2014 In Retrospect

For our country, 2014 has been a dramatic year to say the least - to the point that by the end of the year I refused to listen to or watch the news.  I have also found world news too much to bear. I have therefore made a conscious effort to not comment, in my blog, on many current news events throughout the year.

So I sit here, with only minutes left to this year, and, for the first time since I started this blog, I have decided to do a year in review.  I will not do a month by month review but rather pick out what I believe to be major highlights of my and my family's year.

In January, I made a new year's resolution for the first time in decades; to speak less and listen more.  This has been, at times, difficult, and only this morning, during a reflective moment, told myself I need to continue with this discipline, so I will.

In January, I also read Gone With The Wind for the first time when a friend offered to loan me her copy of the book.  I loved the book and regret not reading it a long, long, time ago.

In May my sister visited Sydney and extended family to celebrate her 60th Birthday.  It was a special time for us all.

Mr Honey Pie and I headed off to the desert in July...winter being the only time to spend time in the desert and although we visited some exotic places, it made me feel so appreciative of our home comforts. 

August saw the family pull together as we moved our Mum out of what had been the family home for the past fifty three plus years.  Poor Mum suffered a mini-stroke the week of the handover.  It was an experience we would have wished she never should have experienced. Especially at her age.

In September our second son had a piece of his jewellery selected for a prestigious exhibition called A Fine Possesion at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.

Mr Honey Pie's side of the family had another addition to the family in November (and so another quilt was created)

I think one of my disappointments would have to be how nature failed Sydneysiders in 2014

each time there was some exciting happening in the night sky by filling it with clouds.

Clouds are not as exciting as an eclipse.

We missed out every time. 

Happy New Year to all my blogger friends.

May 2015 be everything you want it to be.

Smoke Screened Moon

After yesterday's 100 kph winds, scorching temperatures and low humidity, today was like a jackpot.

Temperatures in the low twenties and very little wind meant none of the devastation witnessed yesterday.

None the less, today,another school needed evacuating and the fire, finding a new route, threatened homes above the area affected yesterday.

My Daughter, Grand Daughter and I took temporary relief from the media onslaught by driving down the mountain to do some shopping which had been delayed because of yesterday's incidents.

Our Little Miss Five said yesterday was the scariest day of her life. 

At school, the children literally left their half eaten lunches behind, their back packs too, and walked three kilometres with their teachers to the safety of a local shopping centre.

There, Donut King served the children doughnuts and Coles distributed bottles of water and cupcakes as well.

Their school's principal lost the family home.

I have this instant found out that friends of ours are overseas and we're pretty certain they have lost everything.

Our youngest Son's friend's family home was totally destroyed, along with the sister's wedding gown...she is getting married tomorrow.

Another friend...we haven't heard from.

Our Daughter's friend lost his home, he and his girls have nothing except the clothes on their backs...

And here I am...totally safe, with all my belongings, all my family, and I feel so bad to be able to say this...

Partial Solar Eclipse

Australia is  experiencing the partial solar eclipse known as the ring of fire.

I'm not one for solar photography so apologies for the photo.

I also  have to admit, we are not in one of the better places to view the eclipse.

Some better ones can be seen here

Day 324/366

Today's mission was to land on the moon.

(Or Grand Daughter had a sleep over last night).