Friday, March 9, 2012

Summer Rain

Summer is officially over as we approach the middle of March. Over the past fortnight we have received over 155mm of rainfall near Shepparton. To help give this context, our average February and March rainfall are 33.8 and 33.5mm respectively. It is WET!  Towns to the north are battling flood waters and some farmers are even using boats to feed stranded livestock. Communities are sandbagging their little guts out and hoping that the makeshift levy banks will hold for a few more days. I hope so too.

Fortunately our patch, south of Shepparton (upstream on the Goulburn) is on higher ground. Our chooks were a bit sad and soggy for a few days, the yellow labrador found some mud (glorious mud) to wallow in, the washing piled up in the laundry basket, and most annoyingly, the grass that had been about 5cm for the last couple of months suddenly remembered how to grow and shot up to knee height almost overnight.  We made some slow, wintry food (oxtail stew, pork rillons) and cracked open some red wine and made the most of it. It almost felt like winter - aside from the shorts and t-shirts! I was tempted to light the fire, just for ambience. The sun has now come back out and the garden looks really lush (albeit overgrown and in desperate need of a few days attention).

To officially mark the end of summer, my hubby is playing his final cricket match for the season today. Cricket. That game. Some say its not much of a spectator sport - and I tend to agree... unless of course it's my hubby batting or bowling. Then I can watch all day. A picnic rug, packed lunch, glass of vino and good company really help.  I'm totally in favour of the Twenty20 match format - short and fast enough to hold my attention, but the traditionalist say its just not cricket.

This season has been a particularly important one for him (and me). After being sidelined with illness and injury for the last couple of years, it was something he looked forward to throughout the winter. To play a game of cricket initially started out as a long term goal, way off in the distance, but hard work, determination, consistency and perseverence paid off.  When summer finally approached, it was a huge milestone to be able to go to training and play games on Saturdays.  He even had a few great days with the bat - 49 and 68.

Summer 2012/12 has reminded me that living a good life means being able to do the things that you love. My hubby is now well enough to actually play a game of cricket - that means all the other things in his life are better too. I will never again whine about cricket having an opportunity cost of summer weekends away. He is happy and healthy. And he makes my world go 'round! Happy husband, happy days!

And speaking of doing the things we love, I've been busy making jam and chutney and am lined up for my first Farmers' Market in a couple of days. Who knew there was so much to organise...? Although if I'd known, it would have probably put me off, so better the devil you don't know in this case! Watch this space!