Sunday, May 29, 2011

Is this all there is?

Awfully quiet in the real world here at the Banterhouse, son's in Bali, daughter no longer living here and frankly I'm getting a feeling for the empty nest. While it's wonderful having a small amount of laundry, one dish in the sink and a superbly clean and tidy home, I'd be lying if I didn't say it wasn't a little lonely. 


I had dinner with friends on Friday which was lovely but not much else on a chilly weekend other than plodding through Lonesome Dove and a load of drama as an admin for another site which has thankfully resolved itself and of course, long chats with he who is awesome in the US and short chats with he who loves gardening also in the US. I couldn't even be arsed getting out of bed early on Saturday to hit the grower's market the weather's been so grey and cold. And this from someone who's normally awake and about at 5:30am.  Coffee with my sister was a nice distraction but otherwise, it's been a weekend of solitude as an empty nester - good practice for August when Adam moves out I guess. I did take the stir-crazy dog for a little stroll this afternoon.  So yes, not sure how I'm going to cope with living alone from August. Initially it's wonderful but now I'm ready for the noisy boy to return and the house to be full of dirty socks (don't tell him I said that).

Dinner with Friends



Grey Heron thingy

Oh the Shag and the Moor Hen can be friends

Man Made lake at the bottom of my street

Not many flowers this time of year - Captain Cook Calistemon

I Have no idea what it is but took it for Tom

Another bottle brushy thingy
Of course the third love of my life schnoofin'

24 comments:

grannymar said...

Hello from this empty nest. You can talk to me!

Grannymar

Ces Adorio said...

Aaaw Baino! It sure sounds like an empty nest. You can start painting. You have a huge home. It can be your studio. Imagine that!

Hey! You can chat with me, but I am not a very good typist and I don't know how to operate this Skype thingamajjig.

Start painting!!! Really, try it!

Janice said...

Empty nest here, too. I've gotten used to it and like it a lot.

Ces Adorio said...

Oh also, photography! Your photos are always awesome!!! These ones are great.

Brian Miller said...

if you get really bored you could take up planking....

PattiKen said...

I second Janice. One very quickly gets spoiled by the luxury of "it's all about me.". You'll see.

Nice photos, especially the one of your lake. So serene, something you haven't had much of lately.

Kathy G said...

It's funny how all the empty nesters are chiming in...

I agree with everything that's been said. Having no children in the house takes a bit of getting used to, but now I don't think I could go back to having them around :-)

Lisa Ursu said...

Brian's comment, ha!
I love the pic of your friends.
The bottle brushy thingy is super cool.

kylie said...

the bottle brushy thingys are banksias

Carolina said...

See... that's why I never filled my nest with two-leggers. Only four-leggers around here. No dirty socks and underpants (apart from his and mine, but that is more information than you needed to have, so try to erase this image from your mind. That should keep you busy for a while.). So no empty-nest-syndrome. And I thought it was the plan to let children go their own way at some point? Preferably before they are thirty-something and sad and wearing sweaters knitted by their moms (you could take up knitting) and running a UFO-sightings-hotline from their bedroom ;-)
Drown your sorrows in your Schweppes my dear. Cheers :-)

Betsy Brock said...

I have to say I'm a bit envious as I crave solitude. LOL! My triplets will most likely never leave the house so I'll be living vicariously through you true empty nesters. That said, I think I can see how a day or two of it is wonderful but boredom and loneliness could set in very easily.

and..your photography is beautiful!

kj said...

hells, the hardest part of transitions is turning the corner and not know how or where you'll land.

but land you will, hells xoxo

i've written some of my best work flying high or searching low.

♥ you know where to find me!

love love
kj

Tom said...

was gonna say bottle brush tree...we have them in the southern states, but not this far north...looking up banksias...right now

laughingwolf said...

i know the feeling, end of june, son will be on his own... both girls are...

i'm still hunting for a new place for myself... still packing UGH

Vagabonde said...

I read all your updates. I enjoyed the trip with your visitor – some of the landscapes you showed were really splendid. I like your pictures, especially that bizarre bottle brushing plant – interesting.

River said...

Another empty nester here, but I like being alone. Just now and again a hug would be nice. I prefer the banksias over the bottlebrush; banksias don't stuff up my sinuses.

nick said...

I know the feeling, Jenny's in Boston and Pittsburgh for 11 days so I'm rattling around in the house. Not long-term though, I'm glad to say. How about getting a housemate?

kj said...



p.s. more room is the next can mean complete redecorating.

where are the writers in sydney? groups? coffee houses? courses?

i would..... :^)


you are the best xoxo
kj

Siobhan said...

Come live in the dorms with me, it's never empty!

kj said...

gibberish! i meant 'more room in the nest" did blogger change my words ahaha?

California Girl said...

We call them (the flora) bottle brush. Lots of 'em in SoCal.

The puppy is awesome. All my dogs, no matter their age, are "puppies".

English Mum said...

Ahh, I've got all this to come shortly, my friend - oldest is set on the Navy, and youngest the army...

I'm enjoying them (ish) while I still can. Lovely goggy pic too xx

xxx said...

I like Brian's suggestion... Planking!

I have no real suggestions except to say... try and enjoy the journey xoxo

xxx said...

PS... you certainly can keep up with the beautiful photos... love them x