fops, renos, autumn, and middle-aged brains. not necessarily in that order.

middle-aged brains, according to studies just published, are the best brains of our lives. specifically, betwixt the ages of 40 and 60. I have nothing to say on the matter - neatly putting the lie to the science :D. the topic does, however, push my purpose a nudge closer to ... fops! while it's true that many a moderne youngster has harboured a yearning for austeny romance in an empire line frock, I've noticed a slow wending of my fellow woacas t'wards same - though they appear to arrive by a different route (or root). there is SOMETHING, defying all feminine logic (!) that dictates our preference for blokey he-blokes, fatally attractive about a man in full regency clobber and a lush pair of mutton chops. does it tie in with the crossing of that border between "most of it ahead" and "most of it behind"? the time when history becomes bigger and more real than future? certainly, the interest in classical music, literature, furnishings, houses, politics, etc seems to step up several notches in the middling years, at least as far as my social circle is concerned. either way, the rootability of a strapping great mr darcy (NOT colin firth, who is entirely unrootable) can't be denied. and if the aforementioned antique rootery involves the ripping of an empire line bodice, period furnishings and a string quartet, all the better! which itself leads me to the next topic ... renos. now normally we'd contract another round of rejigs in the summer months, but we managed to forget all about it this year - handily retaining our pesos for alternative insults. still, here we are today, contemplating another hideously expensive manipulation of the casa. had our chippy in last night to talk through the insy outsy of things .. and he's now gorn off to work out how much he can fat up the quote. anyhoo, the idea is to further torque the 1950's weatherboard bungalow t'wards a pared down version of a turn of century model. new and differently shaped colourbond roof (conveniently also improves position of solar panels), replacing last few remaining aluminium windows with timber, adding another room, and extending front verandah around corner and down one side. will involve roof removal, obviously, but we'll do that bit last - and not before spring! might add another fireplace, too. one of those built-in slow combustion types so I can have a chimney breast and mantelpiece at last :p bringing me, finally, to autumn! how good is this season? I love it so much it hurts. sparkling crystalline mornings, swishing through the crunchy leaves, admiring the jewel colours of the japanese maples, being able to do stuff outdoors all day long if I see fit, vegie garden abundance, yada yada. happiness!