The Pillow Book of Prudence . . .
Things that make a memorable end of week . . .
The football Grand Final. Sun and mild weather. The garden unfolding more. Hints of beauty giving way to full-blown glamour. 
Planting vegetables for summer. Walking the dogs on the beach each day. Wading in the chill water, allowing it to reach up to the calf. Hearing bees working in the garden. Watching my cousin play great football. Grooming the horse. The boatshed build beginning. Planning a menu for my son’s twenty sixth birthday.
Things that don’t . . .
The Grand Final ending in a draw, a replay next Saturday. Too much wind. Waiting for the editor’s email. Ankle swelling after walking in soft sand, as advised by the physiotherapist. The oldest dog losing sight and sound of me on the beach. Hay fever. Being really tired. And stiff. And sore. No chocolate to eat tonight except for a packet of Nestlé chocbits . . .
It’s almost the end of the ninth month and I can now count ten weeks since my accident. I am walking, less lame than before until late in the day. When I can run for fifteen minutes, I can play tennis. As the oldest dog lost himself yesterday on the beach, I had to run after him and barely managed fifteen running strides. But that’s fifteen strides I didn’t have last week.
And last week, I wasn’t working in the garden and looking at the bees doing their important work. This week I am.
In this ninth month, I have found a delectable chocolate cake recipe for my son’s birthday. I have watched enormous strength and determination on the football field. But as the commentators say how can they hope to go back and do it again next week, I am reminded that Australian soldiers in Afghanistan go out with strength and determination (and courage) every day.
And as the liquid ambers and Himalayan strawberry tree unfurl their leaves, I am reminded again how I love Spring and my spirits unfurl in tandem.
Full of beauty, toughness, hope, wit, and humanity. This is the best yet!
Thank you, Pat.
Hmmm. So… are we talking Soccer, or Australian Rules Football?
AFL of course, Simon! The fast and ugly game . . . have you ever seen it played? I still don’t understand the rules, but I love watching my cousin play . . . he’s an exceptional player and a much admired captain. The team is St.Kilda. Must research my Irish saints.
What a gorgeous read! I’ll be following avidly from now on, so glad I found you (on Twitter).
Aimee, thanks so much! I have put twitter off because I am so hopeless in cutting things to 140 characters, let alone remembering the # and the _ and so much more. But I love the ragingly great sense of humour of everyone that I follow and who kindly follow me. Great to meet you. Shall pop over to your blog too!