Then this happened....

I recently stumbled across this old BlogSpot I created years ago, and for reasons I still can’t explain, I haven’t written an entry since late 2019. I’m not entirely sure what happened. My stepfather did pass away around that time, but I don’t believe that event had a major impact on my life, so it must have been something else.

It feels almost as though I’ve suddenly been transported to the year 2025—right to the end of it, in December. So much has happened since 2019 that I hardly know where to begin. Tracey and I are still living in Glasshouse Mountains, and our eldest granddaughter, Annabelle, who is now eleven, has been living with us since October 2024. That situation is a long and sad story in itself; one I won’t go too far into here. I will say only that we’re hoping the state will allow Annabelle to live with her father, our youngest son, James—the person she desperately wants to be with.

I’m still writing, although I went through a period where my mind seemed to wander off without me. I found myself dealing with some mental health challenges—something I can’t deny. I wouldn’t claim I’m completely past it, but I’m certainly in a much better place than I was a few years ago. My self-confidence and sense of self-worth took a hit, along with everything else that comes with that kind of struggle. I’ve documented a lot of it over the years—enough to fill several books, though I doubt many people would want to read that. I’ve often joked about calling it The Scribblings of a Strange and Unusual Man. I probably have enough written to make it a multi-volume set. Maybe I’ll keep that idea tucked away for the future.

Naturally, all of this has forced me to take a long, serious look at my life. I can’t change the past, but I can try to correct or improve the things I still have some influence over. My mum passed away in 2023, and although that was a significant event, I feel she is finally at peace. Her last few years were far from pleasant—both for her and for many of us around her.

We had tried to convince her that a nursing home would be the safest place for her. She was prone to frequent falls and spent most days alone. After a couple of incidents where she fell and couldn’t reach her medical lifeline—which she always left in the kitchen before falling in the bathroom—she eventually realized she wasn’t safe at home. She agreed to enter the nursing home, where she continued to fall, but at least there she received immediate care, and they soon put protective measures in place.

Even with Mum in care, I essentially became her carer. I held her Enduring Power of Attorney and Advanced Health Directive—documents I believe everyone should have in place while they are still mentally able to make those decisions. Mum had several health issues. Parkinson’s took a heavy toll, she’d had multiple knee surgeries, and her weight didn’t help. She was also her own worst enemy at times, refusing to do the therapy needed to keep her legs strong. The wheelchair, meant to be a temporary aid during therapy, became something she believed she couldn’t live without, even though initially there was no medical reason she couldn’t walk.

After her last surgery—though I can’t even recall what it was for—she suffered post-operative delirium. That was the beginning of her real decline. She was never the same again. She became aggressive with the staff, and I was constantly called in to calm her. Eventually I had to take away her phone and credit cards because she began ordering furniture and other items, she had no use for and couldn’t possibly have at the nursing home. I lost count of how many conversations I had with retailers, cancelling orders she’d placed.

As her behavior worsened, the staff asked for my permission to move her to the secure ward—for her safety, and for the safety of residents and staff. I agreed, because I knew it was necessary, but it broke my heart to leave her behind that locked door. She truly believed I had imprisoned her.

One of the hardest moments came when they presented me with a document titled Approval for Chemical Restraint. They needed my written consent to medicate her during violent outbursts. Signing that form—authorizing them to chemically restrain my own mother—was one of the most painful decisions I have ever made.

I think I’ll leave it there for now. I have so much to catch up on, but for now, writing all of this has been emotionally taxing, and I need a moment to breathe.

Xmas Eve 2019 21:15

It has started to rain, and don't we need it badly. I just hope it lasts. Wow, Thunder and lightning. Heavy rain is falling on the Glass House Mountains. Best Crissie present ever. I hope everyone is getting some rain too.

Xmas Day 2019 09:30 It's all very quiet on the eastern front of Glass House Mountains. It's still wet outside, but not raining anymore, hopefully, we'll get some more throughout the day. The silence will soon be shattered by the onslaught of grandchildren arriving in waves, wonderful experience. My mum has rung three times already, asking who is picking her up, bless her. It's all arranged mum I tell her, just like it was five minutes ago.
It's a little muggy so we've got the air conditioners on to cool the house to an acceptable temperature. The ham is about to sliced up and the prawns are defrosting. So much food and so little time to eat it all, although I don't know why we put ourselves through the stress of preparing festivities for just one day. We should live every day with gusto, making the most out of everything you do.

I saw the Hand Therapist yesterday and she is happy with the progress of my right elbow, still a way to go. Still another ten days or so before they will allow me to drive a vehicle. It has been so frustrating being hamstrung from using the right arm, especially as my left arm is still functioning at less than 30%, The woes of turning 60 years of age I suppose. I'm being strong and maintaining a positive outlook because I have much to do in preparation for my big treck next year.

The initial stages of readiness for the "Back to the Track 2020" has been going well, I had the majority of the mechanical aspects for the Jeep completed prior to my Surgery in November with the aid my chief Machanic, Ted Martin. I so wish he could come with us next year. We need to do a few long-distance trials, testing both driver and vehicle endurance, as there will be some long days with upward of 300 kilometers on a number of days during the event.

Whoops! 10:30 Silence is broken, they've arrived.


Pandamonium!


Xmas Night 19:00 Peace finally achieved. Tracey and I are home alone once again. Rain has fallen steadily throughout the day although the sun did shine a few times during the day. As always at Xmas time too much food, drink, and merriment for one day, why do we do it? Pretty sure I've spoken to all that I ought to on this festive day. Although those that really count would not have been offended if by chance we'd missed a call or two. That's life.

I do trust you all faired well on this day, hopefully not eaten or drunk too much. Overall I do hope you have enjoyed the friendship, companionship That this generally brings. So looking forward to the New Year and the countdown to "Back to the Track 2020" will click over to six months, and so it begins.

Tasmania trip

My wife, Tracey and I recently spent two weeks traveling around Tasmania and what an awesome state to visit. There is so much to see in Tassie it's unbelievable, two weeks was just not long enough. We flew into Tasmanian to a (apparently unseasonal) rainstorm. No sooner were we in the hire car and we were being buffered by almost cyclonic winds and rain. Welcome to Tassie I thought. Regardless we braved the wet for a few days in Hobart before we headed North West on our tour of the Apple Isle. The tourist spots like the Harbour, Shot Tower and then to MONA (Museum Of New Art) which was certainly an eye opener.

The countryside rolled along and the weather improved slightly, historic Richmond, Strahan, Queenstown and Cradle Mountain (awesome) Devonport, Stanley, Launceston, Swansea and finishing at Port Arthur before heading back to the airport to fly home. Definitely would like to see more of this great little state.

Happy New Year

It's 2018 

It's not like we didn't know it was coming either. Well, it's here so let's embrace the new year with the same gusto of previous years. 

I would like to wish you all the very best for the coming year.

December 2017

Wow! Who would have thought it was December 2017 already. This year, like many, has simply flown by. They seem to do that, don't they? It always seems that the year is drawing to a close, then Xmas comes, followed closely by New Years Eve then New Years Day. These are busy times in our lives, but then it seems so is every other month.

Tempest Fugit (Time Flies) and it literary does. So take the time to enjoy yourselves at some point in your life. Don't live your live on auto-cruise, because time will simply pass you by and before long you're going to wonder where your life went. A close friend of mine once said 'Life is what happens while you're busy planning it. I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but it's worthy of repeating, that when you look at the history of the world and realize we are here on this planet for such a brief period in time, some shorter than others. Whilst it doesn't hurt to dream a little, we need to embrace the time we have and really make the most of 'what we have rather than what we want'. Enjoy life while you can.

Enough said on that subject. I do want to wish everyone a joyous time over the up and coming festive season, as someone once said 'Eat, drink and be merry', but please be safe while you're doing it. I hope 2018 brings you happiness, love and well being.

Cheers all Rick Canhan

September 2017

September

has been just one of those months, you know which, one that just about everything happens and usually at the same time too. It started early with arrival of interstate visitors in the form of Aunty Rosie and Uncle Ross from the mid north NSW Coast, their arrival heralded the dawn of my nephews (Matt) impending wedding to Deanna, down the Gold Coast on 8 September.

Next was 2-4 Sep 2017 with our clubs 2nd 'Unofficial' Jeep/Train run for the year over two beautiful days on (disused) train lines throughout the countryside around the Biggenden area. And where would you be if you didn't have the occasional derailment to interrupt the peaceful train ride?

What we were actually doing was keeping our history alive by reliving some of our marvellous military history through re-enacting the use of the mighty 'Jeep' on train tracks as they did during WW2. In the Pacific Islands and in PNG the majority of so called 'passable' roads were often chocked with destroyed vehicles, refugees, troop movement and an assortment of military and civilian vehicles. It was imperative to keep the rail lines open to move supplies forward and return wounded to the rear. Enemy bombing and strafing of the slow moving train locomotives caused a shortage within the resupply system and set into play an ingenious plan to keep supplies moving by the use of the humble Jeep. Wheels were locally manufactured and fitted to the Jeep and the wheels of progress turned, and as they say 'the rest is history' although many today are still unaware this was just one of the many tasks asked of the mighty little Jeep. An interesting point to note here is the life expectancy of a Jeep in an Operational Zone (War Zone) was just 90 days, and it is through groups like ours who lovingly restore and preserve our rich history which enables us to help celebrate the '75 Year' Anniversary of the humble Jeep.

