Tuesday, August 1

I read somewhere that a famous film star was worried that her popularity was waning.  Her manager advised her to take a break, refuse a couple of film offers and wait to see the public's reaction.  Of course, there was an outcry and she found herself with more work than she could handle.

I haven't written in this blog for 25 days and there has been a public outcry, rather muted but you accept what you get.

We've discovered that there is a Longford Community page on Facebook, where locals pass around messages and information relevant to this area: does anyone have a long ladder I could borrow? and so on.  And, of course, there are those who use it for the wrong purposes; does anyone know the kids on bikes who were misbehaving around the oval, lighting fires and so on?  That notice appeared the other day and it was followed with an abject apology: one of those kids was mine and he's been grounded for a month and his bike locked away.  I'm sorry and I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.

What's the world coming to when kids can't do their own thing without 'Big Brother' watching them and dobbing them in on a public forum?  And how embarrassing for the poor Mum having to apologise.  It's like the Middle Ages when they had public floggings.

Thursday, July 6

I had an appointment with an Occupational Therapist at the Hospital to see what you;e be done to help me with the nerve damage in my hand.  She suggested a few things including regular handwriting practice, thraputty, origami and so on: all intended to improve my dexterity.  One specific direction was to get fatter pens, which would make it easier for me to control what was happening.  I looked to Temu, my new favourite app, and ordered a pack of origami paper, and three or four fat pens.  The minimum order to get free delivery is $15 and I was a. bit short so I ordered a random single pen to make up the difference.

I hadn't read the details and, when it arrived yesterday, I was amazed at how it looks: black with hard edges and a sharp spike sticking out of the top.  I went back to the website and read the specifications:  Multifunctional, Self-Defence, Tungsten Steel Head, Tactical Pen, Aluminium Alloy, Self Defence Pen, Outdoor Broken Window Cone Tactical Defence Pen .... all for $4.49.

If I keep it in my pocket when I get on a plane, will I be fined for carrying a concealed weapon?

Monday, July 3

I have been planning for a while to go though my wardrobe and get rid of some of the stuff I never wear.  I still buy new clothes from time to time but never chuck anything out so the wardrobes are getting crowded.  My latest brainwave is to replace all my shirts with tiny buttons with more modern polos.  I already have some polos and have a couple of new ones ordered so I need space.

I started to grab the shirts in bundles but Marilyn insisted I go through them to make sure I was happy to see them go.  She suggested I keep one long-sleeve white shirt for wearing to funerals and a few more because she particularly likes them.  That's OK; so long as I can get rid of the bulk of them.

I cleared a space on the dining room table and started to fold.  If I'm going to do this, I'm going to make a good job of it.  Other people might just chuck the shirts in a garbage bag and drop them off at Vinnies but that's not my style. 

Laboriously, I did up the tiny buttons, folding each shirt around a template so they would all end up the same size.  I found the folded shirts fitted neatly into a pair of Coles bags, so I was able to keep them under control.  They're now sitting on the table waiting for a decision on their future.  Nera might send them off to the Philippines where they will be well-received or they'll go into the charity bin over the road.  

In the meantime, I'm expecting a parcel from Temu today with the new polos I've ordered and, if all goes to plan, I'll soon fill up the new space in the wardrobe.