9^th March

Hmm not sure what I was thinking with the whole ‘cautiously optimistic outlook’ outlined in my February post. I mean wtf? My Corona Radar was WAY OFF. Perhaps the fact that it was short month that concluded with a big family event rendered me incapable of reading the writing on the wall. Today, with freefalling stock markets, the closure of Italy (!), BA flights grounded, multiple business headquarters closing, including Facebook’s, and the domino-like cancellation of Easter holiday plans I’m not feeling optimistic, even a tiny bit. My wait-and-see mentality has given way to a sober realisation that we are on a flaming trajectory into the unknown.  In 2020 we’ve emerged from bushfires, segued into floods and have now leapfrogged into an episode of The Twilight Zone. From a family perspective, restricted travel bans mean that this will be the most time our family has spent together in years. […]

Maybe it’s something to do with the blossoms that have begun to appear in my street, but I’ve come over all cautiously optimistic. Having learnt my lesson about obsessing too hard over current events (hello, goodbye and where have you gone from the airwaves, endless Brexit debate) I’m keeping cool and carrying on. Schools closing around us? No drama. Someone coughing over me on the tube? Not panicking when armed with turtle neck and the last bottle of hand sanitizer from local Boots.

Optimism then. Only a week ago I believed that not only would Trump continue on his surreal trajectory towards re-election but that Weinstein, also, would rise phoenix like from the ashes. Any moment now, I gloomily surmised, he would be acquitted, shake off his mysterious ‘back problems’ and resume business as usual. And then yesterday’s verdict came, what surprise, what great relief: Weinstein guilty of rape and […]

 Last night the BBC weather report concluded with this advice from the meteorologist. ‘Enjoy the gloomy weather as it turns wet and windy next week’. This weekend I’ve been trying to skip through the gloom, but admit it’s been a challenge at this particular time of year, which for me represents peak homesickness. I understand Australia Day evokes a mixed bag of emotions, especially for those who feel it is at odds with the recognition, respect and sensitivity due our indigenous population.  Australia Day for many is a time to not only reflect on our history but to praise those whose tireless efforts have done so much to protect our land. This long weekend, more than ever, I appreciate the men and women who have tirelessly battled the recent fires, and who continue to do so against all odds. This weekend I grieve the loss of our wildlife.

So, to January in […]