I have never actually seen a Newfoundland @Former-Member but it would be such a treat to see one in real life. I love the joy of seeing something unexpected. I was walking the family lap dog in the bush reserve the first time I saw the Burnese. We rounded this corner and there he was standing with his chest out on a rock like Aslan, I couldn't believe my eyes. He was very handsome, huge feet and very placid. Not quite as thick as a St Bernard but nearly as tall.
You have had a big drive and considering that you haven't been well that must have been very draining but worth checking in on your Dad because you would be really worried about him now that your Mum has died. It would be nice to mix up the dynamic of it just being yourself and your husband & seeing your own family. It would get tiring just the 2 of you, and depression and anxiety can feel contagious, throw in alcoholism on top and the days would become monotonous very quickly.
I bet the scenery was quite a sight with all the burnt out forest, but it doesn't seem to really phase the Prime Minister. He'd be making sure the Murdoch papers tow the party line when it comes to climate change.
Have a rest today Sherry and stretch your limbs from the drive! 
Hugs @Corny
Loving all the dog pics. Hoping eveyone on this thread is doing alright.
@Former-Member @Former-Member @outlander @Maggie
@Former-Member Really appreciate you noticing the difference between a controlled fire ... and one that they are struggling to control. So much for "being". They have to be honest as fallout is too dangerous.
On that theme, I watched ABC series Total Control (not .. lol) and really enjoyed it.
Take Care.
Hugs back @Appleblossom and to @Former-Member @Former-Member @outlander @Maggie @Shaz51 @Faith-and-Hope ,I think I need a lift down the sewers on one of the Otters tummies, the ward is full of smoke this morning and out the window is the worst I have seen it to date. It is really thick with smoke haze, and the smell is uncomfortable. It's going to reach over 40 in western Sydney and strong winds too....not a rain cloud in sight but there is dry lightening predicted later today to make the conditions even more dangerous. It would be nice to be a fish in the ocean right now.
My mate just texted me this pic of Sydney Harbour, she is at work and can't see the Bridge
Corny
It's really bad up here @Maggie , the fresh air or Tasmania would be nice right now!
I saw my psychiatrist last night and he has agreed to let me go home tomorrow, yipeeee!
I still have to see him weekly and I may need another tweaking next year but I am so relieved. I need some privacy and my own bed and a home cooked meal. Over 4 months this year in hospital....I have been a gold star patient patient, complied with my treatment but want to continue my recovery at home.
I have also reconnected with my beautiful psychologist I worked with for many years and have had some therapy with her. I really needed to touch base with her because she is the only women I have ever trusted, and although my shrink is my therapist now, I was at risk of completely closing down to all women forever after this years revelations and trauma involving my mother and late father. Very sobering to read similar cases in the news lately and if it happened today they both would be in prison.....
But I have some good news Maggie, I can't remember if I told you but I got a case manager with the Community Mental Health team and she comes to my apartment. She is a mental health nurse and I don't have to worry about not being supported if I am housebound with terrible flashbacks and uncontrollable anxiety. I also get a peer support worker on another day, a women that has lived experience with mental illness and we are going to get me active again and increase my fitness. I don't receive the NDIS but I still wasn't sure if I would qualify to receive this support because I live in a very heavily populated area with lots of people with mental health disabilities....
So I feel a lot better about going home knowing I have support. They are only taking off the public holidays over Christmas, same with my doctor, so I don't have to fret that I can't reach out to anyone if needed. Took me 3 years to get here but I am so relieved that I am managing my condition better than previously.
It is hard to come to terms with my baseline, and that is still a work in progress grieving all the disappointments and losses that come with chronic illness .
Corny
I understand the long shadow that neglect and deprivation casts @Maggie . And if you happen to be plonked in a part of society where apparently neglect and deprivation cannot exist it adds another layer of abandonment. The middle class are great at burying their heads in the sand and kids can be pretty easily trained to keep secrets and keep up appearances.
I am grateful for the care and treatment I have received but yeah, I want to go home.
My admission this year have been very validating with the patients I have met. It seems to be the year of children of narcissistic parents to have a breakdown and end up in a psych ward. It felt like every 2nd person I spoke to had had a similar experience and its not something that someone else can understand unless you have been subjected to that sort of split/double life kind of childhood where you are constantly confused and living on spin cycle in the washing machine. It's an uphill battle from a life of worthlessness to worthiness and I definitely attracted similar people in my friendships in my early adulthood. It takes a lot of self awareness to not recreate that dynamic over and over and over again. I don't know what it is, but us traumatised buttons are like magnets, we seem to attract deceiving leeches. I guess it is all we knew.
But you are right, not all children survive and are still alive. A reduced life does make me sad, I am still human, but I will try my best to focus on what I can do.
After all, we have swallowed our abusers paradigm of what constitutes a successful life and consider ourselves failures for not reaching their definition of success. Well to hell with their paradigm, this is my life now, and that is their own insecurities of not being enough and keeping up with the Jones's......
Even though it has been a traumatising year, it is also the year I asserted my dignity and self-respect the most deliberately and forcefully.
That makes me the success.
They failed miserably.
Corny