What's up with us
A threatening storm is blowing in some cool air, gusting down the big passageway and enticing squeaks from tin and doors. Rafael is asleep early because it has been an emotional day: Martin has left to go to Cairns to see his Mum, who still having her lungs clear of cancer, became suddenly old and was diagnosed yesterday with a brain tumour.
Last time I saw her she was not just well but very well. She looked dazzling, danced til midnight, faced down her ex-husband ('you will rrrrrrespect my grrrrrandchildren Michael!') and was busy organising all her sons as well as her little daughter. But she had playing cards instead of identity cards in her wallet - she's getting lost on her street and in her house - suffering a terrible headache. All this in just a couple of weeks.
But she's done it once so it is possible she will stun us again with another victory. Martin is going to be taking her to Townsville for some kind of treatment - we don't know yet. There is considerable urgency about beginning some kind of treatment and she wants to fight - I hope there is time for her to start that fight. Not at all sure when he will be home. The boys are grieving for their dad's pain, and for their Bubu too.
Steph's baby arrived safely too - another very big boy, like his closest cousin Leo. Steph is having another struggle with breastfeeding, but, far better informed this time, she's prevailing more easily. My Mum has been busy supporting her.
A brief patter on the roof! Tim and Sam are laughing over Ranma 1/2. The 12 baby goats we are caring for and the bad-tempered calf (he charges you and then you grab him and feed him) are all under shelter. Heavier rain! More wind.
I am working three days a week now on Bidi Bidi. Looking for artists for next year. The hard thing is not the community, but the bureacracy. It is so hard to get the positions advertised - our part was done months back (the writing of the descriptions) but to make every one else do things has required me to repeatedly go to the Regional Director. So it's a good thing promotion isn't what I want.
Martin has been able to quit his horrid job and had joyously returned to pastoralism plus his forex trading.
The other news is that we've bought a house and land and sheds close to Geraldton: it's a very old house and needs fixing, but we all like it. Getting ready for high school - think we'll access many different things from Geraldton and unschool.