Well, admittedly, I’m very much safer than Samuel P. was in London, in 1666, when fire tore across that city.
When the fire storms raced across Australia’s southern parts I was some 2,000 kms from the closest threats.
But we have friends who live in southern NSW, Canberra, Victoria and the Blue Mountains. And I have to say, for the first time ever, that my best link for news was via a Facebook friend. Yes, of course all the TV stations had film crews out there…with super-long lenses and fast getaway transport. And probably a couple of sarnies and a bottle of water!
But I got accurate and up to date information from a book-making buddy, http://rhondaayliffe.blogspot.com/
And when I say “accurate” I mean filming with a phone camera and wearing a P2
In other news, I have shingles! But I now have some lovely drugs that take the edge off the pain.Yes, pain. Specifically, nerve pain, especially in upper midriff, lower abdomen and legs.
The lovely drugs also make me feel as if I’ve partied too hard and too long (I wish!) and need to sleep it off.
So I’ll leave you with this little gem, which surfaced when we had a MASSIVE, MONSTER, FAMILY SIZE de-cluttering. Still a lot to do, but we’ll put that on hold as last night’s rain has washed some more sand down to block the storm drain and overflow onto our place… have I mentioned that I hate developers who manage to get Council approval and then blatantly ignore regulations?
Here is the gem. Who else think this toad looks rather like one of Tove Jansson’s Moomin
With luck and the lovely drugs…I may be back to speed soon.
Moreidlethoughts Weblog 
Holy Moley! My husband aka MITM is in the “recovery” period of shingles! He called our Doctor immediately when he first experienced the pain and found the redness/welts! Like you, he was on SERIOUS drugs that helped relieve the pain within a day. I wish you well, dear lady! xoxo
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Savvy! You must be doing twice the work, as is my Man! I managed to do some laundry, but didn’t have the strength to hang it out! My best wishes to MITM
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HOORAY for serious drugs.
I do hope they continue to ease your road.
And of course the toad is reminiscent of the Moomins (who are one of my very favourite fictional characters).
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I do like her wimsical stories.Which, I think, are actually deeper than many think. Well, I suppose that would apply to all good children’s books!
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How true that is. And her Summer Book is one of my all time favourites.
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Shingles!!! I hope you get better soon. How weird that Savvy’s MITM has it too. I hope everyone gets better, and the rain falls where it’s needed, instead of on me!
Sx
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Shingles is a swine. I hope that you get through it soon.
Leo has a stock of pills in case a bout atarts up – with all his immunity problems he is very open to it – so that he can get almost immediate relief.
Yes, the toad is very Moominlike…
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Well the rain is welcome here, but the grass now too wet to mow so will be a real chore when it dries out, Never mind! We didn’t get burnt out and our storms have been noisy, but not damaging.
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am feeling much better with the wonderful pain relief.! Good for you, Leo!
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Dare I say it? Awww, gwan then!
“Shingle Bells, Shingle Bells, Shingle all the way!”
I’d blame the drugs, but the strongest thing I’m on is cider. Jx
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Ooh, if it’s a good strong Bulmers cider I’ll trade you some of my good pills.(though, actually, I don’t much feel like drinking.Hope it’s a temporary side-effect!)
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A good pint of Bulmers is better than medicine. I always say “it’s merely one of my five-a-day”! Jx
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Yeah -5 apples mashed and left to “develop.” I’ve had pear cider which is very lady-like, though I’m told it grows up when added to calvados!
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Jeez – that would be a cocktail-and-a-half! Jx
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All I read of shingles, the more thankful I am I had “the shot” a couple of years ago. I hope you come flying out the end of the shingle shoot sooner than later.
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The Shigle Shoot! hahaYes, I wasn’t aware there was a shot available, but a friend across town said she had one a couple of years ago. And the lovely drugs have dealt with the pain so now I’m just slightly drunk, but pain-free.I’ll take that!
By the way, I just heard from our mutual friend, Elephant’s Child, that it was you who put her on to ‘The Salt Path,’So i must thank you for that as Sue shared it with me. What a wonderful story! Definitely a re-read some day.
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I cannot explain how deeply the book moved me, completely unlike my usual “cold blooded” analysis of an author and the material. I was ridiculously overcome, like standing on a street corner, shouting “Read this book! You must read this book! Take this copy!”
Fortunately I eased out of the blatant phase by the second day of shouting.
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I was horrified first the first pat of it.Absolutely horrified and helplessly tearful! But I persisted and, like the protagonists, began to find my feet, as it were.And the gentle, native humour kept the story afloat.
Of course, I’m still disgusted that the uncaring politics of the country caused and is still driving this sort of social collapse.
