Reflections on 2/3 of the first 1/4 of the year – end of month 2
The weekend has been a fabulous opportunity to have a little reflection about the first two months of 2020. It has been full on and will continue to be for a little longer. There was a young man gone too soon, a bike change, a number of road trips, visit to EAP, some amazingly cool concerts and a huge health scare for a gorgeous little white brat who, thankfully, has come through it with a healthy dose of Westitude.
As we drive to Bundaberg on Friday night, we are accompanied by a lovely sunset. It reminds me that we need to stop and look at the sunset, and sunrise, more often – to take in the colours and the moods, the changes. Then, the moon in all her glory rises with Venus – so I find out from a reputable source. There is but a sliver of moon but oh how she glows soft orange/crimson, so bright and close you could almost reach and touch her, a bauble just in front of you, but then she teases and disappears when we turn right off the highway towards the coast.
Along the way, we stop at a Caltex (not my preferred choice as it is a multinational but on the same direction of highway as we are travelling) to acquire some sustenance – a few rounds of sandwiches, locally made, providing local jobs and quite a tasty feed. On we motor finding, it seems to us, every possible bug slamming themselves kamikaze style into the front of the car, having been attracted by the headlights. Farewell cruel world for the bugs and a visit to the car wash next day to remove their debris – they bake on so quickly poor little devils.
The moon is aloof and distant most nights but this trip, she is close and tantalising. There in front then gone in the blink of an eye. She seems so big for her sliver. We are amused then by the aurora created by our headlights bouncing off the trees as we scoot along the Goodwood road into Bundaberg. As we get into the outskirts of town, we observe that a local gang is out and about – 2 motorised scooters, kind of in riding formation of zig zag although one driver was on her phone, zipping along beside us. We don’t mess with them.
Colour is the theme for the weekend. The night sky has been beautiful as it has retired for the night and rested up for a new day when we decide that we need a little beverage – Ink Gin by Husk Distillery. I absolutely love the interaction of the tonic water against the gin turning it from purple/blue to a pinkish hue. The first time I saw this was at the NASA after dark science event at the Queensland Museum in 2019. It is so cool to watch as the colour changes and the taste is damn fine I might add. It is an absolute must do road trip to go visit for a distillery tour and lunch.
Coming back to the moment, the afternoon is a lovely leasurely time of 4 adults, 3 related by blood and 1 by marriage, each in their own space, doing their own thing, yet all companionable. I work on some more kangaroo night time pouches completing a further 7 of my commitment to 20. I now have 8 to go. They are such wonderful colours – green and orange with a floral strap as well as other not so bright colours but lovely spaces for some cute creatures.
We return home to Brisbane on the first day of a new month, the last month of the first quarter of 2020. We pass an accident scene on Goodwood Road and offer up a silent hope that there was not a rider down nor serious injury. It is a timely reminder that despite the technology available in this country, there are times when the mobile coverage does not go through the “main” areas of the country. Also, that you can be so close to civilisation yet so far away. The Police are in attendance, the ambulance and fire team on their way. Be safe on the roads.
The purpose of this trip was not scenic, it was to visit family before we head overseas in a month’s time for a month. It will be our last opportunity, given the craziness of diaries, to spend time with loved ones and I think we achieved that. It is also a time to reflect on assistance provided to family – the knowledge of decades in a chosen field of work, for someone close who sometimes has a toxic impact upon those close to her. Funny how sometimes, no matter what happens and the fact you have not spoken for a time, you are still willing to go out on a limb to assist. Having said this, there is also a point where that limb breaks and you decide that the behaviour, which was always a challenge, is not acceptable given the type of assistance being provided. I still like animals much more than humans most of the time – the joy of their unconditional love is something else. The gift of my love to animals as well, in the sewing I am able to do, is also something truly special to me. It is a wonderfully therapeutic outlet different from my usual sewing outlet.
The country is looking amazing after all of the rain, there are some beautiful scenes of waterholes – the reflections, the green, the life that is back in the areas. it is truly beautiful yet so superficial. I hear that the Paradise Dam outside of Bundaberg has problems and water needs to be released. Surely, there is a way that water can be used properly without flooding downstream through lack of resource management.
There are many happy cows and horses, munching on the grasses. I can only hope that this is a time when the livestock can recover, the farmers can gather resources and all associated businesses can breathe for a moment.
I am delighted as we approach Brisbane to see a number plate: 4mynag on a horse float. I think of a dear friend who has a similar number plate.
The weekend has been a challenge yet also relaxing. It has been therapeutic yet as always, gone too fast. I take a moment to sit and breathe, enjoy a beverage and spend a moment with my darling husband before readying the minds for the next onslaught called the working week. Thank you for reading, I didn’t warn you that you would probably need a beverage to keep you company through this essay. I trust it has entertained. Until next time, cheers, safe travels and be kind.
