A Paradise Asleep

Today my worrying thoughts gravitate more than ever to the mesmerising island of Bali, Indonesia - my happy place.

If it wasn't for this devastating, unforeseeable Covid-19 pandemic, I would once again excitedly board a plane tonight, with gifts in hand, to surprise the tropical, spirited island and its beautiful, humble people.

I close my eyes and clearly imagine the familiar, warm, laid back, uplifting vibe on the stunning Seminyak beach carrying the many friendly, jovial beach workers, eager to chat and sell their precious treasures.

I envision soaking up the sun and surf by day, and later watching a brilliant sea of multi-coloured beach umbrellas and beanbags set up by strong, efficient, young, Balinese men, ready for the evening guests to comfortably experience the exquisite island's extraordinary, ever-changing sunsets.

I reminisce of my lovely, temporary home at Puri Saron Hotel in Seminyak, where I predominantly stay. The picturesque environment, right on the beach, never fails to spoil me with the peace, serenity and an ocean scent I long for.

My spacious room typically overlooks beautifully-maintained, tropical gardens, complete with a Balinese kitty, who loves to keep me company and whom I adore taking under my wing for the duration of my visits.

I feel a deep gratitude for the passionate, efficient hotel staff, who endlessly offer to move mountains, assuring my happiness and comfort, not that there is ever any need.

I am completely in my element in Bali, as soon as my feet touch Indonesian soil and I smell the sweet aroma of familiar, exotic incense.

I recall the exquisite, handmade canang sari, sacredly, mindfully placed mornings and evenings at each entrance of occupied buildings as prayer and praise offerings to the Hindu gods. I laugh remembering the cheeky tupai seemingly scurrying from nowhere to nibble at the delicious gifts when they think no one is watching.

How I miss the hustle and bustle of chaotic, yet organised, scooter and pedestrian traffic, and roaming, stray animals I love to feed. I am continually prepared with pet food I purchase on my way to Seminyak from the airport, tucked readily inside my handbag.

I miss the soulful variations of restaurant music, sometimes confusingly blending into one, and the waft of delicious Indonesian cuisine teasing my taste buds.

I am in awe of the many luminous, colored lights and dancing lanterns every which way I turn during dusk, while spasmodic fireworks spray magnificent rainbows above the beach musicians, brilliantly lighting up the night sky.

I long for the freedom of wearing light clothing and feeling the soothing, hot sun and gentle breeze stroke my skin during daily beach strolls. The worries I carry from home at times, simply melt away and become insignificant, even if only for a little while, but always long enough to nurture my soul.

I miss devouring my regular, fresh coconuts I buy amidst my beach walks, either from Cookie's Bar in Legian or a gorgeous, local mother of five in Seminyak, whose glowing, grateful smile is forever etched in my mind.

I dream of sipping a few araks in the evenings poured by my adopted son and favorite bartender, while admiring and applauding my talented Balinese musician family at Santa Fe Bar & Grill. On foot I head there most nights, pausing to greet and chat with the many shop keepers and bar staff I've met over time and grown fond of along the way.

I miss Villa Kitty Animal Shelter, now situated in Lodtunduh, where I'm given endless cuddles from eager, adorable Balinese fluff balls longing to soak up my attention and ample love. How I wish I could fly them all to Australia to give them a deserving forever home on our spacious, welcoming farm.

But mostly I yearn for my cherished, accommodating Balinese friends and family, who have graciously invited and included me in beautiful weddings and significant ceremonies held in their authentic villages, far away from the tourist precinct. Occasionally they've taken me home just to meet their extended families.

I cannot tell you how honored and humbled I felt … and now my heart bleeds for each and every one of them during these uncertain times.

Will there still be a Bali tourist island, as we know it, in future?

The Balinese are resourceful people with a positive, faithful attitude towards life. They have suffered through bombings, tsunamis, earthquakes and now, like the rest of us, are trying to ride the wave of survival through Covid-19 pandemic.

There is no longer tourism. So many are without work or financial assistance. The impact on their economy is heartbreaking.

People are struggling to feed their families, and god forbid if any fall sick - not just corona virus, but malaria and dengue fever where numbers are already high in the north.

What will become of beautiful Bail?

I pray this pandemic is contained and slowed as quickly as it has swept through our globe, so every country, every person, may once again breathe easy.

I pray Bali will survive and become stronger, busier and healthier than ever before, so I may fly over to give my endearing family and friends relieved, heartfelt hugs as soon as possible.

Please Bali, stay strong. 🙏❤️

Home Schooling - Happy Days!

