It’s footy finals season. The Hawks are of course, out of the equation. It would be, maybe (hopefully) not more than 2 seasons before we’d be in the mix again.

Last night, the first qualifying final was played out in front of over 92,000 fans at the G. Tress and I watched it from the comfort of our lounge, so we missed out on the spectacular atmosphere that must have buzzed the G. The Pies triumphed so awaits their opponent in the prelim final in a couple of weeks.

Last night, the game was special for yours truly. It is the first game I watched, without the usual vino in me hand. I have, you see, decided to go dry. No more vino, no more alcohol for me. I don’t believe I have a drinking problem, but drinking as much as I have, has become a real risk for me.

I am working at finding ways to break a habit that is >35 years in the making. That’s not going to be easy. Last night, I fired up the sparkling water maker, and made a bottle that I mixed with some sparkling apple and pomegranate juice that someone gave us a little while ago. It sat in a corner in our pantry as such non-alcoholic beverages didn’t interest me one bit. I sipped the sparkling water and juice mix, as I watched the war of attrition between the Dees and the Pies. It felt different, it felt strange. I hope I have enough in me to see this through and remain dry. I asked the Lord to walk with me, as He always does, and I hope I stay the course.