving at midday.  It was -3 in the morning, with a frost, something we never see in Sydney.  I bought the heavy wool jumper in Canberra years ago and can seldom wear it as it's not cold enough here, but was very glad of it yesterday.

Weird.  Just as I was going to explain the tombstone picture, a message:  'He's dead, Jim' flashed onto the screen and the computer restarted itself!!!!  I love visiting old cemeteries and on the way home turned into this one outside Berrima to take some photos.  And, as if this wasn't weird enough, a piano piece just started playing and that file isn't even open!  Talk about gremlins in the computer.

Early Saturday morning I picked the family up from their three weeks in Japan.  It's lovely having them home safely.  I always worry when other people fly, though never when I'm in a plane myself.

Have been really exhausted lately - stayed in bed all day Monday and went to bed when I got back from Goulburn about 3 yesterday.  Even now, at 8:46 am, I'm very, very tired.

A mid-winter walk in one of Sydney's gracious suburbs

Back to normal since I discovered my foot pain was not due to osteoarthritis but the need for orthotics in my shoes.  (For about two and a half years I'd been hobbling round, unable to walk for more than 10 minutes at a time.)  Enjoying the freedom of the last two days before I pick the family up at the airport after their Japanese holiday, I returned to my favourite cafe for a coffee and croissant, then walked for the best part of an hour.

Now to catch up on some piano-playing.