Four o'clock in the East End Gallery yesterday afternoon. An hour until we closed up, walked the sixty-odd steps homeward bound, put my feet up, poured a gin and lemon, was entertained with the arrival of Jan, Greg and Jodie (with Zeus), and then contemplated the last few days whilst watching the telly.
With the arrival of 2021, I removed all the Christmas decorations in the Gallery. We farewelled photographer Peter and partner Ann from the Station at the conclusion of their Artist-in-Residence stay. The beginning of 2021 also seemed like the perfect opportunity for a rejig of the East End Gallery...When will I ever learn? The upheaval of one hundred and fifty square metres took three days before order was restored. Worse was to come. Due to unforeseen circumstances, one of our artists' works needed to be taken down, leading to yet more mutinous muttering by Michael up a ladder. All as a heatwave gathered strength over Saturday and Sunday.
Today, we were finally able to fling the house open. Breeze instead of airconditioning. Ceiling fans were all that was required to keep the air moving. We decided on a spot of gardening, which turned into an enterprise bigger than Ben Hur. The transplanting of Michael's Ficus into a bigger pot ended up with some major pruning of both roots and foliage. The root ball had become totally snarled and knotted, hence the drastic operation. Once the roots were trimmed, the tree itself had to be reduced in size. Eventually, after three hours, the operation was complete. The planting of a lemon Cyprus was a doodle after the struggle with the Ficus! And then, we were able to apply the brakes and replenish our garden with some leisurely watering.
I think most people have noticed the opportunities being offered for a less frantic life. Slow TV. Slow hobbies, such as walking, pottering in the garden or reading. Slow lunches or dinners. In some ways, COVID 19 has done us some favours. Many of us were forced to stop.
Getting older also marks the return of delight at simple (and slow) pleasures. Taking boots off at the end of the day. A drink together or with our tribe. Dinner at the pub on Friday night to celebrate Gem's birthday. Chatting to new guests in the Gallery. Welcoming old friends back. Laughing at Stella and Pip's rowdy games. My new steam mop (!). The bliss of bedtime. The relief of a cool change after days of unrelenting heat. The dismissal of (most) set timetables. Appointments still have to be attended at the appropriate juncture.
Michael has been at his McGyver best. Yet another repair of my Gallery vacuum cleaner head. Figuring out how to cold bend two mild steel rings for his Mandala so he didn't take his eye out when he released the clamps.
We survived yet another weekend of pretty extreme temperatures. We are now enjoying cooler days. We love the long daylight hours. Summer in the Wheatbelt does have its advantages. And was I a mad dog or an Englishman for labouring away on hot days? Whatever I was, I have no doubt I will continue to do so until our West Australian summer is over.
Peter and Ann's farewell at the Station Gallery -
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