Too Much of a Good Thing

Funny sort of country, this.

We are still officially in drought conditions, and have high level water restrictions in place. However, over the past couple of days, parts of drought-stricken Victoria have been in flood, and the storms and rain keep coming.

It's about extremes - although many of the reservoirs and dams are rising again, much of the rain is falling in areas devastated by last summer's bushfires, and the run-off is contaminated with ash, trees and rocks. Yummy.

Huge fallen trees have claimed at least one life and caused many injuries, and the Emergency Services have their work cut out restoring power lines, clearing roads, rescuing stranded people and covering damaged roofs.

Here in the city it's quieter. We have rain and wind, but it's miserable rather than dangerous. Meanwhile, we still shower with buckets to catch the water before it gurgles away so we can water the garden.

What do they say about our weather? If you don't like it, wait five minutes.

[Picture credits: left: Ray Cox/ Herald Sun, Right: James Twining/The Age]

Work In Progress

Two and a bit.

Home-made dress gathered up in the joy of the moment,
Excitement barely contained.
Untroubled by a knowledge of what lies ahead,
Trusting and cocooned in love and protection.

Where is she now?
Does that same smile now look back at me from images more recently captured?
No, the baby teeth are gone; one before its time, chipped by a father who was Stirling Moss with a pushchair.

Still she laughed.

Can I see my adult self in the eyes, that nose, those freckled cheeks?
Or has time and experience modelled features beyond mere genes?
Do those scrunched up eyes hold the promise of a life to be lived well,
Or is it just optimism born of innocence?

Did I leave behind the joy? No. I still feel it, now tempered by social convention, rationed between grown up obligations.
Sometimes, briefly, it lives unfettered, and it is bliss.

Childish chubbiness soon outgrown,
Carrot hair deepened, dignified after just three years in full flame.
Now that colour is recalled by a box of magic.
"You're worth it": I don't need their approval,
I just don't feel like me without red.

The mirror shows lines round eyes used to laughter and tears,
Remnants of dimples still there, but softer now.
Freckles faded, replaced by sunspots on one cheekbone, the power of a merciless sun on fair skin
Before we knew any better.

Do I see my girls in her face?
No, they have their own stories, their own faces
And they will wonder in their turn.

I look harder, and am satisfied.
The mirror reveals more now,
But she is still there.

The one about the nun and the sailor

Something a little lighter today. This is a couple of years old now (OK, three or four perhaps), but it brings back memories of a very good party indeed. The theme was "What you sometimes wish you'd been". Colin's choice was easy, with the possible exception of the word "sometimes". He only had to grow a beard for a week or two and don the wet weather gear to adopt his dream persona, but my thinking was a little more convoluted.

I really did just happen to have this in the wardrobe (still have - don't ask), but it was a very stressful time around then, and although I'm not at all religious, my thinking was that once you'd made the momentous decision to enter a convent as a nun, all was ordered and decided for you. I'm sure it's not really like that, especially these days, because nuns have good brains and their own voices, but you get the gist of the thinking. I just wanted someone else to take charge. Besides, it must be lovely to be so sure of everything.

I was a little afraid of offending someone, especially the few committed Catholics I knew would be there, but the response was very warm. (A little too warm from some, but it takes all sorts). Bit like dressing up as Santa, but with more gravitas.

So, I'm thinking virtual fancy-dress party here. You are to dress up as someone or something you'd like to be other than yourself, and give a rationale for your choice.

The nun's habit is roughly size 8-10 if that helps.