Mourning Winter

Records breaking again and again, apparently 39 degrees in Winter is possible in Central Australia, and they got it this week in Oodnadatta. On the east coast, we’re getting high 20s, not entirely unusual for August, but that it’s continuing so many days in a row seems to be. Looking across the road to the RFS, I hope those burns through winter were enough because we’re in for a long hot summer.

We were in the shower this morning and my  partner turned it up to warm his legs, I said to him to enjoy it because I don’t think we’re gonna need the heater again this year and that that air con will probably be on at lunch a few times this week, if the boys come home for lunch, so they can cool down and not feel like dying in the heat. We’ve started summer prep – making sure there’s zinc and sunscreen, a couple new pairs of cheap sunnies, and hats and shirts and shade and the shade sails. Water bottled in the fridge and freezer, eskies and ice packs. People are wanting to get their boats and caravans all dolled up for Spring already, so it’s on.

It’s four months til Christmas, but, along with my annual will I get a lease extension myself to stay here for Festivus, my sister will have to find a new rental in the next few months, having being given notice, and there’s places, but whether they’re suitable for 4 kids, or close enough to schools and therapies and Dads to not cause too much upheaval, all the things. I hate the housing situation in this country. I truly do.

Finally dragged myself to the GP and scored some drugs – prednisone steroids to strengthen my weak lungs. And that’s kicking in, which I’m grateful for. So I should be able to at least hold a sentence in a week at that panel, and perhaps enlighten people on how us ground level advocates can help change the world. I hope I also get more of my works back, because I’ve had more word-finding difficulties since the last Covid bout, and while I’m a master of circumlocution, not so helpful when time limited. Also keeping an eye on my swallowing and saliva control, I think I just need to be more mindful of it, they always said in uni that swallowing function starts declining after 40, so for me to be coughing and gagging more after these latest illnesses isn’t a shock. I also need to chew my dry food like chips or popcorn. I hate having to pay attention in order to do basic life things.

SO, I’m fuzzy but getting there. Repurpled my hair, even shaved my legs. Spring IS here. Vale, Winter.