no news is good news, right?

Angel isn't back yet and I'm still worried, but after yesterday's breakdown where I cried for a solid hour, I'm feeling more hopeful.

I'm still searching the grounds and neighbouring streets daily and there's no smell of decaying animal anywhere, no pitiful meows coming from hard to get into and out of places, no neighbours telling me they've seen an injured grey tabby. 

So this is all good. 

Last night's possible sighting by a neighbour who was coming home late had me outside in the frosty air for well over an hour with no result. Neighbour M thought she saw Angel near my front door, but when she approached the cat ran away. Which makes me think perhaps it wasn't Angel because he knows her quite well. On the other hand he has been badly frightened. Enough to make him run away and hide anyway. 

This morning on my way out to do my usual Friday things, I put out a small dish of Angel's dry food and when I got home again, it was still there, but crawling with ants. So I tossed it onto the grass and I won't put any more out. 

"no-one" (from "nothing by nobody" a defunct blog) suggested putting his favourite sleeping blanket on the porch, perhaps a familiar scent would help to bring him home if he is hanging around close enough. Well, Angel's favourite sleeping blanket is the giant quilt on my bed, so I folded it in such a manner that Angel's 'grease spot' (oils from his fur) is on top and draped it over the porch chair. Being from my bed, it will have my scent also and that has to help, right?

So tonight I've been outside every half hour, quietly and in the dark so as not to scare him if he is creeping home, but haven't seen him yet.

Today is day four. 😢

No post today

no post here today. 

I can't write. 

I'm so sorry, my mind is empty.

Whimsical Wednesday # 284

Welcome back to Whimsical Wednesday!

The day for your googled giggle that gets you over the hump that is Wednesday and sliding down into the weekend.

 

What's happening around here?

Let me tell you. 

Last year a long term tenant walked away from his flat upstairs from me. 
He had mental health problems, non-violent, and had been bullied into a breakdown.
This year, the upstairs flat was completely refurbished. 
New flooring, new cabinets, new sink, stove, the works. Everything brand new.
A couple of months after that, a new tenant moved in. Seemed quiet at first.

But then the complaints began. He's having trouble sleeping because there is too much noise at night.
This is a very quiet area, but apparently what he didn't like is the noise of water through the pipes.
Said he could hear it all night long.
Then he couldn't get any hot water. Had the plumbers out several times a week and soon enough, had himself a brand new hot water heater.

Then others in "my" block weren't getting hot water. Many times. One night I stood out by the heaters with neighbour P and the couple from the flat above her. He'd just come home from soccer practise and wanted a shower. 

None of us were whispering and I said, I don't understand the problem, I've ALWAYS had hot water, even when they didn't. I offered to let him use my shower if he wished. I assumed he'd bring his wife with him. But they didn't come and probably he boiled some water for a wash.

Anyway, the very next morning after my announcing I ALWAYS have hot water, mine was off. 
No hot water for me now, as well as everyone else.
Neighbour P phoned someone, her sister, I think, whose husband is a plumber and learned about the switches that turn the heaters off and on. We went out to check. If the switches are on, we should see a small red line on them.

Every single switch was OFF. We turned them on and since then there hasn't been a single instance  of no hot water.

Last week, Monday 12th, just after 6pm as I was about to cook dinner, my power went off. First thing I thought was "Blackout". I looked outside and saw others had power still. 
So I checked my kitchen fuses box in case I'd tripped a fuse having too many things turned on. Television AND the overhead light, both at once, how extravagant of me. 

But the kitchen switches were OK. I put batteries in my LED lamp and called my ex who lives in the same complex, he came down, took my torch and went around to inspect the mains box where switches are for all four flats, clearly marked by number. 

MY switch was off. He turned it back on and I made a note to report this to the housing officer when he came around on the Wednesday. He comes every Wednesday to hear people's complaints. And to socialise.

He (upstairs) also complained about noises from possums in the roof. Until he said that I hadn't noticed much more than an occasional scrabbling sound. But then that became worse. I heard he was putting food up there to try and attract them so they could be trapped.At night I'd hear the possums, then I'd hear sounds like a broom being banged around the skirting boards near the roof. (This is right above my bed, so I couldn't sleep.)
 Since then an official possum catcher has been out and the possums have been caught and relocated. 

