@Dani1981
Hello Dani
Thank you for 'waking me up' and my apologies for not messaging you sooner in response to your post of the 14 May.
I am going well thanks. Cold here, 4 deg C on Monday and Tuesday night of last week, six weeks after the cyclone. minimum temperatures of 6, 7, & 9 for the coming week. That's cold for me, even though I've lived in Wangaratta, Vic.
On Monday morning last, I telephoned the local counselling service and was able to make an appointment for 11.00 am. The aim is to “look at where I've been, am at now, and for assistance in making a plan for the future”
You may say “at long last!”.
As I've intimated before, I am not comfortable with what is happening in my life at present. I want to get myself to a position where I can feel assured that I have “tidied up” and can be ready, whatever happens, for my oldest daughter to receive what I can pass on to her, as soon as possible. Hopefully she will be happy to look after everything else, with loose ends tidied up as far as I can. I think that I have another 20 years if I go well. However, my physical capacity is diminishing rapidly. I am really annoyed, that at my age, I am still dealing with stuff from my child and early adulthood. But the sooner I come to grips with some of these issues, the sooner I can relax and enjoy whatever “present time” that I have in front of me.
The aim, at this stage, is to look at counselling from a social work perspective, with the intention of looking at whether there is a need also, for more in depth psych. counselling, which is easily arranged, if required.
On a lighter note, the same Monday, the electrician came to fit the new attachment to the roof, for the power. Two hours later, Western Power arrived to reconnect the house to the pole. So now, I am back to being able to flick a switch, without the need for filling up fuel and starting the generator. I'm teasing you a little, because I know your feeling about being so 'isolated'.
However, it is good, and reminds me that I should not take modern resources and amenities for granted. The power issue really has caused me little drama, except for the extra cost of fuel. It is also nice though, to have the freedom of easy access to electrical appliances. The only items that I was not able to run were the clothes dryer and air-conditioner. I have the clothes dryer because of the difficulty balancing myself when hanging out washing to dry, because of the nerves in my back being damaged. It was also very useful when Mum was with me. All this is only 'not a problem' because I live on my own now, and have no-one else depending on those facilities. However, it might have been a different story if it had been the middle of summer, and sweltering hot, without air-conditioning.
Meeting kangaroos, when travelling on any roads here, is a common occurrence. Except for the cyclone, there would be more of them near the roads at present. I think they may have gone to the more open country East of where I live. When the farmers are seeding and during harvest, later in the year, there is a lot of noisy machinery on the ground; the kangaroos then tend to congregate near the roads as a 'safe' place away from tractors. However, it is neither safe for them, nor for drivers of cars and trucks on the roads.
A friend recently had a bad rollover accident. I am really amazed that he came out of it just shaken and bruised. It was caused by a blowout of a front tyre on his small car. He travels 60 kms each way, to and from work every day. The damage to the car shown in the photos after the accident was really very severe. The car ended up on its roof. Fortunately, he was able to get out and phone his wife. Because the car was a small Toyota Echo it was not worth repairing and was written off.
Kirra, my dog, is a good watch dog till someone comes in the gate. Then she becomes friendly and affectionate. Unfortunately, she has had to be secured on a running lead because of the fence being down. That has to be my next repair project.
You mentioned your friend, who is experiencing the personal issues and about whom you were concerned. Do you know whether those issues have resolved. I do understand that sometimes it is just good to be a listening and supportive friend, without necessarily knowing the detail of the matters of concern. It is, as you say, sad to see someone withdraw from social contact because of unpleasant personal issues. I have read on other threads, where people are also concerned about spreading their own unhappy feelings to others. However, we cannot offer or receive support, unless we know of each others personal distress, when it occurs.
It's good that you have reached a position of understanding with the other friend, who has explained that they deal with an avalanche of emails each day, and that you appreciate his position.
Recently, I have responded to a number of posts from different people on the forum, and been conscious of the fact that my observations may, at times, be somewhat contentious. At the same time, I try to speak to the person and address their position and topic in the most practical and forthright manner that I think is appropriate.
Whenever I am on the forum, I do often think of you. I am always pleased when we have the opportunity to correspond. At the same time, I am aware that your life is much more full and busy than mine. I would imagine that you would have noticed also, that I now write more about me and my environment, than I had done previously.
I was very pleased to receive your note this evening, asking how I'm doing. And likewise, I hope that everything is going well for you Dani.
With My Best Wishes
HenryX
P.S. I have added a few thoughts and events since I first wrote this response to you on Sunday 30 May '21.
