Monday evening...

I realised how lucky I was today because I spent an hour this morning with a friend who has taken an active interest in my novel and an hour or so this afternoon with long-time friend who actively contributes in various ways to my intellectual life. In the first instance I was sitting underneath the glorious Plane Tree in the courtyard outside the 1888 Building at the University of Melbourne - mottled sunlight falling on wide-faced tables - talk of childhood fears. In the second, I was sharing the ambiance of bright petalled flowers and shrill bird calls in a sumptuous backyard garden in inner city Richmond. I consider all of this as gift, I take nothing for granted!