The time has flown and the reason is that I am one of those very fortunate people who have a multitude of interests and hobbies - so many that I don't have the time to subscribe to them all.
Not for one minute have I been bored and the days just seem to flow from one into the next so fast that I sometimes have trouble keeping up.
My radio program on the local community FM radio station (Valley FM 89.5) occupies six hours each week and that isn't including the time I spend researching and preparing music and associated "stuff" for each broadcast.
A couple of days each week is spent in the yard and garden, carrying out the normal maintenance as well as a few projects that have been undertaken during this past summer.
The first was the creation of an enclosure for my wife's three Chinese Silkie chooks.
A pre-fab coop was bought, in "flat-pack" format, and when it arrived from Brisbane I assembled it.
Then I built a picket fence & gate between the end of one side of the garage and the back fence (seen in the photo below), which was painted after completion.
The other major job was the demolition and filling-in of the fishpond, which had been a feature of the garden in the backyard for many years but which had just become a maintenance chore, particularly the surrounding garden. It also hindered the access to the Photinea hedge for trimming.
So the pond went and was filled in with rubble and then two trailer-loads of crushed blue metal and is now in the last stage of work, with paving slabs having been laid (the photo below shows the preparatory work for the slab base).
I am just needing to get a load of garden soil to surround the paved area, which will then be home to the barbecue.
During the very hot weather that we experienced here in Canberra over January I hibernated into the cool of the air-conditioning and continued - in a somewhat random manner - working on my life's story that I have been writing for the past few months.
This continues to be an interesting project but one that I only do when the mood strikes me rather than as a regular exercise on a fixed itinerary.
I have coffee with old workmates on a regular basis - catching up and keeping in touch.
One such friendship goes back to 1998, when I worked for a company associated with the production and publishing of digital information for the legal profession.
I've joined the Canberra branch of the Australian Railway Historical Society and in the cooler months I want to become involved with helping them out in a voluntary capacity.
Before moving to Canberra in 1984 I had joined the Zig-Zag Railway near Lithgow but never had a chance to become involved as we upped roots and moved down here.
I have always maintained an interest in all things train-related, so am looking forward to helping out when I can.
Then there is my return to painting figurines, which was a prime hobby way back in the late 1970s - early-1980s.
I have had a resurgence of interest but, like my memoirs, only do so when the mood strikes rather than as a regular commitment.
If you have to do something to a timetable then it doesn't remain a pleasure, it becomes a chore and one might as well be back in the regular workforce, having to work for a living!
To all the above I can add reading, computing (browsing, emailing, playing simulations, researching music tracks), catching up with the occasional rented DVD movie, letter-writing (on my 1970s IBM Selectric typewriter) and domestic chores and each day is full, from around six-thirty AM until I conk out around eleven PM.
How did I ever find the time for even half of these activities when I was working?!!
G'day Bruce!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that you are still using "Miss Selectric". I myself had six months of semi-retirement, but the money ran out so it was back into the workforce. I am back in Telfer again (I was there 1996-2000).
I bought myself a Mazda BT-50 Tray Back Ute recently only to find she does not fit into the carport, out came the sledge hammer and a quick call to the local brickie and she fits now, just waiting for a new garage door to be fitted, the old roller door which is about 3 years old will be put up on e-Bay soon.
I bought a couple more typewriters and sold a few doubles that I had, they are nothing to sing about though.
My wife and I might take another trip over to Canberra next year sometime, this time we hope our car will not break down half way across the Nullabor, will have to catch up and have a few ales, and Miss Selectric could probably do with a service by then? see how things go?
Best regards, Peter.
Peter, great to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteI've just Googled "Telfer" and have been educated about the place - never heard of it before now. Interesting in that it was once classified as the most isolated town in WA.
As you say, "Miss Selectric" is being used at least on a weekly basis, humming and chattering away beautifully. If you can come over then certainly she would be happy to see her saviour!
Would be terrific to catch up with you so I hope you can make it.
All the best out in the wilderness.
Bruce.
So not enough hours in the day or days in the week, eh Bruce? It gives me much pleasure to say,'Told you so!'
ReplyDeleteKeep enjoying life my friend - you've earned it ;-)
Thanks, Roger.
DeleteThe days and weeks just seem to fly past and the nicest part is that I am content with my lot. :)