Ten From Ten

In the ten days since Lyle died, I have...

1. Thought of him every day with more love, respect, admiration, pathos and understanding than I ever felt previously.

2. Revelled in the change of weather/season. The day before the night Lyle's life force left silently it was a hot, punishing 37C day with a fierce north wind. The change came that night with 20ml of rain. On my morning walk after hearing the news that Lyle had gone I walked in light rain, dodging puddles and snails crawling acrooss the road. I saw a frog squashed. It was cool and so peaceful after the vicious day before.

3. Felt a greater love for people around me; my mammy Elvie, Meredith, Jod, Lib, Gord, Rob, friends and neighbours. My compassion level has elevated.

4. Attended to things such as collecting Lyle's clothes and possessions from Salisbury house. Lib and I did this the same day. There was a lump in my throat the whole time. We also met with the undertaker and discussed Lyle's wishes. He had prepaid for his cremation and costs and did not want a funeral service nor public notice. He instructed the undertaker to scatter his ashes. The undertaker agreed to give them to us for us to scatter. We'll do this at the farm down the back near the creek in an area that has become untidy around young beech trees. We'll clean up this up and plant it out with useful understory. It will be beautiful. I've seen the solicitor re the execution of Lyle's last will and testament. He has left his share of the farm and his assets to Elvie. She's happy to continue at the farm as long as her health allows, so we are business as usual for now.

5. Been to Farmworld at Lardner Park, Warragul to at look at Gators. A Gator is a small carry all type vehicle for farm use made by American firm John Deere. Walking up the hill carrying produce is becoming tougher for Meredith and Joddy, and me, we're not getting younger. Let's say we're an ageing workforce and I'm sure a 4WD Gator would help us improve and work the bottom steep part of our farm. They are expensive, but I want one!

6. Watched the Demon's inglorious season opener at the MCG last Friday night. Lyle and I always shared a strong interest in football and this was the first game they've played without me able to discuss the result with him, a father/son thing. It was a dismal effort which almost prompted me to dismiss our chances for 2007. I cling to the old maxim that it's no use being a champion in March.

7. Had lunch with Rick Malfroy and his wife Monica at the Pine Grove Hotel, a most pleasant social dalliance made no less enjoyable by the fact that I was paying. Rick won our in house footy tipping competition in the 2006 season so I thought I should settle before the start of the the 2007 season. We email each other our tips and no doubt I'll clean him up this year.

8. Had a phone call from a close friend from the past who told me he had cancer. Cancer of the head. He had half of it removed last December including an eye and half his jaw. I was grateful he told me personally without me hearing it from other sources at some other time. He wants me to catch up with him when I can get there and have a beer with him. This I will as soon as I can.

9. Continued my war on European wasps. Nest kill count now 18 this season.

10. Noticed European wasps working close to the ground, seemingly foraging at ground level. Also bellbirds working on the ground, which is most unusual. Both must be gathering, or feeding on, something. I wonder if the tree insects are falling off with the cooler temperatures. And I've been hearing rats and mice in the roof.