Excuse me. Do you, by any chance, know where July and August went?

July

 

I decide to take a month off from blogging to plan a trip to Brazil. I have 3 books to read, some googling to do, a route to organise, pousadas and excursions to book. How hard can that be? I figure I should start learning some Portuguese as well.

Meanwhile, Jack moves to New Zealand, leaving Georgia, Mana and Tora bereft.

The ladies are heartbroken for at least 2 minutes.

August

I can't believe it's August. I don't seem to have made a dent in my planning. I realise I may have been delusional about how quick and clever I am.

 

Georgia starts to look tragic.

 "It's been a long time since you told anyone my stories. Don't you love me anymore?"

She seems to be sleeping a lot.

"Leave me alone! What's the point of getting out of bed? We don't do anything anyway."

She becomes standoffish and doesn't want to play anymore. 

 
 "Who are you again?" 

"Ugh. No kissing please."

Very strangely, she starts to pee like a boy.

I tie new ribbons and flowers on her collar so people will stop telling me what a handsome boy she is.

August passes by in a blur.

Winter ends with a hot and sunny 31st and the promise of a fabulous Spring!

September

Someone forgets to tell the weatherman it's the fabulous 1st day of Spring.

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Fortunately, the grey skies don't last.



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In 2 sleeps, we'll be leaving on a trip we first started thinking about more than 2 years ago.

Then Rufus fell sick, and plans were put aside.

I've been dreaming about Rufus and Jordan lately. The last time we went on a big trip, they were both still with us. It makes me sad to think about it.

Last week, I met a lady on Darling Street who asked after Rufus. When I told her he was gone, she said, "You must be glad." After the tiniest of pauses, she added, "I didn't mean it that way." Poor thing. I guess she must have realised how it sounded. But I do indeed know what she meant.

The way I see it, this trip will be the final chapter in The Story of Piglet and Thumper.

** *         

To everyone who's been writing us over the last 2 months, my apologies for having stopped so abruptly, without even a quick post of explanation, and for not dropping by to read your stories. I never intended to, or thought I'd be away this long. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts! I hope you're all well. 

Thank you also to Lori and Katie who recently nominated this blog to take part in The 7 Links. I had hoped to do something about it, but I fear I've run out of time. 

Georgia will be going back to holiday camp. We trust she'll be fine, make friends, maybe even have fun. I think she senses some momentous thing is about to happen because she's taken to sleeping by our backpacks.

Her bag is all packed and ready to go. It contains 1 blankie, 1 bag of bikkies, 6 lamb necks, 1 tube of Revolution, and a letter filled with last minute instructions, worries and hopes.

Our bags [which contain considerably more things] are almost ready as well. 

So for now, I wish you all a happy Spring [or Autumn, as the case may be].

Abraços e beijos a todo o mundo. Até Novembro... :)

"What do you mean, I'm standoffish?"