While all this was going on, the new upstairs tenant kept complaining about various things, "people in flats shouldn't have birds", (or dogs) because he doesn't like being able to hear P's little budgie who sings and talks during the day. He was quite nasty to her about it. 

P mentioned this to the housing officer and then the swearing began. At P. He called her some really awful names. P is 71 and certainly doesn't deserve that. And the noises. When HE hears noises he doesn't like he makes much louder noises in his flat. 
His latest complaint is that he doesn't think anyone of us should use our taps or flush our toilets after about 8pm until 7am the next morning. 
All of this paragraph is just what P told me, I didn't hear it first hand.

 
But then I began hearing slammed cabinet doors in his kitchen, which is right above mine, like he slammed his hands on them, every time I rinsed my coffee cup after dark, or turned the tap on for anything else. Things being dropped heavily above my bathroom if I used the tap in there. Things get dropped above me when I'm in my lounge room when I'm watching TV, so I turn it down...
I mentioned it to the housing officer last Wednesday when I told him about the power being off. 

Last Sunday, 18th June, about 8.40pm, I was rinsing things in my sink and heard what sounded like the length of a broomstick being slammed repeatedly on his kitchen floor, my ceiling. Then I went into the bathroom, used the toilet, flushed it and washed my hands. Much louder and much more of the "broomstick" slamming right above the doorway to my bathroom. 

Angel was terrified, running from front to back door desperate to get out. I phoned my ex and he came down. I explained what was happening, I was so scared I was shaking inside and Angel was still running around terrified. I asked my ex would he please flush the toilet and wash his hands so he could hear what I've been putting up with. He did and the slamming noises happened again.

So now I have a witness who can back up my story. I plan to tell all this to the housing officer on Wednesday 21st. He goes to the community room and there's cups of tea, coffee and a sausage sizzle, while people talk to him. I don't usually go. This week will be the third time, and only to report the events stated here.

Back to Sunday night...I let Angel out, he ran around for a while doing whatever cats do, then came in and I turned everything off and went to bed. 

Monday morning, that's yesterday, I went off doing all my usual Monday things, thinking I was okay, but when I got home around 3pm and saw Angel still jumpy, a delayed reaction set in. I couldn't settle down, couldn't watch TV, had the computer on for just an hour or so (usually I'm online until 10pm). 

I realised I was too scared to do anything in case the noises from upstairs began again. I had a headache from the worrying. I let Angel outside for a wee like he always does around 6.30pm, then I went to bed at 8pm. I just lay there and cried. Angel was still outside and I expected him to meow at the door when he was ready to come back in. All night I was up and down checking at the doors.

Right now it is Tuesday, 20th, 11.20am and still there's been no sign of Angel. I hope he turns up hungry by his usual dinner time.

Musical Monday # 157

I was introduced to Musical Monday by Delores who copied the meme from another site.

I think it’s a fun way to show off some of the music we like and brighten up our Mondays at the same time. 

I’ll be finding my clips on you tube, so will simply credit that site since there are often so many versions of everything and I wouldn’t want to accidentally credit the wrong artist.

Today’s clip is: The Ted Mulry Gang

Darktown Strutters Ball


 this should get your feet tapping 😎
 

Sunday Selections #332

Welcome back to Sunday Selections.

Begun way back in the mist of time by Kim of Frog Ponds Rock and now continued by me, with a drastic relaxation of rules.

Originally meant for showcasing old photos lost on your files, never seeing the light of day, the meme has morphed into photos of your choice, new or old, good or not-so-good, anything you please, but nothing rude please.

If you are participating, please leave me a comment so I can buzz along and have a look.
Elephant's Child always participates, but perhaps not this week as she has the flu, and her pictures are always worth seeing. 
This week I have more than a few photos of a particular tree growing next to a school across the other side of town. 
K noticed it and sent me a photo via her phone, saying this tree looks like it's made of elephant. 
See for yourself:

what do you think? Elephant?

here it is taking up most of the footpath and hanging over into the schoolyard.

some of the roots look like emu feet

others are stretching out a few metres in the other direction

I'm on the other side of the tree and I've stepped back a bit, see that horizontal branch top centre? It went way back past my head....

some of the roots have twisted over themselves, as if they've "crossed their fingers for luck"

it even has "elephant eyes", knots where smaller branches must have been broken off as it grew.

look at the striations, like wrinkles in the trunk of an elephant

here's those emu feet again, or perhaps chicken feet? 