Ooh! We’re getting into political water. On this blog ?? I’d better call my usual gang of larikins to lighten things,
. Perhaps Scarlet could unleash a trampoline on Downing Street?
But, yes, Joanne, it IS a good book.Not least for the positive effect on a man whose doctor seemed to have handed him a death sentence.
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I read the above two comments with a slack jaw, I thought you and Joanne were talking about The Moomins, that’ll teach me to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations.
Sorry to hear about your illness I hope it isn’t causing you too much distress, the pills sound marvellous.
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Thank you, Mitzi, I am getting better all the time…then I take another round of pills and become the village drunk, staggering about. Lovely, isn’t it 🙂
Oh!I’m sure Papa Moomin could fix things if the Moomins all got ill!
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I do like that bumper sticker (the toad does look a bit Moomin-like). If Car wasn’t such a snob, I’d get one!
I hope your shingles don’t hang around for much longer. In fact, if those developers come to clear up that sand, perhaps they can be persuaded to take your shingles too then mix it all up with a bit of cement to make concrete for their next project?
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I was not allowed to put it on Sherman because The Man deemed it childish and, as he drove the car to judicial meetings…
I’ve got another good bumper sticker which he also “banned.” Where the hell did my independence go! Oh! I remember…at the time, I was going to several schools and had to toe the Department Line.
I still have sand! But I fear the Grand Duke of Tuscany has been buried for good…
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Well, damn! Shingles?!? That’s no fun! Had it about 10 years ago, and it was sodding miserable! Glad the drugs are doing their thing, and that you’re on the road to recovery. In general, it isn’t likely to have a recurrence, so hoping when you are done, you are done! Onward!
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Well, that’s a great comfort! Thank you.
Yes, I’m getting there. I’ve found that I can do a few things in the morning, before my spring starts to unwind, then have a snooze and coast downhill til dinner time. I’m ok.But I think I may need to comb the Yellow Pages (jeeze! remember them!!) for a cock-make to fix me a new mainspring!
BTW, have you seen Marny’s Fbook post? And our mutual NY friend has blogged! Must be nostalgia week!
onward and uoward!
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Looking for a “cock-make”? Can you get me one while you’re at it? Jx
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hahahaha! That should have read *clock maker*. Maybe I’m not as well as I thought!
But you could try Anne Summers…
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Sorry about the shingles! You’ve revived very unpleasant memories of the bout I had many years ago. Last year I had the shingles shot which my GP assures me will prevent me from getting it again. I think it’s free if you’re over 70 but expensive up until then. Get well soon.
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Thanks, Carol. I think I’ll be lining up for a shot once these beasties have buggered off. Can I still get you at barnacle goose email?? We need to catch up.
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I don’t know how I missed this – I’m so sorry, darling. Hope you’re over the worst now – and do keep away from public places. Your immune system is going to be buggered for a while.
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I think the gremlins were agin’ us both…I missed yours, too. Yes, I am improving, but nights are rough. I guess I’ll miss the Blog Party.I’ll be there in spirit!
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As someone who once went through a painful episode of shingles myself, I hope you get some relief, soon.
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Thank you , I think I’m getting there…
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Pepys, shmekys – I hope you are be out of quarantine now, dearest Dinahmow. Did you get your shots – MsScarlet and me are busily disinfecting …
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Arghhh Don’t take untested advice from a fool Insist you see him test it first.
I am getting better, but not quite quickly enough to do many of the things on my list. Thank you for your kind wishes.xx
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I just saw Ms Ardern on a news channel. It seems to be safe to congratulate You and the whole of New Zealand ! Obviously I knock on wood three times, and hope I do not speak too soon (“beschrei’s net !”), but with a little luck (and all superstitious precautions mentioned & done) the nation managed the crisis – Congratulations again !
I hope you will recover fully soon, just take all the time you need.
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A little late – hope you’re feeling better by now. Stay safe!
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Thank you. I have some “better” days, but am, apparently, in this for the long haul. One of the unlucky ones whose shingles lingers. The medicos call it “neuralgia” but I call it “getting on my nerves.”
Thanks for the good wishes.
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Oh good grief, I’m so sorry you’re dealing with the Shingles. I remember how painful it was for my mom when she had it — dreadful!
I also hope you’re faring well through the pandemic. Wishing you wellness and light!
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Thank you, Diane. I am determined to beat this wretched thing! I am much better than I was and hope the end is within reach!I’ve even been doing some overdue pruning!! Peter is doing the heavier stuff, but at least I was out and active -:) Trust you’re also coping with the virus and restrictions.
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Nice blog 🙌🏻
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