WHAT TO DO WITH THE NEW YEAR?

ANOTHER SYDNEY T O HOBART PIC: Loki smashing its way (or being smashed away) somewhere in Bass Strait (the patch of water between The Big Island and The Little Island (Tasmania).

The race is now history, as with the retention of The Ashes by the English Cricket Team. So what to make of the year that is past?

Two experiences stand out for me. The first is a wonderful involvement in my two Adelaide grandchildren, Jennifer and David, learning to ride their bicycles. Never having done this before (I have no idea how two of my children learned to ride but my Adelaide daughter told me she taught herself after I had bought her bike), I was quite methodical about it (shades of ski instruction) and was right into things like Task Analysis, Movement Analysis, and the like. Despite all this, the two managed to learn. Now they are speed maniacs. However, the look of sheer terror turning quickly to sheer joy as the mysterious matter of balance materialized for them can never be forgotten. What a privilege!

The other has to be my 'tin' knees. I went to a lot of trouble to get this right, researching things like infection risk, hospitals with the best surgical outcomes, the best prosthesis for my life style and stage of life, and selection of the best qualified orthopaedic surgeon I could find. Then my lovely friend Uma looked after me so well! The solid reality about knee replacement is that, once the surgery has gone successfully, there is the long business of rehabilitation that rests entirely on one's own shoulders. Back in March, there were times when I carefully planned my parking spot at the supermarket so that I did not have to go far to the trolley station (they make wonderful walkers) and calculated the shortest route around the shelves. Now I am off, only thinking of the finer points of walking and not at all about the pain I once felt. So, I count this a big victory in 2010.

There is a lot to be said for recognizing accomplishment, in one's self as with others.

Of course, I am still in 'the eye of the needle' and there is a lot to be done on that account in 2011. Watch This Space, as the saying goes.

I do have one New Year's Resolution...not to make any NYRs (just kidding!!!) Really I do have one. That is to have some form or exercise before breakfast. Doing OK so far (only Day 2, of course).

There will be a lot to share in 2011. Have you heard of the Blue Zones research project by the National Geographic Society? Will oil hit the triple digits and if so, how will that affect our lives. And that is not all...just keep watching this space.

In the meantime, the quotidien of painting and tiling.

And above all...L'Chiem!