Hello from the Goldfields

Hello from the cold and blustery Goldfields of Western Australia.

It's been so cold here, the fire has been going non-stop for over a week. We have a slow combustion fire, not an open fire, so every couple of days we have to scoop the ash out to fit more wood in. Bit messy, but at least the coals help to keep the fire going instead of having to reset and relight it all the time. We're also expecting some bad weather over the next 3 days - if their predictions are correct. Personally, I think they stand back and throw a dart at the map. Twice last week it rained when the weather bureau didn't even say anything about rain.

As far as my new hobby goes, I've tried my hand at making some resin jewelry. The first batch wasn't very successful - actually, it was a massive flop. But I've since tried again once I found out I had done a couple of things wrong using a two-mix resin. And I also decided not to tackle anything harder than using coloring with the resin. The next batch (it has to be done in two lots because you can't fill a mold all at once - lesson number one for me) worked! It turned out hard, like it should have, so this morning, I topped them up after putting a few embellishments in what will end up being key-chains. Once I get this down pat, I'll broaden my horizons and try some earrings.

I've still been writing. My current work (His Word...Detraction) is now just over 14 chapters (which is around 42k words) long. After a few more chapters, I might post another excerpt. I'll make sure it's not one that will give anything away, though. Don't want to give any spoilers away for those who have been patiently waiting for it.

For those of you who don't know, Mr. D and I became first-time grandparents on the 18th of September, 2020. At the time, I didn't want to share any personal things on my website. I wanted to keep it just for my books. But I've decided to open up my world to all who have subscribed to my website like I do with Facebook. So, in keeping with that, I'm posting a heap of pictures of our Grandson, Laike Ray (first and middle names). He's such a cutie, but I think I'm biased. (Can't upload any more than 9 photos - I'll add more in another post in about a week)

Australia has been doing pretty well with Covid - but I fear things may be changing. There has been an outbreak of the delta variant (the highly contagious one) in Sydney (New South Wales - the other side of the country to where Mr. D and I live). Yesterday their number of new infections was 30, and they're (finally) all in lock down for 2 weeks. The state premier took her sweet time locking down. Now, one case has made it across our border (which has now been slammed shut). A physiotherapist flew back here after visiting Sydney - she initially tested negative - then she tested positive a while later when she felt sick.

She worked for 2 days while infectious and visited a whole heap of stores in a couple of shopping centers , primary schools etc., in the northern suburbs of Perth. Right where our son, daughter-in-law and grandson live, and an Ikea store where our youngest son lives. Our daughter-in-law messaged back that she had visited the shopping center where this lady had been, but not at the times she was there. Daughter-in-law was there in the morning, infected lady was there in the late afternoon. That was one good thing. Phew.

Then, I texted our youngest son to ask if he was home or away at work (he works on a mine site in the north of the state) when more exposure sites were added to the list. He answered with "I'm home sick as a dog. Why?". Concern mode kicked in, so messages back and forth ensued. He lives in an apartment complex right next door to this Ikea store - and after the flow of messages, he also visited the fuel station and a K-Mart store this infected lady visited. So, mother-bear-mode kicked in and I messaged that he needs to go and get tested this morning. He's tried to brush it off, but I'm going to be a nagging mother until he goes. I've just texted him this morning. He has a doctor's appointment this afternoon, so we just have to wait and see. Hopefully, all he's got is the flu. Fingers crossed.

Hope you all stay safe and healthy.