For a day off, it's been very stressful and busy. I had just one job that I wanted to do- blocking off an old fireplace with a board. Even for someone as tool-challenged as me, that should have taken about an hour. All I had to do was plug in the circular saw, measure and cut the board to size, cut out a notch in the corner then screw it to the wall. But no sooner had I started than people began coming to the church to buy prams or whatever. It felt like every ten minutes we were going out yet again to find someone needing assistance. I know that "people are the job" when you're in ministry and we value the people, and the business that they generate. But sometimes you have to wonder. I finally got around to having lunch at 2 o'clock and I really felt like putting up a sign that said "We're closed. Go away." I was feeling a little worn out by the events of the day and decided to go for a walk. It was the most wonderful experience, and I felt instantly renewed. Here are a few things that really made me feel privileged to be living where I live.
* as I walked across the soccer fields a little boy ran and disturbed a huge flock of galahs happily feeding on the grass seeds. As they flew up and wheeled around to find a safer spot, the flock flew right in front of me- literally within metres of flying all around me.
* a little further on, the ghost gums near the Rugby Club are blossoming. There were hundreds of grass parrots in the trees feasting on the nectar. As they finish with each bunch of blossoms, they chew the stems off, dropping them to the ground so they don't waste time coming back ot them later. The result is that the path is covered in a fragrant carpet of eucalypt leaves and flowers. Mmmmm.
* at the old water tower, another flock of cockatoos sat around the edge screeching at each other and the world.
* all of this in an ambience of autumn- grey skies, cool weather and orange and yellow leaves all around.
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