January

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A break from routine allows the richness of conversation and shared meals with family and friends; plus the unspoken: pulling weeds, mulching, fertilizing, children to stay, shopping, pruning, cooking, cleaning windows, general cleaning, washing, ironing, washing up, sweeping, picking fruit and vegetables, making jam and chutney, watering, stewing fruit for the freezer, reading, writing letters to those neglected at Christmas time and contemplating getting the year organized making a list to get things fixed.

The TV is on the blink. The solar hot water system needs replacing. The cement step from the absent spa must be removed. Gutters are choked. Solar panels need cleaning. The cubby needs fresh paint. The dishwasher died and needs replacing. Edging around the garden beds need attention since the lawns haven’t been mown. Incessant need of sweeping gum leaves from driveway, patio and paths. Lopping grevilleas and correas to maintain bushiness. Finally, book an appointment with the physio to restore use of shoulder.

‘What do you think caused this bursitis?’ Lachlan asks.

I resist giving him a blow by blow explanation.

Resist“>Resist

29 thoughts on “January”

  1. Aunt Beulah

    I like the way this interesting post put me into your January life and allowed me to experience it with you a bit, then finished with a line that surprised a hearty laugh from me. Thank you for a fun few minutes today, Barbara.

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  3. gerard oosterman

    Yes, Barbara,
    Your humorous post reminds me when still living on the farm. The jobs were never ending. No town water and electricity that so often went on the blink. We miss the farm but not all the maintenance.
    I feel tired just reading about all those chores. Hope the shoulder gets better. Have you ever tried ‘Tiger Balm?’

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    1. bkpyett Post author

      Thanks Gerard and no, I haven’t tried Tiger Balm. Maybe it’s something to look out for! It’s quite an experience living without town water and electricity. I have briefly, it really gives you an idea of what it was like in the olden days and an appreciation for what we have. I don’t want to go back there!

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    1. bkpyett Post author

      Thanks, Sandy. We’re beginning to get through the list. The TV man came one night after work and the TV worked, but hasn’t since. Amazingly, I don’t miss it.

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    1. bkpyett Post author

      The physio says it’s because of my humped back. When he talked about it, he said, ‘of course, the horse has bolted!’ So I do exercises hourly and another lot nightly to maintain some mobility! It’s not the first time, I’ve just got to be more careful!! Glad that yours is ‘pretty much’ fine now, Martha.

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  9. auntyuta

    I think you never mentioned the summer heat, Barbara. Maybe when it is very hot, you could try to just relax and do as little as possible. Surely some of the chores could be done at a different time of the year.
    Hope your shoulder gets better soon.

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    1. bkpyett Post author

      Uta, I don’t think our heat was as consistent as yours. We had only the occasional really hot day. As far as doing things at another time, I can write better in the cooler weather, so these things must be done in my ‘holidays’!

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