The Covid-19 pandemic is proving to have a significant impact on people's lives. Well in the throws, we are able to decipher the negatives, and surprisingly a number of positives, within our inner and outer worlds.

One of the biggest, stress-provoking challenges many parents and carers are trying to get their head around is home schooling.

Guiding children through learning at home can be tricky, especially if you're also working from home. Throw into the equation adored pets excitedly running amok enjoying their humans home, and you've got yourself a chaotic safe haven.

Wanting to pull your hair out seems justifiable!

However, parents are not expected to duplicate teacher's years of experience. All that is asked is you do your best, while giving your kids various activities to keep them engaged and stimulated.

The main thing is to help your children feel safe and secure with limited anxiety.

Be creative.

While structure is important, don't worry if you can't stick to a 'school day' routine. Play is one of the best learning tools for kids and can also be fun for adults.

There are many valuable lessons to be learned in the 'school of life'.

* Bake with your kids and have them measure ingredients to practise their mathematical skills.

* Watch a world animal documentary together to improve geography and science.

* Have your children read books aloud to enhance their English.

* Sing with your child for musical stimulation, or if you play an instrument, pass your skills on.

* Dance around your lounge room and fill your hearts with smiles.

* Galleries and museums across the world are offering free virtual tours for children to take interesting and fun excursions. Loads of historical learning at your child's finger tips.

* Venture outside and play a game of Chasey to break up the indoor lessons while refreshing everyone's concentration. There's physical education taken care of right there!

There are many useful websites contributing to online learning, sure to ignite curiosity and wonder in your child. Have a browse, but make sure you read all that's been sent home by your children's teachers and try and incorporate the school's resources into your planning wherever possible … and importantly, keep in touch with the teachers for support and reassurance.

Find ways for your child to stay in touch with their school friends. This is vital. Encourage them to read, play or even spend recess together via Zoom or the like.

Just remember, you're doing a great job!

Pat yourself on the back. No one has gone completely insane yet. Be kind to yourself and trust in your abilities ... and don't forget to breathe.

Let's hope we are soon in a safe position to resume school normality for the good of everyone involved - so you won't need to turn to the drink after all!

You've got this.

A Commendable Commitment ...

I am continually in awe of wildlife shelters, and the kind, competent people behind the scenes determined to make an on-going difference to the lives of beautiful native creatures.

Two of these lovely ladies are Sue Moore from Tarwin Lower and Kylie Laing from Venus Bay, Australia.

For the past fifteen years, Sue has passionately cared for local wildlife and is presently nursing four koalas (one of them a baby), one pygmy possum, two eastern rosellas and one galah.

Sue manages her shelter around her busy part-time job and currently misses her six grandchildren (due to social distancing), who visit often and are a huge help with her furry patients.

Kylie has two decades of wildlife experience up her sleeve, which began when she discovered a helpless baby wombat in Venus Bay. She's presently nurturing two wombats in her shelter and has just recently released one back into the wild after three months of care. 

The vet initially advised this wombat had no chance of surviving.

Kylie also works part-time and is currently overseeing the home schooling of her two children.

Sue and Kylie initially both researched shelters and their involvement before completing Wildlife and Rescue training to consequently earn their licences. Since this time, they've devotedly forged ahead, assisting native fluff balls whichever way they can.

Each year the number of animals, birds and reptiles needing support has increased. Last year's statistics revealed, on average, five creatures per week had been rescued and cared for within each of the shelters in the South Gippsland region. This trend has so far continued into 2020.

The amount of time, energy and money - predominantly self funded - involved in running a wildlife and rescue shelter is enormous.

The following is an approximate daily example:

• 4 hourly orphan feeds around the clock
• Daily sanitisation of cages
• Food shopping
• Food preparation
• Extensive washing
• Night grass picking
• Transportation to vet appointments or other more appropriately set up shelters
• Driving to reported locations to pick up rescued creatures, including vets
• Returning healed wildlife to their natural habitats for release
• On call 24 hours a day
• Answering advice calls from the public
• Answering police calls

I absolutely admire these amazing souls, who go above and beyond to help unique wildlife. Their guiding light is their love for the animals and when tasks seem tough and time or money scarce, their unwavering commitment remains strong.

They do what they can with the available resources and quietly, humbly get on with it.

Funding for wildlife shelters is spasmodic and minimal. These dedicated animal lovers greatly appreciate donations in the form of money, food or goods.

If you are able and wish to support this worthy cause, please call your local shelter to be advised of present needs or to ensure your kind money offerings are immediately added to their Wildlife Patient kitties.

Some important tips to leave you with:

Do not feed mince meat to baby magpies, or any baby birds for that matter. It can cause serious harm.

