GRABBING LIFE BY THE THROAT  Peter Adamis

Journal 25 January 2021

In a few days time I will have been overseas for a total of ten months. Some 14,500 kilometres from home (Aussie) and much longer than anticipated. I would not be here if not for health related reasons. 

What keeps me sane is chatting with my wife when the Internet is not down, poor or unreliable. In addition to chats, projects and writing in my journal go a long way to satisfying my ever curious mind. Although isolated and lonely, life without the support of my wife, family and mates, would be exceedingly difficult.

I, like many others of my generation tolerate with much chagrin the musculoskeletal and arthritic pains that seem to permeate throughout the body.  Heat in my opinion is the only answer and yet getting too close to a wood fire can be hazardous to one's health.

I have had the wood fire burning since October and now believe that with the late arrival of the bitter Winter cold, the wood fire may continue until April.

I am not complaining as going out seeking fuel for the fire has provided me with the excuse to repair damage to the environment created by mankind. I am disappointed very much by the lack of understanding by the locals of damage done to the environment by domestic waste.

Long before the invention of synthetic materials, pesticides and toxic chemicals natural products were used and thus the environment thrived.

Occasionally, I visit Google Earth and look down upon our home in Watsonia and sigh longingly for home.  I know every nook and cranny of the old place as well as the good and the challenging times had within the perimeter of home.

While over here in the cottage  I am subjected to gale force winds trying to penetrate the cottage outer defences. The wood fire beckons me with a low look on its face as the embers begin to lose their glow. Raising myself from the couch, my bones remind me that I am no longer agile as in my youth and take time to get up.  

I select two logs previously cut with a chain saw, one of which is very dry and old and thd other still green being freshly cut.  A combination of the two will suffice for about 60 to 75 minutes of continuous warmth.

Body back on the couch, feet lifted above the floor and slouching in an awkward position only because it feels comfortable. The winds outside have not abated at all and continue to batter the walls in their attempts to wear them down by attrition.

I wish I knew the answer to arthritis and wonder at times if they have anything to do with ones diet. Surely, somewhere out there in the land of ether and space, there is a solution to this ailment.

I look back on a number of images taken throughout my ten months and I must admit that I take great pride in not having wasted one day.  It reminds of a movie named: 'SIEZE THE DAY" starring Robin Williams.  I have always believed in grabbing life by the throat and squeezing as much as you can from it.

For the sake of the journal, here are some of the Projects undertaken as shown below:

1. Renovating parents cottage,

2. Building a track to the ancient tombs,

3. Building water rock dams,

4. Creating a hot house,

5. Building a chicken coop,

6. Installing drainage,

7. Sinking a well on the property,

8. Track to Pellanis Cavern,

9. HANZAC Gardens Memorial,

10. Installing a water reservoir,

11. Developing garden structures,

12. Installing a swimming pool,

13. Installing telephone and Internet,

14. Implementing a security camera system,

15. Installing village flag poles and flags

16. Installing field irrigation system,

17. Pruning & developing grape vines,

18. Introducing lemon trees,

19. Compiling village history,

20. Laying concrete external foundations,

21. Implementing solar lights system,

22. Creating a caretaker's cottage,

23. Photographing village personalities,

24. Mapping village tracks for hiking,

25. Implementing conservation programmes,

26. Growing herbs and spices,

27. Securing cottage and land perimeters,

28. Visiting archelogical sights of interest,

29. Planted additional olive trees,

30. Harvesting olives for oil,

31. Processing olives for consumption,

32. Going on long walks or hikes,

33. Visiting locals and relatives,

34. Cooking has been a huge challenge,

35. Assisting friends and relatives,

36. Introduced to long lost relatives,

37. Going to the mountains and sea,

38. Member of elderly citizens (KAPI),

39. Harvesting figs for consumption,

40. Locating, mapping & repairing old wells,

41. Repairing above ground springs,

42. Collecting wood for fuel & future,

43. Writing a journal for family,

44. Visiting museums,

45. Climbing mountains & hills,

46. Researching the Mycenaeans,

47. Reconnecting with place of birth,

48. Mapping the source of the Eurotas River,

49. Coming to terms with ones demons,

50. Researching, mapping causes of cancer,

51. Collecting old stories, fables & myths, and

52. Finding peace & Much much more.

I guess in hindsight that I doing my best to keep sane and squeezing as much as I can out of life. The wind is still howling outside with such ferocity that I wonder whether the elements have contrived together to make my life miserable. 

Gosh, as much as I enjoy my time being stranded, there is nothing like home, Australia. I guess another log on the fire will not hurt.  Cheerio for now,  it looks like the power has returned to my neck of the woods.

Stay strong and remember to grab life by the throat and strangle it until you have squeezed all that you can from it. 

Warmest regards to one and all.

Peter Adamis

POSTSCRIPT: THIS JOURNAL IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND IS A LIVING DOCUMENT.