I sat on the wall ... happy and contented
watching my joyful dogs,
while the younger one jumped on and off the wall
chasing the seagulls.
Jazz plopped through the water with big feet,
ecstasy gleaming out of her eyes
as she kept looking at me like a child
to see if I was watching.

I fed the seagulls with bread
resulting in a competition,
the seagulls screaming and squeaking above our heads,
wondering who was going to get it first.
Who won? Guess who? Not the dogs, that's for sure!
I sat upon the wall delighting in the light …
the colour... the ripples on the water,
how happy we all were!

The dogs laughed and capered around;
I am quite old now but can still enjoy
the simple things of life -
a beautiful day ....
two happy dogs ....
somewhere to sit and God's gifts for all.

Dear Readers,

I thought it was a nice idea to start my article to you by letting you read my latest poem. I think I have caught the warmth of the day so I feel happy about that.

It must be some months since I have written for POSITIVE LIVING. They have been sad months but the time has come when I must put all that behind me and get on with my life as best I can. This does not mean that bad things will not occur of course, but at least one has to try to become a little more positive.

So what am I to do? Starting with my article for you is a huge step forward. I have made up my mind that I will write for two hours a day to really make a 'thing' of it. I must try very hard to adhere to that discipline as I am writing a book for the children of my life and have done little towards this project so far. However, this morning I put 12 copies on a spare bed where I can see them and that should inspire me to get writing again. So here is another step forward in the right direction. As the old saying goes, "Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone"

I have just arrived back home, having been to Brisbane to see all my Aussie grandchildren. It's not much fun coming home to an empty house after you have been involved in someone else's life. However, I had great joy seeing all these grown-up lads and lassies. I did nothing else but spend time with my grandchildren. That was a real joy and I DID achieve my objective of seeing them all, as I think it will be my last time over there. Not that it made me feel any better about my life as it is, but perhaps it will improve now. There is so much I want to tell you and the Fibro behaved really quite well. I took my magnetic blanket with me and that was of great help.

Have you watched the Basketball? I have not been so excited for a long time. The boys on both sides were marvellous. Must go and see what the score is but undoubtedly the Black Caps will win.