It continues to rain here - fairly solidly most of the time. There is nothing more heartening than when S insists on opening the gate in bucketing rain ... wearing my flannelette PJs, blue crocs and an umbrella. I couldn't get the camera out in time to immortalise the moment.
The river is up to a healthy level but not yet raging under the bridge. It's kind of nice, knowing that the tank is quietly filling and that it's supposed to clear for the weekend. There is a generous mist most of the time in the valley. Absolutely perfect weather for "Celtic Women" which I've been listening to as I ready myself for the arrival of the auditors tomorrow afternoon. It helps me remember that there are much more important things in life ... but it does raise the question of why they call it a work/life balance rather than a life/work balance.
The Labor Party leaks continue. How slowly can time go until the election actually takes place? National Seniors Australia want to make sure they make use of every minute - reminding those who would govern that 45% of the voting population are seniors: "We're hearing a lot about boats and schools but where's dental health and aged care? They have launched a campaign targeting 12 marginal seats and emphasized that seniors vote depending on the policies put out by the parties. The reports don't mention how younger people vote - and being one, I'm somewhat intrigued now.
However, it has to be noted that I was wrong ... we are Wright. Change of address papers arrived yesterday (making an 11-day turnaround) and where I had thought our electorate was Moncrieff, or perhaps Fadden, it is in fact Wright. S hopes that it has been named after Judith Wright who lived for a time on Mt Tambourine. It would be nice to live in an electorate named after a writer; although it would have been pretty cool to live in one named after a singer too! (Wikipedia: Under the 2009 redistribution of Queensland, a new seat in southeast Queensland has been created and named in Wright's honour, and will come into effect at the 2010 election.)
Meanwhile, back at Tambourine Mountain, it seems that about 10 per cent of the town is on the market ... and sales are slow. Real estate agents are hoping for an upturn come Spring - and that potential vendors realize that the prices that reigned there even two years ago won't be repeated.
As further evidence of the countrification of the Gold Coast, farmers visiting from Inverell for medical appointments here welcomed two lambs into the world - in the Ashmore City shopping centre car park. They were traveling with their prize ewe who was due to give birth "at any time" - and give birth she did ... to two little lambs.
We see more of the kids in the wet. All of them have taken to coming in early except for Tink who has taken to Beasley's "man chair" out the back. S usually carries her in (with nary a protest) when it's time to close up for the evening. Maggie is staying closer to home and has even been accepting pats. I feel a bit sorry for her though because she is usually last in line - with a hand that has already patted S, Emma, Pearl, Tink and Beasley. I'm trying to vary the order.
Pearl has been having part of the morning in with S and Em as they share vegemite toast and tea for breakfast. (Notice how skillfully that sentence was constructed so it is unclear who is actually sharing what.) The acclimatization is working though - Em came out tonight and sat on the couch with S before the other cats took up their positions. And there's no need to worry about whether T is sitting in my chair ... S has taken over that position.
Unwilling to miss the lunch van yet again, I decided to ring Shazza's to check if the run times had changed. There was a recorded message on the number to the effect that it was no longer connected. That explains much.
And who wants to be at "The Melbourne Cup on steroids"? This is how Katie Page (other half of Gerry Harvey) describes what she'll deliver now she taken over organization for next year's Magic Millions' mammoth marquee. She has already started work on the guest list and attractions - so she is obviously determined to "pony up".
Hermes is good - but in varying stages of heartbreak depending on Holly's whereabouts. Isn't love grand?
