Happy 2025.

 Well, a month has almost gone by already in 2025 and hopefully everyone has their new goals and plans moving nicely along.

Weather  for us in the Northern Rivers of NSW has seen quite a few violent storms and heavy rainfall.  Keep your roofes and homes well maintained and don't procrastinate if you need a repair done - it is expensive if neglected.  I had hail damage on my perspex roof last year and am still waiting for a repair but it is all in place and ready to go.  Lawns are  still growing crazily and weeds even more so but it is rewarding to mow and garden and good exerise so try to do abit in the yard, if you are able.  The sunshine and fresh air will stimulate your brain and make you feel very, very good! And the joy of seeing a new shoot or flower emerging can't be beaten.  I have gone crazy with my new 6 inch chain saw and my garden is looking so much tidier and ordered and finally have sent all my green waste off to tip.  Took abit of stuffing in, pushing down and snipping off but it is done.  Feel very smug - it was a January goal!

Am back at work in dribs and drabs - the doctors seem to come and go on holidays and conferences and sometimes hard to fill my (only) 2 shifts a week.  January is abit like that with school holidays and the dregs of Xmas and New Year lingering.  I still suggest if you are able and capable, don't retire too early.  One can do what ever one wishes and still do abit of work as well.  So good for lots of reasons but again, an individual thing and far be it for me to promote working.  Most people can't wait to retire ,which is a mystery to me, but we all have our reasons.

Although it is hot, I still do my daily exercise as early as I can.  Lucky with daylight saving cos when it is 7.30am here is is really 6.30am so I can sleep in and still walk in the cooler morning temperature.  I drove recently to walk and park my car under a shopping centre where it is cooler.  As I drove in, two men were robbing a parked car, throwing things out willy nilly, carefully putting what they needed in a shopping trolley - in broad daylight!  They just stared at me, I stared back and quickly drove back out and parked elsewhere.  Reported it to the centre management but of course, little they can do.  No consequences to be faced anymore so guess it is open slather.  As older people, it is not wise to try to handle these things alone as we would maybe have done as young strong folk. Golf game has been very ordinary of late, course if often wet and soggy, greens either too fast or too slow and I have every excuse under the sun as to why I am not playing well.  It is never my lack of talent but I do have a very smart drink bottle, courtesy of my grand kids for Xmas, so I will be well hydrated if nothing else.

Well, I am dragging the chain with my blogging this year.  Felt abit flat in regards to it all as no one appears to read it, much less comment and I do feel I am writing to myself and I can assure you that I don't need motivating to try and do new things.  Love the feeling it leaves me with.  I was hoping to be able to stimulate a few people to get abit more fun out of life but it is what it is.  However am back on the horse and will not give in.  Am trying to find different ways to promote my blog and reach more interested people! I also forget to take photos and of course they are needed for the blog - the more the merrier I am told..

Cooking wise I made a lovely barley dish recently - a grain not hugely used anymore.  Was always popular in soups as a filler when I was young.  I cooked it and added vegetables, curry powder, sausages and ended with a nice, comforting mess of yumminess! Make Feburary a new grain month and try one of the many available......cous cous (which is really pasta) and quinoa are very nice and very nutritious.

Also made cooked  drained 2 minute noodles, eggs, veges and cheese into lovely mini snacks like small quiches, crunchy on outside and soft inside.  Great for golf (for me), snacks and picnics.  I also did a ceviche which was most successful.  Only used a cheap fish and let it marinate for a day.  It turned out beautifully so give it a go.  Just google a recipe and do it.

Another new for me is that I am now on the golf committee of my local golf club.  I hold no important position but am keen to learn and be involved.  I have never been a particulary enthusiastic committee person, having watched my mother who was President of her golf club, argue, wrestle, negioate and try to solve, for many years, the many problems involved. Has taken me many years but I hope I can contribute to the smooth running of events even in a small way.  Getting out of my comfort zone totally but it has made me feel proud to do that which is why I try to encourage others to get out of their comfort zones. 

My next travel is in April to Japan to, fingers crossed, see the cherry blossoms in bloom and sample some of their delicious foods as well as some sight seeing.  Japan to very trendy at the moment, at least here in Australia, with everyone scurrying over to ski, bullet train, cherry blossom and experience the beauty.  For us too, the travel time isn't quite as long as Europe and the States which makes it kind of appealing. Another bucket list item will be ticked off.  Oddly enough, the bucket list doesn't seem to be shortening!!!! So much to see and do and such little time. No doubt there will be no shortageof photos for that blog.

I am going to make that all for this time as I have no interesting photos to support my stories!  Again I say get out there and make a difference, to your life and others.  We all have our down moments so go with them, shed a tear, be sad.  It is all part of life but bounce back bigger and better.

Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow.  Til next time.