As May turns to June, discussion turns to life in the boarding house

 19th May 2024

off to school

Events have travelled so speedily in the last 45 days there has been little time to settle an 8 Nixon Residents' short story. But with your author's imminent departure for Thailand and Canada, for 2 and 1/2 months, now is the time.

The principal purpose was thought to be the development of 7 Nixon St. Add to that (either in front or behind - as you individually choose) the leaning to live together of 3 groups of sub family.

At the top of the tree, allegedly, is the patriarch PAK. He has just owned up to the reality that he is useless to assist in the physical building of 7 Nixon St. Observing male head of sub family #2 (Alex of Alex, Camille, Harper and Huxley fame) in his multi-talented building and organisational skills - traversing getting onto site after muscling through the thick Sandy Bay traffic, at 7am each morning, having planned the day and ensured Gant-Chart wise that other trades are organised, attending to demolition, operating heavy machinery, digging and protecting - working off the day before fat in the now cool weather, and just feeding himself adequately to ensure continuation of work (much like Hitler's Germany and the minimalist feeding of the incarcerated people).

Progress is down to sub basement level with the foundation trenches having been dug over the last 7 days. Next, I can only imagine, the cutting of reinforced steel and concrete foundation work, at the same time ensuring some engineer certificate is provided. 

Meanwhile, our other Sydney-siders are engaged with education (Harper at Kindergarten) - brought me back to Robert Schumann's scenes from childhood: listen for peace: 

Schumann: Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood) - FULL - Vladimir Horowitz (youtube.com)

Each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is a lively last minute trip along the roads to Albuera St Primary for Harper, dog Moose (or Moose dog), a mother and/or an Abuelo. What's growing, the fences, scenes in other's gardens, talking about what's to happen, the other kids, and observing the flow of the Sandy Bay Rivulet. On the return journey, after collection at 3pm, a trip along Sandy Bay Rd, ice-cream at Anesti's Mykonos, and home to rip into a fantasy play.

Camille is dealing with grace and professionalism to the moment by moment needs of Huxley, now 2 months old (or young). It is a tiring and yet energetic exercise, for her even to have personal attention to her needs - a shower requires waiting until baby is calm, and another adult available to safeguard. 

It must be commented that the continuing tripling of chattels in the home is a burden for everyone. Nothing can be found or put anywhere, except with significant effort. The redeeming aspect is that it is a lesson for future living: remove the clutter. Don't buy anything.

Sarah and Justin sub-family have been heavily involved in keeping dog Bonnie (or Bonnie dog) alive, with double injuries: legs and gut, which seem only now a fortnight (both in time and earned money) spent on the physical descent, and now ascent to near normality. It has been tiring for them (one at a time), needing to sit with/sleep with Bonnie in the living room. 

Bonnie provides a lesson to us all of non-complaint in they eye of physical infirmity. She is only able to lie strewn around her bed, without much movement except when ablution is needed. Veterinary intervention has been intense, yet she shows no sign of becoming a psychological mess, as would happen to most Australian human beings.

What of PAK as titular head? As part of his ongoing re-education, he holds firm to virtually nothing, as his precepts and philosophies are dismantled daily. Hiding in the world of Highfield House, engaging with commercial agents and tenants, bank accounts and co-owner brothers, he hopes the energy dissipated there will give a calm existential time in short time.

But that is to be set aside shortly, for the big 2024 tour - off to Thailand, thence to Canada and the Maritimes, to join Rosie Abuela, and have the secret benefits of life away from Nixon St. In reality there will be a little sadness at not being able to help and participate in Nixon St, but that will be offset admirably by the joy of exploration and re-uniting.

What have I missed? More soon....