SIX AM

It is 6am. The sky is overcast & rather sullen looking. We had very high winds yesterday evening.

Great gusts, seeming to register protest at something. Perhaps Myanmar. All the storms could not protest enough.

Gom is sitting in the lounge watching the All Blacks v the French- I think!

I usually get up around 5am- roll on Daylight Saving! Gom sleeps on, in peace, apart from Leo leaping around occasionally. I like the early morning hours, so peaceful, before the day really gets underway.

Although, of course, now that we are retired we can choose what time we get up, go to bed, & do any other activities of choice. We approach it quite differently, Gom & I. I love the freedom, & frequently feel happy, just for the fact that I am almost totally in charge of my time. No timetables to keep, no screaming round, so as not to be late for work.

Gom seems to view his time as somewhat 'rudderless'. He was a born bully "Boss" or to put it kindly, "Leader". He was a very fair & tolerant employer. Our ideas of how to do things were not always the same, - still differ greatly- but he was very good at handling staff, & I rarely interfered with that side of our businesses. I occasionally watched interview applicants arriving or leaving & would say which ones I thought would be good workers. I was quite a good judge, just from body language I suppose.

I think some of our present tensions come from Gom's wish to 'manage'. Of course my being a free spirit, individual, - or to put it another way stubborn, & contrary, we some times clash.

I have been heard to mutter, "For goodness sake! How come I have been doing things wrong, for 39 years, & you have only just noticed the fecking dishes are stacked the wrong way in the cupboard!"

Or I might be found, mouthing behind the "Trolley Pusher", "Hitler!!" & other small epithets.

It is currently School Holidays here. Malls, & Arcades often provide activities & entertainment for children. Long rows of seating laid out in front of the Stage area, usually means there are going to be 'sing songs', with perhaps Clowns.

At other times of the year, the rows of seating often mean there are going to be truly cringeworthy entertainment provided for captive elderly. By the agonised expressions on their faces, one can see what they are thinking. I am sure if they were only able bodied they would make a run for it! But walking frames, dont allow for fast getaways!

Some devise clever getaway strategies. One enterprising old man staged a very convincing Tourettes like outburst, & was hastily carted away, with flailing arms, & further outbursts. I have filed that away for future reference, should I need to make a getaway myself. Another good strategy is the sudden flooding puddle appearing under the chair, seeping into the slippers & stockings. Also guaranteed to occasion sudden, & urgent removal.

Flatulent outbursts don't seem to work. One can only assume the assembled elderly are either deaf, &/or have lost their sense of smell, as well. The staff must use Vicks Inhalers or something.

I digress, however, as it was the school children we happened to clash with at the Arcade on Friday. As soon as I noticed rows of seats, I hurriedly took off in the opposite direction. My quest was for a shirt, in a shop on the level above the stage. No sooner had I entered the store, than I was assailed by some hideously off key girl, singing "Goodbye Cruel World, I'm off to join the circus, Gonna be, a broken hearted Clown"
What the Hell?? She was shieking at the kids, trying to make them 'sing' along. I could scarcely believe my ears. Not only was it an extremely odd choice of song, which the children didn't seem to know, but the 'singer' seemed to be tone deaf!! I have no idea if this dismal performance was accompanied by actions or heaven forbid, "Clowns", but I didn't hang about to find out. I scurried off to the car, & we left, none the wiser.

Gom had been listening & watching I think, over the balcony railing. He, however, seems to be tone deaf too, so he didnt notice anything amiss.

I am off now, to 'frog-stitch' the quilt top. I did put a border on yesterday, & watched & waited, until it told me it was not happy. So plan B will have to come out.

A slightly crestfallen Gom has just mooched off back to bed. The All Blacks lost!


Paul Simon, Graceland.