Do not just feed sunflower seeds to birds, even though they love them. They too can be harmful.

If you happen to find an animal, bird or reptile needing help, please call your local wildlife emergency response number.

If you are able to pick up the injured creature, please retain in a warm, quiet, dark place to de-stress or wrap in a towel or blanket while you ring for assistance. Please Do Not Feed!

The Joys Of Isolation

Australians are doing a tremendous job self isolating and social distancing. We're now one of the leading countries heading in the right direction, minimising the Corona virus spread.

We're especially fortunate in our beautiful South Gippsland region, away from the city hot spots, but we still have a way to go.

Let's not loosen the chains just yet …

I can't even remember how many weeks of isolation have now passed. It's probably a good thing I'm losing count. I would be feeling the heat a lot more if I were.

Life is starting to become a little unsettling in our household. So much so, I turned to Mr. Google for support today, thinking surely I'll find some useful, inspiring, tips to help carry us through the remainder of this challenging time.

The first port of google call was a definition by Wikipedia, which defines cabin fever referring to:

'the distressing, claustrophobic irritability or restlessness experienced when a person, or group, is stuck in an isolated location or confined quarters for an extended period of time. A person may be referred to as 'stir crazy', derived from the use of 'stir' to mean prison.'

That sounded a little over dramatic, but maybe bordering a touch on our developing home frustrations.

According to Google, feeling anxious, fearful, restless, worried, bored or lonely are completely normal responses to this stressful pandemic situation.

Those words gave me comfort, although thankfully I've not been feeling all of the listed emotions.

Reading on, the initial few helpful tips to combat isolation were to concentrate only on each day, or even each hour, at a time and to eat well, keep hydrated, rest and exercise.

That resonated with me, yet for quite some time our days at home have continued to roll into one. Isolation has thrown our routines right out the window.

We eat whenever we (think we), feel hungry and often in between just because it tastes good.

If I decide to indulge in a baking marathon, depending if I can get my hands on some flour, we presently eat all the goodies ourselves, as opposed to sharing with friends, family or neighbors.

Mind you, as of today, this behaviour stops. If I hear hubby complaining once more how much weight he is piling on, while devouring a delicious sweet, I'm going to lose the plot!

Besides, I too would still like to fit through our doorway once we're free to roam.

We drink plenty of water, but somewhere along the line 'happy hour' occasionally creeps in a little earlier than usual. We have no concept of time, so it makes no difference.

It's enjoyable to sit and talk, while sipping a wine or two, admiring our stunning view.

The Cab Sauv seems to add just that little bit more color to our new normality. We're thankfully not having to drive anywhere.

Our sleep patterns are all over the shop. Resting doesn't exist in our home anymore, except for our dozing felines, who adore having their humans home.

If I intend to rest, curling up on the couch with a good book, my fluff balls will cuddle up too and we all immediately fall asleep, hence my increasing nightly insomnia. 

As for exercise, I attempt to implement yoga poses into my day, but it's a continuous, up hill battle. My pets think I'm playing and dart and weave amusingly under and around my twisted body making yoga near impossible.

At least I can nick out for a short, brisk walk to clear my head and get my blood pumping every now and then.

Another tip according to Google was to meditate or to find a quiet spot to mindfully and deeply breathe, uninterrupted from any chaos. I tried this and eventually succumbed to the only private room in our house - the toilet.

My needy fluff balls impatiently circled at the door, whining, while hubby's echoing voice called out 'What’s for lunch?'

All I could do was shake my head in defeat.

This happened to wipe out another piece of google advice being, 'Look for the beauty within your family members'.

I love them dearly, but they're driving me mad!

The next hint was to keep in regular contact with close family and friends via social media. Of course that's what everyone has predominantly turned to, but I find it's a battle.

So many of us are now constantly on the internet, especially for work, I've noticed our internet service at home has immensely slowed, often to the point where I'm close to throwing my laptop over the edge of the verandah.

Face time is awkward. The conversation dialogue is delayed, while the pictures jump around distorting the endearing faces I'm attempting to speak with. Often the calls just simply cut out.

I miss my friends and family terribly and look forward to personally giving them all warm, heartfelt hugs, once we're again free to mingle.

That's my gold at the end of this dull, heavy Corona rainbow.

If I'm honest, I have an abundance of never-ending farm work waiting for my attention. I also have a list of significant jobs around the house I'm longing to tick off.

Although I'm usually conscientious, I feel guilty lacking my usual enthusiasm. I find this bizarre! Now is the perfect time to get stuck into my pending list.

