Joy is…taking a day off anyway!

Some days you just need to take some time to yourself.

We had quite a big one last night celebrating a special occasion, and we’ve been pretty busy of late.

So this morning, despite a writing deadline fast approaching and the tidying-up fairies leaving it all to me again, I nevertheless chose to not do much of anything.

It was bliss.

Sharni and Johnny hooked up their hammock in a shady spot and snoozed peacefully. I made endless cups of tea and gazed out at the frangipani tree now in glorious bloom.

Later I shamelessly ate too much chocolate Bounty (I have a thing for coconut) and found joy watching other creatives be productive on YouTube — art vlogs, anyone?

Admittedly, the beans aren’t quite as capable of doing nothing for as long as I am.

They seem to recharge quickly, like they’re plugged into a fast-charging power bank. I recharge like there’s a dodgy cable and you’re lucky to get half a charge all day.

So before I was really ready, I was dragged back into the real world when the beans decided to cook up a yummy feast. Cupboard doors banged, pots and pans clanked, and a suitably dramatic soundtrack was selected.

All I could think was how we hadn’t yet done the washing up from breakfast, and already they were adding to the pile. I also wasn’t that hungry after all the chocolate-covered coconut and tea.

But as they say, all good things must come to an end—and so too must one’s big-night recovery. Pyjamas must be swapped for proper clothes, and bed hair must be brushed and tamed.

And writers with a deadline must write.

And people who live with joy-seeking tornadoes must tidy up.

So if you’re reading this, I did at least achieve one of those things today.

— Sam

Joy is…making space!

What a week

Sharni and Johnny only announced their new “plans” for the studio a few days ago, and already our usual routines have gone completely haywire.

They’ve moved furniture. They’ve emptied boxes. They’ve made… piles. Oh good grief. It’s chaos.

What was once the storage area will soon be “better utilised” by the beans.
They have dreamed up big plans. Joyful plans. And I have to admit—it’s all very exciting, except for one teeny-tiny detail: where will all the storage go now?

This pesky thought stopped Sharni and Johnny for maybe a whole nanosecond. They blinked in unison, then—without a single thought passing between them—shrugged happily and skipped off.

Clearly my problem to solve. Or maybe they’ll circle back later...

For now, my report is brief out of necessity. Apparently “making space” is cathartic and— with Sharni and Johnny involved—no doubt joyful.

We’ll see.

— Sam

Joy is…flexing new muscles!

Sharni and Johnny have been asking for some time now if we could all join the gym, but despite their incredible powers of persuasion, I’ve so far resisted.

Until this week, that is.

Maybe it’s because we’re now in November and there are less than 60 days until the new year.

Maybe it’s because I see how strong some of my gym-going friends are getting — and I’m envious of their discipline.

Or maybe it’s because even stretchy pants are getting uncomfortable.

Whatever the reason, I found myself this week filling out online forms and coughing up for membership fees. That left only one thing to do: get up early and go work out.

Sharni and Johnny were beside themselves with excitement and were up before the alarm. By the time I’d located my slippers, they’d already slipped into matching workout gear — complete with forehead-hugging sweatbands.

They looked like a couple of 80s-era aerobics junkies, and I couldn’t help but laugh. The vision in front of me lightened my mood and eased a little of my dread about what was to come.

Once at the small, quiet gym, we were inducted by a lovely lady who pointed out the equipment, light switches, and restrooms, then made sure our new key fobs worked.

And then she left.

We were alone — three amateurs in a room full of items designed to make us fitter and stronger, if only we knew how to use them.

As it turned out, the beans did have half a clue. It seems they’d been watching YouTube videos for months, eagerly awaiting my eventual surrender. Johnny offered instructions on the free weights, while Sharni pulled out a neatly written strength-training plan for us to follow.

They even made me pose for a before photo — their anticipation of a “noteworthy transformation” giving me quite the boost.

What happened next I’m sure I’ll regret tomorrow, but today? I feel a little proud.

We lifted, we did sets and reps, and we actually enjoyed it.

