Talking about the homeless....

A friend called the current homeless situation in Melbourne “a plague”. 

I was taken aback.  Why would he refer to human suffering this way?  The other side of my brain went into overdrive;  Camus’ “La Peste” (the plague).  I downloaded the novel and read it again.  I had the uneasy feeling that he might have used exactly the right words.

 

Camus comments that man is never prepared for the disasters that befall him.  Asks his readers : are these disasters the consequence of man going against some part of nature, or do bad things just happen?

What is your response?  Do you blame the homeless man (the one) or society (the many)?  Is it simply unfortunate or a penance for bad choices?  

Are you able to look away and continue with your business?  Do you trust that the authorities will act?  Do you think they will assume there is nothing they can do?

Human nature stops us humans from eradicating inequality ... there is no hope of protecting all humanity from the plague... but the lack of hope cannot be a reason to do nothing.

Misty glare

Out and about collecting pine needles and willow tree for some weaving.

It's been a hot start to autumn and today is misty, wet, grey and glare is high.  But have been meaning to photograph this house for so long.

Writing more this year

I really love photo blogs but this year holds such promise that I think I will allow myself to keep note of regular events and hopefully keep note of some unexpected and surprising events too.

Wow the crowds that come visiting this end of the Mornington Peninsula are getting bigger!  Tents and every kind of caravan poised all along the foreshore.  And insane traffic.  So many people in our small shopping center.  Makes you wonder if they even have shops in Melbourne.  Our shops really dont hold big ranges of anything.... and yet each holiday season all these people gather trolley loads of stuff.  And this isnt just food.  In fact Im guessing most of it isnt food.  So how do they have the room in their cars and vans to take it all home again?

Im sorting through my fabric and coming up with 4 different baby boy quilts.  A lot of loving some fabrics and thinking .... "what did I ever buy that for?" for thankfully not too many others.

Second hole in Samuel's wall.  SIGH   Luckily Ive had to fill a hole before... paid over $200 for one small patch.... this time around I know what to do and will save some money.  Now to get Samuel some coping tactics so we dont have more.  Will be securing an appointment with Monash Hospital for ongoing counselling.  Hope to be able to get in.  Feeling very alone with this Autistic thing again.

Organised bank account way over due.  Now to organise a savings plan, reorganise my business, tax file number and another uni degree to organise.

Creative work this week : crochet, blouse, pants, 4 quilts, another quilt.  Well that will do....but there is knitting a shawl and finding an elusive crochet pattern.

Grey windy day but kind of pockets of warmth.... enough that you feel you are wanting more fresh air and certainly clothes are an option LOL

Making lists.  SO important to achieve today, this week, this month, this year.

Catching up

There are so many photos that Ive never sorted, filed, shown.  So Im working on all of that so Im up to date for the new year.  These might be repeats but they are some of my favourite pictures.

Check out the weekend after Christmas!

Red Hill and Main Ridge are beautiful

August 2015 Part One

We did lots of miles and lots of photos in August.

July 2015

Autism and school : what to do?

After bullying sent my older two into home schooling, trust me, the last thing, the absolute last thing I want, is to home school Samuel.  The difference is with Autism Im finding I have no choice.

The short story : set him up for years on two anti psychotic drugs so that the anxiety is quietened and he can attend normal school.  Normal school wont be changing their teaching strategies, wont get through to him most of the time, but we can tick the box that we have funding, that we have an aide that isnt a real teacher, and we can tick the box that he attended.

But what is the trade off again?  drugs and attedance..... or what?

A dear friend put me onto the Autistic videos that feature on the TED website.  It was 9 lectures of enlightenment for me.  Ive been to speech pathologist, psychologist, occupational therapist and pediatrician but NONE of them have explained Autism to me.  But now I know.

And from the very latest research my plan has merit.

So what is the plan?  Mentors.  Qualified music teacher, community garden worker, horse riding instructor... whoever I can find really.  I am writing down everything that is happening to Samuel each day.  And Im writing down what his interests are.  If I can follow through from his interests to introducing a mentor.... then we might just have something.  This is how Samuel's lateral thinking, anxious mind works : it will pursue a particular interest and then it will learn it well and retain information.  An Autistic lady, Temple Grandin, talks about mentors being essential to Autistic children.  It just fits the way they learn.

Samuel's anxiety has lessened markedly.  He is eating so many different things now.  Three days ago he began to draw.  Im keeping all his drawings.  He hasnt drawn like this ever.  And he is nearly 10.  Im afraid he will stop.

From another perspective, well Thomas says Samuel is just naughty and is a retard.  Ah to be 18 and self absorbed.  I wonder about Thomas sometimes.  He has felt such jealousy over Samuel since the day he was born.  Thomas needs to find a way to connect with his father and he needs to go see him.  Thomas needs to tell his father he feels shocking rejection.  Rejection that cripples him.

I cant think about how much of this might be down to me.  Ive just got to do my best.  Get as much support for everyone the best way I can.

Winter on the Peninsula

Liar, liar, pants on fire

McCrae June 2015

My girl is 21 this year..

My little girl is all grown up... 21 on July 25.