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Haiku
Haiku uses beautiful language to evoke moments of time and the feeling that you have the wisdom to understand the mysteries of the universe. I wouldn’t say I am very good at it yet, but I feel good enough to share with you. In the meantime, I’ll keep practicing!
It’s a traditional form of Japanese poetry. In English, it’s represented by three lines of text. The first has five syllables, the second seven and the last five. All readable in a single breath.
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Day of overwhelm
It’s been one day of overwhelm after another, with the fond hope the next day will somehow be different.
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Changing time zones
It’s the time of year when the clocks are changing time zones. Half the world moves to summer time, and the rest moves to winter.
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Mystery Mouse
While I was out in the garden this morning I saw a mystery mouse cadaver. I’m not sure whether it was a a mouse or a rat.
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The Wind in the Trees
We’ve had some wild weather recently and I noticed that sometimes, the sound of the wind in the trees is like the sound of the surf on the beach.
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No Ideas or Inspiration
Now and again, I pitch up to my desk to find my brain is mysteriously empty. No ideas or inspiration to be found.
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Happy Holidays 2024
It’s that time again. Time to wish you Happy Holidays 2024. This year the whole season has caught me unaware.
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Walking in the rain
Sometimes walking in the rain on a rainy day is a blessing in disguise. If you need a bit of peace, taking a walk in the rain is a beautiful way to get it.
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Writing Hangover
Now that it’s a new year, and work on the cottage is over, I’ve been trying to get back into my writing routine. But the thing making it difficult, is I’m getting writing hangovers. I’ll be walking down the street or around the supermarket, and I’ll think it’s weird that I’m “here” instead of “there.”…
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Happy Holidays 2023!
Time again to wish you Happy Holidays 2023 wishes – my tenth year wishing you all well for whatever season you’re celebrating at the end of this year.
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The Defeat of Winter
rching something else, and came across the quote by Robert Haddon (see below) I’ve paraphrased in my haiku – the defeat of winter is necessary for the coming of spring. Very appropriate given we’re at the changeable part of the year – one day summer, the next winter.
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Blundering About Like a Caffeinated Spider
You just need to read a couple of posts to know I like to be organised. So, it shouldn’t surprise anyone I feel like a caffeinated spider.
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Failure is NOT an Option
The last couple of months have been so brutal I’ve come close to admitting failure. So brutal I’m not going to mention them. (Aside from saying my health is good
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Utter Chaos
There’s a saying, or perhaps it’s a proverb or idiom about planning. I know it as When man plans the devil laughs… But I’ve also heard variations including, god, ducks, and chaos. Chaos Chaos, in the Ancient Greek creation myths, was the first entity. According to Hesiod, Chaos was a gaping abyss located somewhere between…
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Life Raft
r some reason, my mind turns to Titanic style life boats, along with the cutting edge cork life vests. Little boats tossing and turning on the dark and stormy seas of life.
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What to do next?
Lately I’ve been finding myself tired. There’s so much stuff going on I have no idea what to do next.
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Expectation
Expectation is a way of thinking about the future. You’re expecting a particular outcome from the actions you’re taking. Maybe you’re following a recipe expecting for a delicious meal.
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What’s a Good Book Like?
I’ve been reading a lot about book marketing and branding lately, asking the question, what’t a good book like? I even asked friends and colleagues, “how does a book make you feel?”
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Injured My Hand
I injured my hand gardening over the Christmas/New Year break – couldn’t type, hold a pencil, paintbrush, or mouse for several weeks.
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I’m Not Ready!
Somehow, we’ve arrived at January 9th, theoretically, my first day back at work, and I’m not ready. It’s not really my first day back, I’ve worked more or less through the break, taking care of business in the back office.
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Happy Holidays 2022!
Here we are again, approaching Christmas and the excesses of the season, in my ninth seasonal greeting – Happy Holidays 2022!
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The Smell of Woodsmoke
The other day, we took Clever girl for a walk around the neighbourhood. There was a beautiful blue sky, and the temperature was warm, but not too warm, with just a lazy wind. And the smell of woodsmoke.
