
Yes, I have lived in Australia for 36 years and am Australian but I am also an American citizen with some vested interest there, so I am quite concerned about this election. I fear watching you tube so much about the candidates keeps me from reading a lot, or taking photographs or stabilising my mental health at times. Like much of the world, we are hoping Kamala Harris wins and 2025 will see D Trump paying for his crimes, then disappearing, maybe into prison.

I have been reading though. I will mention a couple of books and stories of the week. I reading the second story in New York Trilogy by Paul Auster. It is entitled Ghosts. A very unusual tale as all the character names are colours. Mr Brown owns the detective agency but is old. His son, Mr Blue takes a job for Mr White who wants Mr Black observed at all times. He even rents an apartment across the street from Mr Black’s apartment and Mr Blue moves in. The story begins. The introduction states the story goes on for years. I’m not there yet so looking forward to how this all plays out.

I am listening to The Sweet Life in Paris written and narrated by David Lebovitz. I enjoyed the last book I read of his, L’Appart so much I thought I’d listen to more of his adventures. I learn so much about daily life from this book. Nothing major happens but I feel as though I am with him as he goes about his daily business.

I haven’t been to any book launches at Fullers during the past week but a couple are coming up. They are doing another program at the store which I think is lovely. Gorgeous behaving dogs come in and young children sit with them and read to them. A small group of children to one dog at a time. I hope to pop in sometime when this is happening.

I had a funny experience when visiting 10 Lives Cat Centre’s newest thrift shop. I was out on a long walk when I came across it. Inside I met and made one of my 30 minute friends. An 80 year old woman who was searching for a yellow toy for her budgie as he likes yellow evidently. Having owned budgies years ago and really liking them I asked her about hers. Blue with white wings. Nine yrs old.

He has the run of the house but he is on a schedule for going to bed at night. After he plays with his ‘tree’ with all his toys hanging from it, he is then told he has to go to bed where he is settled down for sleep. No idea how she does this.
But.. thebudgie often looks at her after hearing he must go to bed and says to the woman, “Getyourassouttahere!!” I wasn’t expecting her to say that and I cracked up. So funny. He then gets on her shoulder and puts his face against her neck and says “I love you.” His name is Harold. Evidently Harold was her father’s name who she only recently learned of through DNA. He went to Papua New Guinea in WWII and never returned. She never met him and he never knew of her. She named the budgie Harold as she thinks it is a way of sharing love with him through the budgie.
Just goes to show everyone has a story and I look forward to hearing more in the future through my 30 minute friends.
To finish up I will share a photo a friend did of our cat Cousin Eddie for Halloween. I really like it.
Meet Cousin Eddie.

All the best to everyone for the coming week. ❤️
