Wandering along the pathway

I had started this journal a couple of days ago when our world in Australia was besieged and consequently very sad with the deaths of innocent people because of one madman.

This was not my purpose for writing so late at night when my world is quiet. The street is dark, the dogs and birds are sleeping as is my husband. My problem is I have so many thoughts roaming through my brain I cannot switch it off, so, write I must.

I was planning initially to start my exposay into life as a student nurse in the 1970's but there is so much to write about, so much to dredge up from the cortex of my brain I might leave it for another day.

I recently had a visit into a health establishment in the inner city of Melbourne and I must say I was very pleasantly surprised with my experience..... well, some of it anyhow. I won't go into the bits of what I didn't enjoy as it's totally irrelevant when trying to write a light bit of fluff.

I must say though that I had direct continuity of staff, from my (yes, my) night nurse who cared for me from my first to my last night, as well as the nurses during the day.

I found this continuity to be so very important as when I was initially admitted I was feeling somewhat miserable and revolting and wanted to be unconscious ( which wasn't the case I might add). By my time of discharge I was feeling so much better and back to myself and it was important to me for these nurses to see the real Jenny...not the monosyllabic misery guts who couldn't keep her eyes open without vomiting and crying! I can assure you dear reader, I am NOT like that normally hence the importance of that said continuity for me.

The staff from the nurses, be they clinical or the pain nurse or the gynae nurse, the cleaners who came in and vacuumed and emptied my rubbish bins every day, the food services staff who, when safe to do so, bought me tea and iced water, breakfast, lunch and dinner were all pleasant and friendly, not to mention the woman who bought in a fresh newspaper every day as well with compliments.

Nothing was too much bother. My buzzer was answered quickly and my needs met quickly as a consequence. 

I come from an environment of frantically busy midwives and nurses who do their utmost best to exude the same calmness and spontaneity but are hampered by the large volumes of people we care for every day and their ensuing dramas, so this recent experience is no criticism of my work environment nor is it a judgment of, or comparison to my workplace. It is merely an observation albeit a pleasurable one of my recent expense about being 'on the other side' for a change.

My first couple of days were spent trying to sleep more than be awake I felt so bad, but once I improved I began to observe my own habits of this time, and realised just how unusual I can be. 

For example, as mentioned earlier, I slept a lot initially. The day I began to emerge from my cocoon I would lie in bed. With the covers up I felt too warm from time to time so I would pull the covers down. Almost immediately I would begin to feel cold so, I would then pull the covers up again and snuggle under and relish the joy of being able to enjoy the increasing warmth again. I would adjust the pillow against my head, have a snooze then wake up too hot again then begin the whole procedure once more.

 I most likely had too much time on my hands as I wondered about this action=result=action and the physics involved in such activity a little bit until I was distracted with drinking from a straw whilst lying down.

I really now do appreciate the person who cleverly invented the bendy straw which is used in most hospitals throughout the land far and wide now.

I am enjoying some peace and tranquility when the dogs aren't barking although I find being stuck at home and not able to drive, so close to Christmas frustrating, but, such is life and it is very much a first world issue.

I am intrinsically healthy and for that I am grateful.

We have our home on the market at this present time and unfortunately I am beginning to think it's unsaleable as we have not had anyone come through for an inspection for over a week now. The most difficult part of being up for sale is the constant need to keep everything in its place, just in case someone should want to come have a look, but as I mentioned, it's been over a week since our last visit from the agent and supposedly interested parties, so, thankfully I have not been holding my breath.

Perhaps after Christmas it might change, I don't know anymore, as at the onset, we were spun the "We'll sell your house really quickly" tale and are still waiting.

Perhaps if I get bogged down tomorrow in my life story of a student nurse we might see some action at an inopportune time.

Cockatoo Magic

We're up north again for a fleeting visit and I was hoping to wander outside and take a few photos but it's raining softly on the roof and therefore I've decided to stay indoors till the rain stops.

I do love the rain up here, be it dramatic with thunder and lightning (we get plenty of that) or soft and gentle like today, nutritive for the ground and grass and all other things green.

There is a flavour in the air that is only apparent when the rain happens and it lifts the heart and makes me want to stay like this forever.

It's cool outside too and this I do prefer to the extreme heat that is apparent everywhere in this great land of ours come summertime.

I took some photos this morning of beautiful scenery, of which I hope I will never see with unseeing eyes.

You know how familiarity breeds contempt? If you have something in your life that you love when it's new, but forget about after a time, it's rather sad that the appreciation and that gob smacking awesomeness loses its presence once you look at it long enough.

I recall my mother when she and Dad lived in Rosebud, used to have a view to Arthur's Seat and she would stand out on her veranda every day with a cup of tea and admire her mountain.

Once we moved Mum up to be closer to family she lost that connection with her view and I have always felt sad that she has had to miss that lookout. Even now she still refers occasionally to 'her mountain' and wonders if it is still there.

Taking photos and putting the picture up on the wall is not quite the same as the real thing when you know the real thing is now unattainable. This makes me very determined to appreciate our good fortune and make the most of what we have in our life.

Even where we currently live, there is a gorgeous view from the front window which looks out onto the square. Night time has its own beauty there as our one street light comes on and shines on the front lawn. If it's foggy it creates a mystical type hue of a night time and many times I have been reminded of just how lucky we are.

The way the rain has set in I am thinking it'll be damp for a long haul now and I'll have to give my walk a miss.

We brought our dogs up with us as we always do. There often seems to be a tale these days of dogs going missing from their homes and even though we have to leave them when at work and when on big holidays we like to bring them up with us when we visit our nirvana.

Mind, they do have to stay in a farm stay/kennel whilst here, but the owners know them well now and like their presence and both dogs exude a happiness of sorts when we arrive (that may well be because they're sick of being cooped in the car who knows) but at least we know they are being cared for and it is a bit of an adventure for them.

They are both that little bit older now. Stuart is heading towards 4 years of age and Noni 3 1/2 now and really are delightful companions.

 Stuart is the woosey one and sooks a bit whereas Noni is quiet and just goes about her business. Stuart is also a typical adolescent and tries to expand the boundaries when out and about. One would think sometimes he doesn't know his name when he is called which can be an embarrassment until ones voice becomes a little gruff and he knows he is in trouble.

Noni however is the antithesis to such vexatious behaviour and is very well behaved, coming when called and forever trying to play 'fetch the ball' with anyone who is remotely interested.

Consequently dear reader, I have to provide yet another photo opportunity of the two of them for your perusal...

So, there you go, no lean machine here, but happy, healthy and well.