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Christmas is coming
I saw my first Christmas decorations recently, and I suddenly realised Christmas is coming. It came as quite a surprise.
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Little Seal Pup
We managed to get away and took Clever Girl for a long walk along the beach. While we were there, we saw a little seal pup.
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Too Late Now!
I admit it – now and again; I get annoyed with Clever Girl and want to send her back. But I recently realised it’s too late now. We can’t let her go.
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Daffodils in Bloom
The other day, I happened to notice the daffodils in bloom. It’s not as exciting as when I lived in the UK – one day nothing, the next masses of them.
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In Case of Doubt
I recently came across an emergency alarm – “in case of emergency, break glass”. A clear and simple instruction, along with a clear and simple action – break the glass.
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The Greatest Ever Haiku
I wrote the Greatest Ever Haiku this morning, and I was so excited to share it with you. But there is a thing that sometimes happens to writers. It’s distraction.
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Life With Dog
Check any dog owner’s instagram, tiktok, or whatever feed, you’ll see any number of cute life with dog pictures of dogs doing adorable things.
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Who are you?
I had my hair cut today. That neatly generic old lady in the mirror didn’t feel like me. “Who are you?” I asked myself.
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Filing Cabinet
Decluttering my filing cabinet has been on my to do list for at least the last five years.
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Isn’t it Odd?
I’ve discovered it’s possible to be frustrated and amused at the same time. Isn’t it odd? And a bit weird?
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New Life Emerging!
And here we are, emerging into 2022. And despite the ongoing Covid Cataclysm, I feel more positive about “things” than I have at any other time during the last two years.
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Happy Holidays 2021!
I feel more positive about the 2021 Holidays than I did about the 2020 Holidays. Perhpas because last year was looking like more of the same, but this year, I feel like 2022 might actually be better than 2021. Even if the Covid affected supply chains can’t catch up. Like Canada dipping into its maple…
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Tidy Desk Tidy Mind
Does a tidy desk really equal a tidy mind? Or is it just that the open, expansive space feels more relaxing? Rife with possibilities.
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The Smell of Fresh Laundry
I LOVE the smell of fresh laundry – hints of lavender, mown lawn, and a little little bit of sunshine. So with the odd warm day we’ve had lately, I’ve been catching up on the washing.
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I Got My Voice Back!
You may or may not know that when I had the stroke last year, my inner dialogue went missing. For a while I really missed it. But I got used to it.
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Some Things to Live By
After another few weeks in lockdown, I’ve been thinking about “things”. Both the physical some things and the mental some things we accumulate as the days go by.
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The Joy of Freshly Mown Lawn
In a rare break of sunshine, we did a little yard work; pruning, weeding, lawn mowing. It’s amazing how much better the garden looks with a freshly mown lawn.
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The Day Seems Bleak
We’ve had FIVE covid related lockdowns. Full of long, bleak days. So many that even I, an introvert who works from home, has about had enough.
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The Time Flew By
Have you ever lost yourself in some kind of activity and wondered where the time went? You say, “oh my gosh, the time flew by, I have no idea where it went!”
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Liquidambar Leaves Falling
This time of year, liquidambar leaves are falling, though I only just noticed them. I mentioned before, that we take Clever Girl to the local park every day.
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NBN Outages
Over the last few days we’ve seen been severe storms and power outages across Vicoria. Some people have been warned not to expect the power back on until June 17th.
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Silent Walk in the Park
We take Clever Girl to the park every day – because if I want to get anything done, it has to be done. Recently, it’s been a silent walk in the park.
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The Miracle of Rain
The miracle of rain is that it happens at all – drinking water just falls from the sky. It supports all life on this planet, and literally falls fall from the sky! That’s amazing.
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Puppy has Sharp Teeth
It’s hardly groundbreaking news for anyone who owns a puppy (or is owned by one), but they have sharp teeth.
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I’m Losing My Mind (I think)
I think as well as rats (of the flying and furry kind) we are infested with mischievous pixies. Either that or I’m losing my mind.