I'm grateful I'm at least still managing to complete the necessary, daily tasks and to nurture my little family, whom I cherish when I don't want to occasionally (gently) slap them during this trying time!

However, Google suggests to indulge in more activities we love, such as baking, gardening, music, painting or writing etc.

My guilty conscience eased somewhat as I ecstatically read this. I love to lose myself in words during writing spurts.

That's where time passes too quickly and is never enough of.

The hours slip by unnoticed as I pen my thoughts on paper, forming logical order and rightful perspectives. The world seems to make sense once more, but frustratingly my lower back suffers from prolonged sitting.

Hubby also finds it amusing to purposely sneak up and scare the crap out of me as I'm deep in thought. That's when I sternly suggest he go play in his man cave for an hour or three!

Loud noises disturb me too, such as the television volume up high, especially during violent action movies, which are frequently offered during evening programs.

Don't we have enough brutality and bloodshed in the world without consciously digesting unauthentic story lines?

In hindsight, Google was helpful with thought-provoking advice, but what I've personally discovered to combat isolation is to reassure myself often it is only temporary.

Each morning I wake, I affirm we are another day closer to our global goal.

Before I get out of bed to answer the hungry animal cries, I consciously list in my mind many things I appreciate and am grateful for.

I know how fortunate I am compared to so many people struggling to keep afloat within Australia and worldwide.

I try and laugh each day, which lifts my mood, and use this time to reflect and recharge parts of me that desperately need nurturing.

I've also slowed down watching news reports on Covid-19. It just gets too much and tends to consume my thoughts. I stay updated, but avoid the repeated coverage.

This has immensely helped my emotional state.

I ask myself often 'Who do I want to be on the other side of this crisis?'

I'm sure there's a global and personal lesson to be learned from this wretched pandemic and it's wise for all of us to decipher and create a positive, revised, inner and outer world.

Apparently every black cloud has a silver lining. We just need to search for the inspiration and passionately run with it.

So who might you be at the end of this pandemic? 

Perhaps this is a significant question to ask yourself too?

Hat Off To You, Maureen

You may have seen this gorgeous, 94 year old, Melbourne woman on the televised news not long ago, as a band of nurses formed a guard of honor and cheered as she left the Austin Hospital, wheeled out by her 69 year old son, John, her primary carer.

This uplifting story has gone viral around the globe and our little community in country Victoria is claiming Mrs Appleby as our own and are proud and in awe of her strength to defy all odds by defeating Covid-19.

Maureen is a great, great grandmother, related to many family members residing in Tarwin Lower and surrounds. One beloved niece, who thinks of Maureen as her inspiration, is Michelle Burggraaff of Tarwin Lower.

Michelle's mother, Greta, Maureen and their two brothers, Frank and Jack, shared a special connection, which filtered down through their families, warranting many enjoyable, meaningful gatherings. Sadly many loved ones have passed on since then, but Michelle and Maureen continue to share a loving bond.

Maureen resides with John in her family home in Rosanna. One night a few weeks ago, the same evening John started to feel unwell, Maureen had an unfortunate fall and was taken to North Park Private Hospital in Bundoora where it was confirmed she'd broken four ribs.

After a week, Maureen moved on to a rehabilitation centre in Ivanhoe. During her third night there, she also began to feel unwell and was transferred to The Austin Hospital. After vigorous testing, she was diagnosed with the dreaded Covid-19 virus.

In the meantime John also tested positive for the virus and after a couple of isolated days at home, he too was admitted to The Austin, where he and Maureen shared a room during his second night of stay.

Thankfully, John recovered quickly and was discharged after two days, while Maureen was kept for five days due to her injuries.

Both are now in good spirits at home, although Maureen is weary of all the media attention she's attracting. However, she's happy to comply knowing the public appreciates her uplifting story during such challenging times.

This lovely lady is described as deserving, caring and honorable with a wonderful sense of humor. She's extremely accommodating and family orientated, as well as a staunch Carlton Football Club supporter, as her father, Frank Martin, was a Carlton premiership player and proudly wore the number 25.

Well done Maureen, great news!

                                                                (Credit 7 News)

One Of Those Crazy Days ...

Have you ever had one of those days begin by mistakenly placing the margarine tub in the pantry and the coffee tin in the fridge because your thoughts were already way ahead of you planning your day?

Well, that's how my day started today ... but it got much worse!

Venturing out after breakfast (not having realised my mistake), the first job on my agenda was to visit our local petrol station to purchase diesel. The tractor was thirsty and hubby would be raring to use it when he returned home late in the afternoon.

As always, I bumped into lovely, familiar faces in town and struck up a friendly conversation with an endearing, retired farmer I hadn't seen in a long while (social distancing rule applied of course).

