LIFE WITH KERMIE - Rest Areas & Other Stuff

Life With Kermie

27 July

I’ve been so busy working my little (I wish) fat arse off on building the Truckin with Kermie website and Facebook page that I’ve had no time to reflect on daily life. Indeed, daily life has been consumed with writing stories and sourcing them from great people like Alf Wilson. Learning how to operate the Website, sending out invites through my Graham Harsant Facebook page (because I don’t know any other way – yet) and other related stuff is such that when I’m not on the PC, I’m on the phone. This is all good because it’s a means to an end – or is that a ‘never end’?

Murphy has mercifully left us alone over these past few weeks, bless him. I was talking to someone recently who was relating their personal tale of woe, and whilst totally sympathetic with them, I was secretly smiling with the thought that the Irish bugger had found new pastures to reap for the time being.

Driving a desk day and night for weeks on end, and not doing the daily walk around the block has taken its toll. Amazing how quickly inactivity will sap what little muscle I’d accrued, replacing it with fat around the belly.

So this morning I got off that arse, forcing myself to at least do some of what was a regular 5 k’s. Around the ‘short’ block is just under 2 kilometres, and by the time I’d done that I was a huffin’ and a puffin’. Still, it’s a start and Rita has threatened me with all sorts of retribution if I don’t keep it up and get back to that 5 k’s.

We had a reprieve from work twice in the one week which was more than welcome. Harry and wife, Sue came up and stayed over (we are both in areas outside the COVID lockdown). Twenty-four hours of not looking at phone or PC, and helping Harry consume the Single Malt Scotch he brought took me to another place for 24 hours.

Harry was the leader of Australian country band, Crakajack for thirteen years. If you’ve watched any of Kermie TV you’ll hear a snippet of one of his songs, 22 Wheels. I’ve done a short video interview with him on the story behind the song which I’ll put up in the near future - along with a video of the song itself, featuring a much younger Harry.

Yesterday we welcomed Don and Linda for an afternoon get-together. They think nothing of a four hour round trip to have a coffee and a chat. Again, their presence kept me away from the tools of work. We’ve not seen them since the start of COVID and I’ve done a few things out the back since then. Don looks around, admires my handiwork and says, “Looks great! Do ya really need three different sitting areas out the back?”

It’s actually four areas, with the last – a barrel to be used as a smoking area - still under construction.

I made them try them all! Thinking about it now, we could have had one at each and socially isolated to perfection. When COVID is over there’s going to be a bang-up party at ours. Gotta make use of all those rest areas.

Our colour theme of black & white has gone down well with the five magpies that rule our backyard. I think they believe that it’s The Mothership or some such. If we had trouble with them ‘spreading the love’ over the patio before, they’ve taken it to a new level! I’ve had to make covers out of tautliner material to stop them turning the black lounge cushions into a vista of crap.

Our Tom and Nick, living in Hooterville as they do, are again in lockdown. This has meant their place of work, The Bodhi Tree, is now closed for the second time. They have mentioned a couple of times seeing people who haven’t put masks on in public. Maybe – and one would hope – they have special exemptions. As Nick said, “It’s not hard!”

I hope you’re all taking care of yourselves out there and if you do have to travel into lockdown areas shove a mask over your moosh. Your family and friends need you. The country needs you. So please…

Take care of You.

Kermie.

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