I'm standing well back now, almost at the bus stop, so you can see how far the tree hangs over the road

from the other side of the road now, the whole tree. I'm really, really glad this tree has been left to grow to its full potential.

a sign for school children and the elderly, or anyone else, at the corner of a side street.

I don't know what type of bird this is, but there were two of them pecking around in this empty lot.

My daughter's Jade is flowering ahead of mine, this photo is a couple of weeks old and my Jades have now caught up.

this is what's left of the shrub I've been cutting down, this is now just under a metre high

 and showing new growth, which I will keep breaking off as I see it, until my shoulder is recovered enough to begin cutting it down further, before I poison the stump. This shrub will no longer be the cause of much hayfever and migraines.

this dead looking mess is a wildly overgrown diosma and my next target. No need for killing this one, just a drastic cutback and hope it survives.

Home again and what do I find?

one very relaxed cat

see how long and thick his coat is now.

One final picture, a photo of a page in a magazine:

Vitamin Sea, my kind of vitamin 😎
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday's Words on a Friday

The original Words for Wednesday was begun by Delores and eventually taken over by a moveable feast of participants when Delores had computer troubles.

The aim of the words is to encourage us to write, a story, a poem, whatever comes to mind.
If you are posting an entry on your own blog, please let us know so we can come along and read it.

This month the words are supplied by Margaret Adamson and Sue and can be found here.

This week's words are: 

1. Hang onto your hat
2. A penny for your thoughts 

I haven't used either of these, this chapter kind of got away from me, I'll make sure they get into next week's story, but here is chapter fourteen of Tom's Memories, now known as:
Lost and Found:


Ed glanced at Bruce and wondered suddenly if mentioning Tom's name had been a mistake. Not many people knew he was here, the Police certainly needed to be told soon and with Sara being deliberately evasive, Ed realised he should be too. More so now that he knew Stephanie had been having nightmares about Frank. Then again, they only had Bruce's word about the nightmares, they could have been ordinary dreams. What did they really know about Dr Bruce Jones and his wife anyway? Ed didn't recall hearing anything about where they had come from or how long they had been planning to spend at Shark Cove. They weren't seen around town much either. Andrea hadn't ever been to Curly Cuts, nor had either of them shopped at the Post Office Market. 

"A photographer?" asked Bruce. "where is he from?" 

"I'm not exactly sure," said Sara. "There's a home farm somewhere upstate, his parents grow fruits and vegetables, they have a few chickens for eggs. Oh! Look at the time!" she pushed her chair back and moved toward the fridge. "I really must get the vegetables started." Bruce recognised the signal and also stood. "I should be getting back too, I told Andrea I wouldn't be long. She's making plans for a trip to the city soon and needs my input. Interesting to hear about Stephanie's paintings and her use of colours, that's definitely a change for the better. I should review her case and think about new approaches to her treatment. Like staying here more, as you've suggested. I'll see myself out, thanks for that wonderful cake Sara." 

Ed and Sara listened for Bruce's car leaving, then looked at each other. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" said Ed. "That we should keep Tom out of sight for a while?" said Sara. "Yep. But that's not going to be easy, he's already been seen in town and he's there now bringing his parents here." Sara said " I've got a funny feeling about Bruce now. We've never known him or Andrea well, they don't socialise and he never mentions anything about that hospital, not even gossip about any staff. I don't think anyone in town knows any more than we do either." "You're right," said Ed. "All we know is that he's treating Stephanie."

