Not my best days.

Every so often “one of those mornings” comes along. This morning was that morning. We went down to the church yesterday to photocopy the minutes of the Management Meeting ( Annabell is the Secretary)  and the Church Newsletter. Part of the way through that Annabell started feeling a bit unwell, so I took her home. I decided that I would go down  tomorrow (Saturday/Today) and finish off the photocopy.  So, today, I finished off her things and then started on the Newsletter (12 pages) only there was not sufficient A3 pape to complete the job. It being Saturday the two major stationery shops are closed but after running around I finally got a ream of A3 and started work on the newsletter. Halfway through doing this the toner

light came on and the machine ground to a halt. Too easy I thought, there’s toner in  the stationery cupboard. Well yes, there was a cardboard box and inside the cardboard box was a toner container, only problem was that the toner container inside the cardboard box in the cupboard – was also empty. No one, it seems,  had thought to order a replacement or even let me know that we needed one. When I got home and related all this to Annabell, her comment was “I did notice we were short on A3 and I meant to tell you” Oh well, these things happen!!

As we approach the official end of summer and the start of Autumn ( Fall), the temperatures, although still warm to warmer ( 28C – 37C)  at times,  have started to calm down. I really do hope that we are finished with the 46/47C. On the subject to heat, you may remember that I wrote some weeks ago about how the heat had burned up my plants and how the people at the garden center suggested that I keep on watering them because the  exposed  sections of the plants may be destroyed but the main plant  may still be alive and watering it could help to bring it out again. The dead leaves would act as a sort of umbrella for the new shoots —— well it didn’t work, the plants are well and truly dead. I had great expectations for the Mandevilla, expecting it to grow over the trellis, but now I’m not sure what to replace them with. I had a look at the Japanese Wisteria and I may take a run out to the Arid Lands garden tomorrow and see if they have a native Wisteria. The Bougainvillea was recommended but I think that has too many problems associated with it.

Monday and I took the toner box up to the stationery shop and they will have to order  from the manufacturer. Ah, there are times when I think the ladies of the early church with their Gestetner  Machines had it easy:::::  Well, no, that’s a silly thought, but it’s amazing the thoughts that run through your mind at times,  and all I can say is that this was in my mind when I walked out of the stationery shop   “Hmm I bet they  never had this problem when they were using gestetners”.

So much for my trip out to the Arid Lands Garden. I have been asked to drive out to Iron Knob to the tourist office and then to the Post Office. Both of those places have RFDS Donation Units and both are full. John Taylor, who normally does this is away,  and,  since no one else is available, I’m it. Still it’s  to be a pleasant day and since it’s  going to be reasonably cool, I’ll take Benji with me. He will enjoy the drive. Don’t see how really, since he simply curls up on the front seat and goes to sleep. Annabell says that doesn’t matter, he’s with his daddy and that’s all that’s important.

Benji and I had a nice, quiet drive through to Iron Knob to collect some donations for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. We went to the Tourist Center

and then to the Post Office. I bought some Postcards. First time in years I have been out there – it has changed. It’s 90 years since a Minister from the Presbyterian Church of South Australia had a vision to create a service that would provide a Mantle of Safety for people who worked, lived and traveled in the Outback. He was the Rev. John Flynn — Flynn of the inland — and the vision of 90 years ago is the Royal Flying Doctor Service of today.