Nineteen75

Its 10pm. I really am my own worst enemy. I have been feeling sleepy since about 7pm – and it’s the ‘feeling sleepy’ that usually eludes me, so I should make the most of it when it comes to visit. But even tho I rustled all seven tired kids into bed relatively early, I am compelled to sit here and appreciate the house while it’s quiet. These kids (mine included) are really neat. With their dry and witty sense(s) of humour, and current joke-telling preoccupation they have really made me laugh over the last few days. They are quite delightful, and without any other adults here they actually have my attention. Over the last two days… we have fed birds, fish and guinea pigs, given one of the canaries antibiotics, attended to various human medicines for various human issues, ventured into the city for homework supplies, new pyjamas, and beads for hair-braiding, bought ice-creams, been to the supermarket, been for an evening walk along the beach, been to the pools, and prepared several meals

A beautiful day on the lower east coast of the north island today. The kids and I drove from Papakowhai to Napier via the Wairarapa and enjoyed a beautiful Autumn day through typical rural landscapes. The low autumn sun created an idyllic aura over the paddocks and lolling hillside and the late afternoon haze and sunset cast an awesome spectrum of colour over the cloudless skies. God is quite the artist, and I reveled in His quixotic creative hand. If I were a photographer I would have been quite frustrated by the complete inability to capture such a scene but I would have been compelled to try. My kids are going to grow up quite appreciative of the NZ country side as I can wax lyrical with a captive audience on a lengthy car trip. They even join in these days, and we had great desultory conversations about colours in the sky and where they come from (why is the sky blue type questions), discussing atmosphere and light etc etc. So cool. I really enjoy the journey on that side of the

AA Again. 1pm. I am sitting in my car waiting for the AA (again). This time I think the battery is flat, although it doesn’t really sound like that. At least I had my lunch with me, and a brand new National Geographic. It would be nice if I could lie down and have a nana nap but I have to keep a look out for the AA guy to arrive. What astounds me is that every few minutes or so I try the ignition again (just in case) and not a single person has come to see if I need help, not staff member, not man, no one. I would not be able to do that. I would be compelled to see if I could do anything, and in car troubles I inevitably couldn't but I would have tried. I am disappointed. Everyone is obviously very busy... its pointless of me to think this, no one can help me and the AA is on its way. But still, I am miffed Thorndon, miffed! Later... I am sitting in my office, my car has been towed to the Motor Doctors (it is actually called that). I have just finished my work and am waiting for