THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

Going from wearing winter clothing to summer clothes in a couple of days can be quite disconcerting.  Phil really rugs up in winter (and spring and autumn) whereas I still wear quite light clothing in cooler weather so it has been harder for him to adjust than it has been for me.

We've had a weird year weather-wise in 2017....October was quite chilly and damp and suddenly November came upon us with HEAT.....it has been the hottest beginning to November in Perth on record and still the heat goes on.

All days (except one) have been above 30C (86F) with one day 36C (97F) which we thought was no laughing matter.  The weather bureau keeps promising us rain but it seems to either fall out in the Indian Ocean or the other side of the ranges so the metropolitan area proper receives practically none.
On Monday night we had thunder rumbling around for over an hour but it only produced 1mm of rain in our gauge.   Areas in Mandurah (50 miles south of Perth) copped the lot though with some flooding and damage to buildings.  Apparently they had a really grest light show and one I'm glad I missed.

It has been good not to have to begin watering the garden until now.  I remember a few years back we had to begin watering in August so I guess we have to be thankful for small mercies.  For one long strip of lawn and vegie beds Phil has bought a soak-it hose which will save him having to keep moving sprinklers and I've suggested he perhaps do the same in other areas of the garden. The hoses would only need to be rolled up once a month when the gardener comes

Years ago Phil had set up quite a good sprinkler system but when this restriction came in where we can only water two days a week he decided, as the system began to break down, it wasn't worth spending money on fixing it up.

TUESDAY TUNES

To try and keep myself in the swing of things here's another of my old favourites.  It may not be to everyone's taste but it brings back wonderful memories for me.

Bear with me while you listen to Artie Shaw play "Frenisi".  I remember dancing to this type of music way back in the 1940s.   Artie Shaw is a past master with this instrument.

Don't tell me that didn't get your foot tapping.  (*:*)

MUSICAL MONDAY

I realise I've been very tardy of late with regard to blogging and blogs in general and for this I must apologise.  No excuses but just no mojo stirring me up.  Just to keep in touch I thought I'd go back to some of the music of my youth and childhood and see how many of you enjoy the type of music that lightens up my life.  Some of the hit songs came and went but many of them remained favourites for many years.  Going back into the 1940s I remember with fondness this rendition of "Along the Navajo Trail" sung by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters.  Do any of you perhaps remember it?

I am hoping this will play as I saw a strange sort of message on YouTube and I wasn't sure if it was saying I could only play it on YouTube.  Fingers crossed.

ANOTHER SPECIAL CELEBRATION

Not for us this time but today my beautiful daughter and her wonderful hubby celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.  I believe they are going out for a quiet dinner tonight and then spending a few days away.  They both deserve a break away from the hurly-burly working world.

We send them all our love and good wishes and hope they will return home feeling rested.  xxx

OUR BELATED GOLDEN WEDDING CELEBRATIONS

It is said that good things are worth waiting for and this was the case for our little family party to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.

Had we been able to hold it on the 16th September, the day would have been fine and sunny and about 25C.  We would have met at Karen's house and sat outside along with her frangipani and her hubby's beautiful orchids.    As it happened Sunday 8th October turned out to be rather cool with showers threatening so instead we met at the home of eldest granddaughter and her husband.

There was just the 10 of us as grandson had to work and of course our other granddaughter lives in the US of A.  Although absent they were in our thoughts as was my dear old dad as 8th October was the day of his birth, 132 years previously.

Karen had organised the goodies and the tablecloth was strewn with golden leaves and there were 5 lovely balloons as a centrepiece.

We had party pies, sausage rolls and cup cakes and even the cakes had little hearts on top with 50 on them.   Karen had done a wonderful job and we were grateful to C and M that we could hold the celebration in their home.

After that we all went and sat outside while the two little girls showed us their skills on the swings, monkey bars etc.  They can do all sorts of things that I'd never have thought of doing as a child!!

We both had a really enjoyable afternoon and when we arrived home there was our Candy cat waiting for us.  A delightful end to a wonderful day.

THINKING BACK OVER THE YEARS

Sixty years ago today my son Steven was born at exactly 5 minutes to midnight.  He weighed 6lb 5oz and spent his first two days on earth in a humid crib.  He was an 8 months baby and to make sure his lungs worked OK and a humid crib was free the medical staff decided to be sure rather than sorry. After several months he began to thrive and became a happy, healthy boy.  This photo in his pram was taken in the summer of 1957/58.

I look back on that day because today he is sixty years old.  Unfortunately I will not see him or be able to wish him happy birthday as 15 years ago he chose to divorce himself from not only me but all the family including his dad, his sister and her family and of course Phil and me.

All I can do is silently send him my love and best wishes for a very happy 60th birthday and many more happy years to follow.   Happy birthday Steve. xx

BEST LAID PLANS AND ALL THAT!

This is becoming quite hilarious.  Yesterday I had a call from Karen telling me C and her family are all down with this 'flu thing again!!  Next weekend is out as the AFL Grand Final is on the Saturday and Immy has dancing on the Sunday.

Karen has suggested the following fortnight weekend which will be the 14th or 15th of October nearly a full month after our actual anniversary date.   C had asked to please make it so all the family can be there so I told Karen we are happy whatever the date.

It has now been arranged that Karen and B will take us to lunch this Monday holiday which sounded a great idea to Phil and me so Karen will book and we'll spend a nice couple of hours with them then.

Just to change the topic....we have daisies similar to this (some are white with blue centres) coming up all around our front garden.   I planted 3 daisy bushes about 20+ years ago and even since we've been rewarded with these beautiful flowers.  This spring there seem to be more than usual.

Here is something right out of left field.   Had a call from Karen last evening to ask if I was OK.  Yes, I told her I was fine.....the team I like was winning the game and we were also watching an English show about trains which is always interesting.  I love to see the beautiful English countryside.  Now you are wondering why I got this call from Karen.  It seems she had just received a call from her daughter in New Jersey (our #3 granddaughter) saying she had a text from her that in a dream I had been taken ill with either heart or B/P problems.   "Please" said B "check if grandma is OK".  How wonderful that someone should care that much.  Thank you B for your love.  This is a photo of the 3 of us taken in Karen's back garden several years ago.  B does make us both look short!!!!

Phil and I are now looking forward to lunch on Monday and our w/a celebrations in October....all going well that is.