The wind is hurtling through the trees this afternoon bringing glorious coolness that made it downright pleasant working outside. Bear and I designed, cut, shaped, and sanded cutting boards for my Etsy shop today, stopping regularly for chats and cuddles with the dogs and basking in cool breezes in the shade of the shed. I love working with him and working with wood, getting covered in fragrant sawdust, seeing the wood grain come through beautifully as we sand away layer after fine layer. Soon I’ll find a comfy spot and sit down to wood-burn designs into each board, oil them with linseed oil, then wrap them in oh-so-cheery Christmas paper to send to clients around the globe. I know it’s a tiny thing, but it makes me happy to be able to turn a simple and practical board into something just a little bit magical to bring joy to folks as they chop onions for soup or mince fresh herbs to add to a salad. I think even little bits of magic or beauty can make the difficulties of life a bit easier to bear.

This week I had another wonderful kinesiology session with my dear friend, Kerry, and started physical therapy to help my lungs get strong and healthy again. It’s been over a year since I could breathe properly, but each week it gets easier and that delights me no end. Two weeks ago I was able to sleep through the night, last week I got to start exercising again, going for short walks before my chest started rattling and wheezing. Today I was able to work outside with Bear and there’s no rattling or wheezing!! Hooray!!! We’re big into celebrating small achievements over here, so it’s ice cream for all after dinner tonight.

Yesterday I was in town for a full day of meetings, so I packed a delicious lunch – smoked trout crepes and green bean salad with feta and basil – and drove to my favourite spot by the river.

It’s a gorgeous place, the riverbanks lined with wildflowers and lush, green grass and towering gum trees filled with hundreds of white cockatiels riding the branches swaying in the wind. It’s a lovely spot for resting and daydreaming and planning.

I love sitting there, my car pulled right up to the water’s edge, watching the river, the birds, and the grasses and flowers dancing with the breeze.

Normally, there’s not a soul there, but yesterday who should appear but my friend Kathryn! It was so fun to see her and catch up on the last few months and get excited about going hiking together again once my lungs are better. She leads adventure therapy outings all over the region – mountain biking, hiking, camping, the works. I love going adventuring with her and discovering hidden gems of natural beauty in the mountains and forests near us.

After she left I hunkered down again, smiling contentedly as I finished eating and spent time writing in my journal, reading a little, and looking out the window a lot. All of a sudden, all the cockatiels decided it was time to mosey along and the sky was filled with hundreds of birds, their white feathers brilliant against the green of the trees as they swooped and soared. Such moments are breathtakingly wonderful.

Eventually, it was time to return to work, but I returned with a light and merry heart, bolstered by wondrous nature and a chance encounter with a lovely friend.

Back on the farm, the sun is sinking lower in the sky. We’ve tucked all the animals away for the night with plenty of food and water, work is done for the week, and now we get to start the weekend.

Tomorrow there are fallen trees to chop for firewood, a new fence to build, and trees to prepare for planting down the driveway to replace all the ones we lost in the drought. But this evening we’ll rest, eat our celebratory ice cream, and watch a movie. It’s going to be a good weekend. xo