Awesome

A famous golfer once said of his day's work at the British Open, something like,

"I was in awe of myself today."

I can't say that I have ever been in awe of myself, but I have been in awe of nature and the beauty around me as the sun comes out and the birds sing lately. It's great to hear bees humming in the blossom and see buds swelling and bursting with flower and new growth. There's colour on the ground and on trees and shrubs and the blue sky is exquisite, and so was this evening's sunset.

Awesome beauty indeed.

AS WINTER BECOMES SPRING

The days grow longer, there’s more birdsong, lawnmowers come out, and many footballers put away the boots till next autumn, while others prepare for last games in finals in a frantic bid for the premiership.

Due to Gordon’s involvement I had occasion to see several local games this season, the first being an away game for Gembrook/Cockatoo at Powelltown a couple of months ago. We left home early in misty light rain to reach the venue by the time requested by the coach, 10.30am, a tad early I thought given the 12.10 start for the reserves. The oval, behind a huge sawmill with mountains of sawn stacked timber, was easy to find.

An U18’s game was in progress, between Mt. Evelyn and Powelltown, as Gembrook/Cockatoo did not field an U18 team. Intermittent rain and sleet fell as I watched the lads from Mt Evelyn give the locals a good touch up by about thirty goals to two. I could not help but be impressed by the endeavour of both teams which continued right through the final quarter despite the freezing muddy conditions. I asked myself, who would do it? But then I’m over sixty.

The Ressies warmed up on a patch of grass outside the ground as the U18s kept it up till the final siren. It was raining steadily and they were all getting thoroughly wet before the game even started. The rain eased then stopped and the game got underway with great enthusiasm and yelling and calling. Soon it was obvious that the Powelltown Demons had the upper hand and they slowly mounted a winning lead that continued to a one sided win. Again, I could not but be impressed by the Brookers who kept trying to the very end despite the lopsided score line, and the camaraderie and good sportsmanship evident between the teams at the end of the match.

We stayed for the senior game, the rain holding off for a while. Both teams showed good skills in another spirited contest. As the game wore on Powelltown got the upper hand, the rain came back, and the skill level dropped off as it became a muddy slog.

Over the next weeks there were games at King Lake with snow around the ground and kids throwing snowballs, more rain and blizzard winds, and games when the Ressies did not score at all. Through all of this the players continued trying their hearts out, and shared moments of joy and celebration, at scores or good efforts, and always congratulated their victorious opponents. Fittingly, they won the last game at Thornton with only 17 men on the field and no interchange.

In one of the coldest and wettest winters I can recall, I am full of admiration for the young and not so young men who braved the elements and showed their obvious love of footy, which plays an important role in our society.

It's a Dog's Life

This little one is about the luckiest dog in the world I reckon. A great mate. I sing to her,

"I love how you love me"

She gives a wag of the tail.