What’s top of my mind: Hazel.

This photo is when we were visiting Mum yesterday at Bonbeach. My brother and sister-in-law were there at the same time, and Hazel fell asleep on Liz’s lap. Isn’t it funny how boneless puppies get when they’re deeply asleep?

Hazel has been with us for 2.5 weeks and she’s settled in beautifully. She’s still not sleeping through the night, but seeing as I wake up most nights, I can live with that. Scout tells her off when she gets too boisterous, but they’re playing zoomies and hide and seek together.

Hide and seek is when I let them out of the back door and run and hide, while they run around the back of the house and in through the doggie door to find me. This taught Hazel how to use the doggie door in 2 seconds, which I’m happy about.

I’m loving having a Cavalier in the house again. After 40 years of always having them around, it’s been lonely without them. She’s a keen gardener, though, which isn’t so great. One azaelia has been ‘pruned’ to a nub, while my floor is constantly being decorated by sticks she’s brought in to chew. Hopefully, she’ll grow out of this.

Where I’m going: to the furniture dipping place.

This was my Grandpa’s desk, which Dad wanted me to have. I’ve always loved it. Mum painted it with horrible wood grain paint back in the 60’s, which always bewildered me as to why anyone would ruin a beautiful piece of furniture by doing that.

It turns out that when I was aound 4 or 5, the day before Grandma and Grandpa were due to come down from Queensland for a visit, I’d carved my name into the desk, complete with a back-to-front S. Mum was panic-stricken, knowing that they’d tell me off for wrecking the desk. This was her way of taking the heat off me and putting it on herself.

Talk about staking a claim to a piece of furniture early! I could use paint stripper, but let’s be honest. Am I ever going to do that? So I’ll get it dipped, then probably use beeswax to bring it back to its former glory.

Where I’ve been: Bonbeach.

It turns out that a nursing home is a brilliant place to bring a puppy for socialisation. Everyone wants to pat her.

What I’m reading: LOTS! I’m on my 112th book of the year.

I thought that with all the travel and blogging I was doing in 2025 that I wouldn’t have as much time to read, but boy was I wrong. There was lots of sitting around in terminals, which is perfect for knocking over a book or two.

Yesterday I finished The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Murial Spark. Somehow, I’ve never seen the movie or read the book. As a teacher, it was awful reading. Yikes!

The Hallmarked Man, by Robert Galbraith. Oh, how I love a Cormoran Strike book. I’ve just discovered that they’ve made a series about them, called ‘Strike.’ I’ve added it to my list of ‘Things I have to Watch.’

What I’m watching: Celebrity Traitors UK.

Even if you’re not a fan of reality tv, this is FANTASTIC. So interesting and funny.

What I’m listening to: The trip at the top of the world playlist.

Other people were in command of the music while we were in Iceland and Latvia, and there were some bangers. I got James to help me curate a playlist on Spotify to remind me of the fun we had, travelling around. There are also some golden oldies on it as well. Liga had the radio playing at one stage.

What I’m eating: Lasagne.

Evan29 has moved back in, and when he’s here, we eat vegetarian. But when he’s gone, all bets are off.

What I’m planning: how and when to sell Dad’s vintage cars.

Ugh. They’re magnificent cars, but none of us have the space or the inclination to keep them. They have to go.

Who deserves a ‘thumbs up’: Scout.

She’s behaving so beautifully about having a new sister, though sometimes I know she’s thnking back wistfuly to the good old days.

What has made me smile: Having a velcro dog sleeping beside me on the couch again.

Scout is a different breed. She quite likes to independently sleep on the other couch. Intellectually, I can understand, because I’m sure if I was a dog, I’d feel the same way.Emotionally though, this is anathema to me, after decades of cavaliers liking nothing better than to snooze in direct contact with me.

All is now right in the world again.

Dad Joke of the day: