Wow, I hope EW is okay.

My region has been 10 days without a reported case of COVID-19, which is kind of awesome.

Regional borders remain closed, but the Premier announced yesterday that as of today we could have gatherings of up to 10 people instead of just 2 (apart from immediate family, of course).

It was ANZAC Day yesterday (I guess it's a bit like Memorial Day, only more so). With social distancing and all, instead of going to the Dawn Service and the March and all that, we tuned our radios in to the ceremony being held at the National War Memorial, stood at the tops of our driveways with candles and lanterns, and participated that way as the sun slowly inched its way toward the eastern horizon. It was actually quite moving, especially since the driveways out here are a fair way apart. During the minute's silence between the Last Post and Reveille we could hear our own dawn chorus and the one being picked up by the mic in Canberra (time delayed broadcast -- they're two hours ahead of us). It was kind of awesome.

Imagine it: all over Australia and New Zealand, in the pre-dawn dark just ahead of the sunrise, millions of little candles flickering in to life as people stood outside their homes to remember; the Ode being recited, then the Last Post sounding out clear and true, followed by the silence, then Reveille, and finally a lament played by a lone piper as the sun came up. Lest we Forget.

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If you see me talking to myself, just move along: we're having a team meeting.

Today in NSW, we have been told we can have two adults, and children over for a visit.

I've seen mixed reactions to it, and a lot of people are cautious. It could be that where I am is still a hot spot, and a few cases they're still trying to find the source. No one wants a spike in cases. I'm hoping people affected be sensible, stay home, and it settles.

The new app is a great idea.

There are a few things I have to approach with caution to it because of my work. Confidentiality is the main one.

ANZAC Day, my street was quiet. My kids made a red poppy wreath out of egg cartons for the front letterbox.
I was the only one out there! (DH was there too, kids are young, so we let them sleep.)
I played the last post on my flute. My relations have had a long military history, so I did it to honour them, and their bravery. My great-great Uncle was the first soldier to receive the Victoria cross. I had three uncles go to the WW1, one in WWII and uncles in airforce, now my cousins. A few close friends with spouses in the army, and airforce. It was peaceful as the sun rose, the only sound breaking the silence was my flute, it is a softer tone than a trumpet, but the meaning was there.
The next suburb over there was a trumpeter and more people outside in driveways.

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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.

Becky, maybe you can start the campaign for your own "Light Up The Dawn" or "Driveway Dawn Service" for Memorial Day and see if the idea takes off.

Living on a very busy main road, with more businesses than residences nearby, I was sure I'd be the only one out there at dawn last Saturday. I wasn't. One of the neighbours that shares my driveway, and a couple across the street and a few houses up shared a strange sense of kinship as we listened to the radio broadcast of the dawn service from The War Memorial in Canberra, each holding our candles.

Ebony, well done for playing the Last Post on the flute. I chickened out of dusting off my old trombone (or trumpet) to play - It's been a while and I would have had to practice first. With the neighbours sharing adjoining walls I was too self conscious!


I hope everyone is still safe and not going too stir crazy! My thoughts are especially with EW - I hope she is okay and just having internet trouble or something.

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"First things first, but not necessarily in that order." 4th Doctor

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Playing darts with the Condor's feather shuriken...

The Driveway Dawn Service and Light Up The Dawn movements here started as a simple suggestion that people could commemorate at home simply by lighting a candle and observing a minute silence at the end of their driveway at 6am. A second suggestion that all musicians play the last post at the end of their driveway at 6am quickly followed.

Radio stations and apps answered the call by providing a way for driveway participants to hear the recitation of the Ode, the Last Post and the Reveille.

Since we could not attend a march or a service on the day I think these simple tributes were a brilliant way for us all to remember.

Lest We Forget.

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"First things first, but not necessarily in that order." 4th Doctor

Our states are starting to determine when to open things up but its very haphazard. The virus is here to stay and we can't hide for ever.

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I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers so far...

Restrictions are starting to lift here in stages. Schools have been open for a few weeks now, sports and gyms are about to re-start (for everyone, not just the big footy codes), and restaurants, pubs/clubs and even food courts are starting to open up for diners to sit and eat/drink, but with distancing measures in place.

We are still all being urged to keep social distancing and prevent a "second wave" of virus cases.

It is still all a little confusing. I guess we can't really say the end is in sight until a cure and/or vaccine is found.

Stay cautious! Hugs!

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"First things first, but not necessarily in that order." 4th Doctor

For Memorial Day we put the flag out and I fought my laptop (which has better speakers than my cell) out on the porch to play some appropriate military songs. It was loud enough that many of the nearby neighbors could hear it but to my utter dismay, none of them joined in. I'm blaming the virus and will try again next year.

Northern Virginia just opened up into what we call the Phase Two opening. For the past month restaurants could do take-out and those able did. Starting today, they could open their dining rooms for up to 50 diners while maintaining social distancing of at least 6 feet between tables. Most of the malls have partially opened up (each individual store decides when they can open) with everyone having to wear masks unless they are eating.

I believe in the next week or so we'll know the full result of the states that opened up sooner than they probably should have with upticks of virus infections. And don't even get me started with the riots. I fear many of those who attended will end up with the virus, too.

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I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers so far...

Good to hear from you, EW.

Things are almost back to normal here. The State Govt has taken an "island within an island" approach, so within the State boundaries, restrictions are being lifted. There's still the odd case of COVID-19, but these are all people returning from outside the State and being diagnosed in quarantine. There has been no community transmission for at least 3 weeks, possibly 4, but my brain is full and can process no more information.

On the other side of the continent, Victoria has had a second wave with daily diagnosis figures in double digits. The Prime Minister says it's an outbreak, not a second wave, but if it looks like a duck...

Of course, as soon as cases started spiking in Victoria, Australians immediately responded by doing what we do best in this great country: panic-buying toilet paper. What the hell, Australia? Did we learn nothing the first time around? (Apparently not.)

Still, it's good for the economy. It appears Kimberley Clark (the makers of Kleenex) will be leading a bog-roll driven economic recovery. Yeah, you can read that sentence over again. It makes no more sense the second time around.

At least this time there won't be a rush on hand sanitiser. We are pretty much awash in hand sanitiser at the moment, and most of it is the nasty runny kind, not the gel kind.

I have even retired the 1.5m grabby stick. I took it home from the shop this afternoon when I finished my shift.

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If you see me talking to myself, just move along: we're having a team meeting.