He too was buying fuel and we enjoyed a good, old yarn, laughing, teasing and joking around as I proceeded to fill my diesel container with 'unleaded petrol'!

“CRAP!“

Off home I drove again to re-enact my steps, this time without loitering and choosing the correct fuel.

“That was a waste of an hour,” I mumbled frustratingly under my breath.

Next on my list was to spray an eyesore of annoying, paddock thistles, which had started to rear their ugly heads. I'd planned to begin this job much earlier while it was calm. By the time I filled my spray bottle and walked into a paddock neighboring the road, a light breeze was just beginning to gently blow.

It was a beautiful, warm, sunny morning with brilliant blue skies. Perfect for this job and I was happy to finally get stuck into it. Around me a symphony of birds were cheerfully singing, while the amused kookaburras laughed spasmodically as back- up vocalists.

Adorably, our stunning, earth - colored cattle were curiously supervising my every move from a distance as I regularly filled my spray bottle and strolled around among their cuisine.

After a while my hands started to uncomfortably sweat inside my rubber gloves and as the temperature rose, the infamous South Gippsland bush flies slowly, but surely drove me mad. I was sure they'd made a pact to see who could bring me to the brink of insanity first! Often I frustratingly attempted to whack them, but accidentally smacked myself in the head instead.

Next thing I knew, while I was happily away with the fairies daydreaming, I felt something dart down the back of my singlet top piercingly stinging my shoulder blade!

“#$@&%*!,” I shrieked!

In an instant the spray bottle and gloves flew in all directions as I attempted to bash my back to comatose the stinging beast. That didn't do much good as the wretched intruder continued its merciless attack.

Off came the singlet top, which I again used to hurriedly slap my back, but still to no avail. By this stage I was dancing around the paddock looking like a dimwit trying to outrun myself, while making all sorts of strange, high pitched noises.

This of course, spooked the cattle, who were now completely dumbfounded and running around the paddock too, uncertain as to what their human was actually trying to achieve.

... and then, horrified, I suddenly noticed a distant neighbor driving very slowly, crawling in fact, past our farm, probably wondering what the hell was going on at the Hullick hillbilly residence!

I immediately dived for my singlet top, which must have grown legs somewhere along the line, and fumbled it back on - back to front. Didn't matter. I quickly acted like all was fine.

“No problem here,” I mimed as I gave him a fleeting, neighborly wave.

“Oh Lord, shoot me now,” I thought, “Surely that didn't just happen?”

Sun kissed and depleted, I made my way back inside my safe haven to consume a cup of much needed caffeine, which I thoroughly appreciated once I finally discovered the coffee tin hiding in the fridge!

Recounting today I'm still not sure what's worse. A swollen upper back caused by an anonymous pest, which continues to irritatingly itch, or the lingering embarrassment of the absurd, comical situation I unwillingly found myself in.

Moral of this story?

Some days it's best just to stay in bed ...

My Soul-Sister

Dearest Jude,

I am gifting you this letter because I want you to truly understand you mean the world to me.

Please read these honest, heartfelt words as many times as you need, until they carve themselves like stone deep within your core.

Meeting Anthony was one of my most significant life events. Not only did I find my husband, but I gained you as my sister-in-law.

Growing up, each along side brothers, we yearned the company of a sister. We became related through marriage, but more relevantly, we became soul-sisters, supporting and cherishing each other through thick and thin over the past twenty years.

We've shared endless belly laughs until it hurt to breathe. We've shed painful tears when hope was compromised, and we've kept hilarious, embarrassing secrets we promised we'd take to our graves.

The flames of mutual love, trust and respect we carry are unique and precious.

Jude, I adore you.

Watching you painfully struggle these last six years as your health declined, has been tremendously heartbreaking.

I've felt and continue to feel so powerless ... useless.

I vow I will be your comforting, physical and emotional brace until your last breath is drawn.

You are not, nor will you be, alone.

I will hold your petite hand, wash your beautiful face and stroke your stunning hair as I walk down memory lane with you, proudly reliving all your amazing legacies, which you mostly, humbly swept under the carpet.

This will take a long while ...

You have touched all those who have crossed your path with love,  integrity, compassion and wit.

But your glowing, emanating smile has melted even the reserved or apathetic passerby.

Jude, I swear, if my love for you could save you, you would live forever.

I'm so humbled to call myself your sister-in-law, although our connection transcends all space and time and cannot be labelled by mere mortal words.

Thank you for being you.

Thank you for choosing me.

I love you ...❤️


In honour of Judy Hullick

18th March, 1966 - 27th November 2019