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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Something I’ve learned since becoming a dog owner again is that it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie. When they’re sleeping they are quiet.
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When the Sun Comes Out
Last week was a bit cloudy and miserable, and I was struck by how beautiful the garden was when the sun comes out. Raindrops glistening and all that.
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Time Passes Slowly
I’d like to say my vacation time passes slowly, and I really enjoyed my break, but that would be a lie. I’d also like to say I’ve got grand plans for 2021, but I didn’t really make time to work them out yet.
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Happy Holidays 2020!
Happy holidays 2020! But, let’s be honest. The only happy thing about holidays in 2020, is that the year is nearly over.
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Welcome Back!
Welcome, welcome back! It’s been ages since I wrote. I didn’t mean to leave such a long gap between posts.
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The Tiny Pretty Things
When you think about it, life is all about the tiny things. The tiny pretty things.
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Beauty Excites Emotion
Okay, so we all know that the last few months have been hard, emotionally draining, and not very beautiful. Especially here in Australia, what with it being winter and all. Some days, I look out the window at the cold grey skies, and wonder where all the beauty went. Though beauty is as beauty does.…
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Melody for Marbles
In a recent blog post, Dean Wesley Smith mentioned driving from Lincoln City, Oregon to Las Vegas, Nevada with a car full of marbles. Carefully packed to not “bang together.”
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Times Are Tough and Getting Tougher
There’s no doubt times are tough right now – June especially so under Covid restrictions has passed, even though they’re easing a bit.
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The Joy of Being
It seems to me, despite the sh*t going on right now, the joy of being alive balances it out.
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It’s Weather for Ducks
I’m not sure why people compain about rain they call it nasty – weather for ducks! (Though I’m not exactly sure why it’s only weather for ducks, and not swans or ibis.)
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I Still Survive
Sometimes you’re not thriving, sometimes it’s as much as you can do to come to a place where you can say “I still survive!”
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It’s Not War, it’s Sickness
All these fat old white men talking about a war on Covid-19 is making me irritable. It’s not war, it’s sickness.
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Do I Start Again or Start Something New?
Poor Pretty Girl is gone now, and I find myself not only orphaned but petless too. It’s been hard to start again
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In Memoriam Pretty Girl; Maidenbelle Snow Lily (2004 – 2020)
Little pretty girl, playful and so very sweet, goodbye, yu good dog
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Was that a Radio Conversation or Not?
The other day I was trotting around doing some chores before work, and I thought I heard a radio conversation.
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Public Bathroom Benefits
A while back, someone told me that most people are too lazy to travel more than one or two cubicles in a public bathroom. And the longer the run, the cleaner the end is by comparison to the beginning.
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Welcome 2020, good to see you
It seems like no time at all since I was wishing you Happy Holidays, and now it’s all Welcome 2020.
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Happy Holidays 2019!!!
The fifth anniversary of this blog passed quietly during the year, so this is the sixth time I’ve wished you all Happy Holidays. So, happy holidays 2019.
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The Melodious Dawn Chorus Daily
One of the amazing things about birds and animals, is vocal group communications, whether that’s the Dawn Chorus, Twighlight Barking, or the alarm tones that signal mass evacuations.
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Joy in Matching Beanies
The other day, I saw a young couple wearing matching beanies on the train. He had his arm around her, and she was nestled into his armpit, leaning her head on his shoulder.
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Stealing Kisses
Sometimes, I think the best viewing comes from watching ordinary people doing ordinary things, like stealing kisses.
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What I Need Right Now
The other day I was watching Men in Black: International, and among other things that made me laugh, were the red buttons. The “what I need right now” buttons that supercharge whatever thing they’re attached to
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Busy Bees Buzz Buzz Buzzing
I don’t know about you, but it didn’t really occur to me that bees exist in Winter, even if they aren’t busy. Well, not until I saw a couple the other day.
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Being Alone But Not Lonely With Others
I recently went to a writer’s conference. And that was kind of funny; writers are generally solitary creatures. Even in a crowded room we’re busy being alone.
