Monday, October 4, 2010

4th October: Marathon Backgammon

We had a lovely long weekend. I can't remember the reason for this week's public holiday (Queen's birthday maybe? Gaud bless her) but am very grateful for the day's rest. We had Blake visiting Friday/Saturday, he is the wonderful guy that loaned us his Grandad's wheelchair. We were so inspired by Blake; he is four years on from a massive brain injury. Now at Uni, he is developing into a very special man.
Saturday was taken up by the Australian Rules footie final (replay after an unprecedented draw the previous Saturday). Simon and I were pulling for St Kilda. This is a bit like supporting West Ham, and you might guess the result. Thrashed by around 60 points. They were robbed!
In the beautiful spring weather, Simon and I are living in the back yard. We spent Sunday playing backgammon. The last time we played, I could beat him so easily that I would let him win occasionally. This time he walloped me 6-Nil ! Always a bad loser, I insisted on playing on until nearly dusk, eventually prevailing at 7-6. But in truth, you cannot imagine how delighted I was at being beaten hands down in that first session. Our man is back.
We have been testing Simon's new power chair for the last ten days. He is great at driving - really accurate. My efforts at driving it leave large dents in the wall. The chair does need some further adaptation and will need to go back for modification, but we are nearly there. I have had my spanners out and made some elementary improvements.
We completed another paper this week. This was the write-up from Simon's keynote in 2009. Simon is making progress with the powerpoint that he is going to present to the speech pathology studens at Flinders.
Many congratulations to Stephen Pantlin and his wife on the birth of their little one. We hope that you enjoy every precious moment.
Tonight, my thoughts are with Sucheta. I am sending you an electronic hug, my friend, and next time I see you I will smother you with a real one.

Much love, Marian xx