rain, rain, and more rain in Robertson today

It is pouring rain here today as we are hit by the outer edge of a cyclone which crossed further up the coast.  Please note we are not suffering, its just rain. Its lovely and welcome as the ground has been dusty dry and our neighbour's dams empty for a while.

Our hearts go out to both family and strangers who are cut off without power in Queensland and Northern New South Wales. And to those who have lost love ones and their homes. Its only 2 years since the last major flood so some of those who just got back on their feet will be losing again.

While cyclones and floods are devastating the north, fires are destroying the south. Its a big, harsh country of great and terrible beauty. It is rather fitting that this should happen this weekend as we celebrated our nation's birth which resulted in greatness but began with destruction.

So meanwhile we are home safe, with power, food, wine and nowhere we have to be. Tomorrow may be interesting as we assess our route to work and see whether we can get through or whether we need to stay home again.

I can but extend hopes of peace and safety to those worse off.

Eating from the garden

Still studying but not for much longer

I am working on my last assignment today. Its cold, damp and I'm home alone. I can hear nothing but the whirring of my hard drive and the snores of my dog Harry. There are no distractions, yet as always I feel jittery, bored and want to be doing anything other than thinking through this assignment.

I guess that is the main problem - I'm up to a part I don't entirely understand. For the background I pumped out 500 words without hesitation or pause. Now that it is becoming more challenging I am procrastinating.

My solutions: I am going to put on an oil burner to entice my senses and aid concentration. I'm going to get up and stretch a little and find some cheese and crackers to munch on. Then I'm going to work on another section that is a little clearer. I'll come back to the tricky one with more of a sense of success.

And in a little over two weeks I will be free: to sew, cook, garden and blog and share more exciting adventures than sitting labouring over an essay on Sunday afternoon.

Wish me luck.