ANZAC DAY

We have a very special day coming up in the colonies on April 25th.
Its ANZAC day - a day when we pay our respects to those that have given their lives in the service of defending their country. We should spend time on this day to remember all of those that have fought in any war - there is never a winner in war. In any conflict there are always mothers that lose sons and husbands, children who lose fathers and parents who have to bury their children.
My parents survived WW2. It left scars on them which they somewhat passed on to me by providing an environment which was often fractured, harsh and at times insecure - but they did their best and I survived even though at times I wonder how...and so I know that conflict leaves its mark not only on those that are on the front line but it spreads like a virus to infect everyone that it somes into contact with.
Lest we forget.

Spending time with the Loved Ones

Easter has come and gone and now its back to the business end of the year..it seems to be hoilday mode for the first few months of each year as we get through Christmas and New Year and then Australia has school holidays all January so everyone is just "busy" or "away". Nothing gets achieved in January. Then everyone gears up for school going back and no one has any money and thenbefore we know it its Easter and Easter holidays.
But...in the Daniel Manor I have the Lord at home on holidays and also the Princess who is on school break. So this prolonged hiatus will last for a little longer.
We had huge plans to do lots of gardening and cleaning but as tends to happen when one is on holidays...nothing is getting done.
Oh well..spending time with my family is by far the best so this is what I am enjoying right now.

Easter Happiness is home and family

I really am no longer interested with the basis of Easter holidays and the religious background to this event. I am quite respectful of people's beliefs and I think that the views I heard this morning on a televison program where someone said that if nothing else we should allow Easter to be a catalyst for self renewel and intraspection is enough for me. I spent my early years in church and following the demands of my parent's religion and now no longer wish to do that anymore.
The greatest joy is that I am at the Manor with my nearest and dearest ( accept for a daughter who is in Melbourne ) is the most important aspect of this season.
Getting older ( and wiser ) also allows me to understand that I now have less time to spend and enjoy rather than more time and therefore I want to make each moment precious.
I hope that one day soon I might be able to enjoy grandchildren and be able to shower love and gifts on them.
But for now being at home with the Manor hounds, one who is currently lying in a catatonic state on his back , legs in the air in total bliss on the couch snoring and the other reclining happily on his pillow in the corner of the room as well as my Lord and the Princess both on their laptops and computers just chilling, knowing that bellies are full and we will all sleep soundly in warm comfy beds tonight as well as enjoying some extra chocolate makes me very happy. My wish wish is for world peace of course and world peace needs to start with our own private little worlds.