Sadness

You make me sad when you say 

Hurtful things; nasty things

Uncalled for; unnecessary 

Unsayable things 

I know what you truly think

About me 

It hurts 

Happy Birthday in Heaven

I’m missing you today mum 

I’m missing you so very much 

Haven’t heard your voice mum

Haven’t felt your loving touch 

Remembering your days on earth 

Especially today; on your birthday 

Recalling your favourites; your mirth 

There’s a couple of things I have to say... 

As I think about your life and your death 

You were there beside me all the way 

Thank you my darling for everything 

You were ever the busy worker 

Cooking, cleaning, making, baking 

Certainly you were no shirker 

Your hands were never idle...

No, not until your last days...

Happy birthday my sweet mum 

Up to heaven I send my love 

Miss you, send this kiss to you 

Hugs for you my darling...

My angel in heaven up above! 

Memories of Dulcie Margaret Hunt

Flowers from Dulcie’s garden 

Roses; sweet and pure 

Memories of times shared 

These grow; endure 

Dulcie Margaret Hunt 

Born inthe Riverland; 1924

I met her in Goolwa 

Simply living next door...

Dear sweet old lady 

She was a pleasure to know 

The best homemade sausage rolls 

I ever had the pleasure to devour 

A gift for a little bit of help 

When she was in need too...

Delicious Anzac Biscuits 

Of these we ate quite a few 

For easing her burdens 

Whenever we could too...

It’s funny how things happen 

But this I promise you...

At Dad’s funeral in Berri 

I knew Dulcie was gone too! 

I don’t know how I knew 

But as I picked up that sausage roll

I dedicated it to you! 

I said “This is for you Dulcie!”

Shelley simply looked at me; surprised 

“What? You don’t eat sausage rolls!”

Thursday 12th October 2018

A few weeks later I met Lynne Robinson 

At the local shopping centre 

Another neighbour from the units 

She told me all about dear Dulcie 

How she’d had a terrible fall 

Was taken to hospital near her son

Down in Mount Gambier; South East 

That’s where dear Dulcie has passed 

Sometime in October 2018

Just the other day; I was thinking 

About dear Dulcie again 

Looked her up in Billion Graves 

A site that’s free to use...

Dear Dulcie Margaret Hunt (aged 94) 

Passed away on 6th October 2018 

The same day as my darling dad 

Something told me she was gone 

When we were celebrating dad’s life 

So in her honour...

I ate that sausage roll it’s true

Yes; sweet Dulcie Margaret Hunt 

Rest In Peace! Here’s to you! 

Continuing the pain saga 15 May 2021

After everything else I’ve had a CT scan. 

It shows osteophytes or bony growths on my spine at the spot where rib pain keeps coming back. Finally something has shown up! These bony growths impinge on my nerves when running etc. 

Ankylosing Spondylitis was mentioned...

I’ve already thought of this as my ankles always used to slip out of place whilst running. You’re running along and about to put your foot down but can’t because suddenly it’s not able to take your weight. You need someone to gently pull it back into position. Not much fun! (Now I can honestly say that I don’t get this anymore...since taking up running through the sand dunes I have strengthened my ligaments and joints.) 

Blood tests to check for the gene gave come back negative. Okay that’s good! I didn’t want it anyway! Lol! 

Also got tested for Thalassemia. People of Mediterranean heritage have this illness. Smaller red blood corpuscles, and less of them making oxygen uptake lower and exercise difficult. Negative also! 

I was running the other day... felt a bit hot, so I took off my vest. As I was running I was carrying it in my right hand and it felt awkward as I ran. 

Suddenly: realisation hit me...

As mothers and women in general...

Upon which shoulder do you carry your shoulder bag? That huge bag that has to have absolutely everything except the kitchen sink...

Let me guess? On your right shoulder! Right? 

I’m right handed so I carried my kids on my left hip! 

Therefore baby bag and handbag etc on my right side! Isn’t it obvious? I have created this pain over the last 40 odd years of my life! Always having my heavy bag sitting on my right shoulder; creating compression on my right side! 

Great! At least I know why I am experiencing this pain now! 

I’ve stopped doing my 2kg weights over my head to workout my arms. I’ve stopped weights all together. Pain has not been anywhere near as bad! Still; I want to strengthen my arms and continue to lose weight...but have changed my approach! 

Trying isometrics and pushups...on my knees...obviously can’t do the full plank!

Hell I’m 64 not 16! Starting off slowly! 

Shelley has mentioned how good yoga is! So that’s my next option! 

I’ll keep you posted! 

15 May 2021

Serendipity 28 April 2021

Since my darling dad passed away in October 2018...

Over the past three years I have had pain in my chest region, from the diaphragm around to the middle of my back. Sometimes so painful I’ve had to lie on my back on the floor with a heated wheat pack between my shoulders, after taking Panadol osteo. That’s the only thing that worked...

I’ve been to the emergency department twice with suspected heart problems... had all the tests; ultrasounds; xrays; stress tests etc. from the heart specialist. Had U/S of my internal organs just last week after my liver function tests were slightly elevated... all clear! 

So why am I getting so much pain? 

Been regularly going to a chiropractor as well... 

The pain keeps coming back! 

After my exercise sessions...I’m doing HIIT

High intensity interval training over short distances as I can’t do long distances because of my crook knee...I can manage short intense bursts of running through the sand dunes and when my lungs are fully expanded I have the same rib pain... 

First I thought it was a stitch but now I know it’s not! 

Sometimes it happens in the middle of the night and I wake up in agonising pain...

My darling daughter Shelley treated me to a girl’s day out at Endota Spa in Mawson Lakes last weekend! 

Talk about serendipity! 

Cassie; my masseuse for the treatment: has been through hell; a car accident; several spinal operations; lost one rib; nerve pain; on strong medications. The first person in a long time to listen and understand the pain I am going through...

Sure; the doctors have to try and find the most dangerous possibilities first...

Heart... internal organ failure etc...

But I have known it wasn’t my heart, it has always felt like my rib is pulled out of place and is pinching my nerve... 

Xrays don’t show it! Ultrasounds don’t show it! 

First thing Cassie said: you’ve got a pinched nerve! 

At last! An answer the same as my original thoughts! 

28 April 2021

The cranky old rooster

We had a cranky old rooster 

When I was just a teen 

He was a nasty piece of work 

No niceness in between 

Ever acting the total jerk 

Attacking everyone you see 

Especially scared little me... 

Even if I carried a long stick

He was a total cranky old dick!

One day he met his match 

When my sweet darling dad 

Went out with intent to catch 

That nasty old evil rooster

“Off with his head!” Was the cry 

Relieve him of his sinful pride 

Let his blasted liver be fried

Turn that pompous old rooster 

With his unbearable crowing pride 

Into a tasty meal...

And a measly old feather duster! 

2 May 2021

Christie’s Beach Ocean Breeze 10 Mar 2016

Christie’s Beach 

Ocean breeze 

Gentle waves 

Sunshine bright 

Great swim tonight 

Peaceful; serene 

Ah...life’s a dream 

10 March 2016