Sara pulled vegetables from the fridge and began peeling and chopping. "Would you check on that roast beef Ed? It should be about done, you could move it to the bench near the carving knife and cover it with some foil to keep it warm and turn the oven up a bit for the potatoes to be roasting." Ed knew Sara was prattling on as a way to close off an unknown fear, she'd let her subconscious sort things through and there'd be intense conversation later. He had his own thoughts to sort out and thought maybe talking to Tom and his parents would help. The sound of unfamiliar cars made him look out the window and see a battered old Jeep driven by Tom, followed by a dark green sedan driven by a man who was clearly Robert, going by Tom's description. Tom helped Vanessa out while Robert removed a suitcase from the back seat, then Tom took his camera bag from the Jeep and they all came to the door. Ed and Sara were both there by then and opened it before Tom could knock. 

"Hello, hello," with big smiles. "Come in, Tom's told us all about you, I feel as if we know you well already," said Sara. "Good of you both to come," said Ed. "I'm Ed Saunders, this is my wife Sara, come into the sitting room and rest a bit. I have a feeling we're going to be doing a lot of talking." "It's very lovely to meet you both," said Vanessa. "I'm Vanessa,  but please call me Van, it's what I'm used to. " I'm Rob," said Robert exchanging a hearty handshake with Ed. "We'd love a sit down, been wandering around the town a bit, Tom's shown us the Post Office Market and where Curly Cuts is."
"I'll make a pot of tea," said Sara. "Unless you'd prefer coffee? We only have instant right now, that fancy cappucino machine has broken down, lucky for us it isn't tourist season right now."  

"Tea would be wonderful," said Vanessa. "Can I help bring in cups and saucers?" "Oh would you?" said Sara. "It's been a long time since I've had a woman's help in the kitchen. Not since Melissa died. There's been a girl or two from town to help out when tourists stay but that's not the same. They're like chattering magpies those girls, all gossip and no substance it seems." "I know what you mean," said Vanessa. "They'll grow out of that though, the years between school and steady jobs go fast enough. Tom has only recently been more man than boy himself." Sara set a plate of shortbread on the tray alongside the cups and saucers and Vanessa carried it to the sitting room while Sara followed with the teapot. Ed and Robert looked up as they entered and both smiled at the women they loved. "Look at those happy faces," said Robert. "Ten minutes in a kitchen and they're best friends already." "Where's Tom?" asked Vanessa. "Putting away his camera," said Ed. "He'll be right down. I feel I've made a new friend myself, Rob. We're looking forward to hearing all about Tom's earlier years from you two. "We only know what Tom has told us," said Sara, "and of course the time he was here as a child."

Tom entered carrying the duct-taped shoebox of memories and placed it on the sideboard before pouring himself a cup of tea. "What is that wonderful smell coming from the kitchen?" "Roast Beef" said Sara. "I do hope you'll all stay for dinner, I've cooked extra vegetables in case." "We'd love to," said Vanessa. "Rob loves a good roast dinner." "He sure does," said Tom. "I've seen him eat until he couldn't stuff in another mouthful." Big grins from everyone and it was decided. Right then a new family was formed. Conversation flowed like a waterfall. The home farm, Rob and Van's drive to the coast, "closer than we thought," laughter about Tom's first attempt to drive the tractor, tales about the Scenic Retreat, how Jim and Melissa died before their dream of a Bed and Breakfast could be realised. "This is the Melissa you mentioned in the kitchen?" asked Vanessa. 

"Yes," said Sara. "They bought this place from us and kept us on as help, we never wanted to leave here anyway, so that was the original plan and they were happy about it. Their daughter Stephanie had a breakdown when they died and then another one the night Tom was taken."

"Where is she now?" asked Robert. "There's a small private hospital just one valley over, Steph's there under the care of a Dr Bruce Jones and his wife Andrea." said Ed. 
"She comes here quite a bit," said Sara. "This is her rightful home and Ed is teaching her to paint as part of her therapy, but she hardly talks at all, has an emptiness about her. I'm sure she knows who we are though, she seems comfortable being here." 
Tom said, "She used to babysit me sometimes, but I don't remember her at all. Of course I haven't seen her here yet, that might help." "We're not sure how Stephanie will react though," said Ed. "She was very friendly with Frank and Cherie, that's Tom's parents, his other parents, and Steph was broken up so much over what happened that night. It was her that found Cherie dead and with Tom looking so much like Frank, we don't know what seeing him might do. Will it shock her or will it wake her up?"