You could be forgiven for expecting it will be 'chronically painful' for
you to read and consider what follows. But my hope is that it isn't too
unbearable to read about the different aspects of chronic pain affecting
millions of us.

'Tree-beard' is still there

 With sincere apologies to 'Lord Of The Rings', I have borrowed a character from the movie but  I will return it. A trip to Tasmania should include a visit to Tahune State Forest west of Geeveston. In the forest, lives a gargantuan close by a creek. He is an monumental symbol of what is really important to people of every age-the healthy and those who wish they were.     

 I've written of this fellow previously. The more I think of him the more he helps me. I guess this might sound a bit weird to some. But as I stood once more at the buttress of this colossus, I saw quiet,immense strength that weathers fire, flood, drought and the antics of us humans. In my Tree-beard, I see a stately dignity that comes with long years of life - the good and not-so good. Something I aspire to. Time with Tree-beard is good medicine for me.

If the ocean or a pet animal does it for you, that's great. Anything that takes our attention off ourselves-even for a little while, is likely to do us the world of good. Family and/or good friends, so much more so.          

That 'C' word

A new word, I think