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The dishes are done, the bench is mopped of all crumbs. Outside, there's a wedge of big dark sky holding the night down.This afternoon I played Dinosaur Snap with my grandson. He laughs with beautiful wonder when we play. And now that he's gone things are so quiet.

The tennis is turned down low and I hear a hum in the city as if the bees had returned. Mum did the same with the TV. She reckoned playing tennis under the hot blue skies were the best days of her life. In the bush, on the drab, dusty church courts with a couple of mates.

Summer nights are so full of everything. Insects make lines in the sky and little birds loop like nets to catch them. This afternoon, two black cockatoos patrol past in perfect symmetry and the sea smelled all green and salty and faintly like wine.

I hear rain tonight, scattered. I hear wind ripping at the trees. Today I lost my phone and it came back. I saw three Buddhist nuns in brown gowns buying sparkling water. One wore a hat on her shaved head. i thought of you a lot today but each thought was the smallest insect.

My dog is shiny with grey highlights. Sleeps away most afternoons in her round bed. Hates the heat, loves the water.When people visit, she puts on a show, circling us, and then falling at my feet. She is amiable, unless you ring the doorbell. I wish she could live forever.

Listen to the summer night, the roads are empty, the sky like a wide open door. Here, in the city, the milky way is dimmed and faint. Insects work my herbs over like cattle in a field and my lemon tree has decided to live, which was always the right choice.

Tonight, the gentle mix of rain and music from the hall across the park and crickets singing from the soil. And the quiet between them is like a boulevard for thoughts. My four-year-old grandson asked today if I had teeth and later, decided I was Batman in his family of heroes.

Here’s my website, where I’m posting stories these days deborahforster.com.au

Another Sunday, another this Life column. This one's about friendship, supermarkets and coats. deborahforster.com.au

Australian workers are getting short-changed, and now there's proof. The average employee received a pay increase of between 1 and 5 per cent last year - while CEO salaries rose by up to 15 per cent. @chriskohler #9News

Here's another column about This Life deborahforster.com.au

I posted a new story on my website. deborahforster.com.au

I've written a new story ... about downsizing. deborahforster.com.au

Some thoughts about summer deborahforster.com.au

On holidays: The landscape is alive with people, bugs, happiness, and ease. Community living is good for kids and it’s good for grandparents too. My latest... deborahforster.com.au

Here's something bit different today, an extract of my fiction deborahforster.com.au

What really happened at the twilight market? deborahforster.com.au

Another story about people you don't forget. deborahforster.com.au

This week's is on my favourite musician Stevie Ray Vaughan and music in general, hope you enjoy deborahforster.com.au

Today's piece is about how things happen to us as we think we're in control, hope you like it, Deb deborahforster.com.au