Strange Notations From a Laborious Life

Happy New year!! We finally made it although, as usual, I was in bed when the clock ticked over to the new year. I retired at 11.30pm and fully expected to hear the usual roar go up around the neighbourhood at midnight but Captain Snooze had other ideas for me and I remained sleeping fitfully.

So, 2026. I like the idea of a new year. It’s clean, vacant, ready to go. January 1. So many possibilities. Alas, as the sun goes down on this first day of the year I realise that things haven’t changed at all. I still have the same problems, the world is still a mess and after today the holiday season slowly begins to fade out. Things won’t really return to normal until the kids go back to school but realistically, I think it’s all downhill from here, hehe.

Christmas was okay. I had hoped to have a really special one as it is very likely to be Linda’s last but it really didn’t pan out to be what I had envisaged but she had a good time and enjoyed herself. She continues to spend time with the people who really count and the Reaper really is struggling to get that lasso around her neck.

The most notable thing to happen is the introduction of the Palliative Care team to manage Linda’s health from here and the fade out of the Canberra Hospital Cancer Centre team. We saw the Palliative Care nurses before Christmas, and another came today. We have an appointment with their doctor’s soon and once again I am amazed at their competence and professionalism and the care they take. They will manage Linda now until the end, whenever that may be.

Linda is quite well, all things considered. She is definitely experiencing more pain which is to be expected but we seem to have the strategy and tactics in place to look after it and of course the PC team is always close at hand via phone if need be. It’s a strange time. Waiting for the inevitable end but still living as well as we can. 2026. A life changing year for sure.

I guess we all start the year with the illusion of hope but before we know it summer will be gone, we will be knee deep into the year, winter will be upon us and Christmas and 2027 will approach. It all goes so quickly.

For those who are still on holidays, I hope you enjoy it. For those who have to go back to work starting from tomorrow, well, it sucks to be you!

Strange Notations from a Laborious Life will continue through 2026, it’s 15th year and drop me a line if you have any thoughts, ideas, or just want to say hello.

All the best for 2026: onwards and upwards!