Johnny’s been flexing invisible muscles ever since, and Sharni is already drawing up a new healthy eating plan for us to follow. Apparently, now that we’re weightlifters, we need more protein.

I heard them mention peanut butter — so I’m all in.

It’s just the sweatbands I’ll resist with all my newfound strength.

— Sam

Joy is…campfires, swags and surprises!

I kid you not, about a month ago I enthusiastically agreed - back when the weather forecast was favourable - to accompany Sharni and Johnny on a weekend camping trip up the coast.

As a comfort zone dweller, this was not normal behaviour.

Sure, I’ve slept in tents before, but these days I’m quite fond of four walls, an actual roof and a decent mattress.

But their excitement was contagious. Soon even I was looking forward to it.

Unfortunately, as the date rolled around so did the rain clouds. And they were rumoured to contain hail.

I found some good excuses to stay home and be warm, dry and comfy watching Netflix. But Sharni and Johnny would hear none of it. “That’s camping!” they would chirp every time I pointed out a possible catastrophe.

They seemed confident in their set up too, even a little proud. We would be sleeping in waterproof swags under a gazebo (something we would soon be very grateful for), complete with a camping stove for cooking and an esky to keep the food cold. Johnny even packed head torches.

On Friday, Sharni and Johnny headed off early with all the gear — because some of us still had to work — and enjoyed perfect driving conditions and a warm, holiday-style welcome at the campground. They set up camp and even snuck in a trip to the beach

I, meanwhile, drove up later that afternoon through a torrential downpour and winds strong enough to impress a storm chaser.

Miraculously, the rain eased and the wind dropped just in time for dinner by the campfire. Though the storm would return for bedtime, we had plenty of time to enjoy an evening under the stars — with Johnny’s animated yarns and Sharni’s sweet songs.

The next morning dawned bright and beautiful, revealing blue skies and stunning scenery. The beans were full of beans and keen to find as much joy as possible hidden around the campground.

And they did. And so did I. There was joy in the camp-side meals, the shared nature walks, the quiet moments alone with a book, and in simply watching the beans revel in it all.

There was only one incident involving native wildlife and a swag left unzipped. There was squealing. There was chaos. But as Sharni and Johnny would say… “That’s camping!”

- Sam

Joy is…boats, beans and driftwood dreams!

Sharni and Johnny haven’t been out in their boat since the floods, but last weekend they decided it was time to once again enjoy their local waterways.

It’s a little tinny — to match Johnny’s little car — but with just enough room for me too, when I’m keen.

We packed sunscreen, hats, bottles of water and some yummy snacks, then headed for the boat ramp.

There were a few people ahead of us launching jet skis into the river, and I could almost hear Johnny’s thoughts. He and Sharni shared a knowing look followed by cheeky grins, and if he hadn’t been operating a motorised vehicle, I’m quite sure Johnny would have penned his letter to Santa then and there.

It’s at this point I should mention that stepping from solid ground into a floating boat feels about as natural to me as walking a rocky track in heels. While Sharni and Johnny navigated the transition with nimbleness and glee, I can only assume I looked like a sack of potatoes being dragged off a delivery truck.

Anyhoo, it wasn’t long before we were buzzing along, the wind in our faces and the sound of the motor drowning out Sharni and Johnny’s animated conversation. They looked excited and were clearly hatching a plan, but I had no hope of hearing them. I’d just have to wait to be surprised when we got where we were going.

Turns out we’d be anchoring on the shores of the estuary — a place that had once been soft sand but was now a splintery carpet of driftwood. As we puttered around looking for the right spot, we took in the sight before us.

I thought the beans would be disappointed, but where I saw devastation and change, they saw joyful opportunity. They built a fort. Of course they did. It had been the plan all along.

A quick scan of the horizon showed the silhouette of driftwood teepees reshaping the landscape.

Sharni and Johnny poured every bit of energy into their construction project while I loitered in the shade and supervised.

When I awoke, there it was — a magnificent architectural marvel and two exhausted but extremely proud beans.

As we headed for home, it occurred to me that although the landscape may change, joy always finds new ground to play on — well, Sharni and Johnny do anyway.

-Sam