Kia ora Koutou,
Here we are, November, and the last Busk for the year 2022.
Mask wearing is a choice and we can go anywhere. Covid is still here and still infecting people but we seem to have lost our fear of it, or at least we have if it hasn’t happened to us. I guess this is what happened with influenza once that first terrible swathe had ebbed and vaccines arrived.
Spring in Otaki is beautiful. Blossoms everywhere, knobby little fruits starting to appear if you have early peaches or plums, early tomatoes are planted and plans for the main crop in a week or so, underway. Asparagus has had its first flush, you are picking broad beans, indeed everything green is shiny with rich growth. Looks like a good season coming up. My strawberry plants are lush green in their bins of new potting mix.
Walking, though not as easy as it was, is much better in the morning sun than under a grey sky. The security guy standing at the door of the bank still smiles good morning. I see the Council (or someone) has put an extra seat on the footpath so if needed, you can have a rest or just a pause while you look around.
So a lot of good things are happening and one of them is that my second crime novel, Blood Matters has been published. Questions are being asked based around age and how we reach that age and I suppose how well (or not) we function at such an age.
I have no secret diet or exercise routine, no mysterious gift or even a special sign. I have had a serious illness or two and recovered, I have Macular Degeneration which is a grief but hardly new and not confined to old people anyway.
I could say my old age is due to clean living and constant prayer but you probably wouldn’t believe me. However, you will be happy to know that there is an idea bubbling away for another novel. I’ll let that happen and see whether it takes me anywhere.
In the meantime I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a great 2023 with lots of fun and singing (we have to keep singing) coming your way.
Aroha
Renée
