This is my wrap up of things that made me smile during the month of September. Earlier in the year I made a commitment to myself to make a concerted effort to think about the great and positive things in my life, and in particular, those things that make me smile. These days, most of the things that make me smile are the simple, every day things that many would consider to be unremarkable. No longer do I need big things or big events in my life, to make me happy.
When I decided to write monthly, about the happy moments during each month, I had no idea that Covid-19 was about to appear in our lives, causing life, as we know it, to change. I’m sure most would say that the past few months have been quite stressful and worrying. But this post isn’t to dwell on the worries of Covid-19.
September means spring and the first few days didn’t disappoint. It was as though the calendar says it’s spring, so spring it will be. It was a huge relief to have a few beautiful sunny days, after freezing through a cold winter, that seemed to me to be never ending. Many covid restrictions have now been lifted in regional Victoria, but we are still self isolating and staying very close to home. The highlight of life at the moment is a trip to the supermarket or chemist. We are, however, going on a road trip occasionally. It’s usually to a small town close by, where we can go bushwalking. We choose tracks that are very quiet and rarely see anyone. After the walk, we buy lunch from the local bakery. Of course, in these times of Covid we eat our lunch in the car. It’s usually delicious, and it’s our small way of helping small businesses, in local towns to recover and hopefully survive this horror year of 2020.
So far, we have been self isolated for 175 days. I remember back to when we first made the decision to stop working, and self isolate for the duration of Covid, I had no idea that it would be for this long. I really expected to be back at work in a couple of months, at the most. Surprisingly, it hasn’t been at all difficult to stay isolated. I’ve loved being at home for every one of those 175 days, and I suspect that will continue into the future. Most days will find me in the garden or bushwalking. Who wouldn’t like to spend their days this way? I usually spend time on my blogs at night or during the day on wet days.
Sunshine and blue skies. Also walking without pain at last
Colbinabbin was one of our road trips to see these silos, below. They are on the Silo Art Trail which follows painted silos around Victoria country areas. Don’t you think they’re they amazing?
During September, I revived my #OnePlaceStudy, which is an official study of the very small town of Axedale, not far from where I live. Actually, I lived in Axedale briefly before moving here, and fell in love with it. I publish my research on a blog, which I had been working on for almost five years, before having to put it into hiatus, when I became snowed under with work. Being able to revive this blog is one of the advantages of having so much time at home. If you would like to check out my One Place Study, just go to the following link. Axedale Then and Now
I love this photo, below, of Oscar. This is his usual state….exhausted…..at the end of a long day of following me around the garden, keeping the chooks and guinea fowl in line, and trying to find lizards. All followed by a bushwalk to round off the day.
A group of genealogists have organised an hour of genealogy discussion, every Tuesday night on Twitter. This discussion is for anyone interested in genealogy to join in, with a particular focus on Australian and New Zealand research. They invited me to be a moderator, and of course, I said yes. I’m very excited, (and just a little bit nervous), about this project and am looking forward to the first session this week. Huge smiles about this.
I’m really wrapped to have my exercise mojo back, and it makes me smile, when I realise that I haven’t missed a beat this month. All the planned sessions have been done with no excuses. Early mornings see me in the gym for either weights or RPM, and on Fridays, for Pilates combined with a long stretching session, or Body Balance.
This post is linked to Life This Week
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Hi Jennifer – your September sounds like it’s been very pleasant (as was mine). I have a feeling this will become your new normal as you spend more time at home and develop new routines to fill your day. I often wonder how I ever fit work in around my commitments! It makes the choice to stay home seem more reasonable every day. Loved the sleeping dog pic too x
Leanne we have been discussing the new Normal at home recently. I have so much going on that I have no idea how there will be time to go back to work. No decision made yet
Sounds like you have plenty to smile about this month – Oscar is so cute, he’d put a smile on anyone’s dial!
Thanks Sammie. He definitely is a cutie.
Jennifer, these are wonderful September smiles! Walking in the sunshine and seeing beautiful public art are some of my favourite activities. Thank you for sharing them. #lifethisweek
Thanks for visiting again Natalie
Glad your exercise mojo is back. I feel as though I’m going to be starting from scratch again. sigh. Those bushwalks look lovely – there’s something about a country road and a blue sky and I’ve always wanted to visit (and photograph) painted silos. Here’s to an October with a tad more forward direction.
Jo I’m sure you’ll find that you get back to where you were quickly. Muscle memory. It’s very tempting to rush it but not worth it.
Hi Jen, lots for you to smile about in September and congratulations on sticking to your exercise routine. I’m sure you feel so much better now that your mojo is back. Like you, I’ve enjoyed the isolation although I have been visiting my grandsons and going running with my friends but that is really the extent of it. Mike and I have organised a getaway now that the borders have opened to Northern NSW. Have a lovely October! #lifethisweek
Hope you enjoy your break Sue. You’ve definitely earned it
I love the silo art Jen, I’ve not seen any in real life and when things settle a bit we will try for a road trip. Your smiles make me smile and I’m happy you’ve found your exercise mojo again. Another blog, you really are a busy person :). All the best for more lifting of restrictions for you soon.
Thanks Deb. You should do that silo art trip. I’ve only seen a few but they’re spectacular
Just back for #mlstl and enjoyed re-reading your post!
Thanks Deb x
What a refreshing and lovely post Jen. I hope that your decision to self-isolate and not work during COVID is the way to eventually say ‘no to work’ and ‘yes to life’. I am loving your succulent images.
We are having a trip down memory lane the week after next to where we met 50 years ago, Tamworth NSW and to the town that was my first teaching appointment which I believe has silo art.
Thank you for linking up this week. Next week on Life This Week, the optional prompt is 41/51 I Have Never. 12.10.2020. Hope to see you there! Denyse.
I am very much coming closer to saying ‘no to work and yes to life’ as you put it.
Happy spring Jennifer! Those painted silos are amazing, and I loved the picture of your exhausted dog. He appears very content. Congratulations on being invited to be a moderator. I have a feeling you’ll be great at it and enjoy it too. Here’s to a joyful October!
Thanks Christie. Happy October to you too x