The last week or so has been a bit torrid for the likes of the Beverley Hillbillies. Our home is our haven, our sanctuary, our relaxing zone. We love having friends at Station House, but when unexpected visitors turn up, maybe with their own agendas, we tend to become rather stressed and uncomfortable. And whilst giving support and attention to others is natural to me, and Michael would have to be the most empathetic and patient of listeners, there are times that we just need to be on our own. Or with like-minded family and friends who are just delighted to inhabit a space of belonging alongside us.
Our Autistic Superstar, Alex, arrived in his Support Worker to the Stars Pascal's very classy and clean charcoal vehicle, just before lunch on Saturday. Alex was wonderfully enthusiastic about the timing of their touchdown. A short time later, we decamped to the Red Vault for a spot of luncheon. Alex cheerfully demolished two hash browns, a strawberry milkshake and a large wrap. He filled me in with his latest exploits, bemoaning the lack of sleep during his sleep study (!), totally blase about his brain MRI, informing me of his upcoming appointment with his respiratory specialist and falling into fits of giggles when I just mentioned inserting large garden gnomes into doctors who repeatedly fail to send me his reports.
I have often wondered if I could bottle Pascal, or maybe clone him. This bloke is intelligent, intuitive, flexible and knowledgeable. Because he knows Alex's need to be busy, Pascal explores new options and activities for them to attend on Saturdays, along with the boring cleaning and shopping. Having seen one support worker sitting on his bottom on Alex's couch watching the cricket, instead of engaging with him, I know the difference between mediocre and excellent. Pascal is, naturally, the latter, and we thank the universe for him every week. We still live in hope he can find more hours in his hectic schedule to give an additional session to Alex on another day.
Anyway, after lunch, Alex and I departed on a very brisk walk down to the Community Garden. When he was young and his right sided muscle weakness was very apparent, I would walk ahead of him, bellowing "chop! chop!" at him. He would respond in an aggrieved voice - "I'm chopping! I'm chopping!" Needless to say, Alex has had the last laugh. With aged muscles and incomplete recovery after my knee replacement, Alex zoomed ahead of me, whilst I plaintively pleaded for him to wait for me.
Fortunately, we slowed down to sub-sonic pace to admire the garden and I was able to catch my breath. Beverley's Community Garden has been a love affair by volunteers to create a beautiful setting out of a disused piece of land with a completely charmless drain. Fast forward a couple of years and the garden is packed with fruit trees, ornamentals, roses, veggies, herbs, vines and plenty of shade. As we are approaching the end of summer, some of the plantings are looking a tad weary, but new ground is being prepared for autumn and the promise of rain.
Launching forward onto Forrest Street and then turning into Vincent Street, we hurtled back into the East End Gallery before I succumbed to exhaustion. Pascal was most sympathetic. We chatted amiably for another half hour before Alex declared they were leaving for the retail juggernaut of Midland in the hunt for a new washing machine. Imagine Pascal's horror when he discovered a local feathered fiend had poohed on his pristine car bonnet.
Anyway, after that shattering experience, they parted for the Big Smoke. Unfortunately, they were unable to find the washing machine he wanted, so that purchase had to be put on hold. With Pascal's able assistance, Alex has recently bought himself a new fridge for his unit. Alex's life, experiences and coping with changes are increasing in leaps and bounds. Now I just have to contact his new Support Coordinator to gain his details, so Alex's assistance team can be enhanced. Shannon (Captain) Kirk was so good as a Support Coordinator that she was inevitably promoted...*sigh*
Anyway, after we we waved Alex and Pascal off, we shut the Gallery early and retired for a snooze in our boudoir. The late afternoon and evening was unfortunately interrupted so our watering regime was thrown into chaos. We crossed our fingers that our beloved garden would not succumb during the night. And I was tired. Again. I somehow stayed awake for "Call the Midwife" before heading for bed.
Yesterday (Sunday) became another fabulous episode of warmth and belonging. The morning began as bittersweet; we farewelled a friend who has had endured some unpleasant trials whilst being in Beverley. We hope that all becomes well in time. Over lunch, we welcomed new artist Val Burns, who left us two landscapes with promises of more of her oils. She declined to have her photo taken so guests will have to wait for her biography to be added. Val's oils will be hung this week and available from this coming Thursday.
The Gallery was slow and lazy on a slow and lazy afternoon. Michael decided that he could not put off cleaning the windows a moment longer. With all his perfectionism on show, he proudly completed one side of the big (and I mean big) windows at the front. One down...three to go!
With guest attendance non existent, I walked up to the Station Gallery to finally spend some time with the Artist-in-Residence Mutsuko Bonnardeaux, a "Kumi-E" artist. I was completely unprepared for my astonishment as I saw her work for the first time. Born in Japan, married to a Belgian chap and having lived all over the world, she now resides in Perth. How lucky for us that she came to Heavenly Beverley.
Her work is jaw-droppingly amazing. She begins by making her own paper from the Japanese Mulberry. This is a complex and time consuming process. She also formulates her own paper dyes and uses specific acid-free paper for creating faces. Once prepared, the paper is then torn and built piece by piece into incredibly intricate collages. She rarely draws, using her intrinsic skills and superb inner vision to complete these wonderful pieces that both invite the viewer to be drawn in and then out.
We are hopeful that she will leave a few of her works with us when she finishes her Residency tomorrow. Do head to the East End Gallery to view her art. These collages will take your breath away.
Anyway, once I had recovered my voice, we invited Mutsuko, along with Jan and Greg to drinks in Station House. She arrived with this fantastic appetizer - bread topped with Miso paste, avocado and lemon juice. The taste was sensational. Finally, I have found an excuse to buy myself an avocado (and Miso Paste) as Michael believes avocados give him indigestion. I think it's a figment of his fevered imagination...
We spent a very happy couple of hours around our table, before we all went our separate ways. Once again, I didn't last long after dinner. I was overjoyed to see the new episode of "Death in Paradise" before toddling off to bed once more.
And thus ended a most satisfactory weekend.
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