Not Dolly Doctor but ...Soul Doctor

Yesterday I went to the library for the first time in months . I found lots of books in the library that got me excited of what I got learn, teach and simply enjoy. I resisted the urge to get a declutter book even though that's always a need here at home. Anyhow I got caught up reading a real account of a boy made to be a slave whilst his siblings were treated like Kings. The mother got so twisted in her thoughts and whilst I saw myself in her I have not got to that extent . It was sad and sadder to see how his father, relatives etc waited an eternity to act in his defence. I was crying embarrased in the library reading it. Anyway I was amazed at his resilience , that once he'd escaped (through help of the police) he was able to be so positive and self-determine his life . In a sense he felt he'd been given a second chance so wanted to make his life count. The link to the author  http://www.davepelzer.com/  and the book :

Ok Corona virus meant only 4 people could sleep in the hut so that was interesting application of the 1.5 ruling separation. It stood atop the mountain so the views were quite something The fire was still warm from previous guests and most welcome . Loved seeing teens , adults of all ages crouched around the fire trying to avoid the smoke but bask in the warmth. A couple of stragglers marched in around 7pm . They certainly looked like troupers all very organised and tiny backpack . About 3 tarps were set up and luckily little rain. The teens munched through almost all their supplies and told us they  would have been quite happy to carry an extra 2 kg of food.  Apparantly the wind prevented the teens from sleeping til midnight ...poor darlings. Maybe in the hut would have made them feel more secure. Here's the link if you want to plan your hike  the-darling-range  Here are some great shots Mum took:            The Hut itself :...

Well, I'm piking today . Better than the puking I was doing Saturday night though!! We set off hiking mid Sat am and that was fine but maybe having dinner guests the night before PLUS doing an assignment was too much. That's not to say I didn't love the hike...and I felt my fitness was ok BUT I think I'd been GO GO going up until that day and in a sense ...crashed! Awoke at 1am with raging headache and thought - . dehydration...no...I'd drunk adequately . Heat stroke? ...no it was not hot really. Then I remembered other times I have gotten stressed and awoken with headaches and when they get bad...thrown up . Now I'm not one to throw up much, nor one to have migraines...so Mum reminded me of her friend with the brain tumor...surely not but better consider all options. I feel pretty good now . Muscles feel alright too but THAT is why I'm TRYING to pike today. What I mean is mindful rest. So, I will have some good food soon and read the paper. Here's som...

Ok So we are embarking on an overnight hike. I 'm so tempted to take the 6yr old and 9 yr old with us but I've been warned the weather may make it dreadful for them. Drat! We are doing the  mount-dale-circuit  . I'm nervous about talking it up with my boys and scheming away how to make it enticing ...bribery shall I resort to?! I'm excited about the   hiking food . Anyhow , I'm most grateful for the push, shove and organizational skills of Mum's,  Marie Tatham . Her gear sourced from many local and regional suppliers suits our terrain just fine . Check it out  Simply Trekking .. So here's where we a re going Saturday :

Now that we are back in action …well almost...we now have to re-evaluate what is most important. Shall we set our sights higher ? I am keen to hike in Tasmania with the kids, but I realize we need to start closer to home. Going away this weekend will prove to be challenging - one to get the children organized to come...groans heard there as they change their casual routine. Then the endurance rest of hiking, keeping the moral .   I am ecstatic but nervous and I see people around me keen to take on new challenges too. I am enjoying he stability of staying home and micro-managing this smaller sphere. To embark upon something totally foreign …well I will need assistance. This below is New Zealand...that could be us... Fortunately Mum has made it easier providing the food and the camping gear. All I have to do is prepare the kids and I mentally and their clothing . I began packing today so we cannot back out!! Also to feel reassured that we will be organized and thus more likely to ha...

Well in all the change that's occurred lately it's probably to be expected that I feel uneasy. Unsure about my prospects as a qualified teacher panning out. Unsure about whether to homeschool my kids or not...or find some sort of middle ground. Unsure of what recreational pursuits to continue with. Hard to know even how much control to  give the kids. Boost their independence or am I being permissive and putting them at risk? I am now feeling tired and despondent which , combined with my unsurity, quells into anxiety. Hope fully by talking of it, the anxiety will dissipate . It is so hard to know where I'm at and where we are at as a couple and a family . It worries me the thoughts I have of another life , often alone,...or with another man. I know ultimately these short-lived dreams will bring short-lived joy but I do long to travel , mainly in the wilderness …and bring these two worlds I'm part of together.

Ok , so I have not read my Bible today which I wonder if that has resulted in my mind flitting all over the place. I am keen to journal though . I had great satisfaction journaling years ago, so much so, I wonder why I don't still do it?! Now I marvel over my children's piddling efforts and try to 'improve' their writing. My own I agonize over re-writing until it makes less and less sense. I am now questioning if this IS the best use of my skill set. Rather late to be coming to this realisation I know but there it is...I was a late bloomer after all. There is a freedom t.in being able to type away unreined, but for the crude thoughts that I auto -edit out. I like not having a distinct purpose to this although secretly I long to share the thoughts with others in the hope it may be relatable and thus give them hope, faith …love . These mind are the greatest attributes according to the Bible. Anyhow, I would love to have some lovely experiences to share. I will share howev...