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The Bizarre And Confusing Logic Of Creative Pursuits
I don’t believe in writer’s block, I believe in the logic of creative pursuits. Generally, when I sit down to write, I just write the next sentence.
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The Joy of New Undergarments
I mentioned in my Winter Wardrobe Plan that I needed new undergarments. But it was a kind of off-hand addition that suggested there was no particular need or rush.
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Life is Passing Me By
I can’t believe the year is a quarter gone – it’s passing me by. I had grand plans, but I’ve achieved nothing. Panic has set in.
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The Benefit of a Good Night’s Sleep
We recently replaced our old worn out mattresses. Not before time, because you can’t beat a good night’s sleep.
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Back in the Swing of my Daily Routine
If you’ve caught up with the Project Worthwhile Life, then you’ll know I’m changing direction. While I’m trying to get back in the swing of my daily routine
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On My Way Back Home
Whenever I come back home, I see a version of this scene. At that point, I feel myself starting to relax. I even feel relaxed just looking at this image!
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Wishing on a Moon Balloon
We’re blessed by lunar events, including supermoon, blue moon, blood moon, partial solar eclipse, and a total lunar eclipse. Like a big old moon balloon.
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In the Quiet Time
My most favourite time of the day is first thing, with my coffee. The quiet time. Before anything happens.
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In Memoriam Pretty Boy: Maidenbelle Snow Tsar (2004 – 2018)
My pretty boy’s gone, chasing rabbits in the sky – neve forgotten
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I miss you so much
One of the key Stoic philosophical foundations is preparing yourself for misfortune. There’s a sort of miss you or make you risk management element to it.
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Yes, Love is Forever – No Matter What
Love is forever. At least that’s what traditional marriage vows say:
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We Can’t All be Cats With Nine Lives
After a transplant rejection scare,we waited dismally for the results. Feeling like we were running out of time. We can’t all be cats with nine lives.
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The Sun Shines Brightly
I had my second cataract surgery not long ago. When the bandage came off, I was surprised (again) that the sun shines brightly.
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Unbearable Silence
Sometimes, when you are waiting for something, the wait feels unendurable. A never-ending unbearable silence. Especially when you think that something is really important.
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Changing Seasons Bring the Smell of Smoke in the Wind
Once again it’s the time of changing seasons. The weather is cooling, and the morning air has a definite chill.
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Life Takes the Back Seat
I received some disturbing news this week that suggests I’ve lost focus on what really matters. Life goes on regardless, and we think we are making the best of it, but being alive is not the same thing as living a life that’s worth living.
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Happy 2018!
It’s time to leave the past behind and embrace the future – there are changes afoot, but you’ll have to wait to hear more about them. Happy 2018.
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If a Tree Falls in the Forest
During the recent storms, a tree fell on our house [1]. Fortunately, the tree died a long time ago, so it was brittle and broke up when it hit. But as the rain washed the dry earth from its roots, it fell without warning and with such force, the ground shook. And it made so…
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My Dog Snores Gently
As you know, my poor pretty boy has been ill. Turns out he has kidney failure and is down to about 25% kidney function. I know how that feels. We might get another year or two with him if we can manage his condition well enough, but he’s not a big complaining attention seeker like…
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Spring is Here at Last
Spring is here at last. We’ve had some of the kind of warm days that make you want to start clearing up your yard for the upcoming barbecue season.
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Feels Like a New Start
Things have gone to pot around here recently, but I’ve only just noticed. It’s not pleasant and I feel like I just need a new start.
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Mysterious Mysterioso
Mysterioso mysteriously life continues on its path. And if I’m fortunate, there will be another 40 or 50 years of it.
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Sheepishly I Sit
I’ve been sheepishly waiting a lot lately. With all the legalities I’ve been taking care of it’s been hard not to wait docilely in line until my number is called.
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When the Darkness Comes
Grief, like darkness comes and goes. It ebbs and flows over time; keeping weird unsociable hours and turning up at inconvenient moments like a door-to-door salesman.
