Hi, folks. Please welcome Tracey and/or Peter Reed to the list. Welcome to the Trivvies list, Tracey/Peter. Please introduce yourself and let us know whereabouts in Oz you live and what your research interests are. Feel free to jump in at any time with a question or contribution. Geo. in Busselton, W.A. Listowner

Well, dear friends, I have been quiet though not absent for many months and it's hard to know where to start letting you know what I've been up to, so for this post I'll concentrate on all of YOU, instead. I have been reading the posts and following all your joys and sorrows. I have loved reading John's adventures on the canals, and each month the pleasure of hearing Johnno's voice . and the jokes . where DOES he get them from (don't answer that!) . and then there was Howard and Bron's big celebration, and all the new grandchildren, and dogs and cats and rabbits. . but I was very very sad to hear about Peter's sister. Expected, but still oh so sad . and after she fought so bravely and kept her hope alive. I'll post again tomorrow with some more comments, but here is a smidgeon of info about my year. Last winter I concentrated on writing a 30-page outline (only) of the first third of my life. A very bald account concentrating on important dates and events and introducing the main characters. I intend to do an outline for each of the other two thirds, so that if I never get to flesh it all out, at least my descendents will have the bare bones of my life. It was not easy, and I felt quite depressed at times. Making such a bare outline revealed other people's agendas and showed how they were manipulating me (and each other) for their own ends, while a couple of them tried desperately to protect themselves and me . all to no avail. I have started on the next section and am already seeing things I missed at the time . not that I could have made any difference. The laws of England would not have been in my favour in the 1960s. Just after New Year, while taking a break from writing, I made a new will . something I should have done right after Neil died (naughty-naughty). And had a good turn out as my departing neighbour had conveniently left a half-full skip outside. I felt a lot better for that. Meanwhile I had been persuaded onto a sub-committee of the Tolkien Society, to help organise their annual Oxonmoot. More about that later. I have also continued my life as "Cirdaneth" on councilofelrond.com. Much more fun. Other diversions have included new specs, the retirement of my dentist, and the closure of the pub at Pilsley where I have been "quizzing" every winter for the last 14 years. Then there was a run-in with a local religious zealot. I have kept my temper so far, but one of these days I may bite back. Everso gently of course. Well, that's it for the moment. Welcome to our new and returning members. More soon. Hugs . Lizzie