Although much of the action we had on the weekend took place in the remote and often out of sight areas on tracks away from most roads, there was plenty of opportunity for some of the locals and many tourists alike to enjoy the sights of 'Jeeps on train tracks' and many were seen waving like mad or running off to retrieve their cameras and snap away at something they've never seen before and will probably never see again. Looking forward to the next Jeep/Train run.

 Next off the ranks was our Grandson (Tate Hunter Mortimer) with his early arrival on the 5th.

Luke and Lindsay were overjoyed and what a whirlwind was little Zoe who proudly became a big sister to Tate. The Mortimer household suddenly became so much more busier and louder, and the best part about being a Grandparent is as they say 'you get to hand them back'. Love all my Grandkids to bits.

I then had a multitude of medical appointments to catch up on, which seem to be the norm (apparently) when your nearly 60, these were sometimes more than one appointment per day and covered three of the next four days, it gets tiring attending all these appointments.

The 8th Sep saw us at the anticipated Wedding on the Gold Coast, well up in the hinterland actually. It was a nice wedding that went off without a hitch (as they say) although it did finish early which gave us the opportunity to get down off the mountain through some of the most windiest of roads I've ever encountered. We managed to watch the end of the footy that night too.

Even more medical appointments covered 11-13 Sep and also, like most Wed and Thurs 8:30 - 12:00 I managed to put in an appearance at our local Glasshouse Mountains Country Men's Shed (in Beerwah, don't ask) here I get the opportunity to glean yet more knowledge from like minded folk who also attend, I find this very rewarding as I've also found a number of Vietnam Veterans amongst the group who are more than willing to have a yarn or two with a younger Veteran. I've taken up welding and have learnt that what I thought was welding (proper) was just back yard stuff I learnt as youngster, you know, a grinder will fix that up that bad weld. I can now say I've learnt from the experience of some of the best and can now produce some decent weld jobs. Now I want a Gas Mig Welder and a Plasma Cutter too! Lest I say I'm enjoying the experience and I also get to give back to the community through the many tasks the Men's Shed does.

Sat 16 Sep I had a visit from another member of the Military Jeep Club of Qld (MJCQ) to discuss a number of topics including the up-and-coming Annual Swap Meet in Beaudesert mid Oct this year.

I've been fortunate enough to be able to collect a number of Jeep spare parts on some of my forays in the wilderness of the middle of Western and Southern QLD, enough so that I've got a fairly good collection. Some of which I've cleaned up, sandblasted, prepped and painted ready for sale and some I've left in its 'as found state' as some prefer to either do it themselves or keep in its rustic state. The majority of these many parts I've been entrusted by various farmers throughout the state to sell on their behalf and go 50/50 on the proceeds, so I'm humbled at their trust in me to do this. Some items have sold already from my initial post on our club Facebook page. Maybe we'll see you at Beaudesert Showgrounds over 13-15 Oct 2017.

Tues 19 Aug saw me and Tracey fly to Sydney to attend the funeral of my best friend's Mother, Dorothy Dewar aged 80, I'd known Dot since about fifth grade when I first met my now long term friend, Chris Dewar, when we moved to Campbelltown NSW in 1970. Dot was almost like a second Mum to me as I'd spent so much of my school age years at their place, they had Eight kids and I just blended in with the rest. So yes it was sad to say goodbye to someone I knew and respected so well for near on Fifty years. RIP Dot.

29 Sep is my mothers 78th Birthday so we'll be going out for dinner no doubt. 29 Sep is also Remembrance Day for the Police Force, which is another event for which I hold dear to my heart, many of my ex-service friends are in the Police Force in many Australian States and it is a time to reflect on those that had paid the supreme sacrifice.

Over the next few day I shall be finalising what I'm taking to Beaudesert this year, unfortunately my Jeep will not be finished in time to participate as I don't want to rush the reassembly stage. So I'm concentrating on getting it right on the final research of the restoration of my Jeep 159219 so that it'll not only look it's best when finished, but it will operate to the best it can in the safest way too. It's gunna be so cool!

The last weekend in Sep I'll also be visiting another of my many MJCQ friends to check out and trial the trailer he built to carry his Jeep, I've seen it in the earlier stages and I'm sure it will perform well. That just about wraps up September for this year, until October, Cheers all.

It' August already!

The year of 2017 is already half way through, as I always say, Tempus fugit (Time fly's). For those that know me well know I've been preoccupied of late with my 1942 Willys Jeep restoration project. I'm also still under my Physiotherapist strict instructions not to overdo things following my two left shoulder reconstructions, (yes, the same shoulder). One could think I'd have no excuse for not sitting down and writing (typing), but I've found it's not that easy as my shoulder cramps up too much to stay sitting at a computer for too long. So it's been a frustrating nine months so far and I've still a way to go yet. Saying that I am making progress in the writing and the Jeep restoration, albeit very slow progress, but we are moving forward. Cheers to all for now.