Mother's Day Picnic

Yesterday for Mother's Day we had a lovely picnic at Somerset Dam. Our journey there was frustrated by roadworks on the Ipswich Motorway, which made an hour trip two hours - traffic was completely stopped for a long time then moved only slowly till we were clear of the work. We were late but my sister and husband had found a good spot close to the water and in the shade. My Mum was also there, so we were three mothers together. There was a lot of water skiing on the lake and was interesting to watch. Two of my nieces also came along with their cute little dog. It was such a gorgeous day weather-wise so we had a terrific time.

"Cakes" wins Honour

I was thrilled to win an Honour for my photograph "Cakes" at my camera club, QCG, meeting last night. The subject was "Food for a Recipe Book". The judge said before he began that as he judged the photos he asked the questions - do I want to eat the food? and - does it look elegant? He said my photo fit those criteria well and he liked the "geometric" layout. He also commented on the small blue "hundred and thousand" which lay on the table near the plate. That was pleasing as I'd left it there deliberately. You can see other entries at the Gallery. I suppose one of the best things about it all was that after a visit from my peer support officer from the Spinal Injuries Association a few weeks ago, I was motivated to do some cooking. I baked the cakes myself with the only help having Terry get a couple of things for me that were out of reach. I then iced them and set up the photoshoot. So I'm feeling pretty good about it all!!

Barbecue picnic at Wivenhoe Dam

Earlier this week, Terry and I went to Wivenhoe Dam for a barbecue picnic. After the record rainfalls for March the dam is almost full and it was beautiful to see it like that. It was a lovely sunny day, fairly quiet. In the camping areas there were a lot of people as it is school holidays. It is so good to get out to a beautiful spot like this and we're lucky to have it relatively close. Once you get off the busy Ipswich Road, it is a pleasant drive. Our barbecue was delicious - of course. Terry is the best barbecuer!!

Landscape-ing

I was very pleased to receive a Merit for my first camera club competition for the year. The subject was "Scapes" and I took this photo at my local landscaping business. The judge said it worked on two levels, though wasn't sharp enough. I'll have to work on that. Otherwise all going well with my new different life. I'm still going to book clubs, camera club, historical society and oral history meetings, so having as "normal" a life as possible with the support of my family and friends.

Back home to start new life

I've been discharged from Canossa for just over a week now after being there for six weeks. I'm gradually getting used to my new life. I'm feeling much better now that I've accepted I'm now disabled. I will now concentrate on those things I can still do and "let go" of those things I can no longer do, just remember them fondly without getting upset. This has been a very difficult year for me and for those who love me. My leg weakness was initially diagnosed as being a very rare auto-immune disease, CIDP, and I underwent uncomfortable treatments for that. In August when another opinion said I had spinal cord damage, I went through a terrible emotional time. There was no explanation for this damage. A later opinion was that it was probably caused by a virus (in the absence of any other medical evidence) and I was told it is "unlikely" I will walk independenty again. I have a lovely new wheelchair to help me get around and I will no longer put my life "on hold" waiting to recover. I will get back into my oral history interviews and already have a couple of good prospects lined up. Canossa was the best "treatment" I could have had. The staff there looked after me very well and helped me come to terms with my disability. They were all so good to me. Thanks to them I feel I can now move forward with my life.

Canossa Hospital

I've been "rehabilitating" at Canossa Private Hospital, Rehab Unit, for a couple of weeks now. The staff are all wonderful and I'm enjoying the physiotherapy. I'm allowed "leave" during the day on weekends, on Saturday after physio session and on Sunday as there is no physio. I'm under the care of a good doctor who seems curious about my "unusual" case so he's trying to find answers, but he's said it's "unlikely" I'll walk independently again. But who can say - doctors can't tell me how this has happened and they can't really know what the future holds for me. I'll just take each day as it comes. I believe I've come to terms with my current situation and that acceptance will make it easier to cope, I think. I've got wonderful support from my family and friends, so I'm truly blessed.

Life Member OHAA

At the Annual General Meeting of the Oral History Association of Australia (Queensland Inc.) this morning I was surprised and honoured to be made a Life Member. I have been a member of OHAA for many years and on the Committee since 2001 as Newsletter Editor and also Secretary. The only position I now hold is Secretary and that keeps me very busy and that's what I need. I consider I am in illustrious company with some of the "greats" in the Australian oral history world and I am pleased to be now in that select group. I will continue to do my best to promote oral history as it is something I am passionate about.