I've been reading a lovely book entitled "Cleo" which was written by Helen Brown. She is a journalist who lives in New Zealand and the book is a memoir of a time and a cat who changed her life.

It is interesting that when she speaks of Christmas it is warm summer (just like where you are, Chooky,) and here Christmas is usually cold. Of course, here it was 82 deg F yesterday, but it is going to be cooler and then cold over the next week or two.

You might check out this book if you are interested in a rather different read.