Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)

Welcome. Today I have some nice coffee for you. Tea if you’d prefer and some muffins that I made (helped make) that didn’t cook in time to take with me. Pays to read emails fully. When I noticed the notification for the dance come in, I had already planned on going so I didn’t bother to read it. Around 5.45pm yesterday I had a memory lapse and went to the email to remind myself of the starting time only to find, that unlike normal, the organisers wanted us to take a plate and I had to leave by 6.30pm. The shops were shut (Queensland doesn’t have the liberal opening hours of New South Wales – they believe in family time). I would have to make something. Being on the paleo diet there is nothing in the house except meat, vegetables and coconut oil. Luckily I found a packet of muffin mix and started preparing. Roger kindly took over so I could get ready to go. The first batch cooked and were ready 5 minutes before departure. The rest are here, so pop over for the rare occasion I can offer a treat along with the coffee.

© irene waters 2015

If we “Were having Coffee” I’d tell you that we have been particularly lucky not to have had the severe temperatures seen in the rest of the country. Although hot we have not had the air conditioner on yet and not even been tempted to go for a swim. Perhaps today. I don’t know what happens to you as you get older but the desire to swim seems to fade. When I was younger you couldn’t keep me out of the water. All summer I’d wear a bathing costume so any opportunity for a plunge I was ready. Now I think, can I be bothered having to change, then change again and wash my hair. All too much effort and often the water is just too cold, the sun too burning – the excuses could go on and on. 

If we “Were having Coffee” you might ask about Muffin. Roger has renamed her Hannibal Lecter” . She was a different dog at puppy school on Thursday and was definitely bottom of the class. She was so excited to see all the other puppies all those things she did well at home were not in evidence there and haven’t been at home since either. She loves to eat my feet, legs and arms and I’m looking as though I have been in a battle zone.

© irene waters 2015

Toilet training works in the morning but come afternoon she piddles all over the place. Perhaps 9 weeks is the equivalent to being a two-year old human. I’m off to Melbourne for 5 days at the end of next week and unless she has improved significantly I don’t know how Roger will cope.

© irene waters 2015 Muffin 10 weeks

If we “Were having Coffee” I’d tell you that I have taken a weeks leave from my editing and will take another next week. I’ve been doing my presentation for Melbourne instead so I haven’t been totally inactive. I’ve also had coffee with a friend from Sydney and one from my nurse training days who lives in the hinterland so it has been a social week. My Mum also had a couple of falls, the second needing a CT of her head which luckily was okay.

If we “Were having Coffee” I’d tell you that I had the best night’s dancing that I have had for a long time. Not having a partner to dance with can make it a bit of a hit and miss as to how many dances you get in an evening of social dancing. Most of the time there are more women than men and I always get a good number of dances but last night I got all my favourites. In Queensland sequence dancing (new vogue and old-time) are the most popular forms. To dance to your moves is rarely done as it means the man has to lead. Most can’t but it is my favourite style whether it be modern or latin. Last night I had someone who could both lead and dance this bracket and I came home floating on air.

The last thing that I would tell you if we “Were having Coffee” is that last week I said that I thought that ISIS was made up of nothing but thugs. During the week I read an article that made me think that I was wrong in that assertion. If you are interested have a read, it is long but even the first bit gives an understanding of the philosophy of the group. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/03/what-isis-really-wants/384980/

Now I want to wander and share your cups of coffee. Hope you have a good week.

Thanks to Diana for hosting our coffee and there are others who’d like to meet you so pop over to meet them,