Lock-down at community level will end next week- but at national level the borders will be closed until next year I think. Not a good look when we live so close to the tourist industry. Mai c-est la vie.

Cooped up- with my SO doing the shopping alone. We did have one "winter bear" day; but it did not last.

Have been doing lots of recovery stuff online. Meeting up with some amazing people. I find gen. X and Y people to be much less untrusting than my own generation. I do believe that there are very good reasons for this- with I understand fully!

with that insight- which I     h   o   p   e     is true... I have optimism towards future generations. That things are changing slowly. I often think about to 50's and 60's and what life was like- no comparison, really.

I think AA and Alanon has been left behind in that era, Alanon in particular. Maybe?

I would like to see the movement grow and burgeon.

Maybe adapt a little more? But that is not for me. I have had my best years in Alanon.

Working on Step 12 and Tradition 5 still- my goal for this year.

Some difficult times- in the immediate future. Our country mourns 11 people. The number that the virus has taken, so far. About half of those were from the same rest home.

Despite the recommendations- I have followed events closely- using a variety of national news sources, including our own.

I am much more interested in the addiction pandemic, long term. And understanding the epidemiology around this. And how public awareness can operate around trying to find solutions.

In my late teens and twenties I was in dire straits and became a community volunteer. A home based form of the Peace Corp. Saw a lot of false starts and mistakes made as other substances competed with alcohol for people's attention.

Faced family opposition- bullying and scapegoating. Encountered this at community level as well.

This week I realised that i no longer see Lois and Bill W as a mum and dad. Now see them as grandparents. Coming out of WWI and the Great Depression. Survivors, for their time.

it rained overnight, and it is cooler here now... letting the dog out to stretch their legs. Seeing a lot more of our neighbours down this end of the street.

At 3 pm we are all going to step outside of our homes and sing Pokarekare ana. The whole country...  ...

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Group... ))))))))))))))))))))))))

        Thanks Catherine- and hi!  

   Sunny Monday afternoon here... I have a whole heap of stuff to sort in my back yard and garage!

Word is out that we may be able to go fishing in Thursday- all going well!

I lost my Admin job for 20 minutes around midday. Over some trivial thing. I find the Americans are really jump- and especially so at the moment. NZ is a bit more like Texas 1923.  ...

I really cover that job- and it is a doozy if I kin keep it. All online, of course. A kiwi rocked up with a query. Someone I actually knew pretty well... and I was able to settle that one in 8 or 9 seconds.

So I got my job back. 

I said to my boss- its "My way or the railway" with you guys. 

Betty taught me- and it applies especially to her people- "say what you mean, and mean what you say, but don't say it mean!"

Especially in these times! Very especially.  ...

Te piko he taniwha, he pito te takata...

[without indians there would be no chiefs]

cheers y'all...

[Me}...

   The group rep from my nearest group rang up yesterday- about our zoom meeting.

The nearest group has a lot of men in it- which was th opposite of my experience.

We chatted in an animated way- which was as good as a meeting. ...

My SO is an essential worker- and shopping for both of us, as well. Got home late. The GR rang at 7- right at the time of our dinner.

Tried to find the link and didn't.

The group to the West has mostly youngest members now. I think the old timer there just goes in and tweaks sometimes.

Once we had four meetings in amongst these mountains- now two.

I agonise a bit that I could have done more- because I was a member of those two. That I wasn't assertive enough?

Or too assertive- appearing too assertive that is- and scared the fish away. Or maybe I just apply the serenity prayer?

I am working another program as well- and this is really successful. I was always a jack of all trades and master of none, really.

And that includes writing and literature....

But, as they say in NZ- I am okay at the recovery game. I am getting more confident that I know the ropes.

So, it's more like the yeast in the pudding- that helps to hold everything together.

One day at a time...  ...

   down to Thursday a.m. here... our coldest morning so far.

I frittered away my warm balmy days. [and, oh yes, I said balmy, not barmy!]

My SO is at home 4 days of the week- working from home- and one day at the office, managing.

We have had a couple of rip-snorters- but they were fairly quickly resolved. I no long let myself be gas-lighted- and in the end it is liberating for both of us.

I had a whole lot to say this morning.

This is more like a marker on the side of the road- instead of the road itself!

Hmmm... ????

Thanks for this special space, and for the opportunity to share.  ...